Meddlesome Moth set for final run in Dallas

Photos: Raynor Brumfield.

Plans are now in place for the Meddlesome Moth's final days, as it completes an iconic 15-year run as one of the top craft beer destinations in Dallas and all of North Texas. After a series of special events, the Moth will close on Thursday, May 22.

In 2010, Shannon Wynne and Keith Schlabs (founders of sibling concepts Flying Saucer and Rodeo Goat) debuted the Moth in the former Ann Sacks Tile Showroom as the first restaurant in the developing Dallas Design District. For its decor, a trio of oversized stained glass windows depicting Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and Elvis were reclaimed from Hard Rock Cafe - Dallas and restored to perfection, quickly defining the eatery along with its extensive selection of craft beers and brasserie offerings (these will change hands by way a private sale through Heritage Auctions).

Also of note, the Moth hosted some of the greatest names in craft beer culture during its time in Dallas, including Adam Avery (founder, Avery Brewing Co. of Colorado), Ken Grossman (founder, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. of California) and James Beard award-winner Garrett Oliver (brewmaster, Brooklyn Brewery of New York). Plus, in 2012, Stephen Beaumont, author of The World Atlas of Beer, named Meddlesome Moth as one of his favorite beer destinations in the world.

As for the remaining events, the Moth will celebrate its 15th and final anniversary during April Ale Week from April 20-25. According to a press release, a series of “Meet the Brewer” happy hours will occur from 4-7 p.m., with local Dallas favorites Celestial Beer Works (4/21), Manhattan Project Beer Co. (4/23) and Peticolas Brewing Co. (4/25).

A final Bon Voyage Brunch will then take place on Saturday, May 17, featuring brunch specials with a yacht rock theme. Reservations on OpenTable are highly recommended.

Meddlesome Moth to host Brooklyn Beer Dinner with Garrett Oliver, November 6

Image courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery.

Meddlesome Moth has announced an upcoming beer dinner with award-winning brewmaster Garrett Oliver from Brooklyn Brewery of New York on Wednesday, November 6 at 6:30pm.

Oliver, who is the author of The Brewmaster's Table and Editor-in-Chief of The Oxford Companion to Beer, was also the recipient of the James Beard Foundation Award for “Outstanding Beer, Wine, or Spirit Professional" in 2014. He will join Chef Case Crawford of the Moth in leading a guided experience featuring six unique Brooklyn beers paired with five Louisiana-inspired food courses.

Tickets for the event are $125 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and space is limited. For more information and a link to purchase tickets go to www.mothinthe.net. 

Welcome Beer

Brooklyn Lager (5.2% ABV)

First Course

Fonio Rising Double Pilsner (6.4% ABV)

Deep Fried Crawfish Stuffed Okra with Creole tomato sauce

Second Course

Fonio Rising Pale Ale (5.0% ABV)

Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo

Third Course

Stand on the Word, Belgian Strong Golden Ale (9.0% ABV)

Softshell Crab Salad

Fourth Course
Baked Goods, Whiskey Barrel-Aged Brown Ale (8.3% ABV)

Tenderloin with whiskey peppercorn sauce

Fifth Course

Black Chocolate Stout, Russian Imperial Stout (10.0% ABV)

Beignets with fig jam and lavender honey glaze

Meddlesome Moth to host Meanwhile Pairdiné, October 20

Image credit: Meddlesome Moth.

In celebration of the Austin-based brewery's fourth anniversary, Meddlesome Moth will host a beer dinner with Meanwhile Brewing Co. on Sunday, October 20 at 6 p.m. Special guests include Will Jaquiss, founder and brewmaster at Meanwhile, and Conner Griffillan, the brewery's director of sales and marketing.

They, along with Chef Case Crawford of the Moth, will lead a guided experience featuring seven brews expertly paired with six food courses. And, while Meanwhile has shipped products to the Metroplex in the past, some of the beers will be offered in this market for the first time.

Tickets for the event are $110 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and space is limited.  For more information and a link to purchase tickets go to www.mothinthe.net. 

Welcome Beer

Meanwhile Pilsner, German-style Lager (4.8% ABV, 27 IBU)

First Course

Texas Blue Corn Lager (4.8% ABV, 12 IBU)

Crispy Stuffed Squash Blossoms with ricotta, thyme, sausage, basil oil

Second Course

Tropical Sour (4.7% ABV, 7 IBU)

Powerpuff Salad with roasted beets, Valencia orange, watercress, toasted almonds, goat cheese, blackberry vinaigrette

Third Course

Edible Colors, West Coast IPA (7.2% ABV, 65 IBU)

Beer Cheese Soup

Fourth Course
Rainbow Paradise, Juicy IPA (6.6% ABV, 44 IBU)

Rabbit Leg Confit with fennel, fig, thyme

Fifth Course

Fourth Anniversary Barrel-aged Stout

Chocolate Moon Pie

Sixth Course
Coffee IPA (a collaboration with Vector Brewing of Dallas)

Baklava

Meddlesome Moth celebrates Belgian Beer Week, August 21-25

Image credit: Meddlesome Moth.

Belgian brewing traditions will be in the spotlight this month at Meddlesome Moth, as the gastropub has plans to celebrate Belgian Beer Week from August 21-25 (and beyond) at its locale in the Dallas Design District.

According to a press release, special tappings will take place throughout the week, with beers like Tripel Karmeliet, Delirium Black, St. Bernardus Abt 12, Chimay White, La Trappe Quad and Westmalle Dubbel occupying slots on the tapwall. Those beers and others can be enjoyed as part of a Belgian Beer Flight priced at $20 for four, five-ounce pours.

Then, during the following weekend, featured brunch specials on Saturday and Sunday are set to include a savory Belgian waffle (with spinach, ham and cheese). In addition, classic moules frites (Belgian mussels served with fries) and a sausage-wrapped grilled leek served with beer cheese soup will be available after 5pm.

For more information and to reserve a table call 214-628-7900, or visit the Moth's website at www.mothinthe.net.

Meddlesome Moth details 13th anniversary plans

Image courtesy of Meddlesome Moth.

Set to mark its latest longevity milestone, Meddlesome Moth has announced plans for its 13th anniversary celebration, with festivities to take place the weekend of April 27-30.

Things kick-off on Thursday, April 27 at 6 p.m., with a Beer Garden Party featuring the Moth’s new spring cocktail menu, complimentary light bites from the kitchen, and music from renowned Dallas DJ Steffi Burns. This event represents the “official” opening of the Beer Garden for the season and is free and open to the public.

Then on Sunday, April 30, guests will join Celestial Beerworks founders Molly and Matt Reynolds, along with Moth beer director/certified cicerone Matt Quenette, for a guided pairdiné. Featured brews will be paired with five courses crafted by guest chef Anthony Langston. These include:

• Polyphia: Paradiso - American-style pilsner.
• Sonus - blended bourbon barrel-aged stout.
• Kaleidoscope - double hazy IPA with Galaxy, Vic Secret and Rakau hops.
• Visual Pathway - cold IPA with Centennial and Azacca hops.
• Echo Chamber - fruited sour.
• Mango Triple Stars - triple hazy IPA with Strata, Vic Secret and Citra hops.

Tickets for the beer dinner are available at a cost of $90 per person, and seating is limited (click here to purchase individual admission or to reserve a full table).

Naturally, beers from around the world will be featured throughout the weekend as well. Quenette has curated several rare finds expected to be available on draft, with flights also available.

Meddlesome Moth opens April Ale Week with Evil Twin Pairdiné

Image credits: Meddlesome Moth, Evil Twin Brewing Co.

Celebrating six years in business at its location in the Design District, The Meddlesome Moth will host a series of special tappings, pairings and special guests during April Ale Week. Going on April 18-25, the Moth's annual anniversary celebration will feature over 20 carefully selected beers to be tapped throughout the week, as well as an AleSmith Brewery Beer Brunch to occur on Saturday, April 23.

Kicking things off, though, will be an Evil Twin Pairdiné hosted by brewery founder Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø. Scheduled for Monday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m., tickets for the event are available now at a cost of $75pp (plus fees) by way of Eventbrite (click here to purchase).

Meet and Greet

Low Life (pilsner, 5.5% ABV)

First Course

Ryan and the Beaster Bunny (saison, 7.0% ABV)

Baby bok choy and Asian pear salad

Second Course

Innovator Man (Jolly Pumpkin collaboration - sour ale brewed with strawberries, 6.8% ABV)

Moulard duck rillettes

Third Course

Bible Belt (Prairie Artisan Ales collab - imperial stout aged on coffee, cacao nibs, vanilla beans and chili peppers, 13.0% ABV)

Smoked sakura pork short rib

Fourth Course

Molotov Cocktail (imperial IPA, 13.0% ABV)

Roasted Texas venison soup

Fifth Course

Soft DK (imperial stout, 10.4% ABV)
Duo of smoked almond toffee blondie and chocolate cherry brownie

Menu released for Prairie Artisan Ales Beer Supper at the Meddlesome Moth, April 26

Image credits: Meddlesome Moth, Prairie Artisan Ales

Representing the final installment in their series of anniversary pairdinés, the Meddlesome Moth has released the menu and beer list for their upcoming Prairie Artisan Ales Beer Supper.

Hosted by brewery founder Chase Healey, the event occurs this Sunday, April 26 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $70pp, including gratuity, and can be purchased on Eventbrite or by calling the Moth directly at 214-629-7900.

Meet and Greet

Prairie Standard - hoppy farmhouse ale

First Course

Funky Gold Amarillo - dry-hopped sour ale

HFC yellowtail kingfish, seaweed snap pea salad and yuzu passion fruit emulsion

Second Course

Christmas Bomb! - imperial stout brewed with spices

Cardamom cinnamon-spiced duck confit, smoked duck bacon hash and pickled ramp vinaigrette

Third Course

Cherry Funk - sour ale aged on cherries

Mycella blue cheese, peppercorn shortbread and fennel cranberry

Fourth Course

Brimstone Bomb! - imperial stout aged in whiskey barrels

Espresso cheesecake mousse, black tea poached pear and caramel rice cracker

Meddlesome Moth releases menu for Jester King Beer Breakfast, April 4

Image credits: Meddlesome Moth, Jester King Brewery

Continuing their series of anniversary pairdinés, the Meddlesome Moth has made public the menu and beer list for their Jester King Beer Breakfast, an event they say will be just as unorthodox as the brewery itself.

Jester King founder Jeffrey Stuffings will host the get together, which happens on Saturday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $65pp, including gratuity, and can be purchased on Eventbrite or by calling the Moth directly at 214-629-7900.

Meet and Greet

Noble King - hoppy farmhouse ale

First Course

Snörkel - farmhouse ale brewed with oyster mushrooms and sea salt

Tamagoyaki, pork belly, bonito, nori and sea bean salad

Second Course

Omniscience and Proselytism - barrel-aged sour beer refermented with strawberries

Foie gras, rhubarb croissant perdu, mascarpone pot de crème and plantain crisp

Third Course

Figlet - farmhouse ale fermented with smoked Texas figs

House Texas pastrami biscuit, beef jerky marmalade and smoked pecans

Fourth Course

La Vie en Rose - farmhouse ale refermented with raspberries

Paula's ricotta blintz with Paris tea jam

Meddlesome Moth announces Alpine Beer Co. dinner with founder Pat McIlhenny

Image credits: Alpine Beer Co., Meddlesome Moth

By now you've probably heard that products from the California-based Alpine Beer Company are headed to Texas, the result of an agreement the brewery signed late last year to have their beers packaged by the Green Flash Brewing Company.

Scheduled to arrive early next month, one of your first chances to try Alpine's offerings will come at the Meddlesome Moth during a beer dinner hosted by brewery founder Pat McIlhenny on March 9 at 6 p.m. Only 100 seats will be made available, with the cost set at $75pp, including gratuity. Reserve your spot by purchasing tickets at Eventbrite or by calling the Moth at 214-629-7900.

Meet and Greet

Alpine Ale - Pale Ale

First Course

Hoppy Birthday - Dry-Hopped Pale Ale

Day Boat Scallop Ceviche with hop sofrito, Peruvian pepper, chive emulsion, pink peppercorn

Second Course

McIlhenny's Red Ale - Irish Red

Gruyere Fondue with Purple Haze® goat cheese, pickled Medjool date, sourdough grain crackers

Third Course

Nelson - Golden Rye IPA

Coconut Husk-Smoked Hawaiian Sea Bass with cucumber anmitsu, lime leaf, furikake

Fourth Course

Duet - West Coast IPA

Wild Boar Chop and Truffle Sausage with forest mushroom, pretzel spoon bread, huckleberry orange demi

Fifth Course

Captain Stout - American Stout

Mole-Spice Chocolate Cake with mascarpone mousse, cocoa nib, sizzling rice crisp

Meddlesome to undergo Mothamorphosis

Image credit:  Meddlesome Moth

Thanksgiving week, the tap wall at the Meddlesome Moth will undergo a transformation of sorts.  The Mothamorphosis, as it's being called, will involve an entirely new draught menu which will appear overnight on Monday, November 25 and be available for one week only through Sunday, November 30.

Selections represent personal favorites of Moth beer gurus Keith Schlabs and Matt Quenette, some of which include:

Green Flash:  Silva Stout and 11th Anniversary Double Dry-Hopped West Coast IPA

Stone Farking Wheat w00tstout

New Belgium La Terroir

Firestone Walker Sucaba

Founders Backwoods Bastard

Karbach F.U.N. 007 Maker's Mark Barrel Aged Hellfighter

Boulevard Saison Brett

2012 Brasserie des Franches Montagnes (BFM) Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien

Prairie Artisan Ales 'Merica

In addition, Monday marks the beginning of the annual Moth Cellar Release, an ongoing event that runs through New Year's.  Over 40 different rare bottles have been held back over the course of the past year just for the occasion. Among them are:

Firestone Walker:  Sucaba, Parabola, Double DBA and XVI - Sixteenth Anniversary Ale

(512) Bourbon Barrel Aged Double Pecan Porter

Boulevard:  Terra Incognita, Love Child #3 and Bourbon Barrel Quad

Avery:  Uncle Jacob's Stout and Odio Equum

Founders:  Kentucky Breakfast Stout and Devil Dancer

Saint Arnold Bishop's Barrel #1

North Coast Old Rasputin XV

2009 Brooklyn Black Ops

2011 Lagunitas Olde GnarlyWine

There, now you have an excuse to ditch the relatives, or better yet bring them along for a night of rare and vintage craft brews this holiday season.

Cheers!