Presents! :D

While I'm not usually a "buy me that! I need this! *tears off wrapping paper in a flurry of excitement" this wine could make me a convert. Stomps foot, demands more presents.
Mike brought back a bottle as an "I got to go to Italy nanananapoopoo" gift. We opened it up the other night while noshing on some awesome popovers for dinner.
He did good.
:).

This blended Italian Red wine is sweet without being overbearing or desert-like. For about 6 euro's in Italy, or 12 dollars online stateside you an enjoy this rather complex 2010 vintage. I would give it a 4.7/5 for taste. It came off a little bit on the sweet side on my first taste, but I warmed up to it after a glass, and 4/5 for value. It tastes much more expensive than it is. Always a plus!

Cleaning out the fridge Saturdays

What better way to spend a lazy saturday than helping "clean" out a friends beer fridge? After a nice, short, hot weather run, Mike and I returned and enjoyed a taste of his roomate, Nick's, Delirium Tremens. This belgian beer was unlike anything else I have ever tried. It was lightly malty, almost fruity, aromatic, and fairly high in alcohol at 8.5 percent. I'm no beer critic, but this was an experience. I'd recommend it, even though it is above the usual price range for my general consumption. I'm not sure exactly how much a 22? ounce bottle of this stuff runs, but its safe to say as it is Nick's, that its above 10 dollars. As a side note, this beer does not pour well at all. Each glass was over half head and took a while to settle down. Worth the wait at least, as this beer has been labeled the best beer in the world.

Next up was something that almost had me jumping up and down with excitement; Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu. I've been waiting to try this since I read about it a few years ago. Based on an archaeological evidence of an ancient beer from China, brewers at Dogfish head tried to recreate beer history for everyone to enjoy! Its my two favorite things rolled up into one potable masterpiece; beer and nerdiness! I was not disappointed with the beer after years of hype, either. Chateau Jiahu is light, fruity, complex and sweet. Not a normal everyday beer, more of a fruity meade or beer wine combo. At 15 a bottle, this was not a great deal. It is novel and contains 10 ABV, so I'd be willing to give it another chance.

Later on in the evening we headed out to the local mosey down mainstreet. (Why yes, it was a long day.)  I enjoyed one of the few local Indiana ciders; Oliver Beanblossom. This is pretty much Oliver Winery's basic cider. Strangely, its cheaper to buy this bottle out at the bars than at the supermarket where they sell for about 5 dollars a pop. This one was only 3.75 cold and waiting for me at Chumley's. Not as good as Magner's or Woodchuck, this cider is still sweet and delicious. There is also a nice variety of different options available from Oliver. I know of the strawberry cider and blueberry. There may be a few others i'm missing, but try them! Better yet, go to the Winery and check out the tasting room. It comes highly recommended. If you go, try the blackberry wine! 

Overall, cleaning the fridge makes for a long, enjoyable day. Not for the faint of heart, however. Thanks Nick! I hope the fridge has been cleaned enough for you, at least for a while. I'm out, lots of back blogging to get to at some point, but happy Sunday in the meantime!