Monday Night Potluck Week 4: It's a Tie!

With the falling snow creating an epic backdrop, food wars were waged once again at Broken Compass on Monday night. 

For the first time ever, Monday Night Potluck goers witnessed a tie, as Dave Johnston's Frozen Mocha Cheesecake used a late surge to catch Autumn Moses's Saffron-Spiced-Scalloped-Potatoes With Pancetta, Prosciutto And Parmesan-Reggiano (ummm, so that was a mouthful...let's just call them Super Potatoes), both finishing with 21 points apiece. Tom Hollinshead's Baked Beans With Smoked Brisket rounded out the podium, finishing a near third with 19 points. Despite laying claim to perhaps the most pure talent on the night, Hollinshead's Cherry Wood Smoked Chicken Thighs received 17 points and just missed a top three finish. With only six thighs and an abundance of empty stomachs, Chicken Thighs simply ran out of gas in the fourth quarter.

But MNP's true drama came in the battle for the top spot. Cindarella-story Super Potatoes jumped out to an early lead, surprising eaters with it's delicious, rag-to-riches presentation of one of the more basic foods on the human menu (seriously, I'm not sure I could tell you what half of those garnishes are. But I do know the word "garnishes." So shut it).

But as the night wore on, Frozen Mocha Cheesecake slowly gained traction (it should be said, "Frozen Mocha Cheesecake is one of the undersells of the century. Ladies, gentlemen, this is a cheesecake with a crust made of CRUMBLED AND CONDENSED OREO'S. It's a force of nature. It's a marvel. It's also sitting in my fridge as we speak. And.......now....... it's being shoveled into my mouth by the forkful). As dessert plates were pushed away and burps sounded, Cheesecake's final melting push closed the remaining gap for the photo finish. 

"I'm genuinely speechless," bartender D Buckets said. "And that's mostly because I ate so much that if I'm worried what will happen if I open my mouth. But oh yeah, also because I've never seen two foods dueling it out in such epic fashion."

When offered a chance at a tiebreaker (whoever can eat the most food from among the leftovers), both Johnston and Moses declined, citing "full stomachs" and "food babies" and "little desire to become Potluck champion of the world" (fine, I made that last one up). 

The tie left MNP with two champions, but everyone in attendance was a winner, with the best spread to date. 

Broken Compass would like to thank everyone who braved the snow and roads to make it out for the potluck. Congratulations to Dave, Autumn and Tom. We all appreciate your phenomenal work in the kitchen. See you all next Monday for Week Five!

(Editor's note: Broken Compass Brewing's Monday Night Potlucks are popping off every Monday night, with eating starting between 6:30 and 7. We encourage everyone to contribute a dish every now and then, but everyone in the brewery is welcome to sample the food and vote for their favorite dishes. First place wins a 64 oz growler and fill, second place a 32 oz. growler and fill and third place a free pint. See you there!)

Our winners from left to right: Autumn Moses, Tom Hollinshead and Dave Johnston

Monday Night Potluck: Week 3

It isn't a potluck if it isn't full of surprises. 

For the first time ever (a significant achievement considering our Monday Potluck's extensive, three-week history), a foreign power has prevailed on our shores, as Bruce Lederer's Gougeres (aka a French cheesy puffy bread, and don't ask me how to pronounce it because I've mangled it seven times already, in fact autocorrect is trying to tell me it's actually "gougers," which sounds awful, and whoops this parenthetical rant has gone on far too long and you are probably now "gouging" your eyes out. Get it? OK, I'll shut up now) took a convincing victory in the third Monday Night Potluck. 

Gougeres easily outpaced Erica Ohmes' runner-up Gluten Free Soft Pretzels With Beer Mustard Sauce and Becky Walter's third-place Asparagus Beef Roll-UP (which should, however, be commended for its admirable strategy of disguising itself as a vegetable when in fact it was small parts vegetable large parts roast beef and cream cheese), while Italian Sausage In Tasty Tomato Sauce, Deviled Eggs and Spicy Sweet Potato And Bacon Pancakes* rounded out the field. The Gougeres (can't believe I'm still spelling this correctly) employed a sophisticated game plan, using exotic foreign tactics to run away with the victory. 

"They were just so puffy. And cheesy. And glorious," an anonymous source (that may also be writing this post) said. "It was like eating a cloud. Made of bread. And cheese."

Bruce Lederer's win was the second straight for the Lederer family, as Bruce followed up on his son, Jason's victory from the previous week. The Lederers now have an opportunity to go where no one else has gone before - a three-peat. The father-son duo declined to give any indication of what dish to expect next week, but assured the adoring masses that it would be delectable. 

Broken Compass would like to thank everyone who participated in this edition of Monday Night Potlucks, whether they brought food or simply drank beer and voted. Congratulations to Bruce, Erica and Becky on their excellent food, and join us next Monday at 6:30 p.m. as the Lederers attempt to etch their names into the history books!

*Spicy Sweet Potato And Bacon Pancakes, it should be noted, were excessively delicious and garnered enough votes to podium, but were disqualified as a result of being prepared by Broken Compass's own The Muse.

(Editor's note: Broken Compass Brewing's Monday Night Potlucks are popping off every Monday night, with eating starting between 6:30 and 7. We encourage everyone to contribute a dish every now and then, but everyone in the brewery is welcome to sample the food and vote for their favorite dish. First place wins a 64 oz growler and fill, second place a 32 oz. growler and fill and third place a free pint. See you there!)

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Stout and Halloween Costume Giveaways

At long last, the Halloween candy you've been waiting for is on tap at Broken Compass! 

Give yourself the gift of delicious beer and come down to the taproom today to try our brand new Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Stout.

We'll also be giving away prizes for our favorite costume every hour starting at 6 p.m. Prizes will be given away as follows:  

6-7: free pint and glass

7-8: free 32 oz. growler and fill

8-9: free 64 oz. growler and fill

9-10: free shirt, pint and glass  

Costumes will be judged by your lovely beer maiden Molly, our esteemed brewmaster Ford and a third judge to be decided. Throw on your best Halloween best and come join the festivities! 

Help us celebrate Ax's birthday!

Attention friends, beer and disco lovers, it's party time! Tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 24th) we are hosting a day long celebration of the birth of our esteemed boss and co-owner, David Axelrod (pictured here at a ripe age of 18. Note the difference in hair style). Festivities will begin at A Basin during the day (in shocking news, there will be beer) before moving to the Broken Compass taproom for a DISCO party starting at 7. Tastefully exposed chest hair, absurdly flashy sequins and ludicrous mustaches are strongly encouraged, as is any and all forms of dancing. The bartender (who may or may not also be writing this post) will award a free beer to his favorite 70s disco costume of the night. So break out those open-chested shirts and come on down, we can't wait to see you all there! 

Inaugural Monday Potluck Dinner Recap

The Monday Potluck Dinner season got off to a rollicking start last evening, as beer flowed and food was devoured at the Broken Compass taproom

Despite its humble origins, Matt Cox's Frito Chili Pie rose up from the bottom to carry the night. Chili Pie's seven votes edged out the two second place finishers, Angus Meatballs and Delicious (other descriptors are unknown or lost at this time) Empanadas, who both finished the night with six votes. In a strong opening performance, Autumn Moses, the creator of both Meatballs and Empanadas, also took fourth place with her I-don't-know-exactly-what's-in-them-but-oh-my-it's-incredibly-delicious-and-wait-is-that-a-ganache?-yes-yes-that's-a-ganache Cupcakes (editor's note: the author of this post remains in the dark about what exactly a ganache really is). 

Pork Green Chili, Jalapeno Popper Dip and Some Sort Of Tasty Meatloaf also made strong showings, while Generic Store-Bought Salsa and Cookies brought up the rear (and may or may not be now be residing in my pantry). 

Thanks and congratulations again to Matt, Autumn and everyone else who supplied the incredible dishes last night. We'll look forward to seeing you next week for the second Potluck, again at 6:30 (rumors of a Chocolate Khalua Cake are swirling).

Get ready for Broken Compass potluck dinners!

Let's face it. You've got a case of the Mondays. 

Lucky for you, we're here to help liven up the start of your week.

No more zombieing out during another boring Monday Night Football game. No more pretending you're a true detective watching reruns of Criminal Minds. No more sobbing your way through a box of tissues as you lament the loss of another night you could have been spending with interesting and engaging company. 

This Monday night, abandon your doldrums and make your way to Broken Compass for our first ever potluck dinner. Beer will flow, food will abound and good company will be shared as we kick off the potluck season. Everyone who brings a dish will be entered into a people's choice voting competition, with the winner receiving a free 64 oz. growler and fill, the runner-up a 32 oz. growler and fill, and third place receiving a free pint. 

Whip up some of your best dishes (anything involving beer in the cooking process is strongly encouraged) and join us Monday night at 7 p.m. 

GABF Thanks!

Following the awesome success that was our first Great American Beer Festival, we'd love to offer our belated thanks to everyone who has helped Broken Compass get off the ground and running during these first months of being open. There are too many of you to list here, but we couldn't have done it without each and every person who has contributed to the taproom, the beer or simply come by the brewery, chatted with and supported us. It was a dream come true for us to be at GABF in Denver last weekend (although maybe not for those subjected to our dancing at the Karl Denson's Tiny Universe after show) and we already can't wait for next year! 

Thanks to you all,

The Broken Compass crew 

Fresh Broken Compass swag

Winter is coming, and despite our love for tasty brews, we know you need a bit more than just a beer jacket to survive the piles of snow soon to fall. Our brand new hoodies (which come in maroon, blue and green) and women's long sleeve shirts (in purple and gray) have got you covered. Come by the taproom, tip back a beer and get acquainted with a future staple of your fall and winter wardrobe. See you soon!