Saucer Diaspora
Beer, Beer, Food, and More Beer

Monday, 30 May 2011: The Ginger Man Memorial Day Tradition

Posted by mike | Meetings | Posted on May 30th, 2011

A year ago today, we celebrated Memorial Day at The Ginger Man, 5607 Morningside.  Seems like as good a reason as any to head there tonight.  See you there at 8 PM.

HB602 is dead

Posted by mike | Beer | Posted on May 26th, 2011

Not surprising, but sad nonetheless:

The latest effort by Texas’ small craft brewers to bolster their business by letting people leave their tours with a six-pack or two is dead.A spokesman for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Thursday that time simply ran out on House Bill 602, which was never offered for a vote by the end of the day Wednesday, deadline for the Senate to consider bills approved by the other chamber.The final, unresolvable conflict was a last-minute objection by Anheuser-BuschInBev, the world’s largest beer company. The Belgium-based conglomerate, which brews Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob and other beers in breweries in Houston and elsewhere, opposed a provision in the bill that would have denied it ability to offer the take-home beers.

more at Beer, TX.

HB602 had its flaws:  I wish that the distributors wouldn’t have required the size limitation, and in reality, HB660 would have created a much better playing field (more akin to other more beer-friendly states).  But as HB602 was the only of the three beer bills to get this far this session it was our best hope for improvement.  But similar to the Cubs fan rallying cry on opening day (“there’s always next season!”), the legislature will meet again in 2013.

Monday 23 May 2011: Prepping for Towel Day at The Hobbit Cafe

Posted by mike | Meetings | Posted on May 23rd, 2011

Martin Freeman has been tapped to play Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming movie adaptation of The Hobbit.  This brings together three beloved works of geekdom, as Freeman also plays John Watson, M.D., in the BBC’s modern version of the Sherlock story, and he played Arthur Dent in the (somewhat regrettable) movie version of THHGTTG.

Wednesday (25 May) is Towel Day, so come along to celebrate this “elementary” convergence at the Hobbit Cafe, 2243 Richmond Avenue.  Even though there will be no Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters on offer, all the froods will be there.  See you at 8 PM.

Monday, 16 May 2011: Base Camp at Plonk Bistro

Posted by mike | Beer, Meetings | Posted on May 16th, 2011

Plonk Bistro at 43rd and Ella has been on our radar for some time, and deserves a trial run.  This week in particular should be a good time to try it out.  Coincident with American Craft Beer Week, Deschutes Brewery (our third-most-favorite entity in Bend, OR) is doing some special things around town for what they’re calling Base Camp Week.  Plonk’s main time to shine for Base Camp is the beer dinner tomorrow night, but they should have Deschutes specials all week long.  See you there at 8 PM.

Monday, 9 May 2011: Cask ale at The Ginger Man

Posted by mike | Meetings | Posted on May 9th, 2011

On this date in 1785,  British inventor Joseph Bramah patented the beer-pump handle, providing a way for beer geeks to differentiate between those who like their beer with carbonation and those who like “real” ale without having to keep a firkin on the counter.  Tonight we return to The Ginger Man, 5607 Morningside, for some cereal libations and hang time.  The G’Man is one of a very few pubs in town with a pump-handle beer engine on-line, so whether you want a cask ale, a modern draught, or something from the bottle, they’ve got you covered.  See you there at 8 PM.

Monday, 2 May 2011: There May Be Beers at Anvil

Posted by mike | Meetings | Posted on May 2nd, 2011

Anvil (1424 Westheimer Rd.) gets lots of press for its cocktails, but its small-but-scrappy beer wall is impeccably well-maintained.  Until its younger brother Hay Merchant opens, it’s the best set of taps on Lower Westheimer.  Plus, if you don’t want a beer (gasp) there is the chance that Anvil will serve you the cocktail you want (unless you want a martini or anything with amaretto or anything else they don’t approve of).  See you there at 8 PM and watch out for the parking situation.

Flip this bier haus: Hans’ is for sale

Posted by mike | Meetings | Posted on May 2nd, 2011

Blind Item: “Popular Pub Inside Loop” for Sale — Guess Which » Swamplot: Houston’s Real Estate Landscape.