New digs

As you might have noticed, we’ve decided to update our website to coincide with our launch. There are a few things we’ve been wanting to highlight, such as events we’ll be participating in and where you can find our beer in and around Atlanta. We’ll do our best to keep these parts of the site updated, and will be adding them in the next few days.

I should note that we didn’t spend 4 weeks user testing this new site design. Nor did we spend 1 week user testing it. It was actually closer to 12 minutes. So if you find anything wonky, would you be so kind as to leave us a comment?

We’d also love to hear what you think of the new design. We’re trying to maintain our old blog feel but add a little bit of the “Look, we’re actually selling beer now!” grown up attitude.

Come see us at Leon’s next Tuesday! Plus more events on the way!

We’re kicking off our Decatur launch next Tuesday (8/9) at Leon’s Full Service from 6pm-9pm. Come by and and say hello, and pick up a pint of Eye Patch Ale and/or Drafty Kilt Scotch Ale. Leon’s will have both on draft. I know it can be intimidating to talk to bigshots like us, so we have prepared some questions for you:

• Joel, why are you so much uglier in person?
• Do you have a stick of gum?
• Why did it take you guys so long to launch?
• Do you think my car will be towed if I park it at the Decatur library?
• Why did you add rye to the Eye Patch Ale?
• Do these jean shorts make my butt look fat?
• What makes a scotch ale a scotch ale?

If you haven’t been to Leon’s, you MUST. They specialize in American craft beer and food. Delicious food. Like french fries with a variety of dipping sauces.

We are also working on an event calendar so you can plan your entire life around us. Ready? Here you go! We’ve got some more great events on the way, so you should probably block out your whole August. At least the weeknights.

Full kegs of beer are a beautiful thing

Yesterday we kegged the first production batch of Monday Night ? both the Eye Patch Ale and the Drafty Kilt Scotch Ale. The sight brought tears to my eye. Partly because it was so beautiful to see them all lined up and ready to go, like kindergartners on their first day of school, but mostly because kegging is hard work. My back still hurts…

Look at those guys. Like puppies with their eyes still swollen shut, just searching for their mother’s teat. Okay, I’m going to lay off of that analogy before it gets too graphic. Here’s what the finished product looked like (only with way more kegs):

We’ll be announcing more rollout locations and some super special events early next week, so stay tuned!

Buy the first Monday Night beer ever. At Hop City. On August 8.

We’re excited. We’re about to launch. So loosen your ties, Atlanta.

If you want to be among the first to purchase some Monday Night beer, you’ll need to show up at Hop City on Monday, August 8 at 5:30pm. Hop City will be selling growlers of our Eye Patch Ale and Drafty Kilt Scotch Ale until they run out of beer and/or growlers. We’ll be on hand to answer questions about the beer, give unsolicited advice on your wardrobe, give creepy back massages, etc.

Why Hop City? They’ve been a great supporter of ours since day 1. We’ve bought supplies from them for brewing test batches. They’ve provided input on our test batches to make the beers even better. Plus, growlers! We aren’t bottling beer yet, but this will allow you to take some home to enjoy.

We suggest you don’t tell anyone else about this so there will be more beer for you. We’ll see you there!

Ever heard of Facebook?

Apparently we hadn’t. Until yesterday. We’ll be interacting more on Facebook in coming months, after creating our very own account yesterday. If you’re into poking and thumbs upping and Farmville, check us out!

But seriously, we need 25 fans to get a vanity URL. And we want a vanity URL like it’s our job.

UPDATE: Thanks to Chris, lucky #25, you can now find us here: http://www.facebook.com/mondaynight ? how’s THAT for an immediate ROI on social media? Well… at least an immediate ROI on being a URL dork.

What should Monday Nights look like?

We need your help. We’ve entered the phase where we will be transitioning Monday Night events away from a random garage on the west side of town to bars and restaurants serving Monday Night beers, all over the Atlanta area (and eventually Georgia). This will allow us to meet more people in different parts of Atlanta, and give us a venue to provide beer for sale (which we cannot do out of a garage for obvious reasons). However, we haven’t yet put too much thought into what a post-garage Monday Night event should look like.

What would you be most excited about? Here are a few thought starters, but we really want your fresh thinking. Leave a comment, if you dare.

• Meeting the owners (prediction: this will not be a winning suggestion)
• Drink specials on Monday Night beers
• Random schwag giveaways (we wouldn’t be able to give away stuff to everyone, though)
• Games or trivia
• Food options paired specifically for Monday Night beers
• Bringing in interesting guests such as authors, scientists, or pirate experts

Trade Show ready

Our new banner came in the mail. We realize this is not very important or interesting. Which is why we dedicate an ENTIRE POST to it. Look out trade shows, here we come. Or beer festivals. Whatever. Where there is a need for a banner, THERE IS A BANNER!!!!