It’s time again to ring in a new year and we want to ring it in with you! Come join us for Black Star Co-op merriment and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

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For our last Wednesday Special Tap of 2011, we are excited to serve Stone’s Vertical Epic 11.11.11. Released once a year in very limited amounts, this year’s batch starts as a Belgian-inspired strong amber-brown colored ale, but Stone’s twist combines an interesting mix of hops, cinnamon, and Anaheim chillis from New Mexico’s Hatch Valley. The end result is 9.4% ABV, 65 IBUs, and is certainly unique treat for the colder weather!

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Keep this colorful glass when you order this classic winter seasonal, the Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop Ale. While they modified the name of the beer for last year’s release, this has been a solid IPA for years. It’s brewed using full cone hops, and “dry-hopped for a lively, intense aroma” with fresh Cascade and Centennial hops.

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From one of Belgium’s most esteemed breweries comes a Christmas version of their Abt. 12, a strong dark brown-colored Belgian ale with incredible depth. While there isn’t much information online about their Christmas Ale, we do know that it’s 10% ABV, very limited release, and is perfect for the holiday season! This special ale is must-try for fans of their Abt. 12, a Quadruppel-style ale which we sell in 750mL corked bottles.

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We love our peated Scotch ale, Epsilon, especially when it’s aged in Balcones barrels. Because we love it so much, we’re holding a special event for it, featuring Jared Himstedt, Production Manager & Distiller of Balcones Distillery & Jeff Young, Brewer at Black Star Co-op. We will have this special release of Epsilon on tap until it’s gone, and for this event only, patrons can bring any Balcones Distillery product to consume on site! Other surprise treats may be available.

*There is only a small amount of special release Epsilon available, so come early.*

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After hours of tasting 16 of the best homebrews by our Member-Owners, 6 judges (3 Black Star Co-op Directors and 3 Austin Homebrew Supply Professionals) chose the top 3 beers for our 2011 Homebrew Competition. The stakes were high; the competition was stiff…the judges were tipsy. Without further ado, here are the winners and their prizes:

3rd Place–Ty Wolosin (awesome organic pale ale with Serrano peppers), $25 Black Star Co-op Gift Certificate
2nd Place–Chris Lehr (big ol’ yummy barley wine), $25 Black Star Co-op Gift Certificate and $25 Austin Homebrew Supply Gift Certificate
1st Place–James Machin (“The Depths of Despair” Imperial Stout with juniper berries, licorice, and oak…really, the name says it all), $25 Black Star Co-op Gift Certificate and the beer is going to be brewed on our equipment for sale at the brewpub (in February, most likely).

Congratulations to the winners, props to all the other Member-Owners that entered excellent beer, a big ol’ thanks to Austin Homebrew Supply for donating the gift certificate and helping judge, high fives to our Directors that helped judge, and hugs to beers.

The winner:





















The judges:

(L-R: Forest Rogness, Luke Morrison, Andy Higgins, John Brack, Dr Erin O’Bryant, Dr Mark Wochner)

Here’s a nice little review of the Local Brew Fest held at our Co-op on Dec. 10, 2011.

Come try our release of our first holiday cask ale. HoliDEE is a cask-conditioned version of Double Dee spiced with vanilla bean, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.

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“Companion” is the newest release in Brooklyn Brewery’s draft-only Brewmaster’s Reserve series. It’s a Wheatwine, which is a relatively American-style strong ale similar to a Barley Wine, but uses a significant portion of wheat malt, giving it a deceptive lightness in color and body, as well as pleasant carbonation and mouthfeel.

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Tony, from Rahr, will be here hosting a Winter Warmer glass night. Buy the beer, keep the “kickass Winter Warmer glass,” while supplies last.

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