A long-awaited return to the Trinity Brewhouse, Providence, RI

My better half and I had a nice night out in Downcity Providence last Saturday night.  We started with dinner at Bravo Brasserie, which was very enjoyable.  It has a nice atmosphere, a very varied menu (French-inspired American cuisine), and very reasonable prices.

It was still early, so we ducked into the Trinity Brewhouse.  It had been a couple of years since our last visit.  We both had the RI IPA.  This beer has an excellent aroma, and is very full-bodied for an IPA.  It has above average bitterness and hoppiness, and slightly below average sweetness.  I enjoyed it a lot.  Oh, and we got to see the the Bruins dramatic, double-overtime win over Les Habs.  Sweet!

On a related note, we recently tried one of Trinity's bottled offerings, Trinity IPA.  This too is a very pleasing local brew.  I'll post a more complete review when I get a chance, but I definitely recommend giving it a try.

Trinity is a bona fide local gem.  Check them out.

Dunkin Donuts "Big N' Toasty"

Let's make a slight diversion from beer and squid to another of the major food groups - the "Cheesy, eggy breakfast sandwich thingy" food group.  I left the house early the other day, skipping breakfast at home.  So I decided to try the new Big N' Toasty" from Dunkin Donuts.  DD describes it as "2 fried eggs, 4 slices of Cherrywood smoked bacon and American cheese on thick Texas Toast."  Sounds good to me.

Big N' Toasty

So I had one.  The first thing I realized is that "Texas Toast" is toast that's more or less soaked in butter (or a butter-like substance.)  This is one thing when you're eating it to complement a meal, and it's only lightly soaked in real butter, and you eat it right away.  But when you put this in a fast food context, the effect is a very greasy experience.  The sandwich tasted fine, and I liked the thickness of the bread.  But after one bite my mouth and chin were covered in, well, butter-like substance.  It's not a sensation that fills you with feelings of self worth.  I don't need to look at the nutrition facts to get the feeling that this sandwich goes beyond decadent, into the "off-putting" territory.  So despite my love of eggs, cheese and bacon, and my intense like for Texas Toast, I won't be having the Big N' Toasty again.

P.S.  For a real star in the "Cheesy, eggy breakfast sandwich thingy" food group, check out the "Grilled Cheese Eggsplosion."  I've made several - waaayy cool!

Northampton Brewery, Northampton, MA

Our family's big Christmas gift this year was a 5-day, 4-night ski trip to Ski Butternut, in Great Barringon, Massachusetts for February vacation.  Naturally, when you think "ski trip" and "Western Mass" (or New England in general), you think "craft beer".  Well, at least I do.

During the first leg of the trip we decided to stop for lunch at the Northampton Brewery.  This establishment became the first brew pub I was conscious of when it opened while I was in college down the road at UMass, Amherst.  During the ensuing (cough) several years, the venue has added a huge roof deck, and redecorated.  It had an OK atmosphere back then, and they've made a big improvement.

Sandwiches and beer (just one - still plenty of driving to do) were just what was needed.  The brewery has a Cuban sandwich on their menu.  This somewhat rare offering is always a welcome one.  So my eldest and I went Cuban/Ruben, and shared.  Yummy!

Old Brown Dog Ale (left) and Blue Boots IPA

I had the Blue Boots IPA, and my better half had the Old Brown Dog Ale.  I think I liked mine better than she liked hers, but they are both quality brews.

We had debated a bit whether it was worth adding an hour to our trip West to go to the NBC (it's a half hour from the Mass Pike to Northampton, and a half hour back.)  In the end we were soooo glad we decided to invest some time in a sure bet for a nice meal and a really good beer at a friendly spot.

Barrington Brewery and Resturant, Great Barrington, MA

On the first night of our February ski vacation we went all the way across the street from our Great Barrington hotel to the Barrington Brewery and Resturant.  This brew pub is located in a mini strip mall made up of several barns and other farm-like buildings.  The have an upstairs loft with pool tables, where a sedate cat stands guard over the stockpile of brewer's grains.  The decor is very rustic and relaxed.  The atmosphere was a little noisy, but it was school vacation week, and the place was packed with kids.

I didn't start this beer blog to write negative reviews - it's not in me to criticize someone's livelihood and their labor of love.  Having said that, the beers at the BB (in GB) are not really for me.  They are a little weak and watery for me.

I thought the food and prices were quite good.  Others in my party thought it was average.  But food-wise, at least, I would go there again.

Union Station Brewery, Providence, RI

We recently went out for a family dinner a the Union Station Brewery, located near Waterplace Park, in Providence's recently revitalized downtown section. We've known about the place for some time, so it was great to have a chance to finally give it a try.

Waterplace Park in Providence, with the Union Station building in the background.

For my first beer, I tried the Friar Brown. This beer reminded me a bit of why I tend to shy away from brown ales, and stick more to IPAs. It was not as malty or toffee-ish as the name and description would imply. For me it lacked body and depth.

My better half, who loves most porters, tried the Vanilla Bean porter. She was as unimpressed with her beer as I was with mine. Again, as is the case with an alarming number of beers, the description said "dark, rich and full-bodied", and we found the beer to be 0 for 3. Are we missing something?

For both of us our second choices were a significant upgrade. I had the Trip Hop. Weighing in at 8.2% ABV and 63 IBUs, this beer really packed a punch, in terms of both flavor and bite. Not as much citrus flavor and aroma as some hoppy beers, but an excellent brew in its own right.

C. had the 1/2 Day IPA for her second glass, and she, too, was pleased. She found it pleasantly hoppy, with a very nice linger.

Our food was very good. My oldest and I each had half-pound burgers (he had the Texas burger and I had the BBQ bacon.) C. was very happy with her fish and chips, and my youngest thought the Caesar salad and fries were top notch.

I was neglectful in my duty to this blog, in that I did not try the Calamari. I was trying to be somewhat austere. (Poor me - a half-pound burger, and no appetizer!) I guess I have a lot to look forward to next time.

Pike Stout Extra Stout

Our foray into darker, maltier and, in some cases, higher ABV beers rolls on. Among the fairly long list of beers we've sampled this winter, Pike's Extra Stout is a real gem.


The Pike Brewing Co. actually calls this brew Pike XXXXX Extra Stout. It's very dark in color with a respectably creamy head. It has a full, burnt and bitter flavor, almost more like a full-bodied porter than a stout. It has a beautiful finish, and lingers nicely. This is one of my absolute favorite finds of the season.