Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout

This stout pours as black as the coal you’re gonna find in your stocking this year with one fingers worth of creamy gingerbread cookie colored head. The aroma is big, with heavy notes of nutmeg and ginger. I became a fan after the first sip. Notes of gingerbread, malts, and spice complimented with a smooth rich body. The alcohol is nicely masked, but intensifies the closer you get to the bottom of the glass. The finish has notes of chocolate, cinnamon, and toffee. 

I like stouts, and I like mischief, and this tasty holiday offering from Sam Adams is just full of holiday spirits (literally and figuratively - 9% ABV rating). Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout is another impressive addition to Boston Brewing’s impressive small batch specialty brews. If you like heavy stouts and holiday cheer, then give Merry Mischief a try. I triple dog dare you!!!!!

Holiday Cheers!!!

Shiner Holiday Cheer

I picked up this brew for two reasons. 1) Its called Holiday Cheer. 2) It advertised that it's brewed with peaches. Glass. Pour. Gary Hoey's "Ho Ho Hoey" in the CD player - Pours a chestnut brown that gives off a red hue when held to light with a mild tan head. The aroma is fruity and sweet. The peach flavor is immediately noticeable. It's very unique for a holiday brew, but them again, fruit has always played a role in Christmas traditions. Shiner Holiday Cheer also has notes of nuts, toffee, and malt. This brew is a bit fizzy, but for the sake of the holidays I'll describe it as sparkling. There is actually a constant fizz from the carbonated bubbles popping on the surface. The finish is a nutty/peach combination of flavors. The peach flavor is mildly constant during the entire enjoyment of this brew, and I really enjoyed the unique and pleasant enhancement it brought to this ale.

This would be a great ale to have on hand for the holidays for guests who enjoy something different or for those who prefer a lighter spirit, rather than the heavier bodied winter lagers and stouts. Overall I enjoyed this Holiday Cheer. Who would have though ale brewed with peaches would be so good. 

Holiday Cheers!!!

New Belgium Brewing Company Snow Day

Tonight's taste feast is Snow Day Ale by New Belgium Brewing company. It pours dark brown with an attractive sugar cookie batter colored head of froth. Mouth watering  aroma with enticing notes of chocolate and rich malts. First sip. Wow. Toasted grain, caramel, chocolate, and malt. Really good. Medium body and carbonation, hoppy, with a nice bittersweet quality. The finish is crisp, refreshing, and ends with a nice lingering chalky dark chocolate finish. 

I really enjoyed this brew. From the aroma and taste, to the nice amount of lacing it left on the glass, and the constant cap of tan head. The 6.2% alcohol content is incredibly masked, so I'd recommend pacing yourself when enjoying this ale. No gripes, just praise. A great brew that was inspired by the feeling we all shared when we looked out the window one winter morning to discover a massive snowfall, and the joy that followed when school was cancelled. I would recommend having this on hand throughout the holidays. It's that good. 

Cheers!!!

Snow Day has been on sale at Meijers for the last few weeks for $12.80 (plus deposit) for a 12 pack, which is a great bargain for a quality brew. 

R.J. Rockers Brewing Co. Gruntled Pumpkin Ale

Gruntled Pumpkin Ale pours a clear copper color with a big frothy head. The aroma has notes of pumpkin and citrus. The first sip reveals and interesting seasonal ale. While most pumpkin ales are brewed with baking spices, Gruntled has strong citrus notes. The combination of citrus and pumpkin make for a very nice refreshing autumn ale. This brew has a tart/tangy body. Gruntled Pumpkin is very hoppy with a hint of mild spice, bittersweet flavor notes, and nice carbonation flares. This seasonal autumn ale really reminds me of a summer IPA, but with a pumpkin twist. The pumpkin flavor mellows after a while and nearly gets dominated by the big citrus flavor, but the big citrus flavor is delicious, so no complaints. The finish is abrupt, and the big flavor and body quickly fades away, leaving only a hint of the goodness you just enjoyed. Gruntled Pumpkin Ale certainly doesn’t follow the typical pumpkin ale standards, and i like that. 

The Great Pumpkin likes that R.J. Rockers Brewing Company thinks outside of the pumpkin patch. It makes him a hoppy pumpkin. 

Samuel Adams Fat Jack Double Pumpkin Ale

If it's pumpkin you came looking for, well you've come to the right place. Fat Jack pours mahogany brown and gives off a nice red hue when held up to the light. Two fingers of biscuit colored head gives off an impressive aroma of nutmeg, malt, and the advertised big orange gourd. The first sip reveals an intense bright creamy body followed by an enjoyable warming effect. Big flavor with notes of fall spices, fruit, caramel, and lots of pumpkin. Fat Jack is brewed with an impressive 28 pounds of pumpkin per barrel!!! Because sometimes, 27 pounds just isn’t enough. The pumpkin is most dominant during the mildly sweet floral finish. 

Samuel Adams Fat Jack has a big pumpkin flavor and makes a nice boozy autumn treat. Available in 22 oz bottles, this brew boasts an impressive 8.5% ABV rating. Fat Jack is part of Samuel Adams limited release specialty beers. I've been very impressed with the few varieties I’ve tried so far from this series of unique brews. So if it's pumpkin you want, it's pumpkin you'll get with Fat Jack - the perfect warm up for a chilly autumn night.

Cheers.

New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale

For starters, I really like the label for this brew. It's not everyday you get to pour an ale from a bottle that has a picture of the Headless Horseman riding a red eyed black steed and holding an evil Jack-O-Lantern in his hand. Definitely sets a spooky Sleepy Hallow mood. Pours a cloudy burnt orange with two fingers worth of long lasting light peach colored head. Leaves a bit of lacing on the glass. The aroma has hints of cinnamon, squash, and nutmeg. 

The flavor has strong cinnamon note with hints of cloves, nutmeg, and all spice. Medium carbonation creates a creamy mouth feel to this mildly sweet ale. The pumpkin notes show up during the finish of this ale, and has a unique fleshy just carved flavor, followed by traditional notes of nutmeg.

Pretty good. The big cinnamon flavor is the star of this brew, with the pumpkin being the encore. The sweetness starts out mild, but does intensify towards the end of enjoyment. Overall, Ichabod is defiantly nice for a round or two. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring a few bottles with you the next time you’re crossing a wood covered bridge at night. 

Cheers!!!

  

Skyfall [Movie Review]

Skyfall finds MI6 with cracks in it's foundation. Old espionage training and tricks are fast becoming obsolete in a modern world. Even Bond finds himself victim of these policies, and discovers age is beginning to creep up on him. Although none of that is apparent in the intense nonstop opening sequence. Daniel Craig continues to raise the bar in the action department and has done so with a stylistic grittiness. I was so immediately caught up in this film that I quickly forgot what a disappointment Quantum of Solace was. You finally get a chance to catch your breath during an opening credit sequence that is reminiscent of the Connery era, enhanced by one of the better Bond songs I’ve heard in a while with Adele singing the title track that shares the same name as this film. 

MI6 is the target in this film, often attacked publicly by one of the great problems we are facing in the modern world. As Great Britain has learned this year with the Royal Family, media and the Internet is a powerful tool in casting a negative or embarrassing light, and creates suspicion in the public and political mind. The source of the attacks is Silva, played by Javier Bardem. Bardem shines in this film, his performance is memorable, and easily ranks up there with the more iconic villains of this franchise. Many of the villains over the years have been undeveloped characters, and often cast just to put a face to “the bad guy”. That isn’t the case with Silva, and Bardem easily gives the most memorable (villain) performance I've seen since Sean Bean portrayal of 006 in Goldeneye. 

Dame Judi Dench returns as Bond's boss M, a character who for the most part has been a behind the scenes role player. M's character is much more prominent In Skyfall, and even Dench has given a harder no nonsense performance in the 23rd installment of this franchise. It's serious business being the one who takes responsibility for all that goes on at MI6, especially in the middle of a controversy. 

My only concern going into Skyfall was the addition of the fan beloved character Q, played for decades by the late Desmond Llewelyn. He’d been in the franchise so long he inherited a sort of friendly grandfather appeal in my opinion, which is always more difficult to replace as a result. In Skyfall, gone are the gadgets, but the humorous bantering between the Q and 007 has kept it grudge. Played by Ben Whishaw, Q's character is a little more important on an intelligence level in the fight behind the lines of battle. It's very different from the classic old inventor lecturing a younger in comparison Bond, but a needed departure to bring this character to modern times.

What's great for the longtime fans of this franchise are the tributes Skyfall makes to the Bond films of the past. Even better is it playfully pokes fun at some of the cheesier moments in 007 history, creating some nice comedic moments. These tributes are all done in a subtle approach that doesn't distract from the film. One thing I really enjoyed was that we learn a little more about Bond's background story. This has been available for years in Ian Fleming’s novels, but rarely touched on the screen. I wouldn't call it an origin story, but you learn a little more about the man behind the Walther PPK. Between this film, and the opening sequence of Casino Royal, we learn more about Bond's background than the first 20 films combined. 

The controversy of the best Bond always falls in Connery's favor, but to me, Daniel Craig is the best representation of the spy in Fleming's novels. Before Craig took the roll, this franchise was beating a dead horse with the same tired formula. Nothing against Pierce Brosnen, he was the victim of some poor scripts, and some less memorable cheesy scenes which were a result of MGM trying to stay too true to past successes. This lead to a watered down of version of 007. In Skyfall, Craig continues to up his game with Bond. Since Quantum of Solace was a continuation/ sequel of Casino Royal, Skyfall has been Craig's first opportunity to pursue a new storyline as 007 and grow into the part since the reboot.  

Skyfall marks the 50th anniversary of the James Bond franchise. 50 years! That is an achievement that has no rival in modern cinema. It's hard to think any will match the longevity of these films. With a grittier and more youthful approach, and the successful core strengths in tacked, Skyfall has really helped this series come full circle in achievement. It has a celebratory feel, and i think the 50th anniversary played a big role in the approach to this film. With this latest installment the platform has been set for another successful run with all the classic pieces in place. From this fan’s perspective, I hope they are for many years to come. 

Tommyknocker Small Batch Pumpkin Harvest Ale

Tommyknocker Pumpkin Harvest Ale has an extra ingredient than other pumpkin ales I’ve tried - molasses. It creates an entirely different pumpkin ale experience. This brew pours dark brown with a short lived tan head. The aroma is nutty, with a hint of roasted malts. The flavor is rich with roasted malts with hints of nutmeg, caramel and fruit. Medium body with mild sweetness. The pumpkin notes are mild, and comes through more as a pumpkin pie flavor, crust and all, no doubt a result of the added molasses. The finish is sticky, malty, and bittersweet, with a baking spice ending.

Overall, I really enjoyed Tommyknocker's darker approach to this pumpkin brew. The pumpkin pie flavor, as compared to the traditional pumpkin squash, is a creative approach that helps this ale stand out among other pumpkin brews. The added molasses gives this brew more of a Thanksgiving harvest feel, and would be best enjoyed during the colder days of autumn. 

The Great Pumpkin appreciates the molasses enhancement, and the darker approach to this brew. 

Cheers!!!

Southern Tier Pumpking

Pours a clear gold with a short lived off white head and a constant rise of carbonated bubbles. The aroma has notes of butterscotch, baking spice, and corn. The flavor of this ale is unique, with notes of pumpkin, caramel, and cream corn, I'm not kidding. This brew is corny. Pumpking has a buttery body, giving this brew occasional flavor hints of buttered pop corn. Also has hints of fall spices. Mild carbonated body with a silky nutmeg finish. Alcohol content is wickedly masked (8.6% ABV), an obvious sign of the dark Pagan brewing magic explained on the bottle. This brew is the most dessert tasting of all the pumpkin ales I've had. It’s certainly different with the variety of corn flavors and the big buttery body. It’s good, but in a very strange way.   

If the Great Pumpkin comes knocking on a cold autumn night, why not try offering him a pint of Southern Tier's Pumking, and then run for your life after you realize you've just offered him a glass of ale that has been fermented with his children. 

Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale

Pours clear mahogany in color with a very short lived cap of head. As the norm, the aroma is a blend of pumpkin and baking spices. The flavor is nice. The spices are the highlight of this brew, with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, along with hints of pumpkin and brown sugar. The high carbonation of this ale creates a creamy body as the bubbles mellow on the pallet. There is a clove sweetness to this ale that fades to a sticky lingering pumpkin finish. 

Another good seasonal offering. Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale is a fall baking spice delight. What's important is the spices, while relevant, don't overwhelm this ale, which allows the pumpkin flavor to be enjoyed as well.

The Great Pumpkin agrees: Samuel Adams, always a good choice.

Zombie Zin

I discovered this bottle recently while browsing the wine section. Needless to say the label stood out from the other wines on the shelves. A quick read from the back of the bottle revealed this wine had notes of "Cedar Coffins"!!! What a mouth watering descriptor. 

Zombie Zin - 2010 California Zinfandel

Pours deep purple with strong aroma notes of grapes and spice. The flavor has some nice wooden stake notes, along with dark grapes and leather. Thin mouth feel makes for easy sipping.The finish is slightly spicy, with a slow burning warming effect, and is as dry as the autumn leaves that cover a cemetery. I like the earthiness of this wine, the elements of wood and spice really work together nice to make a bold flavor. The cedar coffin descriptor becomes noticeable about halfway into enjoyment and becomes the dominant spice enhancer during the finish. 

Overall I enjoyed this unique wine. I liked the earthiness of the flavor, like fresh turned soil on a moonless night. The spicy finish does get a bit sharp after a while, but I found that to be an enjoyable quality. Nice to have on hand for All Hallows' Eve, you never know when unexpected company may stop by - (Insert cheesy sinister laughter).

Cheers!!!

Post Road Pumpkin Ale

Pours clear amber in color with a nice frothy white head. This ale has a malty aroma with notes of pumpkin and fall baking spices. The flavor is malty with notes of pumpkin and nutmeg. This brew is nicely carbonated, and flares after every sip. The body is much lighter than other pumpkin ales i’ve tried. This actually works well with this style, and helps Post Road Pumpkin Ale from becoming too filling. The biggest difference I’ve noticed is the sweetness is on the mild side, and the pumpkin flavor seems to mellow on the pallet after a few sips. The finish is sticky, mildly sweet, with a hint of pumpkin. 

Overall I'm happy to announce I enjoyed this brew. The deciding factor for me was the light body. It really helped balance this style, and made for an easy drinking experience. Also, the sweetness of this ale wasn’t the dominant overpowering factor I’ve found so unappealing in other pumpkin brews I’ve tried. 

The Great Pumpkin raises his mug in tribute.

Cheers!!!

Arcadia Ale Jaw-Jacker Pumpkin Spiced Ale

Pours a chestnut brown color with one fingers worth of white head. The aroma is potent with a variety of fall cooking spices. The flavor has notes of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. The spice flavor is not as dominant as I expected with the aroma being so vibrant. The carbonation is very mild and has a watery mouthfeel. Jaw Jacker ends with a bitter nutmeg orange finish. This ale went down easy, and had crisp quality to it, but there seemed to be something missing. PUMPKIN! A quick visit to arcadiaales.com confirmed my suspicion. Jaw-Jacker is a seasonally spiced brew, hence the name “Pumpkin Spiced” Ale. So despite the cool label with a wicked fang toothed Jack-O-Lantern, pumpkin is absent in the brewing process of this ale. What is this shenanigans!!! I feel mislead and cheated. Everything about this bottles promotes pumpkin, but apparently there is a huge difference between "Pumpkin Spice Ale" and "Pumpkin Spiced Ale". Ah Fiddle Sticks.     

The Great Pumpkin does not enjoy being mocked!

Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale

Pours clear amber with a short lived off white head that leaves an oily looking film. This ale has an aroma of clove spice with a hint of pumpkin. 

The flavor is sweet with notes of nutmeg, allspice, and biscuits. The pumpkin flavor is unfortunately very mild, and is dominated by the clove sweetness and allspice flavor. The carbonation is nearly absent, giving this ale a flat body. The sweetness of this ale becomes overwhelming after a while, which produce a sticky syrupy sweet finish. 

Overall, I'm not a fan of this seasonal offering from Blue Moon. It lacks the advertised pumpkin and is overly sweet for my taste buds. The sweet stickiness of this brew also makes it feel very heavy and filling. Not terrible, but I couldn't see myself drinking more than one during a sitting. 

The Great Pumpkin Is Not Pleased. 

B. Nektar Zombie Killer

Mead - also know as honey wine - is an alcoholic beverage that is produced by fermenting a solution of honey and water.

B. Nektar Meadery opened in 2008, in Ferndale Michigan. It's an inspiring story that came to fruition after a group of friends fell victim to lay offs. They regrouped, formed a plan, and through hard work and passion for the craft, were soon producing award winning meads. 

Zombie Killer - clear red grapefruit color with an aroma of honey and cherries. Nice tart pie cherry flavor with notes of honey, and crisp apples. This mead has a light body with a mild carbonation. ZK has a pleasant sweet and sour finish with a silky dry ending. This mead is addictivly delicious. I really like how the tartness helps balance out the sweetness of the honey. I also like how all three flavors, cherry, apple, and honey, are easy to distinguish on the pallet. Being a dominate beer drinker, I found Zombie Killer very enjoyable. I've tried quite a few craft beers this year, and ZK easily rates high with some of my favorite brews (It is sitting pretty with at 99% on ratebeer.com). A very impressive offering from B. Nektar Meadery, definitely lives up to the high praises I've heard. 

Oh, yeah, and my wife thought it was awesome too, which is never a bad thing.

Cheers!!! 

www.bnektar.com

If Michonne Drank Mead, She'd Drink B. Nekter Zombie Killer

Chin Chin's 2012 Oktoberfest Challenge

Tonight's challenge was conducted using only authentic Octoberfest beers. These amber marzen brews were imported from Munich, Germany, home of Oktoberfest. These offerings are from 3 of the 6 major breweries that offer Oktoberfest beers. These breweries all have rich traditions and have been brewing their craft beverages for centuries. All of the beers reviewed below were brewed following the German Beer Purity Law. Germany doesn't mess around with brewing traditions!

Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest 

Pours a chestnut brown with 1 finger's worth of white head. Carbonated bubbles constantly rise from the bottom of the glass - It‘s kind of mesmerizing. Aromas of malt and caramel, slightly floral. Sweet caramel flavor with some nutty tones. Medium body light carbonated mouth feel. Slightly dry finish with notes of raw grain.

Hofbrau Oktoberfest 

Pours a pale gold with a short lived thin white head. Has the deliberate skunky aroma that is typical with beer poured from a green bottle - think Heineken. Honey sweet flavor with hoppy bitterness.  A light body with bright carbonation. The finish has notes of grain and is a little on the harsh side. What's unique is how mild the skunky (again, a deliberate technique) flavor comes through in the taste despite the overwhelming aroma. 

Spaten Oktoberfest 

Pours amber is color with a short lived white head. An almost absent aroma, just a hard to distinguish hint of floral perfume and slightly skunky. Green bottle. Flavor notes of malts and caramel, slightly nutty. Light body, light carbonated mouthfeel, dry finish with notes of grain.

The Winner of Chin Chin’s 2012 Oktoberfest Challenge is - Hacker-Pschorr Original Oktoberfest. While Spaten Oktoberfest was a close second with many similar qualities, Hacker-Pschorr's full body and big flavor gave it the edge. A glass raised to all these fine German brews and the importers who make the enjoyment of these beers possible in the USA. 

                                      Prost!!!

Stone Smoked Porter

Stone Brewing Company is located in Escondido, California. They’ve been brewing quality craft beers since 1996. Their mascot is a wicked looking beer drinking gargoyle. The descriptions of their beers on their website and bottles are legendary. 

This porter pours a beautiful dark brown and is capped with an equally attractive sugar cookie colored head of froth. The aroma has notes of molasses, and beech wood. The head recedes slowly leaving behind thick globes of lacing. I smiled after my first sip. I'm not kidding. Delicious. Notes of chocolate malt and toasted almond make for a delicious flavor. This porter is also complimented with hints of coffee and caramel. This brew has a velvety body that turns creamy when the carbonation flares on the pallet. The finish is smokey and helps set up a nice relaxing finale.

Personally, I thought this brew was fantastic. A great blending of flavors, but not too heavy or strong. Sitting pretty at a mere 5.9% alcohol-by-volume, this porter is very drinkable and goes down easy. On the variety of brew styles, I think porters serve as a nice bridge between the light and fruity ales of summer, and the heavy stouts of winter. Stone’s Smoked Porter is perfect for autumn weather and activities. I’d recommend this brew during chilly nights around the campfire, tailgate BBQ’s (GO LIONS!!!), or in a chilled glass after a long day. Luckily for us all, Smoked Porter is available all year round.  

Cheers!!!

Jim Beam Red Stag Spiced

When making a beer run for a recent review I was surprised to see Red Stag Spiced (with cinnamon) on the counter. Excited even. I like bourbon, and I like cinnamon. 

Fingers Crossed. Glass. Ice. Pour.

The aroma gives off only a subtle hint of cinnamon, which is promising. The first sip confirms the cinnamon is not very dominant. I like this because it lets the bourbon speak for itself. What's unique is the cinnamon flares a bit during the end, creating a nice spicy finish. What I also like is this flavored whiskey tastes very natural , as if before aging, a few cinnamon sticks were dropped in the barrel. This is where Red Stag Spiced exceeds over all other cinnamon flavored liquors I’ve tried, which usually suffer the artificial Red Hots candy flavor. I could see this being a nice drink to sip around the holidays, or a nice kick to add to Grandma's spiced holiday punch or cider. Regardless of the season, Red Stag Spiced is a welcomed addition to the flavored whiskey family. 

Black Velvet Toasted Caramel Flavored Whiskey

Tonight's glass is brought to you by our neighbors from the north. Canada's own Black Velvet Toasted Caramel Whiskey. Black Velvet is as traditional to Canada as maple syrup, and has been just as successful as an export to the US as well. Lets put this new variation to the test.

Glass. Ice. Pour Three Fingers High. 

This whiskey smells like someone dropped a bag of butterscotch candies in the barrel before aging. The taste has a bit more of the advertised caramel flavor. This got me wondering. What exactly is "toasted" caramel suppose to taste like? Is it even possible to toast caramel? Wouldn't it just melt? My wife has a Toasted Caramel candle, which ironically was the only other item to come up besides Black Velvet when I Googled "Toasted Caramel. Anyway....

This is pretty good, but the whiskey flavor does seemed to be masked by the butterscotch flavor, and at times it seems a bit too sweet as a result. In fact, it really tastes like Buttershots Schnapps mixed with Whiskey. Overall, its not a bad thing, but I think this would be better suited in hot apple cider or mixed with some maple syrup and drizzled over pecan covered waffles for a Sunday brunch. It could also make for a nice shot, but as for on the rocks, its a bit too sweet to tolerate for a long sipping session. 

Cheers!!!

Leinenkugel's Big Eddy Wee Scotch Ale

Scotch Ales are heavy ales that originated in Scotland. This style is brewed with a generous amount of malts, while only using a small amount of hops. Wee Heavy brews traditionally have a longer brewing/ boiling process, which caramelizing the wort. This produces a sweeter full bodied beer, and a higher alcohol content as a result. Hooray for nature!!!

Lienekugel’s Big Eddy series produces limited full bodied craft style brews. The name was inspired by the Big Eddy Spring, which has been the company’s water supply for over 140 years. 

Pours a cherry cola brown with a small amount of toasted biscuit colored head. The aroma is malty, with some toasted grain coming through. I'm also getting a hint of plums, and other dark fruits.

Right of the bat, you can tell this is pretty complex brew as several flavors entices the pallet. This ale is sweet with notes of chocolate and caramel. The eight varieties of malts makes this Wee Heavy a comforting experience. Think of a bearded Will Ferrel enjoying this brew with his lov-ah on the hearthside of the fireplace. The flavor notes continue as hints of toasted almonds and raisins also become apparent during enjoyment. Wee Heavy has a thick syrupy body and very little carbonation. This ale has a long bittersweet molasses finish with a thick malty ending. 

A very nice heavy style ale. The alcohol content is nicely masked and makes a subtle appearance during occasional pleasant *warming effects. With its big body, and plethora of distinguishable flavor notes, Lienenkugel’s Wee Heavy Scotch Ale would be a great brew to breakout and discuss with friends and beer enthusiast. 

*Warming effects  (as defined by Chin Chin) - that little enjoyable flush of warm comfort that happens when the alcohol your drinking decides to define itself. I’d imagine it’s similar to being gently hugged by a bear who’s been laying in the sun.  

Bird Dog Blackberry Whiskey

Whiskey Wednesday 

Bird Dog Blackberry Whiskey

While going up north this past summer I was introduced to two things: a board game called Dirty Marbles, and Bird Dog Blackberry Whiskey. I’ll admit, when I first heard the name “Bird Dog”, i didn’t immediately think of a quality whiskey. It reminded me of all the cheap booze that collects dust on party store shelves. After one look at the handsome cork stopped bottle, I became optimistic.  

Bird Dog Blackberry Whiskey

Served on the rocks, of course 

Immediately noticeable is how nice blackberry pairs with whiskey. The blackberry is refreshing and isn’t overly sweet. It also isn’t overpowering, allowing this white oak aged Kentucky bourbon to speak for itself. Bird Dog is advertised as naturally flavored, and it is very evident. It isn't artificial or fake tasting. It should also be noted how smooth this whiskey is. I’m talking Miles Davis - on vinyl - on a rainy sunday morning smooth. Overall this whiskey is very easy drinking and instantly became one of my favorites. If you’re having second thoughts on a “flavored” whiskey, let me assure you, Bird Dog is very natural, and the blackberry flavor is minor. The bourbon really is the star, so chillax my indecisive people and take a sip. 

If you're thinking about picking up a bottle, I’d recommend checking out birddogwhiskey.com and using their Find Bird Dog link. I searched for two weeks before coming up with the brilliant idea of using the link myself.

As for Dirty Marbles, it’s a board game similar to Aggravation and Sorry, but you use two decks of cards instead of dice to move your marbles. This gives the player a very strategic edge when playing, which makes the game very competitive as a result. 

Cheers.

Recommended Listening: “Whiskey” by Scott H. Biram 

Dragonmead's Final Absolution Trippel Ale

The Dragonmead is a medieval themed brewery that is located right around the corner in Warren, Michigan. It opened in 1997 and currently has 47 BEERS ON TAP!!! All brewed at the Dragonmead. The brewery stores 77 types of grain, from 7 different countries, giving them the freedom to brew of variety of popular styles. The first brew I plan to slay on this Nobel quest, is none other than the Dreagonmead's signature product, Final Absolution Belgian Style Trippel Ale.

A triple ale usually refers to an ale that has a 9% ABV rating or higher. This wonderful accomplishment of nature is the result of a brewer using extra hops, or "three" times the usual amount, and thus the Triple Ale became the adopted title for this style of brew.

This ale pours a clear rusty orange with a thin short lived cap of white head. It doesn't have the most impressive appearance, but mamma said, triple ales are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get. Final Absolution has a very fruity aroma with a hint of spice. The flavor is malty with notes of bananas, grapes, and cloves. It has a thick syrupy body, with a nice bitter element that helps balance this brew out. The surprise is the carbonation. Despite the lack of a frothy head, this ale is nicely carbonated, apparent both in taste, and in the ring of froth that flares after every sip. The finish is snappy with a sticky sweet ending. 

A very nice brew to fill thy cup, yet never allow thee to overflow. Sadly I have yet to visit the Dragonmead. Perhaps a mighty quest is in order, followed through with great chivalry. A pilgrimage to conquer the 47 headed tap monster with nothing but my own thirst and a mug. 

To help aid in this quest, the Dragonmead has a Passport Club. Read on young squire to learn more

The Passport Club is an exciting and enjoyable way to try the different style brews we craft here at Dragonmead. You receive two signature-logo pint glasses, two free pint gift certificates, and your own passport to our brews. In it we stamp visas for the beers of the world you have tried and it is an excellent way to record your personal tasting notes.  $25.00 + tax.  Available through the pub.

Cheers!!!

Innis & Gunn Rum Cask

I've tried several brews that have been aged in oak bourbon barrels. The results have always been delicious. It certainly enhances the flavors and provides a certain sophisticated body that I find very enjoyable. Todays review shares many of these qualities, yet tackles a different barrel altogether. Rum. When I think of Rum I usually think of the Caribbean, but this hand crafted beer comes from Scotland.

Innis & Gunn Rum Cask pours a dark brown with a couple of fingers of off white froth. The head recedes quickly to a slick on beer’s surface. The aroma is sweet, with notes of wood and spice. The flavor has some nice caramel notes with some subtle rum sweetness, along with hints of malt, vanilla, and fruit. It's has a thin body which makes it very refreshing. It finishes warm on the pallet with pleasant sweet notes.

I love my bourbons, but I'm biased to rum in the summer. Innis & Gunn Rum Cask is a welcome addition as a beer lovers alternative to umbrella drink. It's light, easy drinking, and has a unique juicy quality to it. The sweetness to me is what makes this brew so special. It's just subtle enough to know it's there, and it maintains it's subtle consistency from start to finish without becoming overbearing. I really enjoyed this brew. Of course I still love my rum drinks too, but sometimes it's just nice to skip the mixing, pouring, measuring, stirring, and shaking, and just grab a cold one out of the cooler.

Chin Chin

Wells Banana Bread Beer

Well’s and Young Brewing is the largest private brewing company in the UK and makes some of the UK’s most loved cask beers and speciality lager brands.

Pours clear with a rusty gold color and has a lively white head with great retention. This ale has a faint aroma with notes of... wait for it... Bananas!!! Complimented with notes of caramel and a hint of spice. Clean sweet body with banana flavor. The banana isn't too dominant, which I like. Aside from citrus fruits, I have a hard time getting into fruity beers, so the mild banana flavor made this ale easy to get into. Light carbonated mouth feel and easy drinking.

Pairings/ Recommendations

What I really would of went bananas over... hehe... is if this ale would have also had a nutty flavor as well. This would have really gave this brew more of the banana bread flavor. Without it this ale has more of a tropical feel in my opinion, and tropical isn't a bad thing. This brew would be great with spicy Caribbean style food, or as the beer drinkers alternative to Hawaiian style drinks. Aloha.

Cheers!!!

One more thing...

Bananaramma-bobanna-fe-fi-foe-nana.... Banana!!!!