Yesterday I was composing my Wednesday Update blog post when I got a text from my friend. Eric. Eric does marketing for Packed House, the umbrella company over Bardog, the two Slider Inns, the two Aldo’s Pizzas, and Momma’s.
“Paul, do you think you could mention the beer dinner one more time?” He asked. He was referring to last night’s collaborative beer dinner with Hampline Brewing Co.
“Of course,” I said, and added a mention. With 8 oz. pours instead of piddling dribbles that are the norm at beer dinners, this event sold itself.
About 11:00 Eric texted again. “Thanks for that,” he said. “Do you want a ticket to the dinner?”
Do I want a ticket to the dinner?
HELL TO THE EFFF YESSSSSS I WANT A TICKET TO THE DINNER!
I returned to Bardog at 3 and hung out with a fabulous mix of people. Then at 6, those of us attending went downstairs. I got a seat with Bardog employees and fellow regulars at the high center bar in the middle of the room.
We each got a menu so we could anticipate the upcoming courses.
Owner Aldo gave opening remarks, followed by GM Melissa and Hampline’s reps. Then the first course came out.
Problem Sauvin IPA. This style of IPA is less harsh and bitter than a typical IPA. Downright drinkable. I believe they said it was a New England-style IPA.
The IPA was paired with tuna carpaccio, thin slices of raw tuna on wontons with a spicy sauce. The dish brought out the flavor profile of the IPA.
A Hampline rep came around with hops for us to smell; then she invited us to take another bite of tuna and sip of IPA, and notice how the smell changed the flavors of both. It was remarkable.
This is Natch Lager, pronounced “Naitch.” Here we get into “Bear of the Dog,” the dinner’s name. Natch was a bear given to the city around 1910. Not knowing what to do with the bear, leaders chained him to a tree in Overton Park.
Prominent Memphis citizens found the bear’s living conditions to be inhumane. They raised money to build better accommodations for Natch… and that was the beginning of the Memphis Zoo.
The bear’s lager was paired with asparagus bisque. The light lager served as a counterpoint to the creamy, heavy soup. I got an unexpected and most welcome surprise: There were shrimp in the bisque! Yummy.
Cherry Bomb cherry amaretto sour gose was the next beer to come out. Normally, sours are not my favorite, but this one had good flavor, especially when paired with…
A beet salad. This was the surprise hit of the evening. The beets, the glaze, the blue cheese crumbles… It all just… worked. And it worked even better with the glass of gose.
When I was a little kid, I thought beets and sweet potatoes were the same thing. I was a stupid kid.
Hoot & Haller Pilsner, and wait ’til you see what this got paired with…
Beef Wellington, beautifully cooked with plenty of red on the inside. Mashed potatoes, carrots, and a slice of bacon. Perfection.
I texted Butt Slut #1 a photo of my food and commented, “I think I just came in my pants.”
We learned the origin of Hampline’s name. Hampline’s brewery runs alongside one of several greenlines in the city. It’s the Blinghampton Greenline – Hampline for short.
The final beer was a snifter of Dunk Tank Oktoberfest, so you know it would pair well with a fall food…
… Such as pumpkin cheesecake. A delicious end to the evening.
Aldo partook in the dinner, and the beers. It was fun to see him cut loose and really enjoy himself.
Memphis music luminary Al Kapone attended, but I did not get a chance to talk to him.
While at the dinner, I heard what the Bardog staff is thinking for New Year’s Eve. Details are still being worked out so I’ll not list specifics yet, but if you enjoy food, drink, and friends – and if you don’t enjoy random, loud drunk people with no concept of manners or personal space, this event should appeal to you.
You may notice in these photos that Perjorie T. Roll is back. Today is her 7th birthday.
This is my second post today. Keep scrolling for the Thursday news.