Exit Music

The Three B’s

Scott — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:59:17 +0000

This post does exactly what it says on tin – three bottles of Belgian beer! These little beauties were bargains from our favourite Chattanooga bottle shop Vine & Barrel. Turns out a while back the locals weren’t buying gift packs, so they were split up and sold for a mere $2 a bottle. Given that they ranged from 7% to 10.5% ABV, that’s practically like beer for free!

Bornem Triple, Piraat Ale, Augustijn Blond … can you ever go wrong with Belgian beer?

Come On Edinburgh

Scott — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:43:25 +0000

In recent years, the most memorable association between Scottish Rugby and the Heineken Cup was that the final has been played at Murrayfield twice.

That was until Sunday. Not only did Edinburgh become the first Scottish team to get to the quarter finals in eight years, but they actually topped their group and got the first Scottish HOME quarter ever.

That’s absolutely superb rugby news. We might have to look into streaming options in order to see the boys soundly thrash their former group nemesis Toulouse!

Weekly Menu

Amanda — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:23:29 +0000

Mon: Grilled Lamb with Chickpea, Chili & Mint Salad

Tues: Roasted Mushroom & Asparagus Salad

Wed: Feta, Spinach & Red Onion Pizza

Thurs: Avocado & Basil Spaghetti

Fri: Rainbow Trout with Endive & Artichokes

Lunch: Mango Salsa & White Bean Lettuce Wraps

If you are what you eat

Amanda — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:01:07 +0000

. . . then I am in grave danger of turning into either a nectarine or a lemongrass chicken bánh mì (with extra chilies). It’s always tough to get back into the swing of things after the holidays, and the first week of being seriously jet lagged is the hardest.

Today will definitely be a menu planning and grocery shopping day. Of course, that will all have to wait until after the football. Go 49ers and Broncos!

Well Stone Me

Scott — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:25:15 +0000

The first beer I had from Stone Brewing Company (their regular IPA) was a bit of a disappointment. Some considerable time later I deigned to try the Ruination IPA and was hugely impressed. With my opinion now less clouded, I am pleased to bring you my report on this holiday season’s Stone tastings.

First the Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale. It had pleasant burnt toffee notes to the nose and somewhat earthy undertones when tasting. Though still far from my favourite style, the lower sweetness made this quite a pleasant (if strong) drink.

The Double Bastard Ale is, as the name might suggest, an American Strong Ale (and yes, at some point I did realise that I had mostly bought >10% ABV beers for this trip’s reports ). Double Bastard has a very nice yeasty smell and in spite of the strength is deliciously easy-drinking. It has an initial bitterness that you think will build and become too much, but it doesn’t. Very nice!

And then we have my current favourite style in the 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA. This poured very dark with a chocolatey foam and smelt like pure unfiltered IPA. Apparently there is a version made with espresso beans, but this “plain” bottle still had a rich coffee taste with plenty of hops. Mmmmm.

With that one mediocre experience behind me, I have to say that I find Stone to deliver some very tasty, if dangerously potent, beers.

New Year’s Feast

Amanda — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:01:25 +0000

With a sad and serious 2011 finally behind us, we decided to start 2012 on a traditional Southern note (minus the “lucky” black-eyed peas and turnip greens). When in Rome, you know. . .

So without further adieu, here is a selection of some of the noms I made for New Year’s Day:

Smoked Chicken Wings

Coleslaw & Cranberry Broccoli Salad

BBQ Pork Ribs

Though the temperature is supposed to drop tomorrow, we were fortunate enough to have a lovely, mild winter day today. It’s been sunny and 65 F (18 C) all day; surely this heralds good portents for 2012. Fingers crossed.

We hope you’ve all had a festive and enjoyable holiday season too!

Happy New Beer

Scott — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:12:37 +0000

As you well know, we like to try new things. So, when I saw a number of appealing beers from a single brewery, I thought “why not do a group post?” Avery Brewing Company has been around in Boulder, Colorado for almost 20 years, but this is the first time I’ve tried them.

Hog Heaven is a Barley Wine style ale – a style I often find too sweet for my palate. This one thankfully wasn’t overly sweet, and in fact, it reminded me of another enjoyable beer I’ve had before, though I couldn’t put my finger on which one. :)

Avery’s 17th Anniversary Ale is a dry-hopped black lager that was a winner from the very dark body and chocolate head it poured. Similar to a black ale in flavour profile – minus the citrus – it was pleasantly low on lagery carbonation.

The Beast (2009 release) Grand Cru growls menacingly at 15.09% ABV. The beer was a beautiful red colour and had a very intriguing hay and gravy smell. However, for all the oomph of strength, it was a pretty average drink.

All in all, Avery was a very welcome discovery, with the Anniversary Ale being the real winner of the bunch.

Nooga Noms

Amanda — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:19:43 +0000

We’ve been saving up our calories for months in anticipation of our holiday trip to Chattanooga. Over the last few years, lots of yummy food has appeared in the area. No longer are ubiquitous chains the main dining options, and that is a refreshing change.

We came with a list of restaurants we wanted to try, and so far we’ve managed to hit a few. Before Christmas we tried Urban Stack, a burger lounge specialising in “Killer Burgers and Manly Drinks.” The burgers were cooked pink, and the meat was juicy and flavourful. The cocktails were also very well made. We were over the moon when our drinks arrived with no ice! My Manhattan was delicious, and the brandied cherries were a nice touch, and while Scott felt his Sazerac was a little sweet, it was still one of the more enjoyable examples he’s tried lately.

Today we managed to cross another venue off our list. After a fun filled day of shopping, we went to Champy’s for a spot of delicious fried chicken. Champy’s might look like a dive bar, but it’s across the street from the UTC dorms, so it’s most often filled with university students.

Fried jalapenos, fried chicken, fried catfish- it’s not going to win any healthy living awards, but if you want to splurge, they really do have the BEST fried chicken. . . Mmm.

When we got home, Scott and I went for a much needed run!

Christmas Spirit

Amanda — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:54:21 +0000

We haz it!

Nomming on a Sunday Afternoon

Scott — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:21:15 +0000

We’re in the States (Chattanooga, of course) at the moment, and this past weekend we went for a very delightful brunch in the relatively new Chato Brasserie just across the river from the Aquarium. There were plenty of tasty Southern brunch options, along with the obligatory Blood Orange Bellinis and Beetroot Bloody Marys. However, I was also interested in trying one of their newest additions to the menu: a small batch Tennessee Whiskey produced by Collier and McKeel.

Coming out of Nashville, this is quite a smooth tipple. I made the mistake of not specifying that by “on the rocks” I didn’t mean a whole glass of ice, but it was a very delicious end to the meal.

I’d go back to Chato Brasserie for sure, and I’ll definitely keep my eye out for Collier and McKeel.