Saucer Diaspora
Beer, Beer, Food, and More Beer

Monday October 25, 2010: The Anvil Bar & Refuge

Posted by john | Meetings | Posted on October 25th, 2010

It’s been a busy October for some of us come unwind with  a refreshing cocktail or a beer from the finest tap system in Houston. The Anvil also features very tasty pretzels from Slow Dough, and they’ve recently expanded their menu to include some other food items, if you get peckish.  See you at Anvil Bar & Refuge 1424 Westheimer Rd. Ste. B, 8PM.  Park in one of their lots or watch out for No Parking zones.

Monday, 18 October 2010: Wet your whistle at the Petrol Station

Posted by mike | Meetings | Posted on October 18th, 2010

Not that we’re a weather blog, but man, this weather is nice.  Unless, of course, you like a green lawn and don’t like high water bills.  Or if you have any late season garden crops to worry about.  Or you’d like some relief from our high pollen counts.  Yeah, other than that, this weather is great.

Come out tonight and find some relief for your parched palate and enjoy the upside of nearly four weeks without rain at the Petrol Station, 985 Wakefield, at 8 PM.  There are always fun beers on tap.

Pumpkin Ale Throwdown: Results and Recipe

Posted by mike | Beer | Posted on October 17th, 2010

Wow, that was fun.  Depending on who you talked to, there were either 17 or 22 entries in the Throwdown.  At the end of judging, my Sons of the Scarecrow Organic Pumpkin Ale took first place!  I was as surprised as anybody.  It was great meeting other homebrewers who were all interested in learning from each other.  There were several very interesting-sounding entries: I heard of at least two Saisons and one Imperial Pumpkin Porter.

My recipe was based on Jamil Zainasheff’s recipe for Pumpkin Spice Ale from his book with John J. Palmer, Brewing Classic Styles.  I diverged from his recipe by using organic pumpkin flesh in a can (pumpkins weren’t in season just yet on brew day), using WPL007 pitched from a healthy yeast cake, and by substituting organic grains and hops from BrewOrganic.com.

I’ve posted my recipe in full after the break.

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Thursday, 14 October 2010: Pumpkin Ale Throwdown at The Petrol Station

Posted by mike | Beer, Meetings | Posted on October 14th, 2010

Houston Beer Week continues, and we’ll be at one of today’s events: the Pumpkin Ale Throwdown, 7 PM at The Petrol Station, 985 Wakefield Drive.

This is a homebrew competition, and your humble editor has an entry ready.  So come out and support your local homebrewer.  I don’t think there will be samples for the public: they’ve only asked us for two bottles per entry.  However, there are always good beers on tap at the Station. And I’ll have a few bottles of my “Sons of the Scarecrow” Organic Pumpkin Ale in the trunk of the car if you want to take one home.

That is all.

Monday, 11 October 2010: Beer week refugees at Hans’ Bier Haus

Posted by mike | Meetings | Posted on October 11th, 2010

Today kicks off Houston Beer Week.  Lots of great stuff going on, but for us, it’s always beer week in Houston.  So, go out to something interesting, crowded, and more expensive, or join us for a decidedly more low-key evening at Hans‘ (2523 Quenby St. at Kirby Dr.) As we’re fond of saying, there’s an 80% chance of no rain tonight.  See you there around 8 PM.

Seriously, do check out the HBW events and attend what makes sense for you.  Monsters of Beer on Sunday looks like it will be a hoot.

Monday, 4 October 2010: Autumn at The Ginger Man

Posted by mike | Meetings | Posted on October 4th, 2010

Break out the sweaters, it’s time for our first fall visit to The Ginger Man, 5607 Morningside.  Temps should be in the high 60s by the time we get there at 8 PM.   In most cases, the beer will be slightly cooler.