Archive for January, 2010

Nothing like an exciting title to get some attention!  That is exactly what those two words did for me on Saturday.  Attending the Boston Wine Expo, I had spoken with many wineries and distributors and was starting to feel a little overwhelmed with the data.  Even though I love wine, I really was thinking it was time to talk about something else, when I noticed the fuschia and black sign with the title, “Sassy Bitch”.  As I enjoy moments of sassy-ness, I decided I could muster the energy to talk to one more winery before moving onto food.

Being a fan of reds, I sampled their Cabernet Sauvignon and found it to be pleasing to my palate.  Keep in mind that I tried only a sample, maybe an ounce, so to try and explain all of the flavors present would be difficult.  (more…)

Bottle/Tap: Tap

I met up with some friends at StrangeBrew a while back, and I found they had this beer on tap.  I’ve seen the bottle in many stores and never pick it up due to price.  However, the special of the night was $3 for any beer, so I thought I would give it a try.    When instances like this occur, I always take the opportunity to try something for cheap to see whether I like it or not.

Hennepin had a very hazy golden color in the glass; upon further inspection I noticed it had a familiar aroma as well.  The aroma to which I refer is that of a Trappist or Abbey ale.  If you ever have had a beer in that style, you know the smell to which I am referring. Please don’t ask me to describe it, you’ll have to go out and have one yourself. (more…)

A quick checklist for Parched No More readers:

1. Do you live in New England?
2. Do you enjoy wine?
3. Would you like to sample wines from 450 different wineries?
4. In addition, would you like to sample a variety of foods?
5. Would you like to meet famous chefs and watch cooking demonstrations?
6. Would you like to learn more about wines, whether you are a novice or a connoisseur? (more…)

Bottle/Tap: Bottle, Pint +9

This is yet another mythological Dogfish Head beer that I happened to find in one of my local spots.  I had heard about this beer before; I just never managed to locate it when it was in season.  When I saw it I took the opportunity and dropped the cash.  I split this bottle with a fellow beer drinker, and the two of us really enjoyed the complexity of this brew.

First, this beer is named after the super-continent Pangaea. I won’t bore you with the history, so you’ll have to do that on your own.  The guys at Dogfish thought: why not create a beer with something from each continent that would unite people?  That is why this beer has ingredients like: water from Antarctica, ginger from Australia, basmati rice from Asia, muscovado sugar from Africa, quinoa from South America, yeast from Europe, and maize from North America. (more…)

As a best friend, you have varying responsibilities.  Being available to listen, helping when an extra set of hands is needed, remembering the little details that matter.  And sometimes you need to create a cocktail for you and your best friends to enjoy while you build the 1,000 piece puzzle that they received as a Christmas gift.  Seriously.

Last Saturday we had a date night planned with our friends, OT and Vicki.  After dinner at a restaurant we planned to return to their house and work on the thousand piece puzzle OT had received.  I asked, jokingly, if we would be having drinks while working on the puzzle.  The answer was, “It will be more fun.”  With that reply I decided it was time to concoct a cocktail in honor of puzzle making. (more…)