Craft Beers

I haven't posted much in a long time, but for this I felt like I should. Been feeling a bit overwhelmed recently and went with a beer that was both a gift from a friend (at the brewery) and is a bit of a once in a lifetime. Antonius' Carmen Madeira Barrel Aged Sour. The October 2014 (#23 in series). This is by Avery Brewing - one of the most sophisticated of the barrel aging craft breweries in the country. It is amazing. Tart in the front, dark fruit on the tongue, with the Madeira laced throughout. It has aged so well... This is exactly what I needed.

Made grilled asparagus with garlic sauce and mesquite grilled chicken. Stuffed it all into a pita with my homemade tzatziki sauce. Fresh cherry tomatoes (and a little more tzatziki) on the side. All washed down with Upslope's Passionfruit Hibiscus Sour. Really turned out and was fast and easy to make.

Grimm Artisanal Ales in Brooklyn. Great selection of brett sours, and the barrel aged imperial stout was amazing. The food was quite good (lamb on the pizza pictured). I loved the very casual ambiance, and the bartender is running old-school vinyl on a 60s/ 70s-style stereo. Totally get why they won best brewery in New York 2 years running.

Shrimp tacos, scratch made guacamole and salsa, and homemade cilantro lime rice. Washed it down Mexican Lager (Rocinante by Luki). A fun Cinco de Mayo dinner.

A little Feisty Ferret from Luki Brewing. In my Papa glass, no less... from their website: A British Amber; ABV 5%; IBU 35. Malty with hints of toffee and pine.

Purple Cobra by LUKI Brewing. In my Prancing Pony mug... I mean we were watching LoTRs extended edition 😁 Nice balanced IPA. Very well done...

I love my big ceramic mug! It can hold a whole crowler (barely). In this case, it is the Yeti rotator from Great Divide's Lone Tree location. Barrel aged and deliciously rich. It is exactly what I wanted after working outside all day.

A little boozy up front with a clear bourbon flavor that continues to grow as the beer warms. This is really well done, smooth, slightly sweet, and a bit of authority.

Tried out the Kirkland brand Vintage Ale. It is a bourbon barrel imperial stout by Deschutes Brewing. This is aged 9 months in the barrel and you can really pick up the vanilla, chocolate, and dark fruit. The bourbon is pretty prominent on the nose. I really liked it, but I think it could have used an additional 3 months in the barrel. This seems to me luke it will really age well and at $10 for a 22 oz bomber it is a great deal. Well worth picking up from Costco.

It's been a while since my last post, but I am getting back into the swing of it. This is pork chops, gnocchi, quick sauerkraut, and mushroom bacon gravy. Washing it all down is Sugar Moon Belgium style Barleywine, a collaboration beer between New Image and Primitive. I'm going to say I really did well on this one, and the beer really pairs well.

Delicious Salted Caramel Yeti Imperial Stout brownies with bourbon vanilla whipped cream. Decadently rich with dark chocolate, the salted caramel hides right in the background. This is the kind of dessert that you love to savor.