I desperately tried earlier to post this blog in real time during my abduction episode, but my PDA's browser somehow let me down... Or was it a force field of some kind?
Not unlike the character Roy Neary in Close Encounters, I have been tormented the last few days by an unrelenting "signal" from afar. This signal has been beckoning me, occupying my thoughts and certainly influenced some of the planning for my latest business trip.
My current business requires me to visit Charlotte, NC, and as always, before I go anywhere, I check the Beerfly section on http://www.beeradvocate.com/. I always come away with some good ideas for my evenings on the road. This time it means being abducted by an unidentified flying object (that serves fantastic beer) so it's no problem...
Beerfly suggests I visit The Flying Saucer Beer Emporium near the UNCC campus. I am happy to discover that one of the nations better beer-bar chains has a location near UNCC, although it does not surprise me due to the fact that they seem to always locate near a university. The Flying Saucer (Herewith TFS) now operates eleven locations from Texas to North Carolina.
TFS is not a perfect beer bar, however. There are many smaller independents that really do it better, but we are talking "chain" here. The typical location features over 60 beer taps and a good selection of bottles to boot. TFS typically serves all the beer too cold, but they do proclaim loudly that "Amateurs request a frosted glass". The staff provides good service, but are not typically very knowledgeable about craft beer. The fact remains, however, that they have been able to continually expand locations and remain successful after 5 years in the business. Being in the land of "King Tobacco", this location allows smoking. I defend a business's right to operate the way they see fit, but as a patron, I would tend avoid smoking establishments if given the choice of an alternative. But This the Saucer! I gotta go!
Tonight is $2.50 pint night. That is a really good deal at today's beer prices. This included almost all of the draft selection. After my chicken sandwich, I quaffed a couple of pints, but I was not satiated. I migrated towards the specialty section of the menu. I also helped a few college kids pick a tasty pint. After my Rochefort 10 and my Bush (oops!) Scaldis 12, (both are strong Belgian Ales) it was time to leave.
If you are in an area that is served by a Flying Saucer location, I urge you to give them a try. Even a Beer Snob like me awards points for effort...
Suds: Great beer selection, Always serve with a clean glass, Wine list, Pub food, Friendly and earnest staff.
Duds: Smoking, Beer is served too cold,
Website: www.beerknurd.com
Taste Beer!
Monday, January 8, 2007
Friday, January 5, 2007
My 2006 Holiday "Beer Snob" Moment
Ok I admit it (isn't it already obvious?) I am a Beer Snob...
It was Christmas Eve and as usual we celebrate at my inlaws with a very traditional Italian X-Mas feast. The highlight of the meal is spaghetti with calamari sauce. The are many other fantastic selections of lightly fried seafood, vegtables and don't forget desserts.
I usually try to an interesting beer that will match up. Two of the Bros in law usually enjoy whatever beer I bring. We usually also have a Chianti or other dry table wine.
Before we left the house to go to the feast, I realized that the only decent bottle of beer that I had to bring was a Caracole Ambree that I had hoped to cellar. It already had 2 years on it but I thought that I should not go empty handed. I was ready to sacrifice it to the spirit of Christmas with the family.
This year I was surprised to see that My B-I-L came with 2 bottles of a great Sicilian wine called "Pinnochio". I turned him onto it after having it at a "Wine Shop" tasting at the Capitol Market. Unfortunately, the other B-I-L was laid up with a major head cold and was not there to help quaff down anything, leaving Alberto & I to do the work
I got as far as opening the cage on the Caracole (Yes! It's corked!), then beer snobbery set in... There was no way I was going to open this particular bottle in such a scenario where it would not be the star of the show. There was also a strong likelihood that I would wind up drinking most of it myself, due to the wine being there as well.
A beer like this one is meant to be shared. It also should really be a great match to the food that is served along with it. Today was not the day, so I discretely twisted the cage back in place and stealthily removed it from the table.
We wound up splitting a bottle of Edmund Fitzgerald Porter with some chocolate desserts.
The Caracole will have its day!
Taste Beer!
It was Christmas Eve and as usual we celebrate at my inlaws with a very traditional Italian X-Mas feast. The highlight of the meal is spaghetti with calamari sauce. The are many other fantastic selections of lightly fried seafood, vegtables and don't forget desserts.
I usually try to an interesting beer that will match up. Two of the Bros in law usually enjoy whatever beer I bring. We usually also have a Chianti or other dry table wine.
Before we left the house to go to the feast, I realized that the only decent bottle of beer that I had to bring was a Caracole Ambree that I had hoped to cellar. It already had 2 years on it but I thought that I should not go empty handed. I was ready to sacrifice it to the spirit of Christmas with the family.
This year I was surprised to see that My B-I-L came with 2 bottles of a great Sicilian wine called "Pinnochio". I turned him onto it after having it at a "Wine Shop" tasting at the Capitol Market. Unfortunately, the other B-I-L was laid up with a major head cold and was not there to help quaff down anything, leaving Alberto & I to do the work
I got as far as opening the cage on the Caracole (Yes! It's corked!), then beer snobbery set in... There was no way I was going to open this particular bottle in such a scenario where it would not be the star of the show. There was also a strong likelihood that I would wind up drinking most of it myself, due to the wine being there as well.
A beer like this one is meant to be shared. It also should really be a great match to the food that is served along with it. Today was not the day, so I discretely twisted the cage back in place and stealthily removed it from the table.
We wound up splitting a bottle of Edmund Fitzgerald Porter with some chocolate desserts.
The Caracole will have its day!
Taste Beer!
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