Roadside Diner

A couple of my Jawja Blodger buddies insist on making me drool with envy on a monthly basis when they list the menus for upcoming Sommelier's Guild dinners. At last, I can return the favor!

The surprising part? The subject is beer, not wine.

Lloyd's Restaurant, in partnership with Three Floyds Brewing Company, is hosting a Beer Dinner on May 14th. If you're in or near Chicago and want to attend, you need to sign up soon, as they're three quarters booked already.

Need more incentive? Here's the menu:

RECEPTION: PRIDE AND JOY

Fried Ipswich clam, Belgian endive spoon, blood-orange jalapeno aioli

Goat cheeese, BBQ smoked chicken, chives, phyllo cup

American "mild" ale

FIRST COURSE: GUMBALLHEAD

Blue hill bay mussels, gumballhead bloody mary broth

Green olive crostino

American wheat ale

SECOND COURSE: BRIAN BORU

Roasted poblano & blistered corn soup w/carnitas, cucumber cilantro foam

Irish brand red ale

THIRD COURSE: ALPHA KING

BBQ seard duck breast, sweet potato & duck confit hash

American amber pale ale

FOURTH COURSE: ROBERT THE BRUCE

Braised beef short rib, asparagus, caramelized blue cheese bread pudding

Robert the Bruce demi-glace

Bold Scottish style ale

FIFTH COURSE: BEHEMOTH

Chocolate cake creme brulee

A huge, sweet barley malt

Cost? A measely $39.95 + tax.

See you there?

(And, yes. I'll be wearing my stretchy pants for this one!)