Now that I have your attention. . . .
The folks at Chow.com seem to feel compelled to email me every time they post a story about beer. I find that strange because presumably what makes them different is they are discussing beer in an intelligent manner with an audience — folks who might be generally think about food and wine more than beer — that knows less about beer than the people who hang out here. So excuse me if I look at their stories and think “not enough new here to point to.”
The latest email is about a video in their “The perfect” series. We’ve had the perfect fried chicken, the perfect chocolate chip cookie. By god, let’s find the perfect beer.
The choice is Russian River Supplication. Maybe it is perfect, but I like Temptation better. So where is the the in the?
I should also point out that for a year I owned the domain name “myperfectbeer.com.” I let it go and as far as I can tell nobody claimed it. Does that mean there is no perfect beer? Certainly if there is one there must be two and if there are two . . . you can see where I am going.
Watching the video I had one other thought. There are different cherries in some of those barrels. So if Vinnie Cilurzo is still experimenting how could what is already in there be perfect?
Perhaps I’m just being crusty. But why would Lessley Anderson complain? She wrangled a link out of me.
This is a bit like “The Best Beer in the World” bollocks.
As great as it might be (and I haven’t tried it, but would love to), Supplication Ale is not THE perfect beer, not by any chance. With over 7%ABV is a lousy Session Beer, and I don’t think it’s a beer I would like to drink while having a grill party in my garden, or after having a summer walk in the country. So, no, it’s not the perfect beer.
Nothing like perpetuating the idea that only in-your-face beers can be “good.” I suppose Lessley only drinks oak fermented Chardonnay too, no steel for her. 😉
I find it interesting (ironic?) that the wine barrels used are from the one wine that is probably the most subtle of all. I guess Vinnie didn’t want any wine character mixing with everything else?
For the record, I love Supplication. It wouldn’t call it an “in your face” beer at 7%.
By chance I was there the day he was filling newly acquired Pinot barrels at the brewpub and they smelled gorgeous. Pinot is his favorite style of wine and there are many excellent ones made in the Sonoma region.
Carbernet Savignon barrels do come across much bigger in Consecration, which in turn is a stronger beer.
Hi there,
I prefer un-oaked or very lightly oaked Chardonnay.
But more seriously – Appellation beer – do you want us to stop sending you links? Is it too annoying? If so, we will stop.
It’s impossible to say anything is perfect. The hyperbole is just a device to get people talking. Even I, after having some really hot love with the new Sierra Nevada Keller Wiess, last night, am thinking now that THAT may be my favorite beer! But then, that Rauchbier from Schlenkerla I had the week prior that blew my mind, i cannot forget….
Vinnie’s aged beers, particularly those with Brett and bacteria, make an interesting story, which is a big part of why we chose it out of other awesome beers.
Thanks for posting, even though we irritated you. all discussion of good beer is good discussion.
Lessley Anderson
Thanks for stopping by, Leslie.
This seems to be a week for me to rankle the folks on the Internets.
Trying to decided who to piss off next – maybe somebody in the wine world.
“It wouldn’t call it an “in your face” beer at 7%.”
Based on the funkiness, fruitiness, complex characters, not to mention the high ABV, it’s in-your-face. It’s far from a subtle Pils or Helles — even Kölsch, that get no love from the Beer Geekdom out there.
If it doesn’t get their attention, it’s not worth their time (see Lew’s latest post on easy-to-drink as an insult).
Stan, you are either stealing the wind from my sails or filing to be adopted. Rankle on!
Temptation?! Blasphemy! Give me a pint (err…14 ounce pour) of Perdition!
Steve, everyone out here is brewing a Kölsch now. It’s the new Double IPA, soon to be replaced by the Berliner Weisse. The problem is as Beer Geeks we have an attention span that is lucky to survive the pint we’re currently drinking. That’s why we favor sample trays. Much easier to stay focused over 5 ounces of beer at a time.
“everyone out here is brewing a Kölsch now.”
Bring ’em on! Why do you suppose that is?
“That’s why we favor sample trays.”
In my experience, sampler trays don’t give enough volume to make a good impression and the glasses are too small to pinpoint good aroma. But they’re cute and colorful! 🙂