This dark amber colored beer is dry hopped and cask-conditioned.

What’s in the name? According to the Avery Brewing website, “Maharaja is derived from the sanskrit words mahat, – “great” and rajan – “king”. Much like its namesake, this imperial IPA is regal, intense and mighty. With hops and malts as his servants, he rules both with a heavy hand. The Maharaja flaunts his authority over a deranged amount of hops: tangy, vibrant and pungent along with an insane amount of malted barley – fashioning a dark amber hue and exquisite malt essence.”

Meddlesome Moth beer guru, Captain Keith, reveals in the video below {after the jump} that this brew is his favorite of any in the Dictator Series and that it will likely go quickly. So sneak out of work a few minutes early so you can get to the Moth and grab a glass at 5 pm sharp!

Still thirsty for more? I thought so. Here’s a little taste of what this cask-conditioned brew has to offer. From the Real Ale website:

Real Ale ESB pours a deep copper color and has an enticing aroma of fruit and caramel, with a subtle earthiness. A medium-bodied ale, our ESB showcases the fruitiness of our house yeast, along with the rich toffee flavors of English crystal malt. Added complexity is provided by a generous amount of English hops. Real Ale ESB finishes slightly dry with a mild spiciness that beckons another pint.

D Magazine’s SideDish Supper Club, founded in March 2009, hosts quarterly dining events and was created “to put Dallas foodies up close and personal with the latest dining trends,” so it’s only fitting that this month’s restaurant pick just happens to be one of Dallas’ trendiest new restaurants: The Meddlsome Moth.

Foodies and beer lovers alike have been flocking to Lower Oak Lawn’s hot new restaurant for refreshing brews and unconventional eats. This month’s beer dinner hosted at 4:00 pm on Sunday, September 26 in coordination with D Magazine’s SideDish Supper Club and The Brooklyn Brewery is sure to please both crowds.

Garret Oliver, Brewmaster of Brooklyn Brewery and author of the critically acclaimed The Brewmaster’s Table is often cited as the foremost authority in the United States on the subject of traditional beer. He will be on hand to dine with Supper Club guests and share insight on some of his favorite brews.

Chef Chad Kelley has prepared an interesting and tasty five-course menu that complements six of Oliver’s Brooklyn beers. Several rare brews will be served, including a cask-conditioned ale.

The $75 price tag is quite a steal, considering it includes includes tax, gratuity, valet parking, a commemorative beer glass, and, of course, a goody bag!

SideDish dinners are the hit of the town, so call now (214-628-7900) to reserve your spot.

The Meddlesome Moth
1621 Oak Lawn Ave.
Dallas, TX 75207
www.mothinthe.net

According to Captain Keith, “Beers in this {Moveable Yeast} line up are basically everyday beers fermented with various yeast strains to show how big a role yeast can play in making any beer. Weed Whacker is their Kolsch called Lawnmower fermented with their Hefe-Weizen yeast and then dry hopped with Amarillo hops.”

Saint Arnold made only a handful of casks that were dryhopped with Amarillo hops and, of course, The Moth got their hands on one of these rarities!

You can read more about Weed Whacker at the Houston Chronicle’s Beer, TX blog. Also check out their great video of Saint Arnold Founder, Brock Wagner discussing the new brew.

Rare casks are tapped at The Moth every Wednesday at 5:00 pm.

The Meddlesome Moth
1621 Oak Lawn Ave.
Dallas, TX 75207
www.mothinthe.net

A few notes paraphrased from Stone Brewing Co’s web site: The Stone Smoked Porter is dark, rich and complicated. Its captivating deep mahogany color is complemented by a silky dark tan head. Smooth, with chocolate and coffee-like flavors balanced by the subtle “smoky” character of just the right amount of peat-smoked specialty malt.

As always, things get started at 5 pm sharp. See you at happy hour!

The Meddlesome Moth
1621 Oak Lawn Ave.
Dallas, TX 75207
www.mothinthe.net

For those of you who missed it, Chad Kelley, executive chef at the Meddlesome Moth, appeared on Fox 4 Good Day this morning, talking up the Design District’s hot new restaurant and sharing the secret to the delicious jalapeno shrimp & grits menu item!

I consumed my fair share of shrimp & grits while in college in Mississippi, but I have to say, I love the spicy twist Chad has put on this classic southern dish. Check out the video below for a first-hand demo from Chad.

Want to try this out in your kitchen? I’ve got the recipe after the jump!

Meddlesome Moth Shrimp and Grits Recipe by Chad Kelley

Jalapeno Gravy Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter butter
• ½ cup flour
• ½ small onion, minced
• 1 tablespoon garlic minced
• 1 quart whole milk
• 1 cup jalapeno puree (roughly 8-10 jalapenos; take seeds out to lessen heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste

To make the grits, just follow the recipe on the container. Grits vary quite a bit in preparation times. Quick grits are par cooked and take less time but a fresh stone ground grit yields a more satisfying finished product. We use Brazos Valley Gristmill Grits. Once you get the desired consistency using stock or water, you can finish with a little heavy cream and some Pepper Jack Cheese for some extra depth and richness.

With shrimp, sizes and personal preferences vary. Pick shrimp that look very fresh and have no odor. Shrimp that are bright and colorful may have been treated with chemicals so avoid these. Pan sear or grill the shrimp and place on top of the grits and jalapeno gravy. Garnish with some fresh cilantro or thinly sliced green onions.

Change it up a little using roasted poblanos or hatch chiles instead of the jalapenos and add some whole corn kernels to the grits for added texture. 
Rather than simply seasoning the shrimp with salt and pepper, add chile powder and cayenne and then grill the shrimp.

The Meddlesome Moth
1621 Oak Lawn Ave.
Dallas, TX 75207
www.mothinthe.net

{Photo courtesy of: Eating in Dallas}

Tonight’s cask contains Fritz & Ken’s Ale, a collaboration between Fritz Maytag, considered the godfather of American craft brewing, and Sierra Nevada’s founder Ken Grossman.

This Pioneer stout is “a nod to the robust ales that seduced both Fritz and Ken in the early years. A rich and roasted ale, it’s perfect for aging and worthy of your finest snifter.”

The cask will be tapped at 5:00 pm sharp. Get there on time; these rare kegs have been known to go quickly!

The Meddlesome Moth
1621 Oak Lawn Ave.
Dallas, TX 75207
www.mothinthe.net

I don’t know about you but I’m loving August’s “HOT” issue of FD Luxe. I am so jazzed to see pics from The Meddlesome Moth’s Grand Opening Party gracing the Society section. It was quite the event! {Check it out in print on pages 33-34 or on DallasNews.com}

Beyond the outstanding food, immense beer selection and good company in attendance, the party raised $52,000 for The Bridge homeless shelter. Why The Bridge? “Because it’s a charity that actually saves Dallas money!” said Moth proprietor Shannon Wynne.

Just as impressive as the guest list was the invitation which was beyond creative! Made out of cardboard, the invite mimicked a panhandler’s sign. But when you read between the lines, you’ll see that the sign actually tells a compelling story. {Click the image below to see a larger version.}

The back of the invite read like a delivery label, bar code and all! Cute, and for a good cause — I’m loving it!

If you missed the party, worry not! You can still support this great cause by donating to the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance online.

The Meddlesome Moth
1621 Oak Lawn Ave.
Dallas, TX 75207
www.mothinthe.net

There is a limited supply of wine and when it’s gone, it’s gone. So get there early and be sure to put an afternoon nap on your calendar!

Bleu Artichoke Cafe
1225 N. Riverfront Blvd. (Formerly Industrial Blvd.)
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 741-0034

Photo Courtesy of {Jessica Melling}

The Meddlesome Moth is already a hot spot for locals, and now it seems that celebs are getting in on the action, too! Earlier this month country music star Leanne Rhymes caught a late night bite at The Moth after her concert at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth. Alan Peppard broke the story and has more scoop over on DallasNews.com.

Last Friday, Angelina’s father, Jon Voight, was spotted sporting his West Canan Coyotes jacket and catching a late lunch. Word on the street is he’s still in town wrapping up filming on the new Fox series, Midland. Again, more from Mr. Peppard.

Any other recent celebrity sightings at The Moth? Send tips to kendall {at} loweroaklawn.com or mention @loweroaklawn in a tweet!

The Meddlesome Moth
1621 Oak Lawn Ave.
Dallas, TX 75207
www.mothinthe.net