By all accounts Virginia colonists where brewing ale using corn back in 1587 and in 1789 George Washington without a huge marketing budget started his “Buy American” campaign by only drinking porter made in America.
Well I salute George Washington and his policy. We have so many fantastic ales, porters, lagers and pilsners brewed by large and small breweries across this fine country of ours. There is so much history in beer. So much so that it would take much longer time then either you or I have to both collect and publish. Especially since it's already available and it will definitely cut in our time of doing something much more important. Yes, the responsibility of tasting and sharing our experiences.
For this BLOG I will be asking for your opinion. What is your favorite beer, where do you like to be to enjoy it and who do you enjoy it with?
We will start this dialogue with my taste and yes I am very lucky to live in the middle of Pennsylvania German beer country. With a very short drive I can visit some of the most fantastic micro and national breweries. In one day with a designated driver you could visit Allentown Brew Works, Allentown, formed in 2007, Appalachian Brewing Company, Harrisburg, formed in 1994, Barley Creek Brewing Company, Tannersville, formed in 1994, Bethlehem Brew Works, Bethlehem, formed in 1998, Bullfrog Brewing, Williamsport, formed in 1996, Lancaster Brewing Company (they have a number of locations), Lancaster, founded 1840, Legacy Brewing Company, Reading, Lion Brewery, Inc., Wilkes-Barre founded in 1909 (a.k.a. Gibbons Brewery 1943-1974), Red Bell Beer Company, Philadelphia, founded in 1993, Sly Fox Brewery, Phoenixville, founded in 1995 and Royersford, second location opened in 2004, Stoudt’s, Adamstown, founded in 1987, Tröegs Brewing Company, Harrisburg, founded in 1996, Union Barrel Works (http://unionbarrelworks.com/) Reamstown, founded in 2007, Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, founded in 1996, Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Easton, founded in 1995, and D.G. Yuengling & Son, Pottsville, established in 1829, America’s oldest brewery. Whoa, now I’m really thirsty. That give you some fantastic opportunities and yes over the years I have had the pleasure of visiting everyone but one and I have made it a pledge to do that sooner than later. All of these Pennsylvania breweries are worth a visit.
I really do not have a favorite. It’s kind of like my feelings toward spirits. I have not imbibed in one that I do not like. Now there are some I love but as with anything all taste is personal. So if you start tasting (responsibly) now, by the time you’re my age you will be able to find many new favorites. I’ll take this opportunity to recommend a few friends.
First let me introduce Legacy Brewing Company. www.legacybrewing.com When you catch them there, it is a short tour but long on beer knowledge. The location is not really set up for tours but if you’re polite and their not in the middle of shoveling mash they will be happy to show you around and with proper I.D. even give you a taste of wort. Legacy is kind of close to me in both location and my heart. They have recently re-introduced Reading Beer. www.readingbeer.com. The brew I cut my teeth on. Yes it was my very first beer and at that young age I really did not like it, but I will tell you today it is a great everyday drinker, and will more than satisfy. Not the original recipe but the same ingredients tweaked to today taste. They also have recently introduced Fat Boy Amber Lager. A nice chewy lager. Find it and I guarantee your enjoyment.
Another great choice is Stoudt’s Brewery http://www.stoudtsbeer.com/brewery.html in Adamstown. They almost have as much gold as Fort Knox. I love their Scarlet Lady, as well as their seasonal Old Abominable Barley Wine, aged in whiskey barrels for 7 months. Try this hand corked brew on a cold night with a hard pretzel. By the way save time for dinner. Stoudt’s features some of the best aged beef you will ever find as well as a great selection of raw seafood and cheeses. Weekends do require reservations or a long wait which is not all that bad as long as you find a seat at the bar.
One of the more recent additions to the Pennsylvania Dutch Beer trail is the Union Barrel Works http://unionbarrelworks.com/index.html in beautiful downtown Reamstown, just don’t blink or you will pass through town. This circa 1911 building is a perfect place to enjoy one of their collections of their un-filtered brews. Kind of making it a health food. Now that's how i like to get my vitamins. You may also want to try the smoked trout chowder and give Tom a HAY!
Now it’s your turn. I need a beer!
Send and share your favorites and we will post them for the world to enjoy.
Serve smart…live well!
Social Chemist
Yes, I am a child of the 60’s and yes, though many of you may be surprised, I do remember much of it My age and life experience in part, may have a bit to do with my interest in “Going Green.”
I also have a very personal interest in supporting Green. My father, a small orchard grower had fought and lost the battle of his life with Pancreatic Cancer. Many, including myself, feel it had been brought on or at least acerbated by the continuous influence of the many pesticides used season after season as he both mixed and sprayed them into the air that he would breathe and the food that we ate.
Not including those wonderful brownies friends would bring to our Hootenanny, I also remember bland and even awful tasting food and drink. My friends “times are a changin.”
In my search for green wines, beers and spirits I have been pleasantly surprised in a number of great Green spirits. Now we are not always aware of many Green products out there and hopefully this may help you in your search. Some are green without the official Green indication on the product.
An example is Siembra Azul Tequila www.siembraazul.com. Though it is not designated as organic it is the first Tequila to be designated as being Kosher. Obviously reporting to a higher authority. I also found tequila being produced called 4 Copas Tequila www.4copas.com. Not yet available in Pennsylvania and a bit pricey, I am trying to find a sample to try for myself.
We also have Rhum Clement from the beautiful island of Martinique. This is a product that I am very fimular with. Again, not certified organic. But they follow many organic procedures in its conscious attempt to protect the environment of this heaven on earth. Rhum Clément Première Canne Rum www.rhumclement.com is produced from organic sugarcane, pressed to create the base for this herbal, fruity white rum. The spent canes are then dried and used to fuel the production process.
We are seeing more and more in the organic vodka market. Prairie www.prairievodka.com , 360 www.vodka360.com, Square One www.squareonevodka.com and UK5 www.uk5.org. Yes UK5. Watch out for this one. So pure and cleanly distilled it is NOT FILTERED. This Organic vodka is made from 100% organic rye. The farm where the rye is produced has been certified organic for over 30 years. It is both the number of distillations and the filtering that is important to produce clean, smooth vodka. This is a correct statement. Filtering does separate impurities but also can filter or alter the taste (with charcoal or fibers). UK5 is distilled to purity and without filtration leaving this one of the cleanest flavorful vodkas I have ever experienced.
From the same house of UK5 you will find four other fantastic spirits. The gin in this portfolio is Juniper Green Organic Gin www.junipergreen.org. Again organic, this London Style Dry Gin is produced in very small batches of 500 liters per day. They use only 100% organic botanicals and organically grown grain. Because of its purity it presents the botanicals and serves up an exciting circus of flavors. This 86.6 proof gin is dry and soft with very little alcohol burn. A pleasure to the pallet. This brings us to its downside. Juniper Green, like many organic products will take some effort to find, but certainly worth the journey.
Organic rum, yes we are back to rum without the H. (to learn more about rHum Agricole, and this special AOC go to http://www.ministryofrum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39 )
Papagayo http://www.maisonjomere.com/papagayowhiterum.htm comes to us from Paraguay. Award winning and certainly well suited to the American pallet. This rum not only is a fine product but it has a fantastic story.
Paraguay is a small landlocked country in the heart of Central America bordered by Argentina and Bolivia. In 1993 this underdeveloped region called Arroyos y Esteros, about 60 miles north of the capital city of Asuncion, Edwardo Felippo began his organic farming project. This project, to work closely with the impoverished sugarcane farmers of this area and bring pride and economic well being to this community of more than 800 families. They are now receiving a significantly better price for their cane and the environment has been improved due to the organic method of farming as well as being educated in production, harvesting and transportation. Wow, what a story.
All this in a wonderfully smooth spirit. I have had the pleasure of enjoying it straight and with my favorite organic limes. Now all I need is an organic cola to enjoy with the spiced rum. Ah…..Cuba-Libra!
The last of the fantastic five is Highland Harvest Organic Scotch Whisky http://www.maisonjomere.com/highlandharvest.htm. Okay I am a whisky drinker. I love my Beam Black, Makers Mark and the Dalmore Single Malt Scotch. Laphroig Small Cask is also a favorite of mine while sitting by my fire pit on a cool fall afternoon. I know which of the whiskeys mentioned spell whisky without the “e” and what gives Scotch it unique peaty flavor.
One of the first things I noticed was the heraldic three-feather badge on the label. Highland Harvest was awarded the Royal Warrant from Prince Charles and is one of the world’s first organic Scotch whisky. A blend of three grain whiskies (Highland, Isles and Speyside) and a Highland malt. They are blended and matured for four years. The result reveals a light taste with notes of pine and fruit. This whisky is sweeter and less harsh and will probably not replace your favorite single malt, but for the price, it will certainly be a welcome addition to your collection. Oh yes, if you find it be very nice to your representative. Because of its limited production, Highland Harvest is on allocation.
Don’t get me wrong. If these products would reveal the characteristics of a bland and healthy taste I admit I would probably not enjoy organic spirits and certainly not order it simply because it was organic. I will still enjoy fantastically crafted bourbon or a California Cab not organically produced. You can also be confident that I will make certain that the bottle is recycled. But to have the opportunity to truly enjoy a fine tasting, smooth vodka, gin, rum or scotch gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that it is being produced Green and not negatively affecting other lives or the environment. I am definitely proponent and I certainly know you will be satisfied with your experience. As always, please be responsible while indulging and enjoy with all the love in which these fine spirits are produced. The Social Chemist.
HOT DAYS, SAULTRY NIGHTS WHEN RUM RELAXES AND REVIVES.
Today is all about Rum or Rhum if we are talking about the Rhums of Martinique. Weather it is in a cocktail or a quiet respite with your favorite cigar the Rhums of Martinique seem to fit the bill.
When talking about Martinique Rhum we also need to discuss A.O.C. Rhum Agricole. A.O.C. stands for Appellation d’Origine Controlee, and its designation makes Martinique Rhum Agricole the Champagne of rums.
Only those rhums obtained by distilling fresh, fermented sugarcane juice have the right to bear the label “Appellation d’Origine Controlee Martinique.
Its process which dates back to the late 1800’s takes succulent sugarcanes cut very close to the earth, crushed for its pure free-run cane juice, then naturally fermented over 2-3 days into a sugarcane wine called Vesou. After a short rest, the delicate “Vesou” is distilled to 72 percent alcohol or 144 proof. The result is a clean, smooth rhum agricole, which is then reduced slowly over several months to obtain balance, essential for the best cocktails; or to mature into some of the world’s finest aged rums.
One of the largest producers on Martinique is Rhum Clement. Its founder Homera Clement purchased domaine de l’Acajou with a simple intention to stop rioting planter’s and have them return to the fields to harvest the sugarcanes during the “Great Sugar Crises.” Then pressing for the natural juice and distilled to rum. He took his imaginative idea from the brandy producers of southern France who where distilling grape wine into Cognacs. Homera is now coined as the “father of the Rhum Agricole.”
In the United States you can find five of these fantastic rums. The perfect rum for a Daiquiri is Rhum Clement Premiere Canne.
F. Paul Pacult wrote; “A pure aroma with notes of sugar cane, cola nut, vanilla bean, and fresh flowery spirit just off the pot still. A sensational palate entry with tastes of cocoa bean, bittersweet chocolate, clack tea, and unrefined sugar; the midpalate adds an element of fresh, raw spirit. Concludes gracefully, with subtle notes of sugary sweetness, and vanilla.”
Clement Daiquiri
1 ½ oz. Clement Premiere Canne
1 oz. Clement Creole Shrubb
¾ oz. fresh lime juice
Dash of orange bitters
Rhum Clement V.S.O.P. scored a Classic 96~100 its highest recommendation by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Matured for approximately four years in the world’s finest oak barrels gives this exceptional aged rhum its brilliant mahogany color, roasted cocoa bean aroma and its illustrious smooth mellow character. It can be enjoyed either neat or your favorite cocktail such as a Rum Manhattan.
Rhum Clement Cuvee Homere features the best vintage rums of the last 15 years. Each bringing its own flavor profile making it one of the most complex rums with tremendous flavors and long lasting finish.
Rhum Clement X.O. a rare blend of very old aged rums including the highly regarded vintages of 1976, 1970 and 1952, recognized to be the finest ever in Martinique. Surely one of the finest sipping rums in the world.
Rhum Clement Creole Shrubb is the “secret ingredient” frequently used by celebrity chefs and creative mixologists around the world. A superb blend of the finest white and aged rhums married with macerated Creole spices and sun-bleached bitter orange peels.
On the smallest estate on Martinique, located in the northeast in Macouba, where the sugarcane grows on a 28-degree vertical slope in rich volcanic soil at the foot of Mount Pelee you will find the distillery of Rhum J.M.
Due to its unique location with sea breezes, rain forest, intense microclimate and high cloud cover, Rhum J.M. cuts their sugar cane later than other distillers. Its late cane cutting along with other environmental factors imparts its unique flavor.
Rhum J.M., Rhum Agricole Blanc, at 100 proof imparts a fresh, sweet, tropical fruit nose. Wonderful to drink as a simple Ti-Punch, or expertly crafted in a cocktail.
Rhum J.M. Ti-Punch
Rhum J.M. Blanc
Sugar cane or simple syrup
A small squeeze of lime.
Rhum J.M. Rhum Agricole Eleve Sous Bois, Paille (GOLD), again at 100 proof this rum is aged for 12 months in small Limousine barrels. With hints of chocolate, and Martinique spices works well in cocktails or neat.
Rhum J.M. V.S.O.P. made with a blend of 4 and 5 year old rums, has caramel, cinnamon and nutmeg notes on the palate, with an intense buttery, creamy finish. Truly and exceptional sipping rum.
Rhum J.M. Vieux Millesime 1997 (10 year) This 96 proof, cask strength rum has a rich amber color; with a nutty, herbal and chocolate nose has a velvety long and lingering finish. This is an aged rum to savor at the end of a great day or to sooth the soul after a tough one.
With Tiki drinks on fire, rum and juice drinks are again on the rise. Rum has shown a 4.6% sales growth in 1997 and is the second largest spirits category in the U.S. at more than 23.9 million cases.
Let us know about your favorite rum experience and share your best rum cocktail recipes.
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Serve smart…live well. Enjoy responsibly.
www.rhumclement.com
http://luxuryexperience.com/liquor_cabinet/liquors/rhum_clement.html
www.rhum-jm.com
http://luxuryexperience.com/liquor_cabinet/liquors/rhum_j.m..html
Now that St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone for another year there a few Irish topics I would like to attack to start this BLOG.
Poitín or Poteen (IPA ['p?oc?i?n], anglicized as putcheen) or formerly potheen (IPA ['p?ti?n] but in Ireland ['p?t?i?n]) is an Irish moonshine and may also refer to Irish Whiskey. The term is a diminutive of the word pota 'a pot'; Poitín was traditionally distilled in a small pot.[citation needed]
The home brew is often strong and some market labels are as strong as 90% volume (180 US proof). Made from a brew consisting mainly of barley, it has a distinctive dry and grainy flavor with a delicate aftertaste that becomes sweeter as it develops. This legendary Irish moonshine was outlawed in 1760 and has only recently been legalized for consumption again in Ireland, though legal production for export has been allowed for quite some time.[citation needed] It is now available in collectors' off licences. However, 'legal versions' of poitín are of a greatly reduced volume, and are not seen as 'the real thing'.[citation needed]
More precisely, in 1661 King Charles II introduced a levy on spirits in the United Kingdom. In Ireland however it was totally ignored, but ninety nine years later the Crown tried again by outlawing private distillation unless specifically licensed by the State.[citation needed] Overnight a large proportion of the Irish population became criminals as has anyone who has distilled it privately since.
Credit Wikipedia.
