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Bitches Brew

Okay, so I’m not the world’s most up to date blogger, nor do I post much and I’m usually weeks behind on my post compared to when I actually drank the beer, but here it is anyway.

I started watching this TV show “Brew Masters.” It is a story about Dog Fish Head Brewery where a guy thinks totally out of any logical box, and invests his time in inventing brews of beer that are not only uncommon but sometimes unheard of. From making all his employees chew blue corn to make a mash to ferment with, to traveling to far reaches of the world to learn how beer was brewed in ancient times.

In one episode they were putting together a brew in memory of Miles Davis, a musician who seamlessly conjoined Jazz and Rock on an album called “Bitches Brew.”

The tribute beverage was to do just the same. Sam Calagiones, the owner and founder of Dog Fish Head, sought out only the finest of ingredients. This brew composed of a fusion of three threads imperial stout and one thread honey beer with gesho root. The honey beer with gesho root was definitely the out of the box equation in this brew. To make it they used fresh honey comb with bees still in it. I guess this beer had some protein content.

The beer was definitely complex. The layers of stout created a robust flavor similar to that of most other stouts but had a detailed caramel flavor as well as deep wood flavor undertones, similar to a scotch or whiskey that was in a charred oak barrel. These layers of flavor seem to roll on your pallet individually one flavor after the next.

The honey beer that was used gave the beer one more complex flavor to figure out. This was the first thing I tasted and the last thing I tasted. It was like a beer gobstopper. You taste this sweet honey beer, almost a porter flavor, then you roll through the several other stout flavors and then it leaves you with an after taste of the honey beer again.

Now since this blog is all about Beer and Food, I must define what we had for dinner, but to be completely honest, I don’t recall what we had that night. I will say this though, if you plan on drinking this with a meal, prepare a light meal, don’t prepare a meal with flavors that will overpower this brew. I would stick to poultry of some sort, a salad and some type of green vegetable would be perfect.

Bitches Brew

Let's Talk Wine

Brew Masters

Thanksgiving Dinner

Okay, so this thanksgiving I went out on a limb.

First I want to start by saying I went to a wine tasting event to taste the beer of the week. While there I met a gentle man (the owner of the wine store) who has come to realize like me that there are beer aficionados’ out there just like people who like wine. He, a wine sommelier, was very knowledgeable about craft beer and “out of the box” beer, as well as traditional beer and common brews.

So as we know I have been trying new things. I started in the grocery store trying different off brand items. But I never realized the complexity of the items that wine stores hold.

So my new acquaintance offers me something he just got his hands on. He told me this was a seasonal brew that was only made once a year and features some of the most prized selections of beer that are bottle together to make an ultimate blend.

Oh boy was he right.

Firestone 14 Anniversary Ale

The blend consists of: 31% Double Double Barrel Ale, 29% Sticky Monkey, 27% Parabola, 7% Velvet Merkin, 3% Good Foot, 3% Black Xantus.

 

By far it was a dark brew. Not a lot of head formed but robust aroma’s where permeating from the glass. I decided to get my family involved. My Father and Grandfather lent their taste buds to try this new found brew of mine. My father gave me a weird look and my Grandfather just said I was weird. They are more commonly used to drinking ‘common’ beer. In fact in a direct statement from my grandfather “if Yuengling didn’t make it, then it aint beer,” I laughed at this statement. My father, on the other hand, who realizes my pallet, said that it was definitely strong in flavor, but not something he could drink on a daily basis. This was exactly my point to him that these beers I am drinking are not meant to be consumed over a game of poker, that’s what the Yuengling is for.

As dinner was plated, I was greeted with a turkey leg (my favorite part), cranberry sauce, green beans and stuffing. My glass of brew slowly being consumed as if it where a 20 year old Scotch. The flavor of this brew at first seemed to overpower my meal, but as the meal progressed the brew seamed to flow right in to the flavors. The turkey was moist and savory while the cranberry was sweet and tangy, adding in the robust flavors of aged ale and the complex aromas it was well matched.

I recommend this brew to anyone who might be entertaining guests with a large game bird, or if you’re sitting down to a Cornish Hen by yourself. Poultry seems to be the best logical choice for this brew, as red meats or even port might be to strong in flavor to smooth out the flavor of the brew.

“Prost”

Been Busy

I am working on two new blog posts. I will hopefully put them up around Christmas time when I have more time to finish them. We are moving and have been preparing for that.

Newcastle Brown Ale

Ok, once again, trying something new.

It was Halloween, I was kind of tired of all the pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest that I decided to go half way normal. I went into the store and thought I would try something new. Besides it was a brisk night and I was grilling steaks and passing out candy at the same time. Kind of a feat if you ask me...

I decided to try Newcastle Brown Ale.

I don't usually buy clear bottle beers, but this beer grabbed my attention. Its soft amber color can clearly be seen through the bottle, not to mention the clearly stated awards that this blend has won over the years.

So as i get started in the kitchen i open my first bottle. Very crisp and smooth flavor. I decided to go out and mingle with the neighbors a bit. So I left the bottle on the bumper of the wife's van which was parked on a small incline. Needless to say it fell. Now I wasn't there to see it fall, but I will have to say, they sure can make a good bottle. The bottle broke like a windshield but did not shatter like a normal bottle. Just a minor case of beer abuse. I apologize.

So back to cooking I went. Steak's where on the grill after marinating for about 20 mins. Back and forth from passing out candy and keeping an eye on the steaks, I thoroughly enjoyed this beer, to the point that as I went back into the kitchen to bring in the steaks form the grill, i noticed I only had 1 more left (out of 6-pack). I was shocked, I must have been enjoying this beer so well that I wasn't keeping an accurate beer count. Luckily I did not require the last one.

So if you are in to a smooth beer with a crisp flavor, then this beer is for you. Just make sure you have enough to go around.

Sam Adam's Octoberfest

Well, it’s that time of year again. Fall is among us and the cool refreshing summer beers must come to a close and welcome in full flavor and aromatic brews that titillate the wildest temptations of your taste buds.

I will start this off with mentioning that all beers are not created equal. Brew masters across the world spend countless hours researching and developing complex flavors, not to mention the time they spend picking the best hops and barely to ensure that the brew is beyond perfect. With this in mind I challenge everyone to go out and find a beer that has full flavor with complex aromas.

One of my most favorite beers is back in the stores just in time for fall. Sam Adam’s Octoberfest, maintains its place in my home as one of my top picks. This brew has distinct flavor of Bavarian Nobel hops and caramel and toffee.

Teamed up with steak and onions even a salad does this brew justice. The flavors of Octoberfest are mild enough so not to take over the flavor of complex foods. Pork chops with home fries (fried potato/onions) and corn on the cob also a good combination. But what makes this brew even better is how it can cool off your taste buds after a full plate of Hot Wings…

Pyramid Curve Ball Blonde Ale

OK, So I decided to try something new. I went into the grocery store the other day and thought to myself, just buy something that looks good. Well I ended up with Pyramids 'Summer Seasonal' Curve Ball Blonde Ale.

I might have to say, this beer was very smooth, light and robust all at the same time. The flavor combination was perfect. This beer was obviously made with some excellent choices of hops and barley.

So, what did I pair it with? Seafood which believe it or not is recommended by their website. I had crab cakes and shrimp, both of which can be somewhat strong in flavor themselves.

This beer was able to take the strong aromatic flavors of the seafood and mingle in subtle flavors of goodness to wash it down. Definitely and excellent buy, not to mention a 6-pack was only $5.99.