To compare and contrast two beer bars in two very different beer cultures

While we were in Florida last week we happened to notice, in the newspaper, that a place called World of Beer had just opened up in a location that was, in a round about way, on our way back from The Keys. Thankfully, my lovely In-Laws actively support our love of drinking and we decided we would stop on the way back. And now for a little background on the Florida beer culture. There is none, like all things in Florida; mass marketing rules. I'm sure I have missed some great beer bar hidden away in a small downtown somewhere but even compared to Charlotte my home is a vast wasteland of mega-brew. Luckily, on our way we stopped at the Lincoln St. Mall and got lunch at The Hofbrau Haus, a restaurant owned and operated by the Hofbrau Brewery in Munich, for some sausage and decent dark german beer. I did appreciate that they even had Bundesliga on the tele, and it was even Munich playing. But I digress. On we went to World of Beer a beer bar in a giant Florida strip mall. We had the dogs with us so we sat outside. The weather was fairly agreeable, the beer list was less so. World of Beer had at least 40 taps, all of them filled with the giants of the micro brew world and only top sellers. No specialty kegs to be seen. The bottle list was slightly more interesting if only because it was huge. With over 300 bottles it took awhile to get through and still there was nothing that really interested me. I went back through and ordered a Cotleighs bitter. I had heard of Cotleighs and being a big fan of English Bitters was interested to try it. The Mrs. got a Victory Storm King and The In-Laws each got a Youngs Double Chocolate. I ventured in to find the rest room and found that it was basically a TGI Fridays for beer. When I returned, my beer was waiting for me. It was a fine example of a bitter, malty and earthy, but lacking anything special. For food they are set up much like our own Courtyard Hooligans, they have no food of their own, just menus from the surrounding restaurants. We had just eaten so this was not a problem but was a little put off. I forgive Courtyard Hooligans for this as they are shoehorned into a space the size of a refrigerator. World of beer is in a half empty strip mall.

In comparison, when we returned home, Growlers was supposed to be open and we had planned on eating there but no dice. We would have to wait until Wed. And so there I was 15 minutes after opening to christen my new neighborhood bar, owned by the same folks who brought you the Crepe Cellar. I should also take the time to let everyone know I did a fair amount of millwork for the bar. I do not believe that this will influence my opinion, as my bill has already been paid. The draw for beer lovers here is the cask ale. A live beer that has had the bugs thrown in the special keg known as a firkin with the beer to ferment. I believe it is something a kin to bottle conditioning on a larger scale. I had contacted a couple of the usual suspects to meet me but they were not available so I met up with the unusual suspects. I was hanging having my beer and facebooking about it when I notice strolling over is Mr. Hops (also known as Mr. Inappropriate) So we get to chatting and I give him the low down on the place. It is a great space. Brick walls, concrete floors, open ceiling; They even got all the seating and tables second hand to make the place seem lived in. It worked. For my part, the back bar is and looks new but fits in and the bar top is antique yellow pine that the owners got from Myrtle Beach and had me plane and joint into a countertop, it looks fantastic and really lends a lot of character. So as we are talking in walks Mr. State (also known as Mr. I'm not a B) which is a really funny story I'm sure he would love to tell you. Growlers has 14 taps plus 2 beer engines. Upon opening the taps were fairly safe with a little bit of everything. The plan is to keep styles on the taps with a rotation of brands within those styles. I was there for the cask, which was a special version of the Highland Gaelic Ale that had been dry hopped with Simcoe Hops. It was a nice variation on what is already a solid beer. I put down my fair share of Gaelics and then to finish the night I had a Hop Rod Rye from Bear Republic, which is a good way to finish since it completely dominates your tastebuds and renders them useless for most anything else. As I was leaving I noticed the place had filled up nicely and looked forward to my next visit.

In conclusion, you don't need hundreds of beers to make people happy. You need a well thought out selection that rotates regularly, a knowledgeable staff and ambiance. The best places to drink feel like an extension of your own home. A couple big ass TV's doesn't hurt, but it's not necessary.

You can indeed go home again

The Mrs. and I made our annual pilgrimage to South Florida. We did a swap with The Mrs. parents of our futon, which we got from them, for a treadmill and a big ass TV. My father-in-law just got a bigger ass TV. So wins all around. The real reason I was going down however was to go to the liquor store. The liquor laws in North Carolina being what they are it is much better to shop for liquid gold in Florida. It also happened that a very dear old friend has had his second child and the christening was Saturday. We were very graciously let off the hook for the church part of the celebration but got to go by the house later and have a few sangrias and catch up with not just him but the rest of his family that we had not seen in quite some time. His family was a surrogate family for me at times during high school and it was great to see everyone. During our conversation we eventually started talking about food, as we always do, and we got a great tip on a place for Cuban food that was, in a round about way, on the way back. Meaning it was south but not really on the way, but who cares it's Cuban food. So when the time was right, and just before the conversation would begin to be interrupted by my stomach rumbling, we said our good byes and set off for dinner. When we arrived at The Havana Restaurant the parking lot was packed and there was a very nice guy helping everyone find a spot. So we got parked and headed in. The first decision was if we wanted to eat in or eat at the take out window. We decided to check the wait, twenty minutes, and then thought we would hang out and eat in. I should mention that the counter is open twenty-four hours and we will be returning on our way home for breakfast. So now you know it was good but let me tell you why. We did get seated with the caveat from the hostess, "Let me know if the table is ok", it was right next to the server station, which was fine by me I was hungry. Our server was an older gentleman who seamed to be a little overwhelmed buy the late rush that we were now a part of and was, maybe, not on his game. I will forgive him everything except not coming by to offer me another beer; that's just criminal. Anyway, on to the food. To start we ordered a plate of croquettes that were ham and swiss. They also came with assorted meat and cheese, the marinated pork was really good. The croquetes themselves were tasty but were not as fresh as I would have expected and, so, a little underwhelming. All was redeemed with the entrées. I ordered the "Masitas de Puerco Fritas" pig lovers hold on to your hats. This was huge chunks of marinaded slow roasted pork that are then deep fried without batter; crispy and falling apart tender. They come topped with sautéed pickled onions and mojo sauce. On the side was yellow rice and black beans and then there was the fried plantains. It was heavenly. The Mrs. got her favorite, the Media Noche, which is the same as the typical Cuban sandwich but on a sweeter bread. She was very happy, and even happier when she started stealing my plantains. Sadly, we were both too full to even contemplate dessert so we rolled ourselves to the car and headed back to the in-laws for a good night sleep. We had a long day ahead of us heading to the Keys.

Aaaahhhhhh Meat!

Sunday was supposed to be a quite day for the Mrs. and I to spend some time together and relax before taking the afternoon to go, finally, meet Baby Chelsea. So we lazed on the couch and read the paper. Then we went next door to borrow their backyard so the mutt could run around. When we returned I decided to pull out some veal from the freezer. When I reached into the freezer I nearly fainted. Nearly everything was defrosted. And so began the great meat rescue mission. What do you do with 10-15 pounds of meat when you have a busy schedule every night and you're leaving for Florida on Friday? First, you stare at it and panic, then you make a plan. A quick inventory showed we had 2 packages of pork chops, 1 lb. of veal cutlet, 1 lb of ground veal, 1 lb of ground beef, 2 fillet minion, 1 sirloin, a brisket and assorted soup bones which were still frozen. The Fillet went next door to Mimi and Papa J in return for giving us a couple of emergency fillets a month or two ago. Next it was onto the ground meat. Knowing we were going to be making meatballs with the veal anyway we figured there was no time like the present and did 50/50 meatballs and tossed them in the oven to bake and then we would freeze them for a later date. Luckily, four of the meatballs did not fit on the tray so I fried them up and made a quick pan sauce, microwaved some farfalle from the night before and lunch was ready. For the sirloin, I threw together a marinade of Malta and Worcestershire, let it sit for a couple of hours and then tossed it under the broiler. It will get reheated for tacos with a pineapple tomatillo salsa verde later in the week. On a side note, that is not pineapple and tomatillo. We found Pineapple tomatillos at the market. They are very small and taste exactly as it sounds. The brisket was easy, I am Irish after all, so corned beef it was. We have a great recipe from BA that takes 8 days. Like magic, it will be ready when we return from Florida. Then it will get smoked on the grill. That part isn't exactly traditional, but it is tasty. And last but not least we had four pork chops. I rang Mr. Chelsea to change our plans and make it a dinner date. We loaded up the pork chops and some purple potatoes we had in the fridge and headed over to meet Baby Chelsea. We also decided to bring the pup with us to meet one of the Chelsea pups and get some play time. It took them a little while, but by the end they were playing nicely; by nicely I mean Peabody was destroying a stuffed animal and Tink was ignoring him. After a couple weeks of having to stay away due to The Mrs. having a cold of some sort we finally got to meet Baby Chelsea. Owing to the fact that she is only a couple of weeks old, she was very quiet and compliant, which was just fine by me. We oohed and cooed and all the other requites baby ogling. She is very cute and is probably the closest thing to a niece I'm gonna get, So I do feel a bond, if not truly familial than something close to it. Pop was beaming with delight as was Momma. It is so great to see your friends that happy. Although, Mr. Chelsea is a bit of a worrier. I have never really been around new parents before, I am guessing the obsession with a wet diaper is something that probably subsides with time as you settle into the job, but for now he is very diligent. All in all a pretty good day. The Mrs. and I got to spend some quality time together, not exactly as we had intended, but doing something we love and with the people we love. And I didn't have to use my AK. What else is there?.... Oh yeah, right, there's all that meat.

Updates and Local Yum

Post scrip to the Panamanian Schooner - replace the bitters with 1/2 oz. of Cynar. Way better.

I also found that Malta makes a great marinade for Rib-eyes when split with Worcestershire sauce 50/50.

This week saw some interesting additions to the local food choices. My favorite being Underwood Farms now offering Veal in the forms of ground and cutlet. And before you squeamish kill joys start on me about veal, this is not caged and mistreated, and anyhow baby cows are delicious. Anyway, I prepared a full farm to fork dinner this week around the veal. Sides were some roasted potatoes and blanched rattlesnake beans. But the Veal was lovingly coated with a cornmeal batter lightly fried and topped with a ragu of tomatoes, onion and eggplant. It was tender and light and so good.

Thursday was a night on the town with The Whisk(e)ys. Drinking, what else, whiskey, well bourbon anyway. We met them at Andrew Blairs for a Makers Mark event. Makers is rolling out a new bourbon called "46". It is the original Makers Mark that is then re barreled with toasted french oak staves suspended in the barrel. It is a much spicier bourbon with what I found to have a cherry note. It was ok. I'm sure Mr. Whisk(e)y will do a full round up of th event so I will not belabor the point. I will however give major props for the food. It was so good. There was a creamy Mac and cheese and bean dip as well as pulled pork sandwiches. The best thing was the fatty brisket cooked in the bourbon.

And last but not least, we went out to the Yorkmont market this morning and picked up some Pineapple Tomatillos from Rosemary Pete. They are small like grapes and very tasty. Not sure what we are going to do with them yet but I'm sure it will be good. As I write I am in the process of making pickled okra. I'll give an update on that when they're ready.

Drink Experimentation

Over the weekend the Mrs. and I decided to check out the Super G mart a gigantic multi-ethnic grocery store out on 74 at Sardis Rd. It's crazy. We were completely overwhelmed by it. There were so many veggies, and fish parts I've never seen before, and enough rice to save a third world country from starvation. I did find one of my favorite things. For those who do not know what Malta is, it is a non-alcoholic malted beverage that taste like molasses soda. I started working on a drink that incorporates it. I'm sure it already exists but Googling "Malta cocktail" gets you the drink menu for every bar in Malta. So, I am calling it the "Panamanian Schooner", bonus points for those who get the reference. Anyway, It's

1 1/2 oz. of Rum - I used Abuelo from Panama (hence the name, thanks Mr.and Mrs. Whisk(e)y)

Juice from 1/4 of a Lime

2 drops Grapefruit Bitters

7 oz Malta

All over Ice and stir

It is very refreshing but may need a slightly more bitter component.

Tomorrow we will discuss our dinner tonight.

Worst week to OK weekend

On top of the crazy work schedule and near impossible deadlines for the week add a helping of sick animals, stupid animals, death, destruction and mayhem. This just about gets you to my week. It all started last Friday with a cabinet install that should have been a breeze but when plumbers screw up it halts everything; add on that the contractor and super being out of town and neither of them having voicemail and you get one livid cabinetmaker. So, Monday we chat and they tell me "we told you we would be out of town", and yes they did, but knowing that fact does nothing to alleviate the frustration of the situation. Meanwhile, my lovely wife is at home sick with our also quite sick ferret and a dog that has just gotten fixed, microchipped and had his dew claws removed, and is wearing the cone. To the dogs credit he has been very good about the whole thing. Tuesday comes and I have to book it up to this job after the plumber has finished fixing it and of course its raining, why wouldn't it be. Also during the install, I get the good yet slightly stressful news that Mrs. Chelsea is in labor and the baby in on it's way. But , the install gets done, the baby is healthy and everyone is happy. Did I mention my neighbors demonic cat who needs to get six pills every morning. And when I say demonic I mean I thought there was gonna be a pea soup incident. This hiccup in my schedule had me getting up at five thirty adding to my displeasure of each day. The cat got better once we learned to give him the pills in Velveeta. Tuesday also sees my beautiful little girl getting sicker, a vet appointment is made. Wednesday comes and work goes OK but when we get to the vet we find out our loving ferret of just over nine years has a heart that is failing. We know it is her time and say our goodbyes. If a man can find a soul mate in a two pound blind deaf and dumb ball of spite, she was mine. We go home and have a good cry. Thursday is total chaos at the shop, trying to make sure I am ready for an install on Friday. I do not like to miss deadlines. And that morning is the appointment for the dog to get his first set of stitches out. Everything happens just as it should until I am on my way home and while cleaning my glasses they come back up in two pieces. I mutter many unholy things and take a deep breath. This is unable to convey just how I feel so I just let out an obscenity laced tirade at the top of my lungs that would make Sam Kinison blush and try not to just drive my truck into a wall. After arriving home I self medicate a bit and try to relax. But all I can think about is the twenty two foot antique pine countertop that has to go in on Friday and the fact that I have to bike somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty miles that night. The Mrs. comes home having had an equally detestable day and we decide to go out for dinner. So we head over to Soul where we continue to self medicate with Campari and soda along with a steady stream of tasty nibbles topped off with a maraschino cherry cupcake with champagne icing. So that wasn't so bad. Friday came entirely two quickly even though I got to sleep in a little. The neighbors had returned and I was relieved from cat duty. The install went well and we even got to have some lunch at the Crepe Cellar. Then it was time for the whirlwind of activity to get ready for the twenty-four hours of booty. I will close here and continue the weekend in a few days. If anyone actually finished reading this I apologize. I will owe you ten minutes. I promise the weekend will be filled with food and adventure as well as less complaining. This ones for Bookie. Thanks.