Maryland’s Wine Siege Continues

February 8th, 2010

Background:  I’ve talked about this stupidity before:

    Looks like the bill is held up again according to this story.   A Senator, Joan Carter Conway, chairwoman of the Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee won’t allow a vote even though 6 of 9 sitting on that board are co-signers of the bill. 

Carter Conway says “Her chief concern, she said, is that underage drinkers will tap the Internet for wine. There’s no way, she said, to force delivery agencies, whether the U.S. Postal Service or a private carrier, to verify the age of the person accepting a package.”   With all due respect, when is the last time a bunch of underage kids wanted fine wine?   I’m guessing she never attended college with a statement like that.

“Conway said her concerns are shared by Senate leadership. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, a Prince George’s County Democrat, has not traditionally supported the direct-shipping bill, either.”    Hmmm, think about it.   Miller’s family OWNS A LIQUOR STORE!   Why do you think he is against the bill?    

Maybe she is concerned because she is a little too close to the issue.  “Her husband, Vernon "Tim" Conway, is a city liquor inspector since 1995 who made $67,000 in his position last year, according to city records.”

In 1933, Prohibition was repealed, unless of course you live in Maryland and enjoy fine wine.

Ben Brouse Food & Drink, Wine

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Prelude: Sam Adams Noble Pils

February 6th, 2010
This past week, I can’t seem to get away from this beer.  So why not just embrace it?   Believe me, I couldn’t have been more than skeptical.

The brewery describes it as follows: “brewed with a blend of 5 Noble Hop varieties from each of the world’s only remaining Noble Hop growing regions. The spicy, herbal and citrus hop character is well balanced by the Weyermann Bohemian Pilsner malt, adding honeyed malt character and full body without sweetness.”

This beer is clear, golden and pours with a nice white head.  Citrus and floral notes abound.   Hop dominate but not too bitter.   Coming in at a mere 4.9% ABV, this beer is a great drinker.   Clean classic Czech style Pilsner. 

Current Beeradvocate rating: A-.

My take: This is a fantastic beer and I couldn’t be more surprised.   This is one of the better examples of this beer style outside of the Czech Republic.

sam_adams_pils

Ben Brouse Prelude

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Sonata: Slaapmutske Triple Nightcap

February 5th, 2010
A relative newcomer to the Belgian scene, Slaapmutske was started in 1999 by Dany De Smet.   The name Slaapmutske literally means “sleeping cap” (night cap in the US).  “In fact, all the Slaapmutske beers tend to be of the strong, beddy-bye variety.”  The beers are currently made at the De Proef brewery.  With that background, I couldn’t wait to taste this.

This is an extremely hazy, pale colored strong beer with flowery hops notes, a huge kick and lingering bitterness.   Coming in @ 8.1% ABV, the alcohol on this beer is deceptive.  This is the kind of beer that you would expect from a Delirium Tremens brewmaster.

Current Beeradvocate rating: B+

A good example of the new avant-garde beers coming out of Belgium.  However, in my opinion I would not seek this beer out as I believe the finishing hops are out of balance and overpower the rest of the beer.

slaapmutske

Ben Brouse Sonata

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Impromptu: Chateau St Jean 2008 Chardonnay, Sonoma County

February 4th, 2010
BBWE.100 021 Here is my initial entry into the Impromptu column that I referenced a few weeks back.  

I’ve talked about how stunning the winery is itself.   Now let’s take on their major commodity.

”Pleasing aromas of pear, mango and clove along with a hint of vanilla mingle on the nose of this classic Sonoma County Chardonnay. The well-balanced acidity wraps around a luscious core of pineapple, lemon and melon flavors and creates a creamy palate. The wine has a refreshing finish.” via the winemaker.

My Tasting Notes:
Obvious barrel fermentation.   Great bright fruit component with good acidity to balance the oak (I’m guessing a medium toast).    I don’t get any pear from this.  Very creamy and rich while coating your tongue nicely.   A great example of Sonoma Chard at an approachable price point (can easily be had on the east coast for under $20).   This is not only a great food wine but delicious to drink while you are cooking.
Let me know what you think!

Ben Brouse Impromptu

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Update: Miss Irene’s (Fells Pt)

February 3rd, 2010

I’ve heard from several reliable sources that this restaurant (previous heads up here) has already closed.  :(    Anyone know if anything went in it’s stead?

Ben Brouse Restaurant Reviews

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Restaurant Review: Venegas Prime Filet

February 3rd, 2010
A few weeks back, my wife and I had the pleasure of trying Venegas Prime Filet, the new upscale steakhouse in Maple Lawn.

I started with a cocktail and my wife had a glass of vino.   The recommendations were decent but $14 for a glass of Pino Gris?  Next came my appetizer – a Caesar salad.   Very good if you like a true example including anchovies.

Venegas Prime Filet on Urbanspoon
Finished up with the filet (after all, it’s in the name of the restaurant).   My steak was cooked perfectly and exactly to temperature just as I ordered; rare if you were wondering.   We had ordered a family style side of asparagus.  This lacked as there were literally five pieces in that order (C’mon Man!)  As with any self-respecting steak eater would have it, I had to have a proper baked Idaho.  It was spot-on, properly cooked and rubbed with olive oil and salt.

Overall, the food is very good but somewhat $$$$.  The service was adequate but I wouldn’t say it was stellar.    The room is nicely decorated but feels like a cavern with the 20ft+ ceilings.    It was also somewhat drafty every time the outside door was opened.

Impressions:

  • Food – Very Good
  • Portions – Good
  • Ambience – Good
  • Service – Good
  • Noise Level – Moderate
I’d go back but I think this restaurant will have to go on the special occasion list.   I wasn’t wowed the way I thought I should have been.  I hope this doesn’t cause this place to close like Jordan’s Steakhouse did.

Ben Brouse Restaurant Reviews

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Prelude: Dogfish Head Shelter Pale Ale

February 2nd, 2010
shelter-pale-ale Dogfish Head produces so many wildly crazy brews these days.  But it all started with Shelter Pale Ale.   

A very approachable beer with good malt (caramel notes and biscuit)and just enough hops to balance it; 5% ABV and 30IBUs, caramel color and a nutty flavor.   Columbus and Willamette hops provide some citrus notes.

Current Beeradvocate rating: B-

My take: many people put this beer down because most of the DFH beers represent something much bigger.    This beer is very quaffable and close to a session beer if the alcohol was a little bit lower.   Easily, one of the easiest drinking beers around.

Ben Brouse Prelude

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Concert Review: Charlie Hunter at the 8×10

February 1st, 2010
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Simply said:  Charlie Hunter is a must see.

What a unique performance – you see Charlie plays a 8-string guitar.  Charlie’s dexterity and nimbleness are effortless.  He slips in and out of the blues, into some nasty funk (w/ slap bass accouchements) into some swing even Oscar Peterson would be proud.

Charlie’s latest album: ‘Gentlemen, I Neglected To Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid‘ was well represented.

Charlie Hunter
The interaction between the drummer (Eric Kalb) and trombonist (Curtis Fowlkes) were on point and you could see them exploring some new space.  I especially enjoyed the sounds of New Orleans as my wife rhetorically asked: “Where is the second line?”  Checkout this video on YouTube for just a sample of these unique performers.

This was live music at its best in a small venue such as the 8×10.

Ben Brouse Concert Reviews

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Sonata: Malheur 12

February 1st, 2010
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malheur12

Emmanuel De Landtsheer started the brewery in Flemish Brabant in 1997 but the family had a long tradition in brewing.

“Malheur 12 is brewed with a significant portion of dark aromatic malt, providing some interesting nutty aromas and flavours” as described by the late Michael Jackson.

This is a rich, dark in color, refermented and bottle conditioned ale.   You can’t help but notice the hop aroma and well-balanced flavor this beer exhibits.   A touch of sweet alcohol but still very dry.   Honey and rum notes.  

Current Beeradvocate rating: A-

What I like about this beer is the mouthfeel and how easy this beer drinks.   The richness of this beer would be great with a steak and a cold winter night.  Watch out, this beer comes in @ 12% ABV.   Wow!

Ben Brouse Sonata

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Prelude: 21st Amendment IPA

January 30th, 2010
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Continuing the beer in a can motif, the 21st Amendment Brewery offers Brew Free! or Die IPA.     Two-row pale and munich malts.   Warrior for the bittering, Columbus and Cascade for the finish, then dry-hopped with Amarillo, Ahtanum and Simcoe.

This beer has an assertive malt backbone that holds up nicely against the hops.   Hop aroma/presence is prolific and upfront but not overwhelmingly bitter with a hint of pine.   The beer pours a deep golden color with a white head.   Moderate carbonation.   7% ABV.

Current Beeradvocate rating: B+  

This is the kind of American IPA that I really appreciate.     70ish IBUs are about my maximum.   With all that considered, this is an extremely drinkable beer that I will seek out from time to time.

21stipa

Ben Brouse Prelude

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