Remember when we totally kicked Down to Earth and Team Whatevertheywerecalled's collective asses in the spicy food challenge? Well, people have been asking for pictures, and those who ask shall receive.
Enjoy way too many pictures in the Spiceavore gallery. While viewing, press "N" for next and "P" for previous picture.
Then ask yourself: Why did we do that again?
Has the Inlander stopped covering food? Last update in the Food/Drink section was April 13th. Of course, they might just do it in the paper edition, but then why bother having a website?
The James Beard Awards took place last night, and, not surprisingly, Tom Colicchio took home the "Outstanding Chef Award." "Best Chef: Northwest" was Crush's Jason Wilson, which we'll just chalk up to the James Beard Foundation not having visited Sante.
2nd Ave Diner is turning into "Kick Saloon."
Want to comment on our blog posts? Just click the tweet link on bottom of posts (that will include a bit.ly link in the tweet) and say what you want.
(We'll be back with something worthwhile tomorrow. Maybe.)
Stone delivers great ales in less than great looking bottles. I can easily forgive the latter for the former.
The Barley Wine Style Ale is a '10 special release, and it does not disappoint. It pours a deep copper color with about two fingers of head that laces the glass well. A quick sniff reveals that it is extremely hoppy, and that's not a bad thing.
With more than 11% ABV there is kind of a boozy undertone to the flavor, though it's not too overpowering. More pronounced are the hop flavors mixed with some sweet maltiness. There are also hints of spices and grapefruit. There's definitely a good depth to the flavor, and while it's not quite up there with Nøgne Ø's barley wine, it's both complex and drinkable. A sipping ale, for sure.
Stone really is one of the great breweries and their Old Guardian is one of the better barley wines out there. I'm pretty sure jail time would be a good penalty for anybody who doesn't like this ale.
I can't say I'm much familiar with Whistler Brewing Company, but I still took a chance on checking out a six pack of their 'Classic Pale Ale.' You know, for you, the reader!
The verdict? Not a bad little ale from the Canadian brewers. I'm not necessarily crazily in love with pales, but this one certainly was refreshing enough, and one that I could see being part of the summer rotation.
The color has a nice vibrant copper hue to it, and about a finger of head. It laces the glass well. There's a just a hint of caramel to the nose that carries over into the flavor. In fact, that's about the depth of the flavor, a slight sweetness with a bit of maltiness to it.
In other words, this might not be an exciting beer, but it is very drinkable all the same. The crispness of it does definitely suggest this could be a good session beer when the weather gets warmer.
Bonus points, too, for the classiness of the bottle!
