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Talking Head: Festivus in July

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Have you ever wondered why cultures in hot climates load their cuisine with sweat-inducing spices? Scientists offer a number of plausible explanations, including the antimicrobial properties of peppers, the cooling effects of perspiration, and the stimulant qualities that counter heat-induced lethargy and loss of appetite.

It’s likely a combination of these things, but I think there’s a more visceral impulse involved, as well. It’s the same reason people jump into frozen lakes and pretend to be polar bears. Because doing the logical thing is boring. Sometimes you have to change up the game. So if those watery summer beers just aren’t doing it for you anymore, why not just do a 180? Which bring us to Festivus in July. Both Taco Mac and The Porter Beer Bar are celebrating the dead center of summer with big, malty winter beers. Brilliant. (more…)

Talking Head: The road goes on forever and the party never ends

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Although it’s less than a week after the start of summer, it seems like we’re deep into the heart of it now. No need to take off the party hats, except to wipe the sweat from your brow.

Taco Mac continues celebrating its 30th anniversary, as well as the beginning of summer, with the release last week of Red Brick Solstice Roggenbock from Atlanta Brewing Company. According to Taco Mac beverage manager Fred Crudder, it’s similar to the Helles Bock but with the addition of rye malt, which should add some spiciness and a grainy bite. Check your local outlet to see if it has Solstice on tap.

The Brick Store Pub’s 12th anniversary celebration continues this week, with special kegs each night, leading up to Saturday’s shindig featuring a new beer every hour and probably some silly behavior in the final hours. Be sure to ask your server for tap list updates if you go this week, since there are a number of excellent choices beyond the featured beer, including New Belgium La Folie and De Ranke Noir.

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Talking Head: New brew review

Friday, May 15th, 2009
Taco Mac is tapping special beers all month.

Decisions, decisions: Taco Mac is tapping special beers all month.

New beers are popping up all over this month, from new-to-Georgia breweries, to special casks and limited edition releases, to spring and summer seasonals from local and national breweries. It can be a bit overwhelming. I suggest you you just take it One Beer at a Time.

Bell’s Weather. Monday marks the Georgia debut of beers from Bell’s Brewery, and a number of local bars have events to mark the occasion. The Brick Store Pub will have a rare cask of HopSlam, the brewery’s much-drooled over double IPA, which will not be part of the regular Georgia portfolio until next year’s release in January. There will also be a keg of Special Double Cream Stout. Starting Tuesday, Taco Mac will be tapping Bell’s Amber Ale, Pale Ale, Porter, and Oberon, with a sixtel of HopSlam and Expedition Stout at the Kennesaw location. Check with your neighborhood store to see what is pouring. The Porter Beer Bar in L5P will host a Bell’s Beer Dinner on Tues., May 26. Check their website for details. Look for a full story on Bell’s next week.

More, more, more. Speaking of Taco Mac, there’s enough new stuff rolling out at their stores to keep you half-lit well into June. This weekend was the debut of Terrapin’s 30 Strong Ale, brewed especially for Taco Mac’s 30th anniversary. Thirty years is a long time in the restaurant business, and Taco Mac certainly deserves a special toast for turning its little Va-High pub into a beer bar empire. I remember experiencing some of my first world-class beers at that original store back in the early 80s when I didn’t know a hefeweizen from a doppelbock. Terrapin’s 30 Strong has a ridiculous 30 ingredients that includes 19 kinds of malt, 8 varieties of hops, water, and yeast, and is aged on oak spirals. It clocks in at 8.8% ABV. Now that’s extreme! (more…)

Taco Mac Announces Nov.-Dec. Beer dinners

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

Tues., Nov. 11th: Beer dinner featuring beers from Terrapin Brewery in Athens, GA. 6:30 p.m. 3543 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Duluth.

NOV. 11 DINNER MENU

Jonah crab fritters, English turtle soup, slow roasted pork belly, American Kobe short ribs, and bananas foster.

NOV. 11 BEER PAIRINGS:

Terrapin Rye Ale, Terrapin Imperial Pilsner, Terrapin Style Brown Ale, Terrapin Oak Aged Big Hoppy Monster, Terrapin Gamma Ray Brew.

Tues., Dec. 16th: “Fred & Matt’s All-Star Holiday Extravaganza.” 6 holiday beers from 6 different breweries. 573 Main St in the Lindbergh City Center.

DEC. 16th MENU and BEER PARINGS TBA.

RSVP here: www.tacomac.com

Shmaltz Brewing Company events this week

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

This press release just in from Shmaltz Brewing Company:

Shmaltz Brewing Company, handcrafters for well over a decade of HE’BREW – The Chosen Beer, will host a tasting event this Friday, October 17 at Taco Mac (240 W Ponce De Leon Avenue, 6 pm, 404-378-4140, cash bar) featuring the fifth incarnation of their award-winning “extreme” Chanukah seasonal, JEWBELATION: their 12th Chosen Beer in 12 years of Shmaltz.  Coincidence?  Destiny!!  Rising to 12% alc, Jewbelation Twelve is brewed with 12 malts and 12 hops bringing a nearly miraculous warming glow to store shelves nationwide from October 2008 through March 2009. Come join Shmaltz representative Darren Quinlan as he pours Jewbelation Twelve as well as their new Messiah on Rye, HE’BREW’s rich and complex nut brown ale Messiah Bold aged in rye-whiskey barrels.

On Saturday, October 18 at The Great Decatur Beer Festival (On the square in downtown Decatur, GA, Noon – 5 pm, $35, Sold Out, http://decaturbeerfestival.com ), Darren Quinlan will also feature select attractions from Shmaltz’s new line of sideshow-inspired Coney Island Craft Lagers(TM) including their flagship Coney Island Lager(TM) (5.5% alc), Albino Python(TM) (White Lager w/ Spices, 6% alc) and Sword Swallower(TM) (Steel Hop Lager, 6.8% alc). HE’BREW’s Origin Pomegranate Strong Ale, Bittersweet Lenny’s RIPA (Lenny Bruce tribute beer) and Messiah Bold will be available for tasting as well.