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Meaty in Miamisburg: Rivertown Chili

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Owner Brian Walusis (right) with one of his sons

We have found our first 2019 hidden food gem, Rivertown Chili in Miamisburg.   This restaurant is a true family run organization, with a dad and his 2 sons on staff, and recipes passed down from a 3rd generation.

Owner Brian Walusis may sound familiar.  His brother Eric id married to  Chef Maria and they runWatermark Restaurant nearby.  He has another family member who owns the critically acclaimed chocolate shop in Oakwood called Madame Delluc Artisan Chocolatier.  But Brian’s bread and butter is a chili place, that also specializes in comfort breakfast foods.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY on RIVERTOWN CHILI:

John’s Dayton Style Chili

— Located at 105 S. Second Street, parking is available in the front and the back of the establishment.  It can be slightly tricky if crowded.

— Hours are limited to Breakfast and Lunch:
Tue – Thu, 11am – 2pm 
Fri – Sun, 8am – 2pm

— The quaint dining area seats about 30 in a cozy, split dining room.  The service is personal, friendly

Clashmore Mike’s Chili – Texas Style

— There is a small bar with beer choices including Star City Brews.

— The prices are VERY reasonable with entrees averaging about 7 or 8 bucks.

 

After visiting the restaurant numerous times, and trying nearly every item on the menu, we have formulated our patented “MUST EATS for Rivertown Chili.”  We have been using this bullet point format for 11 years, now setting the trends …

Let’s start with the meat of the menu — THE CHILI !

 

THE “MUST EATS” of RIVERTOWN CHILI:

— They offer 3 delicious and distinctive chili types everyday.

The Vegan Chili offering is amazing

ALL OF THEM ARE “MUST EATS”…

1) JOHN’S DAYTON STYLE CHILI-
This is the kind of chili that we are used to in Dayton, Ohio.  It has beans, meat, and some tomato influence.  When they serve it get the option of adding onions, cheese and sour cream.  This was the best thing we have had on their menu to date.  The chili is so reminiscent of what we grew up with our mom and grandmothers making that it brought a tear to our eye.  The recipe is passed down from John Walusis and is a shout out to the city’s namesake, Jonathan Dayton, a captain in the American Revolutionary War who signed the U.S. Constitution.

 

KIm’s Street Tacos

2) CLASHMORE MIKE’S CHILI-
This is a Texas style chili which has no beans, and has slices of steak like beef as the meat.  More reddish in color, this chili has a bit more of a spicy kick than the other chilis served. We came across this chili at the AMBUCS chili contest in 2017.  Named after the original mascot of Notre Dame College (Clashmore Mike), Owner Brian has fulfilled a life long dream of using that name in his restaurant.


3) KOKO’s FAVORITE VEGAN CHILI-
This is a fantastic choice, even meat lovers like.  You don’t miss any of the flavor, and this vegetarian option is as delicious as any chili as you will have.  We were very surprised how much we loved it and suggest you try it sometime for a change.  It has a nice little kick.

 

Cannoli Stuffed French Toast

— KIM’S STREET TACO’S:
Possibly the best soft taco we have had in years.  This is a special, but lately they have been offering it every day.  It is a chili soft taco with your choice of chili.  A raw jalapeno slice and onions and tomatoes round out the tacos.  Please try one of these.

 

—CANNOLI STUFFED FRENCH TOAST:
This sinful entree is often available during normal business hours.  Cannoli filling is stuffed between 2 warm pieces of French Toast.  The powdered sugar topping is the finishing touch.  Drizzle the maple syrup and you are in heaven.  Definitely a creamy must eat, and our favorite breakfast offering on the menu.

Chili Cheese Coney with Everything

— THE CHILI CHEESE CONEY:
Ok they have 2 versions, one with a brat sausage, or one with a weiner.  We prefer the hot dog version.  You get your choice of chili on a bun with onions and cheese.  It is topped with a raw jalapeno slice that gets us every time with the heat.  It’s a little messy, but sooooo worth it for the taste.  We love this little chili parlor !!

 

There are other good menu items, from the BLT to the Pancakes and Bacon, but the above items are our MUST EATS.. the best of the best …

BLT

 

 

In summary, this chili parlor is one of our new favorite “go to” spots.  Great, affordable casual food with personal service.  We love the menu and we love the family story behind the restaurant.  We think you will enjoy this little eatery as well.  Tell the Food Adventures sent you !!!

Feel free to browse more photos below from our visits to Rivertown Chili in Miamisburg.

Thanks for visiting our food blog articles here each and every week.  Please remember, we aren’t food critics, we just love to eat.  We are Food Adventurers.  It’s the difference between hanging out and eating with Roger Ebert or Indiana Jones.

Are you a Dayton Foodies like us ?  Then come where you belong and “like” us on Facebook by clicking here.  Join the 8,000 foodies who are discussing and loving Dayton’s food scene with us.

Pancakes

Sausage Gravy

Bacon and sausage

Street Taco

Breakfast bowl without the eggs

Stone House Tavern & DMM’s Food Adventures Hosts Local Beer Tasting Dec 15th

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A Beer Event is coming to Stone House Tavern on December 15th

Calling all beer enthusiasts! Would you love to talk to the people that brew your favorite beers? Dec 15th will be your chance to mingle and drink with the owners of 5 area brewing companies.

Stone House Tavern is teaming up with the Food Adventures Crew for this one-night-only party!   They have pulled the chairs out of the bar, and will even host an after party with drink specials.

Stone House Tavern is only releasing 50 tickets for this pre-pay only event.  It is also a great chance to sample some of the best kitchen creations from Stone House!

You can only order your tickets online, by clicking HERE.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

WHAT: “STANDING ROOM ONLY” – a night with LOCAL BREWERS (Finger foods and appetizers included).

WHEN: DECEMBER 15th, 7pm-9pm  “after party ” with drink specials and cash bar 9pm–?

WHERE: STONE HOUSE TAVERN at 258 S Main St WAYNESVILLE

PRICE: $30 per person, includes gratuity (6 beers, finger foods/appetizers).  

Pre-pay only, limited seats, TICKETS MAY ONLY BE BOUGHT ONLINE HERE

 

The area brewers to be featured:

They will be in attendance !

LOCK 27 BREWING CO. – The brilliant brainchild of businessman and home brewer turned  entrepreneur, Steve Barnhart.  Located in Centerville, Lock 27 has made a huge impact in the area with its European “Gastro Pub” feel.  Meet Steve and learn his story about how he followed his brewing passion, and took a chance to fulfill a dream.

 

THE DAYTON BEER COMPANY – Meet owner Pete Hilgeman, the trailblazer and the first in Dayton area to start the “rebirth” of brewing locally due to changes in state laws.  Hear about his original bar on Dorothy Lane and undertaking the project of opening a second beer hall type location at the corner of 2nd and Madison Streets in Downtown, Dayton.  They have also started canning their products for regional distribution.

 

The Dayton Beer Company is coming !

RIVERTOWN BREWING CO., CINCINNATI – Trend setting brewery owned by Jason Roeper, located in Northern Cincinnati.  Talk personally with Rivertown brewing managers, and discover their passion for beer, philosophy on brewing, and innovative ideas to expand his business in the future.  This brewery is becoming a “little giant” in Cincinnati, due to their increase in bottling production.  This is a great chance to learn about “whats next” in the craft beer scene.

 

YELLOW SPRINGS BREWERY – Another local brewery that is under expansion and has begun canning  their brews.  Meet the owners and brewers behind this popular brewing company.  Learn about their philosophy on beer and what is important to them, as they continue to achieve more and more success.

 

Rivertown from Cincinnati

WARPED WING BREWING CO. – One of Dayton’s more popular breweries, Warped Wing has been pushing the envelope in partnerships and distribution.  They were the first brewery to start canning beer in Dayton in over 50 years.  Nick Bowman, partner/owner always has interesting stories on what is coming next, and how their new kitchen offerings will  affect the growth of their brewery.  Learn about the company and their dedication to honoring famous Daytonians with their product.

 

Does this sound like a great Food Adventure event or what?

Time to get your tickets and get ready to mingle wells and jingle bells.  This is a great early Christmas gift for any craft beer lover, or treat yourself to a nice night out.

REMEMBER:  5 Breweries, 6 Beers, One night only – Gt your tickets before we sell this thing out !

In attendance will be the Food Adventures Crew : Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and Chef House, as well as owner/partner of Stone House Tavern, Dan Apolito!

A popular brewery

Want more beer, food and fun?

“LIKE” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE

 

We pulled the chairs, its just beer and brewers !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow Springs will be in town !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recap: Big Brews & Blues.. and FOOD !

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Big Brews & Blues – one terrific event

Drinking craft beers while listening to a regional blues man hum away on his harmonica.  What better way to raise money for  Diabetes Dayton?   The annual Big Brews & Blues event was held last weekend at Carrillon Park and hundreds of attendees enjoyed dozens of craft beers.  There were Big Brews, there were Blues, and of course, there was food.   We were on hand for another Food Adventure supporting a local charity.   Pouring beer in full force were the staff of  Dayton Most Metro and Lisa Grigsby with Dayton Dining.  Tickets were $30 in advance or $35 at the door.  The event went from 5pm – 9pm and each guest received a souvenir beer tasting glass.  Full pint tickets were also available for a special price.

The crowd danced and drank.   They ate and socialized.  They sipped and quipped.    So which brews were our favorites?  What food items blues.. (ahem) blew us away?  All that is coming, but first a summary.

 

If you didn’t attend Big Brews & Blues…

HERE IS WHAT YOU MISSED:

—Endless samplings of almost 50 craft beers from local and national breweries.  A detailed list of the beers may be found HERE.

—Blues acts with roots from Chicago, Tennessee, Detroit, Cincinnati and Columbus.  It was an incredible night of good blues music.  Groups included Joe and Jack Waters, Them Bones, Johnny Mack & the Heavyweights, and finally Big Joe Blues.

—Food Vendors.  This is our thing, so we enjoyed the likes of Brock Masterson Catering, Hickory River Smokehouse, Fressa Food Truck and Kaimelsky’s Food Cart.

— Breweries Represented:

Dayton Beer Company, Yellow Springs Brewery, Valley Vineyards, Weasel Boy, Listermann, Mt Carmel, Rivertown,  Christian Morlein, Hoppin Frog, Barley’s, Ohio Brewing Company, Jackie O’s, Great Lakes, Erie Brewing, Thirsty Dog, Triton, Anderson Valley, Hinterland, Fathead’s,  Revolution, Two Brothers, Stone Brewing, Brew Kettle Taproom, Bell’s, Southern Tier, Founders, Troegs,  Ommegang, Uinta, 21st Amendment, Atwater Brewery,  Elevator, Finch’s Beer Company,  Anchor Brewing, Kona, Redhook, Shocktop, Widmer Brothers, Goose Island, Boston Beer Co.,   Leinenkugel, Harpoon,  and Ace Premium Hard Ciders.

 

What goes better with beer than a Nathan’s hot Dog from Kaimelsky’s Food Cart?

There were so many good beers and decent food, that we were pressed to pick just one favorite, but here we go…

OUR FAVORITES FROM THE FESTIVAL:

HUNGRY JAX’s FAVORITE BIG BREW:   The Sam Adam’s Honey Queen Braggot was her top pick.  It is made with 3 types of honey, and had a nice hoppy flavor.   They tapped the keg right in front of her, and she was in heaven.  It was one of those “Damn, this is good!” moments.

HUNGRY JAX’S FAVORITE FOOD OFFERING: What goes better with beer than a Nathan’s hot dog from Kaimelsky’s Food Cart?  This hot dog was topped with spicy mustard, onions and Sriracha sauce.   It was worth it.

THE BIG RAGU’s FAVORITE BIG BREW:  Whippet Wheat from Thirsty Dog Brewery gets his vote for its crisp taste with touch of banana flavor.  It was the first time we had a Thirsty Dog beer on tap since the mid 1990’s.  It was like a flashback, so we put on some MC Hammer pants and danced in the tent until security showed up.

THE BIG RAGU’s FAVORITE FOOD OFFERING:  Hickory River’s Pulled Pork Sandwich is Ragu’s pick.  The slow cooked pork was great, but the real secret was the incredible BBQ sauce.  Choices of topping were Sweet, Hot or Mixed sauce on your sandwich.  We chose mixed, and that made all the difference.

This was a fun filled night.  We poured a few beers for MostMetro.  We had delicious crab cakes from Brock Masterson’s catering, and some tasty buffalo chips with blue cheese dip from Fressa Food Truck.   We talked at length with the owners and managers of  Star City Brewery, which will be opening in the former Peerless Mill site before the end of 2013.   Event photographer Sarah Browning, also chatted with us, while snapping  a few pics of  The Big Ragu.

We even had an ‘America’s Got Talent’ moment, when we were getting our groove on near the stage with the blues band.  We even snapped a photo of the lead singer during one of the blues sets.   You won’t see that anywhere else,  unless they copy our soulful dance moves.

Here’s to not having to hear about hiking and heartburn anymore ! Brews & Blues is a blast

The best part of this event is that it benefits Diabetes Dayton each year.  Proceeds from the Big Brews & Blues help uninsured local residents with diabetes.  Funds pay for desperately needed supplies.  Diabetes Dayton also educates people in the Miami Valley who are suffering from diabetes, as well as paying for summer camp for diabetic children who just want to lead a normal, active life.  Thank you to Diabetes Dayton Executive Director Susan McGovern for welcoming us as special guests to this benefit.  Canned Soft Drinks and  Bottled Water were for sale benefiting the Dougie Apple Tree Memorial Scholarship Fund.   Dougie was a local resident, who passed away from diabetes at just 26 years old.

If you missed Big Brews & Blues, make sure you catch it this time next year.  Stay tuned to Dayton Most Metro for info!   The Big Ragu will be there in 2014, at this Food Adventure for a good cause.  It will be another ‘blast in a glass.’   We promise not spill any beer or BBQ sauce on you.

BROWSE THROUGH THE PHOTO ALBUM BELOW FOR ALL THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS of BIG BREWS & BLUES !!

BREWERIES REPRESENTED INCLUDED:

Dayton Beer Company, Yellow Springs Brewery, Valley Vineyards, Weasel Boy, Listermann, Mt Carmel, Rivertown,  Christian Morlein, Hoppin Frog, Barley’s, Ohio Brewing Company, Jackie O’s, Great Lakes, Erie Brewing, Thirsty Dog, Triton, Anderson Valley, Hinterland, Fathead’s,  Revolution, Two Brothers, Stone Brewing, Brew Kettle Taproom, Bell’s, Southern Tier, Founders, Troegs,  Ommegang, Uinta, 21st Amendment, Atwater Brewery,  Elevator, Finch’s Beer Company,  Anchor Brewing, Kona, Redhook, Shocktop, Widmer Brothers, Goose Island, Boston Beer Co.,   Leinenkugel, Harpoon,  and Ace Premium Hard Ciders.

Want more Food Adventures?  “Like” us on Facebook by clicking HERE !

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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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Rivertown Edges Mt. Carmel Brewery in the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla”

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Jason Roeper, Owner of Rivertown Brewery, Celebrates his Victory

A packed house Wednesday night at Stone House Tavern in Waynesville saw Rivertown Brewery beat Mt. Carmel Brewery by majority decision, 3 rounds to 2.   The “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” Food Adventure event was a beer tasting, menu pairing and one of a kind event.  Attendees tasted beers and voted for their favorites as Mt. Carmel and Rivertown slugged it out for the championship and bragging rights.  The brew battle was heated, and a great time was had by all.  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 throwdown.  Dan Apolito and Mike Fullenkamp of  Stone House Tavern hosted the epic showdown with their stellar staff.   Special shout out to Aja Delaney, our lovely ring girl.   Great local beer and delicious menu samples capped a wonderful,  SOLD OUT Food Adventure!  Food Adventures will have the full story and many more photos in a Friday feature on DaytonMostMetro.com !  STAY TUNED TOMORROW FOR THE BIG STORY AND MORE DETAILS !

Follow the best food action in Dayton on Food Adventures’ Twiter Account !

The Thrilla in Waynesvilla !! EXCLUSIVE Food Adventure Event at Stone House Tavern

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First there was Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier.  Now, there is Mt. Carmel Brewery vs. Rivertown Brewery, being billed as the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla.”   These two brewers will go head to head, toe to toe in an all out Beer Brawl!  This event is PRE-PAY ONLY and will sell out quickly, so get your tickets now !!   This epic beer throwdown, is scheduled for 6pm on Wednesday night February 20th, 2013 at the only venue able to contain the excitement, Stone House Tavern in Waynesville !

Food Adventures along with DaytonMostMetro.com are proud to present this EXCLUSIVE, one of a kind Food Adventure event that promises to be a knockout.  Only 50 tickets will be sold,  and they are only available online.

Here is how it all will go down…

Attendees will be treated to 5 rounds of beer vs. beer and will vote on their favorites.  Each round they will get a taste of 2 beers, one from Mt. Carmel Brewery and one from Rivertown Brewery.  The beers will have a food pairing each round  from the Stone House Tavern menu.   The brewery that wins the most rounds will be declared CHAMPION of the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla.”  The price to this EXCLUSIVE Food Adventure is $25 and that includes gratuity!   This is a one time only main event, and after 50 tickets are sold, they are all gone!  **Note:  PRE-PAY ONLY, NO REFUNDS !

Get your tickets for this one time only, exclusive FOOD ADVENTURE event!

“The Thrilla in Waynesvilla” is a fantastic opportunity to learn from expert brewmasters Patrick Clark and Jason Roeper.  Also, visit with local restaurateur Dan Apolito who is part owner of Stone House Tavern and Archers Tavern.

And who could forget, The Food Adventures Crew will be cornermen for the different breweries!  This throwdown and brew battle promises top be a night of great beers and good food !

So, without further delay, get your tickets here and  “LLLeetts get ready to rumble !”

 

Gourd-geous Beers: Pumpkin Brews

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Dogfish Head Punkin

I love Autumn. I think most people from this part of the country really appreciate this part of the year. I mean, what’s not to love? Everything turns beautiful, the air smells better, you get to wear comfortable clothes combinations (sweatshirt and shorts, anyone?), and perhaps most importantly you get to drink all the amazing seasonal beers that hit the shelves. One of the most flavorful, intriguing, and often misunderstood styles that pops up this time of year is the Pumpkin Ale. To some, the idea of a pumpkin-flavored beer is a complete turn off. To others (like me), we mark our calendars for pumpkin beer season.

A Brief History

At first, it may sound like a pretty odd concept; of all the ingredients out there, why are so many beers made with pumpkin? Believe it or not, pumpkin in beer in America has a very long history. Back in “the day”, it was hard to find malted barley which is generally the most common grain used in today’s beer. Pumpkin, on the other hand, was in abundance and pretty easy to grow. They found out that they could swap out a lot of the barley with things like pumpkin, molasses, sweet potatoes, and squash to produce the sugars needed to make beer. Let’s face it, beers made with crazy ingredients is better than no beer at all – especially considering beer was actually safer to drink than the water at the time. These beers were designed to extract sugar (and therefore alcohol) from pumpkin rather than flavor, so as time went on and malted barley was easier to come by pumpkin was used less and less. Today’s pumpkin beers bear very little resemblance to the more rustic colonial pumpkin beers in that they focus more on pumpkin pie and spice flavors. Many of today’s pumpkin ales are described as “pumpkin pie in a glass”. Mmmm, thirsty yet?

Commercial Examples

There’s a lot of pumpkin beers out there right now. In fact, it seems like every craft brewer out there has a seasonal pumpkin ale nowadays. To be perfectly frank, most pumpkin beers are somewhere between “blech” and “meh”, so how do you know a good one from a bad one? Here’s a few recommendations I have for a starting point to the world of pumpkin beers:

Southern Tier Pumking

Southern Tier – Pumking

Very few beers have a reputation like Pumking. Some love it, some hate it. It is, however, one of the top rated pumpkin beers according to both Beer Advocate and Rate Beer. This beer is a unique experience from the moment you pop off the cap as it fills the room with the aroma of freshly baked pumpkin pie. The taste is the closest thing you will find outside of NASA to being able to drink pumpkin pie – right down to the crust and whipped cream topping. It’s completely over-the-top and unapologetic in it’s huge flavor. Keep an open mind when trying this beer (don’t think beer, think pumpkin pie), and you will be rewarded with a truly unique experience. At 8.6% ABV, you might want to split this beer with two or three friends. Fans of this beer, keep your eyes peeled for the Oak Aged version.

Rivertown Brewing – Pumpkin AleRivertown Pumpkin Ale

This beer only clocks in at 5% ABV, but it feels like a big dessert beer. The thing that separates this beer from other pumpkin ales is the huge amount of sweet vanilla, molasses, cinnamon, and nutmeg flavors and aromas. Even with all of this complexity, this beer drinks very easily. Plus, it’s brewed right here in Ohio!

Dogfish Head – Punkin’

 

This beer may be one of the most popular pumpkin ales on the market, and for good reason. While other pumpkin beers are sometimes on the extreme side of things, Punkin’ actually tastes like beer. A full-bodied beer with a lot of spice character, but beer nonetheless. Nutmeg and brown sugar shine through, yet the beer is remarkably far from being too sweet.

Dogfish Head Punkin

The brewery recommends pairing this beer with turkey, roasted duck, lamb, stuffing, dessert dumplings, and sharp cheddar – in other words, grab a 4-pack while you can (it sells out fast!) and save it until Thanksgiving. You’ll be rewarded with a beer that drinks well during dinner and dessert.

 

 

The Bruery – Autumn Maple

The Bruery Autumn Maple

Ok, so this beer isn’t technically a pumpkin beer since the brewery uses yams instead of pumpkin, but bear with me here! This beer is extremely complex, and at 10.5% it’s the biggest beer in this list. This beer is great for those who enjoy Belgian-style ales. The beer has notes of dark fruits, spices, buttered yams, pecans, and oddly enough pumpkin! The beer features cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, molasses, and maple syrup. The Belgian yeast strain adds notes of clove and coriander (neither of which are actually in the beer). A word of caution – this beer almost demands to be shared. Even as tasty as it is, it can be a daunting challenge to finish a bottle to yourself.

 

Sam Adams Fat Jack Imperial Pumpkin AleSam Adams – Fat Jack

This is the first year that Fat Jack has been released, and I would be more than happy to see this beer come around every year. Perhaps the least “pumpkiny” beer on this list, Fat Jack showcases deep flavors of roasty malt, brown sugar, caramel, light cinnamon and nutmeg, noble hops, and just a hint of smoke. This one is definitely on the sweet side of things, but it would also be a fine accompaniment to savory fall dishes like buttery squash. The large format bottle and higher alcohol content (8.6% ABV) make this beer a great candidate for sharing.

 

So there you have it, pumpkin beers! Pumpkin brews sort of have a cult following among beer geeks. They aren’t for everyone, but if you have never had a pumpkin beer then give them a shot. Remember, it’s not important that you like every beer you try. What’s most important is the willingness to try new beers.

Wild Blackberry Beer – Rivertown Ojos Negros

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Rivertown Ojos Negros

Yesterday was apparently Sour Beer Day, so I decided to get all reviewy with a sour that’s been sitting in my fridge for a few weeks. Rivertown‘s Ojos Negros is an American Wilde Ale aged with Blackberries in oak wine barrels. This beer is brewed a stone’s throw away in Cincinnati.

From their website:

AVAILABLE IN 750ML BOTTLE ONLY, RELEASED ONCE YEARLY IN JULY. A WILD FERMENTED BREW AGED IN OAK WINE BARRELS WITH OVER 140 POUNDS OF WHOLE BLACKBERRIES FOR ONE YEAR. 6.3% ABV, 8 SRM, 6 IBU

APPEARANCE

The beer pours a surprisingly clear reddish-brown color with absolutely zero head. There isn’t a lot of visible “bubbliness”, which is somewhat surprising. It actually looks very much like a slightly carbonated wine. It definitely gained a lot of color from the blackberries, let’s find out if it gained any aroma/flavor from them. [Read more…] about Wild Blackberry Beer – Rivertown Ojos Negros

Cincinnati Sour Beer – Rivertown Pestilence Review

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Rivertown PestilenceRivertown Brewing Company recently released their first beer of their Brewmaster Reserve Limited Release Series, and the beer is Pestilence. Pestilence is a sour brown ale brewed with 7 varieties of malted barley and wheat. The beer also has has Hibiscus flower, and has gone through the process of sour mashing. You may remember that Rivertown has dabbled in sour beers before.

Rivertown is from the great state of Ohio, and are located in Cincinnati.

From the Rivertown press release:

Rivertown Brewing Co.’s Brewmasters Reserve Limited Release Series is set to kick off next month.

We are pleased to announce the 2012 Brewmasters limited release series starting with the introduction of “Pestilence”. Pestilence is a sour brown ale brewed with 7 varieties of malted barley and wheat, organic whole Hibiscus flower pedals and spicy hops from the Hallertau growing region of Bavaria. The name Pestilence is derived from the ancient biblical term for infection or plague. Through a natural process called sour mashing, we expose the mash to airborne elements for a period of 48 hours allowing for a natural infection to arise causing the beer to sour. After this process is complete, we collect the sweet, sour runnings and introduce the spicy hops. We then boil it for a period of 1 hour and steep it with fresh hibiscus flower pedals. The end result is a wonderfully aromatic blend of fresh botanical herbs and mouth puckering sourness.

Pestilence will be the first of four brews released in 2012 centered around the ancient Mayan apocalypse of 2012 which signifies the world’s end on December 21st. Pestilence holds significance as being one of the Four Horseman set loose upon the world acting as a harbinger of the last judgment charging through at worlds end carrying wheat and a fist full of barley.

Release Date: Early February 2012
Alcohol by Volume: 5.4%
Color: 20 SRM (Brown)
Style Guideline: Wild/American Sour Ale/Brown Ale
Availability: 12 oz bottles 24-loose case/ 1/6bbl keg
Malts Used: Pilsner, Pale, Carabelge, White Wheat, Chocolate, Dark crystal, Munich
Hops: Hallertau Perle
Specialty Ingredients: Organic Hibiscus Flower Pedals
Serving Temp: 55F

P.S.- Save one bottle to enjoy as a vertical on December 21st 2012

APPEARANCE

The beer pours a Coca-Cola brown, with just the slightest amount of deep red light poking through. There was a tiny white head when first poured, but it went away fast and left nothing remaining. There was little visible carbonation. Overall, it looks somewhat like a clear Belgian dark – nice looking beer.

SMELL

There’s some interesting aroma coming from this beer. There is some nice dark fruits, such as plum and raisin. There is a bit of Greek yogurt, which is followed by a bit of stomach acid… Not exactly unpleasant, but definitely different. There’s a good amount of sweetness on the nose as well, bringing some nice maltiness and maybe a bit of caramel. The hop character is on the spicy side, bringing some floral and honey-like aromas. Overall, pretty complex but not the most pleasant smelling brew.

Rivertown Pestilence Label

TASTE

 

The taste is fairly different than the aroma. There is a surprising amount of cocoa in this beer, which I was not expecting. There’s a big amount of nutty flavor that reminds me a lot of cashews, which was also unexpected. There is a decent sour twang to it, but it’s not a jaw-locking sourness. More like a pretty solid tartness throughout. The first few sips brought that stomach acid flavor, which reminded me of… well, puke. As it warms up, though, that flavor is replaced with more of a Greek yogurt flavor. There’s a lot of dark fruits in here, as well as some hop spice and floral flavors. This is a pretty complex beer on the tongue!

MOUTHFEEL

This has a bit more body than I had anticipated. There is a nice, dry finish and the tartness creates a crisp mouthfeel. There is a lingering oily feeling that reminds me of the leftover oil from a cashew. It’s pretty easy drinking, but the sort of wild flavors keep this from being a beer you can chug. Nice mouthfeel on this brew.

OVERALL

An unusual beer to say the least. It’s not a sour to end all sours, but it is a unique experience to drink this beer. There’s some interesting funky things going on that makes you want to keep drinking, but it’s not so wild that it’s off putting. Admittedly, the stomach acid aroma and taste frightened me at first, but it smoothed out as the beer warmed. I would definitely recommend trying this beer. It’s fairly cheap for a sour ale, so grab a few bottles and age’em until after the end of the world.

Cheers.

This review can also be found at Snobby Beer.

SCORE: ★★★ 3/5