J, M, B and B joined us for a last minute pizza and beer tasting opportunity. We picked up a few beers at Base Camp (have I said enough about the great assortment and wonderful prices at this place?) to sample. Maybe some of the guest tasters will opine on the brews.
Here is what we are drinking tonight:
Base Camp Assortment #????
Drinkin' Green
While the weather is alternating between springy and wintery, the breweries have decided on spring and are pumping out all sorts of goodness in the form of Easter beers and green colored beers. At the train restaurant I was able to partake in the Starobrno Zelene Pivo with guest taster Phil M. It was quite nice with good malt flavor and slight sweetness. I would rank it just behind the Chyne Videnský speciál 14°, which gets my nod for best spring beer (so far).
Chodovar Easter
Beer: Starobrno Zelene 13°
Pour: Draft
Rating: 2
Beer: Chyne Videnský speciál 14°
Pour: Draft
Rating: 4
Location: Pivni Klub 300
Beer: Strahov Monastary Easter Beer
Pour: Draft
Rating: 2
Location: Strahov Monastary
Beer: Chodovar Velikonocu Albi
Krakonos at Base Camp
Pour: Bottle
Rating: 2
Location: Base Camp
Beer: Krakonos Easter
Pour: Bottle
Rating: 2
Location: Base Camp
Gus on the Strider
We made it to another birthday – Gus turned two today and my wife captured our sentiments best here. We’re going to celebrate with aunt, uncle and cousin Zeks, cupcakes, and gifts from Gram that we carted home from our Christmas visit to the states…as soon as the little guy wakes up from his nap. In the meantime, I’m sampling a Fesak from Pivovar Svaty Jan, a tasty non-filtered svetly lezak.
Beer: Fesak
Pour: Plastic Bottle
Rating: 2
Price: 3 USD for 1 litre
Base Camp Bounty
We are awaiting visitors! They arrive today. In anticipation, we walked through the park to one of our favorite new places, Base Camp, in order to stock the fridge. Now we wait. (okay, we wait with a beer – I broke into the Kacov 12° – but the rest will wait till their arrival).
Beer: Kacov Hubertous 12° Svetly Lezak
Pour: Plastic Bottle
Rating: 3
Price: $2.00 for two pints
Date: March 30 2012
a nice malty smooth lager.
Rychnovsky Kastan
“Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me” is what Gus keeps singing, and finally the sun is obliging. We’ve had a wonderful weekend of family togetherness in almost 70° weather. There have been a lot of walks, and a lot of bike rides on Gus’s new Strider; I think he is almost ready for some mountain trails. Today, after the flea market we stopped off at U Vilema for a Svijany Kvasnicak while baby G dug in the sand and rocks. But the best pivo of the weekend was the Chestnut beer, Kastan, from Rychnovsky that we purchased at Base Camp. If you haven’t been to Base Camp, you need to check it out before they start raising their prices. As it is now, they have amazing deals on Czech, American and Belgian beers.
Beer: Rychnovsky Kastan (Polotmovy Chestnut)
Pour: Bottle
Rating: 3
Price: ?
Beer: Svijany Kvasnicak
Pour: Draft
Rating: 2
Price: 1.5 USD
Blood Oranges
Once in a while you get to experience the taste sensations created by a masterful chef; today I was treated to the work of multiple master chefs. With SD, JB and LM all mixing up edible art, it is a wonder anyone was able to walk the short distance home. The food was truly divine. The drink was just as decadent – Fresh Squeezed Blood Orange Mimosas – Wow! And of course, getting to re-connect with old friends was the icing on the cake.
After PW opened two delicious Czech and German beers from his secret stash (that he imported overland then by ferry in his own car across multiple countries and two continents – wait is that legal?) AB suggested we head to his house where he offered to open some of his own imports. We spent the next couple sun soaked hours enjoying the beautiful weather and a number of tasty Belgian beers. It all made for a remarkable Sunday brunch.
Of the beers we tasted, three were new to me. The Laguanitas, while not really like a Czech Pilsner, was quite nice with a medium hoppyness and a citrus nose. The Chimay (yellow label) was delicious and the Ommegang was a good attempt, but not quite as refined as the Blue Chimay or the Duvel.
Beer: Lagunitas Czech Style Pilsner
Rating: 3
Beer: Chimay (Yellow Label)
Rating: 3
Beer: Ommegang
Rating: 2
Punic Ports
We’ve been in Tunis, Tunisia for just a couple short days, but already we’ve been so spoiled. The lovely Welsh-bachs and their super-fun boys have spoiled us with fancy coffees, delicious dinners, shwarma lunches, walks to the Punic Ports, story time, and lots and lots of entertaining Gus time (including on-demand performances of “Old Macdonald had a Farm” on the ukelele). I’m learning a lot about being a great dad from PW.
Shawarma and Celtia
I even had a chance to taste the local brew, Celtia, on the sunny patio while the boys all ran around chasing the yard-tortoises. It has been a amazing start to a wonderful week’s respit from the frigid temperatures of Prague.
Celtia
Beer: Celtia
Pour: Bottle
Rating: 1
Price: Ask Paul
Date: Feb 18 2012
Location: Tunis
Bernard Kvasnicova
As if in answer to my quest to taste every Czech beer in Prague before heading back to Asia in a few months, Kabinet (a few steps from where I sleep) has added an additional rotating tap. Twice this week they featured Bernard’s Kvasnicova, a slightly sweet and super smooth delicious yeast beer. I’ll be walking down a different side of the street from now on so I can read the sandwich board boasting new beers.
I filled the nalgene bottle with the Kvasnicova so I could share with neighbors B&B who had their own pivo to share: two beers smuggled safely across the ocean in their holiday luggage. What a treat to try to NorthEast US beers.
Beer: Southern Tier IPA
B&B Brews
Beer: Wachusett Nut Brown Ale
Pour: bottle
Rating: 3
Beer: Bernard Kvasnicova
Pour: Tap
Rating: 4
Price: $1.83
Diamond Knot ESB
8 years ago B and I turned a sad day into a happy one when we ended the evening at the Diamond Knot in Mukilteo. We were in the vicinity again today and arranged to meet old friends for a pint or two before B dropped me off at the airport for my flight back to Prague. We were doubly giddy about our evening as we anticipated the fantastic beers and food that would only be outdone by the conversation and silliness that was sure to ensue during our meet-up with the Steelies.
Steelies at the Knot
We were right on all accounts. It was pure pleasure to hug, exchange gifts with and laugh with the Steelies. They bring such joy to our lives – they are truly some of this world’s greatest people. The food and drink was exceptional as well – just as we remembered. I stole a few bites of rib eye off Dan’s stone grill (yes, the steak comes raw and you grill it on your own hot stone) and dipped them in delicious horseradish sauce. B and I had the thin crust pizza which was also good – the grown up version of what I remember my teenage-midnight-frozen-pizza-cravings to be satisfied with.
But the beer. Oh, the beer. (And yes, I am aware that my tasters could have been skewed by the euphoria of being with the Steelies) This beer is divine. I especially enjoyed the ESB, which earned a rare 4 star beer rating from me. Pure goodness in glass.
One thing we didn’t remember was how easy the Diamond Knot is to get to. It is a beautiful drive, just off the freeway with wonderful sights of the sound. We have no idea why it took us eight years to return to this wonderful place. We surely won’t let 8 years go by again.
Beer: Diamond Knot ESB
Pour: Draft
Rating: 4
Date: January 6 2011
Location: Mukilteo Washington
Great hoppy nose. Malty sweet. Not to bitter. This beer has value on this planet. A wonderful pitcher beer. Fantastic.
Beer: Diamond Knot Brown Ale
Pour: Draft
Rating: 3
B says this is the one she’d order first every time she comes here. Neither sweet nor bitter. A little nutty.
K2 at Saddle Rock
With Gramma on hand to babysit Gus while he napped, B and I ventured out with K2 to have some laughs and try a new brewpub in Wenatchee. In our eagerness we arrived a few minutes before opening time and had to wait while the guys inside found the keys to the front door. Once the doors opened a large chalkboard with 12 unique beers on tap beaconed us in, and we knew the wait was worth it. SuperDave, our exceptional host, explained that they don’t stock more than one keg of any beer, so once a keg runs dry the board changes to reveal a new (and surely exciting and different) new beer. With 12 diverse beers on tap at one time, the Saddle Rock is sure to have a beer for every man; I can’t imagine anyone not being able to find one to their liking.
I can’t say enough about SuperDave who really went out of his way to make us feel at home. From engaging us in choosing the tunes playing in the background to pouring us tasters to help us select our brews (and I’m a big fan of having a taste before choosing), Dave exuded joy and a love for beer and people.
Wenatchee needed a place like this – If you live there, I suggest you make the Saddle Rock a frequent stop, and if you’re just passing through don’t pass up the chance to sample some excellent microbrews in a warm and happy place. If you’re lucky, SuperDave will be on hand to assist you in your choices of beer and music.
Beer: Pike Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale – B’s fav on this day. Delicious.
Pour: Tap
Rating: in a bottle, 3, but on this day on tap, a 4.
Date: December 31, 2011
Location: Wenatchee Washington
Beer: Avery IPA
Pour: Tap
Rating: 2
Beer: Big Al Amber - Mouthful of maltiness. Smooth.
Pour: Tap
Rating: 3
Beer: Full Sail Wreck the Halls - Slight licorice. Nice blend of malt and hops. On the strong ale side
Pour: Tap
Rating: 3
