Of the many things we love about covering the rapidly expanding, but relatively young, craft beer scene is researching and covering some of the industry’s pivotal moments.

One such moment on the national scene came courtesy of Chicago’s Goose Island Brewery. Now owned by ABInBev, Goose is often the center of the “craft vs. crafty” debate pitting truly independent breweries vs. those bought out by beer conglomerates – that is a topic for another column.

Not up for debate is Goose created a great stout and their tradition of releasing Bourbon County Stout on Black Friday created a new calendar date for craft beer fans to circle.

What began in 2010, and has continued ever since, started a trend of beer fans seeking, and lining up for, special beer releases the day after Thanksgiving. As the beer scene has exploded more breweries have upped their game with special Black Friday releases and traditions.

In 2016 Deep Brewing Company owner Ryan LaPete started his own “Black Friday” tradition, now in its third year. “Black RyeDay,” an event that was inspired by clever word play, celebrates the tradition of Thanksgiving leftovers by offering twists to familiar favorites. 

Starting at 1 p.m. on Friday the tap list table is set and will feature a number of “TanksGiving” leftover” favorites: “Black RyeDay” dark rye ale (flavors of freshly toasted pumpernickel in a glass), “TanksGiving” cranberry and blood orange gose, “Pumpkin Spiced Lager” a German lager with spices, and “Yamn Good” a strong ale ode to sweet potato soufflé with brown sugar, cinnamon, and marshmallow.

Those looking to fill the post-Turkey Day tank with more than beer can enjoy Deep’s Blueberry soda and food from one of Tallahassee’s newest food trucks, “Lasang Korea” serving Korean and Asian fusion dishes that have been garnering rave Yelp reviews. 

If Friday is an homage to Thanksgiving leftovers, then Saturday’s beer is an ode to breakfast!

Featured at 11 a.m. is the return of “Continental Shelf,” one of the more popular beers from the “Specialty Sets” LaPete rolled out for their 3rd CANiversary event in August. This barrel-aged breakfast stout with flavors of vanilla, maple, chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, and milk sugar is an 8.7% ABV breakfast in a bottle! 

Pair “Shelf” with the scintillating sliders from Deep regular “Slide Hustle” (psst…that ahi tuna is amazing) and we’re talking #TLHBeerBrunch!

Bearded Turtle tapping at Lake Tribe

If there’s a theme to Black Friday Beer Releases it might be big, dark brews, featuring intriguing adjuncts – winter warming perfection! Lake Tribe Brewing is definitely checking all of the seasonal release boxes with their first imperial stout. 

“Bearded Turtle” is a breakfast imperial stout featuring maple, molasses, chocolate, and coffee notes.  and coming in at 8.0% ABV. Enjoying the Turtle in its natural environment – the patios and firepits at Lake Tribe – is definitely best, but one could do worse than grabbing cans of this roasty reptile while visiting their tasting room at 3357 Garber Dr. 

Breakfast is served via draft or cans starting this Friday at 4 p.m. 

Bottles Brunch and BBQ at Ology

With their first ever, “Bottles and Brunch” event, Ology Brewing intermingled the culinary delights of their Food Lab into a bottle release. Those purchasing tickets were treated to a couple of delicious brunch options and early access to the latest two bottle releases from Ology’s acclaimed Dynamic Fermentum barrel-aged American Sour series —Peach/Voignier and 3xGuava.

Sundays, beginning at noon at Ology’s Midtown (118 E 6th Ave.) location, the Food Lab shows off its low 'n' slow chops with the recently announced “Smoked BBQ Sundays.”

While the meat changes monthly, the most recent menu featured brined and smoked chicken thighs, a side of smoked gouda mac and cheese, a side of North Carolina coleslaw, and choice of sauce from four intriguing house-made sauces. 

Brews and BBQ, that’s a strong Sunday combo!

Proof feeling festive

On Dec. 6 Proof is hosting Krampus Fest! Think Elf on a Shelf meets Halloween Horror Nights as Santa’s bearer of bad news for those who misbehave rolls through Proof’s south side taproom. In addition to an appearance by the “half goat half demon” made popular in various regional European Christmas tales, the event will feature specialty glassware, live music, photo booth with Krampus, and of course – beer! 

The beer, “Demonic Companion” is a Belgian dark strong ale, and will be poured in two variants: orange/clover, and graham cracker/marshmallow/vanilla. Companion taps at 11 am with happy hour pricing running from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Special mugs go on sale at 7 p.m. and include a fill of your choice of “Demonic Companion” variant. Krampus costumes welcome!

If you’re looking for holiday experience more of the Norman Rockwell variety, then Dec. 7 is the date for you. Proof has strung their silo with a lot of lights for the first time and plan on throwing the switch at 8 p.m. A purchase of any beer will hook you up with a free holiday photo in the Proof truck, but registration is required in the gift shop between 5  and 7 p.m.

Be sure to tag us in those social media posts, because we want to see that #TLHBeerHoliday photo on our timeline.

Local beer during layovers in Atlanta

With the holiday season in full swing we’re guessing more than a few of our readers will be passing through Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. While there might not be any Tallahassee Beer on tap there – yet — folks can still get some great area beers while awaiting flights. It was recently announced that our neighbors to the north, Georgia Beer Company (Valdosta) and Pretoria Fields (Albany), are on tap at “Chicken + Beer” (http://chickenandbeer.com/about.html) on Concourse D. Georgia Beer will be running their signature coffee milk stout, “Destress Express,” while Pretoria is pouring “Shoalie,” a West Coast IPA with plenty of hops highlighting tropical notes. 

Matthew Crumbaker is co-founder of the TLH Beer Society, a group of avid craft beer lovers. He is also co-host of Saturday Morning Bottle Share on 97.9 ESPN radio. Follow TLH Beer Society at Facebook.com/TLHBeerSociety or @TLHBeerSociety on Twitter and Instagram. Email tlhbeersociety@gmail.com.