Football is Near

The first Pre-Season NFL game is this Sunday night at 8p.m.  It's the annual Hall of Fame game featuring the Arizona Cardinals at the New Orleans Saints.  Rooster’s will be having $14 Miller Lite buckets and as always the best wings and pizza in town (their words, not mine).

The game will be aired on the NFL Network so don't look for it on ESPN or the networks. I have yet to upgrade my cable sports package therefore I will be watching a bar. There seems to be quite a few Saints fans in Knoxville but I dare you to find a single Cardinals fan - I may be the only one in town. The Bird has a lone UT Volunteer on their roster, NT Dan Williams. The Saints double that with two, Turk McBride and Jabari Greer.

We all know the preseason is crap but it is a welcome reminder that the real thing isn't too far away. Who do I tell that I'm ready for some football now that Hank Jr. is gone?

Sherlock Holmes Pub - Gatlinburg

Hey drunkards, we found a new place to get loaded in Gatlinburg – it’s Sherlock Holmes Pub, just off the main drag in a great location. Renowned drunkard Atlas discovered the spot and gets full credit in the record book: 10 points.


LVL and I ventured for lunch/early drinks and were impressed by most everything. The British décor obviously fits, it’s clean (and new), has a great patio and the service was excellent. Drink prices are modest and the food was acceptable, though a hand battered fish & chips entrée would be much nicer.

They are still getting settled in so I expect things to be even better the next time we visit. Definitely worth a try the next time you’re in G-Burg, try the beer. Cheers.

Sherlock Holmes Pub
651 Parkway #110
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Memorial Morning Bender

On a similar premise as Drunk Breakfast, behold Memorial Morning Bender. The idea is basically the same except for the fact that everyone already has the day off so there is no satisfaction of getting loaded and having excessive breakfast while the nine to fivers go to work. In this case we salute fallen service men and women on their holiday and raise a glass in their honor.

Round 1...the drinks

 

Round 2...the meal

Round 3...pics/comments from the drunkards

Saw Works Debut

Let’s try this again. Saw Works’ grand opening starts Wednesday at 4 PM on location in the Old City with their first batch introduction to the public, Saw Works Pale Ale. The following night they will be at the Casual Pint in Bearden for S&G.


The SWBC team hosted a private tour on Monday that featured the new batch plus some other drafts left over from the previous regime. Marble City items such as glasses, t-shirts, decals, etc. are being liquidated at a rapid rate as most locals recognize the defunct brand as collectors’ items. The new logo looks just as good if not better and they already have t-shirts and such with more on the way.

The tasting room remains unchanged for now but I hear there are plans to redo that room and add a seating area outside on a newly designed patio. There will be plenty of room for group outings such as business meetings, socials, birthday parties, etc. I don’t think they plan to operate as a bar/pub or serve food but groups can cater in or coordinate a food truck if they need to.

Saw Works team pictured below, good luck guys!




Jon, Dave & Adam



Saw Works Brewing Company

So long Marble City, hello Saw Works...

(via Metro Pulse)

Rumors have been flying fast and furious about the demise of Marble City Brewing Company, but all those rumors were woefully premature. Marble City isn't dying, it's just rebranding itself as Saw Works Brewing Company, so named because the site of their brewery on Depot Street was once Wallace Saw Works. Co-owner Johnathan Borsodi declined to comment about the reason behind the name change, but one likely guess is that it's due to an ongoing trademark lawsuit filed by New Mexico's Marble Brewery.


Borsodi says the name isn't the only thing changing at MCBC, either. The company has replaced its brewmaster with Dave Ohmer, formerly of Downtown Grill and Brewery, and will now focus exclusively on English-style ales. Borsodi says Ohmer has already begun brewing, and the first batch, a pale ale, will be ready to drink in a couple of weeks. The beer will also be made from locally sourced grains, making the beer even more local.

"We're excited to bring Dave on board," says co-owner Adam Palmer. "He's a longtime member of the Knoxville brewing community, and we look forward to making the best English-style ales possible."

Roosters-New Draft Beers!!!‏

Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan (Photo credit: Speed-Light)

Summer Line up!
It's almost summer and that means it's time for new flavors on our taps! Try a Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan, Sweetwater Roadtrip, Sam Adams Summer Ale, Pacifico Cerveza, Somersault Seasonal, 1554, Sierra Nevada Draught Style Pale Ale, Brooklyn Brown Ale, or a Dos Equis Lager Especial. Of course, all of your old favorites are still here as well! Stop by and try a new favorite, or enjoy an old favorite!

(via Rooster's newsletter)

Awww Schlitz

A couple of weeks ago I ran out of beer and had to go out for more. I made a quick trip to the Jackson Ave. Market for the first time and bought a six-pack of Schlitz. See, I’ve been on a light beer kick lately, going so far as to have standard domestics such as Miller Lite, Coors and even trying Bud Light Platinum (don’t judge me!). This was the perfect opportunity to try their original 1960s recipe that has been out a couple of years. It definitely has more taste and flavor than most domestics I’m used to and I’ve since bought it a few more times. Hell, I may even check on keg availability if I ever get my kegerator up and running.

I’m not sure why it took so long to give it a try. I believe LVL jumped on it right as the re-launch happened but I don’t remember trying it. I did have a taste last fall while on a trip to Milwaukee on a visit to the Pabst brewery. The manager sold me on the details – exact gas mixture, pressure, glassware, serving temperature – it was good. I had a couple but forgot about it as soon as I left and hit Mo’s Irish Pub. Eight months later and I can’t get enough, go figure.

Boyd’s Jig & Reel – Doing it Right

Boyd’s in the Old City (aka Bog District) has been open for several months and appears to be doing good business. Our group of drunkards has recently been going to the former Manhattan’s location on a regular basis as a good stop for beer and pub food. They also have a huge selection of scotch and I’ve heard rumors that they are trying to stock the largest supply of scotch in the country. Good for them but I’ll stick to the bourbon and Irish whiskey.


They have done a good job cleaning up the place and the service has been excellent every time I have been there. The music and gaming rooms off the main bar are usually filled with crowds of folks having a good time. The food menu isn’t huge but it has adequate, unique dishes to please most diners. I wouldn’t call it a destination place for dinner unless you have a craving for a particular dish, such as their best-in-town fish & chips (at least for now). Give ‘em a try next time you’re in the Bog District and tell them DK sent you. Slainte.

Beer & Ham

The Super Bowl tied a bow on the 2011 NFL season with a great game and another slap in the faces of Patriot fans thanks to Eli Manning and the NY Geee-men (Bermanese). Like most of America, our group took the opportunity to over-consume alcohol and food. A keg of Banquet Beer and a Honey Baked ham go a long way – long enough to have me catching zzzzz by the end of the game. The commercials weren’t what I would consider “good”, Indy provided a backdrop of wholesome family goodness that prevented any players from getting into serious trouble, and Madonna’s old ass stepped around the stage like a life-alert infomercial was being filmed, leaving us to be entertained by the action on the field. Golly gosh, what’s it going to take to make this Super Bowl idea get some traction?

And the deviled eggs, good god how could I forget the deviled eggs:

 See you guys next month.

2011 Brewers Jam

Yes, I ended up going after all. There's nothing like a last minute ticket to an event that you really wanted to go to but thought that you couldn't. Actually I got the good news the night before and celebrated by drinking way too much and making an ass of myself. Saturday was filled with text messages and verbal accounts of my erratic, drunken behavior: stumbling, rambling to strangers, shouting, unjustified prick point assessments, questionable random hookup, calling people by the wrong name, ditching a bar buddy - you get the idea.

Saturday's hangover wasn't too bad and I slept most of it off by noon. The first order of business was retrieving my ride, left downtown overnight. By the time I returned home the line for KBJ was moving and I went inside about an hour later. The weather this year was perfect, sunny and around 70. It was unusual to pace myself, knowing I had an obligation that evening, but I managed 4-5 samples and a bbq sandwich from Sweet P's that satisfied my cravings. I talked to a few friends, visited a few displays, then got the hell out of there before I lost my discipline.

Thanks to Tag for the extra pass, cheers!

The Quarry Grand Opening

Marble City Brewing Company's new event venue, The Quarry, hosts a grand opening Friday, November 21 at 708 E. Depot Avenue in the Old City.

Serving beer and brats from 4 PM til...who knows? The place looks pretty cool and probably holds around 50 people or so. They will be at Brewers Jam on Saturday too. Cheers!

More Beer Please

Regal Riviera 8 located downtown Knoxville has applied for a beer permit, soon to join Downtown West as local movie theatres offering beer at the movies. I'm all for it though I'm not sure if it will change my movie going experience very much. Certainly it will be a good option but logically it doesn't appeal to me as my first choice. If an alcoholic drink is desired I prefer to have a whiskey or wine and go easy on the bladder, even though my unique special training would probably allow me to make it through a 2 hour movie without much trouble.

Enjoy Knoxville.

Keg of Lies

I blame you, Atlas, for it was you who invited us over for beer at the pool last weekend. You tried to caution us that the keg would be dry at any moment. You suggested that we bring extra beer as a “backup” just to be safe. You lifted the keg numerous times to gauge its contents. We each had a bottled beer as we arrived that day, fully assuming that we’d be drinking it later. You were amazed that it didn’t blow pouring the first round of beers, then on the second round, and on to the third and fourth, and so on until we lost count. The night grew later and later yet the keg did not yield. Juan Moore won that battle. There were many lies poured that day. The only thing that came close to this farce was the never ending bottle of Powers.

Last Minute Rossini

I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for over a month, yet I haven’t had time to compose a simple two minute blog entry to support Knoxville’s favorite street fair. Damn work, damn it to hell.


We talk about the same things each year: drinking in the streets, eating Italian sausages in the streets, going from bar to bar, causing a scene in the streets, and more drinking throughout the night. Guess what, it will be the same again this year. Sure, we’ll check out the vendors, we’ll run into friends we haven’t seen in a while, and possibly watch the live performances, but make no mistake – we’re there to drink and have a good time.

The weather forecast is 50-50 for rain. Big deal. I’ve been there on rainy days, scorching hot days and wintery cold-as-a-mf days. The weather hasn’t impacted my enjoyment one bit. Having the trifecta by mid-afternoon will make any occasion a good time. Cheers to another fun day downtown Knoxville!

SANDWICH ACCOMPLISHED

It only took about 3 months but we did it - we had the best goddamned Reuben sandwich in Gatlinburg. (As far as we know because I don’t think any of us have any comparisons to go on.) Nevertheless it was a fantastic sandwich that thankfully didn’t disappoint. I don’t know how the rest of the weekend would have gone otherwise. Guns, knives and fisticuffs were possibilities.

It all started during our December trip to Gatlinburg when we saw it pictured in the window of the Hofbrauhaus Cheese Shop in the Village section of town. The timing just wasn’t right but we all agreed that we’d have to have it at some point. The anticipation started immediately. Glib days of jokes grew into weeks of derisive comments and accusations. A daytrip wouldn’t be good enough for this sandwich, so hotel rooms were booked, dates set and we waited even more. Finally one Saturday morning the time had come to accomplish this mission.

We made the drive up in separate vehicles to our hotel with separate rooms and began the day by sipping whiskey in the hotel parking lot, which was nice. We trekked through “Battle LA” to the strip and found our way to the Village. Good, the place hadn’t burned down without us knowing so we ventured inside and up the narrow stairwell to the dining area. We were the only guests. The kind lady took our order: 5 Reuben sandwiches and various beers. Only a few minutes to go until…

Beer at the Movies – Just Like Amsterdam?

And I don’t mean no paper cup, I’m talking about a glass of beer.

Well, I guess we’ll have to see about that. The Bottom Line blog at KNS is reporting that Regal Cinemas is seeking a beer permit for their Downtown West Cinema 8 location in west Knoxville. You may know it as that artsy-fartsy movie theater that shows all the foreign films you never see. I know it as the place where I double-dated in college at the feature of The Big Lebowski. My friend is still married to his college sweetheart and has a lovely family with 3 children. Apparently my date didn’t go so well. Anyway, there is a chance you can order a beer next time you go see that documentary on global cooling, or perhaps the Academy Award nomination for best foreign film. And try not to drown your french fries in mayonnaise either.

Possum Weekend

This isn’t a George Jones promotion, although no one here will stop you from enjoying the classic country bard. Knoxville’s very own rugby team is celebrating 30 years of play on the pitch. Scrums, rucks, mauls, hookers – all good times. The Possums have a solid, well established team that has competed for many years throughout the region at a very high level. They have close ties with the accomplished UT club team and, I believe, have helped grow the sport via youth and high school programs with pretty good success. In addition to their achievements on the pitch they are also prolific drinkers. These guys are champion boozers, drunkards and tosspots. They put the fun in functional alcoholics. They like the sauce. Arthur Bach would ask them to take it down a notch – that’s how much they like to drink.

To celebrate their anniversary they will host their annual banquet at Calhoun’s on the River this Friday night followed by a day of rugby vs. Johnson City at Possum Park on Saturday. Plus the UT “A” and “B” squads will play as well. Directions and more information are available at www.knoxvillerugby.com. Maybe the banquet is off limits but there will be plenty of time for drinks afterwards, just guard your women. Hell, in fact if you are a woman looking for some interaction with brutish juiceheads this may be just what you’re looking for. This group isn’t the most discriminating bunch of guys in town, trust me I’ve been there. And if you’ve never watched or been to a rugby match before this is a great opportunity to make it happen. The weather is supposed to be cool and clear, admission is free and you can BYOB (or at least you could in the past, I haven’t been in a while). It’s a good time and fun to watch these guys run and beat the hell out of each other just for sport. As an “old boy” I congratulate and salute the Possums on 30 years of success and wish them many more. Cheers!

What's that? Brewers Jam?

Why yes it is, the Brewers Jam is tomorrow and it looks like I will be attending afterall. This has been a poor year of attendance for my favorite drinking festivals. I was on the brink of skipping this one too until I got the call from Tag B. Let's take a look back on the season:

+ - Rossini Festival
X - Irish Festival
X - Feast with the Beasts
X - Wine on the Water
+ - Brewers Jam

Ok that's 2 for 5, not great but it could be worse. 40% is a failing mark but if it were .400 in baseball I'd be a star. It's all about perspective, man.

Is Bud Done?

Probably not but it’s been dead to me for years. The dissolution of Budweiser as an American institution just a couple of years ago is now grasping at bar straws for customers. So much that they’re giving it away for free, at least in some areas. I’m not sure if they are begging at Knoxville bars but I wouldn’t be surprised at all. If so the only person I know who would be interested (besides the bums) is DK washout KRTI who has been supporting that brand recently. Whatever. So there you go InBev and Budweiser, cling to your pathetic fable as King of Beer.

And just to be clear, yes, I would drink some of that free beer!

Angels, Wings, & Schlitz

Boom. Long in the works, a brand new beer cave opens in K-town. Somewhere, a buzzed angel gets its wings. This particular cave is housed at the Ingles on Emory Road, some of you may know it. Let's peek inside this brand new cooley-freezey box.

Swanky, powerful, damn cold and with reasonable prices no less. The real shame about these great repositories of the sauce, is that so few grocers and markets have them. Let's face it, the majority of Knoxville will be years away from such a luxury unless they want to put in the extra effort. Noodle that last sentence. Yeah, that's what I thought too.

Also part of Ingle's expansion and assimilation of everything off Exit 112, is this arrogant and totally beautiful wall of suds with enough quanity to outfit a brigade. Yes, it does go on and on.

Heh heh. Schlitz has little to do with this, except it was stocked in heroic and devastating amounts near the cave. Been waiting for this old formula to make it down this way. In any event, come check out the new cave, folks. It will never be brand spankin' new again.