Mar
1
I’m a Beer Nerd
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On a recent trip to northern California, I dropped by a couple of saloons that are worth mentioning. The day we arrived in San Francisco we visited the 21st Amendment Brewery where the annual Strong Beer Month was in full swing. Most beers on the menu registered at least 8 percent and some were as high as 12!
I tried the Hendrik’s Russian Imperial Espresso Stout and loved every sip. If Guinness got Starbucks knocked up, this would be the offspring. What an amazing beer!
My wife sampled the Watermelon Wheat Wine which is really just a light, filtered wheat beer with a refreshing essence of watermelon. Superb!
The 21st Amendment has pretty good food and a loud, lively atmosphere. Trying to slog from the front door to the dining room on a Friday night reminded me of a college keg party. It was packed with all kinds of people enjoying a beer and a laugh. This would be a good place to hang with a bunch of friends.
A couple of days into the trip I was ready to visit the bar that some people say is San Francisco’s beer Mecca. The Toronado Bar on Haight Street is nirvana for beer nerds. With a huge selection of regional drafts and a splash of other fine beers from around the world, Toronado ranks as maybe the best beer bar you’ll ever visit. And they have $2.50 pints daily from 11:30am to 6pm!
As I sat at the bar, staring at the big board of brews trying to decide which to try first, I was greeted by a stereotypical baby boomer hippie from the Haight. He was all about peace, love and beer. At first I tried to ignore the guy and settle on a beer to drink. However, it quickly became clear that this guy wanted to talk and so I figured if I was cornered then I would at least choose the subject of discussion…beer.
He explained that he had found the last beer he would ever drink. “Pliny the Elder,” he said with a slur and a sip. Pliny the Elder. It’s that good. He was right. It’s a creation of Russian River Brewing Company and it’s a remarkable beer. It’s a double IPA that’s a little more hoppy than most and it has incredible honey and citrus flavors that go perfectly together. It’s kind of like the Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA only better.
Russian River sends some of their beers to the east coast so I’m now on a mission to get a keg installed in my favorite local tap room. Al from The Druid’s Keep promises to keep an eye out for it and let me know when he can get it. Don’t worry, I’ll call ya.
Feb
2
Organic Beer?
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On a recent run to my favorite beer distributor I came across something I had never tried before, organic beer. I actually saw a few organic brands but settled on a Maine brewery called Peak Organic simply because they offer a mixed case of some of my favorite brew types. They only make three beers so it’s nice to be able to try them all in one case.
Organic is all about clean soil and Peak claims to use no pesticides and no chemical fertilizers on the grains that they use to produce their really delicious beer. I’ve never really been into the organic scene but I understand why some people are and I don’t knock them for it.
So does organic really make for better tasting beer? I don’t think so. There are so many factors that go into a good beer that something like soil quality isn’t going to jump right out at you. Some of the finest tasting beers on the planet are not organic. Good beer needs a brewmaster who cares. Organic is more of an attitude or philosophy than a huge contributing factor to taste.
That said, Peak beers are really, really tasty. It’s clear that they care about what they’re doing. I had the pale ale and the amber ale and both were among the best I have ever tasted. The amber was hoppier than I expected, almost like an IPA, but it was really good.
If you’re looking for something new to try and don’t mind spending $30 on a case, go organic with a Peak.
Feb
1
Good Chow in Big “D”
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One of the few joys of traveling by air these days is finding a great place to eat dinner once you’ve arrived. While working in Dallas this week I had a hankering for good TexMex and a margarita so I started Googling. I found an amazing place just northeast of downtown Dallas, not far from the Cotton Bowl. Matt’s Rancho Martinez turned out to be one great find.
Tucked into an alcove near the historic, art deco Lakewood Theater, Matt’s serves outstanding, cheap TexMex grub and 23 varieties of margarita. I went with the standard house version - frozen, no salt. Perfect.
Many of the reviews I read raved about the Bob Armstrong appetizer (guacamole and ground beef smothered in queso) but I didn’t think I could eat that much food. I would up getting the beef enchiladas with rice and beans. Quick, cheap and delicious.
I sampled a colleague’s beef fajitas and the meat just melted like butter. I can’t say enough good things about the place. If you’re in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area it is absolutely worth the trip.
Matt’s Rancho Martinez
6332 La Vista Dr
Dallas, TX 75214
Phone: (214) 823-5517
Apr
8
Dogfish Head Fort - Berry-licious!
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We have this great beer place in my neighborhood called the Foodery. They have a deli and beers. That’s pretty much it. What makes the it such a great place is that you can grab a six-pack carrier and build your own. If you’re a beer lover, this is the place for you. It’s also a bit pricey. I paid $27 for a six pack one night. Yikes! Amazing brew has its price.
Last week I was in there browsing the selections and I came across a quart-size bottle of an interesting looking brew from Dogfish Head, the incredible craft brewer from Milton, Delaware. It’s called Fort and it’s nice! It’s sour like a barley wine with a splash of Framboise. Dogfish Head produces Fort every December with “a ton of raspberries.” They claim it ages like wine but I think it’s just fine as it is.
I’m really not much of a barley wine fan - it’s a little too strong and not hoppy enough for my taste. However, I find Fort to be really drinkable and not overly sweet. The hint of raspberry is done just right. It’s best suited for occasional sipping and it’s definitely not for Friday night edge removal.