Budweiser American Ale

I really want to like new beers that are released by big-name breweries. Imagine being able to enjoy a full-bodied, fragrant IPA at the same prices your neighbor pays when buying American carbonated water lager by the 30-pack. Or, would such accessibility somehow diminish the experience? But I digress...

I bought a six-pack of Budweiser American Ale about a week or so ago, and, of course, I really wanted to like it. Pretty smart move on the part of A/B. I'm sure the thinking was, "We're loosing market share left and right to craft brews, why not throw something out there for the quality-conscious public, and see if it sticks. Forget the fact that Miller, Coors and Bud's sister brand Michelob have tried the same tactic and failed. We can make this work. We're the King of Beers!"

First off, I think they are trying to make a statement with the pricing. Much closer to the Sam Adams or Harpoon range than say, Icehouse. They are probably thinking that us beer snobs would never look twice at something that goes $4.49 for a six-pack.

The beer does have excellent color - deep reddish-brown, and very consistent, with a substantial, fluffy head. The aroma was also very good, with the kind of roasted malt and citrus smells you would look for.

Taste-wise, it started out pretty good - a little sweet, a little bitter, a little fruitiness. But, then came the finish.

And that's just it. There isn't one - no slightly bitter aftertaste, no lingering feeling of fruit on the tongue. Nothing. It's like the beer just gets to the back of your pallet and disappears. It's really strange. Everything up to that point indicates it will be a real craft beer experience. But in the end, I was left wanting more.

I enjoyed the beer a bit more the second time I tried it, but that was after a strenuous night of in-line hockey, and all mainstream American beers taste better in that context.

Conclusion: I don't think I will be buying it again. I do appreciate that A/B is thinking about "us". (I know - they only want our money, but that's business.)

LJ's Barbecue in Pawtucket, RI

Since my better half takes lots of notes for this blog but never posts I will take the initiative.

This is a story of culinary blessings in disguise. Last Saturday we had planned a well-deserved dinner at our old favorite, Memphis Roadhouse in South Attleboro. I say "our favorite" but I will freely admit it's been a long time since the last time we were there (we used to go there very frequently -- I'm embarrassed to admit that it was frequently enough for us to be on a first-name basis with the bartender). Anyway, we've been dining out less frequently of late, so this trip to Memphis was highly anticipated by all of us. Sadly, as we approached the restaurant we experienced the slow dawning of comprehension that it had closed (For Sale sign... darkened windows... chained-off parking lot). We pulled over for a quick revamping of dinner plans and decided to check out a place we recently saw on The Phantom Gourmet -- LJ's BBQ. It's a little over 6 miles away from Memphis Roadhouse but the way we drove there it felt more like 600 (we got very lost). After giving in and calling, we finally made it there, and thank goodness we did. LJ's. Is. AMAZING. Everything we had was flawless -- from the St. Louis ribs to the kids' grilled cheese to the Sweet Potato Pie. The husband had the Flying Dog IPA and then switched to what I was having (the always delectable Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA) for his second. The next day we were plotting what we would order on our next visit -- the fried calamari awaits!

John Harvard's in Framingham

I was the fortunate beneficiary of a nice lunch with colleagues in late August at John Harvard's Brewhouse in Framingham, MA. It may be part of a chain, but so be it - it's still a brew pub.

When the group was asked for appetizer choices, I voted for... wait for it... the Calamari (Sliced cherry peppers, scallions, shallot balsamic dressing and pomodoro sauce - as stated on the menu). Outstanding. Cherry peppers are one of the best accompaniments to squid, as has been established.

I have to say, I'm tardy in posting this. Suffice it to say that the food was excellent if I recall, I had the buffalo chicken sandwich for lunch, and I enjoyed it.) The beer was well up to snuff (I think I had a seasonal IPA that is not on their regular brew list). And the atmosphere and overall presentation were all I could ask for. (But trust me on the Calimari.)

Now is that a helpful review, or what? ;-)

Memorial Day 2008 - Chapter 2 - Buck's Naked Barbecue, Freeport

On day two of our Memorial Day/40th birthday trip, we had diner at Buck's Naked Barbecue in Freeport. Buck's mantra is that their BBQ is served "naked" - sauce is only served on the side, not slathered on the meat. The only treatment is the dry rub. Some places server their ribs straight from the smoker, which is fine. At Buck's they fire the ribs on the grill for a few minutes. In addition to heating them up, it adds some additional caramelization to the outside edges - yummy.

Buck's has a good beer list (it would be a great beer list, if it weren't down the street from Gritty's) featuring several micro-brews, including Gritty's Bitter. I had a Bitter. I also tried a beer whose name I can't fully remember. It may have been Blind Pig IPA. I know it had Pig in the name, anyway. It was very good. (There I go with the descriptive language, again.) There haven't been too many micro IPAs that I haven't liked.

I have had very good luck ordering steak at barbecue places. So while I tried the ribs (C.A. got the BBQ Sampler), I ordered the 12oz. Sirloin, and it was outstanding. I think BBQ chefs like to show their stuff when people order something that needs to be cooked on the spot, as opposed to ribs and brisket, which are slow-cooked, and can't be cooked to order.

Meet John Doe

Not at all beer-related, but MY better half neglected to mention that I shook John Doe's hand (OK, finger) at the X show the other night.

Not this hand. The other one. Actually his index finger.

Memorial Day 2008 - Prologue - X and Green Flash

Just prior to our big Memorial Day brew-tour (the previous Tuesday evening), we had tickets to see X at the Paradise, in Boston. (Ooops! That should say "legendary punk band X"). Prior to the show we stopped in to the Sunset Cantina, across Comm. Ave. from the 'dise. I had "Green Flash IPA", or so it was billed. It must be "West Coast IPA" from Green Flash Brewing Co. Whatever you call it, it was very nice.

Here I call your attention to my limited descriptive vocabulary. To describe different beers I will use such illustrative terms as "good", "hoppy", "nice", "very hoppy", "nicely bitter", "very good". I think you get the idea. I don't know the fancy lingo. I know that I like hoppy IPAs, and an occasional lager or summer ale. Beyond that, I don't have too much to say.

The Green Flash was had the kind of fruity (?) hop aroma and taste that many IPAs have. As my better half describes it, "that grapefruit taste". Anyway, it was excellent.

X, while not tasting at all grapefruity, was outstanding. One of the 4 or 5 best shows I've ever seen. The Paradise is a great, intimate venue, and we had a great spot up front. I'll leave further description of the show to my former floor mate (UMass, Amherst), Jonathan Perry. Great show, by a great (and yes, legendary) band. It was a great way to start what was sure to be a very busy, fun week.

Memorial Day 2008 - Chapter 1 - Gritty's Freeeport

Our Memorial Day, Southern Main, micro-brew/calamari extravaganza started Friday evening at Gritty's, Freeport. Again, this spot is a big part of why this blog exists. I started with a Best Bitter - consistent and very refreshing. I followed that with a Vacationland. It's a bit unorthadox to go darker-to-lighter, but heck, I was just happy to be "home".

We indeed partook in the outstanding Gritty's calamari, opting for the butter-garlic treatment. This is the difference-maker for me. Adding butter-garlic to great calamari is like sleeping in, and having a full bacon-and-eggs breakfast at the same time - so much of a good thing it's hard to believe it's real.

My favorite feature of Gritty's, even more so than the beer and the squid, is the atmosphere. It is so casual and friendly. I like fancy places like the next person, but Gritty's Freeport makes me feel relaxed and welcome like few other pubs.

And of course, we did some damage at Gritty's top-notch gift shop...