BEER!!
We've got some new Octoberfests, of course, for the approaching fall months. So far, I've had the opportunity to taste three Octoberfest beers for the first time, one of which stood out far and above as the superior product.
Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest, Chippewa Falls, WI
Very clean and light tasting for an Octoberfest, this beer has sharp citrus notes that accent the floral notes of Cascade hops. I found this to be very drinkable, but not much "oomf" to it.
Samuel Adams' Ocktoberfest, Boston, MA
A bit darker and hoppier than its Wisconsin sister, this Octoberfest seems to be the brother. More of a bite to the hops flavor leaves less need to rely on a citrus backbone, as many Belgian ales do. This beer stood well on its own, though the depth of flavor wasn't as well- developed as I'd prefer.
New Belgium Hoptober, Ft. Collins, CO
When I glimpsed the ingredient list to this carefully crafted Colorado beer, I admit I balked. Five different hop varietals mashed together with wheat and rye sounds like it's going to be more like an IPA or Imperial style beverage, but this couldn't be farther from the truth. The complex hops flavors blend together nicely, creating a deep, rich caramel flavor that saturates the palette. This is what October should taste like, friends. Get some before it's gone.
WINE!!
Luna Freakout! White wine blend
Luna vineyards had a pinot grigio that we tasted just before the vendor broke out this amazing little number, Freakout!, worth every penny of the $12 bottle cost. Lots of character, the wine has subtle oak notes that give way to a well-rounded buttery kind of flavor reminiscent of a riesling or gewurstraminer. A very well-built wine, I could see this wine satisfying a variety of wine drinkers.
Argento Malbec, Argentina
This distinct Malbec had the tender gamy notes that define the Malbec flavor. Very big flavors pop out of the first sip of this classy red, notes of blueberries peeking through the many layers of rich dark chocolate. This red is would serve as a perfect aperatif; something to get the juices going for a great steak dinner or beef stew after a long day's harvest.
Adelsheim Vineyards, Oregon, Pinot Noir
Oregon has been known to be a hot commodity in the West for a good pinot noir. The only trouble is that very few Oregon wines make it this far east. Adelsheim Vineyards had a stand at the tasting, the first time the state's wines made it to the Great Plains, and you should definitely expect to see some serious pinot action in the near future at Harper Corner. This pinot is unbelievably high quality, notes of melon and berries married harmoniously in a wine that barely leans toward the sweet side of the scales. Good for dessert, good with dinner... Heck, it's good with breakfast.
LIQUOR
360 Cola Vodka, 360 Dutch Chocolate Vodka
When I first saw that 360 had a display of Dutch Chocolate vodka, I had to try it out. At 70 proof, this vodka has deep rich chocolate flavor that stops barely short of Holy Crap. But then I saw the true crown jewel: Cola flavored vodka. It seems that the only thing this little cocktail is missing is the bubbles. Not boozy, not subtle, this pure cola flavor outperforms any mass marketed cola in creation. I would compare it only to independent craft companies like Jones soda or Big Sky, some organic soda that focuses on extracting the pure citrus-like cola root flavor. This stuff is dangerous. Expect to see it on shelves soon.
New Amsterdam Gin
New Amsterdam has been around for some time, but this was the first time I had ever gotten the chance to try it out. Wow. They mixed a cocktail with gin, triplesec, and pineapple juice, something that I don't even think has a legitimate bartending name. New Amsterdam strips away the boozy qualities typical of gin leaving clean caper flavor perfect for mixing cocktails. I may have even found a new idea for making the perfect bloody mary (that's right, we use gin around here).
And that's about it for me today. I hope that these tidbits can help you find whatever it is that you'll most enjoy with your harvest dinners. Keep an eye out for the new products on our shelves, and until next time, Drink up!!
