Since early January, out-of-town family health issues, a death in the family, the birth of my second niece and traveling with companion during his work-related trips made it difficult to focus as the Jax Brew Bitch. On top of that companion and I have both had a bout with the usual cold/flu symptoms.
However, now being “back in the saddle” and the “malts and hops neuron/synapse actuators” hummin' , I have been able to reflect a bit over the past few weeks about the times we DID get to enjoy some good chews and brews during our travels and here at home with our good friends.
JAN 22 thru FEB 04
Gulfport trip
Salvo's Seafood in Belle Chase, Louisiana – oysters, crawfish, catfish and crabs – specials during the week!
Darwell's Cafe in Long Beach, Mississippi – of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives fame – Crawfish Etoufee at lunch – unique eclectic atmosphere – good food but my recipe is still the best ;)
The Shed BBQ in Gulfport, Mississippi - Pulled Pork Plate with G-Maw’s Famous Beans and Momma Mia’s Mac Salad! … yummers! ,,, Happy Hour 2-for-1 Drafts – I had Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company's Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale! … Woo-Hoo! … 2-for-1 ! …
Per Lazy Magnolia's website:
“Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale is the first beer in the world, to our knowledge, made with whole roasted pecans. The pecans are used just like grain and provide a nutty characteristic and a delightful depth to the flavor profile. This beer is very lightly hopped to allow the malty, caramel, and nutty flavors shine through. The color is dark mahogany. Southern Pecan won a Bronze Medal in the 2006 World Beer Cup in the Specialty Beer category.”
FEB 05 thru MAR 01
Which brings me current up to last night, March 2! … we are blessed with good friends and fellowship with them in person and via text messages helped get us through the stressful times over the past couple of months.
So, about last night … we had originally planned to meet Springfield Brew Crew Marc Wisdom at European Street for Happy Hour and a quick bite so that we could also meet his new friend, Kristi. What an amazing woman! … and so cute! I love her and she’s a new BFF.
However, Debbie contacted us and suggested we meet her at Riverside Liquors for a wine tasting at 5:30 pm. Upon arrival, we noticed Marc and Kristi were already there and we were soon joined by Vince, Debbie and some more of her friends.
It was my first visit to Riverside Liquors – and I was very impressed.
We had passed this establishment on foot and in vehicle many times since moving to Jacksonville, but never ventured inside. From the exterior, one unfamiliar with the history of this business would never know it possesses a very nice bar at the rear. Scott was our bartender for the evening and he was simply amazing – providing prompt and professional service with a smile to an impressively growing crowd.
I treated myself by sampling some of the flavorful wine being offered in the tasting but did not want to over-do since I knew I would be enjoying some brews, somewhere later. Companion indicated he was fully appreciating the Bells Two Hearted Ale he had requested from Scott … and then even better news: $3.50 for the glass poured from the bottle – and most all of their craft beers are available for that same price! …. WooHoo! … almost like drinking at home – but in a social setting! … of course, I had to have one of my own.
Bell's Brewery indicates the Two Hearted Ale: is defined by its intense hop aroma and malt balance. Hopped exclusively with the Centennial hop varietal from the Pacific Northwest, massive additions in the kettle and again in the fermenter lend their characteristic grapefruit and pine resin aromas. A significant malt body balances this hop presence; together with the signature fruity aromas of Bell's house yeast, this leads to a remarkably drinkable American-style India Pale Ale. Note: 7.0% ABV
We were all having so much fun and not wanting to leave, so companion and I decided to split one more and I asked him to surprise me – and a wonderful surprise it was! …
Companion selected Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale
Our award-winning barleywine boasts a dense, fruity bouquet, an intense flavor palate and a deep reddish-brown color. Its big maltiness is superbly balanced by a wonderfully bittersweet hoppiness.
Notes:
ABV: 9.6% !!! IBU: 90
A wonderful venue for enjoying competitively-priced brews, we plan on making Riverside Liquors a regular stop on future Jax brew Bitch prowls!
A chant began at our end of the bar dealing with sustenance which made me realize how hungry I was … so, the group splintered – the one of which we were members headed for Domo Crepes around the corner at 813 Lomax Street. The other sliver of our group had decided to eat at nearby Hovan.
Companion and I had enjoyed a sweet crepe on an earlier evening out at Domo Crepes, so I was looking forward to trying one of their “Savory Crepes”. I ordered the “Firecracker Chicken Crepe” - $8.49 and companion selected the “Firecracker Steak Crepe” - $8.99 and we split a bottled Corona with lime.
BOTH of the crepes were delicious! … while enjoying mine, I tasted companion's Firecracker Chicken crepe and I will be ordering that one next time.
Service was prompt and friendly – another thing which impressed me was their willingness to have other patrons come in after the posted closing time. Of course, this makes sense in running a business such as Domo Crepes, but aren't you amazed at how many establishments wave customers off who approach their doors right at closing time?
For the others at the table (Springfield Brew Crew Marc Wisdom, Kristi, Vince and Debbie), this was their first visit to this establishment and apparently all were pleased. Thanks to Domo Crepes for a wonderful Jax Brew Bitch experience!
We joined the rest of the group over at Hovan and enjoyed some great fellowship. We decided to share a hookah, a couple of Heinekens and a piece of baklava. It was splendid weather and we stayed outside until closing time. Great, friendly service and pleasant atmosphere indeed added to this wonderful evening. Thanks to Hovan for their superior customer service!
A suggestion was made to make our way over to Bold City Brewery so we saddled up the Jeep and met Springfield Brew Crew Marc Wisdom, Kristi and Vince for a quick beverage before last call. Companion and I opted for their 1901 Red Ale, one of our favorites.
Bold City describes the 1901 Red Ale: “This is not your standard Red Ale. This is a very ‘malty’, ‘roasty’ and complex Red Ale. The roasted flavor comes from the high presence of roasted barley. With a very minimal
but high alpha hop addition, this Red Ale has become a favorite among patrons.“
but high alpha hop addition, this Red Ale has become a favorite among patrons.“
Thank you to Bold City Brewery for always being a place to enjoy good brews and share some quality time with friends!
Sadly, last call was sounded, motivating us to finish the evening – at Kickbacks Gastropub. The Jeep is much like Herbie from the old Disney movies when it hears we are heading there – and seems to always find a parking place in a designated parking spot.
Companion selected the Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout and I opted for Ballast Point's Big Eye IPA .
Already one of our fav's, Great Divide Brewing's Oak Aged Yeti consistently delivers the eye-opening characteristics we enjoy. Great Divide's own description states this Oak Aged Imperial Stout:
“is Yeti Imperial Stout’s sophisticated sibling. They may be from the same clan, but they have entirely different personalities. Oak aging gives a subtle vanilla character, rounding out Yeti’s intense roastiness and huge hoppy nature. Who says you can’t tame a Yeti?” Note: 9.5% ABV!!!
Springfield Brew Crew Marc Wisdom was suggesting we try the Ballast Point Big Eye IPA, so I went along with his recommendation. So glad I did! … I've come a long way in my appreciation of hoppy IPAs and this one was outstanding!
Ballast Point Brewing Company uses the following description:
“If you have fallen for the IPA style like we have, Big Eye will be a welcome addition to your repertoire. You’ll revel in Big Eye’s bitter, hoppy flavor thanks to the American Columbus and Centennial hops that are used to flavor and dry hop our flagship IPA.
We thank our hops every day that the English loved their bitters—or else the IPA style may not have been born to help the beer survive the journey from Cape Hope to India back in the 18th century.”
Notes: 7.0% ABV IBU: 75
Seeing everyone around us eating, we gave in and ordered some basic food available at Kickbacks – mac 'n cheese and Ramen Noodles. Companion, of course, HAD to request the bacon on top of the mac 'n cheese – and yes, I had a few bites – so decadent for such a basic food item! … the Ramen was everything I remembered from my youth – and it just what I needed at that time of night!
Thank you to Steve and his crew at Kickbacks Gastropub for providing such a fitting end to an excellent Jax Brew Bitch evening!
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