Product Review: The Chill Bag

Having worked in a couple of wine stores there was always one thing that was pretty consistent. None of the stores sold gift bags that could keep the purchased product chilled or cold while the customer transported it to wherever it was they were going. I saw this a lot with champagne. People were always calling and asking for chilled champagne and then looking at us oddly when we told them we really didn't have a nice gift bag for them to keep their product cold.  Sure we had items that could keep your product cold but not nice packaging.

Recently I received an email from a company called ChillBag USA. They wanted to send me a sample 6 pack holder that could be used with beer. I have to admit I liked the idea but wasn't really sold but told them to send it anyways.

So I've had a chance to try the bag out and I must say it's pretty cool. As you can see it looks like a clear purse so I spiced it up a bit with some brewery stickers I had lying around. And it holds more than just your average six pack. I had 5 22 oz bottles and 1 750 ml bottle in the bag. Just add some ice and water and it'll keep those beers nice and cold. This sure beats bringing a cooler to those Beeradvocate events when you only have 6 beers!! And it's not really expensive at $11.95.

For those companies that are reading this review this is a no brainer. You can add your own logo to it and I guarantee it would sell! Hey Chan's Wine World and Martin Wine Cellar! This is one you guys should definitely bring in!!

Anyways, check out the Chill Bag I thought it was very cool product and I recommend it to you guys! Just wish I had thought of it first!!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Home Is Where The Heart Is

My life is interesting. It's quite an adventure really. My wife and I have been married 12 years this May and we've moved a total of 7 times. The funny thing is though we always end up moving back to New Orleans. I get a lot of grief from family members and friends who always question our moves and the risks we take but in the end my wife and I are happy we tried it. How do you know whether or not you'll like something if you never try it? I believe in living life not watching it go by.

I'm not originally from New Orleans. I'm a Marine Corps brat who has moved around and lived in many different places. I ended up in New Orleans for college at Tulane University and ended up marrying a local. For years I always complained about living in New Orleans. The crime, horrible schools, poverty, etc. But in the last couple of years I've really enjoyed it. I became a local. The food is incredible, the beer scene is pretty awesome and the New Orleans culture is one of a kind.

Recently you guys read of my losing my job with NOLA Brewing and finding one in Destin with Chans Wine World. Chan's has been an incredible experience. I've met some wonderful people out here in the Panhandle and I've also managed to turn the beer section around completely transforming it into the best selection in the entire Panhandle. But it's not in New Orleans. My wife misses New Orleans. I miss New Orleans.

As of today The Beer Buddha has turned in his two weeks notice at Chan's Wine World and will be heading home. To New Orleans. As my wife says, "We're doing the Mardi Gras Mambo all the way home." And I can't wait to get back.

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

The Beer Snob: Missing the Point

In my job as "beer guy", "beer manager" or whatever you want to call it at Chans Wine World I get to deal with a lot of beer. And I mean A LOT. And I love it. I see so many different styles, brands and some items I can't even classify.

I also get to deal with many different people with many different palates. Sometimes I get to deal with people who are "newbies" to the "better beer" movement, sometimes I get to deal with people who are extremely knowledgable and sometimes I get to deal with people who just want their Bud, Miller or Coors. But with all that I also see the dreaded Beer Snob.

Now I'm sure many people think I probably fall into this beer snob category but I assure you it's not true. Beer Geek? Yes. Beer Snob? No. I may do my best to avoid BudMillerCoors but I have personal reasons for that. Those guys selling out to non-American companies is bull shit and my reason. It has nothing to do with taste or price. But if I go to a party and all they have is BMC you're damn right I'm drinking BMC. It's beer and that's what matters. Now I will always push a local craft beer over the larger breweries beers of course but does that make me a snob? No, it means I like to support local and keep my money(and your money) local.

Most of the beer people I know(and I know a lot)have no problem buying and drinking PBR, Schlitz or some other cheap, macro lager. I personally have no problem buying a $10 bottle of beer and a $8 12 pack of PBR. Makes sense right? Quality and quantity for $20. You'll never see a beer snob do this. They are always on the hunt for the most rare and most expensive beer they can find and they'll do whatever they have to in order to get it. Drinking cheap beer to them is frowned upon and they'll make sure you know it. I admit spending some serious cash on beer but there is a point where I'll draw the line.

The beer snob truly is the worst because they are missing out on the greatest part of drinking beer: the experience itself. Beer is the greatest social lubricant there is. Hence President Obama and his "beer summit" to calm the racial tensions of a cop and professor. Unfortunately people focused on what style beer they were drinking rather than the fact that they were just a couple of guys solving a dispute over some beer. I'm sure most of the world problems could be solved this way. Over a beer. Unfortunately there would be that someone that would say, "I don't drink that swill! Gimme my fancy schmancy beer now or else I'll launch my nukes". Drinking beer and hanging out with friends and family is such a great experience why ruin it with snobbery. If you want to promote better beer that's great but don't do it by telling someone their beer sucks or looking down at them because of their choice of brew. If anything that just makes it worse. Why would they want to try different beers if they view people that drink them as snobs? Beer is fun. Promote it that way!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Beer Review: Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale

So I've been waiting patiently for the cooler weather to arrive in order to drink and review my pumpkin beers this year but a wonderful reader's comment regarding last years review of Shipyard Pumpkinhead made me feel obligated to start reviews a tad earlier. Being told I need to "develop a more inticate[sic] pallate[sic]" in order to be able to better appreciate the "subtle nuances" of this subpar beer will do that. I certaintly don't mind people expressing opinions regarding their take on certain brews(everyone's palate is different of course) but attacking my palate because I don't appreciate a beer. Not cool. Sorry, but in my opinion, Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale just isn't that great of a beer. Let's be honest MOST of Shipyard's beers are just ok.

Anyways enough bitching. Moving to Florida from New Orleans is a cultural nightmare but it does have some perks and one is a much better beer selection. In fact, the Pumpkin Ale selection is plentiful. At Chans we have six: Jack's Pumpkin Spice, Weyerbacker Imperial Pumpkin, Dogfish Head Punkin', Brooklyn Post Road, Blue Moon Harvest Moon and Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale. Notice Shipyard Pumpkinhead is not on this list. Out of date issues will do that to you. The Smuttynose was one pumpkin ale that really stood out from the others. This company adds real pumpkin to the mash and uses traditional spices. On to the review:

Brewery: Smuttynose Brewery


Beer: Pumpkin Ale

Recommended Glassware: Pint Glass

Appearance: This beer poured a nice hazy orange(pumpkin color perhaps?) with a nice big white head which disappears quickly. Lacing present throughout and makes a nice webbing pattern.

Smell: Right off the bat I'm hit with pumpkin pie smells: cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin.

Taste: Wow. This one is interesting. Very pumpkin pie like with the pumpkin tasting very organic or real rather than pie filling. That makes a huge difference in the quality of this beer. Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg are present but not overpowering because the beer has a nice malty backbone with an interesting hop present. That hop presense helps balance the malty sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with medium carbonation.

Overall: Without a doubt this is one of the best pumpkin beers I've ever had. THIS is what pumpkin ales should taste like. Fall in a bottle.

Score: 4.5 out of 5 Buddhas

Heeeeeere's Buddha! I'm back!

So it's been awhile since my last post and for that I do apologize but really I'm the one who suffered here. I had to go almost 2 weeks without cable or internet! Imagine the horror! But anyways I am back!

So I'm sure many of you have a lot of questions. What's Florida like? Do you enjoy your new job? What's the beer culture like? Etc, etc, etc. I'll tell you, it appears I'm in some weird beery episode of The Twilight Zone. I just left a town with very little retail beer selection but with an incredible bar scene(especially beer bar with Avenue Pub)and entered a town with a nice retail beer selection but no good bar scene whatsoever. There is no beer bar from Destin(where I work) to Panama City Beach(where I live). There is McGuires and Mellow Mushroom and as far as I can tell that's it. I'm told there are some other potential places but when I ask people they just shake their heads and tell me there aren't any good beer bars other than what I just listed. As for beer retail shops their is Chan's Wine World, Chan's Wine World or...Chan's Wine World. No one has the selection that we carry. It's great really. I have a lot of freedom to expand on the already great selection. I have grand ideas with the section so we'll see what happens. The job is like Martin Wine Cellar but more laid back(t-shirts and shorts!)and way more freedom! Plus two beer festivals a year!! The best part is I can work on the ol blog more!

Well that's all for now. The job is great, living near the beach is awesome and for those with some cash, their is a golden opportunity to open a beer bar here in town. Plus, I can get Yuengling at the store bitches! I'm out!


Cheers!

Beerbuddha

30 Days Of Craft Beer: Day Six

Ok, so it appears like I forgot days 3,4 and 5 but actually I was in Destin, Florida for a job interview and obviously need a technology upgrade since I had no way of maintaining my blog while I was gone. Anyways, I interviewed on Tuesday with Chan Cox, owner of Chan's Wine World. The interview went extremely well and I am now the beer manager for the Destin store. If you were counting that was officially only 5 days without a job. I'm very excited about this opportunity to jump on board with a team that already has a huge success with their beer section. Plus I get to live near the beach. Hello? Beer and the beach? Score one for the Buddha! I should be starting at the end of August. The family and I are working on getting a place to live and getting organized for a move.

I'm going to miss New Orleans and the burgeoning beer scene. I've met a lot of great friends and had a blast drinking with each and every one of you! I grew up a military brat so moving for me isn't all that hard. It just means more friends around the world to drink with! If you're ever in Destin please stop by the store or email me and we'll go out for a drink!

Don't fret though dear reader(readers?) because The Beer Buddha blog will continue! It'll just be about and from a different location! I'm going to try and write about the entire Panhandle of Florida(do you actually capitalize Panhandle?)which will give me a little more area to cover. The beer quality there is actually pretty damn good compared to New Orleans so I'll have more beers to choose from! Sweet!!

I'm not sure how to continue 30 Days of Craft Beer since it was a job search AND beer drinking adventure. Perhaps I can continue the drinking part of it or maybe restructure it into something else all together. It will be tough to update the blog while I'm trying to pack stuff up and move. Hmmm. I think I will suspend it temporarily until I get settled into my new home.

Well, until then I'll update people on what's going on in New Orleans. I think I may have something in the works with The Beer Wench that'll be very awesome! Stay tuned because it's just going to get better!

Cheers!

Beer Buddha

30 Days Of Craft Beer: Day Two

You probably thought I forgot. Come on it's day two I'm not going to forget on day two. Maybe later, but not on day two! I got caught up watching True Blood. Yeah, I know, but my wife got me reading the books and it really is pretty cool stuff. I thought it was going to be another teen vampire drama like Twilight but it's not. It's like an adult version with a good storyline. Anyways.

Job Search

So I told you about Chan's Wine World yesterday. I emailed Mr. Cox yesterday and received an email back the same day saying he is interested so I'm in the process of setting up an interview with him. It's only day one and I'm already ahead of the game. Lucky me!

Beer Review


Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing

Beer: Odd Notion Spring 09

Style: Spiced Beer

Recommended Glassware: Pilsner Glass

Serving Type: Pilsner Glass

Appearance- This beer pours a very clear, golden color with a thin white head which disappates quickly.

Smell- Very odd smell. Pilsner malts are present, not much hoppiness that I can tell. A very weird spiciness is noticable which I guess is the agave.

Taste- Strong maltiness with an odd spiciness. The hops are more present in the taste than in the aroma. Interesting fruity sweetness accompanied by an odd vegetation taste.

Mouthfeel- Crisp, clean with a medium body.

Overall- Not a bad beer but an odd beer. The name is fitting. They know it's odd so I'll give it too them. At least they're having fun brewing different stuff.

Score:3.5 out of 5 Buddhas

30 Days of Craft Beer: Day One

Ok, so today is Day One of 30 Days of Craft Beer. As I said I will review one craft beer a day and will keep everyone updated on my job search.

Job Search


(1) Over the past year I have been in contact with a gentleman named Chan Cox who owns Chan's Wine World in the Panhandle of Florida. There are five locations throughout the Panhandle: Destin, Sandestin, Panama City Beach, Miramar Beach and Ft. Walton Beach. Chan's has a great beer selection and has a beer festival every year as well. My wife and I have talked about relocating to Panama City for about the past year or so. We stayed there for about a week after Hurricane Katrina hit and we absolutely loved it there. The school system there is top notch and would be great for our daughter Evangeline. Much different than here in New Orleans where there are 3 out of the 88 public schools we could possibly send our daughter to and those 3 require a lottery to get your kid in.

If you know me you know I used to be the Assistant Manager and beer guy over at Martin Wine Cellar and enjoyed helping the customers with their beer selections. Chan's would be a great fit for me so I emailed Mr. Cox today and hopefully will receive an email back fairly soon.

(2) I have some brewery contacts in Texas who are asking around. I'm not going to go into details until I hear more info but it's a good one.


Beer Review



Brewery: Boulevard Brewing

Beer: Two Jokers Double Wit

Style: Witbier

Recommended Glassware: Pint Glass

Serving Type: Pint Glass

Appearance - This beer poured a hazy orange color with a huge, fluffy white head which stuck around for a bit. Lacing was very nice.

Smell- Strong hints of yeast, wheat, cloves and lemony citrus.

Taste - Nice tartness upfront with hints of citrus and banana and clove from the yeast. The malt balances this beer well.

Mouthfeel- Very nice crisp and clean with a medium body.

Overall- Another phenomenal brew from the guys over at Boulevard. The Smokestack series are absolutely incredible and this one just adds to it!

Score: 4.5 out of 5 Buddhas