Friday, April 24, 2009
"I Am A Craft Brewer"
I Am A Craft Brewer from I Am A Craft Brewer on Vimeo.
The 2009 Craft Brewers Conference has been going on for the past three days in Boston. While most of us weren't there, we can check out a video made to kick off the conference.
Greg Koch of Stone Brewing gave the keynote speech along with this video. After the video the crowd toasted with all collaboratively brewed craft beers including Isabella Proximus, Collaboration Not Litigation, AleSmith/Mikkeller/Stone Belgian Style Triple, Jolly Pumpkin/Nøgne-Ø/Stone Special Holiday Ale, and 2009 Symposium Ale "Audacity of Hops."
Based on this list alone, I wish I was there.
The video is also awesome. And I'm not just saying this because my brewer loves are in the video. It's really a nice homage to the craft beer community. And yes, it warms my beer geek heart.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Like Only Monk's Cafe Can...
This past Monday afternoon, in very Monk's Cafe style, they tapped a slew of absurdly good beer -- with no fanfare. No mass emails, no internet posting, just good beer on a Monday afternoon.
Beginning with Russian River Blind Pig, Damnation 23 and Salvation, Monk's announced a list of beers they will be tapping over the course of the week. The highlights include Russian River Consecration, Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, Damnation, Stille Nacht 2007, and Calva Reserva.
According to Tom, the warm weather is coming and he simply doesn't have room in the basement to store all this good beer. Guess that works out for the rest of us. Stop by Monk's anytime and I'm sure you won't be disappointed by their tap list. But then again, I never am.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Wine on Tap? What?
This week Eric Asimov covered the curious topic of wine on tap in his New York Times column. The article entitled, "On Tap? How About Chardonnay or Pinot Noir," threw up many red flags for me as both a beer drinker and a wine drinker.
In the realm of beverage consumers, beer people are pretty open minded. Barrel-aging? Of course, the longer the better! Crazy ingredients? Anything goes! Brettanomyces? Bring on the funk! On tap, or from the bottle, we'll try anything.
Wine people, however, are a little more reserved. It's already difficult enough to convince consumers of the benefits of TetraPacs, screw-caps and bottle-caps. Even with these wine curve balls already out there, I'm a little unsure of how wine on tap will go over with the public.
On the whole, this wine-tap system would have many benefits for restaurants; storage, preservation and inventory rotation are constant issues. However, based upon the cost of putting in such technology, I think it'll be years before they start to show up in large numbers.
For now, beer drinkers can rest easy; it'll be a while before wine drinkers start moving in on our taps.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Chicago! Part 2: Alinea
The highlight of my trip to Chicago, and actually, the reason I went, was to eat dinner at Alinea. Some of you may think I'm a little crazy, but good food is reason enough for me to travel. And this meal was far more than just good food.
I happened upon the Alinea cookbook in Barnes and Noble about a month ago. After researching Alinea, and it's creator, Grant Achatz, I decided I had to go. An article published in The New Yorker, entitled "A Man of Taste" is particularly moving and I suggest you all read it. Very quickly, Achatz, a talented and creative genius at the forefront of molecular gastronomy, was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2007. While he lost most of his sense of taste, he continued to develop new ideas and dishes at Alinea. He created a restaurant kitchen unlike any other; the floors are nearly carpeted, there are few stoves, and there are no noises.
I knew that I had to go to this restaurant. It was going to be a once in a lifetime experience that I simply can't have in Philadelphia, or New York for that matter. So, I booked my flight after I booked my dinner reservation.
I feel as though a course by course analysis of this 22 course meal wouldn't necessarily be helpful for you. The pictures are enough to entertain. I missed a few pictures because they were just one bite, or because you couldn't put down the food item (literally, the dish wouldn't sit level on the table if you did). I will, however, comment upon the parts of the meal that set it apart from other restaurants (as I did with Vetri). But, let me just say quickly, that I'm in love, again.
1. Hot Potato - Cold potato, black truffle, butter
H, Billot Brut Rose, Ambonnay
2. Yuba - Shrimp, miso, togarashi
3. Cauliflower - five coatings, three gels, cider
Josef Hogl Gruner Veltliner, 'Ried Spitzer Burgberg,' Wachau, Austria 2004
4. Pear - Olive oil, black pepper, eucalyptus
5. Wild Striped Bass - Saffron, shellfish, parsnip
Michel Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage 'Les Meysonniers,' N. Rhone 2007
6. Yolk - Soy, Wasabi, Yuzu
7. Chicken - Sesame, morel, Indian flavors
Bodegas Remirez de Ganuza 'Fincas de Ganuza Reserva,' Rioja 2001
8. Bacon - Butterscotch, apple, thyme
9. Sweet Potato - Bourbon, brown sugar, smoldering cinnamon
10. Mustard - Passionfruit, allspice, soy
11. Foie Gras - Turnip, shiso, sudachi
Max Ferdinand Richter Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 1990
12. Lobster - Popcorn, butter, curry
Chereau-Carre Muscadet 'Comte Leloup de Chasseloir, Ceps Centenaires,' Loire 2003
13. Pork Belly - Iceberg, cucumber, thai distillation
Sequillo White, Swartland, South Africa 2007
14. Black Truffle - Explosion, romaine, Parmesan
15. Wagyu Beef - Powdered A-1, potato, chips
K Vitners 'Milbrandt' Syrah, Wahluke Slope, Washington 2006
16. Grape Soda - One bite
17. Yogurt - Pomegranate, cassia
18. Bubble Gum - Long pepper, hibiscus, creme fraiche
19. Transparency - Of Raspberry, yogurt
20. Rhubarb - Goat Milk, Onion, Lavender air
Elio Perrone 'Bigaro,' Piedmont, Italy 2008
21. Chocolate - Prune, Olive, Pine Olivares
Dulce Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain 2004
22. Dry Caramel - Salt
The best dishes dishes were, by far, the Hot Potato Cold Potato, and the Truffle Explosion. They were the most flavor I've ever had in just one bite.
Beyond the food, the 3 1/2 hour dining experience was exquisite. Alinea has many unique qualities. From the unmarked lighted hallway that leads you to the Star-Trek-like automatic door that opens to the restaurant, to table center piece filled with ice that becomes part of your dining experience, you never can be sure what will come next.
I am particularly fond of the sleek decor. It is meant to provide a clean backdrop to the food. The table itself is also meant to remain as neutral as possible. To this end, they have a pillow for each diner that serves as a clean utensil holder only. You are instructed to leave your used silverware on the plate when you have finished. This leaves the table completely pristine; silverware never touches it.
In trying to compare Alinea to my other top dining experiences, I've found that I simply can't do it. It's unlike anything else. Vetri is fantastic, but it's just different. Vetri is more of a physical attraction, while Alinea is more of a cerebral attraction. At Vetri you're thinking: "Please, please give me more spinach gnocchi." At Alinea, you're thinking: "How did they create this? What is the idea behind it? How is this possible?" I just can't compare the two. They are each perfect in their own ways.
Alright, I know you're all thinking it (or I at least know my parents are thinking it), how much did this cost? Yes, it was expensive. Read some yelp reviews if you want to really know. But, yes, it was worth every penny and I would do it again in a heart-beat. A dining experience is so much more than just food. Done correctly, it's a completely indulgent escape from your everyday life. Everyone has their own personal escapist tendencies; mine just happen to involve food and wine.
I happened upon the Alinea cookbook in Barnes and Noble about a month ago. After researching Alinea, and it's creator, Grant Achatz, I decided I had to go. An article published in The New Yorker, entitled "A Man of Taste" is particularly moving and I suggest you all read it. Very quickly, Achatz, a talented and creative genius at the forefront of molecular gastronomy, was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2007. While he lost most of his sense of taste, he continued to develop new ideas and dishes at Alinea. He created a restaurant kitchen unlike any other; the floors are nearly carpeted, there are few stoves, and there are no noises.
I knew that I had to go to this restaurant. It was going to be a once in a lifetime experience that I simply can't have in Philadelphia, or New York for that matter. So, I booked my flight after I booked my dinner reservation.
I feel as though a course by course analysis of this 22 course meal wouldn't necessarily be helpful for you. The pictures are enough to entertain. I missed a few pictures because they were just one bite, or because you couldn't put down the food item (literally, the dish wouldn't sit level on the table if you did). I will, however, comment upon the parts of the meal that set it apart from other restaurants (as I did with Vetri). But, let me just say quickly, that I'm in love, again.
1. Hot Potato - Cold potato, black truffle, butter
H, Billot Brut Rose, Ambonnay
2. Yuba - Shrimp, miso, togarashi
3. Cauliflower - five coatings, three gels, cider
Josef Hogl Gruner Veltliner, 'Ried Spitzer Burgberg,' Wachau, Austria 2004
4. Pear - Olive oil, black pepper, eucalyptus
5. Wild Striped Bass - Saffron, shellfish, parsnip
Michel Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage 'Les Meysonniers,' N. Rhone 2007
6. Yolk - Soy, Wasabi, Yuzu
7. Chicken - Sesame, morel, Indian flavors
Bodegas Remirez de Ganuza 'Fincas de Ganuza Reserva,' Rioja 2001
8. Bacon - Butterscotch, apple, thyme
9. Sweet Potato - Bourbon, brown sugar, smoldering cinnamon
10. Mustard - Passionfruit, allspice, soy
11. Foie Gras - Turnip, shiso, sudachi
Max Ferdinand Richter Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 1990
12. Lobster - Popcorn, butter, curry
Chereau-Carre Muscadet 'Comte Leloup de Chasseloir, Ceps Centenaires,' Loire 2003
13. Pork Belly - Iceberg, cucumber, thai distillation
Sequillo White, Swartland, South Africa 2007
14. Black Truffle - Explosion, romaine, Parmesan
15. Wagyu Beef - Powdered A-1, potato, chips
K Vitners 'Milbrandt' Syrah, Wahluke Slope, Washington 2006
16. Grape Soda - One bite
17. Yogurt - Pomegranate, cassia
18. Bubble Gum - Long pepper, hibiscus, creme fraiche
19. Transparency - Of Raspberry, yogurt
20. Rhubarb - Goat Milk, Onion, Lavender air
Elio Perrone 'Bigaro,' Piedmont, Italy 2008
21. Chocolate - Prune, Olive, Pine Olivares
Dulce Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain 2004
22. Dry Caramel - Salt
The best dishes dishes were, by far, the Hot Potato Cold Potato, and the Truffle Explosion. They were the most flavor I've ever had in just one bite.
Beyond the food, the 3 1/2 hour dining experience was exquisite. Alinea has many unique qualities. From the unmarked lighted hallway that leads you to the Star-Trek-like automatic door that opens to the restaurant, to table center piece filled with ice that becomes part of your dining experience, you never can be sure what will come next.
I am particularly fond of the sleek decor. It is meant to provide a clean backdrop to the food. The table itself is also meant to remain as neutral as possible. To this end, they have a pillow for each diner that serves as a clean utensil holder only. You are instructed to leave your used silverware on the plate when you have finished. This leaves the table completely pristine; silverware never touches it.
In trying to compare Alinea to my other top dining experiences, I've found that I simply can't do it. It's unlike anything else. Vetri is fantastic, but it's just different. Vetri is more of a physical attraction, while Alinea is more of a cerebral attraction. At Vetri you're thinking: "Please, please give me more spinach gnocchi." At Alinea, you're thinking: "How did they create this? What is the idea behind it? How is this possible?" I just can't compare the two. They are each perfect in their own ways.
Alright, I know you're all thinking it (or I at least know my parents are thinking it), how much did this cost? Yes, it was expensive. Read some yelp reviews if you want to really know. But, yes, it was worth every penny and I would do it again in a heart-beat. A dining experience is so much more than just food. Done correctly, it's a completely indulgent escape from your everyday life. Everyone has their own personal escapist tendencies; mine just happen to involve food and wine.
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