Stillwater "Cellar Door" Farmhouse Ale

Stillwater "Cellar Door" Farmhouse Ale, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Cloudy copper color with off white head that dissipates quickly. Muted nose with touches of sweet spice. creamy medium bodied mouth with active carbonation. Herbal spice atop a sweet malt base, the spice note increase as the beer warms in the glass. Paired really well with slow cooked herb encrusted chicken.

Coronado Islander IPA

Coronado Islander IPA, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Murky golden color with lacy off-white head. Mellow nose with more hop than malt shining through, resin, pine, citrus. Somewhat creamy mouth with light carbonation. Pretty strong flavors that follow the nose. With that in mind this beer is out of balance. Don't get me wrong, I love hops, this beer just needs more malt for them to play against. Much bigger fan of their Idiot IPA.

Van Steenberge "Monk's Cafe" Flemish Sour Ale

Van Steenberge "Monk's Cafe" Flemish Sour Ale, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Brilliant brown color with red highlights. Active off white head that is short lived. Mild but attractive nose of sweet dark cherries with hints of spice. The mouth is thin and light with minimal carbonation. Powerful sweet cherry flavor upfront that is balanced nicely by a crisp sour finish. This is a wonderful example of a not so familiar style.

Wine and Music Review: Greg Laswell 'Three Flights From Alto Nido' & Jean Noel Gagnard’s 2007 “L’Estimée”

Greg Laswell’s Three Flights From Alto Nido is a fresh and approachable album. Laswell’s sexy, elegant vocals are perfect alongside Jean Noel Gagnard’s 2007 “L’Estimée”. His intimate lyrics touch on subjects of loss and renewal throughout the album, guiding the listener on a whimsical journey of recognition and reflection. The delicate melodies are a refreshing contrast to the depth of his lyrical content and complement the medium-body and soft tannic structure of the 2007 “L’Estimée”. The instrumentation on Three Flights From Alto Nido is expressive and upbeat, mirroring the vibrant flavor profile of the wine. The 2007 “L’Estimée” presents rich, red fruit flavors accompanied by a hint of peppery spice. It is well rounded with exceptional depth and length. These two undisputedly make an exquisite pair and are beautiful representations of music and wine.

City Steam's Naughty Nurse

Watch the big game with a few Naughty Nurses. City Steam’s Naughty Nurse is an easy-drinking brew with a crisp, medium body. It is a Pale Ale made in an English Bitter style. It has a rich amber color with citrus and floral aromas. It tastes of sweet roasted malts with a slightly spicy finish. Do not let the name lead you astray, these nurses are quite nice!