Cold, cloudy and rainy weather is in the forecast for this weekend. But a couple of big beer festivals could be just the ticket to warm up to.
Pontoon’s first anniversary
Friday-Sunday, Pontoon Brewing in Sandy Springs celebrates its first anniversary with a weekend of events. Tonight, "Flashback Friday" is a free blast from the past with beers such as Combustible Pineapple, Floor Is Lava, Fluffy Otter, Moscow Mule, and Double Amp Shandy for purchase, plus live music and food trucks.
Saturday and Sunday require admission tickets ($22.85 - $65.28), but offer limited-release beers for purchase, and include drink tickets, commemorative glassware, and for VIPs, a bottle of anniversary edition Dawn Moon Flanders Red.
Cask Ale celebrates 15 years
On Saturday, 5 Seasons Westside hosts the 15th annual Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting ($43.50). Sample 50-plus rare cask-conditioned ales from craft brewers from the USA and the UK and take home a free collector's pint glass. Attendees get 10-percent off food purchases at 5 Seasons Westside. Buy tickets here.
With a big beer weekend in mind, this week’s Beer Pick is Pontoon’s Hazy River India Pale Lager.
Beer Pick
Hazy River India Pale Lager
Pontoon Brewing Co., Sandy Springs
Available on draft and in 12-ounce cans.
Profile
Hazy River is described as a hoppy helles lager, mashing up traditional and contemporary beer styles that are each rather hard to define. But whatever you call it, it’s a flavorful beer that’s also very refreshing and session-worthy at 5.5-percent alcohol. With all the experimental beers Pontoon brews, it remains my favorite in the “flagship” lineup.
Brewed with Vienna malt and a big dose of wheat, it pours a hazy pale gold. Dry hopped with Loral and German Tettenang, it exhibits a “super noble” character with floral and herbal notes, while the malt bill provides a solid backdrop with bready notes and a clean finish.
Pair with
Like most lagers and pale ales, Hazy River can match a wide range of foods. Try it with fried chicken or fish and grits, traditional German sausages, spicy foods like Szechuan or curries, or sharp cheddar or blue cheeses.
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