100 Brews News

Provisions Gourmet Market was indeed hoppin’ Saturday afternoon at the first 100 Brews and BBQ, a free indoor-outdoor event that featured bottled craft beers, generous dollar-roll BBQ sandwiches and even a table with 7 beer and cheese pairings. It’s safe to say that, on a dead-ass perfect 80 degree day (and a day of a bajillion local food-related events), the hundreds who showed up were well-educated, serious beer folk. So there may be some credence in the only popular vote taken that day, the one for the “favorite pumpkin beer”…with a resounding 60% of the vote, Schlafly’s Pumpkin Ale smashed its other three competitors (Jack’s Pumpkin Spice Ale, O’Fallon Pumpkin Beer and Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale). Other notes: 1. I discovered a “sour” beer neutralizes fatty foods like little else. The sour I sampled was brand new to Missouri: Haandbryggeriet (hond-bree-guh-reet) Haanbaak Sour from Norway, a brew that is (get this) aged in casks formerly used for rhubarb wine. Intrigued? It sliced through Provisions’ pulled pork sandwich quicker than a Bertarelli-sharpened Henckel, leaving my palate completely clean and primed for the next bite. Amazing stuff. 2. Apparently there were logistical problems acquiring Bell’s Brewery’s newest release, Hell Hath No Fury Ale…all that was available was the back story. This small-batch brew (to be released here this week) was so named by Bell’s owner after a divorce. I'm told the new label depicts a little devil being pursued by a rolling-pin wielding uh…female. Jim O’Connor from Bell’s described it as a “bitter and strong ale.” Hey, divorce is a driving force…some guys get angry, some write songs, others brew beers. My guess is that 100 Brews and BBQ will become an annual event. Look for it next September. – George Mahe