Beer & Bourbon Tasting: Bronx Brewery
Tonight we went to a special $ 10 tasting at Idle Hands. We get to sample some of Bronx Brewery’s finest. I’ve been looking forward to this since I read the Beer Event of the Week post.
Paul’s first – Bronx Pale Ale: The first taste on this journey is the base brew for the night and the most available of Bronx Brewery’s beverages. This is a real good beer. I’ve had a few of these in the past few weeks and I really enjoy it. It’s got a great flavor and doesn’t overpower. This is a beer that I gravitate toward and I plan to keep it that way.
Graham’s First - I really appreciate the dry bitter hop flavor alongside the sweet malty finish. Easily drinkable and fast to finish. I will be a happy man when this starts showing up more frequently on draft around the city.
Phil’s First Bronx Pale Ale. It’s a good starter. Slightly hoppy with a bit more on the sweet malty end in my book. It’s a good solid pale ale that should taste pretty familiar to anyone that likes them.
Brad’s First Bronx Pale Ale – enjoyable because it has a bite on the back end that’s missing from typical Pale Ale.
Brad’s Whiskey Woodford Reserve – this is a decent whiskey with a nice burn. Been trying to get into bourbon and this is certainly high on my list.
Paul’s Whiskey Woodford Reserve – I agree with Brad about the burn. It is definitely there. It has a nice flavor to it. It kicks a little harder than than I am used to, it’s definitely not bad but it may take some getting used to.
Phil’s Whiskey Woodford Reserve – N/A
Graham’s Whiskey Woodford Reserve – I like the burn. Let’s you know you’re alive. If you’re used to it then you’re doing something too right.
Paul’s second – Bronx Bourbon Aged Pale Ale- Absolutely delicious! They took a good pale ale and made it one of the best beers I’ve had this year. The way bourbon affects the pale ale is incredible. This is a beer I will seek out again if it is ever available again.
Phil’s 2nd Bronx Bourbon Aged Pale Ale – good god this is delicious! Everyone knows that I do NOT like bourbon, bourbon aged beer however is wonderful. Sweet to start off with the, the bourbon flavor takes over quickly and you don’t look back. Finishes with a little hop taste and a good amount of the alcohol that bourbon lovers enjoy, but not too much to turn this beer guy off. Seek. This. Out.
Brad’s Bronx Bourbon Barrel Aged Pale Ale it’s a mouthful of a name that translates into silence from never wanting to talk again and drink this beer forever. Bronx Pale has a kick that I enjoy but can’t enjoy more than one – the bourbon aging takes the kick out and mellows it out to a completely drinkable (on multiple levels) beverage. This is fantastic and I can’t wait for their other stuff.
Graham’s Third Bronx Bourbon aged Pale ale- ITS GREAT! It definitely takes the edge off the pale ale and replaces it with a smooth bourbony curve. The only problem is that I enjoyed the edge of the pale ale. I’m hit with equal parts disappointment and silky deliciousness. Still would prefer more bite.
Paul’s meat! Slantshack Jerky- I certainly cannot claim to dissect beef jerky half as poorly as I can beer. This jerky is delicious (like that’s a surprise). It’s delicious beef jerky. I would get that again, I certainly plan on seeking out other flavor of Slantshack.
Brad’s meat! Slantshack Jerky- Full disclosure… I’m uncomfortable talking about my meat online – but this was delicious aged in the Bronx Pale Ale – as someone who’s recently gotten into pickling – I’m totally down with the process. Delicious but… Full disclosure… This is my first taste – is it all down from here?
Graham’s meat! Slantshack Jerky- I enjoy me some jerky – staple of any good American road trip. This jerky isn’t as flavorful at first but it evolves quickly in your mouth after you eat several hunks. All of a sudden you notice that the subtle spice and bourbon flavor has been growing this whole time – and you are powerless to stop it.
Phil’s meat! Slantshack Jerky- I love jerky. Love it! This is some really good jerky, subtler than most that I’ve had, but the flavor fills out in a very nice way. Being aged in the Pale Ale is a nice touch and adds a good end to the flavor. I would take a couple of bags of this on any road tip.
Filed under: Live Blog 
The Beer Friends
‘Community’ Cast Tweets Support For Dan Harmon
When it was reported last week that Dan Harmon might not have his contract renewed for the fourth season of “Community,” star Joel McHale said he was “literally praying” his showrunner would return.
“Dan’s the creator of the show, so to lose his voice would be pretty crazy,” McHale told TVLine.com. “He gave me the role of a lifetime, so it would be a very weird scenario [to continue] without him.”
Season four just got weird. Late Friday night, NBC and Sony — the studio that produces “Community” — announced that Harmon would not be back next season. On his blog, Harmon said he had been “fired.”
In reaction to this news, McHale, and his “Community” co-stars Alison Brie, Gillian Jacobs, Yvette Nicole Brown and Jim Rash, took to their Twitter accounts on Saturday afternoon to express support for Harmon.
Season four of “Community” is set to premiere in the fall on Friday nights at NBC. The cast is expected to return mostly intact, though whether Chevy Chase — who famously and publicly feuded with Harmon over his role on the series — remains to be seen.
Despite the fact that NBC Entertainment president Robert Greenblatt said last week that Harmon would likely have a role on “Community” going forward, don’t necessarily expect that to be the case.
“If I actually chose to go to the office, I wouldn’t have any power there,” Harmon wrote on his personal Tumblr page. “Nobody would have to do anything I said, ever. I would be ‘offering’ thoughts on other people’s scripts, not allowed to rewrite them, not allowed to ask anyone else to rewrite them, not allowed to say whether a single joke was funny or go near the edit bay, etc.”
“Community” ended its third season earlier this week with a three-episode season finale.
EARLIER: Dan Harmon: “I Got Fired”
New York City Craft Beer Events for the Week of May 6, 2012
Hey now! Is it Tuesday already. I reckon so. Here’s some beer events for ya!
Tuesday, May 8 – Sierra Nevada Night @ The One Mile House, Manhattan:
Remember when Sierra Nevada was the only West Coast game in town? They would throw events and thousands, millions even, of people would turn out just to see what those crazy Pacific Highway dudes were brewing. Now, they come back around a little bit less often, but it’s okay. We still love them. They’ll be taking over some taps tonight at the One Mile House on Delancey. Expect some fancy and semi-rare brews to be pouring. Here’s the draft list:
Hoptimum
Ovila Quad
Summerfest
They even say they’ll be more on the night of the event.
Wednesday, May 9 – Craft Can & Grilled Cheese Night @ Nita Nita, Brooklyn:
Hey remember when craft beer cans were new and not yet all the rage? And we loved Nita Nita for serving them without regard? Me too. Well, even though you can barely walk down the street without getting hit in the head with a Dale’s Pale Ale can or a tin of Pork Slap, we still appreciate Nita Nita for being one of the first to jump on that aluminum train. Hit them up this Wednesday for a tantalizingly good grilled cheese sandwich made with gruyere and 2 craft cans to help ya wash it down. Only for $ 15. Now that’s a cheap, crafty, canny date.
Thursday, May 10 – Founders Festival @ Standings, Manhattan:
One could ask right now if life in the beer world could get any better for Founders. The answer is probably yes. They’ll soon figure out how to age the CBS in bacon barrels. Yes, barrels made only out of bacon. This Thursday you can grab a nice selection (minus the bacon aged dream beer) of Founders at Standings, including a KBS being tapped at approximately (exactly?) 6:10 pm. I’ll see ya at 6:05.
Saturday, May 12 – Beer TV Fest @ Jimmy’s No. 43, Manhattan:
Beer apparently is the next Zoey Deschanel. I take that back, it’s probably a better actor, but they definitely are both getting onto the big screen these days. Hit up Jimmy’s No. 43 this Saturday for an airing of a series of short films on beer. While you’re watching you can enjoy several pints. Which would make any actress, including beer, look better on the big screen.
Filed under: Beers 
The Beer Friends
BFF4 Round 6: Championship Round!
The Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout represents the barrel aged beers in this tournament, of which there were many. It has been long considered a stand out from the rest and has cemented its legacy in the BFF4. This brew takes bourbon aged beers to another level, specifically the sweet maple syrup level. Using barrels that had been used to age bourbon first, then sent to age maple syrup (which is something I need to find), before being sent to age the Breakfast Stout gives this brew an incredibly original taste.
Russian River Pliny the Elder came into this tournament as a favorite to win the entire thing and is now one win away from bringing home this blog’s ultimate prize. This double IPA came through a heavily barrel aged tournament to prove that the IPA is still the preeminent style. Can the rare elixir from Russian River take down the beer that sets the bar for barrel aging from Founders?
Voting will end Sunday at 11 pm.
Filed under: Beers, BFFF 
The Beer Friends
New York City Craft Beer Events for the Week of May 13, 2012
Tuesday, May 15 – Pony Bar Upper East Side Grand Opening @ The Pony Bar, Manhattan:
The Upper East Side just got way cooler – the genius minds behind The Pony Bar decided that the city needed more craft beer and delicious food and lucky UES-craft-beer-heads are getting the second installation. It’s been described as the second mecca of craft beer in NYC (after the first Pony of course). The new spot will be a bit bigger in size and is keeping with the same 20 taps/2 casks system. Of course everything will be $ 5 – an exceptionally reasonable price for some of the craft staples and specialty pours of which they always seem to have several on hand. On top of all that good stuff they will be keeping with the great food, music and rustic Americana atmosphere, all to provide you with arguably the best craft beer drinking experience in the city.
The UES Pony Bar is located at 1444 1st Ave on the corner of 75th St. in the Upper East Side, Manhattan
Tuesday, May 15 – Wednesday, May 16 – Pacific Northwest Beer and Oyster Festival @ The Blind Tiger, Manhattan:
Beer and oysters. A magical pairing. No two things go together finer. Oh, now what’s that you say? There’s a festival devoted to it happening this Tuesday and Wednesday? At the Blind Tiger Ale House? Well now, looks like my week is shot. Going to have to attend of course. Yes, both nights, obviously. Oh and all the beer and oysters are from the Pacific Northwest? You didn’t have to do that, pulling out all the stops to provide me, your average beer drinker, with the best oysters and beer in the country. Really, it means a lot to me.
The Blind Tiger Ale House is located at 281 Bleecker St on the corner of Jones St. in the West Village, Manhattan
Thursday, May 17 – Long Island Week Draft Event @ Bierkraft, Brooklyn:
Long Island has sure solidified it’s position recently in the East Coast craft beer world. They went from having one or two to having a half dozen craft breweries in less than a three year period. And, unlike many products (people) from Long Island, they’ve shed the Strong Island stereotype, producing some of the best beers in this part of the world. Join Bierkraft for a night of Long Island beer appreciation with the likes of Greenpoint Harbor, Blue Point, Barrier, Southampton and more.
Bierkraft is located at 191 Fifth Ave between Union St and Berkeley Place in Park Slope, Brooklyn
Friday, May 18 – 4th Annual Maine Event @ The Pony Bar, Manhattan:
As if this week wasn’t already totally mind blowingly exciting for the Pony Bar – their Hell’s Kitchen location will be throwing their 4th Annual Maine Beer and Food Event. That’s right, a weekend where the Pony brings you to the shores, mountains and forests of the northeast’s most rugged wilderness: Maine. Think Shipyard, Allagash, Sea Dog, Sebago, Baxter, Marshall Wharf and Belfast Bay paired alongside scallop sliders, lobster rolls and baskets of fried oysters.
The Pony Bar is located at 637 10th Ave on the corner of 45th Street in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
Filed under: Beers 
The Beer Friends
Solemn Oath Khloros
(KLOR-ohs) Light bodied and refreshing, our take on a Belgian white ale is delicately spiced with orange and lemon peels as well as Indian green coriander for a herbal, lemony character with some notes of summer stone fruit and citrus.
New Beers on BeerMenus
Evan Shapiro: Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist, Sometimes
(There’s even a song.)
The question is not “Is Lena Dunham Racist?”; it’s “Is Lena Dunham any more racist than the rest of us?”
Recently, there’s been a firestorm over the lack of diversity on Lena Dunham’s HBO zeitgeist-apalooza, Girls. I will not rehash what has previously been hashed — but if you missed it: Jenna Wortham wrote this critique of the blandness of the characters and casting of Girls; then the Twittersphere went apeshit; then Molly Lambert informed us that it’s not Dunham who’s racist, it’s all of TV.
So, now you’re up to date — except for one thing: It’s not TV that’s racist, it’s us. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: TV (especially right now) is far more of a reflection of who we are as a society, than who we ought to be.
TV, like the United States, is incredibly diverse. However, like our country, it is also quite segregated. You may not like it, but TV is a mirror image of America in the 21st century.
Segregation in America peaked in 1960. For the next 20 years, the country grew more diverse and more integrated — at a rapid rate, neighborhoods less likely to be “all white,” “all black” or “all anything.” However, in 1980, that progress began to slow.
From 1980 through 2000, even though the country on the whole became more diverse, the rate of integration for all neighborhoods across the country declined greatly. And, a study from Brown University shows that from 2000 to 2010, the rate declined even more rapidly — all but coming to a complete stop. In fact, by some respects, integration of races by neighborhood even regressed in the last 10 years.
The average white person lives in a neighborhood that is 77 percent white. While that’s an improvement over 1980, when they lived in areas that were 88 percent white, it is surprising (and disappointing) to see how little progress we’ve made in 30 years. Black families — the most segregated American minority — overwhelmingly live in predominantly black neighborhoods, and segregation for Hispanics and Asians has actually begun to increase. To a certain extent, the more diverse we become, the more likely we are to each live in our own ghetto.
So, no, it did not surprise me to see Lena and her besties living in a ‘white girl ghetto’ — even in New York diver-City; or to see The Game have an all-black cast; or to see Jersey Shore have an all-guido cast. Despite all our protestation and our diversity, we are segregating ourselves and TV is reflecting that back to us.
No, we don’t have to like it. But, as the slogan goes: It’s not TV, it’s America.
Listen to ‘Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist’ From Avenue Q:
Parent Trap: The Narrow Worldview of What to Expect When You’re Expecting
Even though it doesn’t have a story, characters, or setting, Heidi Murkoff’s mega-bestselling, 28-year-old pregnancy manual, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, actually makes perfect sense as a vehicle for a contemporary Hollywood ensemble comedy. For an industry banked on bathroom humo…
Village Voice | Complete Issue
