Sam Adams WeekIt’s officially Sam Adams Week here at Datz! What does that mean? For starters, we will have five delicious Samuel Adams craft beers on tap for your drinking pleasure plus a chance for you to win two seats at a rare tasting of Utopias! What is Utopias? U·to·pi·a noun /yo͞oˈtōpēə/ Utopias, plural 1. An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect. The word was first used in the book Utopia (1516) by Sir Thomas More For beer lovers, Utopia was first created a few centuries later, in 2002 when the Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) shocked the beer world with a beer weighing in at 24% ABV. The most shocking? It was naturally fermented to that strength! Fast forward to 2011…. the current release of Utopias has tipped the scales at 27% ABV! Each year Utopias is a little different from previous releases, but the recipe revolves around caramel, Vienna, Moravian and Bavarian smoked malts, and a little maple syrup. That sweet wort is then balanced with four of the five varieties of noble hops: Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, Tettnanger, Spalter, and Saaz hops. The beer is aged in scotch, cognac and port barrels for the better part of a year in order to smooth down some of the strong alcohol flavors. The 2011 batch of Utopias was blended using sherry casks (from Spain and Madeira) and the port casks (from Portugal), some of which have been resting for 18 years, Koch claims. A limited number of bottles are released each year—in 2007, only 12,000 bottles were produced, and in 2009, only 9,000 bottles were released. Only 53 barrels were created for the 2011 Utopias, so it goes without saying that it is a seriously limited-edition beer. To properly commemorate the release, the liquid is bottled in individually numbered, kettle-shaped ceramic containers handcrafted in Brazil. Utopias first sold for $100 back in 2002, but currently expect to pay in the $200 range for these ultra-limited, and much sought after beers. So… how do you get a seat at Datz’s Utopia Brewtopia? To get a chance to taste this one-of-a-kind brew, stop on by to Datz this week and purchase one of 5 Samuel Adams varieties on draft: · Wee Heavy Or Sam Light in the bottle. You will receive a raffle ticket with each purchase, and the raffle will be held on Friday, September 30, at 8pm! There will be 3 giveaways for the Brewtopia package (2 tickets), which includes beer and cheese pairings and a 3-oz pour of the Utopias as the finale! Find out more on Sam Adams Utopia here:
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Ramsay’s Legacy: What makes this scotch whisky worth $100 an ounce?
That was one year after Ramsay retired from The Glenrothes, but not before leaving behind yet another legacy – a limited edition bottle not only bearing his name, but also his blending genius. Only 1,400, hand-numbered, 70cl, non-vintage Legacy bottles were released worldwide – and Datz has one. What makes is so special to deem a $100-an-ounce price tag? You be the judge. In Ramsay’s own words: “I called for samples from forty-nine different hand-picked casks and then from this total narrowed the selection to fourteen Hogsheads and six Butts. This volume was still way in excess of what we required but I felt it necessary to go with this wide variety in order to get the correct balance and complexity of flavors. The natural color was dark and golden and the initial married strength 52.6% alcohol by volume. My intention was to take the alcohol strength down prior to bottling as I wanted to deliver a whisky that can be consumed with no additional water to the glass and no alcohol burn. To achieve this I selected some recently emptied American oak sherry casks and vatted the married whisky back into them. Unusually I did this without the addition of water. The next stage was then to select only two of these ‘racked’ casks: those showing the greatest enhancement and slowly add water over several weeks until the strength reduction and colour clarity measures we were looking for had been met. Now bottled there are just 1400 bottles of this product each numbered and sold with a booklet that I have signed myself. To honor this product, we have produced a special bottle: still in keeping with the Sample Room bottle shape that has been used since 1994, but with the addition of my signature, etched in the glass. The oak frame has a Glenrothes shaped window.” John’s tasting notes read: |
Leader of the FlockWould you drink a whisky called “Sheep Dip?” How about one called “Pig’s Nose?”
Sheep Dip has a good tasting rating – the name comes from the traditional nickname Scottish farmers give to homemade whisky. Pig’s Nose comes from the farming expression “soft as a pig’s nose” and has a mellow quality that comes together in a “muddy way.” These revived product names are being very proactive in using digital and social media to get the word out, appearing on various blogs and even Flickr. They also have a Facebook group called Sheep Dip Fold. Sheep Dip used to be a best selling whiskey at Harrod’s and its relegation to obscurity probably has more to do with the vagaries of global whisky marketing than anything else. Datz may not be Harrod’s just yet, but you can certainly sample the iconic Animal Farm seven days a week at the bar, or grab a bottle or two to share with fellow friends sharing a trough. The point here is that when it comes to reviving a brand name there is more than one way to skin a cat, or dip a sheep. About Sheep Dip About Pig’s Nose |
A Quick Guide to Belgian BeersSince we educated you on hops and the American IPA, it only makes sense to follow it up with a guide to styles from one of the oldest brew cultures around: Belgium. The Belgians have been brewing beer for 2,000 years and have a very nice repertoire of very distinct and delicious beer styles! What follows is the “Quick and Dirty Guide to Belgian Beer Styles” courtesy of the kitchn: • Belgian White or Witbier - These cloudy pale beers are brewed with some unmalted wheat along with the regular malted barley, giving this beer its characteristic wheaty flavor and thick creamy texture. They are traditionally flavored with coriander and orange peel and have a very low bitterness. At Datz, try the Blanche de Bruxelles and Avery White Rascal.
• Lambics - Bring on the funk! This style of beer is "spontaneously fermented," meaning that the wort is open to the air, allowing any local yeasts and bacterias to take up residence in the beer (like sourdough bread). The result is a range of flavors ranging from very sour to candy-sweet to barnyard-like. But don't knock it until you try it! There are three main kinds of lambics that you'll actually see outside of Belgium (there are some American brewers starting to experiment with these styles, but we'll talk about them more when we get to the American beer guide): • Saisons or Farmhouse Ales - A warm fermented beer using open, natural fermentation, and brettanomyces yeast to give a earthy, funky aroma and flavor. Many breweries also add herbs and spices to compliment the flavors. Try Hennepin from Brewery Ommegang, Bam Biere from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, and Smuttynose Farmhouse Ale from Smuttynose Brewing. • Dubbels - These are dark amber-brown beers with a lot of rich, roasted malt flavors. They can be somewhat spicy and with fruity characteristics. At Datz, try Chimay Premiere (Red) from Chimay or look for Ommegang Abbey Ale from Brewery Ommegang. • Tripels - Brewed with triple the typical malts, these are big dense beers. They're usually golden in color with notes of spice, fruit, and honey, and are often a bit more bitter than typical of Belgian ales to balance out all the malts. At Datz, try Chimay Cinq Cents (White) from Chimay, or look for La Fin du Monde from Unibroue and Golden Monkey from Victory Brewing. • Quadrupel - Inspired by the dubbel and tripel styles, quads are an emerging style in the US. They're usually deep reddish-brown in color with a robust malty flavor profile and upwards of 10% alcohol by volume. At Datz, try St. Bernardus Abt 12, or look for Three Philosophers from Brewery Ommegang, Blasphemy from Weyerbacher Brewing, and The Reverend from Avery Brewing. The inventory always changes at Datz, but this week the Belgian styles you can try are:
– Lefebvre Blanche de Bruxelles Witbier
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Old Fashioned History
Prohibition. This seems to be the answer to a lot of the “how did…” and “when did…” questions about alcoholic beverages and their pasts. It was a time in our country when you had to sneak around and remember crazy passwords just to enjoy a sip or two of “the sauce”. But prohibition was not the only change in our country’s history that affected this classic drink. Back in the early 19th century, the definition of cocktail was straightforward: “a simple drink composed of a spirit along with a bit of sugar, water, and bitters added to it”. You would take this simple base, and add whatever hard liquor you wanted. Examples might include a gin cocktail or a whiskey cocktail. The vermouth came on to the scene during the Industrial Revolution, when ingredients from Europe (i.e. Vermouth from Italy) began appearing. Suddenly, it became en vogue to use these fancy new liqueurs in anything and everything. If you wanted a whiskey cocktail the old way, you had to order an Old Fashioned whiskey cocktail, which eventually just became an Old Fashioned. Then came along prohibition, and away went the fancy liqueurs from Europe and the Old Fashioned recipe changed yet again due to necessity and taste. Since alcohol became illegal to produce, the quality of hard liquor decreased significantly so they renamed it “rotgut liquor”. To make it palatable, they started cutting drinks with fruit juices and sugar. Instead of only muddling the sugar in the drink, they began muddling oranges and cherries into the bottom of the glass and loading it up with club soda. As soon as prohibition was over, the recipe stuck. Fast-forward to now. At Datz, you can sip on our very own variation of this great classic cocktail all while knowing the fascinating history behind it! We call this one “Eberson’s Old Fashioned” after John Eberson, the international architect who designed the Tampa Theatre in 1926! Eberson’s Old Fashioned 2oz. Buffalo Trace Bourbon In a rocks glass, muddle the cherries with the lemon juice, sugar cube and the bitters. Add the bourbon, sweet vermouth and ice. Stir to combine. Top with a float of club soda and the skewer of candied bacon. Sources: Cocktail Metamorphosis: The Old Fashioned (Heavy Table) Related Posts: |
It Bitter Be Good!Did you know that there is more than one flavor of bitters? That’s right! This cocktail spruce is for more than an Old Fashioned and we carry virtually an entire line of one of the best brands: Fee Brothers! What the heck is bitters anyways? Don’t let the name lead you astray! Bitters used to be an old “elixir” or “snake oil” used to cure what ails you but now these versatile little charmers can be used to spruce up your cocktails! How did it end up in cocktails? It all started in 1906, when a law called the Pure Food & Drug Act was passed. This law required all products that claimed to cure your illnesses to prove it. So they started marketing it for cocktails!
Fee Brothers makes the following flavors:
Old Fashion Bitters Orange Bitters Peach Bitters Mint Bitters Lemon Bitters Grapefruit Bitters Rhubarb Bitters Cherry Bitters Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters Ready to take your bartending to the next level? This six-bottle set includes six hard-to-find, hand selected cocktail bitters, including West Indies Orange, Peach, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mint and Old Fashioned — allowing you to expand your mixology horizons beyond the ol’ Jack and Coke. La Setima Stroll 2oz Milagro Silver Tequila 2oz Blood Orange Puree ½ oz Orangella ½ oz Simple Syrup 1oz Lemon Juice 3 dashes Fee Brothers Lemon Bitters In a mixing glass, combine all ingredients and shake. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange twist. Bayshore Bubbly 1 white sugar cube 3 dashes Fee Brothers Peach Bitters Champagne
In a champagne flute, drop the sugar cube and dash the bitters on top. Then float the champagne until it fills the glass.
Bitters Braised Pork You can also use bitters in cooking! I’ve seen it in brownie recipes, wing recipes and even in goulash.
2 1/2 lbs. cubed pork for stew – cut into 2 inch cubes 4 T olive oil 2 medium onion, diced 8 cloves garlic, minced 2 flavoring peppers, minced 4 T fresh thyme, leaves only ¼ tsp black pepper 5 tsp Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Bitters 2 T tomato paste 3 fresh tomatoes, diced 1 C chicken stock ¼ C red wine 1 sweet pepper, diced 3 cloves garlic ¼ inch orange peel Optional: Pinch of red pepper chili flakes Salt to taste
Place the oil into a heavy, flameproof casserole pot or dutch oven over high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the pork and sear the pieces [i.e. allowing the pieces to brown on both sides without allowing the pork to release too much liquid or burn]. Remove the pork from the pot and lower the temperature to medium. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until transparent. Next, add the wine and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and the pork into the casserole pot and place it in a 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the pork is tender. Please note that you may need to reduce the liquid if you prefer a more concentrated flavor. To do this, remove the pork from the pot and place the pot on the stove on a med-high heat to reduce slightly.
Question: What’s your favorite way to use bitters?
Sources: It’s Better with Bitters! (Bar Mix Master)
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One Hope, One Wine
Military families have always paid a steep price. One in 75 American troops who have gone to war has never returned. 4,735* souls have perished in the struggle for peace and security in the war in Iraq (according to the Washington Post). Those heroes leave behind more than a legacy of honor and courage. In many instances, children are left without moms and dads, some never even getting to know their fallen parents. That’s why ONEHOPE donates 50% of the profits garnered from the sale of every bottle of ONEHOPE Zinfandel towards Troops and their families. There are plenty of “cause brands” on the shelves that support a variety of charities, but given Datz’s strategic location and genuine partnership, love and support for the men and women at MacDill Air Force Base, One Hope Zinfandel really touch a nerve. So much so, that beginning in August 2011, One Hope will be the only zinfandel that Datz features on its wine list. Created in partnership with Rob Mondavi Jr., ONEHOPE California Zinfandel starts with the foundation of an all-American grape, and is then custom blended with Syrah from select vineyards throughout Napa, Sonoma and the Central Coast of California. ONEHOPE Zinfandel is a rich red color with loads of juicy dark fruit flavors including plum and black cherry, with hints of pepper and a spicy finish. This delicious wine is versatile and pairs well with dishes such as pizza, barbeque ribs and lamb. ONEHOPE donates 50% of profits generated from the sale of every bottle of its Zinfandel to Snowball Express, an organization that supports families and children of fallen soldiers. Since September 11, 2001 more than 8,000 children have lost a U.S. service-member parent as a result of ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Snowball Express brings families together to provide hope for the future during the difficult loss of a loved one. 50% of profits from ONEHOPE California Zinfandel sales are donated to charities who support Our Troops. |
Stone Tap Takeover, July 21Stone. Just that one word alone lets you know you are in for some of the best beer on the planet. From a company that doesn’t really care what you think, and only wants to make amazing beer, Stone Brewing Company will be taking over the Datz tap list this Thursday evening with five of the most aggressive, most assertive, high quality beers that have ever crossed your palate. In Stone’s own words “You’re not worthy…” but Datz thinks you are.
Datz is so impressed with Levitation, and thinks you will be too, we want you to keep the pint glass when you order one. Stone’s gargoyle-adorned pint glasses are one of the favorites in the beer community, so you’re limited to only one; however you are certainly not limited to only one of these remarkable beers. We don’t even want to get started on the sheer AWESOMENESS of Sublimely Self Righteous, Oaked Arrogant Bastard, Ruination and Lukcy 13. |
