(SpoCOOL) A Spokane Blog

No, it's not a typo, and at a good 8.5% it probably is how you'd spell "Lucky Bastard" after downing a bottle.

Lukcy Basartd was where all the Stone Bastards met to make one über-bastard, commemorating the 13 year anniversary of Arrogant Bastard. The result is good and one can't help but wonder if Stone can do no wrong.

It pours a nice dark yet saturated brown with about a two finger head. Nice lacing. There are strong herbal notes in the nose alongside sweet hints of caramel. Hops are very present. Definitely one you can sit around sniffing for a while, exploring all the nuances. 

The flavor is bitter, one that would give Stephen Bardo a "bitter beer face." There are citric flavors too, alongside a subtle sweet flavor and strong hints of oak. Finish is dry and the body is probably somewhere between medium and full. Lukcy Basartd is extremely well balanced, like a symphony of flavors.

Though that obviously doesn't mean that this is a session beer; you'd truly start misspelling things if you downed a bottle too quickly. As a sipping ale it is excellent, however. Run out and grab a bottle, and thank the heavens for Stone's generous pricing. (A bomber runs you about $5 -- had this been Deschutes it'd likely be double.)

We've talked a lot about Rocket in the past and wholeheartedly agreed with those who voted it the best market in Spokane. That's not going to stop us from talking more about it, because the upscale grocery store disguised as a gas station deserves any attention it can get.

It's all about the use of space. OK, maybe not all, but the layout really is pretty nice. In a tiny locale the shelves are put up in an easy to walk-and-browse manner. The Fred Meyers of the world might have produce sections bigger than Rocket's entire space, yet Rocket's vegetable and fruit selection is laid out for quick pick and grabs. Have you ever tried finding a shallot at Fred Meyer? Their layout is designed to make you search. Of course, the selection at Rocket is a whole lot fresher too, but that kind of goes without saying.

The beer and wine selection, too, is stellar, up there with the best in town. Kind of amusing is seeing PBR hidden away below the bottom shelves, kind of like a place of shame. I'm not sure if Main Market is trying to appeal to hiptivists by proudly displaying that particular brand of beer, but its spot in that store is a source of annoyance for me. Buying PBR at Rocket is kind of like being a 14 year old buying Playboy: I'm guessing both would lose their guts half way to the check-out.

The small but excellent deli case is also worth checking out, as, of course, are the baked goods which are lethal. In a good way.

Rocket Market isn't just the best gas station in town, it really is the best market. Huckleberry's is a close second, definitely, but Rocket still stands firm. Of course, you already know this, but consider this your notice if you haven't gone there in a while.

It's back, ready to slap you in the face until you cry for more.

The Dissident might be Deschutes most flavorful reserve, and it's finally back after conspicuously missing the '09 lineup. It has not reached its "best after" date yet, and I'm still storing up my bottles, but thankfully Hill's has it on tap, meaning you can grab a pint for $6.50 during happy hour. (A 22oz bomber will run you north of $10.)

This is pretty dang flavorful, and compared to the '08 edition, more sweet than sour. I suspect more of a balance will be noticeable after aging, but for now, the Dissident is all about the cherry.

The color has a reddish orange-y color, different from any beer I can think of. It almost looks like someone put a bit of red dye in it. Very Christmas-y. Anyway! One whiff and the cherry hits you. Not in a bad way, but it's obvious that this will be flavorful.

And it is. Slightly tart and sweet, this does taste like the perfect marriage of beer and cherry. "Feminine," I'm sure it will be described as by some, and at 10.5% ABV it's definitely a lady with a punch. The finish is a good and dry, and it's very drinkable. Well brewed.

Would I grab more than one pint of it during a night out? No. The sweetness of the cherry is still a bit overwhelming, and I miss the sourness of the '08 version. 10.5% ABV is obviously also pretty crazy. 

Still, props to Hill's for not just getting this on tap, but also for serving it at a good temperature. Any ale head should run down and try it, and also pick up a few bottles from Rocket or Huckleberry's or whatever. 

Drinking the Dissident will be a process. I'm ready to crack open a bottle early for comparison purposes, in addition to one (or more) after the "best after" date. At some point I will revisit it here, and entertain you all with tales of how it aged.

PS: The Abyss 2010 should be in stores any day now. This is an event comprable to a large national holiday.

Here at Team SpoCOOL we do some occasional homebrewing, and thus visits to Jim's are a must. I mean, really, they do have a monopoly, so what can you do?

It's all good though, and if a store could ever label itself as a "one stop shop" for homebrewers, Jim's could. Here you'll find everything. Literally. Brewing equipment, hops and malts, bottles, caps, kits, recipes... They got it all. And despite a (admittedly sort of deserved, but more in a cuddly way) reputation of snobbery, they're always helpful and have good suggestions to enhance your brewing experience.

In fact, you don't have to be an expert to get going with homebrewing here either. Have a look in their recipe book, find one you like, and they'll put together a package of all you need. There's no reason to wander around the store trying to figure everything out, unless that's what you feel like doing.

Of course, there's more than homebrewing equipment here. Wine makers can find a large selection also. Plus they have an excellent selection of beer, admittedly priced a bit higher than some places.

We like Jim's. Homebrewing can be a complex process, but they make it easier with their straightforward recipes and good service. Plus you can always just go there for the already bottled beer.