I Said "I Don't Like Beer
Written: May 27 '06 (Updated May 27 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A Delightful Drink.
Cons: I am trying, but can't think of any
The Bottom Line: This is a fine tasting drink. If I liked it, and I do not like most beers, anyone would like it.
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| Granniemose's Full Review: Rogue Hazelnut Nectar 22oz |
I said it, and I meant it. But now I have to qualify it a bit. I don't like most beer.
However, at our recent "Meet and Greet" here in Knoxville I have had to swallow my words. This "Meet and Greet" was organized by Bryon Carey, and it is the third one he has put together. I believe he organized it for those of us who live South of the Mason-Dixon Line, because all of the
meets so far have been out of reach for those of us who find them too far to drive to - and many of us just can't spare the big city travel and boarding funds, much as we wish we could.
Anyway, last year Bryon stated that he could find at least one beer that anyone could enjoy, even those who have declared they simply don't like beer.
He suggested some kind of a light beer or ale (I don't remember the name of it) and we ordered a sample. I tasted it and while I didn't hate it, I wasn't ecstatic about it either. Jude drank most of my sample, and she ordered a glass of it. She liked it, but then she usually likes more things then I do.
Well, this year Bryon proved his point. He suggested Hazelnut brown nectar. I ordered a sample, as did Jude.
Hmmn, I liked it. I drank my sample and most of Jude's sample, and Jude ordered a glass of it for me. It was very good - it really and truly was.
I will try to describe it. I don't know the fine points of describing beer, so I thought I would look up Bryon's old review, and maybe plagiarize a bit. (Sorry Bryon, I know that's not very honest) However, after going through four hundred of Bryon's old reviews unsuccessfully, I have decided to wing it all by myself, let the chips fall where they may. (I also couldn't find it in the search engine, although I didn't realize until I had started this review that I was spelling nectar incorrectly. I ended it with an er) So if I can't find it before I finish this, it will go in the writer's corner.
First the nectar came in a big high glass. Although it was clear and colorful, it was very dark brown. There was a tiny crest of foam at the top. It wasn't white, but sort of an off white - maybe the color of coffee cream or at least Half'n'Half. The first thing I noticed was that it wasn't bitter at all, but slightly sweet, and had a great nutty taste. As I drank further, I thought I could taste malt - remember the soda fountain when you were a kid (if you have passed the half century mark) where you would hang out after school nursing a malted milk?) A slight taste of that was what I thought I detected. I think there was chocolate in it, although I didn't detect the flavor. The drink was the color of dark chocolate.
I asked Bryan about the alcohol content, and he said he thought it was about 4%. I couldn't feel any buzz, although I did think I was probably a little too pushy-friendly, and probably talked a little too much. However, I think that was because I enjoyed the company, more then the beer talking.
I didn't think to check if there was any "lace" on the side of my glass, which is something that I think beer lovers notice. Sorry about that.
I guess it was a drink that goes well with deserts, but I liked it with my onion rings.
One enjoyable beer reviewer from Scotland always stops here for an intermission where he favors us with a joke, some of which we can repeat in mixed company. I can't think of any, so I won't stop.
Getting back to my onion rings, they were the first great onion rings I have had since I left Ohio, thank you Barley's Bar.
I enjoyed our Meet and Greet at Barley's Bar and Grill here in Knoxville. When you first walk in it looks like an ordinary bar in a very old building, but when you sit down with friends it is great.
Bryan was there, of course, with his charming wife, Lisa, as well as the star of the show, Ms. Colleen Carey. Believe me, that young lady is something. She is already starting to talk, says Mama and Dada very clearly, and she looks like the baby pictured on the Gerber products. She stayed there with her mother and father all afternoon in her high chair and smiled and flirted and never once whimpered. Bryon was holding her once, and she decided she should taste his beer. When he didn't put it to her lips she leaned back and said, "DaDa" in a tone that meant, "I only want to taste it, Dad, and you have a whole glass full." She was adorable, and everyone at the table fell in love with her.
Melissa (Melissasrm) and her mother (DDusty Rose) were in attendance, and they were lovely. Melissa, who has a sixteen year old daughter) looks like she is about eighteen, although she claims to be thirty-something. Her Mother is as charming as her writings and poetry show her to be. Her appearance, too, belies the fact that she is a
Grandma. Don't tell anyone, but I believe these two have found the secret spell of how to stop the ageing process.
Jude came with me, and her daughter graciously drove us to the meeting place. Jude has been having dizzy spells and doesn't feel comfortable getting on the highways until they are diagnosed and under control. We were lucky that Arinn was visiting us from VanCouver, and agreed to be our driver.
Shelia (SKBreeze) and her husband arrived a little late. Shelia's husband had to work until 2:00 PM, and they had to drive all the way from Chatanooga (I think it's about 60 miles, although I could be wrong). It was good to see Shelia again. I enjoyed her a lot last year, and again this year.
I tried and tried to find Barley's on the data base, but was unsuccessful so decided to include it in my one and only ever beer review. I think it will be OK, because it is one place at least where you can order Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar.
Thanks for reading
Virginia
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID: Granniemose
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Member: Virginia
Location: Greenest spot in the land of the free
Reviews written: 207
Trusted by: 313 members
About Me: I'm back. Waiting for Lorace to give me another piece of poetry
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