Hot Pot Restaurant in Chengdu

Chips

Harbin

Bottle has molded ABInBev letters.

Slightly more hops than Snow. Carbonation is slightly more too. Everything else is the same.

Snow Beer "Draft Beer" 500 mL

December 6, 2012

Pours a low intensity white head that quickly dissipates leaving zero lacing. Appearance is a clear yellow with almost no bubbles. Mouthfeel is thin and watery with low carbonation. Taste is feather-light with only a trace of hops. Finish is quick and undemanding. Bought this at a Carrefour in Chengdu, China for the equivalent of $1.34.

PRC still bans Google

PRC still bans Google which is why posts are out-of-date.

Xi'an Int'l Airport to Sheraton Xi'an City

Oy! The taxi was an adventure in itself. The first leg from the airport through the highways was boring, as expected. Things became less usual as we approached the actual city. I felt I was part of a James Bond car pursuit scene. The taxi driver, a good-natured lady, took the off ramp on the main artery to get into the city. I was wondering why there were pedestrians walking along the shoulder? A few seconds later a dozen vehicles came towards us in the wrong direction of a one way ramp. As we inched closer to the end of the ramp the vehicles ahead of us were making U-Turns back down the cloverleaf off ramp we just went up! So, the driver surmised there must be an accident and decides to follow the lead cars. The driver managed to get back onto the merge lane of the exit. Instead of following traffic the driver decides to go the wrong way through the main highway a few hundred feet to take the next exit. Thus, we avoided all the congestion at the risk of multiple head-on collisions! On the second off ramp we pass another accident that had just occurred. It was a van that overturned onto its side. The driver said the police only patrol the city roads. There's a special "accident" hotline for highway security.

The 2 or so miles to the hotel was uneventful. That is, except for the several near collisions with pedestrians and motorbikes.

My wife reminded me that this driver is "good" but not as "good" as the taxi driver in Beijing last year. The Beijing driver held a cigarette in his left hand. He was driving and operating a manual transmission with his right hand navigating rush hour traffic.

Hans "Dry Beer"

Ordered with our semi-vegetarian lunch outside of the terra cotta complex in Xi'an, China. A typical Chinese beer with absolutely no flavor but is particularly useful as a tea alternative. The pic shows the head about five seconds after the pour. The color is a bright clear yellow with a few bubbles. The aroma is mostly corny and marshmallow fluff. The palate is corny, zero hops, and some light floral hints. The mouthfeel is ultra-light and finish is as quick as water. My three favorite beverages in China are local low alcohol lagers, Moutai, and bottled water or hot tea. So, light lagers do have a purpose especially when traveling in areas where the local water is questionable.

Display casks

Mitsuya Cider

Carbonated soft drink tastes like a cross between lemon-lime and cream soda.

Yona Yona Ale, 5.5%

I bought this at a Maretsu Petit in Tokyo for ¥269 for a 350 mL can. Pours a apricot-yellow-golden color with a short sparse head but with lotsa' small bubbles. The aroma is definitely piney-citrus in nature with some floral (lavender) hints. This tastes definitely "pale ale" with hops coming right to the front. Mouthfeel is light and finish is crisp thanks to the hops. I don't know if Yoho Brewery is considered a craft brewer but the is the best Japanese beer I've sampled, so far.

Asahi Dry Black "Karakuchi", 5.5%

Acquired this at the Maruetsu Petit in Tokyo. I suppose this is suppose to be a Schwarzbier style since it resembles every aspect. Well, almost every aspect with the exception of flavor. I'd say the flavor lasts no more than twelve seconds after swallowing. I believe this product would be ideal for lawn mowing and/or ridged potato chip snacking.

Kirin Beer 2012, 5%

Limited run brewed with the 2012 hop harvest grown in Tohoku. I can't read Japanese so I have no idea what else is written on the can. This is the last beer I bought in Japan. It cost ¥269 at the neighborhood Maruetsu Petit. What can I say except it tastes like a mild version of Bud. Apparently, the quality acceptance of beer for the average domestic Japanese is the same as the average domestic American. Oh well, off to China where watered down beer has to be taken 'cause the tap water is "not good".

Suntory Jokki Nama, 5%abv

I bought this at a Maruetsu Petit in Tokyo about 45 minutes ago. Typical Japanese rice lager with the usual characteristics. Very easy and disappointing to review. Looks, smells, and tastes just like a Bud. The only difference I can detect is that the "Jokki" actually finishes with a lighter hops presence. This is something I'd probably never try again unless it was part of a complimentary mini-bar.

Sapporo Premium Alcohol Free, 0.00%

'bought this at the same Maruetsu Petit in Tokyo for ¥109. I paired this with Calbee Traditional Potato Chips. The writing on the can says "Enjoy the pleasant time of non-alcoholic, anytime. Taste the mellow bitterness and rich flavor." It's a "Fail"! Pours a pale yellow somewhat like kidney processed beer with a fizzy weak head. Noses a sourish sorghum or roasted sweet potato. Tastes as if candied yams were blended with non-fat yogurt. I detect a faint hop then a weird rice vinegar finish. Mouthfeel is thin and mostly flat like 3-day old soda in a 2 liter bottle. The product is totally gross. This is one product that should never be exported anywhere!

All for only ¥1455 ($17.75)

My lunch and evening snacks.

Suntory Caramel Brown, 5%abv

I bought this at a Maruetsu Petit in Tokyo for ¥129 about 35 minutes ago. I paired this with a ¥105 pseudo-fried chicken sandwich. The writing on the can says "Mellow sweet aroma with rich flavor. Enjoy the rich moment of winter." Okay. I'm guessing this product is a seasonal offering from Suntory. It poured a amber brown hue with copious fine bubbles producing a thick pillowy head. The nose is hoppy, hints of metal, and molasses. The taste is nearly exactly as the nose except the metal wasn't noticeable. There is a satisfying linger of hop bitterness. The mouthfeel was thin and highly carbonated. Overall I felt this product to be better than the average Japanese brew thanks in large part to the hop presence. As far as I know the Suntory Caramel Brown is not exported outside of Japan.

Theobroma

I didn't get it. The product didn't taste anything like the label description. It poured out a fizzley brown-orange color. Aroma of something sweet and alcohol-y. Tasted faintly of the inner shells of pecans. I had high expectations but was let down flatter than a rundown squirrel.

Founders KBS

Stored in EuroCave for about two years and poured into Rochefort chalice on Turkey day. No trace of head. Appears to be used engine oil from afar. Noses dark chocolate, toffee, vanilla, and oaky mustiness. Palate is a warming with a silky full mouthfeel. Tastes of chocolate, oak, and a touch of cayenne pepper. I didn't notice the bourbon either because sample was two years old or I've become whisk(e)y depraved. A "must try" in the Founders line-up and also it's tough to find in the mid-Atlantic area.

St. Bernardus Abt 12

Two year old bottle was opened when first guest arrived for dinner. Poured into a Delirium Tremens tulip glass. A loud pop from the bottle and pours a pillowy tannish head. Dark brown liquid that appears viscous as it is poured from bottle. Dark dried fruits and lotsa' caramel/molasses. A sharp whiff of alcohol during first serving but disappears thereafter. Mouthfeel is thick, chewy, and heavy. Tastes as it smells but with the addition of dark chocolate. Good for sipping when shootin' the breeze prior to dinner. Rochefort 10 still has me hooked to the "Quad" style.

Mort Subite Kriek

This was my first Kriek and last brew in Belgium. The serving came with a fast dissipating "big bubbles" head and the color was dark cranberry red. I could smell the sour cherries as the bubbles were popping. First sip came with a sweet-tart (like the candy roll) cherry flavor but very crisp and clean. It was good, very good except for the high price.

Brigand (Belgian ale)

Ordered this on the recommendation of the server at a twenty four hour eatery in Brussels a few weeks ago. The pic shows a orange golden hue and the remnants of a fluffy white after a big sip. An outstanding aroma of fruity-citrus and malt is evident a foot away from the glass. Tastes better than it looks and smells. Easy drinking with lotsa' summer fruit and flowers coming in. My conclusion is that always listen to the beer suggestion(s) from a part-owner of a local eatery in Brussels.

Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch No. 3

The highlight of my Summer 2012 sampling session. Noses a balanced sherry, maraschino cherry syrup, and potpourri spice combination. Palate reminds me of the mid-sized Whitman's sampler. A taste of everything, except for the coconut, is distinct waves. Finish is long and rich.

Glenfarclas 1974 (31-year old)

Holy cow was the reaction of one of the tasters. Me? Not so much the first sampling...ehh. Set it aside for about month and tried it out. Woweee...man is this spectacular stuff! Nose is hijacked by sherry and Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey fruitcake. Palate is the equivalent of the nose. Very long finish represented by dark sherry and Sprungli 70% dark chocolate. I mention that dark chocolate only 'cause I had a piece at breakfast. I believe the 1974 is a US-only bottling so grab it when you see it.

Highland Park 18

The 18 is great! The 12 is good but a bit too weak. The 25 is too muted and dull. The 18 gets it right on the nose. The perfect balance of light peat, rich sherry, and white puffs of smoke. I hope the 8, 15, 16, and 30 are at least as great as the 18.

Founders Breakfast Stout (Autumn 2009)

Founders Breakfast Stout, FBS, had been my go-to winter brew before I discovered Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout. I'd been cellaring several bottles of FBS out of curiosity. We all know FBS is heavy on coffee and chocolate when fresh but how will it be at three years? It's just as good but now the sharp flavors have mellowed into a Illy mocha-coffee drink. The %abv is only 8.3 but after three years the alcohol had nearly disappeared. I drank directly from the bottle (in the garage while re-finishing my boots) and noticed slightly less carbonation than usual. Gulped down twelve ounces and saw there was no sediment at the bottom. Not bad at all for a 2009. I've got three or four more to use up.

Abita Purple Haze

The first time I drank a Purple Haze was at the ACME Oyster House in New Orleans. The problem was that I was so thirsty that I guzzled the beer which was fine since it was served without a glass. So, I didn't get to taste or see the actual product. Fast forward five months to my annual BBQ cookout. I offered a variety of beer which included Purple Haze. Poured a golden amber hue with little head formation. Noses a mild raspberry and wheat bread aroma. Tastes like a first crop raspberry. It's okay for a summer quencher especially at only 4.2%. I could drink two or three while lawn mowing on a hot muggy day.

Balvenie 17 Rum Cask

Nose is vanilla, sugar cane, and organic non-sulphured dried mango. Palate is a warming mouthful of pound cake and sliced ripe papaya. Finish is clean. I feel this is an endearing example of rum casking. However, my tasting mates did not share my enthusiasm what so ever. I believe one comment was "flat and flavorless". Well, that just means more for me...

Highland Park 25

Nose is clover honey and smoke from a driftwood fire. Taste is floral sweet with some wood in the background. Finish is dry and some more flowers coming around. The 25 was a big letdown at my tasting table for everyone. In fact, I stored it away and re-introduced it one year later and got the same reactions! Very muted compared to its younger stablemates. I'm a bit concerned about opening the 30...

Lagavulin 16

This may be the definitive Islay malt. It's got everything Islay has to offer in perfect balance. The Lag 16 should be the "official" introduction to peat. Nose is smoky wood embers, Atlantic Ocean surf during a cool day, and some sulphurous struck match heads. Palate is briny, freshly smoked Sturgeon, light molasses, and medicinal iodine like sterile gauze dressing. Finish is dry with a mesquite smoke sensation. This would be an excellent fireside drink.