I usually catch hell for this but I’m not a huge Belgian fan. Some purists say it’s a sin while I say I’d rather have a double IPA any day. BUT I am trying to broaden my horizons with this blog so no style is ever off limits. I’m naming my reviews Hump Day Happiness. I checked back and saw that I have done 5 overall reviews so this is 6. I’ll make a page to index these later.
What exactly is a Belgian Dubbel? Double? wtf?
It’s a high malt beer with a bit of spice and mild hops that you’ll find anywhere from 7-9% ABV. This wouldn’t be a bad starter for someone getting into Belgians who don’t care for a intense sweet taste.
Brother David’s is brewed by Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, CA and is celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year. What impressed me before I sampled their beers was that they boast to be a Solar Powered Brewery on their website. I’ve had a few of their other beverages at 3 sons and quite honestly wasn’t all that impressed. But hey, I’m all for revisiting for my readers. The following is not something I have had before so let’s get our drink on!
The Review
Brother David’s Belgian-style Double Ale (9% ABV 220z) poured a reddish brown and the head was quick to dissipate to a creamy crown. The aroma seemed like stale malt which is the nicest way I can put it. It was able to maintain a medium body on the tongue and the overall taste reminds me of an outdated toffee bar or a handful of dried fruit. It will consume your palette so unless you’re drinking something else I suggest cleaning it asap.
I usually don’t bother to address the bottle caps. This one… the dreaded wax covering. Well by chance I had my foil cutter from Lushie’s wine collection close to me so I used that to cut away the mess. Kudos to Anderson for putting an effort into interesting cap design. Once the wax was gone, not only did I find out it was Solar Powered but if you scrape off the inside cap liner it read “One a day is all we ask” and then the company website. Thumbs up for nebby people like me.
It’s decent for $6.25 a bomber bottle but would I order this again? Not unless you were buying.
People who find out I’m from Erie are amazed at 3 thing I don’t do which I guess others they’ve met do. 1) I don’t hunt 2) I hate fishing 3) I rarely drink wine. I bring up the third because of a piece that was on ErieBlogs this morning.
The Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail is 40 miles of the largest grape growing region east of the Rockies. It stretches from Silver Creek, NY to North East, Pa and in 2008 will house 21 commercial and estate wineries. You heard me… TWENTY ONE! That’s vino people!
Why this amazes me so is because when I lived in Erie 10 years ago there were only 2-3 that I knew of. Granted I’ve never been a wine snob but I knew where to find places with alcohol. The only one on the list that I recall going to is Heritage Wine in North East. Heritage always made a stellar product and would fit into the “If I did drink wine, it would be theirs.”
The website, chautauquawinetrail.org, is filled with info on the wineries, places to stay and even organized tours you can take. Looks like a fun time for the wine drinkers so check it out. Being a craft beer guy I’m even thinking about going. That should tell you something right there!
cheers!
I’m not making this one up but that headline is catchy. Kevin Gamble (Johnny Johnny from TikiBar TV) saved a woman’s life when she fell onto the subway tracks in NYC.
You can relive Kevin’s heroics here.
Kevin and I have talked online and hung out at the after party of Podcamp Pittsburgh 1 back in the fall of 2006. Honestly it doesn’t surprise me that he did something like this. I don’t know if I could have acted so calmly since I know about that 3rd wire. He’s a very cool guy to hang out with (and try to go shot for shot with me) and model err Canadian living in America 
Cheers buddy!
Click here to order the Lushy Spoon
We gave in and ordered the BFD from Domino’s on Friday. Neither of us felt like cooking and wanted to be bums so we made the call. This pizza lived up to the hype and good lord was that one we made tasty.
So here you go… The Lushy Spoon
- Brooklyn Style
- Sauce (regular)
- Extra cheese
- Extra Large Pepperoni
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Black Olives
Have you made one yet? Let me know!
Found this while browsing the videos on ErieTube.com Makes me wonder what they’re putting in the water up there.
Last night at the Creative Treehouse was the first of many planning meetings for Podcamp Pittsburgh 3 (Sept. 27-28, 2008). We covered the basics on budget, sponsorship, promotions, volunteers, etc… So we wrap up and a group of us head to Mad Mex on McKnight to chat and have a few drinks. One conversation I was in with Norm was about how many podcasts and blogs we subscribe to. That’s when I realized, I only listen to the podcasts of my friends. Currently I subscribe to 72 blogs which are a wide range of my interests and very few of the authors I know personally. Podcasts though, I really don’t go out looking for new ones and I think that’s because I just don’t have enough time in the day.
If I know you or I meet you, say at a Podcamp, I’ll give your show a listen. Anything beyond that I just can’t do. Between working constantly on SIDT’s planning and stats, my blogs, school, twitter, RSS feeds, the gym, work and just life, I like to kickback with music once in awhile. If I didn’t, I know I would burn out fast. If you want me to listen to you, sell me on it. I’m not trying to sound like I’m bigger than the world but seriously, I can’t even make time at this point. Just ask Studio B which is still filled with boxes.
Another thing I did realize and get a kick out of is that from this meeting we all have “a guy” (or gal). You want to talk beer? See myself or sickpup at Should I Drink That. Have an obsession with Steeler Cedrick Wilson? hook up with Jim and his Sportsocracy team. Wrestling? See Sorg and the guys at Wrestling Mayhem Show. Fine Spirits and running a professional website? Look up Cindy. Blogging and fashionable local wear? Talk to Mike. I could go on but you see what I’m getting at. We’re all someone’s “go to guy” as an expert on something.
On a side note, last night was a productive start getting new ideas together not only for Podcamp but for new media in Pittsburgh. The core group that we have is amazing and I was fortunate enough to stumble across one day by following a couple of links. Thinking back to early 06 when most of us had no idea who the other was I think we’ve built a solid personal and professional relationship. So stay tuned for more podcamp news and while you’re at it go to the 2008 Bloggies and vote for our friend Rachel at That Night who is up for Best Kept Secret Weblog!
I have the video picked out for tomorrow. All vids are safe for work unles noted and this one is… well… even left me saying “wtf?”
I’ve decided that Wednesday will be my beer review day for 3 reasons:
- It’s hump day
- If you like it, you have plenty of time to stock up for the weekend
- A lot of 6pk shops restock on Tuesday/Wednesday’s so if it’s in you’ll get first crack at it.
That said… Most of my friends know that I absolutely hate Barleywine. You can almost say with a passion so you can see why even the bartender did a double take when I ordered this. Now to be fair this is a Wheatwine. Difference between the 2? Well a Wheatwine is similar to a Barleywine in kick but because of a larger amount of wheat malt it has a softer mouth when you taste it.
That’s what made the difference for me. New Holland Pilgrim’s Dole is 10% ABV and poured as a very dark red with a creamy head. This is on tap at Mad Mex so right off the bat I’m spoiled. I was getting a buttery aroma to it which really threw me off but the drinkability of it was a sipper. Keep in mind that it IS 10% so it will kick your ass if you don’t respect it. I haven’t seen this around the Pittsburgh area besides at Mad Mex so you may have to go there but don’t cheat yourself with a sample. Step up and enjoy the goodness.
While you’re still crying foul and moping from the Chargers loss 2 weeks ago, take a look at who’s number one in the NHL!
Every friday I plan on having a new video for the week that I find on one of the many video sites. Yeah unoriginal idea but there are a plethora (right Jefe?) of things out there you may not have seen. Some are personal favorites and others are from fans and friends. So to start this off…
Going to college unprepared in the fine art of consumption will lead to emotional problems.
thanks to Rick for the link.
This was a gift from my brother over Christmas as we always do at least one beer exchange. I’ve seen this around but have never tried it so I’m sure he was relieved to hear that. Kill Ugly radio is an IPA from Lagunitas and was a tribute to the 40th anniversary of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention 2nd album named Absolutely Free.
My Thoughts
It’s definitely hoppy, as characteristic of a double IPA and that was about all going for it. The palette was screaming from blandness, it poured extremely light for an IPA but the head was fluffy. By the time I was finished with the 22oz bottle I was starting to finally enjoy it. Would I buy this? Eh I might give it another shot. Most beers that I’m on the fence with I’m usually willing to give it a second shot.
That said, I’m going to start a beer review section on here that will be different than what you hear from me on SIDT. These are beverages that I’ll pick up at random while out or in this case, receive as a gift.
cheers!
I’m not a big fan of seafood. I have no problem admitting that. I won’t eat fish but I do like shrimp, scallops and lobster. I do eat sushi but it doesn’t always have fish. I don’t care how you make it, I won’t eat it (well unless it’s Lent and even that’s pushing it).
Today we were out shopping to pick up a new TV stand so what better reason to go to IKEA! After cramming it in my car I was in need of a bite to eat. We were close to Joe’s Crab Shack so we figured why not.
Now here may come a bit of a shocker. I’ve never eaten crab or crab legs that weren’t at some Chinese buffet place. 1) it’s a lot of work to make a mess and get little meat 2) it’s the whole fish thing again. If I see it on a menu I’ll pass it over. I made a commitment to myself this year to try new things and while I know that crab isn’t that dramatic it is for someone who tends to stay away from seafood.
We decided to split a “Joe’s Steampot” which is Dungeness Crab, Snow Crab, boiled shrimp, smoked sausage, taters and corn on the cob. I friggin loved it. The smell of seafood is something I can’t get used to but the taste was delicious. Well plus we had butter to dunk it in which makes everything better. I still stick with the fact that it was work just to get some meat but goddamn was it worth it.
Wouldn’t be a meal without a beverage right? Had a couple Winter’s Bourbon Cask Ale. For an AB product it was tolerable but the name and description was way off. Slight hint of vanilla and there were some hops thrown in there but it’s nothing like a bourbon barrel aged beverage. It was either this or a *gag* Corona. Oh yeah, Danny O’s tax got me for $.83 today. I writing something for the site in regards to that. Having a little fun
cheers!
