Thursday, Sep. 10, 2009
birthdays and oktoberfests to celebrate
I hit 40 this month. I was born in Oktoberfest season. German Oktoberfests, historically, have begun in September, and that is the cosmic significance of my birthday.
This year, the Grand Strand has major Oktoberfests going head-to-head on Oct. 3, and that's not all.
So here's where I'll likely be celebrating the big four-O:
1. The 4th annual Little River Oktoberfest, this weekend at the Lowes Grocery Shopping Plaza between U.S. 17 and S.C. 179. The fest runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 12) and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday (Sept. 13). Admission is $3; children younger than 12 are free. The fest will include beer, music, German food and activities for kids.2. Granted, it's not a full-on Oktoberfest, but Gordon Biersch Restaurant Brewery at The Market Common holds the tapping party for its Oktoberfest brew at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
3. Oktoberfest, presented by the Weekly Surge and Festival Promotions, will be held in Valor Park at The Market Common, 3-7 p.m., on Oct. 3. Brought to you by the same people who started the inaugural Myrtle Beach Beer Fest back in March, this Oktoberfest will offer a broader appeal. The event will include wine and activities for kids, as well as German beer, food, and music from The Rheingold Band of Ohio. Instead of having an admission price, beers will be sold individually. Stay tuned to the Surge for more details in the coming weeks.
4. Competing, at least during a four-hour period, will be Downtown Oktoberfest 2009, sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association and Bumstead's Pub. Jonathan Staton, owner of Bumstead's/Dagwood's Deli, told the Surge that the event will run noon-11 p.m. on Oct. 3. Ocean Boulevard will be shut down between 8th Avenue North and 11th Avenue North for arts and crafts vendors, German food, a kid's zone, and a beer garden. The event will also include live music from Painted Man, Josh Roberts & the Hinges, Hot Lava Monster, Madonna Nash, Parmalee, Cravin' Melon, and Edwin McCain. Keep an eye on the Surge for more details.
upscale 211
If you saw last week's cover story in this fine news weekly, you know that I administered a taste test of six cheap beers to four local brewers. They struggled to find enough flavor in the beers to choose a favorite, but eventually, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Southpaw Light, and Milwaukee's Best Ice nosed ahead of Miller High Life, Steel Reserve, and Natural Light.
I also took the taste test, blindfolded, and for my second choice, I chose a beer that no one else had: Steel Reserve 211.
The very day I finished that cover story, I was in the Bi-Lo grocery store down in Garden City Beach, and I noticed a tall, black can in the beer section. It had gold trim and "211" in red. Sure enough, Steel Reserve 211 had a special "Triple Export" with an alcohol by volume of 8.1 percent. The can claimed "exceptionally smooth flavor."
I was hopeful. You gotta give a chance to those cheap beers that want to gain a little respect in the market place.
What was exceptional about this beer, though, was its smooth mouth-feel, not its flavor. Much like its less-sophisticated version, Triple Export excels on its alcoholic punch and lack of offense rather than a distinctive flavor.
Oh well. The price was right: about $1.80 for a 24-ounce can.
Contact Colin Burch - the Beerman - at beerpour@yahoo.com or visit his beer blog at http://maltyhops.blogspot.com.