Beer Tasting – The Market @ Washington & High – 1/6/2012

Howdy fellow snobs!

I hope 2012 is treating you nicely thus far and that you’ve had several tasty beverages so far. It’s been a bit since I’ve been able to make a tasting at The Market @ Washington & High – looks like September according to my posts, even though that doesn’t seem right but hey, I made it last night!

I know you guys have heard me say this before but these tastings are always a blast. You get to see fellow beer snobs you haven’t seen in a while, meet new people, share a few laughs, eat awesome food and taste some brews you may not have had before without having to commit to a sixer. Last night was no exception. First off, the food: I’m not going to lie, I am not a meatloaf fan. This is one of those foods that my mom wore out when I was a kid and my subconscious cringes when I hear the word – it’s like nails on a chalkboard or those stinking Sarah McLachlan PETA ads that if I DON’T change the channel I’ll end up with 50 dogs and a few farm animals living in my house, but I digress. The meatloaf served last night has perhaps changed my views on meatloaf forever. First off, it’s a bison based meatloaf, and I do love bison. The spices, Cajun sausage, sauce and juiciness of this dish was awesome and before I knew it, I had eaten it all – tasty. Also on the plate were some “no sugar” sweat taters – and I’m a sucker for all forms of sweet taters and finally, one of my favorite Mike Adams sides, sundried tomato and garlic grits. Dang it, I’m hungry again! Top notch good sir.

Now, the beers on deck were as follows:

Sam Adams Winter Lager: We started off with Sam Adams Winter Lager. I know for some this isn’t a terribly exciting beer. However, this is a very well made, very drinkable, very even winter seasonal that is always an easy sell if you’re not sure what somebody likes. Those heavy into the pilsners will drink it as well as the snobs – well, some snobs, I don’t want to be too broad here lest I receive wrath in the comments. I’ve always liked Winter Lager and just about everything Sam makes for that matter. You get some spice, cinnamon and oak off of this beer and it is a very nice warming brew.

Tommyknocker Cocoa Porter: Being as we’ve posted on Tommyknocker Cocoa Porter not once but twice on KBS it’s easy to tell, I like this beer and I look forward to it each winter – all two winters that I’ve seen it in this area anyway. You can read our previous posts that go into more detail on this brew but it’s a very nice porter with hints of coffee and nice cocoa overtones. Also, for what it’s worth the Mrs made some killer chili with this beer.

Moylan’s Ryan Sullivan’s Imperial Stout: Next up is a brew from the high grav side of things. Moylan’s Imperial Stout is an awesome brew with a very strong, bold and distinctive flavor. This is a live ale with hints of chocolate truffle and coffee. This thing cranks in at 10% ABV and that can be both tasted and smelled. Great beer and perhaps the favorite of the evening.

Founder’s Breakfast Stout: I’m not going to lie, I love this beer. Founder’s Breakfast Stout is a beer I look forward to every winter – when I can find it as they do not distribute in Tennessee (hint to those at Founders, come to the land of orange, we love you and will make you BBQ and bacon, deal?). The breakfast stout is brewed with flaked oats, sumatra, and kona coffee which certainly stands out on the nose and taste of this brew. The head is a nice dark color and while the coffee tones lend itself to the “breakfast” name, this is a beer I often have as “dessert.”

Even though the Beer Doctor himself, Dr. Todd White, was unable to join us, he did leave a beer quiz for us all to fill out – and there were some TOUGH questions on there – winner (and there was a tie) received a fancy growler from The Market and second place (another tie) walked off with some Paulaner mugs, pretty cool. Your’s truly was the “phone a friend” for those who needed some help and I’d have to give myself a 50/50 success rate in actually knowing the answers, like I said, some TOUGH questions!

We also had some Pop Korn’s Gourmet Popcorn there towards the end. These guys are located just next door to the market and hail 101 flavors of popcorn – you heard me right. We had six to select from of which the birthday cake surprised me the most- dang if it didn’t taste just like it. Pop’s Pride was my favorite though which is a caramel/cheddar blend – great taste and a very unique product. Be sure to check it out!

Next tasting is on 1/20 beginning at 7pm so be sure to run by The Market and get your name on the list. Hope to see you there!

Cheers!