Wine and Beer Enthusiasts

[Scepticalscribe]

It always struck me as some sort of mad indulgence on the part of Rogue (whose beers I typically like quite a lot) designed to shock and entice the sort of people who like beer and are obsessed with bacon...

Well, my two young wine shop managers - two different wine stores (and no, not my cheesemonger friend) are both passionate about beer. Both have pressed strange, unusual, experimental beers on me to try out.

The thing is, I love the idea of such experimentation; I love that it is happening and that the resurrection and return of the microbreweries and their products to the public space and to our tables and palates is so pronounced. However, I must admit to myself, that I don't really care all that much for some of their more experimental offerings.

While I will try anything once, on the subject matter of beer, I really do tend to prefer something somewhat similar to what I know I like already.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Well, my two young wine shop managers - two different wine stores (and no, not my cheesemonger friend) are both passionate about beer. Both have pressed strange, unusual, experimental beers on me to try out.

The thing is, I love the idea of such experimentation; I love that it is happening and that the resurrection and return of the microbreweries and their products to the public space and to our tables and palates is so pronounced. However, I must admit to myself, that I don't really care all that much for some of their more experimental offerings.

While I will try anything once, on the subject matter of beer, I really do tend to prefer something somewhat similar to what I know I like already.

Well I, too, love the idea of radical experimentation with beer brewing, but I draw the line at meat products and prepared foods. Doughnuts, really? How about brewed with chocolate and hazelnuts? See, that sounds more appealing (although doesn't guarantee anything).

 

[ruck]

Been putting this gift to get use. Had no idea anything like this existed before. Life is good.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Been putting this gift to get use. Had no idea anything like this existed before. Life is good.

A gift you gave or were fortunate enough to receive?

If this rather lovely six pack was a gift, may you enjoy the experience of sipping and savouring the contents.

 

[rhett7660]

Been putting this gift to get use. Had no idea anything like this existed before. Life is good.

That is pretty darn cool and it comes with an opener!!!!!! That is pretty darn cool!

 

[mobilehaathi]

Spent all day in a windowless room for Jury Duty today, so now I'm enjoying a "Wolf Among the Weeds" IPA from Golden Road Brewing Company.

Very nice, fruity and floral double IPA.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And I have enjoyed an exceedingly elegant Amontillado from Monteagudo (spelt the Roman way, "Monteagvdo"). Elegant, and beautifully balanced. Quite lovely.

 

[mobilehaathi]

And I have enjoyed an exceedingly elegant Amontillado from Monteagudo (spelt the Roman way, "Monteagvdo").

Oh, Amontillado. Now we're talking. I love Jerez! And as a child I was always transfixed by the Edgar Alan Poe story, "The Cask of Amontillado."

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Oh, Amontillado. Now we're talking. I love Jerez! And as a child I was always transfixed by the Edgar Alan Poe story, "The Cask of Amontillado."

Actually, I like almost all sherries. (If I am honest, I like the entire wine family….)

Tonight's Amontillado was beautifully balanced, with a richness of depth, dry (but not bone dry), and really exceedingly flavoursome in a rich while not yet luscious manner. The wine bar manager who runs the wine bar of my cheesemonger friend had recommended it strongly, a recommendation I am more than happy to endorse.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yesterday's Amontillado is one I unhesitatingly recommend. So much, that I bought another bottle of it today, when I paid a fleeting, flying visit to the wineshop of my cheesemonger friend.

However, that is not what I am sipping tonight.

 

[JamesMike]

And I have enjoyed an exceedingly elegant Amontillado from Monteagudo (spelt the Roman way, "Monteagvdo"). Elegant, and beautifully balanced. Quite lovely.

I will have to give that a try now that I'm back home.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I will have to give that a try now that I'm back home.

I was extremely impressed; this was a truly lovely Amontillado, with a rich depth of balanced flavour, yet not overpowering; a perfect - and elegant - accompaniment to serve with salty or savoury snacks.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sipping a glass of Trappist Rochefort 10, a lovely beer on a Friday night.

 

[0387274]

Sipping a glass of Trappist Rochefort 10, a lovely beer on a Friday night.

A very beautiful beer indeed - earns a spot in my top 5 for sure.

I'm enjoying a bottle of Yeti Imperial Stout by Great Divide Brewery. What a fine beer.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, the Trappist Rochefort 10 is one of my very all time favourite beers. Not only top five, but - quite possibly - a top one or two…...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Tonight, a glass of the Belgian classic McChouffe passed my lips. Quite lovely, too.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

My second beer tonight was one that I only heard of for the first time earlier today (Saturday).

Anyway, it is a e beer brewed by the 'Wild Beer Company' (a UK outfit), and it goes by the name of 'Millionaire'. It describes itself as a 'salted caramel + chocolate +milk stout' brew. Quite lovely, soothing and very tasty.

 

[JamesMike]

Great minds think a like, earlier I ate a restaurant called Comme Chez Soi and drank a McChouffe with my meal.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Great minds think a like, earlier I ate a restaurant called Comme Chez Soi and drank a McChouffe with my meal.

I hadn't tried the McChouffe prior to tonight, and must say that I loved it. Actually, it is easily my favourite from the 'Chouffe' range (an they are all exceedingly good).

Hope you enjoyed your McChouffe. (By the way, I must say that I absolutely love the labels on those bottles, they are absolutely charming).

 

[mobilehaathi]

Found myself driving by Santa Rosa, CA a few days ago and picked up a few Pliny the Elders.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Found myself driving by Santa Rosa, CA a few days ago and picked up a few Pliny the Elders.

As it happens, I have heard much of this legendary beer, - not least on these fora - but I have never either seen it, or tasted it. What is it like?

 

[Dythuger]

Pliny is great stuff. Not overly hopped like many double iPas. It's my wife's favorite. Unfortunately it's been a few years since I had some.

 

[mobilehaathi]

As it happens, I have heard much of this legendary beer, - not least on these fora - but I have never either seen it, or tasted it. What is it like?

Exquisitely balanced hops, not too heavy, a real treat!

 

[mobilehaathi]

As it happens, I have heard much of this legendary beer, - not least on these fora - but I have never either seen it, or tasted it. What is it like?

I mean, let me be clear. There is a LOT of hype surrounding this beer, but when it comes to my personal taste in IPAs this nails it brilliantly.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Exquisitely balanced hops, not too heavy, a real treat!

I mean, let me be clear. There is a LOT of hype surrounding this beer, but when it comes to my personal taste in IPAs this nails it brilliantly.

Some IPAs can be too bitter (not sour, which is a different taste) and 'over hoppy'.

On these fora, and elsewhere, I have heard terrific accounts of Pliny the Elder, but have never seen one 'in the wild', let alone actually got to taste this legendary beer.