So at some point over the past few days, I decided to do a running “diary” (not really a diary, but a post a day) about the events I’ve attended to celebrate Halfway to Louisville Craft Beer Week (#HLCBW for those cool enough to use hash-tags). My wallet and my liver would both scream “uncle” if I tried to attend every event, so I’ve chosen a few a day to check out and that’s what I’ll be writing about. For a full list of events, click here.
My first stop of the first annual #HLCBW was at Sidebar at Whiskey Row for their $10 burger and a beer special. For those of you that aren’t familiar with Sidebar, it’s a gourmet burger joint on the side street by the Yum Center, just down the road a touch from Bearnos. Getting one of their burgers for $10 is a steal in itself (my personal favorite is the Philadelphia Attorney, a burger topped with short ribs, onions, mushrooms, blue cheese, and lettuce), but a burger with a beer and a pint glass to take home is a damn crime. For HLCBW Sidebar had West Sixth’s IPA and Lemongrass American Wheat as their beer specials, complete with one of the beer can glasses to take home. The crowd wasn’t too heavy, but I did show up around 5:45, so it was a bit early. Regardless, $10 for all this is almost too good to be true.
My second stop as at the BBC Taproom, home of Scott Lykins and Wednesday night Gus Bus Trivia. The crowd was a bit light, but I was also there well before the 7:30 craft beer trivia start time. BBC had an IPA on draft to go along with the normal selections, and their $6.50 pitchers of APA, Nut Brown Ale, or Amber Ale is about as good a deal as you’ll find in the city. The IPA was solid and I’m sure the trivia crowd packed it in after I left. I hear these folks will be having some special beers on tap Friday night as well, so you may want to check them out. And by “may”, I mean you “will”.
My last stop of day 1 was to River City Drafthouse for their Oskar Blues event. RCD had seven Oskar Blues beers available (all the beers available in the Louisville market at this time), six of which were on draft and one in cans. Every seat but one (the one I took) was filled when I walked in and the crowd didn’t stop by the time I left. RCD never disappoints when it comes to their craft selection and this night was no different. My pint of G’Knight was the perfect way to end Day 1 of HLCBW.
Here’s my tentative schedule for Day 2:
– West Sixth Event at Liquor Barn Springhurst
– Kentucky Common tapping at Great Flood Brewing
– $3 Drafts (ALL DRAFTS!) at Mellow Mushroom St Matthews
See you tomorrow folks and Happy #HLCBW
Cheers!
