KY Derby Weekend

The weather is supposed to be mixed with rain and shine over the weekend so you probably won’t be able to do a whole lot outdoors. One distraction is the Kentucky Derby which runs for about 2 minutes but allows for hours of drinking and socializing. I’m not a fan of Mint Juleps. There, I said it. Just give me the bourbon and ice and I’ll take care of the rest. But I know some of you like to have proper cocktails for certain occasions and I thought the (very) least I could do is provide a recipe. The following is taken directly from the Makers Mark website – copied and pasted so you don’t have to go through that pesky age verification crap. Cheers!

Perfect Mint Julep
Makers Mark

Lots of fresh spearmint

Distilled water

Granulated sugar

Powdered sugar

This recipe is involved but worth it. If you must skip # 1, mint extract can be purchased at the local grocery.

To prepare the mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves wash and place in a small mixing bowl. Cover with 3 ounces of Makers Mark. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in a clean, soap-free piece of cotton cloth and vigorously wring the mint bundle over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times. Then set aside.

To prepare the simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and one cup of water in a cooking pot. Heat to dissolve the sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.

To prepare the mint julep mixture, pour 3 cups of Makers Mark into a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. (Pour the remaining whisky from the liter bottle into another container and save it for another purpose). Add 1 cup of the simple syrup to the Makers Mark.

Now, begin adding the mint extract a tablespoon at a time to the julep mixture. Each batch of mint extract is different, so you must taste and smell after each tablespoon is added. You may have to leave the room a time or two to clear your nose. The tendency is to use too much mint. You are looking for a soft mint aroma and taste generally about 3 tablespoons.

When you think its right, pour the whole mixture back into the empty liter bottle and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to marry the flavors.

To serve the mint julep, fill each glass (preferably a silver mint julep cup) half full with shaved ice. Insert a sprig of mint and then pack in more ice to about an inch over the top of the cup. Then, insert a straw that has been cut to one inch above the top of the cup so the nose is forced close to the mint when sipping the julep.

When frost forms on the cup, pour the refrigerated julep mixture over the ice and add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top of the ice. Then serve.

Oh, the six demon bag!

Jack Burton: Terrific, a six-demon bag. Sensational. What's in it, Egg?

Egg Shen: Wind, fire, all that kind of thing!

Once upon a time there were Three Storms.

They had rotten attitudes. They would smash marketplaces and livestock all over the Chinese sector. You know, shake down immigrants in steamy streets cloaked in perpetual night...break windows in the local dry cleaner that didn't pay protection and so on. This sort of shit:

Well, la de da. Appearances notwithstanding they put on quite the show. This one in particular had a mean streak. Alas, all good things must come to an end. Where are they now?

Rain ended up moving a few subdivisions over from me apparently. I go over for yard/deck drinkin' from time to time. Not many henchmen end up in surburbia.

Fun fact: Rain can drink his weight in beer.

Weekend (Drinking) Options

Pork Knox Q Fest – Has anyone heard about this BBQ competition at World’s Fair Park this weekend? (Note - this is the worst event name I've ever heard, just saying) I just saw them setting up yesterday and was immediately interested. Their website has all the details of this first-time event, although I thought we’ve had a couple of other Knoxville BBQ competitions over the years. I guess this is first one sponsored by the Disability Resource Center so that explains it. I’m sure it’s supporting a good cause so good luck to them and hopefully it will grow into a popular event.

The thing I’ve noticed about most BBQ contests is that you don’t usually have the opportunity to taste competition BBQ unless you’re on a team. Visitors are left to purchase food items from “outside” vendors who may or may not have high quality products, so it’s kind of a crap shoot. I understand that the teams cannot provide enough food for every guest but it has always been sad to know there is much better food available only a few feet away but it’s off limits. Oh well, my 2 cents. And most importantly I looked at the fair site and the website and did NOT see beer vendors set up so I hope that changes soon. You’ve got to have cold beer with some ‘que – no one denies this!

Rossini Festival – Ah yes, drinking in the streets. Rain or shine this will be the highlight of my weekend. We’ve talked about this event for years and we think it is one of the best outdoor events in Knoxville. Always fun and subject to bizarre behavior, you can always count on something noteworthy happening. Like the year I was kicked out of KRTI’s apartment for “touching his baseball glove”, or catching a glimpse of young, male adults having a caricature drawn of themselves, or drunken hookups/breakups, or being incoherently drunk by 5 PM but staying out ‘til 11 PM with 6+ hours of stories that you have to piece together via secondhand drunken accounts and pocket forensics. Plus the street vendors will have tasty Italian sausages. Ooof, I see a Sunday hangover in my future.

Latitude 35 Grand Opening – Word is that they will open Friday, 4/23. Despite the rainy weather this is a great opening weekend for them with lots of activity downtown to draw a crowd to the newest bar & restaurant on Market Square. I’m sure it will be mayhem while they get their act together during the grand opening but we’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample and review their place soon enough so expect updates within the next few weeks.

Enjoy the weekend folks, cheers!

Look here...

at this plowed sumbitch. Read on, from The Paper.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/usa/2934495/Kiefer-Sutherland-has-boozy-night-out-in-London.html

Well played Sutherland. While not yet rising to the basic qualifications for my Great Drunks segment, this act of hubris and folly is noted.

Being a scion of Hollywood and small screen royalty, Sutherland inherits some acting chops. Paparazzi are thus presented a rich gold mine.

Coincidentally, yours truly thinks his old man kicks...er...shows some serious ass. Iconic, people. One of the very best.

Sneak Peek - Latitude 35

About 1 week to go before Market Square welcomes its newest bar, Latitude 35. We're ready. This place is going to be NICE! Here are some random pictures that may give an idea of what to expect but honestly they do not do the place justice. Everything in the building is brand new with the exception of the old downstairs bar that they've refurbished. If you look closely at the menu pics you can see the prices are reasonable and the dinner menu (not pictured) is also affordable. In no particular order:

Big table at entrance:

New beer lines:

Downstairs near the old bar area:

Downstairs bench seating:

Downstairs:

Brand new kitchen:

Breakfast menu:

Late nite menu:

Old downstairs bar:

Tables & chairs:

Up bar:

Up bar black granite:

After hours beer:

Up bar taps, tv:

Upstairs bath (the ladies room downstairs is nicer!):

One of the VIP areas:

Class

Let's face it, who among us has it? To be fair, I know that the few of you that read us- are among the truly hip and 'with it' clique. The rest of us fall into the 'full of shit' clique. The line is quite thin.

Anyway. Approximately ten days to the opening of Latitude 35 in Market Square. We've blogged on it before, made mention of our friends in the know, and paid early visits. By Jupiter's Cock it should work. Apart from the main area, we are told by management that party rooms and banquet-style areas seating 50-150 are available for the right coin.

Dress is emphasized. I don't say it often, but let's get out the good clothes you damn mendicants.

Make Room Marie

It appears these places just keep cropping up anywhere and everywhere. Not that I’m complaining because who doesn’t want more places to buy beer. Downtown and the central city in general are growing with shopping options including tasty alcohol. While biking on the outskirts of downtown just past Regas and approaching Tennessee Valley Bicycles on Magnolia I noticed a familiar sign on the building next door.

Public House Pub is on the clock. I don’t know if that applies here but I’ve been listening a lot about the upcoming NFL draft, which we here at DK have identified as a major weekend of boozing. Consider your pro team’s future with the draft then throw in Rossini Festival, KRTI’s birthday and the Orange and White game, well, there are plenty of drinking occasions piled one upon another. Try not enjoying a cold beer or glass of wine walking in the street downtown surrounded by a medieval fair of sorts including actors, musicians and the blessed food & beverage vendors providing their goods (Italian sausages). That all happens in a couple more weeks though.

Where was I going? Oh, PHP opening next to TVB on Magnolia is only a few doors down from Marie’s Olde Towne Tavern. So who knows if they’ll be going after the same customers? Might Marie’s loyal patrons venture a drink next to the bike shop? Will the new establishment bring a peloton of people who have never been this side of town, much less Marie’s? And isn't the word pub short for public house in the first place? Stay tuned.

More Music From Lt. Rocka

Yes sir, Lt. Rocka is up to his old tricks, mixing beats and mashing music from all generations with his very own unique style. Visit here to download Episode 15. Last evening I listened about half way through before I was called away for an impromptu drinking session so I haven’t heard all of it yet, but so far so good. Now, it’s one thing to go to the bar for a few cheap pints on a Tuesday (TND) as we often do. It’s completely different if by the end of the night your bartender is off duty and ready to drink, plus you run into “birthday girl” and shots are consumed. All of a sudden your tab is triple your original budget and the next morning your head is pounding and your eyes are on fire. So thanks LVL, I feel like hell today. Anyway, enjoy the music:

Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers vs. The Zombies – Time of the Season
The Hood Internet – Decalogue
Jamaica – I Think I Like You 2
Yeasayer – O.N.E.
Etta James & Sugar Pie Desanto – In The Basement
Hot Chip – One Life Stand
Cults – Go Outside
Daft Punk – Megamix 1 [DJ Hero]
The Hood Internet (Dr. Dre vs Class Actress) – Nuthin’ But a Journal Thang
Timbaland feat Chris Cornell – Part of Me (Grand Theft Auto Remix)
J Dilla – Workinonit
Brian Eno and David Byrne – Regiment
Local Natives – Sun Hands
The Phenomenal Handclap Band – 15 to 20
The Beatnuts – Confused Rappers
First Rate People – Girls Night
INXS - One Thing (Nikko V Club Mix)
Black Devil Disco Club – On Just Foot
Charlotte Gainsburg (produced by Beck) – IRM
The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio
T-Bird and The Breaks – Monkey in the Tree

Hippie / Music Fest

AKA Fleta Fest. The following information was sent to me via email and I must disclose that I’ve never been to this event, however I have been to River John’s Island many, many drunken times. It is a great location away from “city life” and a perfect spot to relax, let yourself go and have a good time. Links are posted with directions, maps, ticket information, musician lineups, photos, etc. They are very excited about this event as you can tell by the 500 or so exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!

River John’s Island, just out outside Maryville, TN. Is the location of this year’s third annual “Fleta Fest”, held this coming May 14, 15, & 16th! “3 days of music and fun on a 3 acre island!!” There will be 20 bands in three days on only one stage. Accessible by car, you can drive right up onto the island and car camp (no big RV's please!) Also in the case of spring showers, there is a big pavilion on the island where everyone can gather for an intimate performance as the show goes on! In addition to the pavilion, we will have two huge tents set up as additional shelter. This year we are allowing coolers as a consolation for the economy being so difficult, but we will have some incredible food vendors on the island too! Come celebrate Spring and a fresh jumpstart for a great Summer festival season! Remember this is a semi-primitive campsite so bring your grills and tents. There will be one bonfire, so if you want a fire at your campsite bring one of those metal things in which to contain it!! There is electric on the island but it's use is limited to a central location.

Pam Munson will set up her massage therapy tent and we hope to have some hippie bead vendors as well. Ta Dye 4 Ink will set up to sell and let the festival goers make their own tye dye shirts. Julie Costner (local Maryville artist) has done the art work for the logo this year! Pope’s Garden Center located in Maryville (and Knoxville) will provide tropical plants throughout the island!

This year will be better than ever! I checked the Farmer’s Almanac and we will have less precipitation than average, as opposed to last year having substantially more than average! In addition we will have more than a thousand square feet of shelter around the stage so that the show goes on rain or shine! Two years ago during a light spring shower everyone huddled under the large shelter and it made the show nice, cozy and intimate. This festival is growing and getting better every year! A new segment called "Short Sets" will feature up and coming artists as a prelude to the evening shows!

The line up so far:

Brent Thompson Band
Cutthroat Shamrock
Hudson K
Stripmall Ballads
Ben Maney & Countless Sheep
Jessica Dawn
Ganacita
Kirk Fleta Band
Terry "Teep" Philips
Majority of Names
Richard Douglas
Alex Thompson
Fish Sticks
Emory Cannon
Scott McMahan
Ni Crow
Brad Blackwell
Ben DeBerry
Luke Gitchel

Kirk and the festival!

Well

Yeah, I know. Deep subject right. Ziiinnnnnnnggggg.

In any event, Mackey will have to lead you here from now on. You see, I've made a few personal decisions that I'll admit are in conflict with my modest position here. I believe that as I've gotten a little older, a little more mature that I can't continue to drink without abandon or concern for social consequences. We've all got to grow up sometime, and I'm long overdue when it comes to this. Sure, owning my home and vehicle...holding down a steady job all those things are signs of responsible sane living. Getting torched in the morning for drunk breakfast? Not so much. So, I've got to bid you guys farewell. Maybe you'll see me at your local coffee shop or yard sale(if it's a weekend.) Best wishes, and maybe you should ask yourselves the hard questions with which I have been challenged.

I'm just fucking with you. Happy April Fool's Day assholes. If anything, I'm going to pour it on. Pun intended. April is a great month for drinking in Knoxville. Festivals, festivals, and more festivals. King Randall's always classic birthdays. Spring has fucking sprung. As we extend into year three around here, you'll find more bar reviews and more updates from familiar establishments. Cheers, ladies.