Side By Side Returns, a good wine for a great cause.

It is that time of year again, Side by Side wine has returned to F&E.  Its a good wine with a great cause.  $1 from each sale goes to Azalea Charities, a charity dedicated to assisting wounded US and UK veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. http://www.azaleacharities.org/

This Memorial Day, as we in America remember those who served in the armed forces of our country or our comrades in arms from the UK, you can do a solid for those service members working their way back to "normal."

Bud Black Crown, better than regular Bud, and that's about it.

I saw the splashy launch of Budweiser Black Crown ("BBC") during the Superbowl, and after tasting it my impression is that I don't think BBC will make it till the next one.  Like Bud Platinum before it, I don't see the purpose of trying to be what you are not and stake a claim to the premium beer category when the product does not live up to it. 

BBC in for a lot of abuse from the craft beer perfectionists, as it should.  It does not live up to the Superbowl hype, which is not to say it is a bad beer, just not a good one either.  BBC is a straight ahead, fair American lager with a touch more sweetness and more hops than regular Bud.  There's a bit of orange on the nose, then a wave of caramel, and then a slightly stale grassy finish but you are still left with the typical Budweiser dead wet cardboard feel.  

If this was an attempt to co-opt the craft beer market, it failed.  If this was introduced to replace regular red canned Bud it would be a win.  Since AB wants a premium of $1-2 per six pack for this beer I would skip it and buy some Sam Adams instead.  Just one man’s opinion.

Maker's Mark Rethinks Cutting Alcohol Content

Since I was posting anyway did anyone notice how quickly Maker's Mark walked this one back?  I have noticed as I get older that my tastes in alcohol is changing as well.  I tend to drink more whiskey and wine than vodka and beer, it is, what it is.  During lent I can't drink Scotch, so it is nice having bourbon on hand. For those of you who do not know the varieties, I found a great family tree.

 aqua vitae = "water of life"

Maker's Mark and Gentleman Jack are my go to bourbons, and both great products.  The thought by Maker's Mark was to reduce the proof from 90 to 84 so that they could produce more bottles overall to keep up with demand. I don't understand the thinking of actively undermining you brand by changing the formulation during a period of unprecedented success but I still remember New Coke, and the reason that the Coke (less and less as well) I buy is now branded Coca Cola Classic.  Thankfully they came to their senses and reversed course.

Its been a while, gas prices are up and wine prices too.

Its been forever since I posted last.  Work has been busy and I have had some occasional travel to the beautiful pacific northwest.  Thankfully things are starting to hit a happy medium again.   The boys and Cameron are all well and since it is lent I gave up Scotch again, so back to wine and beer I guess.

I was surprised to read a last month that Trader Joe's has done the inevitable and raised the price on their flagship Charles Shaw wine from $1.99 to $2.49.  Though I guess it could still be called two buck Chuck, I had abandoned it several years ago when wine quality had plummeted and a bottle gave me more of a headache than any enjoyment.

 
Never fear budget minded wine drinkers, thankfully Big Kahuna is still plugging along at $1.99.  If you hit the right sale you can get it for even less.

Even though the brand has a decidedly American surfer motif, it is actually produced in Spain.  Consequently the Tempranillo, a grape varietal native to Spain is the best of the lineup.  Cameron likes the Cabernet a bit better than some of the mid priced Cabs that we had been drinking so for a weeknight this has become our go to bottle.

If there was one theme in this blog it is the appreciation of wine without pretense.  The Big Kahuna line is the epitome of this.  An introductory price-point wine of good quality where you find out what varietals you generally enjoy, no special tools needed.  The screw cap though lacking in romance is practical and eliminates the need for a corkscrew to open the wine or vacuum pump to preserve the leftovers. Leave the pretense behind and grab a bottle and a couple glasses, for the price you will not be disappointed.