The Cyclo-cross season is here ("World Cup" season is September-January), a fast-paced form of bicycle racing which consists of many laps of a short (2.5-3.5  km or 1.5-2  mile) course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles. Riders are required to quickly dismount, carry their bike while navigating the obstruction and then remount in one motion. Though rapidly growing into a global sport, Cyclo-cross has its roots firmly embedded in northern Belgium (where the best and most famous riders and races hail from). And the best part of the entire race venue? The beer tent! So, this month, we're featuring five classic Belgian beers to help give you an authentic taste of the action:
 

• Leffe Blonde: a dry, fruity, lightly spiced beer, full and creamy - a perfect balance of strength and subtlety with a malty aroma and a subtle, sweet finish.
• Stella Artois: first brewed as a Christmas beer and named Stella for the Christmas star (and Artois after Sebastian Artois, founder of the brewery) this is the optimum premium lager, with a full flavor and clean crisp taste
• Grimbergen Dubbel: a dark burgundy, top-fermented Abbey Beer with a full body. The mixture of different malts and the use of dark candy sugar produce a delicious sweet toffee taste with a brandy-like finish.
• Westmalle Trappist Dubbel: This superb Trappist Ale (from one of only seven Trappist breweries in the world) is brown-amber color, with a subtle dark-malt aroma balanced by Belgian yeast character. Deeply malty, with a subtle and dry finish that hints at tropical fruit.
• Chimay Premium Red Ale: Topped with a creamy head this ale gives off a light, fruity apricot aroma and imparts a silky sensation to the tongue and a refreshing light touch of bitterness.

We kicked off our autumn beer selection last month with the world famous Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale. This crisp, refreshing wheat ale, with delightful aromatics and subtle spiced flavors with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon, was a HUGE hit so we'll be keeping it around for another month. (You're welcome!) 

 

The weather is FINALLY cool. Not promising to be cool... ACTUALLY cool. So come on in and cozy up with one of our new seasonal lattes: Snowman Latte (almond syrup and white chocolate added to your choice of milk and espresso), Raspberry & White Chocolate Latte, or the scrumptious Gingerbread Chai Latte. Want something caffeine free? Try a tasty Milk Steamer - a shot of flavored syrup added to your choice of milk and frothed to perfection. It's a delicious, low calorie, steamy treat. 
 
Need a cup of joe, instead? Our coffee of the month is "Alternative Fuel" from Jittery Joes Coffee Roasting Company.  We think you will love this Brazilian coffee roasted medium and dark then blended together with nutty accents mixed with butter and fruit. And as a bonus: proceeds from sales of "Alternative Fuel" help support BikeAthens and it's campaign to help the Athens community embrace a healthier form of transportation. Let's hope Orlando can follow suit, too!
 
Do you prefer more bubbles in your beverage? Well, brace yourself because we're busting out some truly berry fabulous Champagne-tinis this month (champagne with a splash of martini mix) that will surely deliver you to your happy place. Available in Pomegranate and Blueberry, all we can say is: prepare yourself. Your taste buds won't know what to do with this much deliciousness.

 

Date: TBA... but get yourself prepared; because we are about to drop the most fluffy and delectable made-to-order Belgian waffles on you... and you will be utterly defenseless against them!  Soon to be served on Saturdays and Sundays (from 9-11 AM only) with fresh fruit, syrup, whip cream and butter. And, psst... guess what else! There has even been talk of gelato-topped waffles. Oh yes! We said GELATO-topped WAFFLES!!!