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The Beer Blog

Jackie O's bottle release Saturday

By Rick Published: August 22, 2011

Dark Lord Day is a big deal for craft beer lovers. It's a time when people from around the country descend upon Three Floyds Brewing Co. in Munster, Ind., to buy Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout. The scene has received national attention because of the fanaticism. But Three Floyds isn't the only brewery causing a stir with special releases.

There's something similar going on in Ohio at Jackie O's Pub & Brewery. The well-respected brewpub usually doesn't bottle its beer. You want to drink it? You normally have to drive to the college town of Athens in Southeast Ohio and taste it on tap. And Athens isn't exactly an easy trek for most.

But there are several times a year when the brewpub puts some special beers in 22-ounce bottles and sells them to the public. Saturday (Aug. 27) is one of those days. Brewer Brad Clark noted that people from 14 different states came to the brewery during the last bottle release.

The event goes a little something like this: Everyone hangs out at the bar Friday night until 2 a.m. Then, they walk outside and immediately start standing in line. Clark estimated that about 100 people were waiting at one point and the line stretched down the street. Fortunately, folks don't have to camp out all night. The brewpub uses a tear-away calendar -- similar to the number system at the grocery deli counter -- to keep order and allow the fanatics go catch a few winks.

Many are back and sharing a beer at Fluff Bakery at 7 a.m. Jackie O's Public House opens for breakfast at 9 a.m. and the bottle sale starts at 11. Quantities are limited. The following beers will be available: Brandy Barrel Superfly (two bottle limit); Oil of Aphrodite (two bottle limit); Rum Barrel Oil of Aphrodite (one bottle limit); Dynamo Hum (one bottle limit) and Funky South Paw (one bottle limit). But that's not all. The brewpub also will have 31 of its beers available on tap. For a complete rundown, check out the Jackie O's blog by clicking here.

 

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