2011-12-02T16:37:00.001-08:00

Just back from The Public House in Minneapolis.

The French Dip Panini was just as wonderful the second time around. We split an order of the Drunken Portabella Quesadilla. All washed down with some Sweet Child of Vine IPA from nearby Fulton brewery.

It so happens that tonight was the debut of a new beer from a spanking new local brewery.

We were treated to samples of AIR from Lucid Brewery. The bartender described it as a "light beer".

This description did not do the brew justice.

Light it was, but flavorful. Subtle lemon, and a clean "finish" with a flush of mild maltiness reappearing on the palate.

My companion ordered a pint of AIR. I opted for the Pumpkin Pot de Creme with salted caramel.

I can't recommend the pairing, but I do recommend the dessert.

As for Lucid and AIR, we hear they will have it on tap at Black Sheep next week.

Also debuting next week from Lucid is their double IPA, Camo. 9%ABV, sneaking up on you through a balanced malt and hop profile. I can't wait to try it. I hear it will be available in Blaine (at Bricks?) and Minnetonka.

Further info at their website: http://lucidbrewing.wordpress.com

How awesome to stumble onto an official launching of a local brewery. And awesome to find a beer aptly called "light" that I can say is PROPERLY called BEER.

Looking forward to having AIR with my pizza at Black Sheep next week, and will actively seek out Camo when it comes out next week.

Dinner at Black Sheep Pizza

2011-11-30T19:59:00.001-08:00

FIRST!!!Just back from Black Sheep Pizza. Slow night at the Mpls location. I explained to my party that it was Thanksgiving caloric guilt combined with pre-Christmas budgetary concerns. Happens every year.

They believe.

Now that I'm back home, I'm continuing to search the internet for a collection of liqueurs in tiny bottles. Anyone else remember seeing this kind of assortment in the old Sear's catalog back in the day?Is this so weird?

In my better-than-Martha-Stewart fantasies, I'll be making an assortment of truffles for my adoring friends' gifts this year. Multiple divine candies individually flavored by scrumptious liqueurs. Since I'll only need a small portion of each liqueur, I can rob a bank to fund these simple home-made treasures, or find that liqueur assortment I'm sure someone sells.

Except I can't find that.I have found:

this little gem.

If I may borrow from Bill Maher- New Rule: All generic American pilsners must be delivered through taps that look like this.

Yeah. I'm a craft brewery aficionado.

On tap tonight at Black Sheep I had a Belgian style brew from Flat Earth, and an Irish Amber Ale from Finnegans.

I love Love LOVE that Black Sheep keeps a few rotating crafty selections in their on-tap lineup each week. Their menu calls them 'guest brews'. Mmmmmmm.

That and extraordinary pizza in a fabulous array of options from the definitive/delicious simple cheese and sauce, to complex+flavorful, balanced pies of yumminess. I try never to use a fork, but that first too-hot bite cannot wait to be lifted, and I always cave and carve with a utensil. Sorry Jon Stewart. It IS that good.

Scene Here

Dinner at Black Sheep Pizza