Gardner Ale House Restaurant and Brewery Gardner Massachusetts

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Solstice Glass 2008
Music, Morris Dancing, Bacchanal Celebrating What is The Morris?
June 11, 2008

Greetings Likewise Revelers;

You know, the Solstice doesn't just happen. Well, actually, it does, but does it make a sound if no one is watching? What? I'm just trying to say that to witness and to participate are the completing factors in such an event. If we are there, then it happens better.

Shine on...
  • Father's Day At The Ale House
  • Beer Breakfast & Solstice Party: Morris Dancing Is...
  • Celtics On HiDef With Food & Beer
  • Whew! This Music Is Killer
  • Beer News & Beer Dinner
  • Comedy Night Rolling Your Way
  • Happy Birthday Ale House
  • Ah Ciao!

  •  

    Beer Breakfast & Solstice Party: Morris Dancing Is...

    Solstice Party & Beer Breakfast
    Saturday, June 21st
    8:00 AM to 10:30 AM
    $10 Price includes first 12-oz. beer
    First 50 Guests get a Commemorative
    2008 Solstice Party Glass

    (Pictured above!!)

    MUG CLUBBERS get $2 off !

    We have chosen to celebrate the Solstice this year with a Beer Breakfast and an unveiling of this year's Hefeweizen style of beer, simply known as "The Hef". As a part of the celebration, a group of men known as the Miller's River Morris Men will dance outside and also inside the Pub. But, what is The Morris and why do we dance? (Yes, I am a Miller's River so and so). Well, the long and short of it (meaningless preamble) is that there are, as far as I can tell, two reasons to dance, the first being that it is a very enjoyable way to spend some time with the boys and the second is that it provides us an opportunity to participate in the 'event' of the changing of the season from low sun winter to high sun summer. Of course, as Solstice arrives, the changing is about done and as Morris dancers, we too are done, after the Solstice, though many other Morris teams dance year 'round.

    We dance in costume, with bells, bowlers and baldrics. We jump, stomp and sing and drink a little beer. Since we are all getting on in years, we don't dance as much as we could, or should or might, but just to get out now and then is still very enjoyable and only a little painful. However, when you are there, the appreciative, participative public, then the pain simply disappears and there is only real dancing. With that in place, I do believe the Solstice will happen well this year.

    If beer in the morning wasn't reason enough to come to the Beer Breakfast, catching a chance to see me dance seals the deal doesn't it???


     

    Celtics On HiDef With Food & Beer

    Celtics vs. Lakers
    Thursday & Sunday
    9:00 PM

    "Pre-game Happy Hour"
    8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    The deal is our very familiar and extraordinary following scenario:
    $.25 Wings
    1/2 Price G-Vegas Nachos
    3 Free Toppings on Any Pizza


    When the kitchen closes and the pre-game Happy Hour finishes we have the equally tantalizing and extraordinary following food scenario:
    $3 Chili, Chips 'n' Cheese
    $.25 Wings
    FREE Pub Chips & BBQ

    With 3 HiDef LCD TV's, we have the entire Pub Covered.

    Note: Audio Wasabi will be back next Thursday with The Doors.
    Note Note: For the Summer, our Kitchen is now open every night until 10:00 PM.


     

    Whew! This Music Is Killer








    With the Celtics on Thursday and the Friday/Saturday music about which I will now inform you, you may as well pull up a sleeping bag because this is really good stuff.

    Bruce Marshall
    Acoustic Blues
    Friday, 8:30 PM
    Bruce is an accomplished Blues guitarist playing both electric and acoustic. He's my age so you know he's been around and he also plays with his own group, The Bruce Marshall Group. His is one of those groups that gets them up dancing in the aisles. It's always a tough gig to pull one guy from a group and ask him to play solo - the act quite often goes so low. However, Bruce pulls it off and is an exceptional entertainer. And that's just Friday.

    Matt & Shannon Heaton
    Celtic Music
    Saturday, 8:30 PM

    We've never had Matt & Shannon here before, but they are nationally acclaimed and have won all sorts of awards. They are very much at home in a Pub and handling the crowd, rowdy or otherwise. They enjoy the interaction with the Pub crowd and we'll try to make this a bit of a listening night. It should be loads of fun.

    So, which night do you pick? I humbly submit, maybe both?

     


     

    Beer News & Beer Dinner

    There is impossibly good news all over the place. First off, if you can believe it, Facelift, having experienced a short hiatus, is back on tap this Friday. Running out just before that nasty heat wave was, to put it mildly, a bit dicey. This is my beer of choice for the Summer and not having it was like not having, I don't know, air?

    Strawberry Summer, our Summer's End with Fresh Strawberry juice has broken all records and is beyond popular. Strawberries are in season, so is Summer's End, what do you think will be our special beer this weekend? Strawberry Summer, 5:00 PM Friday & Saturday. It runs out around 7:30 PM.

    Beer Dinner
    Thursday, June 26th, 6:00 PM
    5 Hand Crafted Beers
    5 Gourmet Courses
    50 People, $50 plus gratuity

    Pay for reservations at the bar or call 978 669 0122


    What can I do but tempt you with the facts?

     

    SUMMER BEER DINNER MENU

    Course 1 - Summer's End (Kolsch)
    Seared Jumbo Sea Scallop, Frisee and Asian Pear Salad, Brown Butter - Truffle Vinaigrette, shaved Parm Reggiano

    Course 2 - Chair City Pale Ale
    Salmon Tartar w/ Chili Oil and Fresh Lime, Roasted Corn and Red Onion Relish, Avocado, Polenta "Crisps"

    Course 3 - Rocker Red Ale
    Apple wood Smoked Duck Breast, Golden Raisin Compote, Yukon Potato Salad w/ Crème Fraiche and Caramelized Onion, Jalapeno "Gastrique"

    Course 4 - Face Lift IPA
    Facelift Singapore Noodles with Rock Shrimp and Lobster Tail

    Course 5 "The Hef"
    Hefeweizen Tempura Battered Banana Slices, Mascarpone Ice Cream, Orange Marmalade, Clove Simple Syrup

     

     


     

    Comedy Night Rolling Your Way

    Comedy Night
    For the PANMASS CHALLENGE
    Wednesday, June 18 7:30 PM

    Our next monthly comedy night is Wednesday, June 18th at 7:30 PM.
    Mike McHugh, a solid citizen who lives somewhere around here is putting this gig together and participating in the PANMASS CHALLENGE. Mike loves our Comedy night idea and approached me with his cause and tons of enthusiasm. Tickets are $10 and go totally to support the PANMASS CHALLENGE FUNDRAISER. This is one of the leanest charity fundraising events out there. Every penny goes to the cause, last year it was the Jimmy Fund. Mike is promising a big night as he engages some local and not so local comedians to put on a good show for us. Come on out for dinner and fun. We need a full dining room for the best effect!


     

    Happy Birthday Ale House

    With so much going on,
    I'll spend more time talking
    about this in a later note.

    We're getting older!!!

     


     

    Ah Ciao!

    I know I've left something out and you are probaby grateful for that. However, whenever I try to keep it short, I only manage mild brevity. It is particularly challenging this month because June is turning out to be our most active month with Celtics, Mug Club Party, Two Benefits, the Summer Beer Dinner, Another Art Show, The Solstice Party and Beer Breakfast, Our Birthday Party and the first Electric Friday. Not bad for a kid.

    Thanks for being there.

    Rick Walton
    Always Here


     

    Father's Day At The Ale House
    Father's Day
    Sunday, June 15th

    10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
    Brunch Buffet

    11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
    Dinner & Lobster Clambake

    Brunch, Dinner and a Lobster Clambake can all be had this Sunday, Father's Day. We will also have the Facelift back on tap. It's supposed to be a beautiful, warm, partly sunny day. I can't see that such a day would not start at the Ale House.

    Lobster Clambake:
    Clam Chowder, Steamers & a 1 lb. Lobster with Corn on the Cob...$25

    Reservations are
    heartily encouraged.

    978 669 0122

    Click Here for More!

    Quick Links...

    Bruce Marshall

    Matt & Shannon Heaton

    Father's Day Lobster Clambake & Brunch

    The June Comedy Night

    Solstice Party

    MUG CLUB PARTY TONIGHT!! THURSDAY, 6 PM