Two weeks into February is, of course, Valentine’s Day. Conveniently situated on a Friday (or inconveniently, depending on if you’re trying to make reservations last minute), this holiday is all about you and your significant other. I assume since you’re reading this article, you were hoping to get ideas for something boozy to get schmoozy with your… special someone. Oh, how I have got you covered!
First up is from Evil Twin, I Love You With My Stout. I think the name says it all, but if you and your SO are into smooth whiskey, dark fruits and chocolate in your stout, this is where it’s at. Another great dark beer is the Ommegang Lovely, Dark, and Deep. This one is an oatmeal stout with a bit of lactose, which gives it a sweetness and a smooth, full body, just like the one sitting across from you when you pop this bad boy open.
Moving on, the following two sentences need to be read in the voice of Barry White. Listen up, if you know what you need, but you don’t know how to get it, let me tell you all about Foothills Brewing’s slow jam, Sexual Chocolate. Named after the band in Coming To America, Sexual Chocolate will take you on a flavor journey your mouth isn’t ready for, but you’ll be thanking me anyways, baby.
Back to your regular internal reading voice. If you ever find yourself sitting around wondering where you can drink a beer you really like and also get some free stuff from that brewery to take home, check out Pint Night at Mellow Mushroom. Ongoing since who knows when, and continuing until the end of time (unless that day lands on a major holiday), every Thursday night at 6pm, you can come in and discover a new brewery or catch up with an old friend of a beer that you may not have been able to find anywhere else for a long time. You’ll also score a free pint glass to take home and maybe some other swag like hats, shades, or some koozies and keychains. Like I said, this is every Thursday, but let’s focus on a couple of specific ones this month.
The day before Valentine’s Day will be Goodwood Brewing. Not sure if the pun was intended, but it works. Actually, one of the beers on tap that night is the Hardwood, an English mild ale. Now we’re two for two on the Valentine’s Day beer puns. There will be other beers from Goodwood on that night as well to choose from, but the names aren’t as funny. There will also be “Beermosas” which are made from Goodwood’s Hemp Gose with champagne and orange bitters. Come on out, bring a friend, bring a date, bring a growler and take some extra beer home for later. It’s up to you. There will be live music that night as well, which is a nice bonus. There will also be live music the next night, on Valentine’s Day, if you were thinking about coming out then instead.
Another Pint Night taking place this month will be Abita out of New Orleans. Celebrating Mardi Gras, the Abita pint night will be on the 27th and they will have a Mardi Gras Bock, which is a German-style beer, usually darker and maltier than your average lager, but not to the point of being a stout. There will be other classic Abita beers also available, such as their raspberry wheat beer, Purple Haze, Turbodog, and perhaps even the Strawberry Wheat. Come see for yourself and get a celebratory Abita glass and maybe some beads to go with it.
-by Josh Helton
