Jenny & I visited SF's Mission district this past Saturday and had beer 75% of the time. It was hard not to when we started off with this deliciousness at Frjtz:
Grimbergen Dubbel and Fries with White Truffle Artichoke Ketchup and Parmesan Cracked Pepper White Trash Ranch.
It was Love.
Grimbergen Double is a dark burgundy, top fermented Abbey Beer with a full body and abv of 6.5%. The mixture of different malts and the use of dark candy sugar combine to produce a delicious sweet toffee-taste, with a brandy-like finish. The name Double refers to this beer's strength - more robust than the standard table beer, but not quite as strong as a Tripel.
Pair with roasted meats, cheeses, and some desserts such as chocolate.
Pretty much goes with everything. An adult version of my favorite back-in-the-USSR bev: квас.
... a fermented beverage made from black rye or rye bread (which contributes to its light or dark colour). It is popular in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, and other Eastern and Central European countries as well as in all ex-Soviet states, like Uzbekistan, where one can see many kvass vendors in the streets. The alcohol content is so low (0.05% - 1.44%) that it is considered acceptable for consumption by children.
We followed that with Some beers at an Irish Pub. I had Speak Easy's Prohibition Ale... another new favorite.
... a boldly hopped amber ale that strikes a perfect balance between caramel maltiness and its aggressive hopping.
Similar to but not as 'demanding' as Drakes IPA or Racer 5.
We took a break at Casanova with some Gin and Tonics. And Followed that with some intense brews at Monk's Kettle.
I recommended Jenny get Lagunita's Brown Shugga' which I incorrectly remembered as being strong yet dessert-like. I got another Belgium -- the Lucifer Strong Pale Ale (apparently now retired). We ended up trading. They were both Racer 5 status and mine had a strangely unpleasant sweetness to it. Too Yeasty??
LBS: Rich, Roasty and Mysteriously Drinkable Ale might best be described as... Irresponsible. It Leaves a Lot of Stories in it’s Wake. Sweet. Hoppy. Malty.
All this was just a prelude to: http://sfbeerweek.org/schedule?region5=South+Bay
