 As the fall colors and chilly evenings arrive, it’s time once again to gather with family and friends (even if it’s virtually this year) to celebrate all that we have to be thankful for, and relive all the ways that you’ve disappointed them, yet again, this year. Without a doubt their biggest disappointment will be your continued obsession with this thing you call “Craft” beer. YOUR MOM: “You spent HOW much on that 4 pack of fruit juice, Jimothy? But you sleep on a futon!”  YOU:  With this list of 7 great, Louisville-made gateway beers (almost all of which can be found at your local grocery store -- we recommend ValuMarket, Mid City Mall) you’ll remind them of the crisp lagers they're used to, but also show them that there’s so much more great beer out there... and that maybe... just maybe... you’re not a complete degenerate. With each beer, we’ll also provided recommendations for other Louisville made gateway beers we think they’ll love! New to Louisville Ale Trail? Our passport packages make great holiday gifts. 1. Sprockets (German Lager) - Gravely Brewing Co.Who It's For: Uncle Phil “Thanks, but I only drink award-winning German Lagers.” says your snooty Uncle Phil as you hand him a cold can of Gravely's Sprockets Pilsner. It’s hard to argue with him because his sweater-vest game is strong, but this year you’ve got a secret weapon. “Well, that’s funny, Uncle Phil 'cause this German Lager is so drinkable and true-to-style, that it just won a First Place at the Great American Beer Festival.”  He takes a sip and glances down his nose at you, as if really seeing you for the first time, “Listen Son,” he says with a gleam in his eye, “why don’t you come down to the club with me some time and hit a few balls around?” MAY WE ALSO RECOMMEND: SWOOLY (Tropical, Jalapeno Kolsch) - 3rd Turn Brewing FALLOUT DUST (Black Peppercorn Infused Pale Ale) - Apocalypse Brew Works 2. Fehr's X/L - (PreProhibition Lager) - AkashaWho It's For: Old Grand-Dad “It’s not just a craft beer, grand-dad. It’s Louisville history in a can!” Now that he sees you’re getting emotional he becomes even more laconic and crosses his arms. Time to hit him where it hurts: “You know, Frank Fehr was a German immigrant who came to our fair shores and began brewing at the Fehr's City brewery in 1872. Fehr's XL lager won the Southern Exposition from 1883 to 1888 and was said to be the most widely consumed beer in Louisville!”  You pull down the sleeve of your sweater before he sees all this written on your arm and you hand him a can of this cold, pre-prohibition American lager from Akasha. He sniffs at it and his expression softens, “History in a can you say?” MAY WE ALSO RECOMMEND: UNCAGED (San Francisco Style Lager) - Chimera Brewing 3. Tangerine Barstow (Wheat ALe w Tangerine) |
 | Posted By John R.John is a co-founder of Louisville Ale Trail, owner of Brewgrass Homebrew Supply, and Producer/Professional Beer Drinker at Boy Meets Wort Media. He likes cold crispy lagers and non-hazy classic IPAs. |
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11/6/2020
Against The Grain Collabs with Buzzard's Roost For Special Beer + Whiskey Release
Read NowAGAINST THE GRAIN COLLABS WITH BUZZARD'S ROOST FOR SPECIAL BEER + WHISKEY RELEASE
In Louisville we're used to seeing barrel-aged beers, but Against the Grain Brewery and Buzzard's Roost Sippin' Whiskey took things a step further with their recently-released Roosted Chiquen collaboration - an Amber Lager and Straight Rye Whiskey that share the same custom oak profile (that should be, according to both companies, sipped together). Both products showcase the same notes of vanilla and smoke from the oak aging process.
"We've experimented with smoke and oak flavors since we first started brewing," said Jerry Gnagy, co-founder and Head Brewer at Against the Grain, in a prepared statement. "We saw what Buzzard's was doing with their specialized, custom barrels and thought it'd be un to see what happens when we introduced our amber lager to the same wood."
Buzzard's Roost, a new whiskey brand based out of Louisville, uses a unique barreling method - all their barrels are charred or toasted to a specified temperature that results in known flavor profiles that they can impact the rye whiskey inside.
"Think of the staves we use in our barrels as a spice rack," said Jason Brauner, Buzzard's Roost Master Blender. "Picking and choosing flavor profiles, specific to the wood on a molecular level, we can make a pretty good guess at what flavors will be imparted on our whiskey. Turns out - it also works well with beer.
Both products are available now at Against the Grain Public House (1576 Bardstown Road) with plans to sell at retailers throughout Kentucky later in November.
For more information, visit www.atgbrewery.com or www.buzzardsroostwhiskey.com
And while you're visiting Public House for a sippin' beer and sippin' whiskey, you can get your Louisville Ale Trail Passport stamped.
"We've experimented with smoke and oak flavors since we first started brewing," said Jerry Gnagy, co-founder and Head Brewer at Against the Grain, in a prepared statement. "We saw what Buzzard's was doing with their specialized, custom barrels and thought it'd be un to see what happens when we introduced our amber lager to the same wood."
Buzzard's Roost, a new whiskey brand based out of Louisville, uses a unique barreling method - all their barrels are charred or toasted to a specified temperature that results in known flavor profiles that they can impact the rye whiskey inside.
"Think of the staves we use in our barrels as a spice rack," said Jason Brauner, Buzzard's Roost Master Blender. "Picking and choosing flavor profiles, specific to the wood on a molecular level, we can make a pretty good guess at what flavors will be imparted on our whiskey. Turns out - it also works well with beer.
Both products are available now at Against the Grain Public House (1576 Bardstown Road) with plans to sell at retailers throughout Kentucky later in November.
For more information, visit www.atgbrewery.com or www.buzzardsroostwhiskey.com
And while you're visiting Public House for a sippin' beer and sippin' whiskey, you can get your Louisville Ale Trail Passport stamped.
10/24/2020
Eight NEW Louisville Beers & HALLOWEEN MOVIES You Need This Fall (No. Not Those)
Read Now
There are those classic Halloween movies and those staple fall beers we all know and love, but here are eight Halloween movie recommendations and eight special release Louisville Beer seasonal brews that we suspect you've never seen or tried before.
This season, here's to finding a few new Halloween favorites & a few new places to enjoy a beer along the Louisville Ale Trail!
NO SPOILERS (except for our opinions on the beer.)
New to the Louisville Ale Trail? Grab your passport below.
This season, here's to finding a few new Halloween favorites & a few new places to enjoy a beer along the Louisville Ale Trail!
NO SPOILERS (except for our opinions on the beer.)
New to the Louisville Ale Trail? Grab your passport below.
1. As above, So BELOW (2014)
"where's Dan Brown when you need him?"
If "The Da Vinci Code" and "The Blair Witch Project" crawled deep down into the mass-grave of catacombs beneath Paris and in that darkness gave birth to their love child, it might come out something like 2014’s “As Above So Below”.
This found-footage piece delves deep into the real-life, bone-laden labyrinths beneath Paris and the Beyond.
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This found-footage piece delves deep into the real-life, bone-laden labyrinths beneath Paris and the Beyond.
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bEER pAIRING:
sNAKE nUTS
(wEST sIXTH, nUlU)
This limited release of the already decadent Snake Eyes imperial stout has more layers than Dante's vision of hell. Drinks like a liquid peanut butter cup and is the adult candy you want in your trick-or-treat haul. (11% ABV)
2. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008)
"still a better love story than twilight."
Okay, only one vampire movie, we promise. But this is not exactly a vampire movie. This Swedish film tells the story of a lonely boy named Oscar as he makes a new friend in his dingy borough outside of Stockholm that's facing a string of morbid deaths.
I know, I know, you hate subtitles, but trust me on this one and stay away from the American version. (Yes, I'm that kind of hipster.)
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I know, I know, you hate subtitles, but trust me on this one and stay away from the American version. (Yes, I'm that kind of hipster.)
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BEER PAIRING:
DOUBLE-FRUITED BLUEBERRY QUIET SCIENCE
(MILE WIDE)
Release date: November 12th. This unique American Sour Ale is packed with literally double the amount of fruit usually used in Mile Wide's Quiet Science beers. So juicy and good to the last drop. (5% ABV.)
3. THE WITCH (2015)
"and the Lord doth said, 'Live right next to these creepy a$s woods.'"
With the sub-title, “A New England Folktale”, this debut film from Robert Eggers (who’s most recent offering, “The Lighthouse” is also bizarrely great) is set on the far-flung outskirts of Puritan New England and tells the story of a family making a home in the wild, dealing with loss, and a big black goat named "Phillip".
I remember going to see this one in the theater (remember those?) and I remember the deep, lingering, unsettled angst that it left in my stomach for days. Enjoy.
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I remember going to see this one in the theater (remember those?) and I remember the deep, lingering, unsettled angst that it left in my stomach for days. Enjoy.
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BEER PAIRING:
VIXEN
(Gallant Fox + Chimera)
Long before hops came to dominate the beer world, the ales-of-old relied on all sorts of herbs and aromatics to impart flavor to the beer and vigor to the drinker. This old, old school Gruit Ale is brewed with elderflower, yarrow and sweet gale. (6.5% ABV)
4. The Boy (2016)
"listen kid. I said brush your teeth."
Once, in a beautiful Victorian manor, in the rural English countryside, a young woman in need of work was hired by a charming and sweet, elderly English couple to care for their precious and beloved son Brahms. Turns out Brahms was really a life-sized porcelain doll but hey, a gig's a gig.
This movie starts there then gets weirder and weirder. You've been warned.
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This movie starts there then gets weirder and weirder. You've been warned.
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Beer Pairing:
WINTERBOCK
(Gordon Biersch)
For long, cold nights alone (?) in a drafty manor, the strong, dark, amber lager known as Doppelbock is a time honored tradition. It's hard to find a better take on those traditional lagers than you'll get at Gordon Biersch Brewery and Restaurant. (8% ABV)
5. TROLL HUNTER (2011)
"I'll grind your bones to make my pastry stout."
This absolutely manic, documentary style film follows a crew of filmmakers into the remote northern reaches of Norway where they encounter a man who claims to be … wait for it… a Troll hunter.
It's been a few years since I’ve seen this one but it still manages to sticks out in my memory as a completely and brazenly fun film and an homage to the monster movies of old. And the Norwegian backdrop is just beautiful!
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It's been a few years since I’ve seen this one but it still manages to sticks out in my memory as a completely and brazenly fun film and an homage to the monster movies of old. And the Norwegian backdrop is just beautiful!
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BEER PAIRING:
SaSquash
(Falls City Beer)
This special release, Fall Spiced Ale is brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg, butternut squash, and ginger. Pairs great with the long search for that illusive forest creature. Tastes just as good on a cozy movie night! (6.2% ABV)
6. The Terrifier (2018)
"nope. nope. nope nope nope. no."
If you are a fan of intricately woven narrative, story-arc and structure, carefully crafted performances, then this movie is NOT for you. If you are a fan of a good, “WHAT THE ACTUAL F%CK??? WHY IS THIS CLOWN??? HELL NO!”, journey into nightmare fuel, then you absolutely need to see this one.
Let me be clear: the ONLY reason to watch this movie is for the performance of David Howard as “Art” the clown. And that is absolutely reason enough. Sorry in advance.
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Let me be clear: the ONLY reason to watch this movie is for the performance of David Howard as “Art” the clown. And that is absolutely reason enough. Sorry in advance.
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BEER PAIRING:
The TRUNCHBULL
(3rd Turn + Apocalypse)
Named for the tyrannical principal from the movie "Matilda". This Baltic Porter is packed with tons of caramel malts and sea salt. The result is a super crushable salted caramel porter. Perfect to warm you up on a chilly fall day or to lift your spirits after watching the stabby, evil clown. (6% ABV)
7. Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
"who said Tom Hiddleston couldn't get more emo?"
We promised there would only be one vampire movie on the list, but this isn’t really a vampire movie either. Its more of a zombie movie and its an absolute masterpiece of mood, music, cinematography, story, and performance. Plus Tilda Swinton is just freaking cool.
This film will will make you feel absolutely peachy about the fate of the world here at the end of 2020. Promise...
“The sands of the hourglass have almost gone.”
“Time to turn it over then.”
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This film will will make you feel absolutely peachy about the fate of the world here at the end of 2020. Promise...
“The sands of the hourglass have almost gone.”
“Time to turn it over then.”
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Beer Pairing:
TANGERINE G
(ATRIUM)
Release date: November 3rd. Crisp, cool and citrusy with a bright pop of refreshing tartness and a juicy punch of fresh tangerine, this Gose beer is guaranteed to liven up your taste buds and leave you wanting more... more... more... (5% ABV)
8. Trick 'r Treat (2007)
"oh. you weren't trying to sleep were you?"
This anthology of genre-centered shorts interweave to create an absolutely, fantastically fun romp through an archetypal Halloween town. Come for the ghouls, the stabs, and the laughs, and I bet this will become a Halloween movie that you’ll want to come back to year after year.
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BEER PAIRING:
SMASHING PUMPKIN
(Gravely)
A quintessential Halloween movie deserves a quintessential Halloween beer. Smashing pumpkin is a strong American pale ale with ample cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and a touch of vanilla that is not too sweet with a dry back end. (6.7% ABV)
BONUS: MOSTLY GHOSTLY; HAVE YOU MET MY GHOULFRIEND?
"portrait of an evil ghost giving orders to the ressurrected spirit of a long dead Russian prima ballerina."
Okay, we had to have one kid friendly entry here, right? But this R.L. Stein, (YEAH, the Goosebumps guy!) made for tv movie is actually and absolutely a PURE delight. This is primarily thanks to the great performance of the main villain “Phears”.
Instead of a trailer for this one, I’ll leave you all with a clip of one of my favorite scenes.
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Instead of a trailer for this one, I’ll leave you all with a clip of one of my favorite scenes.
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BONUS BEER:
KRAMPUSNACHT WINTER WARMER
(MADE BY YOU!)
If you're here we already know you love craft beer, so why not try your hand at making your own? Krampusnacht Winter Warmer is a homebrew recipe available exclusively at our Passport pickup location, Brewgrass Homebrew Supply. Strong, malty, sustaining & deliciously spiced with all the all the best mulling spices, this ale will keep you warm on those long winter nights.
From the guys at Louisville Ale Trail, HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Tag us on social media (@LouisvilleAleTrail. #LouisvilleAleTrail) while you’re out there enjoying those Halloween beers or with your favorite Halloween movies and lets see if we can all find a few new favorites this season.
Cheers, and we’ll see you on the trail.
Cheers, and we’ll see you on the trail.
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