The beers that didn't get away

Paul & I went to a wonderful beer event yesterday, a bottle auction to help raise funds for a fellow homebrewer in Cary, NC who was badly injured in a fall. We heard about it originally at a TRUB meeting early this month, and our interest became more and more piqued as the donation list grew, and Facebook enthusiasm became more and more fanatical.

I wasn't sure what to expect--I've never been to Triangle Wine Co. as it's a bit of a hike from our area of Durham and we wind up going to Sam's or Tasty Beverage when our fridge is empty/when we aren't in the mood for our own homebrew (sacrilege). I was very impressed with their stock and the space--the bar area at the back was especially welcoming. I love a bottle shop that encourages visitors to linger & taste.

Upon arriving in time to scope out the casks on offer (gorgeous saisons from both Haw River & Lonerider) and the impressive bottles up for auction, we casually bid on a few things, then mostly hung out chatting with our friends. No biggie, we might win a few, whatever.

However, the more saison I sipped and the more I looked in on our bids, I confess I got a bit competitive and obsessive. Aggresive, even.

Note that empty cup?

We didn't win everything we bid on, but here is what we took home: 

PAUL

Alaskan Brewing Side A IPA (22oz) Limited Release

Russian River Supplication Wild Brown Barrel Aged Ale (12oz) Seasonal Release

Three Heads Brewing Loopy Oatmeal Red Ale (22oz) Limited Release

Pelican Pub & Brewery Mother of all Storms Barleywine, 2011 (22oz) Yearly Mother's Day Release, won in live auction

LARA

Midnight Sun Panty Peeler Tripel (22oz) Year Round, Alaska and parts of the Pacific NW

Cascade Apricot Ale Sour (750ml) Limited Release

Goose Island Matilda, 2011 (12oz) Year-Round, Limited Markets

New Glarus Black Top Black IPA (12oz) Seasonal Release

Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout (12oz) Seasonal Release

Haw River Farmhouse Ales Old Pastoral White Ale (12oz) Brewery coming soon!

Peace Tree Rye Porter (12oz) Only Distributed in Iowa

Peace Tree Hop Wrangler (12oz) Only Distributed in Iowa

Peace Tree Blond Fatale (12oz) Only Distributed in Iowa

Peace Tree Red Rambler (12oz) Only Distributed in Iowa

Avery Muscal D'Amour Wild Barrel Aged Ale (12oz) Limited Release

Whoops? Yay? Both? I feel pretty great about it, honestly.

It was a fantastic day and all profits--more than $15,000 total!--went to a truly good cause, and Paul and I got to spend all day and evening with a great crowd of local beer makers and beer nerds.

Words can't really say how dearly I love the Triangle beer community--for both its generosity and its phenomenal company. I will never stop saying that beer people are the best people.

If you want to help us drink all this stuff, get in touch via Twitter or on our contact page. We plan to have a gathering to share our spoils!

And if you want to donate directly to Jarrad and his family, here are some instructions.