Off-Centered Film Fest Expands for 2011

Anyone who has read my Fantastic Fest 2010 Guide "How to Drink Like an Austinite" will know I'm a craft beer enthusiast, but it goes beyond just drinking great brews -- I also homebrew and volunteer at local brewpubs and breweries. I was extremely excited when Dogfish Head Craft Brewery founder Sam Calagione came to Austin in 2008 to host the Off-Centered Film Fest along with a beer and cheese pairing at the Alamo Lake Creek, and have never missed his annual events. His passion for craft brewing and film is contagious, and his annual rap "East Coast versus West Coast Brews" can't be missed.

Calagione will be back in Austin to host this year's Off-Centered Film Fest starting Thursday, April 14 through Saturday, April 16. He's partnered with the Alamo Drafthouse to expand the beer-meets-film festival to multiple venues and events to please both craft beer and film fans alike. The special screening of Wet Hot American Summer with Joe Lo Troglio sold out quickly, but find out what events are still available after the jump:

Thursday, April 14th, 8:30 pm -- Strange Brew Party at Republic Square Park:

Regardless of whether you've never seen Strange Brew or you are a diehard fan who can quote along with Doug and Bob, this outdoor screening can't be missed. In addition to the screening, Calagione will join several of Central Texas' craft breweries to serve exclusive beers and discuss the state of the craft beer industry. Calagione and local brewers will talk about Texas beer trends, and in addition to Dogfish Head's 90 Minute IPA, several breweries are showcasing special -- and some strange -- brews at the event, including:

• Brewluminati Bitter (Independence Brewing Company) -- This dark and roasty English-style bitter (aka The Thinker’s Ale) premiering at this event has earthy and toffee notes with a dry finish from a blend of Amarillo and East Kent Goldings hops.
• Drink’in the Sunbelt (Jester King Brewing) -- The Jester King brewers collaborated with world renowned Danish gypsy brewer JK Mikeller to brew a hoppy, flavorful session wheat beer -- I can attest it'll leave hopheads happy, but won't be around for very long.
• Chipotle Liberation Ale (Live Oak Brewing) -- A special take on the delicious citrusy yet hoppy Live Oak Liberation, now fortified with Scoville-defying chili peppers.
• Port barrel-aged La Bestia Aimable (Ranger Creek) -- This will be the first tapping of special casks of their beloved Belgian-style dark strong ale, that has been aged for months in a Dry Comal Creek Winery port barrel.
• Highlander (Real Ale Brewing) -- From Real Ale’s Mysterium Verum range of experimental beers comes Highlander – Real Heavy Scotch Ale aged in French and American wine barrels and then blended together. This interesting big beer from Real Ale's limited production will be a hot item at the event as it’s rarely released to the public. "There can be only one".
• Double Buckethead IPA (Thirsty Planet) -- By now, Austin beer drinkers should be familiar with the Buckethead, my favorite for the Thirsty Planet beer lineup. This special release is the hoppier brother -- The Double.

Don't forget to take a chair and/or a blanket, and folks are encouraged to use public transportation or a designated driver if partaking of some of the more adventurous beers. Event ticket purchase here. 

Friday, April 15th, 7 pm -- Beer Feast and Sudsy Comedy Shorts at Alamo South Lamar: 

Alamo Executive Chef John Bullington has created a multi-course feast to pair with Dogfish Head Craft Brewing's beer. Calagione and Bullington will discuss the process of brewing each batch as well as the nuances that went into each course of the meal, paired with classic beer-themed comedy.

• Course One - Seared Diver Scallop with thai red curry, lotus root, baby chard
  Beer: Namaste 
• Course Two - Smoked trout mousse with lemon cucumber, English thyme, spring garlic, cumin cracker
  Beer: Aprihop 
• Course Three - Koubes - bulgar wheat shell stuffed with roasted eggplant steamed in mushroom broth with spiced pepper and oregano yoghurt sauces
  Beer: Midas Touch 
• Course Four - Smoked quail, ramps, wild mushroom empanada with avocado crema
  Beer: Pangea 
• Course Five - Seared bison, chimayo chile posole
  Beer: Raison D’Etre 
• Course Six - Cherry and Duck confit, barley risotto, fried shallot
  Beer: Immort 
• Course Seven - Bittersweet chocolate ganache in a ginger caramel crisp with candied grapefruit
  Beer: Fort (vintage)

Films will include the Three Stooges’ Beer Barrel Polecats, 3 Little Beers and more -- including W. C. Fields of course. Buy your event tickets here. 

Saturday, April 16, 7 pm  -- Best of the Shorts Contest Screening at Alamo South Lamar:

This is what the Off-Centered Film Fest is all about -- short films from independent and aspiring filmmakers, who "let their freak-flags fly." The three winners of the Off-Centered Film Festival and several other honorable mentions will be shown. Purchase tickets here.

Speaking of letting the freak flags fly, check out the video documentation of Calagione's rappin' style with The Pain Relievaz's "Pinchin' Pennies", a little ditty about being too cheap to buy brand new brewing equipment.

[Photo credit: Sam Calagione at 2009 Off-Centered Film Fest Beer Pairing, by Debbie Cerda]