Sluggish September

After abandoning my child, La Poularde, one might wonder if I have any respect for the few and varied readers that might skim the blog. While I was entertaining myself with various summer activities, traveling from point A to B and then C-Z, other folks, such as yourselves, were most likely doing equally - if not more - enjoyable activities. With that, I base my "excuse."

However, there should be no excuse for abandoning my post and failing to feed the needy whilst opting to feed myself instead. Instead of gluttony and hedonism, I should have thought of "others." Please excuse this absurd shortcoming on my behalf. Shameful, really.

Instead of typing more poppycock and fluffing myself, I will get straight to the important information. Beer was consumed (as expected), a few multi-course, multi-hundred dollar meals were relished and a cake or two, as well as a handful of desserts, were sampled.

Some of my notes will explain the beer consumption:

20 July 08
Beer: Augustiner Bräu München, Edelstoff
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $2/12oz. Bottle
Grade: 7.6

Fantastic carbonation, German taste and overall mouthfeel. Slight yeast, lots of wheaty-hopped taste, a bit a straw-like taste – grassy you could say, but not very bitter. Very clean tasting, dry finish, crisp and light. But not light to the point where it is watery – it still has enough flavor to it. A beer that would be ideal for some bratwurst and other sausages; this beer is wonderful. Not so much malty as it is wheaty-hoppy mixed with barley. Its color is a very pale golden, almost to the point of a white-gold near the bottom. Rather refreshing and thirst quenching, I will admit. Carbonation dies down after a while, yet it still has life to it. Basically, a not so bad German lager.

21 July 08
Beer: Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier – Urbock, Brauerei Heller Bamberg
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $4.99/Bottle
Grade: 8.2

Like a beautifully roasted, suckling pig. Meat in a bottle. Rare steak liquified. Smokey, Texan barbeque in the form of a non-solid. Rauchbier at its finest. A slightly sweetened smokiness with medium body. Seriously like drinking a BBQ rib or smoked pork. Not so much the most complex beer following the intial smokiness, but still so enjoyable. If you are any sort of meat lover or a man of the grill, this is basically your beer. The thing is, it’s not so overpowering that you despise the smokiness. It’s well done, with a kiss of smoke and a pretty crisp feel in the mouth. Doesn’t linger too long or stick around. It’s a nice touch of smoke and that’s it.

24 July 08
Beer: G. Schneider & Sohn – Aventinus Wheat-Doppelbock
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $3.99/500mL
Grade: 7.6

Really good, spicy dark wheat-doppelbock. Apple, cinnamon, nutmeg and dark cane sugar. Dark cherry peel, dark malts with a dark honey kiss. Did I say dark? Toasty-bread like taste, rather peppery and with a somewhat banana taste? But a very caramelized, spicy banana. Cloves and pear, somewhat chewy, medium body and subtle complexities. A good beer, even great beer – but not a “Oh shit this is amazing” beer. Very substantial though.

25 July 08
Beer: G. Schneider & Sohn – Schneider Weisse, Hefe-Weizen
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $3.99/500mL
Grade: 6.8

I will admit, quite a damn letdown. Was expecting a really wonderful hefe-weizen but what you get is a very short-lived, teasing and boring ass beer. The only thing it has going for it is a very natural, wheaty taste with very, very subtle yeasts. However the bite is so short, so quick and so hasty that you don’t even get to savor the taste – if there is any. The color is lightly burnt orange, almost like the color of an apricot. Body is rather light-medium with a fizzy tingle on the tongue, like a well carbonated tonic water. However the finish is very weak and rather watery. The malts are very airy and seem to be hit or miss. Overall, the beer is just… sad. I was expecting so much but only got so little. I suppose this might be good to help wash down a meal, but it surely does not stand out.

27 July 08
Beer: Samuel Smith Taddy Porter
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $3.99/500mL
Grade: 7.8

A slightly sweet, slightly fruity, usual roasted malts/molasses taste but not deathly dark or heavy. Sort of like an oak bark touch to it though, mixed with blackberries, plum and raisin. A rather dark barley taste to it with minimal hops and bitterness, even a dusting of cocoa powder to it. Dark ruby red at bottom, a brown-black for the rest. Tan head of about 1”, nothing too amazing. A fine beer for taking in gulps, but it’s not like one that will woo and pillow you to rest on the bar counter. Rather, this would be a fine accompaniment to roasted meats like boar or bison. A lighter porter than I’ve had in comparison to others, but nonetheless a fine drink. Nothing more, nothing less. Highly drinkable porter that is well worth the cost – plus it has a lovely looking label.

28 July 08
Beer: Sierra Nevada Porter
Location: Corner Deli, 7th Ave @ W 18th St
Price: $11/6pk
Grade: 6.9

Chocolate, light molasses, an alright attempt at a Porter. Nothing crazy though.

30 July 08
Beer: G. Schneider & Sohn, Schneider Weisse & Brooklyner, Hopfen Weisse
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $4.99/500mL
Grade: 7.8

Lovely spritzy, medium body with floral hops and a crispy, citrusy bite. Really precise and well put together. Packs a dashingly good punch and slightly spiced hops. Touches of honey, wheaty-ness, peach, and cardamom. Really enjoyable drink that’s refreshing with a great mouth feel. Good drink and good times.

2 August 08
Beer: Trappistes Rochefort 10
Location: New Beer Distributors, Chrystie St, NYC
Prie: $6.75/330mL
Grade: 9.6

Holy mother of God. Without a doubt, the finest beer I have ever had. Chocolates, smooth, drawn out molassey malts, plums, dark cherries at prime ripeness, hints of speckled spices, an effervescence so fine only the god could produce such a soothing tingle. Has a mouthfeel like no other, crisp on the outside yet mellow within the middle. A rich, rich murky brown – like a dark wood or rosewood color. Darkened, tan 2” head with darker speckles of browned yeasts. A good, bready alcohol taste with some berries coming though also. The aroma alone is wonderful – there really is so much going on within each bite of this beer. It’s body it beautiful – a heavy/medium with just enough flavor throughout. But what’s so good is that no specific flavor is overpowering through, each had a hint of its own. Grapes and fig, apples and surely enough alcohol to take you out at 11.3% ABV. Definitely takes the ‘stamina’ out of you though, as you finish through with the bottle. In a short time, the affects of the quadruple become rather apparent and you realize that you might not be able to drink another. Or rather, afford another. Nonetheless, a top-class brew.

8 August 08
Beer: Achel Trappist
Location: New Beer Distributors, Chrystie St, NYC
Price: $15/750mL
Grade: 9.0

Not bad, notable “trappiste” taste at end, high alcohol content. Not a overly, overly knockout though surprisingly enough. Will need to try again soon. A milder beer, honey touches and some spices.

9 August 08
Beer: Abbey, New Beglium Brewing Co.
Location: New Belgium Brewery, Fort Collins, CO
Price: Gratis, via Hoffman Inc. Importers
Grade: 7.1

Nice, earnest try at Belgian abbey/trappist-style ale.

10 August 08
Beer: Mothership Wit, New Belgium Brewing Co.
Location: New Beglium Brewery, Fort Collins, CO
Price: Gratis, via Hoffman Inc. Importers
Grade: 6.8

Swell wheat beer. But not a knockout hefeweizen that reall stood out from any other. The usual orange, coriander, wheaty notes and citrusy taste. Not too bad.

11 August 08
Beer: 1554, New Beglium Brewing Co.
Location New Beglium Brewery, Fort Collins, CO
Price: Gratis, via Hoffman Inc. Importers
Grade: 7.3

Chocolate, roasted, toffee, dark fruits and slight syrupy taste to it. Could have much more to it though – definitely in body and mouthfeel. Nice flavors but somewhat weak finish with many bites.

13 August 08
Beer: Loose Lips, New Belgium Brewing Co. via Growler/Draught
Location: New Belgium Brewery, Fort Collins, CO
Price: Gratis, via Hoffman Inc. Importers
Grade: 8.3

Niiiiice. Root beer notes, root-y, a dark, spiced sweetness, dark molasses. Smooth malts, very slick - a sweet, smoky nose (lovely), grilled pork taste, meaty.

15 August 08
Beer: IPA, Odell Brewing Co.
Location: Odell Brewery, Fort Collins, CO
Price: Gratis, via Hoffman Inc. Importers
Grade: 7.4

Mealy, grainy, kind of a fine artisinal feel, good hops and bitters yet not annoying. A real American, robust taste that isn’t a prickly, hoppy fellow that just goes for that. Deep, burnt orange with a 1” head. Medium body with fine mouth feel and good notes of apricot and even mango. Has a nose reminescent of freshly sqeezed oranges, very fresh in general. Crisp and clean with good finish.

16 August 08
Beer: Cutthroat Porter, Odell Brewing Co.
Location: Odell Brewery, Fort Collins, CO
Price: Gratis, via Hoffman Inc. Importers
Grade: 7.6

Dark, rich, satisfying. A good porter but I’m still in search of the one that just fills your entire mouth with goodness, warmth and thick heftiness.

18 August 08
Beer: IPA Draught, New Belgium
Location: New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO
Price: Gratis, via Hoffman Inc. Importers
Grade: 7.4

Excellent IPA, truly delightful with pig shank also.

22 August 08
Beer: Red Hook ESB
Location: Whole Foods Lamar, Austin, TX
Grade: 7.2

22 August 08
Beer: Real Ale Fireman’s 4
Location: Spider House, Austin, TX
Grade: 6.6

23 August 08
Beer: Spaten Premium
Location: Sam’s 249, Houston, TX
Grade: 6.8

26 August 08
Beer: Black Sheep Ale
Location: Spec’s 249, Cypress, TX
Grade: 7.6

26 August 08
Beer: Shiner Helles Lager
Location: Spec’s 249, Cypress, TX
Grade: 6.4

27 August 08
Beer: Breckenridge Agave Wheat
Location: Spec’s 249, Cypress, TX
Grade: 6.4

27 August 08
Beer: St. Grand Reserve
Location: Spec’s 249, Cypress, TX
Grade: 7.3

11 September 08
Beer: Brooklyn Pumpkin Road
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Grade: 6.9

11 September 08
Beer: Red Seal Ale
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Grade: 7.3

11 September 08
Beer: Paulaner Oktoberfestbier Amber
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Grade: 6.9

12 September 08
Beer: Sam Adams
Location: Zip’s Ave C, NYC
Price: Gratis, via Chia Importers
Grade: 5.7

18 September 08
Beer: Bass
Location: Sunburnt Cow, Ave C/E. 6th St
Price: $6/pint
Grade: 6.3

If I still managed to keep you around: Good. If not, it doesn't really matter. You won't be reading this anyways.

Besides beer consumption, with the changing of the seasons comes the welcoming of new produce, restaurants and seasonal menus. I could pretend that I stalk the farmer's markets of New York, but that would be an absurd lie that I refuse to partake in. Instead, I will share the information that is readily stored within my feeble mind.

Fruits to consume:
1. Cranberries
2. Cherries
3. Juniper Berries
4. Apples (G. Smith)
5. Figs

Meats to eat:
1. Lamb (Rack)
2. Beef (Hangar)
3. Veal (Cutlets)
4. Chicken (Thighs)
5. Pork (Artisanal Bacon)

Vegetables that are edible:
1. Mushrooms (Porcini)
2. Bok Choy
3. Fingerling Potatoes
4. Pumpkin
5. Parsnips

Why I recommend the consumption of these 15 items? No particular reason. But it will add some complexity to your palate.

Lastly, I contemplated writing a review of my meal at Mas (Farmhouse), but I decided that would be a lot of work. Plus, a 6-course Chef's Tasting Menu that changes daily doesn't really merit a reason to review. However, I will recommend the fine establishment. Quite creative, prompt and enjoyable. Just be prepared to give away a good bit of your child/future child's college savings fund.

But if you're thinking positive - or desire to use comparative analysis - why would it even matter? The financial crisis is already ruining your life, why not enjoy a last meal or two? (Or 6, if you'd like to consider each new course a meal - it helps with the justification process.)

Hot Weather, Cold Beer

SYBARITE: The inhabitants of ancient Sybaris, a Greek colony in southern Italy, supposedly devoted themselves to unrestrained self-indulgence - which is how their name became synonymous with "pleasure-seeker." But unlike the Epicurean, whose quest for pleasure isn't necessarily an exhausting one, the sybarite works at having fun. What's the point of that? See: DEBAUCHED, DISSOLUTE, EPICUREAN, LUXURY.

26 June 08
Beer: Anchor Bock, Anchor Brewing Co.
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $10.99/6pk
Grade: 6.9

Coffee, chocolate, super dark almost porter-like roasted bock. Smoked oak, bitter berries, sludgy malts. But even with all the complexities, it isn’t a very classy or beer worthy of being held high. It’s more of an average beer with odd and peculiar flavors thrown into it. It's definitely an enjoyable beer, but not necessarily a beer that heeds a need to drink again any time soon. You can taste the barley and the wheat, even some dark corn syrup, but afterwards you want a finer bock beer. Very heavy in taste, but not necessarily in body. Funky flavors but not a lasting beer.

26 June 08
Beer: Blue Moon, Blue Moon Brewing Co.
Location: Zip’s, courtesy Mroczka & Dylan Bros.
Price: Gratis
Grade: 6.0

The beer that people enjoy because it’s different, but little do they know Molson-Coors owns it. Better than most mainstream American brews, but still a sad comparison to the true Belgian Ale. Compared not on a scale of International v. Domestic, but rather Quality v. Reproduction. The ridiculous amount of sugary orange and sweetened coriander makes it taste more like a bad cocktail than a beer. It’s like a vanilla diet coke of beer. An earnest try to introduce a new beer to the market, especially a wheat ale, but still it comes up short in terms of proper beer quality. The wheat and the yeasts make their way through, but there’s a cloyingly, thick syrup that coats it all. Goes down in a viscous manner that sticks on the tongue. Spritzy carbonation but taken over by bubbly, sour taste which imitates lime-infused sparkling water. Murky golden color, pretty for sure, but still a let down – at least if it calls itself a Belgian-style wheat ale. Basically, an unnatural, imitated beer that really tastes… well, like an imitation - an earnest imitation.

27 June 08
Beer: Six Point Sweet Action
Location: Botanica
Price: $5/Pint
Grade: 7.0

So mellow, so subtle yet so good. A very nice gulpable, yet enjoyable session-bar kind of beer. Great on draft – since that’s the only way you can get it.

27 June 08
Beer: Paulauner Hefeweizen
Location: Botanica
Price: $6/Pint
Grade: 7.3

Very nice, robust, cheery, rich golden color, twist of citrus.

28 June 08
Beer: Stone Russian Imperial Stout
Location: Associated
Price: $7.50/650mL
Grade: 8.8

Dark, thick, syrupy, super roasted, manly, probably has the testosterone of a bull thrown into the brewing process also. A man’s man’s man’s drink. Still has a cute sweet tinge to it though.

28 June 08
Beer: Harpoon Summer Beer
Location: Associated
Price: Gratis, via Cohen Inc.
Grade: 6.9

Citrusy and yeasty, a very pleasant brew that would definitely make a great drink on the back porch whilst entertaining guests.


30 June 08
Beer: Fantôme Saison, Brasserie Fantôme
Location: New Beer Distributors, Chrystie St, NYC
Price: $13.75/750mL
Grade: 8.9

Super spritzy-carbonated like a soda, same feel and body. Very, very bubbly – like champagne. Almost has a combination of champagne and hard cider taste to it. Sweeter spices come through, with the common citrus notes. Though there is a very apparent yeasty smell in the nose. It’s like smelling the rind of a maturing cheese or an old vintage that has just been given life. There are tastes of apple, pear, lemon and spring-like berries. This is a very peculiar beer – unlike anything else I’ve really had. Unlike the other 750mL bottles, this had both a bottle cap and cork – yet the cork required a corkscrew, just like a wine. It has a very sharp ping that hits your tongue with a highly concentrated burst of flavor, yet there is little “after-life” or body to it. Very much a beer that kicks around and tingles in your mouth. Worth taking in small bites or sips – not so much a smooth, session, gulpable beer. If you were to gulp, you’d be wasting all of its qualities. It holds a somewhat cloudy darkened amber color; however farther down the bottle you can see the “curdled” yeast resting at the bottom. Should be a much more powerful beer, I assume, once I near the bottom. This isn’t necessarily my most favorite beer, yet it gets high marks for its peculiarities. 2nd pour very, very dark and cloudy – so different from the previous pint. Looks like an almost straight milky-brown. Cannot see through at all. Much fuller body, less acidic-spritzy. Must be the difference, as if the top of the beer separated from this part. Much stronger taste throughout. Alcohol much more apparent. A very complex, yet dry, clean-ish finish. Has traits very similar to wine, oddly enough – but with the body and feel of a beer. Truly unique beer.

4 July 08
Beer: Shiner Bock
Location: Hoffhaus Warehaus, Houston, TX
Price: Gratis, via O.M. Hoff Suppliers
Grade: 6.5

A standard. Texas standard. Like Blue Bell, BBQ and Tex-Mex. It’s just something you need to have in your life – a wonderful session beer that may not be the most complex or well-thought Bock beer, but it falls into the category of “Great with any meal, or at least most” and makes you look good at any party. There’s the people that bring Coors light to parties and then the people that bring Shiner. Who should you befriend then? I would hope it’s not that hard of a choice.

4 July 08
Beer: Erdinger Weissbier Dunkel
Location: Spec’s 249, Cypress, TX
Price: $3/500mL
Grade: 7.0

Nice, roasted, malty. Dark and a little spicy, but definitely has more potential in character and feel. Nice body, could have more to it though. Rich brown color, all right carbonation.

5 July 08
Beer: Julius Echter Hefe-Weissbier Dunkel
Location: Spec’s 249, Cypress, TX
Price: $3/500mL
Grade: 7.3

Not bad at all. Rich, dark, cloudy, hazy look. Beautiful roasted red-brown color. Very refreshing yet medium body feel in the mouth – slightly like roasted berry malts, acorns?, almonds, chestnuts, cloves, cinnamon. A refreshing gulp that doesn’t last for crazy long yet it’s still a nice slosh and bite, rather enjoyable. Enough bubbly and effervescence to seem lively and spritzy – but not so much that it’s like a bubble-central Belgian ale or what not. Wheaty, a little yeasty with good mealy flavor to it.

6 July 08
Beer: Orval Trappist Ale
Location: Spec’s 249, Cypress, TX
Price: $4.20/Bottle
Grade: 8.9

Sweet Jesus. This shit is awesome. A true beer for a true drinker. Trappist Ale, one of the six. Golden, hops apparent, slight sour-tartness throughout. Darker, roasted-orange-like taste. Very sharp bubbles and carbonation. Darker than a golden ale (Duvel, etc), yet almost like a saison. It’s not even that the flavors are amazing or a peculiar combination of ingredients, but rather the texture and mouth feel of the beer itself is unique. If anything, the taste jumps at you from behind, after it’s sat around on your tongue for awhile. The alcohol comes through, then a yeasty citrus tingle. Much more of a “genuine” tasting beer in comparison to imitations like Blue Moon. Doesn’t seem like a forced flavor or attempt at beer. If this is one of the better beers out there – it makes you realize that a beer’s character and feel is much more important than covering up a sub-par beer with “complex” flavors and odd job ingredients. To round it up, this beer gives you a new look at what a beer should feel like – not so much what it should taste like.

6 July 08
Beer: Boddington’s
Location: Spec’s 249, Cypress, TX
Price: Gratis, via O.M Hoffman Suppliers
Grade: 7.0

Beautiful creamy head, but the actual beer is kind of bland.

7 July 08
Beer: BitBurger
Location: Spec’s 249, Cypress, TX
Price: $4.50/4pk
Grade: 6.6

Ok German. Pale, thin, lager-pilsner-y. 16oz. can, nice, light, bitter hoppy with a very crisp, dry taste. Just a pale beer with a clean, light golden color and light feel in the mouth. Nothing crazy, nothing horrible, nothing amazing. A little grassy, but without enough "umpf” to have a taste to it. However, a bit watered-down to be a real thirst-quencher or ‘truly’ enjoyable beer.

9 July 08
Beer: Weihenstephaner Vitus
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $2.49/500mL
Grade: 7.8

Very wonderful beer. Rich, slightly cloudy golden-amber color. A wheaty, good bodied beer that has a fine hop bit with substantial yeast taste. A good froth and overall complex yet enjoyable gulp to it. A mellow sweetness to it that could be like baked apples – almost cobbler like. Notes of honey and very light brown sugar. Has a minimal sour tongue feel that sticks around, slightly malty also. Kind of like a fresh, yeasty dinner roll that just came out of the oven and is still soft – so imagine that in a cooled, liquid form with a little less density and heaviness. A delightful beer.

11 July 08
Beer: Weihenstephaner Festbier
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $2.49/500mL
Grade: 8.0

So German. This really makes me think of a good, German biergarten where you want a giant stein of this stuff. Such a good medium body that isn’t too strong, isn’t too light, but has enough subtle, hearty flavor that it just seems so properly balanced. Nothing really bites out at you, but it’s like a really comfortable pillow or blanket you want to fall on. Basically, this is an ideal fallback beer – something you can sit around and have a few steins of. I don’t think I can stress that enough. Bit of apricot, bready yeasty-ness, some malts and a fitting floral nose. Very moderate in the taste region. Some peach, some light hops, dry finish, nicely subdued. I suppose if you want to be picky – it could had a more creamy feel or more sturdy body – since this does have a slight weakness at times. Has the potential to be great, but for now it’s in good standing.

12 July 08
Beer: Guiness (Bottle)
Location: Avenue D Bodega
Price: $10/6pk
Grade: 6.0

A session beer. A dark one for that matter. Could use some more life to it. Usually better on draught. Excuse me - always better on draught.

13 July 08
Beer: Weinstephaner Korbinian
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $2.49/500mL
Grade: 7.8

Nice. Dark and roasty, molasses and caramel. Quite lovely.

13 July 08
Beer: Gouden Carolus – Carolus D’Or: Cuvée Van De Keizer
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $9.99/750mL
Grade: 8.2

Fragrant, sweet, almost like a coca-cola with a berry-like alcohol taste to it. Some dark, roasted malts but nothing too smoky or roasted. Plum and berries come through, even a bit of vanilla? It’s a peculiar fellow but it’s nice. Not my favorite but surely not a bad one. Very smooth and a good amount of sweetness. A nice complexity that doesn’t seem like they tried too hard, but really know how to meld flavors well. Sort of a ruby-brownish red color, a nice one for a Strong Dark Ale. Interesting enough to be a solo-drink, but also complemental enough to add to a meal. Has a little ping to it as well as a creaminess, but neither shows up too strongly. Surprisingly, kind of like a Port-ish beer, as much as I dislike Port wine? Basically, a rather candied dark ale that will hit you before you know. No need to forget it’s 11% ABV.

15 July 08
Beer: Kulmbacher Eisbock
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $2.99/Bottle
Grade: 9.4

Sweet Lord Jesus. I have not had a beer this mind-blowing in awhile. The per-fect body – sort of a heavy/dense yet medium body. It fills your mouth yet with the touch of your tongue melds into this wonderfully effervescent, properly balanced beer of the Gods. Taste of dark chocolate, dark fruits, a slight tang of leather with malts and breadiness. I suppose you could almost even compare to a really, really good pumpernickel. The kind that is baked just right with the thin, crusty outside yet perfectly soft, pillow and luscious center – all with a middle ground of chewiness that plays with the jaw yet does not pain it. This beer is all about balance, structure and complexity. You even get some taste of meat in the background if you swallow it a certain way – like a rare filet mignon with the right amount of spice. I swear, I’ve never gotten so much out of a beer. Maybe I’m just overly exuberant right now but this beer is fantastic. Has plum, oak, molasses and a soothing carbonation. Figs come through also as well as a baby-like bitterness near the end. It’s really just an enjoyable bite from start to finish. Finishes pretty clean with some raisin like taste. Color is rather dark – a very dark brown, like a well polished leather with age. Rather opaque, becomes a dark red-brown when put against light. For such an enjoyable beer, it’s also 9.2% ABV. A few more of these and not only will I be happy because of the taste, but also because of…. Well, yeah. Good stuff. Definitely recommended.

16 July 08
Beer: Schaefer
Location: Key Foods, Avenue A @ E 4th St
Price: $4.19/6pk cans
Grade: 2.7

Surprisingly not horrible – but still has that “Oh, this is meant for Beer Pong” taste. Has a little sweet, stickiness to it, Light carbonation, cheap hop taste to it. Very, very short lasting flavor and feel to it – yet this odd, sort of wet barley taste sits on your tongue. Maybe it’s just a cheap beer thing to do? Nonetheless, it’s a beer that makes you feel like a farmer on an Iowa farm. Or maybe a frat boy in Wisconsin. Either/or really – they’re basically interchangeable… or one leads to the other. What I mean to say is: Avoid this beer…. Unless you’re playing beer pong. If that’s the case, proceed with caution.

16 July 08
Beer: Schlitz
Location: Key Foods, Avenue A @ E 4th St
Price: $4.19/6pk cans
Grade: 1.9

Worse than PBR but better than Keystone. Even the novelty name of “Schlitz” can’t save it. Super pale, super clear, sweet grainy taste at first then nothing. It’s one of those beers that you have; yet you feel bad as you drink it. It has a sort of stickiness that just stays around and annoys. Makes you feel fat for drinking the beer – not a good thing. Has that annoying kind of carbonation – where it isn’t exactly crisp bubble but rather an annoying tingle on your tongue. Clammy aftertaste, kind of reminds me of a light, yucky corn syrup. The only reason I give it some points is because it’s novelty, it has some form of taste (albeit shitty), and has a prettier can than Keystone Light.

17 July 08
Beer: Fuller’s ESB Ale
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $3.99/500mL
Grade: 7.4

Super enjoyable, super drinkable. Excellent blend of hops and malts, really like a 50/50 with a good lightly roasted, nutty bite to it. Perfect for a meal of pub grub or the stereotypical fish & chips. A medium body, which comes in full, yet isn’t heavy at all. Doesn’t weigh you down or make you feel guilty or gluttonous. Rather a nicely flavored, very well balanced and drinkable beer that is very crispy with a smooth, light and dry finish. Tastes of grain, wheat-like germy taste, roasted nuts (thought lightly roasted) and almost like an apple-pear hint.

17 July 08
Beer: Steinlager
Location: Sunburnt Cow, Avenue C @ E 7th St
Price: $6/Pint
Grade: 5.3

Lame New Zealand beer, tastes wheaty. Lame-y. Light, boring, insipid, bland and just life-less in general.

Sybarite excerpt from: Glenn, Joshua. THE IDLER'S GLOSSARY.

Gentlemen

"What is a cad?" I asked. "Isn't he someone that one has to thrash within an inch of his life?"
"Not necessarily," Ford said.
"Is Ezra a gentleman?" I asked.
"Of course not," Ford said. "He's an American."
"Can't an American be a gentleman?"
"Perhaps John Quinn," Ford explained. "Certain of your ambassadors."
"Myron T. Herrick?"
"Possibly."
"Was Henry James a gentleman?"
"Very nearly."
"Are you a gentleman?"
"Naturally. I have held His Majesty's commission."
"It's very complicated," I said. "Am I a gentleman?"
"Absolutely not," Ford said.
"Then why are you drinking with me?"
"I'm drinking with you as a promising young writer. As a fellow writer in fact."
"Good of you," I said.
"You might be considered a gentleman in Italy," Ford said magnanimously.
"But I'm not a cad?"
"Of course not, dear boy. Who ever said such a thing?"

ze june brune

"Alcohol: The cause and solution to all of life's problems"
- Homer J. Simpson

22 May 2008
Beer: Dogfish Head 60 IPA
Location: Fine Fare
Price: $11/6pk
Grade: 6.5

A better-than-most session beer that is comforting, delicious and swell. Would be good with some grilled pork and a woman…. And a swimming pool and… also by itself. But nonetheless, a great beer that gets the job done. It has some hops and some bitters, but definitely not enough for the true beer connoisseur. At least a smart one. Basically a stable IPA that is a good way to introduce the archetypical beer to a junior. Other than that, it is what it is and that’s about it. Copper hue and nice bubbly.

22 May 2008
Beer: Six Point Bengali Tiger IPA, Cask Ale
Location: Back Forty, Avenue B @ E 12th St
Price: $8/pint
Grade: 7.3

A good IPA with more power to it than the Dogfish. Cask Ale means it’s at room temperature that may throw off a few. Floral and yeasty, mid-bitters with a medium body. Sweet hops and smooth flow over the tongue. A nice aroma that tingles the nose and definitely tingles the tongue. Not very biter at all, but rather a massage. Slighty grassiness and and little of hay-thrown in (like a horse, right?), but it’s definitely a sweetie.

22 May 2008
Beer: Black Wattle Superior, Baron’s Wattle Seed Ale
Location: Fine Fare
Price: $9/6pk
Grade: 6.2

Funky – like wet cedar wood. Some raisins and poppy, raspberries and blackberries mixed with leather. Sweet and nectar-y, yet still dark and thick enough. Medium body. Rye and wheat, slight yeast with a good amount of maltiness. Subtle, not punchy or hoppy, or even all that bitter. A Dark ale that tastes roasted and balanced. A bit of creaminess with a fine amount of robustness. Tastes of dates and cloves, almost similar to the Scottish Orkney Ale.

22 May 2008
Beer: Negra Modelo
Location: Zip’s
Price: Gratis, Cohen Inc.
Grade: 5.6
Like a dark latin lover. Or something. It’s ok, and it’s has its moments at every other party of eating event – but it’s not on the ‘favorites’ list. Sweet and dark, some sugar and tannish head. Molasses and lots of bubbles, light-medium body. Nutty and such. Not on the ‘favorites’ list for now, but maybe it just needs some more samplings. I’m still waiting for the beach condo on the Yucatan peninsula to pull through - then we’ll see if Negra finds a way to the top.

23 May 2008
Beer: Brooklyn Brewery, Brown Ale
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $19/12 Brooklyn-Party Pack
Grade: 6.5

Deep nutty brown, hints of chocolate and sweetness. Smooth with slight medium thickness, but doesn’t compare to some true brown ales out there. However, it still is a fine sip with some dark hues and tastes. Roasted caramel comes through, maltiness, vague creamy. It’s like drinking a slightly sweet, slightly bitter, slightly dense chocolate-maltly biscuit. As if that even makes sense…

23 May 2008
Beer: Brooklyn Brewery, Pennant Ale ‘55
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $19/12 Brooklyn-Party Pack
Grade: 6.9

Malty and floral, not the most complex pale ale but surely enjoyable. Sweet and dry, clear, crisp copper. Not too bitter, some pine and grass. So-so carbonation and breadiness. But at times can be ‘flat’ to some.

23 May 2008
Beer: Anchor Brewing Co., Anchor Liberty Ale
Location: Ave D @ E 8th St Deli
Price: Gratis, Mroczka Bros.
Grade: 7.1

Always a good fall back for any occasion. Lil citrus, lil bitter, lil hops. Smooth and malty, medium bod, fine for swigging and sitting back. A good beer for a BBQ.

24 May 2008
Beer: Pro AM Long Island Altbier, Cask Ale
Location: East Village Tavern, Ave C @ E 10th St
Price: $6
Grade: 8.1

Sublime goodness. Goes down easy, not overly complex, doesn’t try too hard, just a swell beer. Creamy, medium-heavy body, few hops/bubblies to bother it (naturally carbonated), smooth and yeasty. Like fresh toasted bread, buttery and slight chewiness. Just good beer, that’s all you need to know.

24 May 2008
Beer: Avery Brewing Co., Ellie’s Brown Ale
Location: Bar, Ave C @ E 10th St
Price: $6
Grade: 7.7

Smoky, roasted malts, deep, rich flavor. Chocolate and hickory mixed with a bit of molasses and clove. Heavy body with ample flavor throughout, good bite and frothy pour. Caramel and cream, some toffee and nut. Even a niblet of hazelnut threw its way in there. Very nice, very well done.

26 May 2008
Beer: Associated Breweries & Distilleries Ltd., Maharaja Pilsner
Location: Curry Mahal Indian
Price: $4/bottle
Grade: 3.2

Pissy Indian beer, supposedly “inspired” by German & Belgian brewers. I say, “Bullshit.” Light, insipid, grassy, watery and very bland. Like stale water coating your tongue.

29 May 2008
Beer: Brouwerij Bosteels, Tripel Karmeliet
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $7/750mL
Grade: 8.3

Ridiculous 4-finger head that continued to grow for about a minute after pouring. Insane carbonation and good alcohol taste throughout. Very robust, fruity, spicy and floral. Not at all that bitter, but a somewhat sourish-tart aftertaste mixed with honey sweetness (as if that’s even possible?). Very nice, very balanced. May be a bit ‘strong’ for the average drinker, but for those that appreciate – this one delivers. Oat-y, malty, good barley. A wonderful blond that makes you appreciate the Belgians for all the good they do in the world. (Like make beer). Not as sweet and fizzy as a duvel, more of a mellowed out complex blond. There’s more of a sweetness to it – like honey or a faint caramel, with cinnamon and coriander on the tip. A bit bready with an overall medium body. Have a few of these boys while sitting at the beer café and you’ll be feeling real good – both beacause of taste and its 8.1% ABV.

30 May 2008
Beer: Sierra Nevada Summer Ale
Location: Associated
Price: Gratis, courtesy Cohen Inc.
Grade: 6.9

Not a bad summer ale at all. Very refreshing and crisp, not that big of a downer or a try-too-hard beer.

31 May 2008
Beer:Trader Joe’s Hofbrau Bock
Location: Trader Joe’s
Price: $6/6pk
Grade: 5.4

An earnest try and an earnest outcome. Drinkable, sessionable, but surely not awardable. Gets the job done with a little more class than your average mega-brew beer.

1 June 2008
Beer: Magic Hat No. 9
Location: Hi-Fi Bar
Price: $5/pint
Grade: 7.1

Odd, perculiar. A beer to try, but not to come back continuously. Unless you’re crazy like that?

1 June 2008
Beer: Hennepin Ommegang
Location: Mud, 307 E 9th St @ 2nd Avenue
Price: $6/pint
Grade: 7.8

Refreshing and good. Not top notch though. But those Cooperstown fellows surely make some better beer than their American counterparts.

2 June 2008
Beer: Brooklyn Summer Ale
Location: Ben’s Deli, Avenue B @ E 3rd St
Price: $12/6pk
Grade: 6.1

Consumed at Café Cortadito. Lovely, though not jaw-dropping.

5 June 2008
Beer: Strongbow, Cider Beer
Location: Sunburnt Cow, Avenue C @ E 8th St
Price: $6/2 pints (Special)
Grade: 6.2

Cider beer, it’s something else. Surely not for all though.

6 June 2008
Beer: Red Stripe, Jamaica Lager
Location: Ted Sergison Beer Supply Co.
Price: Gratis
Grade: 6.1

Actually not all that bad for being a “hyped up” beer that cool people consume. Whether it’s the stubby bottle or slightly spicy, slightly sweet lager the beer is a swell one. It’d be interesting to get it on draught sometime soon.

7 June 2008
Beer: Stone Brewery, Ruination IPA
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $6/650mL
Grade: 7.2

Grassy, scratchy, germ-y, bitter and tart. Sweet yet hoppy, quite sour aftertaste. Still don’t like the company though, totally full of themselves – whether a joke or not. Some “hardcore” brewery ranting never gets me. Beer was hoppy and unique, but not that cool.

8 June 2008
Beer: Rogue, Dry Hopped St. Rogue Red Ale
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $6/650mL
Grade: 7.5

Hoppy, bitter, very grassy. Juniper berries, pine, cedar. Would be great with BBQ.

10 June 2008
Beer: Corona Light
Location: GQ, Conde Nast Publications
Price: Gratis
Grade: 3.2

Piss. Mexican piss.


12 June 08
Beer: Dunkel HB
Location: The E.U., 29 E 4th St @ Ave B
Price: $9/.5 L
Grade: 8.2

Surprising for a HB beer. I usually think they have good beers – but not necessarily exceptional ones. Maybe it was just this mini-stein or I was just feeling good that day, but this was really nice and roasty, dark and malty.

12 June 08
Beer: Maredsous
Location: The E.U., 29 E 4th St @ Ave B
Price: $9/.5L
Grade: 8.1

A strong contender in terms of Belgian beers. Always reliable and always great. Not a summit-topper but surely gets the job done.

12 June 08
Beer: Schlenkerla, Helles Skaslinden
Location: The E.U., 29 E 4th St @ Ave B
Price: $11/Bottle
Grade: 9.0

Utterly mind-blowing smoked beer. Makes any meat or grilled dinner taste even more amazing. I must go to Germany and try this beer.

13 June 08
Beer: La Chouffe (Draught)
Location: Resto, 111 29th St @ Park Ave
Price: $11/Goblet
Grade: 8.4

Always excellent, especially on draft. Just as good as the one I had from Croxley’s about a month ago – except this time it was on draught. Not bad at all.

13 June 08
Beer: Strubbe (Draught)
Location: Resto, 111 29th St @ Park Ave
Price: $6/.5 Pint
Grade: 6.2

Watery pils, very light and pissy.

13 June 08
Beer: Rochefort 8
Location: Resto, 111 29th St @ Park Ave
Price: $16/Bottle
Grade: 8.7

Amazing, complex, dark, roasty and murky.

13 June 08
Beer: Urthel Hop-It, De Leyerth Brouwerijen
Location: Resto, 111 29th St @ Park Ave
Price: $11/Bottle
Grade: 7.7

Very punchy and crisp. Citrus and cordiander really come through.

13 June 08
Beer: St. Bernardus Witbier, Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
Location: Resto, 111 29th St @ Park Ave
Price: $7/Bottle
Grade: 7.8

Not bad, a much more mellowed witbier but with fine citrus notes. Very refreshing.

13 June 08
Beer: Delirum Nocturnum
Location: Resto, 111 29th St @ Park Ave
Price: $10/Bottle
Grade: 8.6

Funky, skunky, dark and mysterious. Not your usual beer. And surely not your usual price (at least in comparison to the price at the grocery store…). Very nice beer.

14 June 08
Beer: St. Bernardus Wit (Pierra Celis Signature Selection)
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $6.99/750mL
Grade: 7.8

Super sweet-short-tingle spiciness. Very citrusy – excllent carbonation, very crisp. Cloudy, milky pale yellow. Lighter on bottom and gets darker as higher. Almost could pass for a lemonade look. Very light and frothy head, very fine. A highly refreshing beer that doesn’t linger heavily, but still sticks around. Sharp, sharp, sharp feel in the mouth. Clean and crisp – can’t stress it enough. Yeasty.

15 June 08
Beer: Gulden Draak
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $13.99/750mL
Grade: 9.2

Fat 4.5” head, very frothy, very dark, silky and elegant beer. Musky, deep, dark molasses, like a fine, dark redwood. Very, very, very nice. Roasted, slight berry hints, dark wood, caramel, nice alcohol, soothing carbonation. Good, good malts.

15 June 08
Beer: Kronenbourg 1664
Location: Zip’s, Avenue C @ E 3rd St
Price: Gratis, via Mroczka Inc.
Grade: 5.0

Very grainy, grassy – kind of skunky. Thin, pissy with very light roasting. Malts and carbonation come through – not so much.

16 June 08
Beer: Zywiec
Location: Polonia, 1st Ave @ E 4th St
Price: Gratis, Mroczka Sampling Co.
Grade: 5.4

Polish. Grassy. Light. Pissy pilsner.

17 June 08
Beer: Endurance Pale Ale
Location: Associated
Price: $12/6pk
Grade: 6.5

Mellow, sweet, honey, slight yeast. Good but not excellent.

17 June 08
Beer: Stone IPA
Location: Associated
Price: Gratis, via Mroczka Sampling Co.
Grade: 7.3

Hop-fizzy central. Not bad at all.

18 June 08
Beer: Delirium Tremens
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $9.99/750mL
Grade: 8.2

Slightly disappointing, I will admit. Duvel – I think – just might beat this Belgian guy out. Not expected – but what I have to say after having this.

19 June 08
Beer: Lowenbrau
Location: Tanvi’s Apt
Price: Gratis, via New Zealand Hospitality Group/Chia Inc.
Grade: 5.7

Pissy but German. Not too bad.

20 June 08
Beer: Piraat (Amber Triple IPA), Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $12.99/750mL
Grade: 9.3

Soft, wheaty, yeasty, nice punch. Spicy, sweet, very well balanced, like a nice buttery loaf of bread with a tinge of alcohol. Subtle, comfortable carbonation with a lasting taste that lingers but does not harm. Sweet raisins and brown sugar but also a twist of citrus and that ‘Belgian Golden Ale’ taste. Sweet malt with tropical bitters and farmish-barn-like funkiness. Really peculiar but enjoyable. Like organic soil-ness but beer tasting. Spicy, herbal, sweet, truly enjoyable.

21 June 08
Beer: Saison Dupont
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $9.99/750mL
Grade: 7.9

Yeasty, excellent carbonation, good, robust body but still light and frothy on top.

21 June 08
Beer: Brooklyn India Pale Ale
Location: Grocery N7, N 7th St @ Driggs, Brooklyn, NY
Price: $10/6pk
Grade: 7.5

Punchy, grassy, ample bitters, a bready-citrus taste, with medium body.

24 June 08
Beer: St. Bernardus Abt 12
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $10.99/750mL
Grade: 7.7

Strong alcohol, prunes, caramel, manly leather undertones. Coffee and bitter, spiciness in the aftertaste. Sticks around and kind of pings the palette. Smudges of charcoal also. Almost too strong at times for a good drink though, can be overwhelming in the end if you’re not up for it. Medium body that doesn’t dissapate through, but different flavors throughout the bite.

25 June 08
Beer: Corsendonk Abbey Brown Ale
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $8.99/750mL
Grade: 7.9

Chocolate, roasted, rich molasses, syrupy, maple, hazelnut, medium light body. Very nice sweetness to it with good coffee-roast taste. Fine aroma, but a little weak on the finish and follow-through. Could be much more complex and full-bodied, a little of a tease and let down. Very mellow and very calm, an excellent beer to sit at a bar and have a few of. Could have some excellent potential on draught. Mostly a vague malt taste, no room for bitters and hops to mix in really. A great beer by itself or with a meal, but could use a little more if it is to live up to the sans-meal quality. Deep brown color, light tan 2” head. Nice and oak-y, a little spice of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Mai Bier

"Give me a woman who loves beer and I will conquer the world."

- Kaiser Wilhelm

12 April 2008
Beer: Brooklyn Brewery Brooklynbock Doppelbock
Location: Whole Foods, Bowery NYC
Price: $9/Jug
Grade: 6.6

Roasted coffee tastes, deep and earthy. Dirt and smooth. Medium body, little bit of spritz. Chocolate, malt, creaminess, brown sugar and vanilla. Sweet hint at the end. Some licorice and molasses. A little thin in body, but it makes it up for it through some complex flavors. Not exactly the most pungent or lively beer in the bunch, but it’s a nice enjoyable brew. Good for some pork. Or female. No no, pork & football. That’s it.

19 April 2008
Beer: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Location: Avenue B & E 3rd St Bodega
Price: $4/24oz.
Grade: 6.5

Toasted bitters, yeasty, a good amount of heartiness. Tastes of wheat, barley, honey. Medium body, not a very long lasting flavor. Tingles on the tongue then holds a tart bite for awhile. Not so much complex as it is a ‘big gulp’ kind of beer. Smooth, creamy, citrus notes as with most beers like this. Nice golden color, good frothy 1” head. Definitely an enjoyable beer that is much more available than others. A classic pale ale, worthy of introducing folks to a “good” beer. Hoppy but not too hoppy. Definitely does not compare with Dogfish 90 IPA though. But it’s for sure a good pal.

24 April 2008
Beer: Hofbrau Maibock
Location: Whole Foods, Bowery, NYC
Price: $9/6pk
Grade: 6.4

Malty, caramelized, yet weak finish. Could’ve been great but not a very long-lasting, complex beer. Very shallow and hit up front (barely) then disappear. Disappointed I guess you could say. Sweet, nectar hints but nothing too much. Between a session beer and failed ‘complex-sipping’ beer. Tried to picture myself drinking this in a biergarten. I guess it would be best in a giant stein and in a large consumption. Who knows though? Maybe I should move to Germany.

26 April 2008
Beer: Gaffel Kolsch
Location: Associated Supermarket
Price: $10/6pk
Grade: 7.0

Refreshing, but not the most refreshing. Good taste and such though. Had with tilapia and rice… and insalata caprese. Not my cooking through.

26 April 2008
Beer: Magic Hat H.I.P.A.
Location: M2M
Price: $11/6pk
Grade: 6.9

Very punchy, yeasty overload. Bitters for sure, sour at times. Floral with caramel, hops galore. Malty, bitter, perfumed crispiness. Drunk at party, so maybe my taste buds were inhibited. Nonetheless, not the best, not the worst. Leaning more towards the former though. More of a “good” beer than a “bad” one.

28 April 2008
Beer: Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier
Location: Fern Gully Deli (3rd Avenue @ E 12th St)
Price: $13/6pk
Grade: 7.7

Truly baller and complex. Nice.

29 April 2008
Beer; Kingfisher Lager
Location: Curry Mahal Indian
Price: $4/bottle
Grade: 4.3

Works with Indian food, but not by itself.

30 April 2008
Beer: Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn Local 1
Location: Key Foods, Avenue A @ E 4th St
Price: $7.49/750mL
Grade: 8.1

Nice, rich, cloudy golden ale. Thick barley, malt taste. Frothy 2.5cm head, sweet bitters, not too hoppy, Nice yeasty flavor, a medium-heavy body that isn’t too light and far from heavy. A very smooth drink with a buttery goodness. A grainy taste with the all-too-common citrus bits. Some honey and oats, with a twist of white pepper near the end. A little spice, maybe clove. Crisp yet smooth, highly refreshing. A definite swell job by Brooklyn Brewery.

2 May 2008
Beer: Yuengling Traditional Lager
Location: Zips’ Corner Store: Avenue C @ E 3rd St
Price: $5/5 beers to Ted?
Grade: 3.9

Piss in a green bottle. Really. With some flavor to it.

5 May 2008
Beer: Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn Lager
Location: MacDougal @ E 3rd St Deli
Price: $13.50/6pk
Grade: 6.2

Drunk at the Bobst library, probably made it seem a lot better than usual (adrenaline rush). Always a good fallback beer, good session beer, but not a top-of-the-line gourmet beer. Nonetheless, much better than usual competition.

6 May 2008
Beer: (Troegs?) Hop Back Amber Ale – Cask Ale
Location: Croxley Ales, Avenue B @ E 3rd St
Price: $7.50/pint
Grade: 8.5

Fucking awesome. Cask Ale for the win, by far. Though it may be at room temperature, you really get to taste all that it has to offer. Sweet, roasted-y, delicious, good malts and yeasts. Not too bad of bitters or hops, delicious. Apples, hops, malts, sweetness, clean, not dry, smooth, rich and enjoyable. Even a plop of slight creaminess thrown in.

6 May 2008
Beer: Brasserie d’Achouffe, La Chouffe – Belgian Strong Pale Ale
Location: Croxley Ales, Avenue B @ E 3rd St
Price: $9/bottle
Grade: 8.3

Definitely an enjoyable beer well worth the cost. Bitter, light, malty, slight complexity. Banana, cloves, citrus, grainy and grassy all in a medium-light body. Very crisp, very good.

6 May 2008
Beer: Orkney Ale, SkullSplitter – Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
Location: Croxley Ales, Avenue B @ E 3rd St
Price: $6/pint
Grade: 7.0

Skunky roasted raisins for sure. Dark roasted malts, fruity mixed with alcohol undertones. Very refreshing yet peculiar. Tastes of plum, dates, yeasts and molasses. Not that heavy of a body though, just a mid-medium. Sugary, with some candied fruits coming through. Syrupy, even, with a bit of oak-y chewiness. Rich, yet balanced and light. Earthy and a lil funky. Not a bad pint.

7 May 2008
Beer: Brooklyner – Schneider Hopfen-Weisse
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $12.99/750mL
Grade: 7.5

Fat 3-finger head to start off, spunky, prickly, delicious. Yeasts, all-too-common citrus, coriander, dry yet refreshing. A medium body, but not as complex a real true Belgian Witbier. Cloudy and thick looking, has some traces of yeast bits throughout. It’s definitely not a failure though, just not up to par with the genuine fellows. Has hints of real bitter cacao, white peppercorns and spice. Mad hops and good amount of bitters. Punchy but doesn’t follow through though. Tastes of pine dusted with some spiciness. If there’s any banana to it, it’s a spice-punched banana. Not too overpowering, just prickly. Tickles your tongue, gives a fight but disappears basically. Even has a toss of ginger and sea salt. Yum, right?

9 May 2008
Beer: Goose Island, Honker’s Ale
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $9/6pk
Grade: 6.0

Not bad, not great. There are better out there though. Light-Medium body with roasted malts and barley hints. Sweet, cherries, strawberry and subtle yeast/wheat. Little to no hops (surprisingly for a ‘English Bitter’), very light hued amber color. Enjoyable but not boot-knocking.

10 May 2008
Beer: Kisz, Czech Lager
Location: Associated Supermarket
Price: $10/6pk
Grade: 4.1

Few peculiar tingles, but overall I won’t fly over rainbows for it. It had a funky malt-metallic taste that was interesting, but not something you’d go “Oh yeah!” for. Pissy yellow-amber, few bubblies. Kinda skunky, kinda off after taste. Ok, but not ok-ay.

10 May 2008
Beer: New Zealand Breweries, Steinlager
Location: Avenue D Deli, Chia/Cohen Apt.
Price: Gratis, courtesy Chia
Grade: 4.0

Maybe New Zealand is an island off the coast of a former penal colony for a reason. It’s an earnest try at a beer, but it won’t be winning awards any time soon. At least not good ones.

12 May 2008
Beer: Lagunitas, IPA
Location: Fine Fare
Price: $10/6pk
Grade: 5.3

Apples, cinnamon, very mild hops and bitters. A tad watery I’d even say. Somewhat like a moderately spiced apple juice with a kind of flatness. Maybe it was an old bunch but it’s kind of lacking any kick. Slight malts and yeasts, if any. Not much head, very pale copper look. Tastes of metallics, orange, pine. A bit of a downfall I’d say, I was expecting a little more. Oak and toasted bread comes through, slightly, with a sweetened finish. Ok, but not a review mind-blower at all.

15 May 2008
Beer: Victory Brewing Co., Hop Devil Ale
Location: Associated
Price: $10/6pk
Grade: 6.3

Yum. Punchy hops, maltiness, caramel and goodness. Had a tinge of butter with a piney-citrus to follow up. Well-balanced and fine carbonation. Enjoyable, surely, but not a knocks-your-socks-off beer.

16 May 2008
Beer: Dixie Blackened Voodoo Lager
Location: East Village Farm
Price: $12/6pk
Grade: 5.8

Kind of funky. Licorice, soggy oak, raisins. Smoky and roasted. Dark fruit, toasted malts, sweetness – molasses or caramel. A bit thin though, only a light-medium body, not too overly complex.

16 May 2008
Beer: Brooklyn Weiss Beer
Location: Zip’s
Price: Gratis, G. Chang Express Delivers
Grade: 6.5

A fine beer. Wheaty, yeasty, but not too complex overall. Would be a good beer at a baseball game or something though.

16 May 2008
Beer: Modelo Especial
Location: Zip’s
Price: Gratis, Chia Pet
Grade: 4.9

Acceptable, however I’d take a real Negra Modelo though. Maybe would be ok with some greasy ass quesadillas.

16 May 2008
Beer: Amstel Light
Location: Zip’s
Price: Gratis, Chia Pet
Grade: 4.8

Poop. But definitely works for beer bongs.

17 May 2008
Beer: Dogfish Brewery, Raison d’Etre (I.B.A.)
Location: Jubilee, John St @ Williams St
Price: $11/6pk
Grade: 7.0

Awesome. Especially with one of my burgers. And guacamole. Tastes of chestnuts, mahogany, brown sugar and rye. Like a sophisticated beer that knows what’s up. Good tingle, good floral and good character. Medium body with an alright taste. Has sweetness and malts, with some allspice, cloves or some other spice. Surely a gooden.

20 May 2008
Beer: Ommegang Abbey Ale, Dubbel
Location: Whole Foods Bowery, NYC
Price: $7/750mL
Grade: 7.0

Not bad, dark-colored head – good 3”. Frothy, fruity, sweet and malty. Medium body with alright carbonation. A dark burgundy-brown that goes down very smooth. Tastes of coffee and caramel, some molasses and such. Some fruit, some bread, some plum even. Very comfortable sip, with a twist of citrus. Not too spicy, not too hoppy. A good beer for fine consumption.

en vie?

Fear not, the poularde is not dead. Instead, he has taken it upon himself to study copious amounts of information for the past few weeks. He shall return, an enlightened man, ready to tell the tales and adventures he's been up to.

These may or may not include:

1. Excessive Drinking

2. Excessive Eating

3. Criticism (Life/Food)

4. Spending Money

5. [Not] Making Money

Though each of these may seem mundane, if not strikingly similar to your own lifestyle, my apologies. However, if you wish to be updated with poularde's drinking adventures, habits and ratings - your wait will end soon.

In the meantime, do what the poularde does best, and treat yourself to a good meal.

Das Bier

"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, 'It is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.'"
-Jack Handy

20 Feb 2008
Beer: Companhia Cervejaria Brahma, Brahma Bier
Location: Ted Sergison Beer Supply
Price: Free
Grade: 1.3

2.5” head, light and frothy, similar to a mass-produced beer head. Looks of slightly amber-colored piss, a good bit of bubble and carbonation. No flavor, but lots of bubbles to tingle on the tongue. Super thin, watery, goes down easy but not an enjoyable sip. Could be used for the sake of drinking beer- primarily to get drunk, Brazilian-style. Fizzy feel and that’s about it. Tried to taste something, but not much at all. Maybe this is what liquid hay tastes like. Beer for horses? But… for humans?

20 Feb 2008
Beer: Heineken Nederland B.V., Heineken Premium Light Lager
Location: Local PR Bodega
Price: Gratis, courtesy Cohen Inc.
Grade: 1.2

Tastes like piss, looks like piss, pours like piss. Though a much more refined beer than Mickey’s, O’Douls and Colt 45. Has some fizz, some carbonation, and maybe a spritzy taste of chewed pine needles. 1cm head, very pale golden color, goes down easy, but not the enjoyable-easy. Stale hop taste, watery, somewhat like sitting water smell. Could be better used to wash off driveways, pollute home gardens and/or teach children what not to drink.

28 Feb 2008
Beer: Pabst Blue Ribbon
Location: Whole Foods, Bowery NYC
Price: 6.99/12pk
Grade: 3

Gets the job done. Better than Coors for mass-drinking consumption.

3 March 2008
Beer: Bavaria
Location: Fine Fare
Price: $8.99/12pk 8 oz.
Grade: 4.5

Very subtle hops and barley, quite faint. A slight acrid smell, like honey-kissed piss. Mellow creaminess, flat taste and little lingering flavor. A tad more potent than Heineken, with a light body throughout. Little sweetness at the end, some maltyness. An ok pilsner, but not a knockout. Sort of rolls on the tongue and slides off at the end.

5 March 2008
Beer: Hoegaarden
Location: Ryan’s Irish Pub, Draught
Price: $6/Pint
Grade: 6.4

Lemon hints, complex, hated or loved by many.

5 March 2008
Beer: Guinness
Location: Ryan’s Irish Pub, Draught
Price $5/Pint
Grade: 6.2

Thick, porter-like and delicious. Like a creamy blissful mouth plop.

5 March 2008
Beer: Stella Artois
Location: Ryan’s Irish Pub, Draught
Price: $5/Pint
Grade: 6

Not bad, not great. Good session beer, but who knows how much I paid for it. Because I know I didn’t.

6 March 2008
Beer: Rogue American Amber Ale
Location: Whole Foods, Bowery NYC
Price: $10.99/6pk
Grade: 7.3

Pumpkin, spices, complex, bitters, delight, satisfaction. Punchy hops, tender malt, Sweet nectar, some toasty roasted nuttiness, hearty medium body. Reddish-brown look.

27 March 2008
Beer: Troegenator Doublebock
Location: New Beer Distribution, Chrystie St NYC
Price: $11/6pk
Grade: 6.9

Very crispy and clear rich amber red color, little head, very precise taste. Good maltiness, hoppy, lingers but not overpowering. Tastes of redwood, slight burnt taste, meat, leather, caramel. Has a nice creaminess to it with a medium body. Sort of like a syrup, but not too sweet. Nice and enjoyable, but not an all-time favorite.

8 April 2008
Beer: Magic Hat Roxy Rolles
Location: Whole Foods, Bowery NYC
Price: $9/6pk
Grade: 6.8

Punchy fizzy, vibrant red-orange hue with a hoppy ale taste. Tastes of apple, caramel, Good bitters with a crisp, clean finish. Hints of cedar and cinnamon, not too much creaminess or malts. More a spicy red ale with a dose of acidity thrown in; medium-body. Sour bitterness in the end that sits on the tongue, enjoyable or not, it gives the beer some life. Bits of grapefruit seem to be somewhere in this guy, at least in the tingle.

March Madness

Month of March:
1. Sandwiches
2. Quesadillas
3. Cereal
4. Beer
5. Wine
6. Indian Food
7. Mediterranean Food
8. Filipino Food
9. Pancakes
10. Pizza

For the month of March, the eating, along with the lack of steady writing job has sent me into a downward spiral of monotonous consumption. Restaurants have been sparse, limited to a few various ethnic assortments. Much love for the complexities of sandwiches along with the occasional beer.

La Poularde has been shunned for too long, after the realization of its lack of readership. Professional outlook is at a standstill; may adopt more casual tone for poularde. Keep yourself glued for updates. One may never know when they strike!

An Excerpt

A good blog should ideally be updated rather frequently. Some might say every day, others every week. However, then there are the lazy folk that decide that a mediocre post every month or so might get the job done. This rationalization is highly dependent, as I like to think, upon quality.

The posts should have some substance or maybe even a useful hint or two. Maybe the writer is knowledgeable, intelligent and slightly competent in his field of studies. Yet for the many bloggers out there that possess none of these qualities, it makes you wonder why such individuals still acquire attention.

Of course, I myself have no desire to research into this subject. Instead - as usual - I have set my priorities elsewhere, mainly in the consumption of food, ingestion of miscellaneous liquids (always all natural) and the continual, cyclical yet always (ok, sometimes) enjoyable purchase of said foods.

Lately, the eating hasn't been too swell. The winter days are cold, the money is low and the desire to cook hasn't been up there with the priorities of: One, drink beer, alcohol, wine and such. Two, spend as little time as possible out in the cold. And three, spend as little money as possible on groceries in order to garner enough money for priority number one. It may seem like a sad cycle, but it's what keeps the blood warm and the mind happy. Or as others would say, "lubricated."

Some meals of the past few weeks have been notable, others not so much. There's some good carrot cake that I enjoyed at Amy's Breads, Lamb Korma at Curry Mahal Indian and a tomato-less lamb gyro from a street vendor on Astor Place (he ran out, how gypped). Nothing too amazing and nothing too expensive. The food writing at WSN is now run rampant by novice female writers, on top of the rather amateur and peevish editor who precedes them. It's a good thing I ceased from writing for them anymore. I now feel like an old man who pokes fun, if not in a rather biased and cynical manner, towards those that follow in his footsteps. What a curmudgeon.

Zen Sushi on St. Marks wasn't too bad - but also wasn't too amazing. To coincide with the fresh sushi and fish theme, the patrons are appropriately packed in like a good bunch of fish. You might have to grab your own menus if the fisherman - who also serves as your waiter - doesn't come tend to your needs immediately. Yet the prices which are always 50 percent off, if you can get over such skeptical advertising, provide good value to the food. $6.50 pitchers of Kirin await you, as do sushi rolls that range from $3.50 to about $5.00. If you calculate that accordingly, that means you get full of sushi and catch a buzz all for a little under - or over, $10. Just be aware of the St. Marks throng of sightseers. And asians.

Other than that, nothing else is too exciting minus a day when I had three slices of pizza, from three different locations, for three different meals. Little to say, I felt like a deplorable bum who needs to find a better diet. If you're curious, Ray's pizza on St. Marks beat out Solo Pizza on Avenue B and Stromboli on 1st Avenue.

Dessert hunting has been rather unexciting, with Sugar Cafe on Allen St charging too much for a mushy chocolate mousse cake and Panya Bakery on E 9th St serving miniscule portions of their own chocolate mousse slice. The former coming to $4.34, the latter $4.25. Value down, satisfaction sub-par. If only the prices reflected such a nature.

However, a usual leader in the dessert pack remains Pinisi Bakery on E 4th Street, who continues to amaze and please with the always moist and always satiating $3.50 slice of Red Velvet cake. Tender, luscious and free from red-teeth staning ability, Andi Igusti truly has done us all a favor. Am I biased because I interviewed him once? Not at all. But he is a friendly guy.

In the end, the home cooking comes out the victor because for one, I am the cook behind the stove and thus have no one else to blame but myself for the falters and follies in the kitchen. But as is expected, the tally marks for such blunders are far and few. I mean, how many ways can you mess up a sandwich - or cereal for that matter.

Thus, I shall leave with this excerpt that shows respect for the usual housewife and all her duties:

"Women, they peel potatoes, carrots, turnips, pears, cabbages and oranges. Women know how to peel anything that can be peeled. It's not hard to do. You learn when you're very young, from mother to daughter: "Come and help peel some potatoes for dinner, dear."... Women peel potatoes every day, noon and night; carrots and leeks too. They do it without complaining to themselves or to their husbands. Potatoes, they're a woman's problem... Women's domain is that of the table, food and the potato. It's a basic vegetable, the least expensive; it's the one about which you say little but that you peel and prepare in a thousand ways. How am I going to serve the potatoes tonight? That's what you call a domestic problem.

Supply. How much importance should we give supply...? "You do everything so well, honey. I love your potatoes," says the man. "Will you make me French fries tomorrow?" And the woman makes fries. The stakes are high, higher than the discussion itself: not to make him unhappy so that he'll still want me, as much as he wants my fries. And the next day, she peels again, vegetable after vegetable; she chops and slices them into small, patient, meticulous, and identical pieces. She does this so that everything is good and also pretty, well presented. Something that is well presented makes you hungry. Then you'll want to feed yourself, to food off of me. "I'm hungry for you," says the man. "You're pretty enough to eat. I want to munch on you - one day," says the man. "I'm hungry for the food you give me."

Nicole, "Les pommes de terre," Les Temps moderne.

Astor Place Street Cart
Astor Place @ Lafayette

Curry Mahal Indian
78 2nd Avenue @ E 4th St

Zen Sushi
31 St Marks Pl @ 2nd Avenue

Solo Pizza
27 Avenue B @ E 3rd St

Stromboli Pizza
83 St Marks Pl @ 1st Avenue

World Famous Ray's Pizza
2 St Marks Pl @ 3rd Avenue

Amy's Bread
250 Bleecker St @ Leroy St

Pinisi Bakery
128 E 4th St @ 1st Avenue

Panya Bakery
10 Stuyvesant St @ 3rd Avenue

Sugar Cafe
200 Allen St @ Houston St

Year O' Beer

To those that may care or even have noticed, I thank you ahead of time. For the past month my presence on La Poularde has been non-existent, leaving whatever readers and potential fan base out there alone and distraught. For that, my apologies.

However, let it be known that over the past month and a few days the poularde himself has been kept happy, well fed and well versed in the warm embrace of food, drink and miscellaneous alcoholic beverages. Thus, if I must admit my current downfall is an unyielding desire to taste test and sample all beers that come my way.

This leads me to introduce the first actual beverage-dedicated post in the short history of La Poularde. For the past two months or so, instead of stuffing my face I have been drowning the miseries and shame of not posting in pools upon pools of hops, malts and barley. In more simplistic terms, I have become a beer whore.

Instead of tickling your buttons and making you wait anymore, I will cease to explain my downfalls and relinquish the sprinkling of beer knowledge I have attained over the past few weeks. In time, or at least I tell myself that - there will be more, as this is only the tip of months upon months of beer consumption. As with any poularde, you must assume the worst when it comes to addictions and restraint in the world of culinary consumption.

Thus, here is the beginning of what has become my most recent hobby of enjoyment:

31 Jan 2008
Beer: Anchor Brewing Co., Winter Ale 2007
Location: 2nd Avenue @ E 9th St Bodega, E. Village NYC
Price: 10.99/6 pk
Grade: 7.0

Medium Body, pumpkin, spices and sweetness. Some molasses and honey, a good syrup to it. Medium-Heavy body, but not too much. Rather enjoyable, good winter ale. Forgot to take more extensive notes.

2 Feb 2008
Beer: Samuel Smith’s, Organic Ale
Location: Whole Foods, Bowery NYC
Price: 3.99/550mL
Grade: 6.5

Yeasty and bitter, yet only a medium body. Hoppy and fruity, mild bitterness and a lightly roasted taste. Some caramel, if you search for it. Could be heavier, a bit more complex.

5 Feb 2008
Beer: Brooklyn Brewery, Extra Brune
Location: Whole Foods, Bowery NYC
Price: 9.99/64 oz. Growler
Grade: 6.4

Very little hops and yeast, almost pale in taste – but not too bitter. Overly carbonated (could be due to first Growler of the day according to the brewman at Whole Foods – bought around 1pm). What a drunkard. Slight sweetness, alcohol flavor, a bit of raisins. Slightly spicy, yet syrupy. A light caramel taste. Tastes almost like an alcohol-infused banana bread. Sweetness near the end, molasses and brown sugar taste. Almost like a candy-ish beer, definitely on the sweet side.

8 Feb 2008
Beer: Medocino Brewing Co., Eye of the Hawk Select Ale
Location: Whole Foods, Bowery NYC
Price: 7.99/6 pk
Grade: 5.7

Wants to be complex, but falls short in the end. A drinkable beer, a tad more refined than your usual session beer, but lagging quite a bit behind the big brothers of top-notch beer. Some honey, some fig, some caramel. There’s a little sweetness in there along with some bitterness. But overall it doesn’t really offer anything too special. It’s a beer you can gulp with pride, seeing that it isn’t a Bud Light. An ok ale, but nothing worth going back for.


8 Feb 2008
Beer: Blue Point Brewing Co., Toasted Lager
Location: Whole Foods, Bowery NYC
Price: 7.99/6 pk
Grade: 5.5

Pours a lighter orange-toned amber, so-so head. Comforting toasted lager taste to it, like throwing on a sweater or something wooly. Honey, light herbs, and fruity hops. It’s good for what it is, almost like a playful beer. As with the Eye of the Hawk, one of those limbo beers better macros and upper-echelon. Medium body, crisp and grassy. Aftertaste is somewhat bleh; muddled and mushed. But for price, good for what it is. And who can help but support local breweries?

11 Feb 2008
Beer: Sixpoint Brewery, 8 Days O’ Wheat
Location: Whole Foods, Bowery NYC
Price: 6.99/64 oz. Growler
Grade: 7.2

Yeasty, soft bite, good follow through. Warm tingle, nice tartness with a subtle bitterness near the end. Traces of honey, papaya and even butter. Rather hoppy, but not too much. Creamy throughout, with a dry finish. Somc spices and some citrus, but nothing too crazy. A fine, drinkable beer. Goes down easy, a little more substantial than a session beer but not exactly at top-notch status. Not the usual wheat beer at all though. Much more like a less-hopped pale ale, quite mellow and blissful. Swell price too.

13 Feb 2008
Beer: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, 90 Minute IPA
Location: H-E-B: Louetta, Houston, Tx
Price: 9.79/4 pk
Grade: 8.8

Rich amber color, quick hoppy taste to the touch. “Old Speckled Hen” on crack; bitter and spicy. Barley and malt overtones, really makes you jump a bit. Tingles on the tongue quickly for awhile, not too overbearing. Intense flavor, full body, bitters first, spicy after. A spunky beer. Traces of red pepper, lemon, other citrus. A bit of darkness to it, some roasted hues. To some, may be too harsh, but to a true beer drinker it should be a greatly appreciated IPA. Very enjoyable, very nice.

14 Feb 2008
Beer: Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV, Duvel Belgian Strong Pale Ale
Location: H-E-B: Louetta, Houston, Tx
Price: 8.99/650ml
Grade: 8.5

Strong acidity and bitterness at touch; tangy with a sting. Very frothy, light head – more porous than most. Rather bubbly, with a light golden yellow color. Intense tingle throughout entire gulp, almost blocks out the flavor. Light-Medium body, slight flavor of wheat but overall carbonation and oomph kick through. Tastes of lemon, green apple and floral scents that give it a good bite and punch. Very crisp. Fat 3” head the second pouring; 4” head the third pouring. Truly delicious, but could it be too punchy?