Last night I was treated to one of the best food and beer pairings of my proverbial career, Mikkeller's "Beer Geek Breakfast" and Rouge Et Noir's "Triple Creme Brie".
The setting was my apartment in San Diego. The breakfast nook of our kitchen area to be precise. Andy, Beth, and I had just finished an exceptional meal of tomato and red wine braised beef shanks with olives and raisins (all prepared by Andy). The palatable beauty of the meal itself could be better expressed by my wife-to-be, so I'll guide you straight to the dessert course of the evenings dine.
Oatmeal stouts happen to be one of my favorite styles of beer for their deep, chocolaty malt flavor which is further accented to a slight sweetness by adding oatmeal. Beer Geek Breakfast is unique in that it is not only an oatmeal stout, but also a coffee stout. The coffee is more of a second thought in my opinion though. I would definitely call this an oatmeal stout if someone put a gun to my head.
Brie happens to be one of my favorite styles of cheese for its smooth, buttery texture and mildly sweet, creamy taste. Triple cream brie is a style that requires a 75% butterfat content as opposed to the weight watching 60% required for the title of double cream.
Back to the story...
A gentle swig of oatmeal coffee stout awakens my tongue's sweetness receptors which have been dormant for the past hour while the savory side of the house participated in a salty orgy of beef shanks, Katamala olives, and the like. Now that the walls of my mouth have been amply primed with the robust intentions of Mikkeller's earthly potion, I slip a kitchen knife through the soft folds of cheese utopia. Mere seconds later would my pupils dilate with enthusiasm as I showered expletive enhanced praise on the dessert gods. Just looking at the duo in front of me was like admiring a masterpiece of renaissance art. The dull, off white flatness of the brie sitting contently next to its faithful husband, a strong, powerful, dark stout with an inner sweetness you could only appreciate once you had gotten to know him. The celebration of consumption continued on until the last swallows of stout and the last blobs of brie had been married inside the chapel of my cheeks.
I would like to apologize for this entry not following the guidelines I set up to review beer on this blog. During dinner, we were being fairly liberal with our pours of New Belgium's Hoptober Fest(I blame good conversation), and I wasn't in any position to properly review a Mikkeller beer. I hope this recollection of my experience has tempted you to try one, if not both the stout and the brie though. I will absolutely be doing a formal review of a Mikkeller beer soon, in any event. If you aren't already familiar with this brewery, you have no time to waste in getting to know them. They are an incredible beer making machine, with dozens of brews to offer in almost every popular style. I will touch on that more with the official review though!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Life and Limb!
I honestly can't think of a more currently epic way to tap this blog than to do so with a review of the Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head collaboration brew known as "Life and Limb".
Life and Limb was released in November 2009 in a limited run of 24 oz bottles and and even more limited run for draft. It was brewed with pure maple syrup from Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione's family farm in Massachusetts and "Estate" barley grown on the Sierra Nevada Brewery's property. The yeast used in this bottle conditioned beer(bottle conditioned meaning it is able to be aged for years while more complex flavors develop, just like a good wine) is also a mixture of both breweries house strains. As far as I know, this is a very unique practice because most breweries treasure their yeast strains as a signature of identity. Alaskan Birch syrup was used for carbonating the beer. I'm not sure if the birch really gives anything towards the flavor because it was only added in a small amount, but just to give you a reference point for how much dedication was brewed into this beer, most home brewers simply use granulated sugar for priming!
Now that you know the foundations for Life and Limb, let's get on to the review!
Label: The label on this beer stands for itself as artwork. Dogfish Head is selling t-shirts with the label printed on them and yes I ordered one yesterday. Here is a link to the print...Life And Limb Art. It is noted on the bottle that this beer is 10.2% ABV.
Nasal Observations During Pour: I sensed a strong and sweet aroma during the pour. Almost like an unlit cigar, but not as musty.
Visual Observations During Pour: Dark, dark amber.
Head: I split the bottle between two glasses for Beth and myself. The head didn't really develop until I got towards the end of the pour where the conditioning yeast remained. I noticed a few big bubbles among the quarter inch or so of medium brown head.
Visual Observations After Settling: The main body of the beer was completely opaque, though I could see a dark ruby glow in the very bottom of the glass where the edges were closer together.
Nasal Observations After Settling: The smell didn't really change after the pour, but was a little milder in intensity.
First Taste: The first thing I noticed when the beer hit my tongue was how fizzy it was. I believe that was the birch syrup giving a little introduction for what was to follow.
Second Taste: On my second taste, I felt more of the actual flavor come out. I'm pegging it as sharp raisin and dark cherry blend. I suggested that it was almost along the lines of a barely wine, but Beth pointed out that this wasn't quite as caustic as barley wine tends to be.
After Taste: The maple syrup finally introduces itself in the finish of this beer. It is subtle in texture as that it doesn't fill your mouth or feel at all thick or syrupy. The rich sugary flavor swims around the area where your tongue and throat meet, and is comparable to the lingering after taste of maple candy.
Overall Opinion: This is an excellent beer to split with a companion for multiple reasons. One, it does have a quite interesting taste that prompts more discussion than many beers. Two, it is a symbol of two very successful brewers coming together as a community to celebrate craft beer, and that symbol should be respected with every bottle. Three, well, it would be tough to drink 24 whole ounces of this stuff alone. Especially at 10.2% alcohol by volume!
Reminds Me Of: If I had to pick a close neighbor for Life and Limb I think I would have to go with Delirium Tremens Belgium Ale in taste, but a slightly thick brown ale in consistency.
Food Pairing: I think this beer would go well with a sharp cheddar atop sliced green apples. I could see it complimenting a dark turkey meat too, especially if touched up with a little cranberry sauce in Thanksgiving Dinner style.
Please leave any comments you have about your own experiences with this beer! Unfortunately I can't tell you where to find a bottle because they are few and far between due to their popularity and limited quantity. Happy hunting!
Life and Limb was released in November 2009 in a limited run of 24 oz bottles and and even more limited run for draft. It was brewed with pure maple syrup from Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione's family farm in Massachusetts and "Estate" barley grown on the Sierra Nevada Brewery's property. The yeast used in this bottle conditioned beer(bottle conditioned meaning it is able to be aged for years while more complex flavors develop, just like a good wine) is also a mixture of both breweries house strains. As far as I know, this is a very unique practice because most breweries treasure their yeast strains as a signature of identity. Alaskan Birch syrup was used for carbonating the beer. I'm not sure if the birch really gives anything towards the flavor because it was only added in a small amount, but just to give you a reference point for how much dedication was brewed into this beer, most home brewers simply use granulated sugar for priming!
Now that you know the foundations for Life and Limb, let's get on to the review!
Label: The label on this beer stands for itself as artwork. Dogfish Head is selling t-shirts with the label printed on them and yes I ordered one yesterday. Here is a link to the print...Life And Limb Art. It is noted on the bottle that this beer is 10.2% ABV.
Nasal Observations During Pour: I sensed a strong and sweet aroma during the pour. Almost like an unlit cigar, but not as musty.
Visual Observations During Pour: Dark, dark amber.
Head: I split the bottle between two glasses for Beth and myself. The head didn't really develop until I got towards the end of the pour where the conditioning yeast remained. I noticed a few big bubbles among the quarter inch or so of medium brown head.
Visual Observations After Settling: The main body of the beer was completely opaque, though I could see a dark ruby glow in the very bottom of the glass where the edges were closer together.
Nasal Observations After Settling: The smell didn't really change after the pour, but was a little milder in intensity.
First Taste: The first thing I noticed when the beer hit my tongue was how fizzy it was. I believe that was the birch syrup giving a little introduction for what was to follow.
Second Taste: On my second taste, I felt more of the actual flavor come out. I'm pegging it as sharp raisin and dark cherry blend. I suggested that it was almost along the lines of a barely wine, but Beth pointed out that this wasn't quite as caustic as barley wine tends to be.
After Taste: The maple syrup finally introduces itself in the finish of this beer. It is subtle in texture as that it doesn't fill your mouth or feel at all thick or syrupy. The rich sugary flavor swims around the area where your tongue and throat meet, and is comparable to the lingering after taste of maple candy.
Overall Opinion: This is an excellent beer to split with a companion for multiple reasons. One, it does have a quite interesting taste that prompts more discussion than many beers. Two, it is a symbol of two very successful brewers coming together as a community to celebrate craft beer, and that symbol should be respected with every bottle. Three, well, it would be tough to drink 24 whole ounces of this stuff alone. Especially at 10.2% alcohol by volume!
Reminds Me Of: If I had to pick a close neighbor for Life and Limb I think I would have to go with Delirium Tremens Belgium Ale in taste, but a slightly thick brown ale in consistency.
Food Pairing: I think this beer would go well with a sharp cheddar atop sliced green apples. I could see it complimenting a dark turkey meat too, especially if touched up with a little cranberry sauce in Thanksgiving Dinner style.
Please leave any comments you have about your own experiences with this beer! Unfortunately I can't tell you where to find a bottle because they are few and far between due to their popularity and limited quantity. Happy hunting!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Beyond Taste
While the bottom line of a good beer is naturally a good taste, there is a keg's worth of other aspects to consider in discussing a craft beer. As noted at the top of this page, there are some well known and somewhat respected review websites that anyone else can go to, fill in a few answers to generalized questions which we may or may not even understand, and have those go on to alter the site's overall rating of said beer.
Here, on the other hand, I will express my opinions of each beer in a less structured and hopefully easier to follow way. I'm going to be as inclusive as possible without completely over analyzing and striping the fun away from the main pint!
Homebrewing For Dummies suggests, in order, the five steps of beer evaluation to be Smell, Look, Taste, Aftertaste, and Reflect. I've used those steps as a guide, but branched out a bit to make this blog a little more informative.
Some of the categories I plan to touch on for each beer are as follows...
Label Art and Blurbs(to include ABV)
Nasal Observations During Pour
Visual Observations During Pour
Head(Foam)
Nasal Observations After Settling
Visual Observations After Settling
First Taste
Second Taste
Aftertaste
Overall Opinion
Last Taste
I am also going to be suggesting pairing options for food, similar beers, and what serving size I would suggest (This could be anywhere from "just a taste" to "let's order a keg each".).
Interesting tid bits or trivia about the brewery will be supplied when appropriate.
Again, I hope this blog provides you with some decent information about the beer you are, or may soon be drinking, but if nothing else maybe you will find my sense of humor entertaining enough to keep coming back!
Here, on the other hand, I will express my opinions of each beer in a less structured and hopefully easier to follow way. I'm going to be as inclusive as possible without completely over analyzing and striping the fun away from the main pint!
Homebrewing For Dummies suggests, in order, the five steps of beer evaluation to be Smell, Look, Taste, Aftertaste, and Reflect. I've used those steps as a guide, but branched out a bit to make this blog a little more informative.
Some of the categories I plan to touch on for each beer are as follows...
Label Art and Blurbs(to include ABV)
Nasal Observations During Pour
Visual Observations During Pour
Head(Foam)
Nasal Observations After Settling
Visual Observations After Settling
First Taste
Second Taste
Aftertaste
Overall Opinion
Last Taste
I am also going to be suggesting pairing options for food, similar beers, and what serving size I would suggest (This could be anywhere from "just a taste" to "let's order a keg each".).
Interesting tid bits or trivia about the brewery will be supplied when appropriate.
Again, I hope this blog provides you with some decent information about the beer you are, or may soon be drinking, but if nothing else maybe you will find my sense of humor entertaining enough to keep coming back!
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