Adult Beverage Establishments

Just a quick note about recent developments, all in the city.

The Wedge, at Bates & Virginia, just steps from the iconic, the glorious, the almighty Iron Barley, has transformed itself from...something else...into a proper rock & roll bar. Small stage upstairs, pix of punk icons on the walls, and a TCB beer selection. Stag drinkers of Dutchtown, we salute you.

Mattingly Brewing Co. at Jefferson & Crittenden, in Benton Park, has started allowing glimpses of their upcoming house beers. Once a week, the brewers feature a Peek-a-Brew: samples of two styles that may be on tap soon. Check out the website or stlhops.com for details. Be on time--shit goes fast.

Lastly, The Bleeding Deacon is having its grand opening this Saturday, December 15th. What's the name mean? Does it matter? What we know is that this joint at Gravois & Chippewa bleeds South Side cool, with a big nod to scooter culture. Are they mod or rocker? Just shut up and have a Curly Dog. (Beer selection's nice too.)

Anniversary of Repeal of Prohibition

On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment fully repealed the 18th Amendment. Seventy-five years ago, we ended one of the more destructive experiments that this country has undertaken. Make sure to spend Friday educating yourself about this tragedy and celebrating the day we came to our senses.

Here's some fun little bits to get you started:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPmnqXV-ZfE (August Busch Jr's 1933 radio address)
http://www.prohibitionrepeal.com/
http://newyork.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/roundup/repeal-day-in-nyc/805347/content
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:The_Drunkard%27s_Progress_-_B%26W.jpg

Beer on NPR

I've been lucky enough to stumble across a coupla radio shows about beer lately and, compared to the usual cringe-inducing ignorance displayed by most hosts/journalists, Ira Flatow does a pretty good job. Good selection of experts, decent average-guy-but-not-dumbass questions, overall clear, entertaining, informative final product. Pour a nice one and give a listen:
http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200811283