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!

When we do it right...

I'm a little behind on my blogging, I spent some time recently at a conference in San Diego, followed by a mini climbing vacation in Kentucky, so I haven't been devoting too much time to drinking and talking about it. There are a few things I do want to back up and post on, though.

Last Thursday following one of the worst headaches I've had in a while, I went over to Mike's for some much earned R&R. It was his turn to cook some delicious food and pair it with some possibily tastier wine. We are working on his cooking for future dates. I am the lucky beneficiary of his culinary practice. On the menu for that day was grilled salad with balsamic dressing and feta cheese.

Following the salad we threw some seasoned whitefish in a tinfoil packet on the grill and paired it with a light Meridian Pinot Grigio. As you can see, the fish didn't last too long, it was realllllllly good! The wine was middle of the road, nice, light, and not overbearing. I'd give it a 3.5/5 for taste, and 3/5 for value since I liked it, and honestly can't remember how much it cost. It paired nicely with the fish and made for an overall enjoyable evening. Date approved, Mike! Add it to the list of possibilities. 

After dinner, Mike got all fancy and made icecream with a blackberry sacue. AMAZING! Blackberries are my absolute favorite and we paired this with a bottle of blackberry wine I've been saving for a special occasion, but Mike wins! and got to split the bottle with me. The blackberry sauce and the wine, an Oliver Winery mainstay, tasted almost the same. Except one gave me a great buzz. Both were overall amazing. The blackberry wine gets a 5/5 for taste, i really do love the stuff, but a 4.5/5 for value, since its on the high end of my wine budget at 15-20 dollars (I bought it in October, so i don't recall).  

More to come, including sangria in San Diego and boxed wine, made to drink around the campfire!