It’s been quite a promising seven months for Untappd as they near their one millionth check-in on their web-based app. If you haven’t heard of Untappd, it’s similar to Foursquare but instead of checking into different venues, you “check-in” to the beers you are drinking, where you’re drinking and you can quickly rate them. Meanwhile, you can see what your friends are drinking and Untappd will make recommendations to what other beers you should try that are similar to the one in your hand and you can see what micro, macro and local beers are trending.

Today, Friday the 3rd, Untappd is having an east coast and a west coast Million Check-In Meet Up. For the east coasters out there, it will happen at Rattle N’ Hum in New York at 8:00 EST. For all my left coasters out there, it will happen at 6:00 PST at Libary Alehouse in Los Angeles. If you attend the events, be sure to check into the venue when you check-in to your first beer and you’ll unlock a promotion to receive half off of your next beer. Even if you aren’t attending the party, check-in to any beer today and you’ll earn yourself the Million Check-In Badge.

Cognac. You know it and love it, and now you can witness Mutineer Editor in Chief Alan Kropf attempt to educate stand-up comedians Ben Morrison (who also happens to be a regular Mutineer contributor and host of the Mutineer Comedy Festival) and Daryl Wright (also a Mutineer Comedy Festival performer) at the world renowned Jon Lovitz Comedy Club at Universal City.

Sunday June 5th marks the beginning of the 2011 TAPAS Grand Wine Tasting, which Mutineer Magazine is very proud to be involved in as the Platinum Media Sponsor. TAPAS, or Tempranillo Advocates, Producers and Amigos Society, is a nonprofit trade association of over one hundred wineries, growers, and amigos, whose mission is to promote Tempranillo and other varietal wine grapes native to the Iberian Peninsula, and wines produced from them in North America.

At the 2011 Grand Wine Tasting, guests will have the opportunity to taste wines from grape varieties indigenous to Spain and Portugal that are now cultivated in America with 43 wineries and growers on-site pouring their wine. This is the most extensive annual tasting of domestically produced Spanish and Portuguese varietals such as Tempranillo, Albariño, Garnacha, Graciano, Mourvedre, Touriga, Verdelho and more in North America.

Of course, all of this is for a great cause, with their 2011 Charitable Partner being the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation, which will receive the proceeds from their auction of special wines, crystal decanters and other great items.

Music and food will be available as well. For a complete list of wineries pouring, click here.

• WHO: You!
• WHAT: TAPAS Grand Wine Tasting
• WHERE: Herbst Pavilion at Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA.
• WHEN: June 5 2:00pm-5:00pm
• WHY: To get your Spanish and Portuguese varietal wine on and support Make-A-Wish Foundation!
• COST: $40 advanced tickets online / $60 at the door

Use discount code “Mutiny” at checkout online for an additional $10 off.

To purchase tickets, click here.

Find TAPAS Facebook and follow them on Twitter at @TAPASociety.

If you have a Kindle, today you’re in luck as Amazon is giving away the Kindle edition of Beer Is Proof God Loves Us: Reaching for the Soul of Beer and Brewing by Charles W. Bamforth for … free!

About the book:
Legendary beer expert Charlie Bamforth presents the most compelling social history of beer ever written: where it’s come from, and where it’s headed. From centuries-old cultural values to radical new approaches, craft brewing to globalization, it’s an amazing story. Bamforth tells it all–with humor, behind-the-scenes insight, and sheer joy!

From the Back Cover
“A delightful book that not only reaches the soul of brewing but also tells us much about the soul and humanity of the author. Bamforth skillfully weaves a holistic and philosophical story about our complex society and the positive role that beer has, does, and will play in it. It is a joy to read and will leave the reader refreshed in mind and soul.”
–Simon Jackson, Executive Director, Institute of Brewing and Distilling, London, England

“A heartfelt account of beer that reads as though I’m sitting at a pub table across from the ‘Beer Professor’ himself as he reveals personal tales and experiences over many pints of beer. A concise snapshot of the world of beer–past, present, and future. Remarkable insight into the behind-the-scenes world of beer.”
–Charlie Papazian, Author of Complete Joy of Homebrewing, National Beer Examiner; President, Brewers Association (USA); and Founder, Great American Beer Festival

I can’t find anywhere that says how long this offer will last but it should at least be good for throughout the day and an incredible savings off the normal $20.99 for the Kindle edition. In addition to this book being free, there are several other Kindle edition books that are on sale today that are must reads, such as:

The Complete Joy of Homebrewing Third Edition by Charlie Papazian

Tasting Beer: An Insider’s Guide to the World’s Greatest Drink by Randy Mosher

How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time by John J. Palmer

Radical Brewing: Recipes, Tales and World-Altering Meditations in a Glass by Randy Mosher

Designing Great Beers: The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Classic Beer Styles by Ray Daniels

Mutineer Magazine is proud to announce our involvement and sponsorship of Creative Furnace’s Rootstock 2011, the great gastronomic wine, street food, and music festival to be held in Santa Rosa July 16th. If you’re in the area, be sure to come out for wine tasting with 30 wineries, live music, food, and special guests to include Mutineer Magazine’s very own Editor-in-Chief Alan Kropf.

A portion of the days proceeds will benefit Worth Our Weight, a culinary apprentice program for people ages 16-24 years old who have faced challenges in their lives from homelessness to growing up in foster care.

Other guests on-hand will be Bob Blumer aka Surreal Gourmet, Heather Irwin who will head the Best Bites Competition, and Ziggy The Wine Gal from Wine Country Radio who will act as the festival’s Mistress of Ceremonies.

Be sure to check the list of Musicians that will be playing and we’ll see you there!

• WHO: You!
• WHAT: 2011 Rootstock Festival
• WHERE: Santa Rosa Vintners’ Square
  1301 Cleveland Ave
  Santa Rosa, CA 95401
• WHEN: July 16th 2:00pm-7:00pm
• WHY: To party!
• COST: $35 advanced tickets online / $45 at gate, if available

If you’re on Twitter, the official hashtag for the event is #RootstockFest and you can find them on Facebook as well.