Mikkeller Copenhagen.

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Most beer geeks know or have heard about Mikkeller.  From the website is a cute explaination:

❝In 2006 he was a math and physics teacher that started experimenting with hops, malt and yeast back home in his kitchen in Copenhagen. Today Mikkel Borg Bjergsø exports his micro brewed beer to 40 different countries and is internationally acclaimed as one of the most innovative and cutting edge brewers in the world❞

So, you talk about bucket list for beer. (Of course for food, French Laundry and Noma are still on my list)  But this is about as good as it gets.

We started out at the bar and then went over to the new restaurant, “OL AND BROD”  We had a beer tasting menu with a seven course meal. Well, the seven courses turned to 10, the beer pairings also turned to ten..Unbeknownst to us, however, was the tradition of a local Schnapps with every course. Needless to say…..

Each Beer and Schnapps that was served was complimenting the food which was fantastic.  Of course, some of the beers, the sours and the chocolates, were not my cup of tea, but still, just to experience them was a dream come true.

We had a vesterbro pils, a vesterbrown ale, a vesterbro wit, the Limoncello and the gooseberry and the Chill Pils.  Each with a very distinctive taste that you could tell was that of off a master brewer.

The beer bar, of course, is a must.  The restaurant, for me is also a must. I wouldn’t go back to Copenhagen without planning one or both.

 

I’m Baaaaack! Octoberfest 2014!

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So, it has been too long since I posted. Busy with my regular job. But, now, I have a ton of pics and comments.  My dear friend, Anders, kept on me about going to Munich for Octoberfest 2014.  I kept shrugging it off since I was so busy otherwise.  Finally, with pressure from my wife and Anders I said, in the immortal words of Bluto Blutarsky…”LET’S DO IT!!!!!!”   And, I didn’t regret one second of it.

Anders is originally from Sweeden so we met up with several of his old friends who had a table in the Spaten tent.   For those who have not been to Octoberfest, these “tents” are actual structures that hold upwards of 7000 people.  The cost is about $50 Euro pp, and you get two-two litre glasses of beer and a chicken dinner.  After that, you just pay per round. (and round and round it went to the tune of six).

The day consists of singing with a live 12 piece band who play such songs as YMCA, Sweet Caroline, 99 Luftbaloons, and many other German and American classics.  Everyone, stands on the benches to sing, dance and toast.

The beer is typical Spaten Octoberfest.  Pretty cold, light and refreshing.   I looked it up and it is 5.9%.  So, six two litre glasses….well enough said.

For any beer geek, this is a bucket list must.

Veni, Vidi, Vici!!!!!!!!

 

Johnny Kolsch Beer at Haesje Claes Restaurant

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Here is an interesting beer in Amsterdam.  Never heard of it and only saw a few reviews.  I love the Kolsch on a warm day so I gave it a shot. It poured a cloudy dark yellow and had very citrusy flavors.  Not overpowering.  Describe it more like a Belgium than a Kolsch.  Very drinkable and went well with the smoked fish apps.

The restaurant, Haesje Claes is a VERY traditional Amsterdam restaurant.  I will post some further pictures later.  But here is what the website says about the place……

The restaurant was founded in 1974 and was initially comprised only of one building, however, in the course of time, the restaurant has expanded and now extends over six different, interconnected buildings. The name Haesje Claes originates from the Lady Haesje Claes, who was born in 1520, and was a daughter of a rich salesman. She was also the founder of the “Amsterdam Burgerweeshuis” (orphanage) formerly located in the Amsterdam Museum. The interior is comprised of paintings depicting scenes from the orphanage and many paintings and tiles in the restaurant date back to this time period. Haesje Claes alway’s a landmark when visiting Amsterdam.

 

 

 

A Becaficco Venice, Italy

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Let’s start with this…beautiful outdoor setting in Campo San Stefano.  the servers approach immediately to serve you water and bread. (three types)  Then, the Captain comes over to take your drink order and explain the all Italian menu to you.  He spends as much time as you need for him to explain each and every item.  He seemed genuinely happy to do so. He probably spent 7 or 8 minutes at our table just to translate the menu items.  The food, exceptional.  Just look at the pics, my descriptions could not do them justice.  The beer, a simple birra alla spina (beer on tap) was the usual Peroni Nastro Azzuro, was a refreshing lager but as most know nothing special.  Just great to drink on a warm summer night when they keep filling your glass when it is empty.  (had 7 got charged for 4)

At the end of the meal you are given a lovely little carafe of Limoncello as you can see in the second picture.  Now what is a guy to do.  My wife hardly drinks and my niece is 13…so, when in Rome…..(or Venice).  Yes, I drank most of it and then they brought me a glass of black Sambuca…Oh my.

We had two bottles of water but got charged for 22.  It was an honest mistake, or they thought I wouldn’t notice after all of the drinking, and all of the wait staff laughed about the $110.00 charge for water.

What a great last meal in Venice.

Ristorante Al Covo- Venice, Italy

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Pictured here with my friend Enrico from Torino, Italy at Al Covo restaurant in Venice.  Not only was the food and beer delicious, but the service was beyond reproach.  From the moment you are met byco-owner Cesare Benelli through the time his lovely wife and pastry chef, Diane Rankin asks about dessert,  you are magically transported into a wonderland of Italian delicacies.   Of course, we started with the raw fish platter including, sardines, sea bream, anchovies, shrimps  and crayfish.  I had the Adriatic Monkfish, “ugly, but delicious” as the waiter said.  My wife and Enrico had the linguini with clams.  My niece had a nice Tagliolini with Pesto.  And then Diane’s desserts. Dark Chocolate Cake with spicy Chocolate sauce. Heaven for my niece.

Finally, the beer.  They had the Baladin brands and we sampled the Nazionale and the Isaac.  Isaac is a white beer with citrusy and apricot flavors. Intentionally cloudy and just 5%.  The Nazionale, a beer that finally had hops in Italy.  I couldn’t get enough of this beer all week.  at 6.5% you must be careful, but none of us were driving so….

 

This is a MUST GO restaurant for all of the right reasons.  Food, service and beer.   Oh, and we also had a couple of nice glasses of Vino Locale.

All of rthe positive reviews on TripAdvisor and Zagat, are absolutely correct.

 

Chophouse Worcester

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It’s amazing that  steakhouse’s are FINALLY starting to carry a decent selection of beers.  How about two of my favorites. The Firestone Union Jack IPA is my new favorite IPA out there.  Hoppy yet smooth.  Aromatic with hints of grapefruit and flowers.  Man, this is good beer.  And of course the Jack’s Abby Smoke and Dagger. Roasted malts, smooth and chocolaty.  It looks so dark that you don’t want to try it. But, it is a very drinkable 5.8% beer that you keep wanting more.  That first smell of smoke is amazing.

And by the way, if you go to the Chophouse early enough, I think 4-6 or 5-7, it’s 1/2 price apps.

Thank you Anders

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I had this at my friends house and forgot to post it.  I am not a strong ale guy…9.0%, but this was a very drinkable beer.  Poured a little cloudy and had very good malty but flowery flavor.  Not close to the 120, but a great summer beer as far as strong ales are concerned.  (Can’t drink too many, though).

 

Boys Steak, Wine and Beer Dinner

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SO, every 6 months, three of us get together to enjoy steak, wine and beer.  This meal we started with some caviar (NYC) and oysters. (Captain Mardens).  The next course was avocado salad  and then the main course.  Four different types of steaks, cowboy, filet, bone in sirloin and delmonico. (Butcher Boy).  On the side we had white and green asparagus with a poached egg.  The food was outstanding.  We also had three serious wines, Muga (Jorge Ordonez), Turley brought by Mike L. and the Marston  family, brought by Bobby D.  Each one was rich in color and flavor.  We decanted the Muga and it got better as  the night wore on.  So where’s the beer.  Ice cold Czechvar, Kona Lager, Firestone Pivo Pils and a beer of the gods.  All great light beers but with flavor.  Once again, even though the food, beer and wine was amazing, it’s really about the friendships.