Wine and Beer Enthusiasts

[Scepticalscribe]

Actually, sad to relate, I was unable to finish it; I fell asleep on the sofa in my study for around two hours, absolutely exhausted. On Wednesday, I had crossed two continents - and skimmed the edge of a third - en route home, to find that my mother was just about to come down with an attack of shingles.

So, an unfinished glass of the (normally) wonderful yellow Belly; perhaps, too, the season is not yet right for heavy porters - I haven't had any in over three months, and I think, for now, triples, heavily hopped beers, and sours might meet my needs a bit more.

Rich, robust porters work better in winter..........

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Bought some more beers - a few triples - and another "Dark Swan" or two.

Two days ago, in addition to my beer splurge, I also bought a few bottles of rather good sherry - Amontillado, Palo Cortado, Manzanilla........they will be greeted in due course.

Tonight's dinner will be a version of chowder......or, a fish stew (casserole is the posh word) - with organic root vegetables (carrot, leek, onion, garlic, parsnip, potato), a tin of Portuguese anchovies to kick things off when melted in butter and add flavour to stock, saffron, organic double cream, and - of course - a nice medley of fish (firm white fish, red fish e.g. salmon, smoked fish); white wine to accompany, the only debate being whether it shall take the form of Meursault or Pouilly Fuisée, or maybe a Riesling. Decisions, decisions.......

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, the final version of the chowder included cherry tomatoes, and a little diced celery in addition to the vegetables mentioned above.

Cherry tomatoes - they still seem to be in season and I bought some beautiful ones today in the market; smoked, sweet paprika, saffron, black pepper, and garlic were the main seasonings.

Quite delicious.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A bottle of Maredsous - a superb Belgian triple - has just gone down awfully well.

 

[0388631]

Bought some more beers - a few triples - and another "Dark Swan" or two.

Two days ago, in addition to my beer splurge, I also bought a few bottles of rather good sherry - Amontillado, Palo Cortado, Manzanilla........they will be greeted in due course.

Tonight's dinner will be a version of chowder......or, a fish stew (casserole is the posh word) - with organic root vegetables (carrot, leek, onion, garlic, parsnip, potato), a tin of Portuguese anchovies to kick things off when melted in butter and add flavour to stock, saffron, organic double cream, and - of course - a nice medley of fish (firm white fish, red fish e.g. salmon, smoked fish); white wine to accompany, the only debate being whether it shall take the form of Meursault or Pouilly Fuisée, or maybe a Riesling. Decisions, decisions.......

I did make this earlier in the year after you told me about it near the end of last year. It was delicious. A little different than my version of fish stew, but delicious nonetheless. No fennel, though? I love fennel.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I did make this earlier in the year after you told me about it near the end of last year. It was delicious. A little different than my version of fish stew, but delicious nonetheless. No fennel, though? I love fennel.

I love fennel, too, but several people with whom I am friendly (and occasionally invite to dinner) don't; thus, unless I know in advance that guests will like it, I will not serve it.

Glad you really enjoyed it - this is my own recipe, not one from a book.

Tonight's meal was a tweak on the original, as you will have seen.

 

[rhett7660]

Took on a couple new IPA's last night. Both were from Coronado Brewing Company. Their standard IPA and their Wayland White IPA which I really liked. Also tried one from Drake's Brewery, their IPA. Wasn't to bad, but I really liked their bourbon barrel aged stout a lot better. If I find another bottle of it, I will be picking it up!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Took on a couple new IPA's last night. Both were from Coronado Brewing Company. Their standard IPA and their Wayland White IPA which I really liked. Also tried one from Drake's Brewery, their IPA. Wasn't to bad, but I really liked their bourbon barrel aged stout a lot better. If I find another bottle of it, I will be picking it up!

Tasting notes will be gratefully received.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sipping a glass or three of an excellent Manzanilla: "La Goya" by Delgado Zuleta.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The superb "Trolltunga" a first rate gooseberry sour IPA from the invariably excellent Buxton Brewery.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Followed by a second bottle of the same sublime nectar.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Followed by a second bottle of the same sublime nectar.

I really wish I could find this. I'm always on the lookout.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I really wish I could find this. I'm always on the lookout.

You would love it.

Looking at crates full of porters, to wit, Founders's (KBS - one crate), Founder's Breakfast Oatmeal Porter (almost a full crate) and the fantastic "Yellow Belly" - by Buxton, (yes, another crate - two of these purchased since I returned home on leave) - I realised that I craved a sour beer tonight - not the rich, luscious, robust, style of a heavy (but sublime) porter.

And, by sour, I mean tart, lip puckering sour, a tingling sour, not a 'pretend sour' that some companies attempt.

Tomorrow, I see my optician - which will take most of the day, as she is in a small town some 30 miles (50km) away, awkwardly situated with poor enough public transport links (and I don't have a car).

Never mind. Upon my return to the city, I shall pay a visit to the place where I buy my sours and purchase a few more......

 

[0388631]

The superb "Trolltunga" a first rate gooseberry sour IPA from the invariably excellent Buxton Brewery.

As someone who loves gooseberries, I must find this.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

As someone who loves gooseberries, I must find this.

I recommend it highly. A superb beer.

 

[0388631]

I recommend it highly. A superb beer.

I've got some fresh ones in the refrigerator. Perhaps I should open up an IPA, take a few berries, chew them and take a sip of beer? No, no, no, of course not. I'll be calling up my beer specialist tomorrow.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Several sours (some from Buxton, others from Crooked Stave) and a fruit beer (the Blushing Monk from Founder's) were purchased today when I returned from an out-of-town visit to my optician.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Have just enjoyed the superlative sour "King Slayer" from the Buxton Brewery; if you are a fan of sour beers, this is an outstanding example of the genre.

 

[JamesMike]

Time for a Stella to finish off a very nice day, weather could not be better.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Time for a Stella to finish off a very nice day, weather could not be better.

Enjoy the aforementioned Stella....

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Another sour: This one by Crooked Stave, their "St Bretta - Brettanomyces Citrus Wildbier".

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And yet another sour: This is also from the Crooked Stave stable, and is called "Surette - Provision Saison". (An artisan ale aged in oak barrels).

@mobilehaathi: You would love these beers.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Another sour: This one by Crooked Stave, their "St Bretta - Brettanomyces Citrus Wildbier".

And yet another sour: This is also from the Crooked Stave stable, and is called "Surette - Provision Saison". (An artisan ale aged in oak barrels).

@mobilehaathi: You would love these beers.

Sounds fabulous. I particularly like funky Brett beers...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sounds fabulous. I particularly like funky Brett beers...

These are the kind of beers I think you would really like; and they are excellent.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A few beers - quite good - from an artisan brewer served in a city centre hotel.