The saddest day in my entire beer-loving life, came 4 springs ago, when I opened the door of my old college dorm room beer fridge, and out came my only remaining bottle of 4 Hands’ Absence Of Light ’17. In slow motion, the bottle teetered out of the fridge, falling to its death just six inches below. I moved as fast as I could, but could not catch the neck from slamming into the concrete floor, causing the glass to shatter, ejecting the brown, frothy goodness directly into the laundry drain. The scent of Peanut Butter Stout, wafted into the air as I stared down at the brown liquid disappearing into the abyss. It was a sad day.
I like to relive that moment each year when it’s time to announce the return of AoL to the St. Louis market. Only this time, this classic beer is returning in a much bigger way.
The St. Louis-based family of beverage brands, 4 Hands Brewing Co., 1220 Artisan Spirits and Withered Oak, will host their inaugural 4 Hands Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 22 from noon – 4 p.m. at 4 Hands Brewery (1220 S 8th St, St. Louis, MO 63104).
Fall Fest celebrates the newest “Absence of Light” stout release, “Fat Elvis.”
Meet Fat Elvis Absence Of Light
This new rendition of Absence of Light actually traces its roots back to a variation of Madagascar, the imperial stout from 4 Hands.
“Several years ago, we had made a Fat Elvis Madagascar, and it was very well received,” said Jeremy Danner, brand ambassador for the brewery. “This new Fat Elvis is a call back to that beer.”
Fat Elvis AoL (7.1% ABV) features huge notes of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate combined with bananas for a decadent treat worthy of the king. The addition of milk sugar on the brewhouse lends a slightly sweet finish to this silky delight.
“Bananas can be tricky to brew with. It’s a natural flavor and it really pops,” said Danner. “I like balance in beers, and they are key, but this is a novelty beer so we don’t want you searching for the new adjunct. So when you try this, you will get a lot of banana both in flavor and aroma,” said Danner.
Beer and More
Alongside Fat Elvis is the the debut of 1220 Spirits’ new canned cocktails, Bramble, featuring Encrypted Vodka with blackberry and lemon, and Vanilla Cold Brew, a vodka-based cocktail with chocolate, vanilla and Sump Coffee cold brew.
Fall Fest attendees can also purchase the full line of 4 Hands beer and hard seltzers, along with 1220 Spirits canned cocktails on tap. Fall Fest will have a bounce house for the kids, along with face painting, balloon artists, and pumpkin decorating. Festival-style food will be available outside from Sugarfire, Hi-Pointe, Chicken Out and dessert from Strange Donuts.
Fall Fest is a free, family-friendly event with food from Sugarfire Smokehouse, Chicken Out, Hi-Pointe Drive-In and Strange Donuts, live music from Sean Canan’s Voodoo Players, as well as activities for kids. A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit Strange Cares, Strange Donuts’ non-profit organization that supports the behavioral and mental health needs of children in the St. Louis community. Click here to RSVP and for more information on 4 Hands Fall Fest.
Fall Festival Info
WHEN: Saturday, October 22: Noon-4 p.m.
WHERE: 4 Hands Brewing Co., 1220 S. 8th St. St. Louis, MO 63104 (314) 436-1559
For all event information visit here
COST: Free to attend; pay as you go for beers, cocktails and food.
