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Rivertown Brewery Wins the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” at Stone House Tavern

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Patrick Clark from Mt Carmel vs Jason Roper from Rivertown: Who has the best brewery ?

A packed house Wednesday night at Stone House Tavern  saw Rivertown Brewing Company beat Mt. Carmel Brewing Company by majority decision, 3 rounds to 2.   TO SEE THE SCORECARD RESULTS CLICK HERE ! The “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” Food Adventure event was a beer tasting, menu pairing and one of a kind evening.   Attendees tasted beers from the two breweries and voted for their favorites as Mt. Carmel and Rivertown slugged it out for the championship and bragging rights.

The breweries went head to head, beer to beer for 5 rounds in front of a crowd of over 60 thirsty judges.  The excitement for the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” had been building for weeks and the event sold out in a few days.  The throwdown took place at Stone House Tavern in Waynesville.  The night was sponsored by Dayton Most Metro.com and The Food Adventure Crew who are originals, so you know this event was going to be out of the ordinary.  “Ring Announcer” Dan Apolito, part owner of  Stone House Tavern and Archers Tavern, hosted the event as the emcee.

As the bell rang, the anxious crowd drew to a hush as introductions were made.  In this corner, Patrick Clark, manager and marketing guru from Cincinnati’s Mt. Carmel Brewery was ready to present his beers!   In the opposing corner, Jason Roeper, owner and brewmaster of Rivertown Brewery in Cincinnati.  Hungry Jax was the cornergirl/cutman for Mt. Carmel Brewery, while The Big Ragu with sweat towel in hand, tended to Rivertown’s corner.  The action promised to be fast and furious with gulps, sips, hops and barley flying in all directions.  Each brewer took time to explain to the crowd why they felt their beer was the best.  It was a once in a lifetime chance to taste beer brewed hours ago, by the people who made them.   But talk can be cheap, and the judges decisions were made on taste.

Special Guest Ring Girl Aja, kicked off each round

Here is a round by round, blow by blow recap of the THRILLA IN WAYNESVILLA:

ROUND 1 – StoneHouse Tavern delivered a crisp and delicious Salmon Ceasar Salad to the judges and the pouring began.  Mt Carmel drew first blood when their Springtime Ale beat Rivertown’s Stonehouse Tavern Hefeweizen.  The Springtime Ale was rich and malty, and brewed in the tradition of a Scottish Ale.  The Stonehouse Hefeweizen was a worthy opponent brewed with Canadian pale malt and Pacific northwest hops.  WINNER : MT.CARMEL

ROUND 2 – The menu sampling continued with Stone House Tavern serving up some Cheddar Burger Sliders.  These little delights were topped with bacon, and were a perfect lead-in to the beer tasting.  Mt. Carmel took a commanding lead and landed a big blow when their Amber Ale grabbed a victory over Rivertown’s Hop Bomber Pale Ale.  The winning brew was deep in color with a smooth, complex flavor.  Rivertown’s beer, named after a b-24 bomber had a malty flavor, but fell short in a close vote. WINNER: MT. CARMEL

ROUND 3 – Sweet BBQ Boneless Wings were the food pairing this round from Stone House Tavern’s menu.  The tangy bites were served with ranch dipping sauce and satisfied everyone’s alert taste buds.  Rivertown scored its first victory of the night in round 3, when the caramel tasting, Munich style, Dunkel Lager won the judges vote.  Mt. Carmel’s Nut Brown Ale showed strong promise with hazelnut and maple flavors, but was edged out by the Dunkel. WINNER: RIVERTOWN

ROUND 4 – This round began with one of our favorites, the Blackened Fish Tacos from Stone House Tavern.  Flour tortillas,  filled with perfectly baked tilapia, cilantro, corn salsa and a spicy baja sauce were paired with 2 IPA’s in this round.  Rivertown’s Hop Baron Double Down IPA won the round and evened things up.  This impressive beer takes 2 hours to brew and uses four types of hops.  It narrowly defeated Mt. Carmel’s India Pale Ale.  Mt. Carmel’s entry offered a spicy, pine hop aroma with a beautiful orange color.  WINNER: RIVERTOWN

The event featured 5 rounds of beer face-offs paired with 5 menu items like these blackened fish tacos

ROUND 5 – Unbeknownst to the crowd, the score was tied leading into the final round of this throwdown.  Each brewing company had won 2 rounds, and the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” was coming down to the wire!  The final menu sampling was a moist, delicious Chocolate Brownie, topped with Raspberry Sauce.  It was a perfect complement to the final beers of the night.  Mt Carmel offered their Stout beer.  It had a slight fruit aroma, with hints of  coffee and the color was pitch black.  It was toppled, however by Rivertown’s Roebling beer.  This beer, brewed with vanilla beans and Peruvian coffee, is named for the Roebling Bridge that connects Cincinnati to Covington, KY.   Roebling won the final round for Rivertown thereby securing a victory.  WINNER: RIVERTOWN

FINAL DECISION:  THE WINNER OF “THE THRILLA IN WAYNESVILLA” by majority decision, is RIVERTOWN BREWING COMPANY !!

When the beer brawl ended, Jason Roeper of Rivertown Brewing Company held the championship belt high above his head.  It was a tough battle, and Patrick Clark of Mt. Carmel Brewing Company, was gracious in defeat.  The competitors posed for post-fight pictures, and shook hands with the crowd.  It was a great night with a unique opportunity to hear from some experts who know their craft.  It was also a reminder to buy local and see what Ohio has to offer.

If you missed this event, you missed a lot.  The “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” was a huge success.    Each attendee received souvenir pint glasses from both Mt Carmel and from Rivertown Brewery.  Door prizes included gift certificates to Archer’s Tavern, Olive and Stone House Tavern.  Other giveaways were 6 packs of Rivertown Beer, 6 packs of Mt Carmel Beer, t-shirts and hats.

The final round included Rivertown’s Roebling and Mt Carmel’s Stout paired with dessert

The brew battle was heated, and a great time was had by all.  Great local beer and delicious menu samples capped a wonderful,  SOLD OUT Food Adventure!  Again, congratulations to Jason Roeper, owner and brewmaster of Rivertown Brewery.   Special thanks to Patrick Clark from Mt. Carmel Brewery, who presented some fantastic beers in the main event.  Dan Apolito and Mike Fullenkamp of  Stone House Tavern deserve special recognition for hosting the epic showdown with their stellar staff.   Even Lisa Grigsby with Dayton Dining was in attendance!  We also want to give a  shout out to Aja Delaney, our lovely ring girl.

The Big Ragu would like to thank the attendees who judged the contest.  We appreciate all of the positive feedback and comments.  Food Adventures has been setting the trends for 5 years now, so stay tuned to DaytonMostMetro.com for more original Food Adventures like this in the future.  As for the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla,” this tremendous event was a knockout !!

For more Food Adventures, “like” us on Facebook by clicking HERE !

Did you attend the event?  Are you a beer connoisseur?  Tell us your thoughts on who has the better brews, Mt. Carmel or Rivertown ??  PLEASE COMMENT BELOW !

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Anyone For Some Blue Ball Porter?

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For years Dayton has been known as  a town with an abundance of wine tastings each week and now with the rise in popularity of craft beers, those of us who really enjoy our ales and lagers are starting to have lots of choices, too!  Rumbleseat Wine just sent us an email  telling us they’l be hosting a weekly beer tasting on Wednesday nights from 6-8pm.   According to their newsletter, the event will give you a chance to learn more about beer and pairing it with food.  The sessions will be lead by someone they are calling Beer Guru Charles.  Now I don’t know who this Charles is and I’m not sure what the training is to become a guru, but I look forward to  sharing a brew with him and finding out!

Tonight’s beers include: Goose Islands Sofie–  a Belgian Style farmhouse ale, Goose Island’s Pere Jacques– a fruity malty ale, and two beers from  the Intercourse Brewing Company, which was named after the rural Pennsylvania Amish community of Intercourse, ironically a dry town.  Go ahead giggle here, you know you want to.   You can taste  Blue Ball Porter – a smokey porter with a hint of blueberry and Bareville Pilsner– an American style pilsner.  You can try all four for just $6, and you’ll be able to purchase those you like to take home.
The tastings start tonight, and I’ve got a previous engagement, so will some of my beer buddies check it out and report back  to us all in the comments below, if you go! You’ll find Rumbleseat at 5853 Far Hills Avenue, about a block north of Dorothy Lane Market in Kettering.

Beer Tastings Times Two

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Dayton Liederkranz Turner Presents:
A Celebration of Winter Style Craft Beers

Enjoy the next edition of the Liederkranz’s highly successful beer tasting parties. Sample 10 different Winter Style Craft Beers in our Authentic Rathskeller.

The  Sampling Tour will begin at 7:00 p.m. led by Liederkranz member, Mike Schwartz, beer aficionado, home brewer, …and owner of Belmont Party Supply,Dayton’s leading purveyor of fine beers and brewing supplies. The Bierfest will include free snacks and door prizes.

Food, including brats, a variety of beers, and other drinks will be available for purchase.

The Official Bier List:
Breckenridge Christmas Ale, Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome, Great Divide Hibernation Ale, Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, 21st Amendment Fireside Chat, New Holland Cabin Fever, Southern Tier Old Man Winter, Sierra Ne…vada Bigfoot, Bell’s Winter White, Troegs Mad Elf

Preregister for a Discount: $13 Members • $15 Guests
Price @ the door: $18 per person
Admission for Designated Drivers: FREE!

For More Info

South Park Tavern will be having it’s first

Barrel Aged Beer Festival

Saturday, November 20th from 2:00pm to 6:00pm.  There will be over 20 Rare Barrel Aged Beers On Tap! We will be raising money for Dayton’s Resident Home Association. Tickets are $40.00 each and will include a souvenir glass, entertainment, pizza, salad, and a pig roast!  This is a limited ticket event!

Here is a list of the the beers that will be on tap for the Barrel Aged Beer Fest

  • New Holland’s Pilgrim’s Dole
  • Founders Backwood Bastard
  • Founders Curmudgeon
  • Bell’s Hell Hath No Fury Oak Aged
  • Bell’s Hell Hath No Fury [Not Oaked]
  • Aecht Schlenkerla Oak Smoke Wooden Cask Firkin
  • Clipper City Below Decks Cabernet Wine Barrel Aged Firkin
  • Rogue John John Hazelnut
  • New Holland Oak Hatter
  • New Holland Envious
  • Southern Tier Cuvee
  • Southern Tier Unearthly Oak Imperial IPA
  • Jolly Pumkin Oro de Calabaza
  • Jolly Pumkin La Parela
  • Flying Dog Barrel Aged Gonzo
  • Weyerbacher Insanity Ale
  • Great Divide 15th Anniversary Ale
  • Goose Island Matilda
  • Goose Island Dominigue
  • Founder’s Newaygo County Cherry
  • Founder’s Nemesis [Not Oaked]

For More Info

Jane’s Best Bets (8/25 – 8/29)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Time and time again, I have heard people say, “There is nothing to do in Dayton.”  Usually it is pretty difficult to ruffle my feathers (probably because I don’t have any), but this phrase really gets my goat!  As a Dayton native and huge advocate of the city, I know there are TONS of things to do in Dayton…and my goal here is to prove it to you!

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jane Krebs.  For those of you who do know me, my name is still Jane Krebs.  Each Wednesday, I will be bringing you Jane’s Best Bets – a weekly column devoted to informing you of some of the best events going on in and around our wonderful city.  To give you a little history, Jane’s Best Bets actually began a little over a year ago when I started emailing a group of friends and family about fun events going on around town.  The concept grew and grew and today, that email reaches more than one-hundred people.  And now, I feel so fortunate to bring it to all of you – the wonderful readers of DaytonMostMetro.com!

I am a person of many interests and am involved in many wonderful organizations in our community, such as the Red Cross Associate Board and Generation Dayton.  So whether you’re a sports fanatic, a food guru, art enthusiast, community service advocate, or a music junkie, you have definitely come to the right place.  Dayton has something to offer you…and it is my job to show you!

Also, for those of you who have not seen a “Jane’s Best Bets”, in addition to featuring fun events, it also features the signature “Dumb Joke of the Week”.  Perhaps not my readers’ favorite part, as those who know me would describe me as VERY corny (think the “Laffy Taffy” type).  So, if you are corny, I think we’re going to get along just fine.  And if not, that’s okay too – just feel free to shake your head because after all, I’ll never know!

So, without further adieu, here are your best bets!  It’s Dayton’s very first Beer Week, so if you like beer, then this is definitely your week.  If you don’t, however, there are plenty of other fun things for you to do!

Starting on Wednesday, check out one of the many beer tastings going on as a part of Dayton Beer Week, such as the Abita Beer Tasting Event at Rue Dumaine, the Brooklyn Brewery Tasting at Bruning’s Wine Cellar, the Beer and Wine Throwdown at the Culinary Company, the Stone Beer Dinner at Thai 9, the Dogfish Head Beer Dinner at Dorothy Lane Market, the Brooklyn Brewery Oktoberfest Release at Fox & Hound, or the Stone 090909 Vertical Epic Tapping at Chappys.  That sure was a mouthful!  Speaking of mouths, perhaps you like to use yours to sing.  If so, you’ll want to head to the 88 Club for ‘Wild Out’ Karaoke Wednesday.  Or, if you’re a bookworm who likes a good bargain (don’t we all!), check out the Wright Library Book Sale, which runs through Sunday.

Then on Thursday, continue to celebrate Dayton Beer Week by sampling more beer at another tasting, such as the Troegs Beer Tasting at the Dorothy Lane Market in Oakwood, the Mt. Carmel Beer Tasting at a Taste of Wine, or the Goose Island Beer and Cheese Tasting at Spinoza’s.  If you’d rather check out opportunities to be out and about in the great outdoors as opposed to chilling and sipping a brewski, you may want to check out Five Rivers MetroParks’ Intro to Backpacking Class.  Or, check out the Kim Kelly Orchestra as part of Big Band Nights at the new Pavillion at Riverscape!

On Friday, support local farmers by going to the Xenia Farmer’s Market.  If you’d like to meet other young professionals in the area, check out Generation Dayton’s 4th Friday Lunch, followed by Generation Dayton’s 2010 WPAFB Tour (open to Generation Dayton Members).  I know several people who attended this event last year and said it was great!  Later in the evening, check out some live outdoor music – one of my favorite things!  Some options are the Websters at Sharkey’s (very fun cover band!) or Funky G at The Greene (FREE)!  And, if you enjoy festivals, check out the Lebanese Festival to sample authentic Middle-Eastern food and pastries, watch some belly dancing, and enjoy all the other things festivals have to offer including amusement rides and poker (I guess this column is about “bet”ting after all!).  Or, if you feel like going to another beer tasting, check out Red Carpet Night at the Trolley Stop, where there will be many different beers to try!

I’m hoping you can save up some energy during the week because Saturday is the big day – the 12th Annual AleFest Dayton at Carillon Park!  If you like beer at all, then this is one event you won’t want to miss, as you can choose from over 300 beers to sample!  At Riverscape, check out the African American Cultural Festival.  Or, if you didn’t get to check out the Lebanese Festival Friday, now is your chance.  If you’re a Jimmy Buffett Fan, check out the 3rd Annual Concert, Fish Fry & Benefit with the Parrots of the Caribbean.  Just be sure you don’t put Margaritaville in your Garmin – you may get lost.  And, if you love the 80s, go to Mix 107.7’s Summerfest at the Fraze to see Blondie and Cheap Trick!  “One way or another,” I’m sure you’re going to make it a great Saturday!

And finally on Sunday, if you’re not too exhausted – head back to Carillon Park for WYSO’s FREE Summer Concert featuring the Rev Cool Arkestra and Dance Ensemble & C. Wright’s Parlour Tricks, or go to Stubbs Park in Centerville to see Lone Raven.  Or if you feel like just kicking back and reading a book, I know where you can get one at a bargain!  Head on over to the last day for the Wright Library Book Sale where a bag of books is just $2.00!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week.  Drum roll please…

What did the farmer say when he picked up the corn?

“Aw, shucks!”

(See, I told you I was “corn”y!)

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it – it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!   And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

It’s a Firkin Tasting!

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Chin’s Ginger Grill will be hosting a beer tasting on Thursday August 17th and the star of the show is a firkin of Bells Amber Ale. Unlike most draft beers, cask ales, or firkin beers, are not injected with carbon dioxide, filtered, pasteurized, stored in pressurized kegs and served through gas-powered taps.  Instead, a firkin beer is unpasteurized, unfiltered and naturally carbonated, or conditioned, in its cask.

Along with the firkin of Bells Amber Ale, also on the tasting menu are:
Flying Dog Dogtoberfest Marzen…true German flavor!
The Brew Kettle Production Works Tunguska Imperial Stout...from Strongsville, distributed only in Ohip

Southern Tier Pumking….a pumpkin ale!

Founder’s Porter…an American porter

Other beers will be sampled and snacks will be avaliable. All beers tasted will be avaliable for sale and your $20 tasting fee includes a full pint of the cask conditioned ale.
Chin’s Ginger Grill
965 W. Main St.
Tipp City, Ohio

937-667-6664

Goose Island Beer Tasting in Troy

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When the first Goose Island Brewpub opened its doors in 1988, domestic, mass-produced beer was deeply ingrained in Midwestern culture. The craft beer industry was still in its infancy, with only a handful of brewpubs in existence in the Midwest. In his travels across Europe, beer-lover John Hall had enjoyed a distinctive local brew in each region he visited. Hall was convinced that Midwesterners could produce beers as good or better than those he’d tasted in his travels. Living on the shore of the largest system of fresh water on the planet Earth, in a city with rapidly evolving tastes – John decided that his hometown, Chicago, would be the ideal place to do just that.  On Wed, Aug 11th starting at 7pm  you’ll have the chance to check out half a dozen of their latest craft brews at The Caroline, on the square in downtown Troy.

Goose Island’s Lindsey Shafer, will be the hostess and The Caroline  will pair the beers with some really nice cheese and chocolates.   The following beers (with the below notes from Brewmaster Greg Hall) are scheduled for the tasting:

Goose Island 312- Densely populated with flavor, 312’s spicy aroma of Cascade hops is followed by a crisp, fruity ale flavor delivered in a smooth, creamy body. This gives 312 a balance of flavor and refreshment that never fills you up and won’t let you down.

Sofie-Fermented with wild yeasts and aged in wine barrels with orange peel, Sofie is a tart, dry, sparkling ale. A subtle, spicy white pepper note, a hint of citrus from the orange peel and a creamy vanilla finish make Sofie an intriguing choice for Champagne drinkers and beer drinkers who are fond of Belgian Saisons.

Fleur-A Belgian style pale ale blended with hibiscus and kombucha tea, Fleur is a beautiful, rose-colored ale with an aroma of strawberries and hibiscus flowers. Her flavor balance starts with a hint of sweet, ripe berry and finishes tart.

Demolition-Brewed to honor the brave souls who kept our brewpub open in the early 90’s while wrecking balls tore down the mall around us. Dry and smooth, with a grassy, citrus aroma and honey malt middle.

Matilda-Wild in character, with a slightly fruity aroma and a spicy yeast flavor that is as unique as it is satisfying – Matilda is an intriguing choice for beer and wine lovers alike. Dry and quenching, it’s the perfect accompaniment at the dining table or for casually socializing at the bar.

Pere Jacques-Brewed with loads of malt and Belgian yeast, Pere Jacques is a wonderfully fruity, malty ale. Pere Jacques’ complex flavors stand shoulder to shoulder with the Belgian Dubbels enjoyed in the world’s finest beer bars. At the dining table it’s the perfect alternative to a glass of vintage port.

The cost is attend is $17.50 per person and reservations are requested.   Tasting are set up family style, with appetizers passed in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.  Call Steve or Carly at 552-7676 to hold your spot.

Belly up to the bar at The Caroline


The Caroline
5 South Market Street
Troy, OH 45373