Night Out: Columbus, OH

6:25pm

Andy's Carryout Domestic & Imported Beer & Wine

Chris and I strolled in here after a most ritcheous 3.5 hour car ride filled with the music of Rage Against the Machine, Kanye West, Wu-Tang Clan, and other rap and hip hop ghetto enough to get this white boy "thrown down".

The first Ohio native we meet is the fellow behind the counter who is grooving to some James Brown. He insists that we try the Bell's Hopslam, and not understanding a word this foreigner has spoken to me, I give him a glance and a shrug.. playing it cool.

Andy's is a small place on the north side of the OSU campus. Parking is limited but there is also a drive through if you know what you're looking for. Upon entering the front door there is a row of coolers on the right with micros. Selection is average: Victory, Anchor, Bells, Sierra Nevada. Pretty much standards for the Columbus area. To the right of the micro coolers is a cooler for singles. Selection of singes is not bad.On the other side of the store there is another row of coolers for imports and bombers. This selection is about as good as the micros. Nothing really stands out. For a quick place to stop and pick a quality 6-pack this is the place. I think the size of the establishment prevents it from being great though.

from beeradvocate.com

7:00pm
Blue Nile Ethopian Resturant

"Welcome my brothers." This resturant was not too much to look at until we discovered these cool little baskets at we got to sit around. We were brought out a tray (a Mosseb) that Chris and I both shared. He enjoyed a sampling of the vegiterian fare while I tried the lamb, beef, chicken, and split peas.

All of this was served on one large plate on top of a fermented pancake that tasted almost like a buckwheat. We ate with our fingers as the seemingly small portions quickly filled us up. For desert we tried a cup of spiced Ethopian coffee.

7:57pm
Parking Lot

Ahh. The moment had finally arrived. We pulled into the parking lot across from the club and busted out our 6ers and 9s like we were in Compton. The Hopslam is a wild beast, and must be comsumed with caution.

The first thing to note about this beer is the citrusy, spicy, hop aroma. There really isn't any hint of malt in there at all.

The taste really does pack a punch. The hops are biting and brutal, but are balanced out by a little bit of honey and a sort of easy sweetness that is not always present in other DIPA's.

Despite the 10% APV, this is a really easy beer to drink. The alcohol, sweetness, and bitterness are all very well balanced.

8:15pm

moe. - Lifestyle Communities Pavilion

Set I: Crab Eyes, Threw It All Away, Not Coming Down> Wormwood> Wind it up> Cathedral> Happy Hour Hero

Set II: Deep This Time, Rise> In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed1> She, Queen of Everything> Meat

Encore: Raise A Glass, Kyle's Song
1 with drums

What a show! This was my first time seeing moe. in about a year. Every song was pretty much segued together during both sets despite what the offical setlist states. moe. was really on top of their game. Before the encore they brought out about twenty people so sing "Raise a Glass" with the crowd. Maybe Chris will be there for the Boston show..