Tag: Beer

WATCH: The Brothers Comatose, “The IPA Song” (Feat. Ronnie McCoury)

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: The Brothers Comatose
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Song: “The IPA Song” (featuring Ronnie McCoury)
Release Date: October 5, 2023
Label: Swamp Jam Records

In Their Words: “There comes a time in every band’s existence when you have speak up and let the chips fall where they may. We realize that this statement is really going to split our crowd, but it’s time we say something. We can’t drink IPAs anymore! They’ve gotten too strong and too hoppy and we just can’t do it any longer. All we drink are light beers now and maybe it’s because we turned into more of a quantity, not quality type of band… or maybe we just turned into a bunch of beer wusses. Either way, no more IPAs!

“It all stems from us overdoing it back in the day when we were sponsored by a beer company and they delivered 3 cases (72 beers!) of IPAs to every tour stop. So there we were, neck deep in super strong, warm IPAs in our van and we were just trying to keep up. It’s kinda like how you can’t drink Bacardi anymore because of that one bad night you had in college. That’s us with strong and hoppy beers. The song started off as a joke because venues kept putting IPAs in our green room, but we would never drink them. It turns out the message really hits home with a lot of people.

“When we were planning to go into the studio to record ‘The IPA Song,’ our mandolin player Greg wasn’t available, because he was out on tour with another band at the time. It turned out our buddy, mandolin maestro Ronnie McCoury, was going to be in town playing a show, so we got him to come and play mandolin and sing high harmonies on the track. And being the legend he is, he truly delivered the goods on this one.

“We recommend cracking a nice, cold, non-IPA beer to enjoy while watching this video.” – The Brothers Comatose

Photo courtesy of the Brothers Comatose, Pavement PR

LISTEN: Tobacco City, “AA Blues”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Tobacco City
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Song: “AA Blues”
Album: Tobacco City, USA
Release Date: July 30, 2021
Label: Scissor Tail Records

In Their Words: “‘AA Blues’ is one of those songs that writes itself. My ex was having to go to AA meetings because of a brush with the law. It was cutting into our plans and I wrote her this ditty to make her feel better. The character in the song is trapped between working in a brewery and staring at beers all day and trying to walk a sober line. I think regardless of your sobriety status we can all relate to those kind of blues.” — Chris Coleslaw, Tobacco City

Photo courtesy of Tobacco City

A Minute In Galax with Wild Ponies

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to “A Minute In …” — a BGS feature that turns our favorite artists into hometown reporters. In our latest column, Doug Williams of Wild Ponies takes us through the town of his youth — Galax, Virginia. It’s also the town where Wild Ponies recorded their latest release, aptly titled Galax.

Galax, Virginia, is a little mountain town and is pretty much the undisputed center of the old-time and bluegrass music world. It’s the home of the Crooked Road and the Galax Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention (82 years and running). It’s hard to get it down to just a minute in Galax — this might be more like a minute-and-a-half. There’s so much cool stuff, it’s hard to choose what to leave out — like the historical Rex Theater (hosts bluegrass bands every Friday night and broadcasts them live on WBRF, but also where my dad spent Saturday afternoons as a kid watching Westerns while his dad worked in Pless’s hardware store). I’ll do my best to give you an honest spin around the town and sneak in as much as I can. — Doug Williams

The Dairy Bar: Get a hot dog basket and a lemonade. Killer burgers, too. When my mom was a kid, she’d get the lime float. This is a real old-school drive-in, and they’ll bring the food right out to you. You can sit in your car or get out and sit on the deck, which gives you a bird’s eye view of Felts Park. So, if you’re there the second weekend of August, you can look down on the mayhem of the Fiddlers’ Convention while you chew. 

 

Barr’s Fiddle Shop: It’s hard to believe, but there’s only one music store in Galax. Barr’s is more than a fiddle shop, though; it’s also a small museum and an incredibly important place in American music history. It used to be a barber shop and, in the early 1920s, it was the place Al Hopkins formed his band that became known as the Hill Billies. This was the first ever use of that term, and actually has a pretty decent claim to the real foundation of country music. These guys were recorded in 1925, and the Bristol Sessions didn’t happen until 1927.  Either way, at least we got the word “hillbilly” out of it.  

Roy’s: Directly across Main Street from Barr’s Fiddle Shop is Roy’s Jewelry. I’ve got to include Roy’s. They have some cool stuff. You can get custom Galax leaf jewelry here. Be sure to ask for Judith when you go in. Her father, Hazen Burnette, was one of my grandfather’s best friends. Hazen spent more time on horseback around Galax than anyone else. There was even an article about it in Western Horseman. Judith helped my grandfather pick out a LOT of jewelry for my grandmother over the years and, for that, she deserves sainthood. She’s also a huge part of the personality of WBRF. You can tune in and listen to her Blueridge Backroads show in the evenings. She’s great! 

City Gallery: While we’re still wandering around on Main Street, you’ve got to stop by City Gallery. It’s sort of a local artisan center — paintings, handmade jewelry, just all kinds of cool stuff. We’re friends with a lot of the artists who sell things here, and it’s always fun to duck in and see what’s new. Becky Guynn’s paintings of local musicians and places in Galax really capture the spirit. Karin Carlson-Muncy’s copper work just blows me away.  I could go on … just trust me. 

Creek Bottom Brews: This is a new place — it’s only been around for a few years — but it’s a welcome addition. It’s definitely not the place to go, if you’re just trying to breeze through town real quick and not let anybody know you’re there. You will be spotted. But that’s okay; we love our Galax family and friends. Creek Bottom has WiFi, which is great because my cell phone doesn’t work in Galax. They also have their own beer, which is really good, and a pretty huge assortment of other brews on tap and in bottles and cans (just clap your hands). Even if Creek Bottom didn’t have Wifi and beer, I’d still go for the pizza. They’ve got a big brick oven and they just keep cranking them out. So, so good. 

The New River Trail: It would be hard to not mention the New River Trail. It’s part of the Rails-to-Trails program. This particular stretch runs 57 miles, from Fries to Pulaski, and goes right through downtown Galax. It also goes right by my grandfather’s farm at the Gambetta Junction. (We spell it “Gambetty,” but whatever.) When I was a kid, we’d ride horses along the train tracks before it was converted into a state park. The trail follows along beside Chestnut Creek and then the New River. It’s a gorgeous place to ride bikes, horses, or just hike and look for Galax leaves. When we were making the Galax record at the farm, it just got too hot to play music and we all went down to the trail and hiked around a bit and played in the creek.   

The Shed: I’m not going to tell you exactly where this is, but it’s not far from the New River Trail. This place used to be home to the best song circles and old-time jams anywhere in the world. Turns out, it’s a pretty good temporary recording studio, too.  

3×3: TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb on Graves, Diggers, and Gravediggers

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Dan Bruskewicz (of TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb)
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Latest Album: Dancing out the Door
Rejected Band Names: The Donkeys! We still may use it. That name still carries a lot of weight in this town! As far as nicknames go, we’ve traditionally used the northeastern United States custom of referring to each other simply by last name. It’s our way of making each other feel like Cher or Sting.

Who is the most surprising artist in current rotation in your iTunes/Spotify?

Outsider Christmas Vol. 1. A mixtape of the most amazing Christmas songs ever recorded that was a treasured gift and includes the incomparable “What Child Is This” by Jingle Cats and the perfect “Jingle Bells” by the Children of the Inpatient Music Therapy Program by University of Michigan’s Children’s Psychiatric Hospital.

If you were a candle, what scent would you be?

DeLuisian Dream

What literary character or story do you most relate to?

It’s a dead tie between the gravediggers in Hamlet and Gravedigger the Monster Truck.

 

Back to the Mothership. Pic by @macnet

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What’s your favorite word?

Grave.

What’s your best physical attribute?

Digging!

If you were an instrument, which one would you be?

The honorable Saxamaphone.

 

Sanctuary City

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Banjo, mando, or dobro?

If you’re gonna cut through the clutter, it’s gotta be a fiddle.

Are you more a thinking or feeling type?

This is making me paranoid. I need a hug!

Urban or rural?

I need both of them. Just like I need a hotdog AND a beer, a grilled cheese AND tomato soup, an omelet AND a beer. Yin Yang cymbals. You eat the city and then drink the country and then sleep on the beach.

Photo credit: Neil Santos

Traveler: Your Guide to Sedona

Posted on by Editor

Whether you’re finding spiritual healing at the “vortexes,” hiking Coffee Pot Rock, or practicing morning meditation at a wellness spa, Sedona, Arizona, is brimming with opportunities for introspection. Touted as the “red rock playground,” the town is informed by the landscape and is home to many sacred structures, including labyrinths, stupas, and medicine wheels.

Stemming from Native American influences, Sedona’s immense metaphysical community offers healers, intuitives, and spiritual guides. Deep, red canyons and clear, star-studded skies make every turn look like a movie backdrop, which is why John Wayne has visited more than once.

Getting There

Sedona is centrally located two hours north of Phoenix, two hours south of the Grand Canyon, and 30 miles south of Flagstaff, so the opportunities for day trips are numerous. The closest major airport is the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). While in Sedona, trolleys are an admittedly touristy, but albeit worth it way to see the area. Try the Sedona Trolley or the Red Rock Magic Trolley.

Where to Stay

You can go as high-brow or as bare-bones as you like with style ranging from wellness spas to camping in a canyon. Sumptuous retreats like Enchantment Resort and Red Agave Resort offer wellness packages and all-inclusive experiences. If you’re looking for a more humble abode (read: cheaper), La Petite Sedona fits the bill and has expansive views of the red rocks. Accommodations in Sedona are one of the most enchanting parts of the trip, so go all out — you’re on vacation.

Eats & Drinks

Photo: Heartline Café via Heartline Café’s Facebook

First settled because of the year-round water and fertile soil, Sedona was well-positioned to become the culinary hotspot it is now. Trout from Oak Creek and wine from grapes grown on Arizona’s lush hillsides are menu staples. Check out Heartline Café for fresh and healthy food with a view of the red rocks and a dog-friendly patio. Coffee Pot Restaurant is your go-to for a diner-style restaurant and aptly named after Coffee Pot Rock, of which you’ll have spectacular views while eating omelettes.

As you might expect, you can find some crunchy restaurants like ChocolaTree Organic Oasis, whick only uses “local artesian well water” to create their menu of entirely organic and gluten-free goods. Sound Bites Grill has a robust live music calendar, ranging from jazz to rock and serves a full menu including “Fleetwood Mac & Cheese.” For Arizona brews, head to Oak Creek Brewery and Grill for multi-award-winning beer and a full menu.

The Arts

Photo: Gallery Sculptures by Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

A definably artful town, Sedona’s hand-woven rugs, Western bronzes, and turquoise adorn every gallery along Gallery Row. Native American influences are dominant in local art. German Dada artist Max Ernst’s most famous work, Capricorn, was inspired by the rugged landscape in Sedona, where he lived for years. The Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (pronounced T-la-keh-pah-keh) is fashioned after a traditional Mexican village and was originally conceived as an artists’ haven — this spot is the go-to for seeing and buying handmade local art.

The Outdoors

Photo: Cathedral Rock by Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

Not only are the surrounding red rocks and canyons astonishing, they are also easily accessible, presenting a world of hiking and biking trails. The red rock formations were named after their shapes and offer some pretty humorous titles from Coffee Pot Rock to Snoopy and Woodstock. Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock are two popular hikes. Bell Rock is also one of the most prominent vortex sites in Sedona, if you buy into the notion of Earth’s energy converging in a swirling concentration. A popular tourist destination, local healers and intuitives categorize the vortexes as female, male, or balanced and tout their positive effect on the body and human consciousness, although there’s no electricity involved.

Photo: Chapel of the Holy Cross by Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is an old Catholic church built into the rock formations — an architectural feat free for the public to explore.

Festivals

Yep, they deserve their very own category in this bumpin’ festival destination town. There’s a festival for every hobby. Bird watcher? The Sedona Hummingbird Festival brings bird onlookers to town in July. Music fan? You’ll love the Red Rocks Music Festival. Film fiend? The Sedona International Film Festival in February brings worldwide talent to town. Wino? Taste local spirits at the Sedona Winefest. Bike lover’s rejoice! The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival highlights the bike culture and expansive trail network in town yearly.

Lede photo by Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

A Minute in Harrisonburg with the Steel Wheels

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to “A Minute In …” — a BGS feature that turns our favorite artists into hometown reporters. In our latest column, Trent Wagler from the Steel Wheels takes us on a tour of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Little Grill Collective: This was one of the first venues we ever played — it’s also the stage where Jay and I first played together before we were a band. That stage boasts legendary stories of early shows by Old Crow Medicine Show, Hackensaw Boys, and Larry Keel, and Little Grill’s heart for the local community inspired Our Community Place, a community center across the street. We recommend Lambert’s Platter or the Blue Monkey pancakes. Good luck getting a table on Sunday morning!

Shenandoah Bicycle Company: Harrisonburg is a biking town. There are great mountain biking trails, road cycling opportunities, and a bike coalition that’s working to build commuting infrastructure into the city planning for everyone. Shenandoah Bicycle Company has been a hub for the cycling community for years. The Steel Wheels are a bike-friendly band, and you can find many of us pedaling around on and off tour.

Wonder Records: When I need help with my record player — or need to sift through new or used albums — I go to Wonder. Started as a skate shop, the charm of this store continues to be the owner’s eye for the obscure and weird musical artifacts at auction. He’s constantly getting in vintage amps, instruments, and electronics that he’ll tinker with until he gets it ready to sell. It’s hip enough to make you feel cool when you enter, but authentic to its core. This isn’t a part of the vinyl fad; this is an exploration of all the mediums. That reminds me, I need to get ahold of a tape deck.

Friendly City Food Co-op: Every community needs a food cooperative. It may be a little pricey to get all your groceries there, but it’s good to know you can go to a store where they make it a priority to know where the food comes from and to source it as locally and healthily as they can. On an early bicycle tour, we helped spread the word about Friendly City and, when they opened their doors, we played the party. Getting groceries doesn’t have to be a pain, and it feels good to go to this place. Crystalized ginger, yum.

Natural Chimneys Regional Park: Although the friendly city is a fine place to unwind, to really understand our area, you need to get outside the city limits. No place is better than the beautiful Natural Chimneys Park in Augusta County. It’s a year-round campground with ties to a local jousting club (look it up), but more notably for us, it is where we hold the Red Wing Roots Music Festival each July. This has become one of the highlights of our year as we host a three-day music festival with a wide range of Americana/roots artists in a gorgeous Virginia setting.

Blue Mountain Brewery: Up Afton Mountain, you’ll find another one of the band’s earliest friends in the area, Blue Mountain Brewery. Years ago, when we were first starting out and the brewery was young, we’d play Sunday afternoon gigs on their deck. The brewery grew and built onto the deck, and we don’t get up there to play much anymore, but they still serve great food and beer within miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Taylor and Mandi bring smart, quality products to the table: The Full Nelson IPA or the Dark Hollow are really good, but our favorite is the Steel Wheels ESB with our faces on the bottle.

Klines’s Dairy Bar: They offer three flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and the flavor of the week. It’s a local staple in the Shenandoah Valley. When we first started playing music, we busked in front of the long lines waiting for their ice cream on summer nights. We honed our skills a little more each time and, usually, we’d get a free ice cream cone at the end of the night.

Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint/Laughing Dog Productions: Sitting side by side on Main Street, you’ll find Jack Brown’s and Laughing Dog. We like to stay local as much as possible, so Laughing Dog Productions has always been the screen printer we’ve used for our t-shirts. They’re family-owned and operated and fine artists/craftspeople. If you’re waiting for your shirts and it’s time to eat, you can try to find a spot at Jack Brown’s. This simple and small beer-burgery is known for a small eclectic menu large on beer taps. It’s a comfort-food master class. If burgers aren’t your thing, they do wings at Billy Jack’s next door.

Court Square: In the center of downtown Harrisonburg is Court Square — home to a theater of the same name where we’ve had local release shows in the past. The square is the place where local activists made a ruckus when the travel ban was enacted. Harrisonburg is a proudly diverse community representing many cultures. During the summer, in front of the courthouse, there are free Friday night concerts or films (Fridays on the Square, we’ve played a few) that are fun for the whole family.

Honorable Mention — Foam Henge: In the category of “beguiling roadside attractions,” no other oddity has captured our band more fully than the life-size styrofoam replica of Stonehenge near Natural Bridge, Virginia. According to our sources, Foamhenge is now closed, but it had a beautiful combination of creative/artistic endeavor and mysterious quirk that you had to see to believe. Some of the finer touches included creepy signs from the artist describing how he “hides and watches” visitors to deter vandalism.

Lede photo credit: Sandlin Gaither

A Minute In Charlottesville with Lowland Hum

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to “A Minute In …” — a BGS feature that turns our favorite artists into hometown reporters. In our latest column, Charlottesville, Virginia’s Lowland Hum takes us on a tour of their favorite places for donuts, bagels, and scenic strolls. The husband-and-wife duo of Daniel and Lauren Goans just released their newest album, Thin.

We moved to Charlottesville a little over two years ago after experiencing small slices of its unique creative community when passing through on tour. However, we spent the bulk of our first year based in C-ville away from home, on the road. While we have travelled a little less this year, I feel the first year of our time here has influenced the way we approach engagement with what our town has to offer. You’ll hear from everyone about the unique gourmet dining experiences and the beauty of the surrounding farmlands and wine country, and while all of that is true and worth mentioning, in our little snippets of time at home between tours, we have latched on to a handful of inexpensive or free low-key treasures that we continue to prioritize when we have time at home. 

Spudnuts: We lived in the Belmont neighborhood when we first moved to town. On morning walks, we could smell the sugar-glazed glory wafting out from two blocks away. Don’t let its sleepy looking exterior fool you: This place is the real deal. When we have to leave really early in the morning for a tour, a stop at Spudnuts on the way out of town is a mighty consolation. Every visit to Spudnuts is a trip back in time to the ’50s. They’re closed Sundays and Mondays, but all other days, the owners are there, bright and early, standing behind the counter in old-fashioned white aprons, ready to serve up hot, fresh donuts and fritters of several varieties that change with the season. Spudnuts will not try to be a trendy donut shop for you. No salvaged barn wood interior, no cutesy chalkboard signs, or ridiculous toppings. What you can count on is classic confectionary goodness, in unfussy flavors: original glaze, blueberry cake, cruller, chocolate glaze, apple fritter, and a few seasonal extras like original glaze with coconut or maple glazed. As soon as they sell out, they close up shop, so remember to bring cash and get there early to get yourself a lovely white waxed bag of treats to scarf or share, depending on your mood. 


Riverview Park: Tucked back in the Woolen Mills neighborhood is Riverview Park. It has become our go-to for a quick refresh. It consists of a playground, some picnic tables, and a couple of winding paths, one of which runs alongside the Rivanna River. Our favorite features of Riverview Park are the places along the path where, with a little care, you can make your way down the embankment to small, sandy banks for a dip in the river. We were recording our album in town this Summer and a short trip to Riverview to wade up the sandy-bottommed river did wonders for our minds when we got too inside our heads during recording sessions. We have been really thankful to have such easy access to water and natural areas, and being only a four-minute drive from downtown, Riverview Park is one of our favorite nearby places to reset.


Bodo’s Bagels: Bodo’s is an original Charlottesville favorite, with three locations in town. Our favorite is the one on Preston Avenue, where the staff is genuine and kind in a way that can’t be forced or taught. There is always a line at Bodo’s and for good reason: The New York-style water bagels are made fresh all day (I have never had one that wasn’t hot off the press), and can be made into nearly any kind of sandwich with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, cream cheese varieties made in-house, solid coffee, and great vegetarian and vegan options. Their salads and soups are just as popular as their bagels and just as fresh. Service is fast and everything is so reasonably priced that we are often astounded when we hear the total of our order. The music is always on point — a mixture of obscure hits of the ’60s, timeless jazz, and top notch Stax and Motown. Bodo’s became a regular breakfast, lunch, and coffee break stop for us this Summer when we were recording our album in a friend’s attic just down the road. 


Beer Run: Beer Run is a local beer and wine shop with a full bar and restaurant attached. It is our favorite spot for a low-key celebration and a no-brainer when we don’t have energy to prepare dinner after a long day in the studio. With a rotating list of award-winning beers on draft (and every other beer imaginable for purchase in the shop), it’s the place to go for a good brew. The restaurant serves a wide range of plates, all made with organic and locally sourced ingredients, but our favorite, by far, is the “Beer Run Nachos.” One mountain-sized order of black bean nachos is enough to fill us both to maximum capacity. Whether we are marking a milestone or passing a sunny Saturday afternoon on the patio with beers and friends, Beer Run is our favorite spot. 


The Garage: The Garage is both exactly what it sounds like and so much more. It is a prime example of the magic of Charlottesville’s creative community. The Garage is a one-car garage facing the edge of a downtown park that functions as a gallery, music venue, and community hub. This is not your garden variety, cobbled-together, volunteer-run community center. It is a small-scale, well-oiled music venue and carefully curated gallery space. At least one excellent local artist’s work is artfully displayed on the exposed brick walls under clean track lighting, with a full-scale art opening the first Friday of every month, complete with price lists, hors d’ouvres, and wine. The concert series features great acts from all over the world, multiple nights a week in the warmer months. Bands perform within the mouth of the garage, facing the park, and people gather across the street on the grassy knoll with blankets, picnics, dogs, and children. A jar is passed and all donations go to the bands. After the concert, people are encouraged to chat with the performers and come inside to view the art show of the month. It is a true community gem, offering professionally led writing and craft workshops, readings, and even a bring-your-own picnic and music lunch hour in the Summer for folks working in the downtown area. Check their schedule online to see if your visit to Charlottesville coincides with any of their many magical events. There is nothing quite like wandering up to the soft glow of the garage on a balmy evening to camp out on the hill with friends and soon-to-be friends, take in the sunset, and enjoy a night of good music. Though every event is well-planned, experiencing one first-hand feels like the definition of serendipity.

Photos by Lowland Hum, Eric Kelley, and Lisa Boggs

10 of the Best Pumpkin Brews in the U.S. of A.

Posted on by Editor

With Halloween around the corner and election day shortly after, it's as good a time as any to stock up on the one beverage that can singlehandedly get you through both your awkward company Halloween party and all of your Trump-related ails (get it?): pumpkin beer! Since you can now buy just about anything in "pumpkin spice" flavor — Pumpkin spice kale chips? America, you have officially jumped the shark! — it's no easy task to wade through all of the pumpkin brews out there. Below are 10 of our favorite pumpkin ales (in no particular order) from 10 of our favorite states. 

Blackstone Pumpkin Ale

Nashville's Blackstone Brewing Company has the seasonal flavor game on lock (Their Summer brew, Strawberry Picnic, is not to be missed!), and their Pumpkin Ale is one of the best around. At 5.1 percent ABV, it's a drinkable beer that, unlike some pumpkin brews, actually tastes like pumpkin. 

Ballast Point Pumpkin Down

This pumpkin-flavored Scottish Ale from San Diego's Ballast Point Brewing Company has notes of toffee and caramel in addition to roasted pumpkin. It has a tiny bit of spice, too, so it pairs well with your spicier fall fare.

New Belgium Pumpkick

In addition to your usual pumpkin juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, this ale from Fort Collins, Colorado's New Belgium Brewing has both cranberries and lemongrass in the mix, making for a tart but balanced taste.

Southern Tier Brewing Company Pumking

Southern Tier's take on pumpkin ale takes cues from the venerable pumpkin pie, incorporating flavors of roasted pecans and buttery crust alongside traditional ingredients like allspice and nutmeg. And the Lakewood, New York, brewery doesn't skimp on the ABV, either — this one's a respectable 8.6 percent. 

Schlafly Pumpkin Ale

St. Louis's Schlafly is one of the country's most-respected craft breweries, and the same can be said for its Pumpkin Ale. Currently, thanks to its strong pumpkin flavor and (let's be honest) generous 8 percent ABV, it sits at #4 on Beer Advocate's "Top Rated Beers: Pumpkin Ale" list. 

Wicked Weed Xibalba

The word "xibalba" might not conjure images of pumpkins, but that's because it's a Mayan word that translates to "place of fear" and also refers to the entrance to a mythological underworld. Duh! It's also the name of Asheville, North Carolina's Wicked Weed Brewing's Imperial Pumpkin Ale, which mixes traditional Fall flavors with ancho chiles, habanero peppers, and cacao nibs.

Saint Arnold Pumpkinator

Taking the top spot on Beer Advocate's "Top Rated Beers: Pumpkin Ale" list, this imperial stout is chock full of flavors — molasses, brown sugar, and caramel to name a few — and is sure to get you through even the worst storm of pre-election Trump tweets with its 10 percent ABV.

Terrapin Pumpkinfest

A German-style ale made with real pumpkin, this brew from Athens, Georgia's Terrapin Beer Co. is a staple for any Autumn fun.

Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale

If you love Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, you'll dig its pumpkin-spiced cousin. The Lexington-born brew is aged in bourbon barrels and has a 10 percent ABV to prove it.

Elysian Brewing Company Great Pumpkin Ale

It's the Great Pumpkin Ale, Charlie Brown! It's also a delicious, spiced brew that incorporates roasted pumpkin seeds and extra pumpkin into its mash. Good grief, indeed!

For some spirited tunes to go with your spirits and brews …

Lede photo credit: abbyladybug via Foter.com / CC BY-NC

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Root 66: Lowlight’s Roadside Favorites

Posted on by Amy Reitnouer

Name: Lowlight
Hometown: Asbury Park, NJ
Latest Project: Where Do We Go from Here

Burger: Milwaukee is Beer City. There is a buzz about the place, as if the entire town just pounded three rounds and is onto the next. Where there is beer, there are burgers; and we found a mind-blowingly good one at Sobelman's Pub 'N Grill. Friends of ours ordered something called "The Beast" — a huge bloody mary with an entire chicken sticking out of it, which also includes an additional four beers to chase it all with. We were intrigued, so we went there for dinner and we were not disappointed. We got a round of brews and burgers, all of which was beyond perfection. We highly recommend.

Backstage Hang: By far, our favorite backstage hang is at Codfish Hollow in Maquoketa, Iowa, which is an amazing barn-turned-venue out amongst the cornfields of the Midwest. Underneath the barn where the main stage is, there's a gated green room area. There's a beautiful spread of food prepared by the barn's owner, Tiffany Costello Biehl, drinks as per the bands' requests, and a couch made out of hay stacks. The hospitality extends to Tiffany's house slightly away from the show area, where she welcomes all the bands to hang out, rest up, shower up … whatever they need. In addition to the farm animals milling about, there's also artwork to be seen all over the vast property. It was a really friendly, fun, engaging environment, and by far the best "backstage hang" we've ever experienced.

Tourist Attractions: Two things here: Colin, our drummer, has been a life-long dedicated Chicago Bulls fan. He was one of those 10-year-olds who was not from Chicago, but became obsessed with Michael Jordan in his prime and has never turned his back on the team since. But for all of his travels to and from Chicago throughout the years, Colin had never seen the statue of MJ that sits outside of the United Center where the Bulls play. So our pilgrimage to the Michael Jordan statue stands out in our minds as one of the better tourist attractions we've been to. 

We also visited the Mars Cheese Castle in Wisconsin on our way to Milwaukee. That place is ridiculous! Enough cheese for a nation of mice. At our show later that day, Renee mentioned over the microphone that we had stopped there. The audience was quick to tell us that it's a tourist trap and locals don't go there. We figured as much, but we maintain that we had fun and it is worth pulling over for, if you're from out of state and looking to stretch your legs and munch on some cheese curds.

 

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Driving Album: This isn't an album as much as it is a mix or playlist, but we had one entire day that we dubbed "Lords of Synth" day — named after an Adult Swim special of the same name where they parody Vangelis, Wendy Carlos, and Giorgio Moroder. We started off with Vangelis, cranking "Titles" as we left Chicago and began our journey to the next gig. There's nothing like listening to the most epic music ever composed while you're waiting in a Wendy's parking lot. On the highway, we segued into some Wendy Carlos, and then the anchor leg, as we neared our destination, was Moroder. There was a twinkle in our keyboardist Dana's eye as new keyboard inspiration was settling in. Lords of Synth day was one for the books.

Day Off Activity: Laundry. You never know when something like laundry is going to get interesting. We were hurting for some clean clothes and found a random laundromat deep in the farmlands of Illinois. What we thought would be an innocuous stop ended up being an experience! We had some downtime as our clothes were flopping around in the laundry machines. Dana and Colin decided to play catch, while Renee decided to go to the back of the parking lot with her guitar and work on some songs. A man next door who happened to be mowing his lawn noticed Renee wearing her hat, as she always does. He stopped what he was doing and came up to the fence and asked her if she wanted some hats of his that didn't fit anymore. He then brought back two beautiful cowboy hats, boxes and all. We were all amazed, confused, grateful. We resumed playing catch and guitar as some laundromat regulars filtered in. They were a little perplexed by the "music in the parking lot" and asked Renee to come inside to play for them. She played them some Willie Nelson and Townes Van Zandt songs, an impromptu concert in the laundromat! Then the owner of the joint took us next door to her house, where she gave us vegetables from her garden to take with us on the road. Unbelievable. These are the kinds of beautiful, unexpected moments that only happen on tour. Cheers to the Holiday Laundromat in Moline, Illinois!

Also: Hiking. Seems obvious, if not a little mundane. "It's our day off, let's take a walk!" Some of the most memorable experiences we've had on tour have been breaking out our walking boots and hitting the trails — be it in Racine, Iowa, in the cliffs above Lake Michigan, by the flowing waters of Shohola Falls, Pennsylvania, or amongst the saguaros of Tuscon, Arizona. After spending so much time in bars and the van, getting out into nature and going for a hike becomes particularly refreshing for both body and mind.

Car Game: We've got a couple of car games up our sleeves, but the highlight of this past run was a music trivia game that Colin brought. It was probably made in the mid-2000s but also dealt with trivia going back to the '60s. We all thought we were music gurus, but our bassist Rey won in a landslide. Although luck of the draw kept giving him throwaway questions like, "Who was the lead singer for The Doors?" he still showed an impressive range of knowledge from Extreme to Destiny's Child. This game also featured the game-show host excellence of our guitarist, Derril Sellers. He really had the timing down and brought some drama into each question. When you have nothing but time, in a van, these kinds of activities are crucial to stay sane. 

 

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Dive Bar: The Grub 'n Pub in West Branch, Iowa. We pulled into a Days Inn pretty late after one of our shows. As soon as we saw that there was a bar in the hotel, the mood instantly changed from "Let's have a ramen and go to bed" to "It's on!" Our whiskey neats were filled to the brim and dirt cheap to boot. We rocked the jukebox and mingled with the locals. One man called Chi Chi — we came to find out later that his name was really Todd — was particularly memorable. He spoke of his hardships and wore it on his face like a character from a Steinbeck novel. He also kicked our asses at pool. A few of the other patrons found out we're a band and were excited to come to the show the next day in nearby Iowa City. They didn't show up. We think maybe they forgot.

Breakfast Joint: Bang Bang in Chicago. They specialize in biscuits and pot pies, breakfast or lunch foods. We weren't expecting a mouthwateringly amazing breakfast on tour, but Bang Bang delivered. Terrific coffee, terrific food! Bang Bang!

House Concert: Ca d'Zan House Concerts in Cambridge, Illinois. It's a really pleasant, homey environment with both an indoor and an outdoor space for the bands to play, depending on the event. The house belongs to John Taylor who once worked with Daytrotter. John moved out to the suburbs of Illinois to raise his two kids, as well as host shows on his front porch that he had built with the exclusive purpose of being a stage for his events. We had such a great and attentive audience the night we played and met so many cool people. It was a beautiful night there — one we won't forget. 

 

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Podcast: When playing music every night and listening to quite a bit of music driving around, it's nice to break it up with someone talking at you for a little bit via a podcast.  Marc Maron's WTF was is our most frequented. He gets such great guests and he's such a stellar interviewer. A few episodes to recommend are his talks with Werner Herzog, John C. Reilly, and Louis C.K. Maron has a brilliant way of both guiding the interview, and also knowing when to take a back seat and let the interviewee do the talking.

Highway Stretch: There's a stretch of road on Highway 20 approaching the historic town of Galena, Illinois, that is a breath of fresh air from the mostly flat, endless cornfields that encompasses the Midwest (within our experiences of it, at least), making it a memorable area of the highway to be on. It's still farm country, but it's hilly and scenic and beautiful. Lush green farmlands and pastures stretching for miles speckled with grazing cows here and there in the distance. It's just dying for some reverbed-out lap steel to be its soundtrack, wafting in the distance. It's also home to Blaum Bros. Distilling Company, which not only makes great whiskey, but also has Big Lebowski, Bill Murray, and Star Wars paraphernalia scattered about its bar like it was curated just for our band. That bit of road could easily be the backdrop for one of our songs. We were happy to come across it in our travels.

Root 66: The Wild Reeds’ Roadside Favorites

Posted on by Amy Reitnouer

Name: The Wild Reeds
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Latest Project: Best Wishes EP

Tacos
: Veracruz breakfast taco truck in Austin, Texas, is bonkers. Try their Migas tacos! We are spoiled when it comes to Mexican food in Los Angeles, but Austin's got the breakfast taco thing goin' on and Veracruz is truly the best.

Health Food: Red Barn Natural Grocery in Eugene, Oregon, became a favorite of ours after playing Sam Bond's Garage a few times. It's small but has character — you know, like granola-hippie-dreadlock-B.O. — and their side café has great breakfast, and ice cream!

Roadside Diner: Walrus and Carpenter wouldn't be considered a diner — it's a gastropub — but it's a "must" every time we are on the East Coast. It's in Black Rock, Connecticut, by the water and it's the best BBQ we've ever had. I know that sounds crazy because that's not what Connecticut is known for. Joe, the owner, has taken good care of us on numerous occasions. We even played a show there this year. Their maple-cured pork belly and their hush puppies are so good. Also … they have CRAZY pies and a full bar. GO THERE. 

 

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Coffee House: Rozz Tox in Rock Island, Illinois, is one of the cooler coffee houses you will ever visit. It's full of funky vintage furniture and bizarre artwork that makes you feel like you've fallen down the rabbit hole. It's family-owned and operated, and they serve hot drinks, killer food, and throw shows in the back. They also have a library upstairs with a record player and a hallway of bunks for bands. Oh, and Saturday morning, (black and white) cartoons!

Vintage Store: We love vintage stores (yes, even the guys do!) and it's hard to choose a favorite, but one, for sure, is House of Vintage in Portland. It's a vintage mall with tons of curated booths and their prices are great. They have EVERYTHING … from combat boots to your grandma's pin collection. It's usually a three-hour affair for us. 

Gear Shop: Our favorite music store is Folk Music Center in Claremont, California. Owned and run by Ben Harper's family, it's become a community pillar of history, culture, live music, lessons, and rare folk instruments. We all have lots of memories playing there, and they are the only ones we trust with our banjo. Revival Drum shop in Portland is also somewhere we try to stop whenever we are in town.

 

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House Concert: In Walla Walla, Washington, there's a kickass family who puts on the Bellsville West house shows and, if you ever get the chance to play there, do it. Some of the most down-to-earth folks, who'll stay up all night around the fire drinkin' wine and talking about stuff that matters. 

Backstage Hang: The Chapel in San Francisco has always been good to us, and their backstage catering is wild. Somehow, you're in an old parish, eating goat cheese pizza and drinking in the baptismal overlooking the crowd. 

Music Festival
: Our favorite music festival is Pickathon in Happy Valley, Oregon. This Summer, we got to play it for the first time and were thrilled. It's an alternate universe where children run free, GOOD music never stops, food is real, and beer flows like water. But really, camping under the stars while listening to music in the woods is heaven! 

 

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Radio Station: King's Radio KZPO 103.3 in Lindsay ( Central Valley) California. If you're coming or going from L.A. to S.F. on I-5, this station is a gem of oldies from the '40s on up, many of which never had air time. They also play original rare versions of songs. It's a tradition for us on our drive home. 

Tour Hobby: We have a few tour hobbies: In the van, we do a lot of embroidery to pass the time. It helps you to not get sucked into your phone for hours, and we've made lots of hand-sewn patches and merch for the band. Our other hobby — more like a problem — is thrifting. We stop at every thrift store we can that's off the beaten path. It's one of the best ways to see into the personality of a city and the people that live there. However, we did a little too much collecting and have now opened an online vintage store called Bandwagon Vintage where you can buy our treasures and continue to fuel our habit.

Driving Album: We have several favorite driving albums, but one of them is Joel Alme's Waiting for the Bells. He's a Swedish artist that somehow harnessed all the world's nostalgia and put it into one soul-filled love-and-loss record. He's got a cool way of singing and it makes you feel good feelings. We put some more of our driving albums in a Spotify playlist called "road jamz" so feel free to take a listen. 

Photo credit: Ryan Cosentino-Roush