Citrus Heights is getting NorCal’s first Smashburger on March 31. My carnivorous friends scattered across the country generally agree that Smashburger is a decent burger, but I don’t really care. I won’t be eating there, as I generally avoid franchise restaurants like the plague, especially if they don’t serve draft beer. And do we really need another pre-programed burger joint in a city full of local businesses serving great, even famous, burgers? Hell no, says I.

I am, however, highly amused by the PR 101 tactics being employed to attract attention. Bands of Sacramento, are you ready for the big time? Are you ready to ROCK SMASHBURGER? (The caps indicate that you are supposed to mentally read that phrase in your most rocking DJ voice. I choose to hear Shadoe Stevens in my head at his most Fred Rated extreme.)

Continue reading “Smashburger coming, seeks hungry rockers” »

The turnout for Sacramento Beer Week has been tremendous. I have seen several events that were practically wall to wall with people enjoying their friends and Sacramento’s finest pints (and schooners, and tulips, and litres, and samplers and chalices and…) and have been genuinely impressed by the quality of events and participation from Sacramento’s beer community.

Independent of the great beer, food and fun, do you know what my favorite part has been?

No douchebags.

Continue reading “SBW – Now douchebag free” »

Two cool events this weekend will help you warm up for Sacramento Beer Week. On Saturday, meet the dead brewers of times gone past. On Sunday, meet brewers of today and watch lots of beer get made. (Please forgive the press release cut and paste. I’m busy.)

Continue reading “Pre-Beer Week Events” »

As part of their 20th anniversary of brewing award winning lagers, Sudwerk is introducing the S-series of limited release beers. Their first release will be a Dunkel Weiss Bock, which is also their first high octane beer topping out at 8% abv. Sudwerk is describing it as smooth and well-balanced, with the yeast and wheat character of a Hefeweizen, the malty richness of a Dunkel, and the strength of a Bock. Since Sudwerk is one of the best damn producers of German-style beer this side of Munich, I am eagerly waiting to try this out. Release is extremely limited, so don’t dilly dally on this if you want to try it. This beer will be like hossenfeffer; hare today and gone tomorrow.

Continue reading “Sudwerk introduces Signature series” »

Guess who’s coming to town? That’s right, the Westboro Baptist Church, an internationally recognized hate group that has been banned by the United Kingdom, will be coming to Sacramento to remind us that we are all sinners doomed to hell. Why? We are all Satan worshipers for following religions such as Judaism, Catholicism or Islam, and America is being punished by God because we embrace homosexuality. They have appeared at the funerals of American soldiers, college students, Michael Jackson, Mr. Rogers, and Jerry Falwell, informing their families, loved ones and the world that the deceased was currently burning in hell for all eternity, and you are next, Satanist!

This Friday they are coming for you.

Continue reading “God hates everybody, especially YOU” »

The Bonn Lair is getting all prettied up for her sixteenth birthday party this Saturday and hopes that her friends will come celebrate with her. Since 1994, countless Sacramentans have enjoyed fine pints, funny English food and funny English sport with her (Americans say sports, the British say sport.) and she will be remembering these fun times with a different beer rolled back to 1994 prices every hour. As Miss Manners directs the birthday girl to send her guests home with a keepsake of the occasion, tickets for chances at fabulous prizes will be given with each beer starting at 6pm.

Bonn Lair
16th Anniversary
Saturday, January 30th
3651 J Street

The History Channel amuses me, as many of their shows seem to be fact checked by contestants on “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader” (the adults, not the kids), yet I still tune in to their shows. Today, I watched The Crumbling of America, which details the disasters that American cities face from our dilapidated infrastructure.

Of course, Sacramento’s levee system is highlighted. My favorite part is their computer simulation of a levee breach in Natomas, which consists of a picture of water superimposed over a picture of Arco Arena. Woo, high tech!

Continue reading “The Crumbling of America” »

The Sac Rag is happy to announce that we are one of the first sponsors to jump on board to support Sacramento Beer Week. Check out the official website and get on the mailing list to keep updated as more than 100 beer-themed events are added over the next month.

Sacramento Beer Week will not only feature Sacramento’s fantastic local breweries, but will present domestic and international breweries in beer tastings, beer dinners and more. What beer or brewery do you hope to see featured during Sacramento Beer Week?

I was hungry, so my trusty dog and I were chasing the wild chickens that inhabit hobotown on the North side of Boulevard Park. Hot on the trail, we crashed under a chainlink fence and were surprised to find a musical combo practicing their hot licks. We sat in the dirt and enjoyed their raising a ruckus for the local hobos that tolerated their caterwauling so they could cop a squat next to their barrel fire and catch a whiff of their manly musk. We passed a jug, kicked the dirt and roasted chickens until the night became blurry and uncomfortable.

Thankfully, I had forgotten most of that night until today, when I saw an ad for a hootenanny at Luna’s tonight. Sure enough, it was those two fine smelling gentlemen grinning out from the photo, bringing back terrible memories of undercooked poultry and a two week battle with the hobo flu. The only good recollection I have of that night is the toe tapping tunes and sharp wit of the Freebadge Serenaders that had me holding my belly with laughter and indigestion.

Keith Lowell Jensen’s Wednesday Night Comedy
at
Luna’s Cafe and Juice Bar (1414 16th Street)
8pm, $5

The Shack is kicking off December with their annual Christmas and Holiday Beer Tasting this Tuesday at 6pm. If you have not been to one of The Shack’s Tuesday night parties, you are missing out on Sacramento’s best opportunity to try beer that you have probably never had. Every Tuesday, owners Gary and Jen Sleppy feature anywhere from five to a dozen different beers, frequently with a food pairing for the offering, be it Belgian, German, or other.

This Tuesday, The Shack will offer a dozen different holiday beers, mostly Belgians with a few Americans. Chef Sleppy (that’s Gary) will have a buffet spread of food (bigger than appetizers, smaller than a meal) to accompany the beverages, and patrons will also get to take home a Belgian beer glass, all for $25. If you have not been to The Shack in the four years since the Sleppys have owned it, you are missing out on one of the best American pubs in the area, with handmade food and impeccable selection of beer and wine. I am expecting that the evening will be topped with Gary’s homemade truffles.

Check out the list of the delicious beers they expect to serve. A few others will be added before Tuesday. RSVPs are strongly encouraged.

Continue reading “Holiday beer tasting at The Shack” »