As I write this first sentence, the first snowfall of the year is happening; and much like this first snow fall, this sentence isn’t amounting to much.
But this little dusting is just a further reminder that the seasons are changing and we need to be prepared for the winter months ahead. That could be making sure your snow tires are put on your car. Maybe it means you finally have to tune up your winter commuter bicycle, if that’s your thing. Any amount of home winterizing is dangerously close to being too late to do, and you should probably pull that box of hats and gloves out of the garage.
Ahh, but how wonderful it was, not even that long ago! Temperatures around 50. Sun shining. And Ditty Wish held her first game show in the Klockow taproom, the beginning of the new monthly series Ditty Wish Ventures to do a GAME SHOW! Last Thursday we had a live production of Family Feud on the Klockow stage, with four different “families” competing against each other, all trying to figure out the most popular answers to some truly ridiculous questions (seriously, how many different things have teeth? Especially when the number one answer was simply “animals”?!?)
Ditty Wish, in her sparkling dress, did her best Richard Dawson impersonation, and all the contestants did a wonderful job of not only playing the game, but coming up with back stories for how their “families” were composed. A highlight was the team comprised of long-lost sisters, all named Ditty, who were there to reunite with their last sister, Ditty Wish.
Game show nights will be consistently on the second Thursday of the month, though the specific game will rotate. Next month will be the $10,000 Pyramid (or Beer-amid, if you will)! So pop it on your calendar, from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12.
Another lovely thing to look back on with a tinge of anticipation was last weekend’s Storyteller Sunday! It’s one of those days here in the brewery where we all chill out a little bit for an afternoon of spoken word art, as some of the finest voices in the greater Grand Rapids area gather to tell us all a little tale. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and always a little curiously entertaining, we’ve been excited to bring back Storyteller Sunday on the third Sunday of the month following its summer hiatus. And if you missed it, fear not: Michael Goldberg of Stay Human on 91.7 KAXE was on hand to record the stories, making them all eligible for broadcast on an upcoming show.
Which brings us to the tinge of anticipation. Next month, on Sunday, Dec. 15, Michael Goldberg and Stay Human will be co-organizing Storyteller Sunday with a line-up of amazing writers from around the state, as well as from here at home. So since you’re already putting things on your calendar next month, might as well pencil this one in as well!
All this talk of anticipation for upcoming events this next month or so brings something else to mind: the holiday season is approaching! We’re right on its doorstep, in fact. News of this may bring about mixed emotions, but rest assured, it will be ok. Maybe even great. For coupled along with all the family gatherings and the gift exchanges and travel, etc., is the most glorious part of any holiday: the eating and drinking.
Now, as you may have guessed, we have a few opinions on the best drinks for all your holiday affairs. And since we allow mix-and-match four packs, you’ll definitely be able to have something for everybody at your Thanksgiving feast. Want to try to pair something with the turkey? Have a Schönfeld Honey Wheat Ale. Want to pair something with the entire spread? You could do worse than a Ryetasca Roggenbier. Need to appease your trendy cousin who fancies themselves a hop head? Supply Line Hazy IPA is clearly the right choice. Are your parents worried that you brought local brewery beer because they’re convinced that “craft beer” just means “hoppy beer”? Better include a couple Stranger Ranger American Light Lagers. Got an especially picky relative and you don’t know where to start? Just ask whoever is behind the bar and we’ll ply our trade to get you the best beer for your crew as possible.
And of course, if you’re daunted by the scope of the food spread, not to mention how you’re going to handle a whole day with extended family, we do have our Klockow Shrubbery line of THC seltzers. At 10 mg per can, it shouldn’t take long until the edge is taken off and the munchies kick in.
EAT YOUR BEER!
So what about the eating? We’d like to think you already have that under control being Thanksgiving and all, but maybe you’re joining a larger group and have been tasked with bringing a dish and you still just don’t know what that might be. Assistant Brewer Russ Alioth actually has you covered with a recipe he enjoys making from time to time: Beer Bread! All you need is…
3 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
3 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
12 oz of BHK Nut Brown Ale
1/2 cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix dry ingredients and beer until just combined and pour into a greased loaf pan. Pour melted butter over the mixture. Bake for one hour, then remove from pan and allow to cool at least 15 minutes. And what you have is a hearty and crumbly bread! Russ definitely recommends the BHK Nut Brown Ale, though he feels confident that the Ryetasca Roggenbier (German Rye Ale) and the Woodland Legacy (Amber Lager) would be quite good as well.
If you want to go for an even bigger, richer flavor, try our Downwind Smoked Chocolate Stout. And if you want to get a little crazy, there’s always Travelin’ Jack IPA on one side and Mlinar Delight Raspberry Smoothie Sour on the other. Though let us be clear, we do not actually recommend the IPA or the sour for your beer bread. But if you’re feeling oddly adventurous, we’d love to hear if they turn out at all!
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Thanks for checking out our humble little brewery! As long as you keep coming by, we’ll do our part by making the best damn beer possible and serving it in our always inviting atmosphere.
The Klockow Staff
Beer drops this past week:
Local, etc -
Eagles Club - Grand Rapids
Pickled Loon - Grand Rapids
Zorbaz on the Lake - Grand Rapids
Pokegama Plaza Liquor - Grand Rapids
Dutch Room & Mad Dog’s Pizza - Grand Rapids
Locker Room - Coleraine
Bottles & Brews - Grand Rapids
Frontier Liquors - Grand Rapids
Sammy’s - Grand Rapids
Smoke on the Water - Coleraine
NoPo Coffee Co. - Grand Rapids
West world, etc.
Dorset Corner Off Sale Liquor - Park Rapids
1894 - Perham
Continental Divide Brew Pub - New York Mills
Minneapolis, etc.
Ombibulous - Minneapolis
Isanti Municipal Liquor Store - Isanti
Stinson Wine, Beer, and Spirits - Minneapolis
South Lyndale Liquors - Minneapolis
Liquor Works - Forest Lake
Princeton’s Liquors - Maple Grove