Companion manhandled The Beast along I-295, down Blanding
Boulevard and safely “wrangled th' thang” into a space in the parking lot in
front of the establishment. Getting out of the truck, he mentioned something
about “any landing you walk away from is a good one” … and we managed to
find our “land legs” by the time we reached the front door.
We quickly made our selections of (descriptions per
Pinglehead's website):
Tribal
Rite Robust Porter
Body is dark black with a thick, khaki-colored head. This robust porter starts out with notes of milk chocolate and roasted barley to later be subdued by a rich sweetness from an abundance of oats. Cacao nibs were used for an earthly characteristic to compliment a soft amount of pleasantly mild hops. Tribal Rite is wild in flavor, yet excitingly drinkable. - Note: 7.7% ABV & 20 IBUs
Body is dark black with a thick, khaki-colored head. This robust porter starts out with notes of milk chocolate and roasted barley to later be subdued by a rich sweetness from an abundance of oats. Cacao nibs were used for an earthly characteristic to compliment a soft amount of pleasantly mild hops. Tribal Rite is wild in flavor, yet excitingly drinkable. - Note: 7.7% ABV & 20 IBUs
Tailhook American Brown Ale
Pours a dense, creamy tan colored head with a dark brown body. The aroma strikes the nose with a prominent sweetness from a combination of honey and caramel malts. Honey serves as a catalyst for a potent earthy, floral hop profile to interact with a slightly nutty, roasted malt presence. Tailhook is full of rich flavor while possessing an exceptionally light body. - Note: 7.0% ABV & 63 IBUs
Pours a dense, creamy tan colored head with a dark brown body. The aroma strikes the nose with a prominent sweetness from a combination of honey and caramel malts. Honey serves as a catalyst for a potent earthy, floral hop profile to interact with a slightly nutty, roasted malt presence. Tailhook is full of rich flavor while possessing an exceptionally light body. - Note: 7.0% ABV & 63 IBUs
Delicious brews both! … I actually think I heard companion
gurgling while drinking his Tribal Rite … he was a happy feller ...
 |
| The Gator Tail Burgoo from Brewer's Pizza |
When the bisque and burgoo (sounds like a law firm,
doesn't it?) arrived, I was impressed to see that Brewer's chef had used
the top of the bread bowl, as well – salvaging it by applying some butter and
providing it as a “sopping tool”. Most of the bread bowls I have had in the past
at other establishments never make use of this cut-away portion of the bowl. It
may sound like a little thing to some, but those “little touches” go a LONG way
in building s great perception!
 |
| Brewer's Pizza - Shrimp & Crab Bisque |
The burgoo was phenomenal – Steve had mentioned it was based
upon a turtle soup recipe and the flavors reminded me so much of home
(Louisiana), it brought homesick tears to my eyes. Amazing concoction – you
MUST try this special offering from Brewer's Pizza.
It will be amazing to see how much of these two “soups” will
be ladled out at Brewer's Pizza when the outside temperature becomes cooler
this fall and winter. Companion, for the first time in his Texas/Virgin
Islands/Florida life, is looking forward to cold weather!
Pitch black body with a thick, mocha colored head.
Luxurious, rich espresso in the nose with dark chocolate barely poking out.
Sweet oaks act as a blanket to nurture an abundance of roasted coffee, dark and
milk chocolate and hints of roasted barley. A full body with enough strength to
battle any robust stout. - Note: 7.0% ABV & 29 IBUs
To view more photos from Brewer's Pizza, visit the link below:
Pinglehead Brewing Company
Brewer's Pizza
Having had my “palate preference” detained at the border, I
still wanted to visit the Riverside area. So, companion launched The Beast and
we sailed northerly in that direction.
We returned to the Beast and chose to walk to Lola's but
when we reached the corner of King Street and Park Street, my eyes caught the
entrance to Pele's Wood Fire (2665 Park Street –
904.232-8545), a place I had been wanting to try, Companion noticed my
hesitation and agreed to our change of direction – Pele's it was! (Note:
this is my first visit to Pele's – I have been back several times since and
have written about a couple of the visits – see earlier blog posts)
 |
| Our gracious server, Nick at Pele's Wood Fire |
Booths and tables fill the dining area with the wood fire
kitchen to the opposite rear, an alluring bar situated on the far wall, front
and center.
We bellied up to the bar, a shortened trip due to the
extended abdomens we carried (compliments of Brewer's Pizza) and sat in
the comfortable stools once a small party rose to leave.
It took a few minutes for anyone to ask if we had been
helped but it was a very busy night, Nick approached and served as our
friendly and attentive bartender for the evening.
We ordered Dogfish Head's 90 IPA and Dogfish Head's Aprihop American IPA described on
the breweries' websites:
Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales 90 Minute
IPA
In
addition to the continuous hopping, 90 Minute IPA is also dry hopped with our
'Me So Hoppy' device during conditioning
Note:
9.0% ABV & 90 IBUs
Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales Aprihop
American IPA
Our
fruit beer for hopheads!
Aprihop is an American IPA brewed with Pilsner and
Crystal malts. It's massively hopped -- in the continuous fashion, of course!
-- and the flavor is complemented by the addition of apricots.
After fermentation, the beer is dry hopped with
irresponsible amounts of Amarillo hops. The beer has a hoppy aroma, with the
apricots playing a supporting role.
The flavor is rich with late hop flavors, and its
bitterness is tempered by just the right amount of malt sweetness and fruity
undertones from the apricots.
Note: 7.0% ABV & 50 IBUs
Okay, I was expecting a small plate of french fries with a
sprinkling of spices – and I was silently determining how best to ask for
ketchup without appearing gauche. (You can take a Cajun gal out of the swamp
but you can't take the … well, you know ...)
Soon, the incredible creation with its artistic presentation
appeared before us, A perfect conic
section of goodness! … the wire-formed, paper-wrapped vessel holding this
mixture of Fresh cut Idaho Russet potatoes, fried in 100% peanut oil, tomato sea
salt, minced garlic, fresh thyme – served with pesto mayo was very impressive –
and only $6 ! … After my first bite, the once-considered variable of slathered
ketchup vanished from my thoughts. The truly inspired artist who envisioned and
wrought this conic bundle of delight is a genius.
 |
| Pele Wood Fire's decadent Tuscan Fries |
I knew right then Pele's Wood Fire would be a frequent stop
on future Jax Brew Bitch Prowls – great personable service, amazing kitchen
creations and a wide selection of tasty brews.
Pele's Wood Fire
To view photos from Beer:30, visit the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.319223921496557.75182.181100418642242&type=3
Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales
Looking down King Street, we determined the best course of
action was to drive closer to Kickbacks and hope to find a parking spot. I was
having trouble walking … due to my new shoes not being broken in … you girls
know what I mean … and I couldn't imagine hiking that distance – even for a
brew.
Luckily, we DID locate a close parking place and entered
Kickbacks focused our attention on two stools barside. We were soon greeted by
Jimmie, my favorite bartender!
Companion quickly ordered (description per brewery's
website):
Terrapin Beer Company Wake N Bake Coffee Oatmeal Stout
Black as night, this coffee stout is thick, rich and
full of real coffee flavor. Brewed with the Terrapin Wake-n-Bake coffee blend
created by Terrapin & Jittery Joe’s Coffee. The high content alcohol of
these beers make them perfect for cellaring…hide them away and pull one out for
a special event 2-3 years later.
Note: 8.6% ABV & 50 IBUs
I took my time and finally opted for (description per
brewery's website):
Pinglehead Brewing Company Imperial American Amber / Imperial Red
Ale
Pours a clear red body with an off-white colored head. Aroma is caramel sweet with floral undertones. Dry-hopping gives subtle floral hop flavors to compliment a smooth caramel malt backbone. A combination of mellow bitterness, candy sweetness and medium body result in a balanced, highly drinkable red ale.
Pours a clear red body with an off-white colored head. Aroma is caramel sweet with floral undertones. Dry-hopping gives subtle floral hop flavors to compliment a smooth caramel malt backbone. A combination of mellow bitterness, candy sweetness and medium body result in a balanced, highly drinkable red ale.
Note: 7.8% & 25 IBUs
Your choice of chicken or steak sandwich, topped with
provolone cheese, grilled mushrooms, onion and green peppers served with a side
item ($7.49) – another fantastic value from Kickbacks Gastropub!
Of course, nothing goes better with a Jax Cheese Steak than
a Left Hand Brewing Company Fade to Black Foreign Stout described on the
brewery's website (yes, we shared this one):
That time of year when the day seems to fade away.
Drifting further into the darkness with each passing day. Volume 1 - Foreign
Stout - Pours black with licorice, espresso bean, molasses, and black cardamom
notes that give way to a feeling of self loathing, burnt opportunities and
smoked relationships. - Note: 8.5% ABV & 30 IBUs
Kickbacks Gastropub
Terrapin Beer Company
Pinglehead Brewing Company
http://www.pinglehead.com/
Left
Hand Brewing Company
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