An imperial rye-based IPA. Pretty interesting. Dark pour I'm accustomed to seeing from rye beers. To be honest, not much going on in the hops, floral, or bitterness departments. It claims 90IBU but I'm not sure I believe that. It's all a little flaccid actually. Just a slightly hoppier and more carbed version of Goose Island's Mild Winter. Kinda bummed.
Originally had a pint at the pub but I saw it on sale at the grocery, so I bought one. Previous tasting notes: "First Harpoon I've had since their IPA turned me off...couldn't taste any oyster, but the bargirl said it was like drinking seawater...tasted a bit of saltiness, but otherwise a reasonable stout."
The second time around, it wasn't bad. I liked it, but it's not good enough to buy repeatedly or regularly unless it's on sale or for the novelty.
Similar to the black bean dip I made a while ago, but I think this is better in some aspects. I think I got it from Closet. It's basically a lot smoother, having run the beans through the food processor. Cumin, diced onion, lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper, cilantro. It's less watery than the bean dip. You'll also run through it pretty quickly. This was two only two cans, which seemed like a lot when I was opening them but seeing and tasting the end-product made me think otherwise.
Finally made some polenta that wasn't a ridiculous mess. I used mostly yellow cornmeal and some white cornmeal, paid attention the whole time, salt, pepper, Parmesan. Cooled in a 9x13 pan. Cut and served with some Italian sausage and tomato sauce. Works well for breakfast too with runny eggs.
Curiously round tasting, super floral, not very bitter for using 4 varieities of hops and being a double. Sort of sweet but in a grassy way, clean finish, and not sticky or too heavy, no residue, relatively. Kind of reminds of Hawaiian sweet bread, in a very innocuous sweet kind of way.
Wow, it's been a long time since I cooked anything new and interesting. Apparently, all I do is drink. I figure it's the summer heat and nothing that I normally eat or want to eat sounds suitable for the weather. I came across this a while ago here. Chaya does some interesting things (like those potato muffin thingers).
A bagel with lox and cream cheese is one of the best things ever. If you can't have a stick-to-your-ribs country breakfast, this is probably the next best thing. A big, chewy bagel with a buttery crust, barely toasted; rich cream cheese (in this instance, one of the rare occasions I won't go out of my way to get a low-fat something); and buttery smooth, smoky, salty lox. Awesome.
It calls for 8oz of whipped cream cheese, but I only had a package of fat free and a package of regular cream cheese so I took half of each and tried to whip it myself a little. I also only used two eggs. The whole thing comes together pretty quickly and is pretty tasty. It was less salty than I imagined with the lox.
Limited release, on sale, tagged as a "strong ale", tee hee. Fermented with champagne yeast and French grape juice, aged in French oak, it's pretty ostentatious. It's also 12%ABV, which is also pretty ostentatious.
Rich copper, almost red, with a pretty luscious head that dies down to a tight cover, also curtains. Pretty malty but not real in-your-face about it, very mild. The 38IBU also helps. Leaves some warmth in the back of the throat. Rather sweet tasting, kind of reminds me of barley wine, but finishes a little sour (maybe that's the grape).
At $5 for the ABV, it's a good deal but a little heavy for boozing. I'd pick up a few more if it's still around just to have around for emergencies or to split and maybe for some aging. Yes, it's like that emergency bottle of cheap-but-not-so-cheap-that-I-can-see-through-it-but-is-kind-of-ok-especially-if-you-are-already-drunk-or-eating-food-with-it wine.
Bombers were on sale so I figured I'd try it out. Relatively dark copper pour for an IPA. Sounds and feels a little creamier than I'd like. Rich head which thins out but is persistent. Curtains rather than lacing. Fairly bitter but not in a way I like. Too much of a burnt malt taste, which I suppose are the caramel malts. Finishes really fruity though. I actually probably wouldn't buy this again unless it were even cheaper. I could be convinced to buy Wolaver's though, which is also brewed by Otter Creek. 11%ABV and 135IBU sounds like it would be awesome, but this was kind of disappointing.
