Maximize your Total Beer Experience at Total Wine

Image credit:  Total Wine

Total Wine presents their Total Beer Experience, going on January 15-25 at all four area locations. Like other multi-day affairs, you can expect a variety of happenings from tastings, beer dinners, and educational seminars to meet and greets with both local and national industry professionals.  The complete lineup can be found on the website, but here are a few recommendations as well as details on something they are doing with Lakewood that doesn't appear on the calendar.

Also note that most events require tickets, and a handful (like the Saint Arnold rare beer tastings) have already sold out.


Meet and Greet/Bottle Signing with Lakewood Founder Wim Bens (free to attend):  If you haven't picked up a bottle of Lakewood Bourbon Barrel Temptress, here's your chance.  A limited number of BBT bottles, 36 to be exact, will go on sale at each of the following events.  In addition, a supply of Goatman is also expected to be available.  First come, first served!

• Jan 17:  Dallas Park Lane, 5-8 p.m.
• Jan 18:  Plano East, 2-5 p.m.
• Jan 25:  Plano North, 5-8 p.m.

The Deschutes Brewery Experience ($10pp):   Join Deschutes Account Sales Specialist Kyle Jordan for a series of year-round and Reserve Series offerings paired with street tacos.  Black Butte XXV Anniversary Porter and The Abyss will be pouring, and each attendee will get glassware to take home.

• Jan 16:  Plano North, 6:30-8 p.m. (sold out)
• Jan 17:  Dallas Park Lane, 6:30-8 p.m.  (tickets)

Meet the Brewer with Brewmaster Jeremy Hunt of Deep Ellum Brewing Company ($10pp) :  Sample a few brews from Deep Ellum's everyday lineup as well as Four Swords, a Belgian quad, and the yet-to-be-released Oak Cliff Coffee Ale.  Hunt will also bring along a special cask created just for the occasion.

• Jan 16:  Plano East, 6:30-8 p.m. (tickets)

Ray Daniels Cicerone Beer Education ($10pp):  Learn about beer styles, tastings and judging techniques with the founder and director of the Cicerone Certification Program.  Daniels is also the author of the books Designing Great Beers and Smoked Beers:  History, Brewing Techniques, Recipes.

• Jan 16:  Dallas Park Lane, 6:30-8 p.m. (tickets)
• Jan 17:  Plano North, 6:30-8 p.m. (tickets)

Lagunitas Tasting and Smoke Signals ($10pp):  Having been hosted at the Petaluma brewery by FMO/Beer Weasel Ron Lindenbusch, I can attest to his ability to show you a good time.  Plus, there's the promise of beer unavailable elsewhere.

• Jan 23:  Plano North, 6:30-8 p.m. (tickets)
• Jan 25:  Fort Worth, 2:30-4 p.m. (tickets)

Rahr & Sons Vintage Beer Tasting ($10pp):  Sample a Visionary beer, as well four selections from Rahr's To Thee series.  Brews expected to be available include:  2012 Visionary Black IPA, 2013 Regulator Doppelbock, 2013 Snowmageddon, 2013 Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer and 2013 Tenderfoot.

• Jan 22:  Fort Worth, 6:30-8 p.m. (tickets)

Evenings with Oskar Blues:  You'll have two chances to get freak-CAN crazy with Oskar Blues rep Brent Hodgson.  Each event will feature a special cask tapping, along with a glassware giveaway.

• Jan 24:  Beer and Cheese Pairing at Dallas Park Lane, 6-8 p.m. ($10pp, tickets)
• Jan 25:  Four-course Beer Dinner at Fort Worth, 6:30-8 p.m. ($30pp, tickets)

Founders Beer Dinner ($30pp):   Founders has been delivering world-class beer to the Metroplex for a little less than a year.  On this night, you'll have a chance to interact via webcast with co-owner Dave Engbers.

• Jan 25:  Plano North, 6:30-8 p.m. (tickets)