Sixth Glass Quadruple Ale (Review)

This is not the first time we have reviewed the Boulevard Breweries beers here at S&B (and we hope to review more this Saturday at the Missouri Beer Fest). In the past, we have done Single Wide IPA and Nut Cracker Ale, however this is our first foray into their Smokestack Series.

For starters, I really love the label on the bottle. From the color palette to the “retro” Devil with lightning bolts, it just works. It reminds me of the advertisements you used to find in the back of comic books (Sea Monkeys, Army Men, Mental Powers ect), although I don’t want to say that to loud…..least the various Attorney Generals decide to go after Boulevard for “Marketing at Children”.

The brew master from this series, Steven Pauwels, is from Belgium…and I think this really shows in his style of brewing and the tastes of the beer.

A second generation master brewer, he makes a fine addition to the Boulevard Staff. There is a great Q&A with Steven HERE if you have the time. Belgium’s loss is our gain.

• Appearance- Easy to pour and resulting in a slightly cloudy, dark Mahogany color with a lively carbonation that culminates into a large bubble “loose” head.
• Nose – A big nose of a heavy yeast and cinnamon sweetness with hints of fruit.
• Taste – The Malty and Yeast combinations easily distinguish this as a Belgium (inspired) style beer., brown sugar/caramel. Evan at a 10.5 % ABV, there was no hint of malt liquor flavor or alcohol “Burn”
• Finish – Light an crisp, with a fruity aftertaste

Score – I will say up front that I am not a huge Belgium Style Beer fan. That being said, I definitely found this beer enjoyable and would rate it as a 3.5 Stars based on my tastes. I could easily see fans of this style giving it a 4+ Rating, so I would highly recommend it.

Next up out of the fridge, another Boulevard Brewing Beer – Boss Tom’s Golden Bock. Check back tomorrow.

Monday Quick Hits Vol 3

Well, recent news has totally overtaken the Monday Quick Hits.

Unless you live under a rock (RANDY!), you are aware that Osama Bin Laden was killed yesterday.

My Celebratory drinks last night were two-fold. At first it was pretty simple, a (several) pint (s ) of Guinness and then later my last Cohiba Cuban Cigar. Ultimately it lead to a new-

The Osama Bin Laden -

• Crystal Head Vodka
• Spicy V8 Juice
• Stirred with Bacon (sadly, only Microwave Bacon, but it was 1AM at this point).
• On ice and served in a highball glass

Congrats to the my brothers and sisters in the Military (and especially Intel). Great Job.

Now, moving on to my other tidbits from the weekend- We have two bars that I stopped by at locally here in Ashland.

First was El Ranchito, located right off of 63/Route Y Exit next to Moser’s. Obviously, but the name, it is a Mexican Themed Restaurant and is one that we frequent quite often, but I have never thought to write it up.

The food there is really good, and the service is excellent. They have a pretty diverse beer list, the highlight being Dos Equis on tap and their margaritas are pretty good. On Saturday, May 7th, they are having their Cinco De Mayo celebrations starting at 10AM. With live music, I could see this being a pretty happening place. Perhaps we will stop by after the Missouri Beer Fest.

I can’t stress though how much I like the wait staff there. They have gotten to know us on sight, and jokingly refer us to our “Regular Table”. They know the foods and drinks we like, and are always willing make a joke. I even learned that in Mexico, there is a bread company called “Bimbo” and they sponsor a soccer team. I have to get Debi one of those Jerseys

The next place I went was Woody’s Pub and Grub. Also off of 63 (easiest access when going southbound), this is your typical Small Town Bar. Excellent Pub Grub (Huge Portions and try the fried pickles) and Guinness on Tap….I only wish Debi liked this place more (she complains of the smoke).

Saturday night I took Richard and James there, and we were able to watch some PPV UFC, play some shuffleboard (James loves it) and have a great meal (even Richard was full). They also have pool tables and darts…even Kino if you are so inclined.

The bar tab was reasonable and people friendly. A good place for a “Guys Night Out” and definitely worth picking up some takeout.

Next, as a preview….I am working on a story regarding Walmart’s Sales Policy on Alcohol and Tobacco products. I was carded this weekend, and learned their policy is 40 (almost twice the legal age). I’ve already interviewed the Asst Manger (and got some great quotes) and am awaiting a callback from the Store Manager today. This could be really interesting and I look forward to putting it all together. Save your opinions for the upcoming report and survey.

Finally, only one week left before the Missouri Beer Fest on Saturday the 7th. Hopefully you have your tickets….I hope to see you there.

Happy Monday everyone

The Ultimate Guy Gift

I totally get this one.

So many times, women think they are getting the perfect “I love you gift” for their significant other. You know the gifts- flowers, a sweater or tie, books or even the dreaded “Romantic Dinner”.

Now I just want to go on record that these things are not bad…..but they really highlight the differences between men and women.

Sometimes a guy just wants to sit in his “Man Cave”, watch his favorite team and have a beer.

Enter Beer Bouquet.

After three easy steps on-line, you can have shipped to your significant other a Bucket (with his favorite team logo on it) full of peanuts and beer, plus a custom message.

While the starting price of $49.99 might seem a little steep, I would bet that he keeps that bucket far longer than any of the aforementioned gifts, and he will ALWAYS remember where he got it.

Bucket Logos covers the big the Big 5 (Hockey, Basketball, Baseball, Nascar and Football) and the also have Ultimate Fighting (do you notice this Glenn?), Seasonal (St. Patrick’s and Valentine's Days) and they even show support for our Armed Forces. Outstanding.

Currently, it appears they have 18 different beer companies to choose from (including Guinness and two Non-Alcoholic Selections) plus a variety pack.

This is such a cool idea, I have to applaud the genius who thought up the idea. I know a few people that will be getting them from me.

Keep up the great work.

Cheers-

Fighting Cock, Bulleit, and Dan Akroyd

I have a love of the brown. A complete, unabashed, poop-your-pants in excitement love. And by “the brown” I mean whiskey. Scotch, Bourbon, Irish Whiskey, Tennessee Whiskey, even CANADIAN whiskey- It matters not. I just love it all. And while I can enjoy the complex flavors of scotch, from the peatiness of an Islay to the saltiness of a Speyside and the finely nuanced balance of a Highland; I must admit that my favorite whiskey is indeed the Kentucky Bourbon. Oh, I am not denigrating the other browns. It would be like asking a Sheik who his favorite gal in the harem is. They all have a beauty that is their own, but he has a special fondness for that redhead…

Now I would not call my love of whiskey an unrequited love. Whiskey loves me much in the way that Ike loved Tina. Fun in the beginning, but without a doubt morning finds me curled up in a fetal position pooping blood. There is something that is bracing about the first glass, calming about the second, and addictively self abusing about the third. But this blog is not about lamenting of the evils of whiskey, but about exalting its glories.

(good when mixed)

So a bit ago I was in the need of a bourbon. I decided to hit the store, unsure as to whether I would splurge on a $30 bottle (Think Woodford or Bulleit), buy the old $15 standby (Jim Beam is my go to man. A dependable man not unlike George Clooney), or buy something cheaper that is palatable when mixed (Think Evan Williams. He is the Dan Akroyd of whiskey. You can’t beat it or him as an ensemble, but you would never give either a solo leading role.) I decided to be a middling cheap bastard and grabbed the white bottle of Jim Beam. Yup, ol’ dependable. I started to leave the whiskey aisle, when a flashy bottle caught my eye.

Fighting Cock Bourbon!

It was moderately priced ($20) and packed a whollup (at 103 proof, it is even more potent than Wild Turkey). Now how in the world can I pass up a bourbon named after deplorable abuse masquerading as sport! If there was a bourbon named “Seal Clubbing” or “Cat Juggling” I suppose would be all over those too. Sometimes I think I am not a very nice person. But I gave a dollar to the Salvation army guy, so its all ok in the end.

How was it? Potent. Drinking it straight burned a bit. Mixing it with diet coke created a sickly sweet and strong drink. I suppose I am just too weak for the Fighting Cock. I would probably buy this again for a party to make my guests drunk and pliable, and the bottle for sure makes a great conversation piece. But sipping it straight on ice? Meh. I did it. I drank a good portion of the bottle that way. I wouldn’t recommend it though. This is a mixing bourbon. But at $20 a bottle, it makes for an expensive mixing bourbon. One of the ironies of life, eh?

My second whiskey I want to give a shout out to is Bulleit Bourbon. It is your typical $30 small batch bourbon. It calls itself a “frontier whiskey” because it comes in a rustic looking bottle and at 90 proof it packs a stronger whollup than your typical liquor without being stupidly overpowering. If I am to buy a sipping bourbon and want to spend $30, 3 out of 4 times this is what I grab. If you even think about mixing this bourbon, I will step on your face. Neat or with ice please.

Its flavor is slightly spicy with the barest hint of vanilla overtones. Neither is overpowering though and the flavors seem both natural and real. Its 90 proof punch can be compared to a good natured tousle with an Australian. You maybe get a few bruises, but nothing is permanently damaged and the fight was all in good fun.

Drinking Fighting Cock is more like fighting with an angry closeted redneck. He thinks that you embody all that is evil in the Big City, and you are the cause of both his recent layoff at the plant and his unexplainable feelings for men. The only way he can avenge either it to beat the first guy with hair gel and an IQ over 80.

Over the holidays I picked up a bottle of Bulleit and drank the entire thing with a good college buddy and my brother in law. We blew through it over a period of perhaps 3 hours. Sure, we weren’t moving too quickly in the morning but we were in good enough shape for a big lunch of Churrasco. All you can eat steak, served on swords by Brazilian cowboys? YES PLEASE. And the caipirinhas helped take the edge of nicely. But that’s another blog entry.

Cheers – TommyG

Hops, Hops and HOPZ

I was originally going to run this review on Easter, but I couldn’t find the cable to my digital camera (again), so even though I lost out on the Hops joke….I think I made up for it in a pretty good day.

A few days ago, I received some of the new HOPZ cigars from Teds Cigars. Ted’s has been around since 1996, and I am sure you have seen their flagship product in your local cigar shop, The Maker’s Mark Cigar.

I’ve tried the Maker’s cigar before, so I had rather high expectations going into this review. I was particularly excited, because my wife had also picked me up a 6-pack of New Belgium's Ranger IPA. I sensed a pairing made in heaven.

The Cigar-

HOPZ

Shipped in a glass tube, the 6 X 50 Toro (Cameroon Wrapper, US Connecticut binder and Dominican Republic filler) looked good, solid leaf that was not to veiny. Opening the tube didn’t reveal to much of a hops nose, but there was something there. I don’t know if it was the Centennial hops as advertised, but the cigar smelt fresh. I particularly like the glass tubes, as I can keep the cigar in my humidor, without the oils/scents permeating and lingering into the wood.

Lighting was easy, as the draw on the cigar was very smooth.

The initial 3rd of the cigar was much lighter than I expected. While I could definitely get the floral tastes, it was not as overwhelming as I expected. Slightly sweet and creamy, there were also undertones of the outdoors that I associate with pine.

After a good 5 minutes, the cigar began to open up and I could really get not only taste of hops, but also its telltale flowery aroma with hints of cedar.

It was at this point I started pairing the Ranger IPA, and the true nature of this cigar came to light.

Score – 3.5

The Beer-

Ranger IPA

Appearance- Clear, Golden Orange in Color with small foamy head. The head held well almost all the way through the drink.

Nose- A nice pungent hoppy aroma that dominates the nose really got my taste buds flowing. Hints of fresh cut grass and citrus round out the scent and were very enjoyable.

Taste – A little drier than expected. The light complexity of the beer covered a Fruity (Orange and sourness of Grapefruit) palette, combined with a crisp, heavy hops taste (with minimal maltyness). There was a slight piney and citrus aftertaste that I usually associate with an American IPA, and while the “Pineyness” lingers, it did not distract from the beer.

Score- 3.5

The Pairing -

What is particularly interesting about this combo is how well they worked together. Traditional cigars are said to perfectly match with Scotches and Brandy/Cognacs, and I think HOPZ Cigars are going to expand that horizon by saying flavored/infused cigars can now tailor themselves to a new market.

By pairing HOPZ with an IPA, we are enhancing the flavors of the beer with the subtle nuances of the cigar and vice versa.

Not only did the flavors then jump out at me from the Cigar (enhancing/bringing out the hops infusion), but the beer actually took a step forward and took on another level of complexity. By pairing these two above average products together, you actually improve the overall experience.

While I rated both a 3.5 standing alone, I would score the pair as a solid 4.

I can really see this type of marriage as something that could introduce Beer Drinkers to Cigar Smoking, especially if Ted’s expands their range to include other beer types (I’m thinking roasted malt infused with a Guinness Stout pairing).

I realize that Cigar Purists are not going to to be big fans, but they need to realize that innovative ideas such as this expand the market and allow other people exposure into a world that might otherwise been closed off to them. Not only do I think this is brilliant on many levels, I applaud Ted’s for partnering with some of the best of breed when it comes to flavors (Maker’s Mark, Gran Marnier, Dumante ect…).

These are both excellent products and I look forward to the upcoming Missouri Beer Festival, where I can sample this cigar with even some local IPAs.

Great job to both vendors.

PS- For those of you wondering what is in the bags, that is the 3rd “Hops”, my newly arrived Hops Rhizomes. Stay tuned as I blog about the growing process.

More than just a cigarette dispenser

I love Archie McPhee products. Not only do they make me laugh out loud, but I can buy them online and I don’t have to go into Cool Stuff in CoMO, where I am accosted by the sales team.

In fact, I have a pack of “Just Like Dad” Candy cigarettes right here on my desk for the follow-up to James’ initial interview.

Definitely check out their site. I make nothing from it, they are not a sponsor….but there is definitely something for the kid in all of us.

Great Job Guys.

Monday Quick Hits Vol2

Here we are again, with the latest installment of the Monday Quick Hits, stories or experiences from over the weekend that I was just to lazy (or they don’t warrant) to write a whole blog post about.

The first one I want to speak about is in regards to Bennigan’s and recent my poor experience there. It made the Vol1 of the Quick Hits, and I wanted to say that the Manager has reached out to me and was thankful for the feedback. We had made arrangements to re-try Bennigan’s (as guests of the Manger), but were unable to connect….and this was 100% my fault. I do plan to revisit in the future (after Baseball and Soccer are done) and will let everyone know how it goes.

Next we have more on “The Royal Wedding”. I originally thought I could cover the wedding with ONE POST, but then two new stories came out this weekend that both shocked me and made me laugh.

The Daily Mail is reporting that beer has been banned from the festivities. WHAT??? Ban Beer? The article has some real nuggest of info -

• “Let's face it, it isn't really an appropriate drink to be serving in the Queen's presence at such an occasion.”
• “while the younger royals enjoy a pint from time to time, neither Kate nor William is a big beer drinker so they decided to leave it off the menu.”
• Miss Middleton has never particularly enjoyed drinking - preferring to sip one small glass of wine.

So let me get this straight, beer isn’t good enough for the Queen and Ms. Middleton doesn’t enjoy drinking? There goes the fate of the free world, plus I doubt Windsor Knot will be sending any cases soon.

Which leads me to my next story (also involving the Royal Wedding), where again the Daily Mail reports on a Mr. Cameron Reilly, a member of the Scots Guards, and his opinions of Ms. Middleton, London and Jews.

• Bearskin, 18, called her 'posh b****' and 'stuck-up cow' on Facebook after perceived snub
• Said he fantasized about shooting Jews while on duty
• Described London as a 'Paki holding cell'

Of course, this wouldn’t be Smokes and Booze material unless he was a little off. With a quote of “He's a big boozer and not what you'd call a thinker. He downs Buckfast fortified wine and likes raucous nights out.” and pictures of him kissing a bottle of Vodka….he does us proud.

Finally, I want to give a shoutout to a great local bar, but one that only a few of you can frequent. The bar in question is at the VFW Post 280 in Columbia MO. Stepping into this bar is like stepping into any other bar around the US. There is a jukebox, a pool table and shuffleboard. TVs play sports and they even have free popcorn. What makes this bar special are the people that frequent it. These are the men and women that “have been there and done that”. Some are older, veterans of WWII, Korea or Viet Nam. Others are of my generation, Gulf War 1 or the countless conflicts since (and still ongoing). Walking in, you feel an immediate sense of belonging and everyone there is very accepting. An added bonus, as a private club, it’s one of the few bars in Columbia you can smoke in. This isn’t a place you’ll write home about, and it’s not all flashy….but honestly, I don’t think I (or any of the other patrons) would have it any other way….as long as the beer is cold and keeps on flowing.

If you are a veteran, you should check out VFW.Org and see what they have to offer in your community. You earned it.

Cheers-

Happy Earth Day and VeeV Spirits (Review)

Before I get to deep into this, I’m sure everyone is thinking “What, Ed is concerned about the environment?”.

While I am not a tree hugger by any means (and I am sure some of you have heard my recycling stories from Germany), I do think people can be responsible. Should it be mandated by the government? No. But if everyone took ownership, things would be much better across the board (not just being Green either).

So I was really excited to get a bottle of VeeV, because I applaud their message and like the uniqueness of the product.

As the first spirit made from the Açaí berry (pronounced ah-SIGH-ee), VEEV enters the mark place as not only a unique brand, but one that takes conservation rather seriously….here are a few examples-

• Veev distilleries are the only ones in the world to get their energy renewable wind energy and they use a 4-Column distillation process that uses 200% less energy.
• They are the Industry’s first Certified Carbon Neutral Spirits Company.
• To reduce the carbon footprint, all of the other ingredients (other then the Brazilian Acai berries), are locally produced.
• $1 for every bottle sold is donated to Rainforest Preservation.

In honor of Earth Day, VeeV is running several promotions on Facebook.

http://apps.facebook.com/toast-veev/

Stepping away from the company and focusing on the spirit - The main ingredient is the Açaí berry, which resembles a blueberry, is a product from Brazil and has been touted on Oprah as the “Number 1 Super Food”.

I found it interesting that no-one had made a liquor out of this (I thought mankind had made booze out of anything imaginable), so I was particularly keen to try.

Tasting (as always- Neat)

• Color- Crystal Clear
• Nose- Extremely Tropical and Fruity. Hints of Orange and Almond round everything out with a slight alcohol undertone.
• Tasting – A smooth, creamy mouth-feel compliments the fruity flavors. The “Orange” definitely come forward, but leaves a hint of acidity and sourness (lime). I particularly like the way the Nose and Taste combine with the alcohol to rise from the palette back through nasal passage so you re-experience the “taste” through the sinuses.
• Finish - The thickness of the liquor leaves a somewhat oiliness (although not in a bad way) that allows for flavors to linger. It combines with a honey aftertaste that I found particularly pleasing. I also experienced a woody flavor that I am unaccustomed to with clear spirits.

As for mixers, I could really seeing this mixing well with orange juice (a unique twist on a screwdriver) and the company has many cocktails listed on their site, in particular….the Super Fruit Sangria which I plan to make once the rain stops.

Superfruit Sangria

1.5oz VeeV Açaí Spirit

1.5oz Red Wine

.5oz Strawberry Puree or Pomegranate juice

1oz Cranberry Juice

Fresh Seasonal Fruit

Shake ingredients well and transfer to brandy or or rocks glass. Garnish with Seasonal Fruit.

Overall, I was really impressed with the complexity of the flavors in this product. I would rate it a solid 4 stars and recommend to all my friends. When you throw in that they practice what the preach with regards to the environment….this is a no brainer. Buy this liquor.

Big Thanks to VeeV for allowing me to review this product, and Happy Earth Day to Everyone

Santa Barbara Olive Company

As many of you know, I don’t pitch food companies very often.  Yes, I will throw recipes out there, but seldom do I get into the food itself.

Today, I deviate from the norm.

Let me introduce you to the Santa Barbara Olive Company. 

Following the tradition of their Great, Great Grandfather (John Emile Goux, who started the California Olive industry in 1851), Craig and Cindy Mekela manage over 5000 trees along the Santa Barbara Coast.

Not only do they produce some of the best organic olives on the market, but they also stuff them with some unique ingredients.

I have (and regularly stock) their Jalapeno and Garlic Stuffed Olives, not only for cooking….but for my Gin Martinis.  The extra zip and flavor really add an uniqueness to any drink.

Recently our local Moser’s stocked their Bleu Cheese Olive, and I had to try it.

I first had Bleu Cheese in my martini at Barton G on South Beach a few years ago.  For those of you who do not know, Barton G was one of the first restaurants to have a mixoligists using liquid nitrogen at the bar.  Drinks like Martinis would could out with ingredients frozen like Dippn Dots and you could spoon them into your drink to customize it any way you wanted.  So, a Dirty Martini would come out with frozen olive brine and you had the option for bleu cheese as well.  Without getting to deep into it, these were some of the best martinis I ever had.

So, when I saw Bleu Cheese Olives…..I had to try them. 

Incredibly crisp and refreshing, the olives are perfect in every way.  They are that good.  But, unlike having a jalapeno or garlic stuffed inside, with Bleu Cheese you get a pleasant surprise.  After the crunch, the cheese just melts in your mouth and totally coats your palette.  The combination of Gin (my preferred Martini), Olive, Brine with the bleu cheese is exquisite.

I HIGHLY endorse this product, and suggest everyone go out and pick up a few of their unique combinations….it will up your game as a home bartender and can cover up some mistakes you make while mixing.  If nothing else, people drinking at your house will realize that you know your stuff.

Great great great product (and that doesn’t even get into all the other things on their website…I’ll let you discover that yourself).

FIVE Stars.

Cheers

Three Bourbon reviews by Randy

A week or so ago, I posted HERE about a new bourbon distilled in Iowa.  Knowing that Randy (from MySideoftheBar) often went to Iowa, I challenged him to give us a review.

Not only did he do that, but he also provided comparison/reviews with two others.

So, sit back….pour a dram and enjoy.

Cheers (and a big thanks Randy).

• Four Roses Yellow Label
  Website:
  http://www.fourroses.us/
  Price: $15.00 - $19.00
  Color: Very light caramel color
  Nose: Sweet and smooth with a very distinctive Bourbon flair. This could be due to being only 80 proof.
  Taste: Very smooth on both the tongue and finish. Sweet fruit like taste, but very light. The website says a little hints of spice, but I do not get that. However if you have a Cigar with this Bourbon it takes on an entire different complexity and then you may get some hints of spice.
  Overall: Well what can I say this is the official Bourbon of MySideOfTheBar. This is an excellent Whiskey and I enjoy it both neat and in a Manhattan as the price is very moderate.
  
• Elijah Craig 12 Year Old
  Website:
  http://www.heaven-hill.com/
  Price: $26.00
  Color: Darker caramel color than either Four Roses or Cedar Ridge.
  Nose: Much heavier and distinctive Bourbon smell which I relate to being 94 proof.
  Taste: Very surprising as the taste does not reflect what you get from the nose. Very light taste with a slightly heavier finish, but still very smooth with still a sweet flavor, however more a gourmet chocolate sweet than a fruity sweet.
  
• Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon
  Website:
  http://www.cedarridgedistillery.com/
  Price: $35.00
  Color: Very light caramel color similar to Four Roses.
  Nose: Very sweet on the nose almost like a candy sweet similar to a chocolate covered fruit. More apple than cherry.
  Taste: Very, very smooth and you do enjoy a very sweet taste on the tongue and very smooth sweet finish. Definitely a sipping Whiskey and also great in Manhattans, however for the price I would reserve for enjoying neat.

MBT–Stop Number 1- Broadway Brewery

So, about a month ago, I had an idea to start a series of articles regarding the Craft and Micro Breweries of Missouri.  

I think these small time (I don’t mean that derogatory) breweries are really the only thing that keeps us from drinking Budweiser day in and day out (remember, Guinness started this way) and are an essential part of the Missouri culture and economy.

When I felt out my friends, fellow bloggers and a few breweries, I got some instant feedback.  Everyone seemed for it, so we just waited for the perfect minute to strike. 

We had another Brewpub in mind to kick things off, but things didn’t work out as we thought, so…on the spur of the moment, we decided to hit a local…Broadway Brewery in Columbia MO.

                  

Established in 2009, Broadway is one of the newer breweries on the tour.  Focusing on locally produced produce on their menu with a brewpub to boot, the owners felt that Columbia MO could support two Craft Breweries…with both complementing each other vs. directly competing.

A quick look showed us that Sunday was our best bet, with a Signature Brewery Glass and first drink for on $5 and a additional beers for $2.50 (some of the higher end beers would be an additional $1).

We arrived unannounced Sunday Morning and took over a corner of the pub as 6 of us sat down to taste various beers.

As we sat down, various questions came up

• Is this a serious tasting? <I voted that since this was the first, it would be more informal>
• How do we cleanse palettes? <I didn’t know, but researched it for Rex HERE>
• Do we have score sheets? <No, but we are working on being more professional in the future>
• Should we eat while tasting? <Against everything we would later learn regarding palettes, we all voted YES>
• Where is Morton? <He was too depressed to come>

We started out with no rhyme nor reason, and again…this could impact the views here and in the future, we will take a more systematic approach (hey, this was our first time )

Here are the notes from group -

BEER

• Blonde Cream – <TommyG> I like a hoppy beer as much as the next guy, but I would never describe myself as a hop head.  I can and will drink ESBs, APAs, and IPAs and enjoy them; but I much prefer Belgian beer styles that place less emphasis on an overpowering hoppy character.   Perhaps that would explain why I felt that the Blonde Cream was my favorite ...of the day.  Visually it was pleasing, being kind of a cloudy blonde beer and the first that you noticed when you drank it was that it imparted an interesting, almost creamy mouth feel, that almost coated your mouth in a beer-y goodness.  While all of the beers we sampled that morning were tasty, I felt that the Blonde Cream was one that really stood out to me personally.
• ESB – <Rex> Mike and I agreed that the ESB was more like Extra 'Meh' but it did give an opportunity to chat up the server with lame ESP jokes which I'm sure were the first anyone had every heard.
• Dry Stout – <Ed>You can definitely get the taste of roasted coffee and malt. I liked the dryness, but this wouldn’t sit well with me over a three hour bender.
• Alt Bier - Awaiting other input
• Double IPA –  Awaiting other input
• <Ed>From nose to finish, this is for the hopheads. Little disappointed that this was served in a snifter vs a Pint glass, but I can somewhat understand the desire to hold some of the hoppy aromas in with a taper so that your nose is directly in there for full enjoyment. A little darker than I expected, the flavors really come through as the flowery/grassy notes really step out. This and the Winter Strong were my two favorites.
• Imperial Stout – <Ed> Upon initial tasting, it was the general consensus that this tasted just like Guinness (the non-Nitrogen bottled version). No that there is anything wrong with Guinness, it’s my favorite beer, but it was not what was expected nor as advertised. Later, when meeting with the brew master, he checked and found that the taps had been mislabeled with Schlafly Imperial Stout. Easy mistake. Served in a snifter glass, the beer has a great color and aroma. The advanced flavors of caramels and malts work well, but the hint of hops is a little off-putting. While a good beer, I would pour this by the pint instead of the snifter to make it more worth the price.
• One of the menu items that was not available on tap was the Winter Strong Ale.  It was currently in the fermenting process.  Paul was kind enough to draw off some of the wort and let us get a preview-
  • Winter Strong Ale- <Ed>While still not properly aged; this would be the beer I would gravitate to here at Broadway Brewery. Sweeter than I expected (although not sticky sweet like a Barley Wine), I got hints of fruit (Blackberry) and nuts with great mouth feel. Would love to try this when fully matured.

BREWERY TOUR-                                  

Both TommyG and I did get a few moments with the Brew master Paul, and he was kind enough to take us on a quick tour of the brewery.

While smaller than I expected, it was efficient and seemed to handle the demand (400 Barrels a year) for them. 

I was particularly surprised to learn how much Paul’s Assistant Brew master handles some of the brewery process itself.  Far too often, the assistant is not much more than a cleaning lackey, so this is a testament of them cutting their teeth at the same time and learning from experience.  This can only bode well for the future.

In talking with Paul, we learned that the brewery is a second job for him (thus the involvement of the assistant), that he got his start as a home brewer, Broadway Brewery is a sponsor of the True/False Film Festival (hosting the Director’s Dinner) and that they have a vision of expansion…with a plan if need be.

<TommyG> Paul the Brew master admitted openly to being a hophead to Ed and Myself when we were touring his brewing equipment.  That would explain why almost all of the beer offerings were a little too hoppy for my taste.  I drank them all, and enjoyed them all, but I felt a little more variety could be a good thing here.  I get that he is trying to embrace the American brewing style of spiking everything with bitter hops, but its just not my thing.  I think an addition of a milder beer, like a British Style brown ale or a wheat beer could have replaced one either the ESB, APA or IPA and it would improved the portfolio.

FOOD -

<Ed>I personally won’t get into the food (if Debi wants to start her own Food Blog, I would happily support her), other than…while there were a few problems, there was no food left on plates when we were done.  I will commend the manager for a free round when he heard of the shortcomings, as it is this time of engagement that can make or break a restaurant/pub.

<TommyG> So, you go to their website, and trying to read the menu is a disaster.  They really could have done a better job with posting it online.  Even worse?  There are no prices posted online.  That is because while their food isn’t crazy expensive, its priced a little too high for what you get.  Don’t get me wrong, everything is very tasty, and made very well.  It just doesn’t seem like a great bang for the buck.  When I want light pub fair, I don’t want it to be too heavy on the wallet.  And I also expect the food to be made right.  That morning we ordered eggs, 1 order over medium; 1 sunny side up; and one over easy.  There was not anything cooked easy about the eggs.  All of the yolks were cooked hard, and that was just simply not how we ordered them.  That being said, we all ate them with a smile because it was simply delicious; but it was not how we ordered it.  Their dinner menu also feels a little small.  I can always find something on it to order, but I could never shake the feeling that I only had half a menu and that there was another menu with better options on it that someone wasn’t sharing with me.  Food overall 3 out of 5.  A passing grade, but…

<Debi> I ate it, but only because it was there, and I was drinking.  If I ever go back, I will definitely eat first

AMBIANCE and SETTING -

<Ed>On Sundays, they have live music, that was quite honestly nothing short of excellent.  All Proceeds from donations go to a charity that is near and dear to us, so that was a big plus.

<TommyG> Broadway Brewery wins big when it comes to the ambiance.  Located in a basement section of Downtown Columbia, it utilizes its space perfectly.  It is cozy without feeling crowded, the lighting is subdued without ever feeling dim and claustrophobic.  The décor leans heavily towards exposed brick and polished wood and while a little bland, they manage to pull it off.  Our waitress was excellent; friendly, prompt, and helpful. The live music they had that day was fantastic, an Irish string ensemble and they provided the perfect backdrop to the afternoon.  My only beef with the place is the men's room.  It is cramped and they shoved too many toilets into too small of a space.  When you are dropping about $20/person for dinner and drinks you don’t want to be crowded in the bathroom.  Another two or three feet of linear space (or removing a urinal) would have made all the difference.

<Mike> LIVE BAND!!!

<Debi> Gave this a rating of 5 with the Band- They were awesome

<Rex> The bacon was perfect enough to make up for any problems I might have had with the food.

FINAL COMMENTS-

<ED> Overall, as with any place, there were some good and bad, but in the end…it’s all about hanging with friends and experiencing new things. The story regarding the Imperial Stouts being swapped will stick with me for some time, and I really liked the atmosphere.  While small, the brewery meets current needs, and it holds a good spot behind the bar to view.  The bar itself contains the basics of a pub, although I will add that I like the “Guest Tap” idea they currently have going.  This way you can get alternative samplings from other breweries from Tap vs. a Bottle.  Other than the Schlafly mistake, I sampled

• Pear Cider – The nose of this was sweet and inviting.  Flashing me back to my youth, it smelled of Sweet Tarts (not your typical term) and Pears.  (Very) Dry and refreshing, this in itself would make a great palette cleanser between beers.  To bad we found it late in the session.

The hardest thing is rating this brewery…as CoMO also has Flatbranch, one of the best in the nation.  This would be a struggle for any up and coming establishment, but I think Broadway is holding it’s own.  If you go in with an open mind, I definitely think you would find something on the beer menu to satisfy you.  Give them a few years, and they could be a contender.

<TommyG> Giving it an average score of 3.16 / 5.  I can live with that.  I enjoyed myself, and I plan to go to Broadway Brewery again in the near future.

<Mike> A reasonable variety for a small brewery, with a good supplemental selection from other small brewers. 

<Debi> I rated the house beers a 2 (because they all tasted alike – like too much hops) and the Guest Tap 4 (A good variety of interesting beers).

<Rex> Overall I was very satisfied, my only real complaint is that they understandably can't maintain that large a selection of house beers. This problem could easily be remedied by using the slots available for a wider variety.

SCORECARD – I am still waiting on feedback from the others on their rating.  I guess this is the number 1 lesson learned….collect scorecards on the day of the event.  Check back later for their feedback as well.

Broadway Brewery can be found between 8th and 9th Streets at 816 East Broadway in the center of downtown Columbia and they can be followed on Facebook (HERE) or on Twitter (@BBintheDistrict).

Washington Apple (Recipe and Review)

Ok, this one has been a long time in coming, partly because I lost the napkin it was written on.  I’ve now found it (although it is in about the same shape as the Shroud of Turin) and wanted to pass this along.

On Super Bowl Sunday, Simon and I were in KC in preparation for a staff meeting that week.  We had started watching the game at our Hotel Bar, but we were eventually cut off (That is a whole other Blog Post in itself & I swear we were nowhere close)…so we headed down the street to The Cheesecake Factory.

Now, I knew of the CCF for it’s food, but I had never tried their bar…even though it gets some great quotes in the movie Step Brothers -

Dale- Would it be cool if Brennan and I opened just one present each... ...since it's Christmas Eve?

Robert/Dad- I'm gonna go down to the Cheesecake Factory, have a drink.

Nancy/Mom - But it's Christmas Eve.

Robert/Dad- Merry Christmas.

Next Scene

Nancy/Mom -Well, you reek of Scotch and cheesecake.

Robert/Dad - You know... ...tonight at the Cheesecake Factory was the happiest I've been in months.

Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

At the downstairs bar, we got to watch the game and met a great bartender named Chad.  He was engaging and funny, which are signs of a good barman, and not once did he cut us off.  In fact, one of my favorite quotes of the night was “I knew you guys were professional drinkers when you called for an Oban”.

I won’t go into all the drinks we had (I don’t think I can remember them all), but I will point out Chad makes a mean Martini and I also wanted to highlight his signature drink –

The Washington Apple

1.5 oz Crown Royal

1.25 oz Sour Apple Pucker

.5 oz Cranberry Juice

2 oz Apple Cider

.25 oz Cherry Syrup

As you can see it’s a layered drink and served over ice in a tall glass.  It really does taste like a Washington Apple and personally give it 5 Stars.

It’s not on the menu (as of yet), but I am sure Chad would whip you up one in a heartbeat.  Just swing by The Cheesecake Factory on the Plaza in KC and tell him Smokes & Booze sent ya.

Ed Note- To the Management of The Cheesecake Factory – I do want to point out that you staff in KC is excellent (not just the food).  If other Restaurants and Bars paid as much attention to the customers as you team did to us, the world would be a better place.  Great Job and keep up the good work.

44 Stone (Soft Launch Review)

Debi and I visited 44 Stone on Sunday for their “Soft Opening”.  For those of you who do not know, a Soft Opening is to allow the kitchen to actually cook to order, shake down any nuances that a restaurant may have and to hone the service level of the wait staff.

So with those considerations…here I go.

As of the Sunday, the interior still looks and feels like Hemmingway’s.  The biggest plus was the removal of the Steel Bead Curtain separating the Bar area from the rest of the restaurant.  This was an eyesore from word go…and I’m glad to see it gone.  Another improvement was the removal of the couch seating in the bar, and to raise the tables up.  I really liked that. 

Dominating the wall that used to separate the dining area from the store front used to be “Candy Glass” windows…this has now been replaced by a HUGE Chalkboard with all the beers and whisky (whiskey) available.  I must say that the list IS Impressive and diverse.  In fact, at least three of the breweries represented are local and are covered in an upcoming project of mine, the Missouri Brew Tour.

While there, I sampled -

• Belhaven “Twisted Thistle” IPA- I loved the twist of having this passed though Nitrogen – Very Creamy
• Fuller’s ESB – A good staple, especially on Draft.
• Kelpie Seaweed Ale – Will need a second sample.  I liked it – Debi didn’t, said it tasted like Low Tide
• Young’s Chocolate Stout – For a can, excellent.  I would love to find a place that has this on Draft.  The hints of Chocolate were perfect.
• Belhaven “Wee Heavy” – Had this before in Amsterdam and Debi got it for Nostalgia sake…I still like it and would buy again.

Debi noticed that there was no Guinness and was quite dismayed.  It turns out, everything they have in stock is not reflected on the board…so you will have to ask. 

This leads to probably the toughest call for me, which is the education of the staff.  It was very apparent that the waitress didn’t know the beer list or hadn’t sampled any of the beers yet.  It’s early, I get that…but if the guys at 44 Stone take any advice from me…hold a Beer Tasting and let the staff learn a little.  This is a fairly common mistake, even Flat Branch has this issue and they have been established forever.  People are going to come in and ask for recommendations…so a prepared staff will go a long way.

Missing from the Whiskey Menu was Connemara, and when speaking with Dave…I totally get why.  In the distributor world, there is some little troll that sits behind a screen somewhere and decides how much of X goes to State Y.  You can order all you want, but that is not going to affect the outcome…you get what you get.  Connemara is sadly on this list.  I knew this from the Tinderbox, and I had hoped this had been rectified.  Sadly it hasn’t and it shouldn’t reflect on the Pub.

The food was OK in my opinion (Debi wasn’t impressed).  There were obvious shortcomings and mistakes, plus service was a little slow as the staff learned their way around.

I personally liked the homemade ketchup (made with PBR) and the Fish for the Fish and Chips was spot on.  Also, with the English Breakfast, the sausage was some of the best I had.  For disclosure, I am focusing on the positive here, as again…this was a shakedown day. 

To me, the highlight was just a twist of fate…whereas one of the Owners (Dave’s) parents ended up sitting with us.  We had great conversation and I got a feel for the vision of the restaurant, some idea of the influences on the menu and was able to observe Management interaction with the staff.

I can honestly say that everything we pointed out as an issue, Dave addressed with staff and I also viewed his attention to detail which will hopefully trickle down to the rest of the staff.  Of all things, this was very encouraging. 

The staff is very friendly and spoke very glowing of Management as well, which is also an indicator that there is a good course set…they just need time to work out the kinks.

Overall, I enjoyed the beers and liked the bar setting.  The struggle I foresee is that 44 Stone has very big shoes to fill with Hemmingway’s.  Hemmingway’s was a very fine dining restaurant and some customers (my wife included) might come in and be expecting that again.  As long as proper expectations are set, and once clientele become comfortable with the menu set, I think 44Stone will become very successful. 

Melville Winery 2002 Syrah (Review)

Sometimes I should just stay away from the Wine Cabinet and stick with beer. 

Tonight I was in a red wine mood.  It had NOTHING to do with the meal we were having (Lemon Pepper Chicken with a pasta salad), it was just one of those things.

So, without thinking, I just grab a bottle out of the cabinet, check that it is a red and uncork.

Little did I realize it was one of the Charity Night Wines, and probably the nicest bottle out of the set.  Oh well….it better be good

Melville Winery- 2002 Estate Syrah – Santa Rita Hills

 

Release Date 03.26.04

2,484 cases produced, $20/bottle (currently $35-$45 a bottle)

• Color-Dark Inky Purple, honestly the words that came to my mind when I poured this were “Liquid Midnight”
• Nose- Pepper & Earthy with hints of leather and smoke (but not peat)
• Taste- Really liked the acidity.  Not very sweet, yet had a full “grapeyness” with underlying tones of blackberries.
• Feel- Again, the heavy acidity and dryness (tannins) lead to a prolonged finish at the back of the palette.

Overall, I really liked this wine and will now have to find some online to replace it.  I could see it pairing very nicely to a nice filet and some bacon wrapped asparagus.  Definitely a “Food Wine”, it still held it’s own as a “sit down drinker”.  If I were stocking a new cabinet, and had access to it, this would be a good base wine to put back.  4 out of 5 Stars for me.  I really should learn to look at the labels before I uncork….but hey, it was good to drink while watching the Irish beat DePaul.

Galactic Fun Zone (Review)

Yes, I can hear you laughing already….but it’s true.

I went to a place called Galactic Fun Zone, and I loved it.

Many of you know my son James.  At 8 (going on 9…just ask him), it’s getting harder and harder to find places to take him that are engaging, especially in the winter months.

We could go to Chucky Cheese, but we all know that the pizza is horrid there and the games are very very outdated.

Going Bonkers in CoMo was a great solution when he was 5-6.  He could climb and burn energy, but we always ended up back in the arcade, again with dated video games and very cramped quarters.  The food there is a little better, they have more than pizza, but not by much….plus the Birthday party crowd spills out of the three cramped rooms they have and overwhelms the dining area. 

The most telling part of the equation can be had by just looking at the parents.  In 3/4 of the cases, Mom and/or Dad is just sitting there, glazed over look and eagerly checking their watches to see if it’s time to go yet.  There is no consideration for the 10-18 crowd or the adults either.

Enter the Galactic Fun Zone.  You’ve all seen the place the Grindstone Parkway/63 Exchange.  Its’ the old Ice Chalet building.  From the outside, it’s not to awe inspiring, but I don’t think that is the intent.  Instead, you need to go inside to truly appreciate the venue.

Upon walking in, you are greeted by a host/hostess who can answer questions and give you an overview of the place.  You look through the original glass “Fishbowl” into the arcade and see the staging area for Laser Tag.  That’s right, Galactic Fun Zone has Laser Tag (more on that in a minute).  There is a small dining area (We didn’t eat there, and it looks like it is still a work in progress) and a large ballroom on your right.

There are 4 areas for you to enjoy and here is my review of each.

Arcade- I was actually quite impressed with Arcade.  Most often in places like this, the video games are an afterthought.  Broken, dated (as I said before) or just so close together than you cannot really enjoy the experience.  GFZ has none of these problems.  The games are token driven and there is a great variety.  From modern shooting games, the ever present “Ticket Games” that the kids love (Richard played the Deal or No Deal game A LOT, winning enough tickets for two pockets of candy for James) to pool tables and pinball machines….it appeared they hit all the bases.  Very Roomy and Clean….you couldn’t ask for more, least it become crowded. 

Low Lighting Blue Lounge- Sadly, this was not open while I was there.  In speaking with Monte (see the end of the review), it’s just not cost effective to keep two bars open when the students are not in town and it should reopen next week when they get back.  This is a business decision, and I get it…so no points knocked off for that.

Laser Tag Arena – All I have to say is this place is a workout.  We went in for 15 minutes and by the time it was over, I was tired.  The equipment is new, so no worries about your laser not working, and the interior is very low light with lots of glowing florescent painting.  I could see it being a little crowded if there were more than 10 people in there, but then again….that might be fun too.  James TOTALLY loved it, and I have to admit I too had a smile on my face when we came out.  Definitely worth the price

8 Lane Bowling Alley- Richard is the bowler of our group, and when we did our initial walk through, this caught his eye.  Currently 8 lanes with low lighting and 4 GIANT screens at the end (showing playoff games while we were there), you could tell that everything here was new and in good condition.  There were nice rounded couches for relaxing (not hard plastic chairs like some alleys) and you can program the gutter bumpers (I love saying that) to come up for specific people.  This allows you to bowl with both adults and children on the same lane.  Richard even commented that this was the first time he had seen that…..so another plus.  There is also a small bar there next to the lanes that carries the Bud Products on Draft, a few Top Shelf Liquors (I noticed Grey Goose and Patron Tequila, so Debi should be happy) and your regular well liquors as well.  They do not do league bowling here, so you can actually get on lanes, and like I have already pointed out….the establishment is very clean.

I honestly didn’t pay much attention to overall pricing as it was just a fun day with James, but I did want to highlight a few of the specials they have (go to the website for a complete list)-

• BoGo Mondays- Buy on Game of Laser Tag or Bowling, get one Free.
• $2 Tuesdays ($2 per game bowling and $2 Laser Tag)
• Play Pass- 1 Game of Laser Tag, 1 Game of Bowling and 10 Tokens for $15

If you’ve made it this far, you can tell that I liked the place.  But, to be honest, it wasn’t all the above that really won me over…..it was the people.  From the time I walked in, everyone seemed friendly and helpful.  A distinct change from the Chucky Cheeses of the world.  But I also saw something that is a rarity in business today.  Both of the owners doing time in the trenches.

You see, GFZ is owned and operated by former Mizzu Tigers Monte Wyrick and Lorenzo Williams.  I didn’t interact much with Lorenzo, but he was very visable as he worked with employees to make sure everything was running right.  It was Monte (working the bar….of course that is where you will find me) that I spoke with most of the evening. He and I sat for a good 20 minutes or so talking as James and Richard bowled.  As you watched him interact with customers, you could tell he had a real passion for the business to grow (they still have room for expansion and are adding 4 more lanes of bowling) and was fun to talk to.  The highlight of my night was listening to him talk with James, telling him no matter how good you are at sports….education is the key.  I have preached that a million times, but to him…now it is gospel (thanks Monte ).  I still chuckle as I see in my minds eye, James making any excuse to belly up to the bar to talk more to him.  It was cute and funny at the same time.

In the end, I think Lorenzo and Monte have found a great niche here in CoMo.  A place where a parent can have a few drinks and maybe bowl while the kids are playing Laser Tag or some video games.  They have a large (8,000 sq ft) ballroom that can be rented out for events and they also handle birthday parties (this is where James wants to go this year).  Now I can see parents being social together while kids play vs just dumping and running.  The crowd evolves during the day, with younger kids during the day, moving on to teenagers in the later afternoon/early evening and finally young adults and older as the night progresses.  There is defiantly something for everyone.

Galactic Fun Zone definitely could become a regular family spot for us, and maybe some of my older friends as well.  It’s not Dave and Busters, nor is it trying to be.  GFZ is just a nice place to relax and enjoy the day.

They can be found on the Web, Facebook and Twitter, so give them some support.

It’s a family spot I HIGHLY recommend.  Great Job Guys.

Adult Chocolate Milk (Review)

Sometimes I really love living in a small town….if for no other reason than the local grocery.  I often go in there, and they have some off the wall stuff.  What is funny…they never have it priced correctly.  I’ve gotten cask strength Laphroaig for $25 to a Rumpleminz for $5.  It really is roulette and you never know what you are going to get.

Recently I went there and saw an unusual bottle, one with a Flip-Top and the words “Adult Chocolate Milk”.  With my brother in town (he’s not much of a drinker), I thought…”This is Perfect”.  It was even better when I went to the cash register and (as usual) it didn’t ring up.

Cashier- “Do you know how much this is?

Me- “I don’t know….it wasn’t marked”

Cashier to her coworker – “How much is this?”

Coworker “Beats me….I wonder if it goes good with cereal?”

Cashier – “I have no idea how much this is….is $3 ok?”

Me- “SURE “

This day is looking up.

I get home and immediately show my newfound prize to Debi (who looks less than thrilled).  Then it is off to the kitchen for a glass and some ice.

This review is gonna be short and sweet.  It tastes like Bailys.  Plain and simple.  The quality of ingredients is probably not up to the same standards as Bailys, so if you have one of those weird reactions to food impurities (Debi does)…I would stay away.  If it was ALWAYS $3, this would be a steal.  Anthing over $15, I would skip the novelty factor and go for the top shelf superior product.  You can purchase online HERE for $23.99 (+ SH), so…you make the call.  To me, it’s not worth it.

I never expected this stuff to become a mainstay in my liquor cabinet…and things worked out as I thought.

The companies website does have an interesting story, that the founder posted on Facebook "Tracy is enjoying some Adult Chocolate Milk” and it grew from there.  They also have 3 new products coming out – Adult Orange Cream, Adult Fruit Punch and Adult Limeade. 

In researching the product, I came across a very telling article on Askmen.com, where Adult Chocolate Milk was Number 2 on their list for Getting Drunk the Wrong Way.  I would agree.  If you are going to drink…go big or go home.

Asian Snakewine–The Fraud

Well, here we are – 21 Days after ordering express…..my Asian Snakewine Bottle arrived.  To say that I am disappointed is a HUGE understatement.

First, some background can be found HERE.

Since then, I have opened a complaint with PayPal about non-shipment, but now I will have to append it to be Damaged Goods and not what I expected.  Why is that you ask?  Read on McDuff…..

I picked up the package at my local Post Office.

The first thing that didn’t bode well was the DENT in the box.  Throw in that the entire box is wrapped in tape (to seal it, as I would find out later), the contents is listed as an Glasshour (Hour Glass) with a $20 Value for customs and finally the phone number listed is one I had never heard of before (323 area code is Hollywood California) and in retrospect, I should have not accepted the package at all.  My fear was that my small town PO would raise suspicion due to these inconsistencies and next thing you know, I am on a terrorist watch list (if not already).

I also noted that the box seemed a little small, considering that the website says the bottle is 10inches tall (more on that later).

I got home and cut open the box only to be greeted by an unusual smell and bubble wrap.  Not the big bubble bubble wrap mind you, but the tiny ones that are usually used for wrapping small electronics.  I would have investigated them further, except that they felt greasy and looked like they had been salvaged from a dump.  Plus, they smelled. 

Examining the bottle showed me the source of the smell.  The sealing job done by the vendor is lacksidasical at best.  It appears we are using some type of recycled bottle (the lid is partly covered and I can make out Kilmarnock Scotland) and they have to re-manufacture the seal.  How do you ask?  By wrapping it in (non-food grade) shrink tape of course.  The seal is horrible, and when you add that the cap is slightly dented and rusted…..there is no way in hell that I would ever drink the contents of this bottle.  I tried several times to get a good picture….this is the best I could do.  It should also be noted that the dent in the packaging is nowhere near where the end of the bottle was, so that cannot be used for an excuse (especially given the rust).

Another piece of false advertising is their website.  Remember when I said the package looked a little small to contain a 10 inch bottle?  Well, part of this has to do with the poor packaging and the other part is that the bottle is really 9 inches…..not 10.  Yet another rip off.

As you can see, this is a complete scam.  While the snake looks cool (it really does, although it is kinda small), the fact that the bottling is suspect (at best), the bottle cap is rusted and there is a leak (compromising the seal)…there is no way I would drink this.  I can’t even leave it on a shelf as it smells (due to the leak). 

As a someone who reviews items, there is no way I could make a recommendation of purchase.  Even if this vendor offered 10 for 1 pricing.  Hopefully, PayPal will see the evidence I present here, coupled with the rest of my claim, and simply refund my money based on this not being what was promised (size and condition), the bottle was damaged (and leaking) and not express shipped (10 Euro more expensive).  If not, then you can make your own summation of PayPal’s service in handling disputes…..but I know how I would feel.

Overall, Service with this asiansnakewine.com would not rate on a scale of 5.  Product Quality would also rate a zero, as I am unable to sample the product due to the poor condition upon arrival.  Express shipping was also a waste, therefore they made the trifecta….three Zeros.

Avoid this product like the plague.

Asian Snake Wine- The NON-Review

This should be the point in a review that I am all giddy from exposing people to something they have never had before.

This should be the point of the review with pictures and comments from everyone how impressed (or not) they are of a product.

This should be (in this case) the part where people are mugging with the bottle, because Asian Snake Wine is not something you find every day in the US.

It’s not.  Why?  Because I didn’t get my shipment.

You see, awhile back, I put a link on the Website (HERE) and eventually purchased a bottle.  My order was received (payment accepted and acknowledged) on the 20th of Dec.  The day I made the order, the website stated (at the very top in bold letters) that I would receive my shipment by Christmas if shipped express, they have since moved that offer to HERE. 

Here is the text of the Email I received on the 20th of Dec.-

If you want a second snake or scorpion bottle you can send 39e more and then get your 2 bottles within 5 days because they will also be sent by express mail with internet tracking number and insurance.

If you are interested you can pay 39 euros only on this page:
http://www.snake-wine-cobra.com/buy-snake-wine/order-one-more-snake-wine-or-scorpion-wine-bottle-for-39-euros-only.html

Also we want to tell you that your parcel might take few more days to arrive than usual as we have two days holiday here.

Please add our email asiansnakewine@gmail.com to your contacts list to receive all our future messages concerning your order.

Best regards,
http://www.asiansnakewine.com

As you can see, at the worste I should be expecting this is the 27th…and for 39 Euro more, I could have another bottle. 

To be fair, I opted out of the second bottle.

What followed is a series of Emails of me inquiring into the missing shipment. 

I won’t bore you with the details of the emails (finally, someone with worse spelling than me), but I will share some highlights-

• It took 9 days to get a tracking number out of this vendor (I doubt it is insured).
• There was a two day delay from receipt of payment before it was shipped (Granted they did warn of a Holiday, but later they also blame US Holidays….I say you cannot have both).
• It appears (from Email context) that express shipping is only how fast THEY take it to the Post Office, not how fast you receive it.
• “how can you consider us responsible for the delay when everybody knows that goods imported from abroad are subject to special customs clearance delay? Of course you can be lucky sometimes and some of your parcels might not be checked at all, but this is not the rule, and the rule is that even when you pay for Express delivery, it doesn't include customs clearance delay.”
• It’s all due to the “Worldwide Problem” of ordering at Christmas
• “Then, you must agree that anyone buying online during Christmas time knows in advance that he might not receive it as fast as possible, and this is a worldwide problem.”
• (anyone that knows us, knows that Debi and I do about 90% of our shopping online……no other package was missing our late, except this).
• That in December the US changed shipping regs and anything shipped over 1 pound cannot be sent via passenger aircraft into the US anymore.  This they state after – “searching online it could be a reason of this special delay.” (FYI, this went into effect as far back as October in Thailand, so this SHOULD be known to the vendor).

Throughout this process, I have been promised a bonus bottle cheaper (with no details how cheap), a “special offer” AFTER I received my item or a second bottle (the email states again “by Christmas”)  if I fork over a little more cash.

Since I don’t have the liquor to review, I guess I will base my review on dealing with the company….and in a word.  It sucked.  I would not recommend dealing with Asiansnakewine.com under any circumstances.  Communication was poor (and always prompted by me) and they have now gone quiet, not even responding to my last email of 4 days ago.  Considering ordering online is based on trust….I don’t care if they offered me 10 bottles for 10 euro, I wouldn’t give my card information to them again.  They do use Paypal, and my next course of action is to make a fraudulent claim….but still it’s a hassle for me.  Hopefully there is some recourse there, but in the meantime…I wanted to share this experience in case anyone else out there was considering a purchase.  This company (I can’t rate the product, since I haven’t gotten it) gets two BIG THUMBS DOWN.

Cheers.

E-

Small Batch #1 - Baker’s

It’s Christmas time, and with that comes some of the great gifts that come my way.

This first one is the “Original Small Batch Bourbon Collection”, a boxed set highlighting four fine bourbons.  This one is kinda funny, because my wife got it for me…while at the same time, I had picked up one for Mike for his stocking (after learning he would be joining us Christmas Morning).

The first one I wanted to try was Baker’s, a 170 proof 7 seven year old bourbon named after Baker Beam, grand nephew of Jim Beam.

Color- Pale Gold

• Nose- Nutty with Honey and Caramel.
• Taste- Strong, sweet honey and vanilla with a syrupy mouth feel.  Reminded me of a rye with with a bit of a backbite.  Splashed with water smoothed this out somewhat and brought out a little leather, while at the same time enhancing the vanilla.
• Finish- Long lasting and very warm.  Hints of spice and orange gave this one a well rounded finish.

Overall, Baker’s was (for some unknown reason) the first bottle I gravitated to in the set.  While not great, very well rounded and drinkable.  If the remaining three are as good (I’ve had Knob Creek before and it comes recommended by Morton Ahput), then this set will exceed expectations.

Stay tuned for more……