May 24, 2012

Big Bad Wolf Found His Bacon: Bakon Vodka

Meat and potatoes in a bottle – for some primitive male reason, that actually makes a great deal of sense to me. What I’m talking about is Bakon Vodka, a bacon infused premium potato vodka distilled by Black Rock Spirits in Seattle Washington.

I really believe that the food pyramid should be modified into a quadrilateral where bacon becomes one of the primary food groups. Having tried bacon ice cream and bacon doughnuts, both of which were outrageously yummy, I began to realize that bacon is great with everything. Bacon wrapped filet mignon, bacon crumpled on salad, bacon gum, the list is never ending, and now, we have Bakon Vodka.

Having recently tasted some flavor infused vodkas made by other distillers that ranged from disgusting to nasty, I approached this bottle with great trepidation. This could either be really horrible or really wonderful. Off came the cap and to my nose’s surprise, there was the pleasant aroma of bacon. I mean real bacon, not some chemically created concoction that attempted to simulate bacon but real bacon. I poured a shot, shouted “down the hatch” to no one in particular and tossed it into my mouth meaning to immediately swallow it, as tradition demanded, when I stopped, swirled it around, and was amazed at the mouthfeel. It was warm and had more substance than just vodka alone, and it actually tasted like the bacon I had last Sunday morning! It also reminded me of smoked pork. Swallowing it clinched the deal. It was among the smoothest vodkas I have ever had with absolutely no bite. A second helping confirmed my initial reactions.

I made a martini (shaken not stirred), which subdued the flavor a bit and decided that it was definitely tied for first place with a sour apple vodka martini and a dirty martini. I really hate mixing a premium vodka into a Bloody Mary when a less expensive vodka will do just as well since the 27 other ingredients will hide the faults of most liquor. However, the bacon flavor actually stood up quite nicely to the assault of the Worcestershire sauce and horseradish and complimented them better than any other vodka. It gave the drink a hint of smokiness and of course a subtle bacon flavor that really, really worked well.

I am looking forward to sipping a Bakon Vodka martini with a nice steak or baby back ribs or a pulled pork sandwich or a plate of aromatic cheeses or Godiva chocolates or just about anything else I can put in my mouth. Just as bacon goes with everything, this Bakon Vodka will go well with virtually anything.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Drink

Tagged as , , , ,

May 24, 2012

Beer Run: Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy

Flip flops. Sand in my swim trunks. The squealing giggles of kids playing at the water’s edge. These are the sights and sounds that came to mind after the first couple of sips of Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy. In all reality, however, I was sitting on my front porch, dripping sweat and covered in mulch dust with a cold can in my hand. I don’t think there was a more appropriate, more refreshing beverage that would have hit the spot as well as the Shandy.

Now, let’s get something straight here. This isn’t a beer that’s going to win best brew at the nation’s largest competitions. It’s not something you’re going to even think of cellaring — at 4.2% ABV, I sure as hell hope not. What you do have here, however, is an interesting little thing. Boasting “an adventurous blend of select malted wheat and barley, lemonade flavor and a hint of Wisconsin honey,” the Shandy isn’t actually half bad. It’s a refreshing, albeit gimmicky, summer time concoction that would be perfectly suited at any back yard picnic, the beach or on your nearest riding mower.

Summer Shandy pours a hazy, pale yellow with a pillowy white head that faded quickly.

Smells like lemonade with a little malt in the background. Perhaps it was too chilled, but I didn’t really pick up any honey notes, but that may have just been lost in the sweetness of the malt.

Honestly, I was very skeptical of this one and was prepared to hate it, but it’s hard to go wrong with carbonated lemonade and a touch of maltiness. The brew starts off like a Hefe Weizen and is quickly followed by a nice tangy lemonade flavor that leads to a slightly bitter and tart finish. The overall character of the beer leaves you refreshed and ready for the next swallow.

This one surprised me. It was cold, refreshing and in a can — perfect for a hot day working in the yard. It’s not the best beer in the world and had it been presented as such, probably would not have gotten as good a review as it has. It’s a Summer time, gimmicky, fun little refresher that would fit in nicely at any outdoor activity.

Eat. Drink. Smile.

2 Comments

Filed under Drink

Tagged as , , , , ,

May 23, 2012

Best Cheap Eats: La Loma Tamales

So you’re hungry but have a budget of $3. There’s no need to hit up that vending machine or fast-food drive-thru: La Loma serves up something that hits the spot, not the gut. For a mere $2.25 you can grab a satisfying treat. Choose from meat options like chicken, pork, and mole sauce (nuts, chocolate, and chiles) or veggie options like sweet corn, pineapple, and veggies and cheese. Not only will you be filled but your wallet won’t be empty, and your belly will be thankful you didn’t resort to another “Mac attack.”

Leave a Comment

Filed under Eat

Tagged as , , , , , ,

May 16, 2012

Beer Run: Surly Furious

Last week my neighborhood Wines & Spirits fulfilled a long standing request, they acquired Surly beers for the local shelves. Needless to say, I ran right out and picked some up. After raining and being just generally overcast for basically the whole day, the late afternoon brought sunshine and a little bit of a warm up before the evening. Lovely. Time for a beer.

Let’s start this one off with some text from the can.

A tempest on the tongue, or a moment of pure hop bliss? Brewed with a dazzling blend of American hops and Scottish malt, this crimson-hued ale delivers waves of citrus, pine and caramel-toffee. For those who favor flavor, Furious has the hop-fire your taste buds have been screeching for.

For the pour, I went with a traditional pint glass. It poured a wonderful reddish amber, with a little cream head. Some sediment floated around a little bit, but I’m going to take the blame on that one, I poured too much into the glass. Whoops. Anyway, there’s some nice lacing, the head sticks around a little bit before disappearing, and it just looks pretty.

Whilst pouring, I was hit with the magical aroma of hops. I love that smell (has anyone looked into creating a hops perfume or cologne? I mean, there’s a bacon cologne, why not hops?). This was actually pretty well balanced with the malt, very nice.  The smell of the rain still lingering in the air may have interfered with my nose a little, but it all blended together to create just the perfect first smell of a beer for the afternoon.

This has got a clean, crisp presence. A little heat from the hops, a lovely bitter feeling.

An assertive hop taste dominates my first impression, but its sidekick Mister Malt is right there. (I like to think I’m Mister Malt to Morehouse’s Hop Hero.  Or something that’s less creepy.  Crap.  I gotta edit myself better).

As the early evening chills, Furious slightly warms, and starts to warm me.  The 6.2% ABV may not seem as high as some of the others I’ve had, but it’s doing me well. Some of the caramel flavor mentioned on the can is starting to come out, it’s getting sweeter. More of the traditional IPA pine and citrus stuff too.  Still without being like a “traditional” IPA.  Roasted malt is starting to come through too. It’s good. Great. I like this beer. Very much. And the rain looks like it might be coming through again, it’s clouding up, so a good time to wrap this. Surly Furious is a brew that is always welcome in my rotation. I suggest you all run out and pick up a 4-pack for the weekend.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Drink

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

May 14, 2012

Best Restaurant for a First Date: Aster Cafe

First dates are all about setting the tone of a relationship. It’s hard to beat the Aster Cafe for sending a strong LTR signal. The Aster is couched on prime St. Anthony Main real estate — possibly the most romantic place in the city. The locale enjoys the best of all four seasons — the trees outside drop snow-like seeds in the spring, there’s a cool breeze off the river on the patio in the summer, they’ll fire up a wood-burning stove in the fall, and even on the coldest winter days the bar scene inside is warm and inviting. The food does first-date duty well: The flatbreads, cheese plates, and salads have an understated sophistication (and it won’t hurt the pocketbook too badly if the date turns out to be a dud). If things are going well, dinner can segue nicely into a show at St. Anthony Main Theatre, or a stroll along the cobblestones and over the bridge toward the future.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Eat

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

May 8, 2012

Beer Run: Shock Top Lemon Shandy

This past weekend I tried Shock Top Lemon Shandy brewed by Shock Top Brewing Company in St. Louis, Missouri. The label on this bottle from their Seasonal Collection depicts “Mohawk Dude” with his head as a slice of lemon, yellow-grain mohawk, and a yellow visor. He’s still cool with his shades.

Mostly wheat aroma yet there is plenty of lemon and a side of spiciness. In the beginning, a thick and wheaty texture totally dominates and dries out the palate, most unpleasantly. It take a few sips before some lemony flavors cut through that a little, also thinning it out. Some coriander is also noticeable toward the end, but not so much, thankfully.

Highly carbonated and prickly, one of the best attributes. The flavors just aren’t there. You finish with a dirty cardboard flavor at the end. I wanted a bursting juicy, easy-drinking, lemony refreshment but that was not in the cards. The 4.2% alcohol was not noticeable. Stick with Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy in this category. Pass!

2 Comments

Filed under Drink

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

April 26, 2012

Ribs. I had ribs for lunch.

Have I mentioned that I love to grill? How can you go wrong with a rack of ribs? Check out this recipe that is sure to please all your family and friends.

Molasses-Glazed Grilled Ribs

Ingredients:

4-1/2 pounds pork baby back ribs

2 liters cola

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Barbecue Sauce:

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup molasses

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

Place the ribs in large resealable plastic bags; add cola. Seal bags and turn to coat; refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Drain and discard cola. Pat ribs dry with paper towels. Combine the seasonings; rub over ribs.

Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Place ribs over pan; grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 1 hour, or until tender, turning occasionally.

In a small bowl, combine barbecue sauce ingredients. Brush over ribs; grill, covered, over medium heat 10-20 minutes longer or until browned, turning and basting occasionally.

If you try this out and you don’t like it, you don’t deserve to eat. Seriously though, let me know what you think of this one. Bon Appétit!

Note: Drink pairing for these spectacular ribs calls for a hearty summer beer, maybe a Samuel Adams Summer Ale or New Belgium’s Dig. For the wine drinkers out there, pair this meal with Pinot Gris or a Cabernet.

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Drink

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,