|
Barfly Jason Genegabus |
Big on beer
JULY IS THE best month to be a beer aficionado -- and if you're not, it's also the perfect time to get started on becoming one.
That's because we're in the middle of American Beer Month, a nationwide celebration of the popular libation that people from around the world have enjoyed for centuries.
Even monks knew how to kick back and relax with a brew back in the day, according to the ABM's Web site (www.americanbeermonth.com). During Medieval times, they would fast during Advent and Lent with little more than beer to help get them through.
HERE IN the 50th state, the biggest celebration of American Beer Month takes place tomorrow downtown, when Nuuanu Avenue will be closed from 4 to 10 p.m. for the "American Brews, Blues, BBQs Block Party."
Sponsored by the Nuuanu Merchants Association, the event serves as a fund-raiser for the Hawaii Women's Business Center and a reason for Oahu residents to come out and sample some of the best beers on the market.
More than 40 different beers will be served, including mainstream favorites such as Bud Light, Sam Adams, Coors Original and Michelob Ultra.
But if you ask me, the fun thing about an event like this is getting the chance to try a beer you normally wouldn't buy during a trip to the supermarket or corner liquor store.
People still look at me funny when I tell them my favorite beer is Deschutes Black Butte Porter, but try a sample of it tomorrow and you'll be pleasantly surprised by its smooth taste for such a dark brew. If you're a fan of light beers, go out on a limb and try something different like Widmer Brothers' Hefeweizen, Rogue's Dead Guy Ale or Pyramid Breweries' Coast Line.
Tomorrow is your chance to sample beers you don't normally get the opportunity to taste.
A NUMBER of local breweries are also signed up to take part in the festivities tomorrow.
The Kona Brewing Co., Sam Choy's Big Aloha Brewery, Brew Moon and Kauai's Keoki Brewing Co. will all have taps set up, serving beers such as Lavaman Red Ale, Big Aloha Hefeweizen, Black Hole Lager and Keoki Sunset. Kona Brewing and Sam Choy's will both offer four different brews during the block party, with Brew Moon and Keoki Brewing serving up two different styles of beer each.
Non-alcoholic O'Doul's will be poured for those serving as designated drivers for the night, and even those poor souls who can't appreciate good beer will have something to drink -- a variety of red and white wines will be available as well.
BESIDES JUST drinking it, residents will also be able to learn more about what goes into making a quality beer. Brewmaster Jim Bailey will hold a free home brewmaster demonstration from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at the ARTS at Marks Garage, where he'll show you just how easy it is to get started on brewing your own beer at home.
In addition to the brewmaster demonstration, a beer and BBQ cook-off between the staffs of Hank's Cafe, Indigo Restaurant, Murphy's Bar & Grill and Tea at 1024 will take place during the block party, and a beer museum will be open to the public to provide a look into the history of beer and how it's made.
And if that's not enough, be sure to check out the live entertainment on two stages along Nuuanu -- Nitetrain, M.O.R., James Ronstadt and the Dynamic Shuffle Kings, and the Hawaii International Jazz Festival Blues All-Stars are all scheduled to perform. Call 386-1436 for more information.
CAN'T MAKE it to the block party tomorrow night? Another option is to drive out to Hawaii Kai and pay a visit to the Kona Brewing Company's new brewpub at Koko Marina.
As part of KBC's month-long celebration, residents are invited to stop by on Tuesdays for their "Brewsday" special: Buy a pint of any microbrew, and you can keep the glass it's served in for just $2 more. Wednesdays are "Brew-niversity" days at the Kona Brewing Co., with a free workshop that starts at 5:30 p.m. and covers the ingredients in beer, how it's brewed and what makes KBC's ales and lagers different from others on the market.
And on July 31, a special "Brewmaster Dinner" is scheduled, with a four-course, all-American barbeque-style menu paired with different beers (including some that are only available at the brewpub). You'll also get a chance to take a free sunset marina boat cruise, and take home a souvenir American Beer Month pint glass.
Cost for the dinner, including gratuity, is $40. Call 394-5662 for reservations.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Barfly appears every Friday in Star-Bulletin Weekend.
E-mail Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com with suggestions of neighborhood bars to visit.
