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Arts & Entertainment News

Dogfish Head beer tasting at The Lackman tonight

The Dogfish Head Brewing Company will have their Midwest representative visit Over-the-Rhine tonight, from 6pm to 10pm, for a beer tasting event at The Lackman.  The event is part of The Lackman’s monthly tastings which previously have featured the beers of the Bell’s Brewery and Stone Brewing Company. The events have been well attended, so come early if you hope to grab spot at the bar or a table.

The Lackman’s manager, Tabb Harrison, says that he hopes to provide patrons the opportunity to sample a selection of beers from a featured microbrewery in one night during these monthly tastings. While it may be possible to try some of these beers individually on occasion throughout the city, it is certainly not possible to try all of the limited releases and rarities on-hand in a single night.

The following five Dogfish Head “off-centered ales for off-centered people” (as the company’s motto goes) will be the featured beers on tap for this month’s tasting event along with an additional surprise.

  • Palo Santo Marron- 12% abv, highly roasty, and malty brown ale aged on the Palo Santo wood.
  • Red n White- 10% abv, belgian-style Wit brewed with coriander and orange peel and fermented with Pinot Noir juice.
  • My Antonia- 7.5% abv, continually-hopped imperial pilsner.
  • Burton Baton- 10% abv, two ‘threads’ of beer: an English-style Old Ale and an Imperial IPA, a blend of the citrus notes from Northwestern hops melding with woody, vanilla notes from the oak.
  • 90 Minute Imperial IPA- 9% abv, A big beer with a great malt backbone that stands up to the extreme hopping rate.

Organizers of the Dogfish Head tasting event also say that there will be an additional surprise this month. It has not been confirmed, but a reliable source has alluded to a special animal, commonly affiliated with Dogfish Head, making a guest appearance. For those connoisseurs, and regular beer enjoyers like myself, not content to simply taste the beers will be treated to discussions with Dogfish Midwest representative Don Bichsel and Cavalier Distributing representative Brandon Hagedorn.

According to Harrison, pints of the featured Dogfish Head beers will run between $6 and $8, depending on the rarity of the brew.  Additionally, there is a possibility that a tasting flight of the brews will be available (this is TBD). The Lackman drink menus set up at each table and along the bar will be augmented with information about each of the featured brews.  Bottle opener key chains in the shape of Dogfish Head’s logo will be given out with pint purchases for free while supplies last.  Additionally, Dogfish t-shirts, hats, and pint glasses will be available for purchase.

Gourmet pretzels from Yankee Doodle Deli in Covington will be available, and both Senate and Lavomatic are immediately nearby ready to cure your post-delicious beer munchies (neighborhood insider tip: send a group ambassador to put your name in at your restaurant of choice as these tasting events have been known to correspond with busy nights at both neighborhood restaurants).

Future tastings at The Lackman (map) will typically take place during the last week of each month, and include no cover charge.

The Lackman photograph by Andrew Oehlerking

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

2011 Bockfest Parade rolls on without a hitch

The largest Bockfest celebration in North America took place in Cincinnati this past weekend. The three-day collection of festivities gathered beer lovers in celebration of the coming of spring and Bock beer.

Thousands of Cincinnatians and visitors converged in historic Over-the-Rhine for more than just beer though. Tours guiding people through Cincinnati’s beer history and the history of the neighborhood entertained many. Others came for the food and drink. But others came to enjoy the more eclectic activities that took place over the weekend like the annual Bockfest Parade which kicks off the festival.

UrbanCincy contributor Thadd Fiala was there to capture it all. Enjoy 26 of his photographs during the wet and rainy 2011 Bockfest Parade. Also, be sure to check out Thadd’s photographs from last year’s Bockfest Parade.

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Business News

Stuffed on Vine serves up unique burgers in Over-the-Rhine

Michael Daniels and Charlena Calloway have a brand new burger for Cincinnatians to try. The husband and wife duo officially opened their new restaurant, Stuffed on Vine, on March 1. Located in Over-the-Rhine, just a block east of Findlay Market and a few doors north of Tuckers, OTR’s newest eatery seeks to offer affordable food with a homey feel.

Daniels and Calloway both grew up in Cincinnati, but had been living in Atlanta for the past 13 years. The couple moved back home to be closer to family, and job circumstances led to the new venture.

“I developed my Stuffed Burger down in Atlanta, and had been selling them along with home made barbeque on weekends,” Charlena explained. “I’ve always loved cooking for friends and family, and it just made sense to try having our own place.”

Though the actual patty construction is a secret, the signature Big Lene burger boasts a combination of mushrooms, onion, bell peppers, hot sport peppers, four cheeses and mayonnaise tucked inside a generous portion of ground beef. With the exception of a poor rendition from Burger King, Lena’s creation is extremely unique to the area.

“Every bite of the burger is a different flavor experience,” said Calloway. “You’re not allowed to cut into the burger – if you ask for a knife, I’ll say not until you take a bite first!”

Other menu items include wings with a wide array of sauces, made-fresh-daily in house chili, tilapia salad, a variety of sandwiches and a killer take on the Cincinnati coney (according to this writer). The coney is a kosher beef dog with the special chili containing tomatoes, bell peppers, ground beef and a slightly spicy kick. There are weekly specials, and on Sundays folks can stop by for a traditional dinner – $8 buys one meat, three sides, and a bread – for a real Southern style treat.

The owners have signed a one-year lease on the 4,000-square-foot space that was once home to Stenger’s Cafe. The couple has worked to refine the interior – the original bar and counter have been refinished, and the tin ceiling remains in stellar condition. There are small tables along the side wall, classic black and white tile on the floor, and a big screen television near the back of the space for friends to gather to watch sports games over food.

As Michael and Charlena get settled in to their new business in the heart of Over-the-Rhine, they are also excited about the changes that have occured in the historic neighborhood they left in 1998.

“It’s really great, what they’ve done on Vine Street,” said Daniels. “These kids around here are saying, ‘How do you know? You’re not from here!’ but we grew up right around the corner. We remember how it used to be. It’s amazing how quickly the development is moving north. I guess you don’t see it when it’s happening right before your eyes.”

At the end of the day, the duo wants to have a comfortable, reasonably priced community spot where customers will walk away completely satisfied. “It’s like I always say,” Charlena said with a smile, “when the burgers are stuffed, you are too!”

Stuffed on Vine is located at 1720 Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday 11am to 9pm, Fridays and Saturdays 11am to 11pm, and Sundays from 1pm to 8pm. Stuffed on Vine is cash only, and patrons are asked to call ahead for the Sunday menu at (513) 338-7657.

Stuffed on Vine on Urbanspoon
Stuffed on Vine photograph by UrbanCincy contributor Jake Mecklenborg.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Get connected with the 2011 rendition of Bockfest

In a little less than three weeks, Bockfest will take over historic Over-the-Rhine for a full weekend beginning with the annual parade on Friday, March 4. While the Bockfest weekend is a popular weekend for many locals, it is so much more than just a few days on the first weekend of March. There are many events leading up to the weekend, and a bevy of ways to get involved with the festival that make it that can make it much more engaging.

One of the highlights is the crowning of the annual Sausage Queen which occurs this year on Saturday, March 5. There are however five preliminary rounds leading up to the finals that night continuing this Friday night at Washington Platform and then every other evening until February 26 at Milton’s Prospect Hill Tavern. The full schedule and rules of engagement can be found online.

There are three other events leading up to the weekend as well. Nothin’ But Bock Teaze Happy Hour will take place at Milton’s on February 23 where folks will have their first chance to pick up the 2011 Bockfest shirt at the discounted price of $15. A drawing for the Ultimate Bockfest Weekend, including a suite at Garfield Place and $250 in vouchers, will be held at Cafe Martin on February 24. Tickets, for that event, can be purchased online ahead of the event for just $10.

And finally, on the Sunday before Bockfest the annual Precipitation Retaliation event will be held at Grammers. The event will include, among other things, the burning of a snowman in effigy for hopes of good weather at Bockfest – a tradition born after the 2008 Bockfest dealt with one of the worst blizzards in a decade.

While the events leading up to Bockfest help make it more engaging, the best way to feel connected to the event is to volunteer during Bockfest weekend itself. Speaking as someone who has volunteered during the 2009 and 2010 events (and is signed up again this year) it definitely adds to the weekend in a very positive way.

There are two main things for which you can volunteer: Bockfest Hall or The Prohibition Resistance Tours. Bockfest Hall duties include selling and pouring beer, selling merchandise, checking IDs at the door, and general help. Volunteering for the tours is a little more intensive as you also have to commit to a training session, but it is rewarding and actually quite simple. Aside from the training there is a script provided so that you can easily relay the history of the breweries and show off the lagering cellars and tunnels with ease.

I have to say that as a volunteer for the tours it really helps one gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Cincinnati’s rich brewing heritage. All volunteer opportunities are available online. Stay connected with UrbanCincy to get our custom guide to enjoy the annual festival as it draws nearer.

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Business News

Love for Tucker’s

The overwhelming response to the incident at Tucker’s last week has been nothing short of amazing.  Please continue to support this keystone of the Over-the-Rhine community. Love over fear.