With the first ever BBQ & Brewfest at the Event Center Downtown, and the Friends and Family opening of the Irish Bred Pub and live music at Eighth and Rail.  Railroad Avenue looked like South College on Game Day.  I know there were some good pictures for all, and when someone post some, I’ll bring them over here too.

From Irish Bred Pub Today on Facebook: Official Opening Tomorrow – Monday August 30th — Come for Lunch, Dinner or Late night (Texas Hold ‘em starts!!) Limited Menu (to get all the chinks out) for two weeks –There will be Specials of Rick’s Delicious Food each day..We welcome ALL — Families, Business people, Young/old — For a True Pub provides something for Everyone– A local gathering place for Good Food, Good Times, Sports, Entertainment…

I would add something about the beer.  Twelve Beers on Tap. There’s a house beer that changes out, and last night it had Natural Light.  Guinness was at the other end of the flavor line.  With the exception of Sid’s 8th Street Cafe, these could also be the best prices in the area.  My Sam Oktoberfest was just $2.78 if I remember it right.

Saturday from 4p-1A, the Event Center Downtown will rock with 5 bands on 2 stages, plus 30 beers from around the globe, oh yea, and some BBQ.  The sampling of beer is from 6p-9p.  Bands playing include; The Good Doctor, Cedar Hill, Cheaper Than Theraphy, The Packway Handle Band and Glow.  The beer is from Fine Wine and Beer by Gus.  Tickets are $25 and you can call 334-705-5466 for more information.

Okay, I know it’s going be hard for you to belive this with the Blue Jay’s game last night, maybe a Jays~Red Sox game this weekend, a five winery tour set for Monday and off to see some Canadian football on Wednesday.  Honest folks, I am really here for work.  I’ve posted a few pictures in the flickr photostream from the game night.  This weekend, I’ll be taking pictures around town, checking out the Hockey Hall of Fame and a visit to a local brewery for a sample or two.  Pictured, a stop at a sport bar on the way to the game, give me a chance to introduce you to Holly.  Oh well, back to work!

This will be the second for Sid’s, after a rain soaked, but successful event a few weeks ago.  It’s some of the lighter beers of summer and some Mexican treats.  Of course, some food goodies for your participation fee for the event. It’s Friday from 6:30PM till 8:30PM

We’ve been talking among the staff about how great the MIS Staff is.  From our arrival in the staging area to our third day here.  Well, now it’s time to say thanks and Happy Birthday to Laurie.  Freinds posted a little “It’s my Birthday Sign” on her golfcart, unknown to her.  So those random “Happy Birthday’s” I’m sure were a surprise.  You know me, I had to grab a photo with the birthday girl.  Happy Birthday Laurie from the ODN staff. 

Then of course there’s Can Head who was wandering the campground showing his unique ability to sick a can or bottle of beer to his head. And at this point, we’ve managed to catch two races, plus the Natiowide on TV this evening.  The weather has been good to us and looks like it will be okay for the Sunday race.  I’ll have more from the Speedway in coming days.

Despite the rain, the Beer Tasting at Sid’s 8th Street Cafe was a success.  There were a dozen or so beers from Sam Adam’s tonight.  Great crowd that was dodging the rain and moving outside tables under the walkway shelter.  If you’ll remember, when Sid did a Wine Tasting a few weeks ago, the sky’s opened with more rain.  Where was he last year in the dry times.  Thank Gosh we’ve got him now.

I received this email from Dan Roberts, VP of Legislative Support at Free the Hops… Yesterday marked the last day of the legislative session. We had hoped two pro-beer bills would be passing. Unfortunately, neither did.

SB328, the Brewery Modernization Act, was the official Free the Hops bill for this session. Despite being a common-sense, pro-business bill that would create jobs and help a growing industry in Alabama (without costing a penny to the public purse), the House leadership decided not to put it on the agenda Thursday. We were instead relegated to a possible second agenda, meaning that if they got through with the first agenda and still wanted to work, we would be placed somewhere on a follow-up agenda. When things started slowing down Thursday, it was clear that we would not get our shot.

Unfortunately, the Brewery Modernization Act had a big holdup early on in the session after the ABC expressed concerns with it. We certainly don’t want the state agency responsible for regulating alcohol to lobby against our bill, so we worked with them to address their concerns. After a long time, we were finally able to craft a substitute bill to move through the legislature.

After that hurdle, SB328 sailed through the Senate and received a favorable report from the House Committee on Tourism and Travel. Unfortunately, all the delays meant we really only had the last 2 weeks to pass our bill through the House. They didn’t get to us. (more…)