My new readers are probably expecting me to wax poetic about my husband or kids or maybe even my garmin, but those of you who’ve been around a while know all about the other love in my life: beer.
Beer Geek and I got to go out to dinner tonight without the kids. This doesn’t happen often around here, so when it does, we aim for two criteria: walking distance from our house and really good beer. Tonight we decided to try out a place we hadn’t been before – American Flatbread. They offer really good pizzas made with local ingredients and, in the case of the one by us at least, a really good beer menu.
For our first beers, Beer Geek chose an IPA (very hoppy, but I can’t remember what it was). I made the mistake of trying it. I admit I’m not a hop fan, which makes no sense since I live on the very bitter arugula. Anyways, I was not impressed with the grapefruit beginning taste, followed by all kinds of bitter. My beer, on the other hand, was quite good. I had the Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter. It was quite good. Very dark and yummy, with just enough hops to balance the flavor. But that’s not the beer I fell in love with.
When the waiter brought it out, he brought me a warm glass (because that’s how you serve this kind of beer), but offered me a cold one. When I adamantly refused a cold glass and in fact, waited for my beer to warm up a bit, he figured out I had some knowledge of beer. When I began talking about my second beer and was tossing around some of the really dark, high alcohol content beers, he told me that they might have a beer I would love. It turns out that they had recently had a beer dinner with the Heavy Seas’ beers and he thought they might have one bottle left of a beer that I would like. Turns out – they did. The beer?
Heavy Seas Siren Noire. Described on the Heavy Seas’ website as “An English style imperial stout, fermented and flavored with imported Belgian chocolate nibs. Smooth and easy drinking. Named for the Sirens who lured seafarers off course and ultimately to their demise.”, it was amazing! Many chocolate stouts are called that because the roasted malt takes on a chocolate color and flavor. This beer, on the other hand, included actual chocolate. It tasted a bit like Godiva meets beer. Fabulous! It went amazingly well with my dessert of apple pie and ice cream.
Needless to say, the waiter got a really good tip! (And I will likely have a headache in the morning.)
LOL, I love that you came home and blogged about this. Sounds like a yummy beer!
Sounds like a great evening out. Hope the headache isn't too bad!
Sounds amazing! After tonight's 5k, I had a sampler of beer in your honor!
My wife and I are going to the Great International Beer Fest in Providence, RI today. I'll try to remember what I drink so I can recommend a few…
I am new to the MCM mama express, and I LOVE that you love beer. I admit, i don't know hardly anything about beer, but but I respect a gal who does for sure!
My Ultra marathon loving hubby is also a huge beer fan. We have a collection of empty bottles he collects after sampling the beer. My favorite is "polygamy porter: why have just one" that we got in Utah.I'm pretty sure he runs so he can get away with the beer.
Sounds awesome! I love when you find amazing waiter's who in turn help you find new items (like beer!) to love!
I am so glad that you and the Beer Geek had a nice time! LOL and the I am in love:) One of these weekends when I am not racing my hubby and I will have to do some more beer tasting/reviewing:) I just know that there is one out there for me!
Hello Again! Specifically I've been to Rock Bottom and Capital City Brewery (InaugurALE anyone?!) more than once. Embaressingly, I've never been to the Draft House. Although I've heard lots about it. It's on my list of things to do.I used to live right between Pacers and Harry's Tap Room. I've actually never been to Harry's…if we went out in Clarendon it was always to Whitlow's ("Going to Whitlow's, mmmMaybe, I guess so!")/Clarendon Ballroom/Clarendon Grill/O'Sullivan's/Eventide/Mr. Days. In terms of restaurants Endo Sushi, Mexicali Blues, and Cheesecake Factory. Is Harry's worth trying? I still go to Arlington a decent amount.Originally I wanted to do the Marine Corp Historic Half in a couple weeks. I realized quickly that wouldn't happen so I set my pipe dreams on Zooma. I'm not in shape to run a half right now, and would injure myself badly if I tried to train. Le sigh. I'll be back this fall!Do you ever go to Gordon Biersch? That's my favorite because they have seasonal beers. Right now it's MaiBock. Usually the seasonals have the highest alcholic percentage. LOL.
Oooh! I've been wondering about that place! We'll have to check it out!! My BIL, who is a beer geek as well, is coming in town next week. Maybe we'll take them there!
The beer sounds awesome! I would have a headache for sure though. Whenever I drink a dark beer I get a headache 🙁
Beer geek – heheh!! Best weekend blog I've read…. 🙂
I love that you have a choice of places you can walk to! …and that those places offer an actual choice of good beers. How cool!What a great night out…and yeah, I had a feeling your love object might be a specific beer 😉
I actually discovered Gordon Biersch at a SF Giants game when I was 19. They have a contract with the ball park. I believe you can get their beer there…(I was underage at the time, so didn't) but they have garlic fries that are pretty one of a kind.It was a huge deja vu moment when I went to the restaurant for the first time in Nova and realized I'd had the fries before. In California!I haven't read enough of your blog to have a feel for your taste, but I'm a huge fan of the seasonal bocks at Gordon Biersch. Besides that I'll order either the Hefenweitzen. Or Marzen. I've never tried the stout…but it's probably good as well. The only one that's kind of blah is Golden Export. That's the closest thing to light beer that they brew. If you guys end up going, you'll have to let me know your thoughts.
Yummy! I also don't like hop-y beers, and I had a something-something blueberry (I think it was a local) while in NH this week. Amazing!!!
I love me some hops (and you might be surprised at the IBUs of some porters and stouts by the way).