Rogue Mogul Madness Ale

Rogue Mogul Madness Ale, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Ah those were the days...
Living at the mountain.... waking up each morning with nothing to do other than decide whether or not the snow was good enough to go make turns on.
Stopping for a lunch at the base lodge that consisted of hot water, ketchup and crushed saltine crackers... yummy!
At the end of the day scraping together a few buck to buy a beer or two. Ah yes those were the days.... the ski bum days. Funny thing is, no mater how broke I was back then I always had a smile on face and always manage to still drink good beer. Like this appropriate offering from Rogue. Pours a nice amber color with adequate off white head. Nice citrus hops on the nose. Those hops are balanced nicely by a rich warming maltiness on the palate. This medium bodied ale is the perfect end to a perfect ski bum day.

Valley of the Moon Pinot Noir

The last lunar eclipse of 2010 occurred early this morning. I had the misfortune of sleeping through my alarm set to go off at 3:15. Many others set their alarms and awoke to a cloudy sky. Much to their disappointment the moon was no where to be found.

All of the hype built up around the eclipse and the winter solstice influenced my wine selection for the evening. I immediately thought of Valley of the Moon’s 2008 Pinot Noir and decided to give it a try. The bottle is impressive, with no paper label an image of an eclipsed moon is painted on the front. This wine is nothing short of luscious. Its intense bright red fruit flavors are complemented by vanilla, clove and toasty oak. This Pinot Noir has round, firm tannins and a long, rich finish.

Wine and Music: 2008 Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir & Norah Jones 'Come Away With Me'

2008 Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir

Norah Jones - Come Away With Me

Just like Norah Jone’s Come Away With Me, the 2008 Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir is a shining example of strength and elegance. Her impressionistic lyrics engage the listener and are a perfect match for the red berry, violet and chocolate aromas of this luscious Pinot Noir. Her vocals are intimate and relaxed, while the instrumental track provides a soulful edge. The fusion of blues, country and jazz complement the fresh, fruity nature of this wine. This Pinot Noir is an excellent representation of its varietal and showcases a soft, velvety structure with light tannins.

The marriage of this album and this Pinot Noir is simply delightful. The music is easy on the ears and the wine is soft on the palate. So grab a glass, settle into your favorite chair and let the music take you away.

Beer Review: Gandhi Bot, “The Bot” Is Back!

A few months ago this beer flew off our shelves in record time. New England Brewery has graciously whipped up another batch and re-released Gandhi Bot in 12oz cans. “The Bot” is an intense Double I.P.A. brewed from a blend of three varietals of American Hops. Its lush aromatics and intense flavors engulf the senses hitting every pleasure center of the brain. The presence of Hops is strong, but not overwhelming. Citrus flavors are balanced by a faint hint of sweet malt. Gandhi Bot is an exceptional brew that is well balanced and smooth. In addition, New England never fails to disappoint with clever packaging. The labeling only adds to "The Bot" experience.