Beer & Werewolves….Good Times.

I know, I know.

You’re wondering to yourself….what in the world do beer and werewolves have in common?

Well, I’ll tell ya…..

Nuthin’.

Well….nuthin’ except that they will both be out in full force this Sunday October 11th, at Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse in Clintonville for their monthly beer tasting and movie screening.

Because it’s October and ghosts and goblins are beginning to rear their spooky heads, the film screening this month is appropriately creepy — and one of my ALL-TIME favorite flicks:

An American Werewolf In London.

Yes folks, for a mere $15 you will have the chance to taste 10 truly awesome New Holland and Bear Republic beers, AND…….see a young man transform into a werewolf before your very eyes.

Quite the bargain, I must say.

The beer tasting will be held from 4 to 6 pm, with the movie screening afterward, beginning at 6. According to Studio 35 co-owner Eric Brembeck, “One of the great things about the tastings is Andy Wulfering from Premium Beverage Supply.  He is by far the most knowledgeable beer rep in the city and hosts 90% of our tastings.  He has great stories and great beer.”

Some of the beers to be tasted this month include:

New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale – Ichabod combines malted barley and real
pumpkin with cinnamon and nutmeg in a delicious and inviting brew.

Bear Republic Pete Brown Tribute Ale – Pete Brown Tribute Ale is their
rendition of a Strong American Brown Ale. This ale pays homage to subtle
flavors of golden brown sugars, and sweet molasses.

New Holland Dragon’s Milk – Dragon’s Milk is a 17th century term used to
describe the strong beer usually reserved for royalty. This strong ale was
aged in oak for over 120 days. The aging process extracts flavors from the
wood, which contribute to its complex character. Hints of bourbon flavor
perfectly compliment its roasted malts to produce a beer fit for a King.

Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout – Big Bear, as the name implies, is a
hefty, black, Russian Imperial-style stout. This strong stout boasts a rich,
caramel sweetness lavished by a robust, deep-roasted heartiness you can sink
your teeth into.

Huh.

“Deep-roasted heartiness you can sink your teeth into”?  Well, well….isn’t that appropriate?

Still not enough to entice you?  How about some fun & freebies with your beer & werewolves?  Eric tells me, “We try to give away stuff at these events, pledge pins during Animal House, pins for Anchorman. We have beer trivia, and sometimes I just give away stuff.  Sometimes we even have little intermissions with humorous clips.  Whatever we can do to make a great time even better.  Plus, it’s a great deal, only $15 for 10 to 15 4oz beers and a movie.”

OK….I am so there.

While I am looking forward to the beers being tasted on Sunday, what kind of Flick Chick would I be if I didn’t admit that the movie screening choice is truly the big draw for me?

For those unfamiliar, An American Werewolf In London is both very humorous and quite frightening. It has become a true cult classic since it was first released in 1981.  And those scenes of werewolves and bodily transformations? They impressed the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences so much in 1981, that they decided to create a new awards category at the Oscars specifically for this film – “Outstanding Achievement in Makeup.” Since then, this has been a regular and quite hotly contested Oscar category each year.

While it’s true that the special effects and makeup in this film are awesome, I have a special spot in my heart for the inspired use of music in this flick. The film’s songs all refer in some way to the moon, such as: Bobby Vinton’s slow and soothing version of “Blue Moon” (which plays during the opening credits) Van Morrison’s “Moondance”, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” (as David is nearing the moment of changing to the werewolf), a soft, bittersweet ballad version of “Blue Moon” by Sam Cooke during the agonizing wolf transformation and The Marcels’ doo-wop version of “Blue Moon” over the end credits.

Yep, great stuff.

How about more great stuff?  Upcoming Studio 35 beer tastings & screenings will include:

November 9 — Southern Tier beers with Blazing Saddles

December 9 — Christmas Beers with A Christmas Story

January 10 — Bells Brewing Co. with The Big Lebowski (Second Annual “Dude-A-Thon”)

Hmmmm…..Bells Beers & Lebowski?

Oh yeah, good times.

Tagged as: Movies, Studio 35

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