Hosted by author Kristine K. Stevens, this event includes nibbles and a book sale. Kristine would be honored to autograph your copy of her book.

RSVP via Facebook.

ABOUT THE BOOK
In honor of her 40th birthday, Kristine K. Stevens sold her house, quit her job and traveled solo around the world.

Carrying a backpack and the naïve belief that the trip was nothing more than a six-month-long vacation, she hit the road.

As her journey moved on and off the beaten tourist path, she braved a monsoon in Zanzibar, a safari in Kenya, trekking in Nepal, kayaking in Thailand, caves in Laos, red plaid fish and lava in Hawaii, and grizzly bears in Alaska.

Little did Kristine know that she was completing a pilgrimage that would change her life forever.

See photos from the trip.

CAN'T ATTEND?
This book will be available in digital and print formats via Amazon.com and other online retailers by mid-July.

Moon River Brewing Company will host Matt’s Moon River Cruise on Saturday, June 8 from 2-5 p.m. at the Moon River Beer Garden, 21 W. Bay St. The event is named in memory of Matt Kohler, who was hit from behind by a driver on July 26, 2012, while riding his bike on U.S. Highway 80 in Bloomingdale. The event will feature a recreational ride leaving Ellis Square at 1 p.m., plus live music, prize giveaways, a special beer brewed in Matt’s honor and bicycle valet parking.

The goal of the event is to educate the public on how to safely share the road with cyclists and increase awareness of Georgia’s “3-foot passing law,” which sets the minimum distance motorists must allow when following or overtaking a cyclist.

Remember Matt Kohler

“Matt was a huge participant in life and our community. He was that kid everyone wanted to meet, and I was blessed to get to marry,” said Kori Kohler. “You probably saw him sitting at a bar in Savannah, becoming best friends with a stranger. You may have cheered next to him at a Sand Gnats game, admired his green pants on River Street for St. Pat's, or had lumber cut for you when he worked for Home Depot,” she said. “You may have even known him as the guy at the end of the Rock n' Roll marathon wearing nothing but a bathrobe.”

She hopes the event accomplishes two main goals.

“I wanted everyone to know his story. More importantly, I wanted people to realize that when you neglect the road, for even one minute, you could take away someone's everything,” Kohler said.

Special edition beer at the event

Moon River Brewing Brewmaster John Pinkerton is organizing the event and is brewing a special edition beer to honor Matt.

“When Kori contacted me last summer, just days after Matt's passing, I was terribly sad to hear of her loss,” Pinkerton said. “But, as an avid road cyclist myself, the news struck a deep chord for me as I thought of all of the people I know who still share the roads with vehicles in and around Savannah. Kori felt like it would be especially fitting for us to brew a special beer in Matt's honor, since they enjoyed visiting Moon River together while they were dating.”

Pinkerton said the initial idea to brew a special beer blossomed into a larger event that will “shine a spotlight on Matt’s lasting legacy” and make Savannah and Chatham County safer for cyclists. But there will still be a special beer and he is looking forward to serving it at the event.

“The Moon River brewing team has come up with an exciting new recipe for Matt's Moon Cruise Pale Ale. Debuting at the event on June 8, Matt's memorial brew will be a Belgo-American style Pale Ale, featuring the refreshing fruity/ spicy aroma of our Belgian yeast strain and the citrus/pine/tropical fruit character of our American hop selections.”

The suggested donation for entry to Matt’s Moon River Cruise is $20 and proceeds will benefit the Savannah Bicycle Campaign, a local bicycle advocacy and education organization, and Georgia Bikes, which works to improve bicycling conditions and promote bicycling throughout the state of Georgia.

Improving bicycle safety in Georgia

“Georgia Bikes has been successful in recent years in achieving state level policy changes to improve cyclists' safety on Georgia's roads,” said Drew Wade, chairman of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign and a board member of Georgia Bikes. “Still, Chatham County has the highest rate of bike vs. auto injuries and fatalities in the state, and a tragedy like Matt's highlights the need for Georgia Bikes and Savannah Bicycle Campaign to continue to raise awareness about the problem.”

WHAT: Matt’s Moon River Cruise
WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 2-5 p.m. (Bike ride starts at 1 p.m.)
WHERE: Moon River Brewing Company Beer Garden, 21 W. Bay St. (Bike ride leaves from Ellis Square)
WHY: To remember Matt Kohler, encourage everyone to share the road and raise funds for motorist and cyclist education

Join us for the Kentucky Derby, the greatest two minutes of sports,at approximately 6:30 p.m.

The customer who wears the best hat will win a $50 gift certificate.

The employee who wears the best hat will win a $50 prize.

Customers who pick the Kentucky Derby winning horse will receive a free Moon River Brewing appetizer.

We will offer the following specials from noon to 7 p.m.:

• Fresh mint Juleps: $2.50
• Makers Mark (neat or on the rocks): $5
• Hot Brown Sandwich (turkey, bacon and Mornay sauce) served with creamed corn and tater tots: $5
• Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, an ale aged for up to six weeks in freshly decanted bourbon barrels from some of Kentucky’s finest distilleries (12-oz.): $4
• Roast beef wrap with one side: $5

Part- and full-time positions available.

Applicants for consideration will have reliable transportation, friendly personalities, a positive work history, and must be available to work on weekends.

Please apply in person at 21 W. Bay St., 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

Come hang out in our new Beer Garden Moon River Brewing's new 5,400-square-foot Beer Garden opened March 9. It features a single-story Garden House, home to a kitchen, restrooms and bar with three garage doors that can be opened on beautiful days. The remaining Beer Garden space has seating for more than 200 patrons.   Herbs, flowers, shrubs and trees have been planted along the north and west sides of the Beer Garden to enhance the garden feeling. Carolina jessamine (with Moon River Brewing yellow flowers) has been planted so their vines will eventually grow over the trellis that is above most of the seating area, providing cooling shade on hot summer days.   The Beer Garden may offer either a limited menu from its own kitchen or the full menu from the main Moon River Brewing kitchen (usually Sunday through Wednesday). It primarily depends on the main kitchen’s ability to provide meals in a timely manner.   Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome in the Beer Gardenand doggie water bowls are available.   We are in the process of making the Beer Garden available for private events like weddings, receptions, after parties, etc. For more information, contact operations and special events manager  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   A note from general manager Gene Beeco and brewmaster John Pinkerton, local owners and operators: Thank you all so much for your patience, understanding and support as we learn the best way to manage the Beer Garden. Please know that everyone is working as fast and hard as possible to find and hire additional qualified staff, to establish and learn the new procedures, and to give you the quality experience you deserve.       Riverkeeper event = live music, a free beer  On April 6, 2-6 p.m., come support the Ogeechee Riverkeeper organization in the Beer Garden, Your $10 donation includes some fantastic swamp boogie from the Swamp Cabbage band and one free craft beer.   All ages welcome, and this venue is dog- and child-friendly, so bring the whole family. RSVP via Facebook.   $1.40 beers on 14th anniversary celebration In honor of Moon River Brewing's 14th anniversary, our beers will be $1.40 each on April 10, 5-7 p.m. in the new Beer Garden (only). Rumor suggests cake may be served. RSVP via Facebook.
Moon River Brewing beers on tap: Belly-Washer Golden Ale English-style Golden Pale Ale. This easy drinking Golden Ale is brewed with malts from Canada, hops from the U.S. and English yeast. At the end of the day Belly-washer is like any good mutt: difficult to describe, but loveable and fun to hang out with.   Wild Wacky Wit Old-style Belgian Wheat Ale. Spiced with curacao bitter orange peel and coriander. Light and exotic, it is a party in your mouth!   Apparition Ale English Pale Ale. With all of its ingredients imported from the U.K., this beer is driven by the malt flavors of caramel and a fruity English-ale yeast character.   Slow-vannah American-style Pale Ale. This mildly hopped beer is smooth and laid back, just like Savannah. Thanks to the addition of malted oats to the mash, Slow-vannah has a deceptively full body even though it is a fairly light beer.   Swamp Fox Indian Pale Ale. Like its namesake, this ale is known for the sneak attack. Hopheads will enjoy its assertive bitterness and huge floral, citrus, dry hop aroma.   Captain's Porter US Sweet Stout. Close your eyes, take a sip and think dark chocolate. Case in point, all dark beers don’t have to be bitter! Don’t be afraid of the dark!   The Bomb Dry Irish Stout. Wonderfully roasty and quite crisp and dry, The Bomb delivers an aggressive whallop of dark malt with a tangy finish.   Hey Diddle Diddle Belgian-Style Farmhouse Ale. ‘There is a pub, a merry old pub by the beck in the ville, And there they brew a beer so dry That the Man in the Moon himself came by one night to drink his fill.’   Join the tipsy Cat, hornéd Cow, little Dog, and silver Dish and Spoon for a pint of Moon River’s finest Farmhouse Ale.   Sombra de Marmota Tequlia Barrel Aged Belgian-Style Pale Ale. Marmotas, Woodchucks, Whistle-Pigs, Land-beavers? Whatever you like to call them, we have decided to exploit Groundhog Day for selfish purposes. Subtle caramel flavors blend in and balance a fruity Belgian yeast character that is topped with large amounts of American west-coast hops. Barrel aging adds vanilla, bourbon, oak and tequila. Sombra de Marmota! The Groundhog’s Shadow!     Cask ales Cask ales are unfiltered, unpasteurized beers that served from a cask without additional nitrogen or carbon dioxide pressure. Each are served at 6 p.m.: April 3: Slow-vannah with Citra hops April 10: Apparition Ale with Sorachi Ace hops April 17: Swamp Fox IPA with calamondin orange rinds and Citra hops April 24: Saison with fresh cilantro   Guest Beers Snow Day Winter Ale by New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Co. Ellie's Brown Ale by Avery Brewing Company in Boulder, Co.	Want to work at Moon River Brewing? We are hiring servers, cooks and hosts/hostesses. Applicants for consideration will have reliable transportation, friendly personalities, a positive work history, and must be available to work on weekends. Please apply in person at 21 W. Bay St., 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.     Vote for Beer Garden to be the best Please take a moment to complete Connect Savannah's Best in Savannah 2013 survey by May 1, and vote for Moon River Brewing's Beer Garden as the Best Outdoor Bar.     Share your love for craft beer Check out Untappd, a mobile app that allows you to socially share the brew you are enjoying and where you are drinking it.     Calendar April 3, 7:30 p.m.: Savannah Brewers League meeting (first Wednesday of each month) April 5, 12, 19 and 26, 6 p.m.: Moon River Brewing's traditional toast to sum up the week's events. Volunteer to make your first toast and receive a free T-shirt. (every Friday). April 7: Classic City Beer Fest, Athens Ga. May 13-19, 2013: American Craft Beer Week.  Sept. 15, 2013: Brewgrass Festival, Asheville, N.C. Oct. 10-12, 2013: Great American Beer Festival, Denver, Co. Oct. 19, 2013: Ossabaw Island 12th Annual Pig Roast and Auction, Ossabaw Island, Ga. Nov. 3, 2013: Bluffton International & Craft Beer Festival, Bluffton, S.C.                       Food delivery and other good bits  Watch the latest edition of Beer America TV (craft beer in motion).  Order Moon River Brewing food to be delivered to your home, office or hotel room. Receive a 10 percent discount when you show a full-time military ID. Watch the "I Am A Craft Brewer YouTube video. It represents the camaraderie, character and integrity of the American Craft Brewing movement.    Share your love Like us on Moon River Brewing's Facebook page. We are honored to have 7,470 fans so far! We are also on Twitter (@MoonRiverBrew) with 1,207 followers so far.
Become a Quality Assurance Team Member When you become a Moon River Brewing Quality Assurance Team member ($35 one-time, life-time fee), you will receive a personalized membership card and 22-oz. Q.A. mug or a T-shirt. Additional benefits include: 2-for-1 appetizers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during Happy Hour.  A free dinner on your birthday. Points, earned with each dollar spent, that can be redeemed for food and merchandise. *Member benefits and pricing subject to change without notice. Happy hour specials (4-7 p.m. every day) Moon River beers, $4.50 (20-oz. pint) • House wines, $3.50 Complimentary hors d'oeuvres served by the bar on Thursdays. Moon River Brewing Company 21 W. Bay St. Savannah, GA 31401 • 912.447.0943 Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-midnight • Sunday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Contact us.

On April 6, 2-6 p.m., support the Ogeechee Riverkeeper organization while enjoying some fantastic swamp boogie from Swamp Cabbage and craft beer in Moon River Brewing's new Beer Garden.

$10 gets you an afternoon of great music and a free beer. All proceeds benefit the Ogeechee Riverkeeper.

All ages welcome, and this cool new venue is dog-friendly, so bring the whole family.

RSVP on Facebook if you plan to attend this event, and share the invite with your friends!