Not very often do regular guys like us actually get to taste a beer that we had the good fortune to watch being brewed. But thanks to Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Brewery and the Discovery Chanel’s new series “Brewmasters” we get to do just that. Last week on the premier episode of the show, Sam and his brewmasters took us on an adventure in the brewing world. Hope you were able to catch it.
This beer was brewed in very limited supply in late spring of 2010 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the release of Miles Davis’ 1970 album “Bitches Brew”, and unveiled in June at SAVOR, an American Craft Beer and Food pairing in Washington D.C. I thought my chances of ever getting the opportunity to try this one was nil. Until….. I was at my favorite beer cave & humidor the other day, Jungle Jim’s, when I walked past the tasting bar and noticed a gentleman talking to the beer guy. In between them sat two interesting looking bottles. I stopped to take a better look and much to my joyous surprise was the label of the Dogfish Head Bitches Brew.
This is a four part brew, three parts (or threads) Imperial Stout and one thread Honey Beer with Gesho root. I could smell the aroma of dark roastiness as I poured it in my glass, almost like the semisweet chocolate chips mom used to use to make her chocolate chip cookies. The head took a few seconds to appear but once it did, the dark tan layer of thin bubbles made me realize that this beer has a lot going on.
The taste is very appealing and drinkable. Very smooth and milky on the palate, chocolate, honey, slight roasted malt and just a touch of coffee, but unlike a true stout it has a sweetness somewhere in the middle and leaves behind the dryness of a pale ale. This is a pretty complex and well crafted brew. Thick lingering aftertaste of cocoa and honey that leaves your tongue surprisingly dry.
Dogfish Head went the extra mile to brew this beer and it shows. Hope you all got a chance to see the show. But I hope even more that you get a chance to try the beer. This one’s a winner!
Food Pairing: Dogfish Head suggests chili or spicy curry chicken. Well, who am I to argue, but when I got home tonight Mrs. Porch had nice hot meatloaf waiting for me and it went perfectly with the Bitches Brew.
P-O-R-C-H Rating: H
Posted by Mr. Porch