The great French writer Andrea Maurois once said of Kansas City, ""Who in Europe, or in America, for that matter, knows that Kansas City is one of the loveliest cities on earth?"
It is true, and I was wrong on my initial appraisal of KC. Last night, me and the missus traveled to the Westport nabe to sample some local culture and see one of my personal favorites, Lee "Scratch" Perry. During my formative years, my friends and I would oft smoke "funny cigarettes" and listen to Scratch, his hardcore dub is second to none.
Well, Westport was everything you'd want in a city neighborhoood; walkable, fun, filled with character, and populated by beer bars.
I have already mentioned the fine KC brewery Boulevard. Down in Westport, we stopped at McCoy's public house, a local beeratarium that brews its own fine brew.
Unfortunately, we didn't have too much time to sample all of their many beers, but the commendable Unfiltered Wheat is recommended. It's loaded with raw and malted wheat, and goes great on a crisp fall afternoon with some fried tilapia.
So thanks KC for a fine weekend. I will think fondly about you.
And Scratch was great.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Power & Light
I am an afficionado of cities. Large or small, coastal or inland, I love cities. I am excited at the prospect of visiting new cities and discovering their unique character. I would rather go on vacation to Des Moines or Anchorage than some Caribbean island.
Much like a wine connoisseur, I like to take a deep waft of a city, sip it and swirl it around my mouth and then spit. Usually I am able to do that, but I am having a hard time finding the soul of Kansas City.
The 18th and Vine jazz district was nice, which featured the Negro Leagues baseball museum and the wonderful Mutual Musician's Foundation, but other than that I have not found any real neighborhood vibe here. The streets are empty; walking around downtown and midtown KC Saturday and Sunday with the missus was like walking around Schenectady at 3 a.m. We were the only people walking, and there wasn't even that many cars driving by.
I suspect part of that is due to KC not really being a college town. St. Louis, which is smaller, has a much more lively vibe, I suspect in part due to the many universities in that town.
But whatever the reason, right now I am having a hard time getting hold of Kansas City. A few years ago, the city redeveloped an area near downtown and turned it into a massive shopping, dining, and entertainment district, dubbed the Power and Light District. We dined there yesterday afternoon, and there wasn't much going on. We were told the P&L district is really happening at night.
But that's not for me. I am seeking an experience with more character. Tonight, dear readers, I will be seeing dub legend Lee "Scratch" Perry at an out of the way KC club. Things are looking up.
As far as beer goes, I have still yet to find a local brewery other than the last-blog mentioned Boulevard Brewery. But damn, is it good. I've mentioned the IPA, but also try the Belgian-style Wittbier. They do good work.
Much like a wine connoisseur, I like to take a deep waft of a city, sip it and swirl it around my mouth and then spit. Usually I am able to do that, but I am having a hard time finding the soul of Kansas City.
The 18th and Vine jazz district was nice, which featured the Negro Leagues baseball museum and the wonderful Mutual Musician's Foundation, but other than that I have not found any real neighborhood vibe here. The streets are empty; walking around downtown and midtown KC Saturday and Sunday with the missus was like walking around Schenectady at 3 a.m. We were the only people walking, and there wasn't even that many cars driving by.
I suspect part of that is due to KC not really being a college town. St. Louis, which is smaller, has a much more lively vibe, I suspect in part due to the many universities in that town.
But whatever the reason, right now I am having a hard time getting hold of Kansas City. A few years ago, the city redeveloped an area near downtown and turned it into a massive shopping, dining, and entertainment district, dubbed the Power and Light District. We dined there yesterday afternoon, and there wasn't much going on. We were told the P&L district is really happening at night.
But that's not for me. I am seeking an experience with more character. Tonight, dear readers, I will be seeing dub legend Lee "Scratch" Perry at an out of the way KC club. Things are looking up.
As far as beer goes, I have still yet to find a local brewery other than the last-blog mentioned Boulevard Brewery. But damn, is it good. I've mentioned the IPA, but also try the Belgian-style Wittbier. They do good work.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
I'm going to Kansas City
Greetings friends, I'm blogging from sunny Kansas city, Missouri's largest city and home of world class barbeque, jazz, and -we hope- good local brew.
Sitting on the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers, KC is a proud, midwestern city, with a skyline a mixture of old warehouses mixed in with newer skyscrapers that serve mostly as various corporate headquarters.
My destination later tonight will be the 18th and Vine district, home to legendary jazz and jazz bars. But for now, my first mission was to sample some of the local craft brewed beer.
In a general store of the Hyatt Regency, I began looking for some local flavor. I finally settled on the IPA offering from hometown Boulevard Brewing Co., called "Double Wide IPA"
With the sale of Anheuiser-Busch to Inbev, Boulevard is the largest American-owned brewery in the state of Missoura. And like the few downtown warehouses that still operate amongst the empty husks surrounding them, Boulevard nobly continues its work.
And, at least from the taste of the IPA, they know how to brew. An introductory sniff provides a sweet, citrusy scent. And when you take the first sip; well this is a strong, hoppy real deal IPA. there's a fruit, slightly bitter flavor with hints of caramel. At. 8.5% ABV, this IPA packs a punch. I am kind of reminded of Dale's Pale Ale, except it's a bit more balanced and slightly less hoppy.
Kansas city, you're off to a good start. Let's see where we go from here.
Sitting on the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers, KC is a proud, midwestern city, with a skyline a mixture of old warehouses mixed in with newer skyscrapers that serve mostly as various corporate headquarters.
My destination later tonight will be the 18th and Vine district, home to legendary jazz and jazz bars. But for now, my first mission was to sample some of the local craft brewed beer.
In a general store of the Hyatt Regency, I began looking for some local flavor. I finally settled on the IPA offering from hometown Boulevard Brewing Co., called "Double Wide IPA"
With the sale of Anheuiser-Busch to Inbev, Boulevard is the largest American-owned brewery in the state of Missoura. And like the few downtown warehouses that still operate amongst the empty husks surrounding them, Boulevard nobly continues its work.
And, at least from the taste of the IPA, they know how to brew. An introductory sniff provides a sweet, citrusy scent. And when you take the first sip; well this is a strong, hoppy real deal IPA. there's a fruit, slightly bitter flavor with hints of caramel. At. 8.5% ABV, this IPA packs a punch. I am kind of reminded of Dale's Pale Ale, except it's a bit more balanced and slightly less hoppy.
Kansas city, you're off to a good start. Let's see where we go from here.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Say You Miss me
Today is a sad day for me, as one of my more treasured pint glasses has met a dubious end, falling on the floor and smashing into bits.
The glass in question is a Rougue Shakespeare Stout glass. You may have seen it, it has a picture of an old-timey looking fellow(ostensibly Shakespeare) with the phrase "You say you want a revolution" on it.
I procured that glass in 2002 from the alchemist and Barrister, a pub in Princeton, N.J. that is one of several that claims to be the oldest continuously operated pubs in the US. It was one of the first pint glasses I obtained in my now-large collection.
I brought it with me at the end of the night as a token; it was a cool looking glass and also the first time I had Shakespeare Stout on tap.
All this reminiscing has got me thinking about the Shakespeare Stout, and rogue in general. It is a fine brewery, and the SS is a standout.
It's a bit too warm for stout weather now, but the SS is a perfect fall brew to enjoy whilst watching the football game of your choice. It pours pitch black, is thick and creamy with a hint of chocolate on first taste and a nice malty taste. As I have explained, this blog is not written by or for high-level beer experts, so I don't generally recommend fancy food pairings for beers I review. Take a medium-well Bison Burger with this brew and enjoy.
The glass in question is a Rougue Shakespeare Stout glass. You may have seen it, it has a picture of an old-timey looking fellow(ostensibly Shakespeare) with the phrase "You say you want a revolution" on it.
I procured that glass in 2002 from the alchemist and Barrister, a pub in Princeton, N.J. that is one of several that claims to be the oldest continuously operated pubs in the US. It was one of the first pint glasses I obtained in my now-large collection.
I brought it with me at the end of the night as a token; it was a cool looking glass and also the first time I had Shakespeare Stout on tap.
All this reminiscing has got me thinking about the Shakespeare Stout, and rogue in general. It is a fine brewery, and the SS is a standout.
It's a bit too warm for stout weather now, but the SS is a perfect fall brew to enjoy whilst watching the football game of your choice. It pours pitch black, is thick and creamy with a hint of chocolate on first taste and a nice malty taste. As I have explained, this blog is not written by or for high-level beer experts, so I don't generally recommend fancy food pairings for beers I review. Take a medium-well Bison Burger with this brew and enjoy.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
O Canada
Do you have one of those beers, that may not be the best tasting one but for some reason strikes a chord deep within your soul? Perhaps it was the first beer you ever truly enjoyed, or the beer you were drinking during your first Metallica concert.
I went to college for a year in the hinterland known as "The North Country", the northenmost part of New York that borders Canada. Being so close to our mild-mannered friends to the north, a large variety of Canadian beers was available to a wide-eyed young pup looking to expand his horizons.
I never liked beer much at that point, having mostly just drank Bud and Milwaukee's Best from kegs. My preferred alcoholic drink of choice was, of all things, blackberry brandy (Ah, the travails of youth)
But much like we owe the Canucks a debt of gratitude for giving us The Tragically Hip, I must also acknowledge their role in my beer awakening. Being so close to Canada, there were a staggering variety of Molson, the iconic brewery of Canada, to choose from; I had only seen the regular, standard issue Molson, and not that often, in New York. But this was like a Molson menagerie.
And there was one in particular that tasted better than any beer I'd had before: Molson Red Jack. The amber color, the crisp, malty finish. In my limited capacity of experience, I had never tasted anything like it before.
Does Molson even make Red Jack anymore? I didn't see a mention of it on their Web site. Would I even like it if I tasted it now? Who knows, it was probably just a run-of-the-mill amber ale.
But I'll always hold a dear place in my heart for Red Jack, for it began opening my eyes to a larger world, and initiated a life long journey.
I went to college for a year in the hinterland known as "The North Country", the northenmost part of New York that borders Canada. Being so close to our mild-mannered friends to the north, a large variety of Canadian beers was available to a wide-eyed young pup looking to expand his horizons.
I never liked beer much at that point, having mostly just drank Bud and Milwaukee's Best from kegs. My preferred alcoholic drink of choice was, of all things, blackberry brandy (Ah, the travails of youth)
But much like we owe the Canucks a debt of gratitude for giving us The Tragically Hip, I must also acknowledge their role in my beer awakening. Being so close to Canada, there were a staggering variety of Molson, the iconic brewery of Canada, to choose from; I had only seen the regular, standard issue Molson, and not that often, in New York. But this was like a Molson menagerie.
And there was one in particular that tasted better than any beer I'd had before: Molson Red Jack. The amber color, the crisp, malty finish. In my limited capacity of experience, I had never tasted anything like it before.
Does Molson even make Red Jack anymore? I didn't see a mention of it on their Web site. Would I even like it if I tasted it now? Who knows, it was probably just a run-of-the-mill amber ale.
But I'll always hold a dear place in my heart for Red Jack, for it began opening my eyes to a larger world, and initiated a life long journey.
Monday, August 24, 2009
23 cents and a pocket full of hope
One of the great things about not having a real job is the ability to engage in afternoon drinking on a warm, sunny day. There really are fewer things in this world greater than afternoon drinking. Sitting outside on a beautiful summer day drinking a well-made brew, enjoying life. When Robert Browning wrote the line , "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" he surely was in the midst of afternoon drinking when composing it.
I am sitting in one of New York's great beer bars, Sunswick, in Astoria, Queens. With 25 mostly great beers on tap, there's so much I would like to write about: California-based The Bruery's Orchard White, a great Belgian-style Witbier, seemingly made for afternoon drinking, Avery's Maharaja IPA, a pale ale with a bite.
But there will be time for those later. Friends, some of you know Two Brothers Brewing Co., some may not. They recently did a barnstorming tour through New York, putting on tastings at many of the city's important beer bars, including Sunswick.
May I recommend their fine Domaine DuPage, a French style country ale? Caramel brown in color, this delightful, fruity, cheery brew is 5.9% ABV, sweet up front with a slightly toasted finish. This beer is perfect for summer afternoon drinking, paired, perhaps, with a soup au pistou? Enjoy
I am sitting in one of New York's great beer bars, Sunswick, in Astoria, Queens. With 25 mostly great beers on tap, there's so much I would like to write about: California-based The Bruery's Orchard White, a great Belgian-style Witbier, seemingly made for afternoon drinking, Avery's Maharaja IPA, a pale ale with a bite.
But there will be time for those later. Friends, some of you know Two Brothers Brewing Co., some may not. They recently did a barnstorming tour through New York, putting on tastings at many of the city's important beer bars, including Sunswick.
May I recommend their fine Domaine DuPage, a French style country ale? Caramel brown in color, this delightful, fruity, cheery brew is 5.9% ABV, sweet up front with a slightly toasted finish. This beer is perfect for summer afternoon drinking, paired, perhaps, with a soup au pistou? Enjoy
I am here, here for beer
In nearly every bar you go into in the good ol' U.S.A. there is almost always a plaque with a quote attributed to Ben Franklin: "Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy."
Now, there is some dispute as to whether Ben actually said this, or some version of this. But the message is clear: beer is life's greatest accessory.
A friend of mine who is a big-time foodie here in my hometown of New York City started a blog where she reviewed a different restaurant each week. She suggested I do the same for beer.
"The year in booze, you can call it," she said gleefully.
Well, the year in beer has a better ring to it, so here I am.
I am a lover and appreciator of craft-brewed beer, wherever in the world it be made, and I'll be reviewing for you great beer as I drink it. However, I posit to do it from a layman's terms; though I do love good beer, I am no super-technical beer snob, there's many other Web sites to go to for a more scientific review of beer.
I'll just tell you about beers I like and why I like them, along with anecdotes from bars here in New York and wherever else I may happen to drink. Thanks for reading.
Now, there is some dispute as to whether Ben actually said this, or some version of this. But the message is clear: beer is life's greatest accessory.
A friend of mine who is a big-time foodie here in my hometown of New York City started a blog where she reviewed a different restaurant each week. She suggested I do the same for beer.
"The year in booze, you can call it," she said gleefully.
Well, the year in beer has a better ring to it, so here I am.
I am a lover and appreciator of craft-brewed beer, wherever in the world it be made, and I'll be reviewing for you great beer as I drink it. However, I posit to do it from a layman's terms; though I do love good beer, I am no super-technical beer snob, there's many other Web sites to go to for a more scientific review of beer.
I'll just tell you about beers I like and why I like them, along with anecdotes from bars here in New York and wherever else I may happen to drink. Thanks for reading.
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