It is physically impossible to write a blog about our fan favorite, Sledgehammer, without referencing Peter Gabriel’s classic song and forward-thinking music video. So, let’s just go ahead and get it out of the way:
And now for something completely different!
Come get “Hammered” (responsibly, of course) Wednesday, May 2nd at 5:00 for the tapping of the ever-popular, never-here-long-enough, when-will-it-be-back-on-tap seasonal, Sledgehammer! This impressive heavy-hitting Double IPA clocks in at 132 IBU’s and 8% alcohol by volume. Just like its namesake, the 3rd Infantry Division, Sledgehammer doesn’t take guff from anyone, so you best be beer-fit if you plan to tango with this bold batch of ale. And while you’re in, check out the Sledgehammer we had fashioned and dedicated to the 3rd Infantry Division, hanging displayed on the wall in the dining area. Those guys are true heroes and we want to let them know everyday how much we look up to them. And what better way than honoring them with our signature seasonal.
Sledgehammer’s orange-amber color is enticing, but the intensely hoppy aroma warns you that this beer is not for amateurs. The taste is deliciously aggressive- strong grapefruit up front with a citrusy bite and a malty backbone at the end. The hops linger on your tongue, getting it ready for the next intense sip.
Like enemy combatants retreating from the 3rd Infantry Division, most foods would shrink away at the taste of the Sledgehammer, but the Cannon’s newly strengthened menu is more than up to the challenge. Try pairing the Sledgehammer with our Hickory Smoked BBQ Ribs, our new Pulled Pork Sandwich, or Mrs. Jeter’s Petite Top Sirloin.
Again, this is everyone’s favorite seasonal and will only be available for a limited time. We recommend you get here promptly Wednesday at 5pm! And then come back pretty much everyday after that. After all, like Peter Gabriel sang, with Sledgehammer “the amusement never ends.”
You might have noticed some things are looking a little bit different these days.
First, there are the new “Tour of Duty” shirts. This is some sweet swag. Represent your favorite beer, or better yet, go the sampler route and get them all!
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And, there’s the new menu! The kitchen is putting out some tasty dishes that you’re going to want to come in and try out soon. From spicy milk battered Calamari to Southwestern Spicy Pork Eggrolls, Fried Catfish Sandwiches to the delicious Downtown Brown’s Meatloaf, there is a new plate for every palate! And save room for dessert. Try the Moon Pie Banana Pudding. Not only is it scrumptious – it’s served in a mason jar you can take home with you!
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But, at the Cannon Brew Pub, of course BEER takes precedence. Which brings us to the most important new development here: our new seasonal!
Ladies and gentlemen, we give you: Brown-Eyed Girl.
An interesting twist on an old beer style, Brown-Eyed Girl is made in the manner of a classic English nut-brown ale and includes almost a whole pound of fresh Tahitian vanilla beans for a unique, but harmonizing vanilla kick.
The vanilla smell of this brew is unmistakable. At first taste, you get a smack of complex flavors: vanilla, caramel, apple, and a slight hint of chocolate and roasted nuts. The finish is clean and doesn’t coat your tongue.
The Brown-Eyed Girl complements the sweeter and more savory items on our menu. Try it with our new Pulled Pork Sandwich or the classic Grilled Alaskan Salmon or Hickory Smoked BBQ Ribs. Any dessert will set it off right nicely, too!
We’ll be tapping Brown-Eyed Girl Wednesday, April 11th at 5 o’clock, so plan to come out and join us for what will surely prove to be a sweet, sweet seasonal, indeed!
Our Pink Booted Brewer Heather McReynolds comes from a long line of beer makers. You could even say that beer is in her blood.
Though if you’re in law enforcement, we promise it is below the legal limit.
Heather recalls this bit of family lore passed down from her great-grandfather over dinner:
His parents hadn’t paid much attention to the whole Prohibition thing. They just kept brewing their personal line of delicious beer.
As so often happens, the Feds caught wind of the wort and came a calling. The Man destroyed what they found, asking Heather’s great-great-grandmother if her family was into distribution, the implication being they’d be back if the answer was in the affirmative.
Her reply: “We don’t make enough to sell- we drink it all too fast.”
Heather’s great-grandfather told a lot of tall tales over dinner. He also always ate rye bread with his nightly meal. Something that always stuck with her; always made her think of him.
That’s why the new Cannon Spring Seasonal is her dedication to him – T’s Rye Pale Ale.
Rye, you say?
Indeed.
Rye is becoming popular again in the craft beer world. It’s use in brewing began in medieval Germany and this seasonal brew is a nod to that tradition with the use of only fresh German rye, barley and hops.
Only T’s Rye Pale Ale’s complex aroma matches it’s inviting yellow-orange hue. The brew’s bouquet is that of grainy spice and mellow hops, with some subtle earthy tones. Flavor wise, the brew tastes of bready, grainy notes with a subtle kick of rye and hop spice. The German hops used in the brew, Northern Brewer and Tettang, add a unique hop profile that’s unattainable by American hops, and is the perfect accompaniment to a warm March afternoon on the patio overlooking uptown Columbus.
T’s Rye Pale Ale pairs well with most of our menu. For starters, try it with our Drunken Mussels for a refreshing complement. For your main entrée, try pairing it with our Blackened Chicken Pasta, a Cannon Cheese Burger, or the German-inspired Pretzel Ham Melt.
So, join us Monday, March 12th at 5 o’clock here at the Cannon to celebrate T’s love of rye bread, the McReynolds’ family wry wit, and the resurgence of the rye grain in the brewing arts with a pint of T’s Rye Pale Ale.
Unlike Heather’s great-great grandmother, we make enough to sell.
But don’t wait too long.
Because like Heather’s great-great grandmother, we drink fast.
There is something going on this Sunday, but we can’t really say. We’d like to reference this massive sporting event, but it takes so much pride in its brand that it will track down any and all business promotions that are deemed to be brandishing their trademark for “unauthorized commercial use” and sic Ndamukong Suh on them.
Needless to say, getting stomped by a “boy named Suh” doesn’t appeal to us in the least, so we’ll just refer to said Sunday as “the Big Game” and trust your deductive reasoning hasn’t been dampered by copious amount of “Kicks In The Berries.”
So, what do you plan on doing for “the Big Game?”
Before you answer that, consider the hassle of buying what would amount to your family’s weight in snacks, cooking finger foods for your rowdy friends, and then after the final commercial rolls and the Lombardi Trophy has been raised (that last reference may get us a “Cease & Desist”) looking forward to cleaning up the morning after.
Now, imagine a magical place with seven HD TVs all tuned into the Battle Between Foxborough and the Big Apple, the best Bowl spread you’ve ever grazed on, and, above all, beer, beer, beer, beer, and more beer.
Wings? We got ‘em. Pizza? How about the best in town! And beer? Do you even need to ask?
It should be clear to see, even with a mild concussion, that the Cannon is the *perfect* place to spend a super Sunday (see what we did there?). Whether you are feeling patriotic or are looking to stand on the shoulders of giants, there is a table for you and your team here at the Cannon Brew Pub.
2012. This much buzzed-about year has finally arrived. And we here at the Cannon Brew Pub are buzzing, too.
Not because of the Mayan Prophecy.
Not because of a certain election we’ve been hearing about in the news.
Nor yet another Super Bowl featuring the Patriots.
No, we’re buzzing because this year the Cannon will grow in ways not seen since opening our doors back in ’99 to the best beer drinkers in the Southeast.
Well, either that or the fact that we just got to sample Heather’s newest seasonal, Kick in the Berries.
Wow. It would be easy to get carried away with this porter. Our Pink-Booted brewer found inspiration in the delicious pairing of chocolate and dark fruits, blending plenty of authentic British chocolate malt, a bit of hops for balance, and over 50 pounds of fresh blackberries, raspberries, and cherries into her new brew.
And yes – it tastes as good as it sounds. But wait until you see it! At first glance, Kick in the Berries looks like most porters with its rich, deep chocolate color. However, holding it up to the light, you can also see a shimmering shade of deep red.
Aroma, you ask? Oh, yeah. It’s got that, too. When you bring the pint to your lips, you’ll notice the deliciously dark fruit scent right away. Get your nose deep enough into Berries’ bouquet and you’ll also sense the slight bready, roasted, and apple-ly aromas as well.
Perhaps the most special aspect of this seasonal is its exceptional ability to pair with food. Sip your Berries while starting with an Uptown Flatbread appetizer. Grab another pint and tuck in to Mrs. Jeter’s Petite Sirloin or a Chuck’s Spinach Salad. And of course, it would easily pair with any dessert, but we’d especially recommend the decadent Chocolate Runneth Over.
So, are you up for a “Kick in the Berries?” Well, join us 5:00 Friday, January 27th for the tapping of this one-of-a-kind porter. We look forward to raising a pint with you and toasting 2012 – a year that promises to bring with it monumental changes, great growth, and a new hope for a brighter future.
The base on Fort Benning has been a neighbor to Columbus for just under a century. In that time, our two communities have grown so close as to at times be indistinguishable. And when the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission decided to consolidate a number of installations into “centers of excellence” back in 2005, we knew that we were about to welcome quite a few new neighbors to our city in the valley.
With Veterans Day having just passed and with the Maneuver Center of Excellence fully operational, we here at the Cannon Brewpub (“like” us on Facebook if you haven’t already!) would like to dedicate our next seasonal brew to the Armor Soldiers out at the new Armor Division, Friday November 18th at 5:00.
Ladies and gentlemen – we give you: the Cannon ONE-20!
So named for the main battle guns mounted on the Abrams tanks driven by our heroes around the world, this amber ale was conceptualized after a beer tasting hosted by our brewer Heather here at the Cannon, attended by members of the Maneuver Center of Excellence and the 15th Cavalry Regiment.
The ONE-20 Ale has a nice amber-orange hue, and a malty sweetness that is perfectly balanced by a crisp, clean finish. Think of it this way: it hits the lips like a Red Jacket, but lays down on your palette like a lager. It’s something special. Like our heroes next door.
In honor of their intense training and their willingness to fight for freedom on our behalf, we humbly dedicate this batch of brew to everyone at the Maneuver Center of Excellence; and true to the long-standing relationship between town and post, we would like to invite everyone to come by and try a pint of Heather’s new brew (and check some of the press she’s getting!).
And if you see our men or women in uniform, buy them a “round” of ONE-20s and raise your pint to them. Because without their service, there wouldn’t be nearly as much to “cheers” about.
And in Columbus, GA, it is one of the area’s favorite craft-brewed ales: the Sledgehammer Double IPA.
But Columbus and our Ft. Benning neighbors know that we don’t call our favorite seasonal Sledgehammer because it’s 8% alcohol and if you’re not careful how you swing it you could hurt yourself.
And we don’t call it Sledgehammer because when you drink it you sometimes look like this:
Though sometimes you do.
The REAL "Sledgehammers"
No, we call it Sledgehammer for the soldiers who serve in the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. They are an aggressive and hard-hitting bunch, and that’s the kind of beer we want them to come home to. We truly thank you for your service, and hope you enjoy our humble tribute.
So, we invite the community to join us today at five to tap the keg and the rest of the month to celebrate the service and sacrifice of these brave soldiers that take the fight to the foe so that we may drink in peace.
We raise our pints to you, Brave Sledgehammers.
Cheers,
~Management
P.S. If you haven’t “liked us” on Facebook, here’s a friendly reminder.
The guests at their wedding reception got royally ripped and had such a good time, they vowed to get together the following year for the “anniversary.”
For their reluctance to put away their steins, we here at the Cannon Brew Pub raise our mugs high; for what began as a future king’s espousal soiree would go on to become the world’s largest fair and inspire satellite celebrations the world around.
That’s right, volks! It’s once again time for Ludwig and Saxe-Hildburghausen anniversary party. Better known as Oktoberfest.
Festivities kick off in Munich on 17 September and will run through 3 October.
But since most of us won’t be hitting the tents this year, Heather has decided to bring some “Old World” spirits to the edge of Georgia by brewing a variation of the Oktoberfest beer served at the inaugural bash. Authentic German grains and fresh German hops give this malty, full-bodied lager a bready aroma and a crisp dryness that is perfect for the coming autumnal turn.
You’re going to want to make it a point to come out to the Cannon Monday 19 September we when pour the first round. Like the festival itself, this batch of brew takes a lot of skill and patience to pull off. Heather’s been tending to “The Oktoberfest” for two months now! She has put a lot of love and labor into this lager, so make it a point to come sup a cup of her latest suds and help us kick off our modest take on the world’s largest party.
It, along with its hip cousin Jazz, is one of our greatest gifts to the World.
From W.C. Handy to Eric Clapton to apparently Scott Weiland (though I don’t suspect you’ll find much I-IV-V on this collection), the twelve-bar blues chord progression has hitched its way into nearly every musical genre and is more than likely the foundation of hundreds of your favorite songs.
And probably some you’d wish the radio station permanently put to pasture, but that’s a matter of taste.
Also a matter taste? Our new seasonal, 12-BAR BROWN ALE, set to be tapped today at 5:00!
Heather took a break from brewing last week and dropped by our table while we ate dinner last week (had to raise one last pint of her Ginger Beer – plus, the kitchen has been setting the joint *on fire* lately! Metaphorically, of course; which is to say the food has been amazing) and gave us the low down on the 12-Bar.
It’s going to be malty, featuring a hefty helping of American and German grains and what Heather described as “way more hops than are ever needed in one beer.”
But be forewarned, lest you get lost in your cups and wind up making a regrettable deal with a dubious character at a some dusty crossroads or another: this is an aggressive beer. I’m talking Stevie Ray Vaughn-gauge aggressive. At 8% ABV, it’ll have you “Sitting On Top Of The World.” Just make sure you’re able to get “Further On Up The Road” when the time comes to pay your dues.
So, come on in and wash your blues away with the new full-flavored, big-legged Cannon seasonal, 12-BAR BROWN ALE.
It’s sure to leave you pickin’ your grin up off the floor!
Yesterday was International IPA Day. And oh how we did lift our mugs and cheer.
But today – today is a *very* special day indeed, my fellow Hops-Heads.
August 5th is International Beer Day! This one covers them all: the bitters, the lagers, the porters and stouts; the barley wines, the pilsners, the weissbiers and bocks; even the mush you brew at home.
Today is the day to celebrate each and every one of these unique little gifts to humanity.
And you can thank Jesse Avshalomov for this wonderful holiday. Here, he explains the origins of IBD:
“A few years back a group of friends and I decided that there needed to be a day in celebration of all things beer, a day in thanks to the people who produce and provide our favorite beverage. So we invented International Beer Day, convinced our local bar to celebrate on August 5th, made a little website for it, gave thanks to the beer industry, and had a good-ol’ time.”
If you so choose to participate in this fledgling holiday, you will certainly not be alone. You will be raising your pint with people as far a field as Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey, and Venezuela.
So, what is the purpose of International Beer Day? According to the official website (which you can access here):
To gather with friends and enjoy the deliciousness that is beer.
To honor the dedicated men and women who brew and serve our beer.
To bring the world together under the united banner of beer, by celebrating the beers of all nations and cultures together on this one remarkable day.
And how do you celebrate International Beer Day? Well, you come in to the Cannon Brewpub, of course! Where else can you get one-of-kind craft beer from a Pink-Booted Brewer on a day dedicated to honoring exactly those two things? It’s literally a match made in hops heaven!
So, come on in to the Cannon Brewpub today to celebrate International Beer Day.
Try a beer you normally wouldn’t opt for (I recommend the Midsummer Night’s Brew, Heather’s “Ginger” beer – it’s dangerously refreshing on these sweltering Southern summer days).
Give the gift of beer – buy a round for your friends.
But perhaps most importantly of all – show a little love to the people who brew the beverage that has brought the whole world together today.
Heather – keep doing what you’re doing. We sure do appreciate you.
