Open Flavor Fridays
by Dave Clark on Dec 24, 2010 8:00 AM PST
in Life in the Sound
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PrintThis is something a bit new. We've had "open threads" but always for soccer stuff around here. But, based on some feedback, and some requests, and what I've seen around SBN I'm going to go with a weekly Open Thread, but just to talk about Flavors.
I will note some of my flavor experiences during the week, and in comments maybe update during the the weekend. We'll keep the intro small. It won't be a FanPost so if you don't care it won't take up space. This may shift during the season.
We'll talk beer, wine, food and maybe other beverages. Others will talk coffee - I can't as it is my full time job.
Let's get a few things out of the way. If you are not of legal consumption age in your place of residence do not drink alcohol. Do not drink in excess, unless you are around people you know in a private place. NEVER, EVER drive drunk.
Click on for Open Flavor Fridays
First up is a non-alcoholic beverage - San Pellegrino Limonata. While my wife prefers the orangey one, I really like the Limon. Less carbonation than the standard soda in America. I tend to prefer high-acid/sours and less sugar so this is right up my alley. I'm normally a ginger ale guy when it comes to carbonated beverages, but this is now on my list.
Due to my wife, and Kei Kamara (his twitter), I've been hearing a lot about Chipotle. Finally I have tried it. For fast food style Mexican it was a little pricey, but it was decentish and quick. Maybe I'm used to the two taco trucks down by work, but there was a tiny lack cilantro. I would still prefer the northwest classic of Taco Time if I want pricier QSR Mexican or a cart. Now days there is no reason to go to Taco Bell. One bonus from Chipotle is a bottled beer lineup and wine-aritas.
Dogfish Head has found a way to market themselves beyond just boutique beer consumers with a bit of extra attention from the new reality series on Discovery. Later this weekend I'll try a wider variety of their offerings, but last night I had the classic 90 Minute IPA. Some have called this America's best IPA, but if you are expecting standard IPA florals and citrus from the overhopping they aren't quite as intense as you can get from some of the Extra/Double IPAs from the PNW. But it is still an awesome beer, with a scotchy/sweet note that is unique in this style. My first personal brewing experience was an attempt to recreate these flavors in a beer we called Our Halves are 45 Minutes.
There's a sampling of some of my favorite flavors from the week. What have you enjoyed lately?
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Beer? I can talk about beer?
1) Chipoltle—I do not like the way they separate rice and beans. Seems like half the time I am getting a bite of just rice. No thanks. I prefer Qdoba for this style.
2) I like any fizzy water natural beverage, but I prefer standard sparkling water. I think I’m meant to be European.
3) Dogfish Head goes a bit too far in some of their offerings, trying to be all crazy, but for the most part I like them. Their Indian Brown is the best brown I’ve had from any brewery (besides Rogue Hazlenut Brown but that’s a bit different)
4) I had Deschutes “The Abyss” yesterday and it was amazing. If there are bottles available up in Washington still, go buy. At 11%, Deschutes really knows the meaning of “Winter Warmer”.
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Dec 24, 2010 8:31 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
The Abyss
If you have the patience, age those bottles at least a year. They really improve. Oh, and I’d recommend picking them up at the Lake City Fred Meyer. Not many beer affecionatos up north apparently because they always have the Deschuttes special releases way after everyone else has sold out. They had Abyss and Black Butte XXI until about summer this year! Also, it’s usually a little cheaper too. $11.50 I think.
by murmur000 on Dec 24, 2010 10:40 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Other imperial stouts
One that’s not quite as rare and not quite as expensive is Avery’s The Czar. My favorite is Founder’s Canadian Breakfast Stout but unfortunately it’s not distributed in Washington (as far as I know). I had it at one of the crazy festivals over at Brouwer’s. I can’t remember if it was Big Wood or Back in Black. Definitely worth checking out if you ever have the chance.
by murmur000 on Dec 24, 2010 10:46 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Raven's Head
If any of you are in the Redmond area I suggest going to Black Raven Brewery. It’s tiny, but it has some great beers. My favorite that they have on tap all the time is the Second Sight Strong Scotch Ale. It’s one of the best Scotch Ales I’ve had. Also, they do growlers and usually have a good seasonal brew on tap as well. They recently had an amazing bourbon barrel aged beer you could only get on tap at the brewery.
Black Raven does wine cask aging too
They use barrels from effessee winery of Woodinville.
I’ll do an effessee OFF soonish. They spent about two hours talking barrelling in the wine industry.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Speaking of Beers
One of my coworkers recently made a “Cranberry Bog” brew at her place.
Starting with a fairly standard Pale Ale recipe during second fermentation she added cranberry, orange peel and some apple. The use of real ingredients gave it a potent almost half cider flavor. It didn’t have the yeasty nature of Lambics, but was quality work and a solid pairing with many holiday desserts.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Mmm...
This is my kind of post. A good Friday to start with, too.
I like Chipotle, but definitely prefer a taco truck.
Aranciata and Limonata are both excellent.
Christmas Eve tradition of burritos and beer tonight. Or burritos and orange juice, for me; I’m not much of a drinker.
Ham tomorrow.
I’ll be sampling way too many desserts in the next few days.
Fudge, eggnog cookies, pumpkin pie, chocolate pumpkin cake, more fudge, sugar cookies, monkey bread.
Yum.
I used to homebrew holiday beers every year
spiced with the usual assortment flavorings, based on a nice and strong “winter warmer” -type of recipe.
...that's MISTER Keller to you!!!
Not to decsend this into a Chipotle debate...
I am a total convert. When good taquerias or taco trucks are available (and let’s be honest, there’s not many in Seattle), I find it a significant step up from its rivals (Qdoba, Baja Fresh and way above Tacos Del Mar and Taco Time). I used to hate teh white rice, but I’ve come to appreciate it.
I also really want to encourage everyone who has a chance to go to Fremont Brewing. They have a couple winter beers right now that are awesome, their Abominable and Abominable Bourbon Aged are both spectacular. Their oatmeal stout is also quality.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
Taco trucks
Have you tried El Camion? There’s one by the Home Depot on Aurora, one a few blocks south of Safeco, and one in Ballard where the Hollywood Video used to be (my worst job ever, incidentally. May they all fail as that one did). Their normal tacos are better than most Seattle taco trucks but their lengua tacos are amazing.
by murmur000 on Dec 24, 2010 10:35 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, I like El Camion
I’ve tried probably 10 trucks in Seattle and El Camion is probably my favorite. There’s one in West Seattle … can’t remember the name right now, but that was pretty good. Still looking for one that does good cabeza tacos here.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 24, 2010 10:51 AM PST up reply actions
Asadero (?) aka 'The Taco Bus'
My favorite taco place in a parking lot on west side of Rainier Ave. S a little north of the Safeway and south of Franklin HS. A converted bus with diner style stools and counter in front and kitchen in the back. If you can catch them with tamales (they sell out quick), that’s the thing to get. mmm…
by jamesington on Dec 24, 2010 11:29 AM PST up reply actions
That's probably the next place on my "to try" list
Not on that side of town a lot, but definitely something I need to try.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 24, 2010 11:36 AM PST up reply actions
I really like the taco truck that sits outside the Sounders games afterwards
across from Elysian. They do 3 tacos for $5. I forget the name though. The burrito truck though that sits right outside Elysian, not that great.
by chrisperry1983 on Dec 24, 2010 11:41 AM PST up reply actions
Taco Gol
Their weekday camp is right across from Sbux HQ. Jeremiah ate their yesterday with me.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Yes!
They are almost as good as this place up where I work in Everett. We hit that place up after every game.
Funny thing too, I don’t know if Taco Bell still has these, but a few months back they started doing “street tacos” to compete with the trucks and other mom ’n pop places. They were decent, but not even close.
by chrisperry1983 on Dec 24, 2010 11:52 AM PST up reply actions
street tacos at taco bell
How could Taco Bell even come close to a truck, or care to? mind boggling. When they get the carrot slices marinating with the jalepenos, I’ll pay attention. :-)
by jamesington on Dec 24, 2010 12:46 PM PST up reply actions
Taco Gol was definitely solid
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 24, 2010 12:00 PM PST up reply actions
"the grill"
I look for any excuse to drive to Ranier Ave to sample their taocs. My idea of the balanced diet, Sun, surf, sand, tequila, corona and tacos!!! Reading this makes me feel like I need to be Mexico.
"Kia Kaha" -be strong
Taqueria Contreras
Outside the Super 24 at 5455 Delridge Way has great adobo tacos. Cilantro on top and garnished with a roasted chile, slices of grilled onion, avocado and radishes. Tasty!
Mmmm.... beer
Two I tried last night were:
Naked City Magnum P.I.P.A – single hop IPA 6.5% abv. All Magnum hops. Not flashy like a guy in a hawaiian shirt driving a ferrari, but tasty.
Everybody’s Sugar Daddy (Everybody’s Brewing) – Winter 7%, 75 IBU. Not exactly an explosive winter brew like some you may have tasted this season, but a smooth and not overpowering. A more neutral version of Anderson Valley’s seasonal.
I tried Everybody’s Sugar Daddy last night. I forgot what it tasted like as it was my 4th or 5th drink of the night. Thanks for reminding me what it tasted like Likkit.
Lately I’ve been drinking Hot Toddies with my new bourbon of choice, Bulleit. Perfect for cold winter days.
As for Dogfish Head, I am always a big fan of the India Brown Ale. Brown IPA is the lovechild of my two favorite things.
-Ben R.
If anybody lives around Mountlake Terrace or you want to make a trip there
I really recommend Big E Ales. We live in Snohomish so it’s a little bit of a drive, but their brews are excellent. They also happen to be great friends of ours through Young Life. Anyway. Their double IPA is incredible, it reminds me of the one at Pike Street. I believe it’s somewhere around 10%. You can’t get their stuff bottled anywhere (they’re a pretty small operation) but they do have a few brews in various restaurants throughout the Puget Sound area. And, you can stop in with your pigs and growlers to fill up.
For bottled, I just tried the 90 Minute IPA that Kirsten mentioned above, and it was pretty awesome. It’s hard to find good brews up north, I usually have to go to Central Market in Mill Creek. Fred Meyer has a decent selection usually, and sometimes the Safeway up by our house will randomly have something good.
Although my love is IPAs, this time of year I love getting into the winter beers too since they’re only available for a limited time. Snowcap is the old standby, Winterhook too. I need to branch out more in the winter beer area, does anybody have any suggestions?
by chrisperry1983 on Dec 24, 2010 11:39 AM PST reply actions
Hey Dave
What show on Discovery? A brewer’s competition style show, or touring some American breweries?
Also, I too really want to hit that taco truck on Rainier (I’ve heard good things). But I’m only near it on my way TO my soccer games. Don’t want to fill up then!
by Sobchak on Dec 24, 2010 8:07 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Beer on Discovery
Brew Masters – it is basically a “Ace of Cakes” but Dogfish Head Brewing replaces Charm City Cakes.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Frist off, Merry Christmas!
I love South Dakota, but I’m thinking lacking its regional charm in categories such as these. :/
Hijacking.
Got a Sounders rave green ball cap for Christmas from my in-laws! Love it.
Unofficial Sounder Fan Club President - South Dakota Division
beer
i couldn’t bear to not have hair of the dog mentioned here—the jewel in the crown of northwest brewing, in my opinion. their barley wine, doggie claws is out and if you’re very lucky, bottleworks might still have some bottles of my favorite beer ever, matt. probably not, but i’m sure you can order a bottle at brouwers.
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