The Back-to-School Hustle

Every year I am filled with equal amounts of excitement and anxiousness when back to school hits.  

The kids’ activities are mostly during the day in the summer which means we can have dinner together most evenings (and Thad’s cooking) - such a treat!

But then I realize they are driving me crazy.  A million phone calls while I’m working, the kitchen counter is full of crumbs and smudges, socks on the coffee table, and snack wrappers EVERYWHERE!

But, with the quiet school days come crazy nights. Most nights require two drivers, and every night requires a dinner plan because you see, our kids are spoiled…

Chef’s children don’t want a turkey sandwich, or a bowl of cereal, or anything simple. No not a chef’s child. They want a hot meal with protein, vegetables, starch, and probably a salad to start.  Oh, and then of course they expect us to make enough for them to pack in their lunch the next day too.

Most days we manage a cooking situation but for those days when we can’t quite swing it…

I go onto my PC at lunch, pre-order a 101 family meal, and pick it up on my way home!  

We get a break, the kids get a great dinner, and if I get two there is lunch for the next day.

To all you parents out there - good luck with back to school and figuring out how to make it all work.  

Celebrating 10 Years!

Celebrating is an understatement – we are ECSTATIC to be here pondering where the last 10 years have gone. It is not unlike watching your children grow a little each day and suddenly they are taller than you, know so much more about technology than you, and somehow can function each day without your assistance.

101 Beer Kitchen is all grown up!

The very first 101 management team gets ready to open the doors October 1, 2012.

Throughout the month, we will be celebrating our people and accomplishments with personal stories of growth, fun facts from the past 10 years, and as a grand finale, a 6 course carefully curated beer dinner at our original location in Dublin on November 1st. 

We are so looking forward to bringing these events back and sharing our love of food & beer pairing with you. Cheers to the memories yet to come! Here are some beer dinner highlights from years past…

During those formative years there were so many people who helped us along the way. They are too many to thank them all individually - but we are truly and forever grateful to the team members and guests who helped make 101 the place it is today.

Here are some pictures we found of faces you may recognize from past and present. Store openings, weddings, babies, lost friends, new business ventures, educational field trips, and lots of laughs along the way. We can’t wait to see what the next 10 years has in store and look forward to enjoying the ride with you.

The first picture taken inside what became 101 Beer Kitchen - we call this - 101 or Bust!

101 Beer Kitchen Established October 1, 2012.

Thank you to our family, friends, team members & our guests for making the last 10 years amazing.

Thad & Jess, 101 Co-Owners

Reflection & Gratitude: 101's Journey Through COVID

Shut it Down.

March 15th, 2020, was a scary day for many but especially businesses which were forced to close their doors. No one can be prepared for what businesses went through that day. The 101 leadership team met that night, shared a bourbon, and got to work on a plan to get through an economic shutdown in which doors would be shuttered for an indefinite amount of time. For a full-service restaurant doing less than 10% of total volume in take-out pre-pandemic, it was a gamble to remain open for take-out only. It was a gamble we determined we were willing to take if it kept a portion of our team intact.

Takeout

The menu was re-engineered to be lean, efficient, and takeout friendly. From there, it was decided that adapting and being flexible would be the way forward. One day at a time, no rock unturned, and no options off the table.

The first couple weeks of take-out only were a huge learning curve and changes were made daily. Owners Thad and Jess both worked shifts in the stores which allowed them to see first-hand where bottlenecks and problems occurred. After shifts, the team would review growth opportunities and problems and then brainstorm, plan and implement changes to systems and processes. Having a smooth, safe experience for guests and team members was the top priority and ultimately helped to grow the carryout business.

Best Team Ever.

During these months of dining room closure, each 101 store team and the communities they serve showed up for us in so many ways. The commitment, loyalty and perseverance of the 101 team was amazing. Front of house managers became prep cooks, and chefs were running food out to cars. Whatever it took to serve our guests is what they did day in and day out without complaint. Our guests also supported 101 and our team members so well. They adapted to new processes with grace and they showed such generosity; it was heartwarming during such a stressful time and certainly brought tears more than once.

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Open for Business.

Our dining rooms reopened to the public the day after Memorial Day last year with many restrictions. Tables were removed, screens put in place, social distancing, masks – the list goes on and on. But, this year after Memorial Day, we get to re-open entirely! June 2nd, masks will be optional for vaccinated team members and guests, dividers will be removed and tables brought out of storage back to the stores!

Happy Hour.

To mark the occasion, we are adding a new Happy Hour available in the entire restaurant now! Guests can enjoy $4 off growlers, $3 off draft beer, $2 off wine and $1 off liquor Monday through Friday, 3pm – 6pm. *Ohio only.

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The Rebuild Continues.

It is no secret that business is back, but workers are not for many businesses - ours is no exception. The team which has been so loyal throughout this challenging year is tired and stretched thin, but continues to do what is needed to provide great service. Sometimes that may mean closing sections of the restaurant due to not having enough servers. It also means pizzas cannot be added back due to cook shortages, although we hope to as soon as the team is fully staffed.

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Our hearts go out to those in our 101 communities who have lost family, friends, and colleagues. Despite the loss and fear our team and the communities we serve shone a bright light on a dreadful year and we will be forever grateful for the love and support. Our business will thrive for years to come because of it.

With gratitude,

Jess & Thad

Pairing 101 Style

Finding Your &.

In my last post I welcomed our Fishers store and took a moment to explain our beloved Ampersand and what it means to us.

For those that missed it,

our Ampersand is about our commitment to helping you find YOUR Perfect Pair.

In short, we want your dining experience with us to be all about the &.

Pairing 101

We know the rules & We know when to break them.

There are some basic rules of food & beer pairing that are great to know, especially if you're new to the concept. 

Complement (BK101)

This is the tried-and-true way of doing things and includes wisdom like: never pair a heavy beer with a light food, and vice versa; light lagers and wheat beers are great with spicy foods; IPAs have the chutzpah to complement steak and barbecue; and porters and stouts are naturals with dessert. 

Cleanse (BK201)

You can actually use beer to cleanse your palate when enjoying dishes with super-strong flavors. For example, a light beer can soften the spiciness of certain foods while the bitterness of an IPA can cut through the oiliness of fatty foods like French fries or duck.

Contrast (BK301)

This is the graduate school of pairing; it can be risky, but the payoff can be nothing short of amazing if you do it right. We highly encourage experimentation, and our staff is always ready to guide you along in your choices.

The thing about finding your &, is that it’s not the same for everyone.

You can read books, blogs, follow food experts on social media and they will have some really great tips on pairing food and beverage.

But, at the end of the day, it is what tastes good and brings a smile to your face. THIS is how 101 prefers to guide Guests.

Curried Cauliflower Soup

Earthy cauliflower, curry spice & sweetness from the coconut make me immediately crave something darker with a sweet malt backbone and just a touch of hop bitterness to balance. Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock fits the bill nicely.

Shrimp & Grits

Pair so well with a nice light pale ale. The delicate shrimp call for a lighter beer so as not to overpower but the slight bitterness from the hops cuts through the cheesy grits and spicy andouille sausage.

I love 3 Floyds Gumball Head with this dish, which is actually a hoppy wheat style not a pale ale.

Molten Chocolate Pudding Cake

At the end of a meal, consider sipping a Mead, or honey wine to pair with your something sweet. This Wildflower Traditional Mead by Crafted Artisan Meadery is absolutely delightful with its floral notes and sweet honey next to a gooey chocolate treat..

You Had Me at Food & Beer.

Interested in learning more?

Events: The majority of our events are centered around pairing food & beverage and the idea that the sum is better than its parts. Our beer dinners are especially fun and done at least quarterly in each of our stores. Each location’s Chef creates a 5 course menu to pair with a selection of beverages, usually beer but not always. No two dinners are the same and each Chef puts their own “personality” into it.

1/2 Pours: Did you know we offer our drafts in half pour sizes? So next time, get two halves instead and taste the difference! This is one of our favorite ways to self-educate.

Check out our News & Events page for the latest and greatest.

101 Fishers, Welcome to the Family

Adding to our restaurant family, is not unlike adding a new member to our household family.

There is the excitement that precedes the new addition, unforeseen challenges that arise, and new personalities to meet. Well with our soft opening weekend complete our newest addition to the 101 family is ready to meet & serve you Fishers!

But who are we and what do we do? We are so glad you asked.

Perfect Pairs.

It’s What We Do.

We believe in Food & Beverage being planned TOGETHER and in the joy that comes from creating these happy combinations.

Our food menu is created to celebrate the flavors of each season with plenty of seasonal cocktails & beers to pair.

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Our Ampersand is a nod to our commitment in helping you find YOUR Perfect Pair.

Our hearts are full with pride & joy in the new space and Team that will make 101 a home to our Fishers Guests.

We want to thank all who made opening this December possible but a few special call-outs are necessary. To our construction team led by Shawn & Kevin from Capitol Construction; thank you for pushing to complete the project and for your commitment to quality & attention to detail; it was truly a pleasure. To our landlords Thompson Thift, we cannot thank you enough for the support.

Lastly, to our Management Team, you have worked so hard to staff, train and ready the store for opening and for this we are so grateful. This doesn’t happen without you!

Yours in Food & Beer,

Jess, aka “Mama,” aka “Non-Ops”

Our Brand Refresh: New Look. New Menu. New Store.

When you ask the hard question, and get the hard answer.

Every huge project starts with a question it seems. But sometimes, we don’t want to hear the answer. To take a hard look at something you have poured everything into and come back with the answer - “it could be better” - is definitely not the answer you want to hear.

And yet that was the answer to a question posed as our team prepared to find our first location out of state. The question: Does our brand, top to bottom, represent who we are and what we do accurately? To someone maybe not as understanding as our neighbors, our friends, our church? Someone, like another community entirely that has no idea about our passion for food & beverage? No idea about our commitment to giving the suburbs a foodie option for the whole family?

“It could be better.” Yikes. Where do we start?

Building the team.

We had never used a designer for our other stores. It seemed scary. Would they understand? It felt too personal. But when you realize “it could be better,” suddenly all you care about it is how to make it better. And the how, is really the who.  

To say we all clicked would be an accurate representation. Our meetings for 18 months were full of ideas, ponderings, answers and sometimes just more questions. Jeremy Slagle of Slagle Design, Christine Meyers of The Verb Garden, and the Design Collective team Brent LaCount, Laura Kageorge & Matt Toddy, were our design team. We are so incredibly grateful for how well they listened and the thoughtful work they all produced.

All the New.

New menu, website, online ordering, reservations, uniforms, interior decor elements, store design, menu formats, branding, merchandise, new store and who knows what I’m even missing.

So. Much. New.

But what’s not new is who we are. Food & Beer and, more precisely, the pairing of the two is at the core of what 101 Beer Kitchen is all about. Whether you start with our seasonal, chef-driven menu or with your favorite brew, we'll help you find its perfect complement. Our philosophy is that learning "what goes with what" is fun when it ends in delicious results, and our hospitable and knowledgeable staff is committed to making sure every experience you have with us wraps up with a full heart, a satisfied stomach, and the joy that comes from partaking of old favorites and discovering new ones.

So much new, but it feels so good. Like cleaning that closet you’ve been avoiding or organizing that sock drawer - but way way better.

Thank you to all who have been with us at the start of our 101 journey 7 years ago and now as we continue to build and grow our 101 community.

Yours in Food & Beer,

Jess, aka “Mama,” aka “Non-Ops”