2008 Awards

2008 is over and we can’t close it out without giving some meaningless awards just like everybody else. Mind you, no criteria were established for these empty accolades. There was no discussion, voting, polling, logic or sense when determining the “winners”. I tried to come up with a clever name for these new "DK Awards" but with no luck, so for now we'll go with nothing. If you disagree with the results – tough titty! But feel free to add a comment if you think something is way off base or omitted with prejudice. Let's begin:

Best New Lounge: Southern Graces Skybox at the Sunsphere – This is what downtown Knoxville has needed for a while, a pure cocktail lounge detached from a hotel that offers a great place to go for a drink. Not only do they occupy the most recognizable landmark in the city, but they provide a unique setting with a fabulous view that is convenient to locals and visitors staying in the area. Plus they don’t fuck around with their concept. They’re not trying to sell shooters to college kids or shitty draft beer on game days. They stick to higher end spirits and wines for a more selective crowd, so don’t show up in your cut-off jeans and plan on drinking Corona all day. This isn’t my favorite watering hole by any means, but I’m certainly glad they’re open for business and provide another option for the downtown drinker. Here's to the new kids on the block!

Breakthrough Bar: Sidestreet Tavern – I love going to this bar. I think they’ve been open for a year or two now, but I’ve only been going occasionally this past year, so it’s a breakthrough for me if nobody else. They must be doing something right to put asses in the seats because I’ve never been able to get a spot at their bar and always have to sit at a cocktail table. That’s fine because there are plenty of TVs around with sports and NFL Sunday ticket during the season, plus they have a pretty good pub menu (in-house battered fish and chips!) and 2 fully stocked bars downstairs that helps get the drinks out pretty quick. The staff has always been very laid-back the patrons seem to be in the late 20’s to 30’s crowd, but I’ve noticed more than a few aged cougars on the prowl and even some business types in there too. They’re definitely a comfortable place to hang out with some friends and indulge your bad habits. Smoking is allowed and plentiful. Drink up!

Comeback Beer of the Year: Löwenbräu! I don’t know what the hell happened to the Schlitz rebranding campaign with the original recipe because it sure didn’t come through Knoxville. I was really looking forward to their attempt to relive the glory days, but they missed their opportunity while Löwenbräu stormed back onto the scene! Well not entirely, I mean, not every bar or grocery store carries it, but damn it’s so delicious. Delicious and fresh. Refreshingly delicious. Light, delicious, refreshiness that is also tasty. And -- Ooh THE JINGLE THE JINGLE! A CATCHY JINGLE!! (sings catchy jingle) Never mind the odd serving size of 11.2 oz bottles. Prost!

Beer Story of the Year: Anheuser Busch Sells Out They can have ‘em!

Smokiest Bar: Preservation Pub – For the 4th year in a row! (This used to be Union Jack’s annual award before they installed those fancy fans) Even before the smoking ban came down last year and forced a decision on bar and restaurant owners, this place was a smoker’s dream. Like most bars that went 21+ and smoking, the smokers have gravitated there en masse. What can you do but suck it up and drink your way through it, right? Pres Pub is great for sitting at the bar drowning your sorrows, having up-close conversations over loud, live music, doing waaay too many shots, and perhaps the occasional wedding proposal if the mood strikes you. Smoke up!

Beer of the Year: Woodruff IPA – By a landslide. Brewed locally and best consumed with a designated driver, the Woodruff IPA packs a punch and a lot of flavor. The stuff only gets better with each drink, which is why it can be dangerous to the uninitiated. “Light” beer drinkers need not bother. This beer has more hops than the NBA and then stings you a la Cassius Clay back in the day. I’ve drank this beer for years and years, but it wasn’t until last year that it became my absolute # 1 beer of choice. I think this one may be locked in for a while. Cheers!

Drunkard of the Year: TBD – Not to self-promote too much, but I can’t think of anyone that’s had a year as drunk as I have. Injuries, humiliation, embarrassment and idiocy documented here, here, here and here. Please, if anyone else wants the honor then take it. I'll drink to the winner!

Bar Review: Sunsphere Update

Leaving the horror of the 2008 UT-Bama game we found ourselves back in the familiar confines of the Skybox. Not a major update here, only to say that now both elevators are working and the bartender ran off some awful frat idiots inquiring about Red Bull, Jager, etc.

I'm not against Jager and Red Bull, or Vodka and Red Bull as was the second drink order these khaki wearing dipshits wanted. Nay, it is just that some bars are for the drinking professionals (aka adults) and that shit outs you as college douche. Indeed, though we were not carded these guys were. Learn, oafish simpletons of the future.

Huge props to the Skybox for having some goddamn taste.

KBJ Countdown: 4 Days...

The Knoxville Brewers Jam is a mere 4 days away and I couldn't be more excited. What could be better than enjoying beautiful fall weather and drinking flavorful, fresh beer all afternoon long? The current forecast for Saturday is mostly sunny with a high of 82 - perfect! Tag Berauscht has previewed a good number of the brewers that will participate at the Jam this weekend, and following his example I would like to introduce a regional favorite that has served us well in the past, Foothills Brewing Company.

The folks in Winston-Salem, NC have a pretty good local brewery to call their own. I was lucky enough to sample their brew a couple of years ago when visiting W-S for a Davis Cup tie with Lord von Lord. Arriving at the Joel Coliseum thirsty for a beer I was sorely disappointed when I got to the concession stand and saw the standard, shitty offerings of domestic beer. I was resigned to drinking this through the weekend if necessary, so I got us a couple of Butweipers and went to find our seats. It was only a few minutes later when we found our seats and noticed a beer vendor situated directly beside our entrance - it was Foothills Brewing. Fortune had spread her legs for us and we took full advantage of this offering. We drank their beer for 3 straight days and got our fill of the Salem Gold and Pilot Mountain Pale Ale.

These are both good beers and I suspect at least one of them to be on hand at KBJ this weekend, probably the Salem Gold. As you can see in the image above the alcohol volume is lower than a lot of beers and it is a light, easy drinking beer. Check out their website for a full list of their brews and hope they bring a couple you want to try. For example, I would like them to bring the Seeing Double IPA but it just ain't gonna happen. They have a nice list of seasonal brews that they could bring also: German Alt, Scottish Ale, Oktoberfest, Maibock, etc. Maybe even the Sexual Chocolate for no other reason to show off their impressive art work of a strong, black woman representing their Imperial Stout.

I returned to Winston-Salem earlier this year for another Davis Cup tie and stayed closer to town and was able to visit their brewery restaurant a few times. I practically lived there during my stay and recommend a visit if you happen to find yourself there (the fish & chips kick ass). I think I remember having their brown ale, definitely had their ESB, Pilsner and aforementioned Seeing Double IPA. Basically I don't think you will have a problem enjoying their beer. Just find a style that fits your taste and give it a try.

Before Things Get Too Ugly

The Vols opened their home schedule this past weekend with a lollipop game vs. UAB. The 12:30 kickoff was brutal, forcing me to start drinking at 7:45 a.m. to get my game time buzz. Here are a couple of pics to celebrate the opening home game of the season. There seemed to be a lack of excitement around campus and the not-so-full stadium. I guess losing the season opener to a underdog team (that lost 59-0 this week) will do that to your fan base.

I want to enjoy this minor victory for just a moment, because we now enter the SEC portion of the schedule that brings Florida this weekend and sends us to Auburn and Georgia in the coming month. Fuck. We're facked! But allow me to say Fuck Florida anyway, just on principle.

A tip of the hat to UT concessions who actually put condiments in the wrapper for Smokey dogs! No Gulden's mustard, but it's a start.

And one last shameless plug for the Southern Graces Skybox. We'll see if they have any luck getting people to attend their "tailgate" with the Vols facing an uphill battle this weekend.

Bar Review: Southern Graces Skybox

Not long ago, Mackey regaled us with his prescient skills and foretold the good news that the Sunsphere would be pushing booze. He has that ability apparently when it is booze related. He is Beeradamus. Anyway, the setting:

Last week we took the long elevator ride up to the bar. First one must be patient and take the elevator on the right...Number One. This will only happen after Number Two answers the call five times in a row. At least. By the time you get to the 4th floor you will have found yourself thirsty, needing to take a whiz, and utterly spent of small talk for the ride up. Feh.

ELEVATOR FLIES OPEN

Well, first off you see the bar itself. The best piece in the joint actually. All the little things in the area seem to be well decorated and crisp. The bar looks out over the Fort, and you can really see quite a ways up to the ridge. Same with the other side of downtown and south Knoxville. It's quite bright...swinging back over to The Compound, and UT...the Hill and Stadium are prominent.

It's really dark in here. Like makeout dark. Most folks are trying and failing miserably at any suitable pictures...yours truly no exception.

Some things were curious though. The service is still badly working out the kinks. The cocktail tables to the left of the bar are high tops, and when boozing you get a righteous case of vertigo if you aren't ready for it. That does fade though, and one gets use to the dark surroundings in a hurry to really appreciate the view.

It ain't cheap...no draft beers, wine and liquor are encouraged. I have no problem with either. Especially the latter.

I hope this enterprise can make it...given the logistic concerns, crowd management might be a problem. Then again, I can think of worse issues. Get your ass up there soon, in any case.

Southern Graces Skybox

UPDATE

According to my top-secret, inside source "Southern Graces Skybox" is the official name of the new bar in the Sunsphere. They plan to open their doors to the public in less than two weeks, so that should give us plenty of time to visit by football season. By visit I mean get drunk there.

The upscale bar area will face west toward UT campus/Ft. Sanders (see picture), have room for about 50-60 guests, and will have special gameday tailgating packages, etc. with TVs in case you don't have tickets to the game.

This is going to be awesome. Totally Awesome!!