Firewater Friday - Devil's Food

A concoction that is deep, dark and sinful . . . sinfully delicious!  

Imagine a devil's food cake topped with creamy vanilla frosting.  This cocktail is a combination of  bittersweet dark chocolate stout mixed with rich, sweet vanilla bean mead.  

Devil's Food

2 Ounces Sap House Meadery Vanilla Bean Mead
12 Ounces Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout

In a 16-ounce glass, pour the mead and top off with the stout.  No need to stir.

Simple but delicious.

Cheers!!

CBG - Taste the Revolution

When hubby and I received an invitation to attend a local craft beer tasting it wasn't an invitation I could easily ignore.  An opportunity to sample a numbered and varied selection of craft beers was a mouthwatering prospect.

The invitation came from Craft Brew Guy who is attempting to incite (or inspire)  a revolution.  A craft beer revolution.

We arrived to a room filled and filling with beer lovers.  We were greeted by the Craft Brew Guy himself and he invited us to begin sampling.  Well, you don't have to ask me twice!

There were eight different beers of different styles and alcohol content.  We decided to start with the "lighter" beers and work our way up.  So, here's how it went . . . 

Cricket Hill Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter (6.7% ABV) - If you like bourbon then you'll like this one.   There is a distinct but not overpowering bourbon flavor accompanied by bitter chocolate, coffee and vanilla notes.  One of my favorite selections of the evening.

Pyramid Oktoberfest (6.7% ABV) - Always a fan of Pyramid brews there was little doubt that I'd enjoy their Oktoberfest . . . I like it.   It's a little hoppy, a bit malty and a lot good.  It's clean, smooth and refreshing . . . another favorite.

Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter (4.4% ABV) - I can't say that Otter Creek is one of my favorite breweries.  In my opinion . . . for whatever that's worth . . . they're beer is good but nothing special.  That being said, as the name implies, this porter is a little smokey but a little watery.  It was good but not great.  

Narragansett Oktoberfest (5.5% ABV) - The very mention of Narragansett beer is a turn off to me.  However, they've recently been reinventing themselves and improving upon their reputation as  . . . frankly speaking . . . crap beer.  I must admit this was way better than I expected.  It was malty and with loads of caramel flavor without being overly sweet.  It finishes clean and crisp.  It's worth a try. 

Anchor Porter (5.6% ABV) - The strongest flavors were dark chocolate and caramel but it wasn't sweet.  It was smooth, almost creamy, but surprisingly boozy tasting considering it's relatively low alcohol content.  Overall it was good but not great.

Ipswitch Oatmeal Stout (7.0% ABV) -  My first impression . . . boozy. This is a big beer . . .  smokey, smooth, strong . . . but not quite what I expect in an oatmeal stout.  I liked it though.  A very tasty beer.

Brooklyn Monster Barleywine (10.8% ABV) - I wasn't expecting I'd like this beer much . . . I'm not a fan of the brewery (I think it's the Brooklyn water) and barleywine is not my favorite style.  My first thought was that it's a gorgeous color.  It's definitely strong and intense tasting.  Lots of alcohol burn to accompany the spicy, malty, carameliness.  Meh.

Woodchuck Private Reserve Ginger (6.9% ABV)  - I absolutely love Woodchuck hard ciders but I haven't gotten around to trying this particular variety.  Yum yum yummy!  Lot's of fresh apple taste without being overly sweet.  It's got a nice mild ginger flavor that's not overpowering but just right.  Two big thumbs up!  Another favorite of the night.

Peak Organic Espresso Amber (6.8% ABV) - Wowzers!  An amazing coffee aroma . .  . it smells wonderful.  It tastes as good as it smells.  Lots of coffee and malt.  Smooth and strong.  Quite good!

Peak Organic Oak Aged Mocha Stout (8.4 % ABV) - There is a big chocolate smell but I was surprised that there was not so much in the taste  . . . some bitter chocolate, coffee and malt.  You can definitely taste the oak aging and that makes this beer something special . . . and adds a pleasant smokiness.  Overall very good.

As if the planned selection of beer wasn't enough there were some surprises in store for us.  The Dew Drop Inn from Derby, CT brought in a selection of wings . . .  buffalo, parmesan garlic, and a southern tier 2x IPA BBQ sauce . . . unfortunatley i was too busy drinking to be eating but I finger dipped the sauces from the wingless tins and they were quite tasty.  From what I understand they have a pretty good beer selection.  I think we'll be popping in for a sample of some wings and beer.  Lyndsay from Amity Wine and Spirits busted out a bottle of Sam Adams special beer and the owner and head brewer of Relic Brewing brought a couple growlers of his own beer.  And there were a couple other bombers floating around to be sampled . . . unfortunately I missed out on Pliney the Elder (sad face).

Samuel Adams Merry Mischief (9% ABV) - a Sam Adams seasonal - Gingerbread Stout.  Holy cow!  Amazing.  It's like eating an intoxicating gingerbread man . . . enough said.  Go get one . . . NOW!

Relic Queen Anne's Revenge Porter (7.75% ABV) - This beer has all the things I like in a porter . . . coffee, chocolate, malt.  It's got an intense aroma and a flavor to match.  A very good beer that I was happy to have gotten a chance to sample.

Relic Witching Hour Dunkelweizen (5.40% ABV) - The smell . . . banana.  The taste . . . it's spicy, malty and has notes of bubblegum and banana.  An interesting combination of flavors but it works.  Delicious,  refreshing and smooth . . . very yummy.  

Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti (9.5% ABV) - An excellent imperial stout from a brewery I've never heard of . . . but hope to sample more from.  Dark and rich . . . it tastes of chocolate, molasses, coffee and fruit . . . with a smoky oakiness and a nice hoppy bitterness.  A very complex and flavorful brew . . . very yum!

Craft Brew Guy put together an excellent event that I was exceedingly glad I attended.  A good time, with great people and excellent beer.  A fantastic night!  Thanks Aron!

Check out the Craft Brew Guy on his blog, on Facebook and Twitter.

New Brew Thursday - Plan B Brews

Connecticut has a small . . . but growing . . . chain of restaurants called Plan B.  The "B" stands for beef, burgers, bourbon and beer.  All of which they have in abundance . . . they have creative burgers, a diversity of bourbons and along with everyday run of the mill beers they have rotating taps of amazing micro-brews.


Hubby and I make the pilgrimage to this mecca of awesomeness every month or so.


On a recent visit we had a short wait for a table in which to ponder the beer menu.  There were so many choices . . . so many good choices . . . what to choose??


By the time our table was ready we had completed sufficient research  . . . gotta love free Wi-Fi access . . . to make our decisions on which beers to enjoy with our burgers.  We both chose a different selection; ones that we each preferred but also so that we could both taste as many different beers as possible.


We both chose three and these were our choices:





Prima Pils by Victory Brewing Company 


This beer as won many awards and, after tasting it, I can understand why.  This pilsner style beer was smooth and delicious.  However I was impressed . . . and a little surprised . . . with the unexpected bite of hops.   The hoppy bitterness and mellow maltiness balance out to create a very enjoyable beer.   The glass was left with an impressive amount of lacing.   (5.3% ABV)

312 Urban Wheat Ale by Goose Island


It's a very sessionable beer (4.2% ABV) that screams summer . . . or better yet . . . drink me its summer!  312 has a slightly sweet fruitiness that compliments  the wheat and hops; creating a flavor that is surprisingly well balanced.  It has a creamy mouth feel that goes down oh so easy.  This is an excellent go-to beer if you're looking for something light but are craving more flavor than your average mass produced light beer.


Tramp Stamp Belgian IPA by Clown Shoes Beer 


The name alone was enough to get me to try this beer . . . that and the lure of hoppy goodness.  The description of this beer is thus: "Like a stamp on a tramp, this brew is about not so subtle seduction."  Yeah, that about sums it up.


This was an amazing beer . . . seriously you MUST try this one.  I've never had a beer with such a complexity of flavors.  With all that this beer has going on it surprising how well it all pulled together to make . . . well, lets just say . . . it's like a party in your mouth . . . with clowns! 


How to describe the plethora of tastes . . . it was a little sweet and a little bitter. Just as the hoppiness is rolling off your tongue wheatiness washes in and then it finishes clean . . . ready for more.  There is nothing subtle about this beer including the alcohol content (7% ABV).  I was truly impressed and highly recommend this beer.

Mary’s Maple Porter by Brooklyn Brewery




Hubby ordered this one . . . I like porters and stouts, but I don't love them like he does and I'm not a huge Brooklyn Brewery fan so it wouldn't have been on my list in any case.


It was . . . to be perfectly blunt . . . meh.  All the Brooklyn beers I've tasted have a weird flavor to them that I've yet to nail down and this one has it, too.    It's a deep dark porter and you can definitely taste the maple syrup.  But again, it was just okay but I wouldn't jump at the opportunity for another one.  And even my stout/porter loving hubby agrees with that assessment, so take that for what it's worth.  (6.9%)

He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. on Rye by Shmaltz Brewing Company


A strong (10% ABV) IPA brewed with rye malt and named for Lenny Bruce . . . okay, gotta try it.  Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of rye beers.  This beer was definitely strong, definitely hoppy and definitely yummy.  Bitter and sweet . . . coffee and caramel are pronounced but somehow balanced out with citrussy grapefruit and pine notes.  The rye in this beer wasn't an issue for me at all . . . it all just kind of worked out very nicely to make a very good and tasty beer.  Also, despite the high alcohol content, there was no overt boozy taste to throw off the enjoyment.  It's a big beer and a pretty intense flavor experience . . . and it's kosher . . . I say go for it!




Vermonster by Rock Art Brewery


An American barley wine  . . . a great BIG one and without a doubt falls into the category of an extreme beer.   It's strong, both in alcohol (10% ABV) and flavor.  Vermonster pretty much slaps your taste buds around with bitterness . . . clearly not for faint of heart nor for the novice beer drinker.  But it's not all bitter . . . a sip of this brew comes with essences of fruit, caramel, malt and pine.  Despite the huge flavor and richness it finishes surprisingly clean.  Very nice.  This is a sipper not a pounder . . . sit back and relax and enjoy as it warms in your glass and the flavors change subtly as it does so . . . making for an interesting drinking experience.  Yes, I said experience and I mean it.  This is a good one . . . 


Cheers!

Oh . . . we had more than just beer.  We had wings and burgers too . . . om nom nom nom.  If you haven't been to Plan B, I would say GO!