Artsy's Backyard: (Hop)Goblin?

Artsy Guy yet again.  As I was perusing the interwebs today, I made an interesting connection between Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark (the Broadway circus rock spectacular currently running at Foxwood's Theatre on 42nd Street) and something the majority of you are familiar with...

Patrick Page as The Green Goblin. Hops.Don't you think?  Eiko Ishioka's stunning costume design for the Green Goblin might just give a nod to a fresh hop cone.  Mmmm.  I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but I'm thinking there are some marketing possibilities here among craft beer loving Broadway fans.  Oh, and check out the marvelous Patrick Page (The Green Goblin) and cast as they get freaky on Letterman (HERE).  Broadway... It's what's HOPpenin' y'all!  Cheers!

Artsy's Backyard: Spuyten Duyvil & Barcade...

Hey there!  Artsy Guy here, just passin' the time in NYC.  Sometimes, when you're in your own stompin' grounds, it's easy to take the local amazingness for granted.  Today, I was wandering on a much-deserved evening off and moseyed into a couple great joints.

Spuyten DuyvilSpuyten Duyvil (or spiting, spitting, haunting, etc. devil wherever you take your learnin') is a pioneering beer bar on Metropolitan Ave. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  On each visit, I've experienced amazing beers that were new to me.  This visit found me with the Kuhnhenn Simcoe Silly Double IPA.  Wow!  Spuyten Duyvil was on the forefront of the import/craft beer movement in NYC, and they continue to be a vital and relevant force today.  Oh, and during the summer months, the back patio is a dreamy option to the cozy bar area.The taps and bottle list (and Jesus). The back yard. The draft list.

Barcade!Just a few blocks away is Barcade.  Those of my generation, will understand the draw of standup arcade games such as Galaga, Ms. Pac Man, Donkey Kong, etc.  Combine the joys of these video delights AND craft beer, and you've got Barcade on Union St. in Williamsburg.  Brilliant concept!  Leave it to those happy hipsters in Brooklyn to combine playtime and drinking.

The main digs.Hop to it, y'all!  There are so many wonderful finds wherever you are in the Big Apple... and in cities all across this fine country of ours.  And that's what's HOPpenin' y'all!  Cheers!!

Video: WSBC Garden Weasel at MISBF

Hey Artsy, move over and let someone else have a chance.  In preparation for THHG's eminent trip to the Wolverine State Brewing Company next week, here's what we sampled at the Michigan Summer Brewers Festival last month: Garden Weasel!  Thanks to The Beer Wench for the sassy brew and sassier talk.

Guinness is good for you.

Howdy!  Artsy Guy here... again.  I swear I'm not one of those guys at the bar who just chats your ear off.  It just looks like it here because I've posted the last four entries.  Where all my other guys be at?  Ha ha!  Anyhoo...

I was happy to tag along with HHG Mark last night to Guinness' NYC kickoff of their new Guinness Black Lager.  It was a flashy affair at Hudson Terrace on far West 46th.  Plenty of "blacks" (which was the term the bartenders were using for the new brew), stunning views, and dancing girls... all on a beautiful NYC eve.  HHG Mark said, "I think this is the first event we've been invited to that has dancing girls."  It was very fancy, y'all.

HHG Mark and the dancers. Stack o' black lager. Mark and Guinness Head Brewmaster Fergal Murray.The highlight of the evening was getting to chat with Guinness Master Brewer Fergal Murray.  After cutting his teeth on the production side of Guinness brewing, he's been in his current position for 28 years.  While he and the company remain passionate about the legacy of their traditional brews, he also gets excited for new products, and he hopes that Guinness Black Lager will become the choice of clubgoers and tailgaters everywhere.  Great guy, that Fergal.  A big shout out to you from the Happy Hour Guys Nation.  Have one for the squeak at the gate.

Ooh... interesting note:  Did you know that Guinness has a brewery in Nigeria?  It will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.  How about that?  Cheers!

Artsy Guy in the ol' 'hood: Lucky Baldwin's and more...

Lucky Baldwin's, Pasadena.Hello, folks! Here's the third and final installment of my posts from my old stomping grounds in Southern California.  As my time in Cali waned, I was able to drop into one more favorite haunt: Lucky Baldwin's in Old Town Pasadena.  This is a great pub owned by an Irishman, featuring Belgian and local beers, and named for a local hero of sorts.

On the afternoon I dropped in – after a chill session drinking coffee and posting my last HHG post from an honest to goodness bookstore, Pasadena's treasured Vroman's – there was a large contingent of folks cheering on Manchester United in a satellite-broadcast footy match.  I ordered a half-order of their amazing fish and chips.  And I sampled a local IPA and a saison from Belgium (since we were in the midst of phase two of their annual Belgian fest).  Variety and adventure.  So much great stuff here... and at their second space: Lucky Baldwin's Delirium Café in Sierra Madre.  Great establishments!More Lucky Baldwin's.

And as I wind up my trip, I want to be sure to give y'all heads up about other wonderful places I've had the privilege of visiting over the years...
• Blue Palms Brewhouse: This is another of my favorite Southern Cal beer bars.  I would have dropped in this time around, but I knew that HHG Jimmy had posted this amazing video about his visit a while back.  Go!
• The Stuffed Sandwich: You've seen the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld? Sam at the Stuffed Sandwich has, at times, been likened to a beer nazi of sorts.  He has wonderful taste and strict respect for craft beer culture, and if you're on the same page, you will have a fantastic experience.  At the Stuffed Sandwich, you must buy food, and you won't be disappointed.
• Father's Office: The original Father's Office sprouted from a 50-year-old local watering hole on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica.  After the current restrateurs took over, I was amongst the multitude of folks who waited on line for one of the absolute best burgers in LA.  Now they sport two locations (the newer one being in Culver City), serving up wonderful craft suds, those amazing burgers, and more.
• Laurel Tavern: In my old 'hood, I was happy to find a gastropub with great crafty selection.  Nice craft selection and tasty grub.  And I came to find out that the owners had also conceived a couple other places including The Library Bar in downtown LA.

• A few other places definitely worth a mention based on a visit or two each over the years: Naja's Place on the water in Redondo Beach (a brilliant craft beer selection and almost always crazily crowded) and relative newcomer The Surly Goat in West Hollywood (another fab selection accompanied by a crazy crowd) and Golden State on Fairfax (home of the most amazing beer float ever... North Coast Old Rasputin over brown bread gelato).

Well, that's a whirlwind trip of the scene here.  Pick one – or several – and go!  The craft beer revolution is deep-seated in Los Angeles and its environs.  SO many choices and possibilities! And THAT'S what's HOPpenin' y'all!  Cheers!!