Friday, August 7, 2009

Kwak Kwak Bigfoot!

What the hell does that hairy, smelly legend of a sasquatch have to do with little loud ducks you say? Beer is the answer. I just happened to have them all over for a drink. 

WTF? Yep. From Sacramento comes a unique beer called Sac-Squatch and from Belguim comes the duck, Kwak. Both are fantastic and worth trying. The Sac-Squatch is a darker ale make with the peat of Scotch. Nice. It has a great peaty and deep flavor to contrast with that of the light, flavorful, and ever-developing flavor of the Kwak.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Not Sick of Heidsieck

I am not usually one for champagne. I do not like the fuzzy nature, the sweetness, nor lack of signature flavors, and the frilly nature associated with it. But in time, all must reconcile their differences and see things for what they are. Champagne therapy you say? Not quite. Most of it is still crap. For the champagne that will displace my wine glass or Belgian beer glass, it has to be spectacular. Usually, ones I have considered have been from France. As so with this.

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne is worth drinking when you want a great bottle of champagne. It is dry with a powerful body, upfront biscuit like flavors with hints of light orchard fruit. The flavors are well integrated and constantly develop on the palate. This one stays in my list of champagnes worthy of the wallet.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Chick Beer for Guys

Why would you want fruit in your ale, especially if you are a guy? Unless you are German, this would be a strange ale to down. Maybe, maybe not. Finally, an A-list world class brewery has taken this on and created three outstanding ales, of which I have only tried two, that you have to taste to believe.

England's own Samuel Smith Brewery, maker of so many great ales has created organic Strawberry, Cherry, and Raspberry ales that are a flavorful punch to the palate. These are addicting and too easy to drink. The first will go down fast as you are amazed with how an ale can taste like this. The second will put you in a state of shock. Knowing that someone has created this and you must tell all foodies you know about it.

I have tried the Strawberry and Cherry and they are excellent. They taste as if the fruit was freshly mashed into the ale. Spectacular.

Try them now before they are gone.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Quite a Strange Brew

Strange Brew, Cheech and Chong and a funky ale all have distinct personalities. You can smoke dog crap, pretend to crush people with your thumb and index finger against your eye (works better if you are tipsy) or drink something transformative and difficult to explain. While I will forgo the dog crap, I will try the other two, with the strange brew of a special ale first…then try the thumb crushing.

I had another spectacular beer, obviously I am on a beer kick, that I feel the need to write down and let others know about. I have read about this one for years and finally picked up a bottle to try.

Trappistes Rochefort 10 is a strange beast instead. It could almost be a magical elixir or a ancient mayan root potion. What is in it? probably some monk spit and some other bad jokes that are being played on people like me trying to figure out what the heck this thing tastes like. Ultimately, it tastes like itself. There you go. Not helpful at all is it? This 11.3% quadrupel Belgian ale comes in a small 11.2fl oz bottle all the way from Abbaye St-Remy. Quite a trip for such a small lad.

But open that bottle and pour it in a good Belgian beer glass and it has machismo and refinement to battle any larger bottle with a muscle complex. Frankly, it will kick your ass and shock your palate. The flavors are this: (I did a double take, so this is quite accurate): it has a upfront tinge of apple followed by old coffee, leather and then raisins and a tawny port. Can you imagine? This is funky and dark and definitely worth exploring once in your life.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Mid-Life Crisis Pinot, Testarosa 2005

Short and sweet. Not this wine, but this post. This is the best Pinot Noir I have ever had. Testarossa. Flat out. It has that elusive Pinot funk that everyone is searching for, complimented by a beautifully long finish. This is one to try.

GET IT.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Scottish Black Oil in a Bottle


Lately I have been on the search for the ultimate ale experience. I have tried some not so great beers and ales, some great ones, and a select few that are outstanding. Yes, I have new favorites, but that is always evolving with every tasting. This past tasting (tasting being the entire bottle) I found a gem from Scotland that is superb. Scotland you say? Don't they have beers with funk? Yes, they do. But here is one that goes beyond funk and creates what maybe the best beer in the world. This thing is other-worldly.

So, after looking at the 12 year, 16 year (which I already tried) and the special edition 30 year ales, I decided to spend the extra cash and go for the gold, the 30 that is. Harviestoun Ola Dubh 30yr ale. This is an incredible ale that is aged in Highland Park 30 year single malt Scotch casks. Ola Dubh translates as "black oil". That it is-viscous and dark. Wow! This ale truly evolves with every sip. Not only is it well integrated and smooth, but it boasts an incredible nose that evaporates into your brain. Like I said, it's not of this world. It has a nose of peat, chocolate, coffee and slightly sweet and bitter hops. It tastes the same, but more etherial. There is a long lasting finish of peat and hops. This maybe the best ale in the world.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Tremendous Truffle Tremor Cheese

Cypress Grove Chevre Truffle Tremor is spectacular. End of blog. Go get the cheese.

Well, maybe not so fast.

For those who love a great goat cheese and those who love truffles, this is a fantastic marriage of the two. It has a nice creamy outer layer and a flakey inner layer that is speckled with bits of black truffle. It adds a perfect amount of earthiness and smokiness to the already earthy and sweet goat flavor of the cheese. This is definitely one of the better cheeses Cypress Grove makes.

I can see this cheese on a cheese platter, used in a beet salad, or with rack of lamb. It has power and delicacy. 

You can find this cheese at Whole Foods, your local cheese shop or any other fine food shop. Cypress Grove has a great reputation and most everyone in the world who knows anything about cheese will carry one or two, maybe this one.