THE LATEST FROM MAGNOLIA!!

Hello out there. Is this thing still on? We’ve let far too much time go by without saying hi and keeping you up to date with the many things happening in Magnolia land. We promise to improve on that, as we know a lot of you miss out on things you’d rather come and try, if only you knew about them! Therefore, on to the latest, of which there is a lot:

IT’S 11/11/11 – CELEBRATE OUR ANNIVERSARY

We’re 14 years old today! As with anyone with a birthday of 11/11, we’ve been looking forward to 11/11/11 for a while now. To celebrate, we’re selling 2-liter growler refills for $11 all day today. We’ll also have a few other fun treats in store, so come by if you can.

BRU/SFO IS HERE

November is also now home to our BRU/SFO Project with the 21st Amendment Brewery. Following on the heels of our popular Strong Beer Month (every February), this one celebrates the multi-headed gumbo of traditions and techniques that make up Belgian brewing culture. We save you the SFO to BRU flight expense by serving 12 Belgian-style or Belgian-inspired beers, six at each brewery, during November. Pick up your boarding pass at either pub and start your journey today, collecting a punch for each beer tried. Try all 12 and get a commemorative glass (while supplies last).

Four BRU/SFO beers are already on tap at each place:

We wrap up the series with a new beer at each brewery the next two Mondays (11/14 and 11/21). Bon voyage!

2011 WINTER WARMER ARRIVES 11/23

Not to be overshadowed by all of this low country influence, our old favorite, Winter Warmer, makes its annual return, as usual, on the day before Thanksgiving (11/23). Mahogany in color, rich and malty in body and flavor, this traditional, English-style strong ale is how we’ve kicked off the holiday season every year since 1997. Draft comes first so you can take a growler home for Thanksgiving, then we tap a cask of it on Friday, 11/25 (we’re closed for turkey day).

WE WON TWO MEDALS AT THE 2011 GABF!

We can’t keep talking about beer without mentioning our recent wins in at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. We took the bronze and silver in the same category (Ordinary and Special Bitters). New Speedway Bitter (our ordinary) won the silver while Bonnie Lee’s Best Bitter won the bronze. Both were brewed with Maris Otter from Branthill Farm in the UK, grown by Teddy Maufe, father of one of our neighborhood regulars. Special thanks to Teddy and crew for the great malt! We just tapped a new batch of Bonnie Lee’s Best today.

WELCOME BACK, RONNIE NEW

It’s almost impossible to convey how happy we all are here to welcome Ronnie New back to Magnolia as our Chef. He’s been here for about a month now and it’s just like old times, only better. Check out our new lunch and dinner menus, available now (one word: scrapple), with a new brunch menu to follow by the end of the month.

AND ONWARD TO THE DOGPATCH

It’s also time for the first of many big updates from the Dogpatch, where our long-awaited expansion is under way. We have way more to tell you about than we can possibly get to in this lengthy screed. Watch this space for many details to come.

For now, though, we’ll start with the fact that the new space is at 3rd and 22nd Streets in the heart of the Dogpatch neighborhood, in a building we share with lots of other great businesses including familiar partners in crime like Sutton Cellars, Leadbetter’s Bake Shop, and Recchiuti Confections, plus a whole bunch of people we can’t wait to get to know better. Dogpatch has revealed itself to us as an amazing community and we hope to contribute a small part to it and make it proud to call us a neighbor.

Next to our large, new brewery (with ceilings three times as tall as in our basement on Haight Street) we’ll be opening a new restaurant and bar focused on three of the greatest things in the world that begin with the letter B: beer, barbecue, and bourbon. The beer is our own, lovingly crafted, same as it ever was, of course. Only now there can finally be more of it, including more styles, more barrel-aging, more experimentation, with the extra space affording us an opportunity to treat the original, tiny Haight Street brewery a little more like a lab.

The barbecue will come by way of Chef Dennis Lee, of Namu (and soon to be Namu Gaji in the Mission), who we are thrilled and honored to welcome into the Magnolia family. Lots more to come on this front, but it will be southern style, non-denominational, and with a lot of attention on different kinds of wood and smoke. We’ll be able to take further (despite the autocorrect, many of you know it as furthur) our mission of local sourcing of heritage animals and working with whole animals in ways that utilize every part (and waste nothing).

And, there will be bourbon. Lots of bourbon. Never slaves to alliteration, however, we’ll be providing you with all manner of American whiskey from near and far, not just the Kentucky-made, 51% or more corn variety. Another partner in crime, our own Daniel Hyatt, from Alembic and beyond, will spearhead and curate the spirit and cocktail program.

BECOME A PART OF MAGNOLIA

Which brings us to you. Along with our expansion comes an investment opportunity. If you like what we do and like where we are going, consider joining us to help fund these developments and grow our business. We’re very excited to make this offering available. Please click here for the investment details.*

As always, thanks for reading and thanks for being a part of the Magnolia family. It’s truly amazing, here on our 14th anniversary, to see and feel the powerful sense of community that has emerged around Magnolia. Our entire team is grateful for your ongoing support and we can’t wait for you to check out what’s next.

In the meantime, keep in touch. Send us you comments, thoughts, and questions. And stay on top of the latest developments by
subscribing to our newsletter (in case you had this one forwarded to you) and following us on Twitter and Facebook. We even have an iPhone app to tell you what’s on tap and what’s on the menu. Better yet, just come in for a pint.

Cheers,
Dave McLean

Magnolia Pub & Brewery
1398 Haight (@ Masonic)
SF, CA 94117

(415)864-7468

magnoliapub.com

*This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offering would be unlawful.

STRONG BEER MONTH + SF BEER WEEK = BEER NIRVANA

Welcome to the ninth annual Strong Beer Month and third annual SF Beer Week! Seems like just yesterday we were lamenting (over beer) how slow February was. Be careful what you wish for! What began as some brainstorming over a few pints has turned into a can’t-miss celebration of local beer, only confirming the amazing national statistics that suggest craft beer has achieved a new-found critical mass. Take a few steps back, look around, and rejoice over what a special thing we have going here in the craft beer community.

STRONG BEERS ARE HERE

By the time you read this, we’re a week in, so if you haven’t been by yet, what are you waiting for? For those that are new to this February surprise, here’s the deal: Magnolia and 21st Amendment Brewery (563 2nd Street…take the N-Judah from here) team up to brew a total of 12 special, seasonal strong beers as a way to celebrate the many diverse brewing traditions that warm up winter with such beers. Get a punch card at either brewery and work your way through the list (take your time, please). At the end of it all, you’ll walk away with a ton of knowledge about beer, some fond memories, and a commemorative glass.

The glass promotion is only good while supplies last (of both beer and glassware), but both places have a full slate of activities planned all month long.

At Magnolia, look for the Featured Strong Beer of the Day six days a week (Tue-Sun), with that day’s beer paired with a special small plate, app, or dessert. And every Magnolia strong beer has a carefully chosen cheese paired with it, available throughout the month. Cask versions and vintage strong beers will make appearances, too, so don’t be strangers this month.

MAGNOLIA DOES BEER WEEK (2/11-20)

Let’s say you’ve diligently punched your Strong Beer Month card by 2/10, have your glass, and are ready to go back to your winter hibernation. Don’t do it! You’d miss the 3rd annual SF Beer Week, one of the country’s first and, arguably, best of the now-popular regional beer weeks. Call it a “brewer’s week,” because it is really 10 days long and includes not one but two weekends. Event submissions closed on Friday with the final tally at over 300 different beer events all around San Francisco Bay. Magnolia is hosting its fair share, Alembic, too, and we are involved in at least a dozen more around the bay.

Check out sfbeerweek.org and/or download the free iPhone app for the complete schedule and more information, including hotel deals and transportation info so you can enjoy SF Beer Week responsibly. There’s a mobile version of the website, too, which works on most mobile platforms, and location-based technology to help you find great craft beer events near you.

Back here at the pub, here’s a quick snapshot of what we have going on. We’ll get more details out about all of these very soon:

2/14 (Monday) – Head-over-Heels Valentine Beer Dinner
Four course menu available from 5pm until we sell out

$75 with pairings

2/15 (Tuesday) – Oysters and Beer, Alone and Together
11am-4pm or until we run out, pay as you go

Join us for a briny bivalve celebration, with a variety of oysters shucked to order on the half shell plus barbecued and fried oysters and the latest release of our Oysterhead Stout (brewed with 3 bushels of Hog Island Sweetwater oysters).

2/17 (Thursday) – Festival of Firkins (and Food)
11am-5pm, pay as you go

We’ve assembled a curated collection of cask-conditioned ales which we are delighted to share with you by the imperial pint, half pint, or 4-ounce taste. We also have a special, additional menu of little bites and dishes to enjoy with your beer. Highlights include the first-ever-on-the-West-Coast cask of 75 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head and an imported cask of the legendary JW Lees Harvest Ale, a fantastic barleywine from the UK.

2/18 (Friday) – Beer from the Vault/Meet the Brewers
11am-3pm, pay as you go

Come by Friday afternoon and hang out with Brewmaster/Owner Dave McLean and Head Brewer Ben Spencer over rare offerings from the Magnolia Beer Vault. These are vintage beers and barrel-aged beers that we hide from ourselves so we can cellar them and enjoy them in future years.

2/19 and 2/20 (Saturday and Sunday) – Pre-Barleywine Fest Brunch
10am-2:30pm, a la carte dishes

The Toronado Barleywine Fest is the granddaddy event of SF Beer Week – brewers, beer industry folks, and traveling beer connoisseurs have been timing their visits to SF around this long-time event for many years. The fun starts early and requires a strong foundation of food to survive the dozens of amazing barleywines on offer down the street. We’ll have our regular brunch menu beginning at 10am (including Blue Bottle Coffee and Espresso) and we’ve added to it three special dishes built around house-made sausages, each available a la carte. Start your barleywine day right and then enjoy the ten block walk down the hill to the Toronado.

SF BEER WEEK ACTION AT ALEMBIC…

Meanwhile, five blocks west at Alembic, we have more great events lined up. Check the Alembic site and sign up for its email list to get more info (or check the SF Beer Week schedule and app). Here’s a quick rundown:

2/14 – “Dog Day Afternoon” with Dogfish Head beer and Alembic small plates

2/17 – Gypsy Beer Happy Hour – try beer from brewers without breweries

Plus, a special selection of beer cocktails every day of Beer Week and a 3-course dinner menu option paired with Magnolia beer (also available every day of Beer Week).

AND BEYOND…

But, the above barely scratches the surface of SF Beer Week action. Here’s a tiny sampling of other great events that we are a part of and/or excited about:

2/11 – SF Beer Week Opening Gala @ Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

2/13 – Beerunch @ the Public House (featuring Saison de Lily)

2/13 – Immigrant Food Week Meets Beer Week @ Whole Foods on Haight

2/13 – Cask ‘n Queso @ Thirsty Bear

2/15 – Beer Meets Beast @ The Beast and the Hare

2/15 – Strong Beer Month Beer School @ 21st Amendment

2/15 – Authentic Kolner-style Kolsch Night @ The Page

2/15 – Beers of the SF Brewers Guild @ Beer Revolution

2/16 – East Bay vs. SF Beer Night @ Barclays

2/18 – Friday Speakeasy Party/Guild Meet the Brewers @ Speakeasy

2/19 – Barleywine Festival Opening Day @ Toronado

2/20 – Brewers’ Sunday Tea @ 21st Amendment

2/20 – SFBW Closing Party/Celebrator Anniversary @ Trumer Brauerei

MAGNOLIA IPHONE APP

The best way to keep up with our ever-changing beer list, as well as all of the latest and seasonal menu changes is by downloading our free iPhone app. And, if you get lost, it will even help you find your way back to Magnolia. Look for it today in the App Store or follow this link.

You can always find an up-to-date beer list and the latest menus on our website. Follow us on Twitter if you’d like to stay more in the loop. We’ll keep you posted with updates on dinners and beer pairings, other food specials and menu changes, cask ale tappings, and new beer releases. Visit us on Facebook, too, where you can get event invitations and reminders, check out photos, and converse with the Magnolia community. And, Alembic has its own blog and Twitter feed, both of which offer thirst- and hunger-inducing glimpses into the world of Daniel, Ted, and the gang down the street.

Thanks for reading and please stay in touch.

Cheers,
Dave McLean

Magnolia Pub & Brewery
1398 Haight (@ Masonic)
SF, CA 94117

(415)864-7468
magnoliapub.com

OUR iPHONE APP IS HERE!

You didn’t know you needed it but we think you might like it just the same. Now, from the comfort of your iPhone, you can see a realtime list of our beers on tap, current menus, the latest newsletter, and our most recent tweets. If you get lost or confused, you can even map your way back to the pub. It was designed by our good friends at Gamut. Try it out and let us know what you think. It’s free, of course! Search for it in the app store or get it <here>.

BRU/SFO UPDATE

We’re 10 days and 8 beers into the 2nd Annual BRU/SFO Project (taking place at both Magnolia and the 21st Amendment). Each brewery’s 4th beer came out earlier this week. Look for additional releases on 11/15 and 11/22. You can still pick up your boarding pass and take a virtual trip to Belgium via two iconic San Francisco breweries. Try all 12 beers and receive a free, commemorative glass (good while supplies last). Here’s a recap of the beers:

ONE DINNER TO END IT ALL

We wrap up the 2010 BRU/SFO Project with a 6-course dinner on Monday, 11/29, with each course paired with a beer from the Project. The dinner is $70 for all six courses plus the beer pairings. Our regular dinner menu will be available all night, too. No reservations, just come in and order the special menu:

Kushi oyster wrapped in Boccalone lardo
Saison de Lily

——–

Roasted delicata squash, warm chicory, persimmon,
spiced pumpkin seeds, caramelized onion vinaigrette
Gordo

——–

Baked potato poutine, cheese curd, braised beef brisket,
gravy
Deep Elem Dubbel

——–

Gulf prawns, black trumpet mushrooms, truffle risotto
Destiny Unblonde

——–

Garlic confit studded rabbit terrine, seared rabbit kidney,
mustardo
Sunburst

——–

Sweet pumpkin gnocchi, vanilla cream, amoretti crumbs
Chocolate George Stout

You can always find an up-to-date beer list and the latest menus on our website. Join us on our blog and Twitter feed if you’d like to stay even more in the loop. We’ll keep you posted with updates on dinners and beer pairings, other food specials and menu changes, cask ale tappings, and new beer releases. Visit us on Facebook, too, where you can get event invitations and reminders, check out photos, and converse with the Magnolia community. And, Alembic has its own blog and Twitter feed, both of which offer thirst- and hunger-inducing glimpses into the world of Daniel, Ted, and the gang down the street.

Thanks for reading and please stay in touch.

Cheers,
Dave McLean

Magnolia Pub & Brewery
1398 Haight (@ Masonic)
SF, CA 94117

(415)864-7468
magnoliapub.com

THE BRU/SFO PROJECT IS BACK!

Kick off your November today with the first round of beers from the 2nd Annual BRU/SFO Project at Magnolia and the 21st Amendment! This exploration of Belgian-style and Belgian-influenced beers (six from each brewery), includes both old favorites and brand new beers. Pick up your boarding pass and take a virtual trip to Belgium via two iconic San Francisco breweries. Try all 12 beers and receive a free, commemorative glass (good while supplies last). The first six beers hit the taps today and then both breweries will release a new beer on the following three Mondays.

THE BRU/SFO KITCHEN CONNECTION

We’ve also put together a special menu of snacks and smaller dishes to enjoy in the spirit of this Transatlantic project. Be sure to try the duck fat fries, chicory gratin, roasted tomato crevette, mussels (steamed in beer, of course), and a special cheese plate, all of which are available throughout the month. Look for other specials throughout the month, too, most of which will be intended to pair with a specific BRU/SFO beer.

ONE DINNER TO END IT ALL

We wrap up the 2010 BRU/SFO Project with a 4-course dinner on Monday, 11/29 with each course paired with a beer from the Project. More info coming soon, including the menu and price.

OTHER BEER NEWS

We have some other beer news of note right now. Our Franconian Fridays continue for two more weeks. Each Friday we throw a 20-liter keg of a rare-in-the-U.S. beer from a small Franconian brewery on the bar and serve it via gravity until it’s gone. These are made available to us through the beer-obsessed minds at Shelton Brothers, the artisan beer importers out of Massachusetts. Every so often, they send someone around Franconia collecting a truckload of these special beers and ship them with the utmost care in refrigerated containers to this country. In many cases, this is the only time beer from some of these breweries ever leaves the town in which it is produced. To date, every single one has traveled incredibly well and the beers taste brewery-fresh despite the 6,000 mile journey. Next one is at noon this Friday (11/5). Prost!

Our annual holiday beer, Winter Warmer, used to have November all to itself as far as beer releases go. The month has become crowded with beer goodness but we’re every bit as excited as ever to release this taste of the season. This is the 13th edition of Magnolia Winter Warmer and, as it does every year, it flows from tap on the day before Thanksgiving (11/24). We’ll tap the cask version the day after Thanksgiving (11/26). Consider it your friendly reminder to begin your holiday shopping. It doubles as an antidote for said shopping, though it seems to run out a little bit more quickly every year.

You can always find an up-to-date beer list and the latest menus on our website. Join us on our blog
and Twitter feed if you’d like to stay even more in the loop. We’ll keep you posted with updates on dinners and beer pairings, other food specials and menu changes, cask ale tappings, and new beer releases. Visit us on Facebook, too, where you can get event invitations and reminders, check out photos, and converse with the Magnolia community. And, Alembic has its own blog and Twitter feed, both of which offer thirst- and hunger-inducing glimpses into the world of Daniel, Ted, and the gang down the street.

Thanks for reading and please stay in touch.

Cheers,
Dave McLean

Magnolia Pub & Brewery
1398 Haight (@ Masonic)
SF, CA 94117

(415)864-7468
magnoliapub.com

GREETINGS FROM MAGNOLIA

Hard to believe but it’s been 15 years since Jerry Garcia made an untimely exit from this mortal coil. And yes, we still miss the big guy. As many of you know, Jerry and Co. served as an influence and inspiration that helped along the birth of Magnolia, a fact recently revisited on the SF Foodie Blog. That barely scratches the surface, though…the rest of that untold story is best had over a beer or three. Meanwhile, there are some festive celebrations coming up to commemorate that end of an era 15 years ago.

JERRY DAY, PART ONE, 8/1, JERRY GARCIA AMPHITHEATER, MCLAREN PARK

Jerry grew up on Harrington Street in the Excelsior District and for 8 years now a dedicated group has thrown a “Jerry Day” celebration concert on or around his birthday in nearby McLaren Park. At the first of these, the amphitheater was renamed the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater and that same community has worked hard over the years to raise money for the upkeep of the venue and the park. Sun or fog, it’s a nice way to spend a day in SF’s 2nd largest park. Check out jerryday.org for more info.

JERRY DAY, PART TWO, 8/9, AT&T PARK AND PUBLIC HOUSE

The San Francisco Giants, in partnership with the Rex Foundation (the Dead’s longtime charity arm) and the Jerry Day organization, are throwing a Jerry Garcia Tribute Night on Monday, 8/9, when the Giants take on the Chicago Cubs. The festivities include pre-game live music, GD members performing the national anthem, Jerry’s daughter, Annabelle, throwing out the first pitch, and, among other things, the most exciting part of all: this bobblehead!

Right next door, in the Public House, we’ll be part of a Cask Beer and Music Celebration that runs all day, from 12pm to 12am. Four fresh Magnolia casks will be flowing all day until they run out (Proving Ground IPA, Prescription Pale, Blue Bell Bitter, and Billy Sunday Bitter, the exclusive bitter we brew just for the Public House). James Olness Enterprises will play Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band music, videos, and slide shows on the Public House’s sweet sound system and screens, and display one-of-a-kind archives and memorabilia. A silent auction will run in the Public House from 12pm-6:30pm and a raffle will go from 12pm until 30 minutes after the game ends. Come by before, during, or after the game.

Proceeds from game tickets sold (in the Jerry Day seating sections), all of the Magnolia cask beer sold, and silent auction and raffle proceeds all benefit the Rex Foundation and Jerry Day. Click here for more info on game tickets.

OUTSIDE LANDS – EAT/DRINK EARLY/LATE, 8/14 & 15

The music doesn’t stop there. The next weekend (8/14&15) is Outside Lands in Golden Gate Park, featuring Further, the latest Grateful Dead project, among many other great bands and musicians. We know from years past that strolling the Haight and maybe even walking out to the concert grounds from here is a popular move. So do stop by for brunch, lunch, or dinner on your way to or from the festival. We’re extending our kitchen hours until 1am both nights (Saturday and Sunday) so you don’t have to rush back. Alembic’s kitchen is open until 1am every night, too, so take your pick.

SF CHEFS, 8/13-15

And, that same weekend (8/13-15), following a full week of restaurant activity around town, are the main events of SF Chefs, a huge local food and beverage extravaganza of tastings, classes, and seminars in Union Square. Chef Matt Kerley will be manning the Magnolia food booth at the Saturday Grand Tasting (8/14 from 1-4pm), while the SF Brewers Guild will have a beer booth featuring a rotating selection of San Francisco craft beer throughout the weekend.

EAT REAL, JACK LONDON SQUARE, OAKLAND, 8/27-29

One of the highlights of the summer last year among the local food and beer community was Eat Real, which served many thousands over three days, delivering an amazing array of high quality street food, Northern California craft beer, cooking demonstrations, a farmers market, live music, and more. We were thrilled to be involved and to have a hand in the creation of the Beer Shed, a 40-tap mobile beer dispense unit built in a refrigerated shipping container. Beer flows through the taps once again and the festival is shaping up to be bigger and better than the first edition. This year, there’s an added focus on urban homesteading and how-to demonstrations as well as competitions in home-brewed beer, pickles, and jams and preserves, long with lots of other cool new programming. We’ll have more info to come but keep one day free that weekend to check it out. Tip from last year: take the ferry over from SF.

18th STREET BLOCK PARTY, 8/28

While you are saving dates for outdoor eating and drinking, set aside a little time the same weekend as Eat Real, on Saturday, 8/28, to drop by the 18th Street Block Party, between Dolores and Guerrero in the Mission. This little neighborhood party on one of the best food blocks in the City is put on by BiRite Market, Delfina Restaurant, Tartine, and the other businesses of 18th Street. Expect tons of delicious food options and a craft beer booth sponsored by the SF Brewers Guild and featuring beer from all SF breweries. Proceeds benefit 18 Reasons and other Mission District nonprofits.

You can always find an up-to-date beer list and the latest menus on our website. Join us on our blog and Twitter feed if you’d like to stay even more in the loop. We’ll keep you posted with updates on dinners and beer pairings, other food specials and menu changes, cask ale tappings, and new beer releases. Visit us on Facebook, too, where you can get event invitations and reminders, check out photos, and converse with the Magnolia community. And, Alembic has its own blog and Twitter feed, both of which offer thirst- and hunger-inducing glimpses into the world of Daniel, Ted, and the gang down the street.

Thanks for reading and please stay in touch. September is looking just as busy with exciting events. Oh, and a happy 10th Anniversary to our good friends at the 21st Amendment! That’s a great milestone to be able to celebrate.

Cheers,
Dave McLean

SPRING BEER DINNER WEDNESDAY

It’s been awhile since we’ve had a chance to say hello from the corner of Haight and Masonic. We’ve been as busy as can be, in the brewery, the kitchen, and, as you may have noticed, in the pub itself. As always, thanks so much for your ongoing support! We have lots of upcoming events to share, but first, Chef Kerley and his crew have been eager to do another special dinner with beer pairings and this Wednesday, May 12th is the day. This Spring-centric meal features three savory courses for $45 and celebrates the bounty of amazing produce that starts rolling in this time of year (add $10 for the beer pairings). This menu will be available from 6pm until we run out and our full regular dinner menu will be available all night, too (no reservations). Here’s the menu:

First Course
Beet tartare, mustard greens, sherry-date vinaigrette,
carrot and asparagus ribbons
Beer: Kalifornia Kölsch

Second Course
Stuffed palm hearts with wild mushroom mousse,
ratatouille terrine, chanterelle demi
Beer: Cole Porter

Third Course
Artichoke soup, pan-seared corn cake, taleggio toast
Beer: Prescription Pale Ale

CRAWFISH BOIL!

It’s time for another crawfish boil on Wednesday, May 26th. Crawfish by the pound, all the usual sides, and plenty of beer. 5pm until the crawfish are gone. If you’ve been before you know how fun (and crowded) these are. But there’s really nothing like a good crawfish boil. More details to follow.

SAVOR

We’re very excited to participate in this year’s Savor event at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. on June 5th. This craft beer and food experience features a reception-style tasting of savory and sweet dishes, each paired with a specific beer, plus educational tasting salons. Magnolia is one of 70 attending breweries, each bringing two beers (ours are Blue Bell Bitter and Big Cypress Brown, both of which showcase the food-friendliness of Maris Otter malt). Alas, the event is already sold out but stop by and say hello if you are going.

SUTTON CELLARS 4TH ANNUAL CHILI COOKOFF

Another favorite, early summer event, Carl and Sharon Sutton throw this chili cookoff every year and we can’t wait to do it again. Chili-cooking participants this year include Bar Tartine, Maverick, Out the Door (Bush Street), Pizza Place on Noriega, Alembic, Magnolia, and possibly a couple more. $25 gets you all the chili you can eat plus a couple of glasses of Sutton Cellars wine. Additional wine will be available for purchase. Sutton Cellars makes a financial contribution to the charity of the chili winner’s choice so come out and eat, drink, and give to one of a variety of good causes. The location is still TBD but we will keep you posted.

FRESH FILM RELEASE DINNER

Have you heard about the new film, Fresh? It celebrates the farmers, thinkers, and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Among others, Fresh features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, sustainable farmer, Joel Salatin, and supermarket owner, David Ball. The film is currently being screened around the country and will be here on Haight Street at the Red Vic from June 24-26. The night before, Wednesday, June 23th, we’re offering a special, 3-course tasting menu alongside our regular menu. The menu itself, prices, and more details will follow in the coming weeks. The price will include a ticket to the movie.

NEW ALEMBIC BEER LIST

In related news, we’ve been tinkering with the bottled beer list at Alembic and invite you to drop in and check it out. We’ve spun off a brand new, wood-aged beer list from the main list, too, allowing us to better showcase some of the most creative work going on in the craft beer community these days. It’s a growing work in progress but the first iteration comes out later in the week. Every bottle from the regular (non-wood-aged) list is 50% of on Monday nights, by the way.

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And then there are the things we’ve been doing so long we take for granted but want you to know about. Every Tuesday is $3 Tuesday. Nearly all house beers are $3 all day long (exceptions are the rare, special, and stronger releases that are in short supply). Thursday is our legendary fried chicken night, available from 5pm until we run out – we tweet the changing sides each week. We open at 10:30 with a special brunch menu every Saturday and Sunday. Brunch runs until 2pm and yes, beer does go well with brunch (so do our mimosas). And, our kitchen is open until midnight every night (11 on Sundays), serving our full menu right up until close.

You can always find an up-to-date beer list and the latest menus on our website. Join us on our blog and Twitter feed if you’d like to stay even more in the loop. We’ll keep you posted with updates on dinners and beer pairings, other food specials and menu changes, cask ale tappings, and new beer releases. Visit us on Facebook, too, where you can get event invitations and reminders, check out photos, and converse with the Magnolia community. And, Alembic has its own blog and Twitter feed, both of which offer thirst- and hunger-inducing glimpses into the world of Daniel, Ted, and the gang down the street.

Thanks for reading and please stay in touch.

Cheers,
Dave McLean