Dozer Unleashed: Porters, Pizza, Philanthropy, and Puppies

If you haven't been in Martin City recently, there is a lot of construction tearing up the streets, however this was the biggest damper on a night to honor a friend lost before his time. Patrick Mullin had a dear friend Jordan Fields that he lost before the world got to know him. Patrick wanted to do something to not only remember him but to honor him and do something positive for the community. Patrick partnered with Martin City Brewery to organize an event and even brew a beer to pay homage to his friend.

The beer, a barrel aged coconut porter named Dozer after the dog that Jordan adopted brewed and tapped for the first time at Martin City Brewing Company in the brewery side of the restaurant. With the way Patrick spoke of his friend you knew Jordan was a good man who had many passions. One of these passions was helping animals. What's a good way to help a lot of animals? How about donating 100% of the proceeds from sales of Dozer to Unleashed Pet Rescue and Adoption? I would say this is an amazing way to contribute to an organization that Jordan and his family have been and continue to be involved with. It's also a great way to name your event: Dozer Unleashed.

While the beer was a big draw for a lot of the craft beer scene, there was live music from Steve Jaklevic on amazing patio between the restaurant and brew house. There were some awesome raffle bundles with all proceeds from raffle tickets also going to Unleashed. I was hoping for a golf package with a round of free golf for four at some good courses or some bar signs, but there were a lot of people that donated for the raffle and some generous people walked away with prizes including swag from donor such as 96.5 The Buzz, Alamo Drafthouse, Bier Station, Central States Beverage, Dark Horse Distillery, The Kansas City Chiefs, Martin City Brewing Company, North Kansas City Beverage, Odell Brewing Co, RAYGUN shirts, Sock 101, Tallgrass Brewing Company, and Unleashed Pet Rescue & Adoption. Here is a peak at the set up.

Setup at @martincitybrew is underway. It's going to be a great time tonight! #DozerUnleashed pic.twitter.com/Ivw9MQtCOC
— Notorious P.A.T. (@PatsHoppedUp) July 10, 2014

There were amazing people at Martin City Brewery. Generous people who dug into their pocket books. Jovial people who wanted to have fun while supporting a great cause. And like Vanessa and her date, there were a lot of people who a lot of both.

#DozerUnleashed pic.twitter.com/zMLD0AhltH
— Vanessa Smith (@Viotch) July 11, 2014

Let's say you wanted more of a reason to go to Dozer Unleashed. Dark Horse Distillery brought some of their tasty whiskeys and vodka for people to get some tastings of the liquor that was aged in the barrels prior to Dozer maturing in the same wood. Dozer was really good and really smooth. I might have to go visit Dark Horse.

Whatever you do don't say awww for this next reason. There was a puppy kissing booth. WAIT, WHAT?! Yeah a puppy kissing booth. This was a very cute touch that brought a lot of people over and allowed Unleashed to spread the word about not only adoptions but also fostering. I had a great conversation with a woman who fostered a lot dogs and she was so passionate that she kept up with most of the dogs that she fostered even after they found loving households. This is a good picture of the cutest puppy there with a friend of mine, Alana.

.@alanaaanoel at the puppy kissing booth. #DozerUnleashed pic.twitter.com/NRSp3yFZDc
— Johnny Topgun (@EvolBrew) July 11, 2014

If you didn't make it out to Dozer Unleashed, then you missed out on a very entertaining while heartwarming and touching evening. If you did make it out to Martin City to support Dozer Unleashed, then I believe Patrick has a message for you:

On cloud 9 today. Thanks to all who helped make #DozerUnleashed a success. About $4,000 raised for @UnleashedRescue. pic.twitter.com/A7KEge8peT
— Notorious P.A.T. (@PatsHoppedUp) July 11, 2014

WHO GIVES A CRAFT?!?!

Awhile back, I was perusing Twitter and saw Central States post another one of their many contests giving away seats at something called Brewers Unleashed 2014. I didn't know what it was but I like winning things just like everyone else. So I retweeted and I was lucky enough to get a spot... even though I still didn't know what I had won.

Central States put together a beer dinner with a brewery that you may know of. They brought some of their lesser known beers and paired them with a local restaurant, Happy Gillis. The food was amazing but the best part food wise was dessert, an Imperial Stout cake that made a lot of people embarrass themselves with involuntary moans. Again the food was amazing.

The first beer of the night was one made by Crispin. A nice light pear cider call Lion Belge. This light and crisp cider really made me want to get brunch soon and have a mimosa. Next we were served Big Eddy's Russian Imperial Stout that was nice, smooth and malty, then a few test beers from Tenth and Blake.

During the whole presentation, it started to dawn on me that these beers were made by the MillerCoors brewery for craft and import beers. I had been enjoying beers that were considered CRAFTY!! I was getting a pit in my stomach... I didn't know how to feel. This was the enemy! This is what I had learned to sneer and turn my nose up towards. MillerCoors was yellow fuzzy beer! The source of derision towards my friends that were so ingrained in their beer of choice that it scared them try anything else.

I WAS ENJOYING THIS BEER!! I WAS IN A FULL EXISTENTIAL CRISIS!!! WHO AM I?! 

I finished my food and my drink with a facade of a jovial spirit, all the while struggling with this idea of a good beer made by Big Beer. 

Central States had a tour organized and I got to see a good portion of their operation in the warehouse. Everything from the printers that make the sign, walking through a women's restroom, and pallet upon pallet of beer. This was an awesome tour for two reasons. One it awe inspiring to see mountains of Boulevard, Stone, and Lagunitas. Each of these alters of ale taller than the previous and some even reaching to the ceiling of a three story tall warehouse.

The second reason the tour was awesome was because of Potweet and Aaron. These two gentlemen are the ones who run Central States' twitter feed, some would say that's all they do... I didn't say it! I am just saying
"some people." Potweet to me is a mesh of an awesome down to earth man that just happens to be one of top dogs at Central States and a guy who is going to say "Here, hold my beer and watch this!".  Aaron, despite being a St Louis Cardinal fan, is a fun loving funny guy who has the patience of a saint. Ask him about my trying out yeast at a beer fest and how well that went for me. However, I digress...

While Potweet was giving this tour of the warehouse, the question of craft vs crafty was tangible around the group. Between the physical beer staring us in the face, the presence of the brewers who came to Kansas City with their claim of good craft beer. Potweet quickly addressed this issue by saying, "Why fight between beer drinkers?! Why bash someone because they don't drink the same beer as you?" He is just astounded that people take the time to get so angry over beer.

Bear with me as I get on my soap box...

Potweet is correct, but I don't know if he went far enough. A really cool guy that knows a thing or two about beer and goats, Jeremy Danner is of the opinion that if you are going to turn your nose up to beer because who it is made by then good. Have fun with that. That just means more Bourbon County Stout for us, because its from Goose Island and they are owned by AB/InBev. Go ahead and pass on both Ommegang and Boulevard because they are owned by Duvel Moortgat. If you pass on that beer, that means there is more for me and I am happy.

What is the flip side of this? I have been listening to a few Under My Host podcasts. Very cool, funny, and entertaining people especially Cori. Between laughs jokes and beer talk, Cori will tell you that she thinks that every beer should have transparency about their origins if you will. If you have nothing to hide about who makes and owns you then why not say that you are an AB or MillerCoors product? This line of reasoning lends itself to the philosophy of supporting local and small brewers. It is also about drinking something that doesn't take a person only pressing a button to make.

However one of the MillerCoors guys really made me think. He said that it takes a lot of talent and beer knowledge to keep a very consistent beer on the scale that the big brewers do. He honestly felt that one of his biggest sellers was a quality beer as he put his heart and passion in to the brewing process. He also said that people who drink beer are easier to show other beers and expand their palate.

What do I think post existential crisis? What conclusions did my internal dialouge lead me to?

After reading a lot of opinions and seeing numerous people get beyond upset attempting to vanguard the definition of the word "craft" and villanizing the word "crafty", I feel that this mundane and pointless debate has run its course. I say that we get rid of these galvanizing words of craft and crafty. I say instead of categorizing breweries based on size and ownership, we force them to prove their passion with a good beer. A small brewer who makes ale that makes your cringe should not be given a honorific title, while a larger brewer that is consistent and talented at make beer that makes you swoon shouldn't be demonized. Make individual brewers do it better than the next guy! Make beer snobs and excuse my language but beer assholes get off their high horse. Get rid of the word craft! Drink good beer and chill. Good beer is all around and there is nothing to get mad about.

Happy 4th of July! Be safe! Have fun! Drink one for me! But what will it be?

Happy 4th of of July!! 

It is only your patriotic duty to have one or more beers on Independence Day!

Why you ask? Many of the Founding Fathers were brewers themselves! Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and of course Samuel Adams were all brewers that also were brave and courageous enough to stand up for their beliefs and convictions. Now was it liquid courage? We will never know but toast your forebears and tip one (or a few) back in their honor! Take another moment the reason we are free on Independence day. The leaders had a dream but American soldiers, sailors, and marines have shed sweat, tears, and too much blood to ensure we have days like today to celebrate!

Uncle Sam wants you to drink a beer! How about an America IPA from Schlafly?!