Cold Beer, Hot Grill!

Wassup everyone?  Got another awesome night of Cold Beer, Hot Grill on the way.  Tonight I’ve got a first happening as I’m using my Egg as a roaster/oven.  I have a dutch oven filled with drum sticks, red potatoes, and baby carrots smothered in olive oil, a 2011 California sauvignon blanc, and a host of spices.  I’ll let it roast for about 30 minutes with the lid on, then finish it off without the lid to get that awesome mesquite infusion going.  Stoked!

In the bottle, and American Pale Ale from Alaskan - nice hop bite, pale malt back, a whisper of caramel.  Not great, doesn’t suck.

It’s gorgeous here in the Klamath Basin, so what’s up in your area?  Are you grilling and sipping?

What up my ninjas?  It’s an odd weather day here in the Basin - a little sun, a little rain, a little snow, a little wind - and I just can’t seem to bring myself to give a crap.  Why?  I’ve got cold beer and a hot grill, that’s why.  Headed for the Big Green Egg, a tri tip that’s been waltzing with Grill Mates “Barbecue” rub.  It’s one of those flavors that exudes BBQ sauce but it’s not a sauce.  I’ll tell ya, ever since I got this Egg I’ve totally given up on wet sauce; dry rub is where it’s at.

As for the bottle, a new entry from Widmer Brothers - Alchemy Ale.  The nose is grassy hops with a touch of grain.  Flavors is almost like a lager - grains up front with grass hops on the side.  Mouthfeel is light, dry, and aptly carbonated.

Personally I think this was released a wee too early as I think this would make for a fantastic summer brew.  Hot day, grill cranking, friends over.  Yeah, that.

Cheers!

PS - what does your cold beer hot grill look like tonight?

Wassap everyone?!  I’m cranking up the Egg for a tri tip smothered in Grill Mates Cowboy Rub, plus a grill basket filled with carrots and red, purple and gold fingerling potatoes.  Stoked!  In the bottle, an imperial IPA from New Belgium out of Fort Collins, CO.  Citrus hops, sweet malts, maybe a whiff of pineapple.  Medium mouthfeel, appropriate carbonation and a nice, bitter finish.  I call this evening a total win!

Are you grillin’ and chillin’ tonight?

Hey gang, it’s a Saturday night Cold Beer, Hot Grill!  One of my favorite winter ales now available in a can, which I like because they’re recyclable here in Klamath where glass is not (unless you take them back to the store, which I hate).  On the Egg, three huge on-the-bone chicken breasts seasoned with sea salt, cracked pepper, garlic and mesquite that I’ll cook low and slow for a few hours, then cut up to put in Fettuccine Alfredo.  It’s on!

What does your Cold Beer, Hot Grill look like tonight?

Hey gang, welcome to Friday!!!  It’s a crisp 14 degrees and falling here in the Klamath Basin and I don’t give a crap because warm-weather-only grilling is for sissies!  I’ve got my BGE fired up for a tri tip that’s been doing the Boot Scootin’ Boogie with Grill Mates’ Cowboy Rub.  Can’t wait!  As for the tasty beverage, it’s one of my favorite seasonals - Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale.  Crisp, clean, hoppy and delish!

What does your cold beer, hot grill look like tonight?

Hey gang!  It’s NEw Year’s Day and I’m bringing in 2013 the right way with a cold beer and a hot grill!  In the bottle, Lagunitas Hop Stoopid IPA - giant citrus hop nose with a nice roasted malt back, and the flavors follow to the T!  For the grill, a Foster Farms Picnic Pack sitting in Knox’s Yummy Chicken dry rub.  It is so freakin’ on!

In other news, I found an awesome social community called Untappd which is about beer, all the beer, and nothing but the beer.  Look for Kevin K. in Klamath Falls!

Are you grilling tonight?

Hey gang!  No grill tonight, just a giant pot of beef vegetable soup on the stove and grilled sharp cheddar cheese sammiches to accompany the aforementioned soup.  Having said that, I do have beer.  A really, REALLY good beer.  Hell, I almost feel guilty for writing about an ale that you can’t have…

Let’s pour!

Pale orange liquid with a decent finger of head and some nice lacing.  The nose is monster pine resin hops, citrus fruits, flowers, and pineapple.  Flavors are a pine hop kick in the jimmy, grapefruit, pineapple, sweet malts, nary a whiff of the ABV.  Mouthfeel is medium with perfect carbonation.  In short, this ale kicks major ass and I feel really, REALLY bad that you can’t have any.  Unless you get lucky and get that last six from Portland Street Market.  But I remain pessimistic because my brother actually lives near Petaluma and can’t find any.  Major bummer.  Seriously.  This is a world class ale.  Nice job, Lagunitas!

What’s in your glass tonight?

Hey gang, long time no post!  I’ve been busy with all sorts of other stuff, not the least of which is looking for a job.  This economy is kicking my ass!  The good news?  The snow has been flying and tonight I’m firing up the Big Green Egg for the first time in weeks.  On deck, petit tender beef filets that have been getting jiggy with a garlic and black pepper concoction, and in the grill basket will go well oiled & well seasoned red, gold, and purple potatoes.  It’s on!  In the bottle with the way cool label?  Abominable Winter Ale, or A-Bomb for short, from Hopworks Urban Brewery in Portland, OR.  The nose is big pine hops, a hint of spice, citrus, toasty malts.  Flavors are pine/floral hops, roasted malts, a touch of bread, ambiguous spice, citrus.  Mouthfeel is medium with good carb and a slightly bitter finish.  Here HUB has hit a huge home run, and I now get points for alliteration!  I must say that I don’t get the whole “winter” thing with this particular ale.  I could easily enjoy this after a long day of motorcycle riding during the summer.  This ale stands up next to some of the best IPAs I’ve ever had - Pliny, Caldera, BFOD.  I’m going to grab a few bottles!

What does your Cold Beer, Hot Grill look like tonight?

Beer Buyers Beware

It looks like an over-zealous marketing team has done some dirty work here.  Note the micro-brew style branding and packaging, and the odd looking bottles.  Definitely take note of the price tag, and the placement next to an established, pricey craft brand.  I almost grabbed some, but there were some pretty strong bells going off, so I grabbed a bottle and started reading.

This beer is brewed and bottled by Coors.

awesomeness!