October Beer Club Release
BEER. club.
It's like the Mickey Mouse Club, only with less dancing and more alcohol.
This month is exciting for me because I managed to score both cans and a keg of probably my favorite beer style ever, the Vienna lager. What's nice about that is you'll have the opportunity to try both versions, and if you're still one of those people who thinks the keg is better than the can, now's your chance to test the theory.
The Vienna lager sits at the top of my favorite beer list for a couple of reasons. It's a deliciously-balanced amber style that is both light and flavorful, and it goes with pretty much any food. Definitely pub food. Spicy food. Try it with surf and turf and feel it wash the fat off your tongue with a refreshing crispness. Having tacos? Stick a lime in it and you've got your own Negra Modelo, which is actually a Mexicanized version of Vienna lager, they just don't tell you that ever. I feel like this style of beer can really do it all.
Also, we've added a REFERRAL PROGRAM for the beer club! If someone signs up and gives your name as the person referring them, as soon as we charge them successfully for the next beer club, you'll receive 10 more $1 off pints at the shop. And these don't expire within the month; they're good whenever. Tell your friends.
Since this is still a bit new for y'all, I'll give you a short rundown on what you can expect, then we'll get into the beers for this month. Then we'll have some FAQs and AFTER THAT we'll all jump for joy that life loved us enough to give us this, my favorite fermented beverage.
OK.
So, for $35 + tax per month, here's what you get:
One six-pack of beer worth at least $25
One punch card that we will keep for you, that's worth 10 $1 off pints per month. These expire every month and do not roll over.
20% off our Cruiser Chicken and hummus plates, unlimited
Access to an exclusive keg of beer every third Saturday of the month, (regular customers won't be able to buy this beer until the following week-it won't even show up on the menu that day).
The special beer club keg will be available to you on the third Saturday of the month for unlimited $1 off pints that day only, and this DOESN'T count on your monthly punch card.
Exclusive BEER. club. beers in your six pack, (noted below) will be available for purchase for members only on the third Saturday. After that Saturday, they'll be available to anyone.
The respect and admiration of your peers for being open to trying new things
Priority reservations at the bar top. Because beer tastes better there. Just sayin'.
Now for the beers!
BEER. club. exclusive keg:
Vienna Lager
Lucky Envelope (Seattle, WA)
5.1% ABV
Everything we've had on tap from Lucky Envelope has been excellent and this is no exception. Their Vienna lager is hands down one of the best American craft versions I've ever had. This beer perfectly represents the style. After you have it, you will know what a Vienna should taste like. I have nothing more to say; it's just damn good. This is the way.
BEER. club. six pack:
Exclusive - Lucky Envelope Vienna Lager (Seattle, WA) - Style: Vienna lager. 5.1% ABV.
From the Beer Judge Certification Program: "A moderate-strength amber lager with a soft, smooth maltiness and moderate bitterness, yet finishing relatively dry. The malt flavor is clean, bready-rich, and somewhat toasty, with an elegant impression derived from quality base malts and process..." Doesn't that just sound amazing?
Exclusive - Machine House Cascade Guzzler (Seattle, WA) - Style: Fresh hop pale ale. 3.8% ABV.
Machine House is one of the only local breweries I know of that makes their beer in the traditional cask style, and conditions their beer in bottles. There's a lot to unpack there, but suffice to say that it all comes down to a refreshing, lightly hopped, lower-carbonated beverage that's super-satisfying. You might expect a 3.8% pale ale to be bland, but this bad boy still has lots of great flavor. Go into it thinking it's a session pale and you won't be disappointed.
Lumberbeard Batch One IPA (Spokane, OR) - Style: IPA. 6.3% ABV.
Made with Sabro, Citra and El Dorado hops, this American IPA is an easy foray into tropical hop flavors. So balanced. Just yummy. My tasting panel gave it a BIG thumbs up.
Level Brewing Sweep the Leg (Portland, OR) - Style: Japanese-style rice lager. 4.6% ABV.
19.2 ounces of this beer will still have you wanting more. Meant to be thoroughly thirst-quenching, Level added some bright, New Zealand hops to add freshness and zest. Plus, holding this giant can in front of your friends will make you feel cool, I swear.
Single Hill Osa Minor (Yakima, WA) - Style: Stout. 5.3% ABV.
It's that time of year again when a portion of the population switches from summery, lighter beers to the full-flavored darker beers. Me and my tasting panel could smell the baker's chocolate rippling off of this beer from quite a distance. It has a nice, well-rounded, slightly roasty flavor that betrays it's lower ABV. Feels bigger than it is!
Midnight Sun Leche Robusta (Anchorage, AK)- Style: Horchata spiced stout. 6% ABV.
Limited edition! Exactly what the name implies: a sweet milk stout with cinnamon and spices. I'd pair this with flan, (and maybe split it with someone I love) to cap off a meal inspired by festive flavors, bright colors and lively music.
Want to make a reservation? Email us at: drink@plateauwineandbeer.com.
If you'd like to change your club, send us an email: lyra@plateauwineandbeer.com. If you just tell us at the shop, or message us on Facebook, or text me or, HEAVEN FORBID, you only tell Mikey, there's a very good chance it won't get changed.
FAQs
Q: What does IBU mean?
A: International Bitterness Units. Generally speaking, the higher the number, the more bitter the beer will be, BUT there are a lot of competing factors that make this measurement something you should experiment with before you turn away a beer for thinking it will be too bitter. Things like your personal perception of bitterness, (it's different for everyone) and other ingredients in the beer that have a mellowing effect, like bolder-flavored stouts that can hide their bitterness with lots of dark, smooth malts.
Q: If I totally hate a beer in my six pack, can I exchange it for something else?
A: Sure. Anything of equal or lesser value, as long as we have something that fits the bill. And we may not be able to exchange it right away...there's fancy algorithms, magic fluff and voodoo hoodery that needs to happen first.
Q: If I totally hate the exclusive keg on tap, can I drink something else on that third Saturday that doesn't apply to my punch card?
A: Yup. Pick one keg and go for it. We're not here to cause you grief and make your tongue mad at you. But remember, the intention is to try new things, right? And sometimes you have to try them a few times to find out you actually enjoy them...
Q: Can I buy my friends discounted pints of the exclusive keg of beer on the third Saturday?
A: You can, but it'll cost you a punch on your card. Can't have everything!!!
Q: Can I buy my friends extras of the exclusive beers from my monthly six pack on the third Saturday?
A: As long as you buy them, you betcha.
Q: Why is it "BEER. club."? That looks weird and I don't like it.
A: My fingers just typed it that way and I didn't argue with them. Plus, I'm interested in how it will make people say it...will you say the word, "beer" louder? And the word, "club" quieter? Basically, I'm just an evil business owner who likes to experiment on my customers.