Crabbie's Ginger Beer

A few weeks ago a package arrived with a sample of Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer, along with a logo glass. Alcoholic Ginger Beer is a beverage that's to new me. It's not a "beer" in the traditional sense, but we're alway open to trying new brewed beverages. I had a bottle of Bundaberg non-alocholic Ginger Beer during our pilgrimage in Ireland, but given the food and drink sensory overload of the trip, I recall little about it.

According to the promotional materials, Crabbie's is served over ice, with slice of lime or lemon. Well, anyone who knows me, knows I don't do ice or fruit in my beer. However, since the marketing folks were kind enough to provide a tall glass for the sampling, I decided there was room for ice. Alas, no limes were found in the fridge.

After the sample bottle arrived, I went out and picked up a four-pack at the store so that Colleen and our friend Checkered Flag, who is an avowed cider fan, could participate in the review as well. We shared our reviews via text message as our friend was unable to be with us in person. The text messages flew fast as everyone shared their impressions.

In my head, I had imagined the beverage to be similar to a cider. But the rapidly developing white head changed that impression, and slowed my pour. The aroma is rich in ginger, along with some honey and floral notes. The flavor is refreshing and rich, not the artificial sweetness often found in ginger "sodas." The flavor matches the aroma in ginger richness, it's exactly what one would expect. And the flavor of the ginger lingers, along with a stickiness and mild tartness in the finish.

We were all in agreement that this is an enjoyable beverage. Everyone's thoughts immediately turned to enjoying the Crabbie's on a hot summer day. At just 4.8% ABV it's certainly suitable for a summer refreshment. The beer has a unique flavor, one that will probably appeal to fans of both craft beer and hard cider. Colleen, who prefers her beer before or after, rather than during, a meal decided she could indeed enjoy this with her food. As it happens, our friend was enjoying his drink with a cheeseburger topped with that U.K. classic, HP Sauce, and said the beer held up nicely.

There are still a couple bottles left in the refrigerator that we'll be enjoying soon. I read that Crabbies' can also be used in cocktails such as a Moscow Mule, made with vodka, ginger beer and lime. I've never been intrigued by beer cocktails, but since I'm trying new things, maybe the time is right for that experience too.

Crabbie's Ginger Beer, a product of the United Kingdom, made its appearance in the U.S. last year, imported by St. Killiam Importing. It's currently available in 23 states. In Virginia, Crabbie's can be found at all Total Wine, Wegman's, WorldMarket, and Farm Fresh stores.

One bottle of Crabbie's Ginger Beer, along with the Crabbie's glass, was an unsolicited gift from the promoter. The beer was reviewed of our own free will.

St. Gabriel Possenti

I am often struck by how the Saints work themselves into our lives. One Saint with whom I am feeling a growing connection is St. Gabriel Possenti. Today, February 27, is the Feast Day devoted to this interesting Saint.

St. Gabriel Possenti was a Catholic seminarian in Isola del Gran Sasso, Italy. In 1860 he is said to have used his skills with the pistol to drive off a band of marauding soldiers who were terrorizing the town. Possenti faced the troublemakers after grabbing revolvers from two soldiers. As they laugh at the young student, he took aim and accurately shot a lizard that was running across the road. Impressed, the soldiers left the town, escorted by the seminarian, who had become the hero of the town.

Like many Saints, there's an unclear line between the facts of the Saint's life and the "tradition" associated with him. However, this story about Gabriel Possenti has led to him being promoted as the Patron Saint of Handgunners. The St. Gabriel Possenti Society was created for the purpose of promoting the Saint's cause. The society also promotes the study of the historical, philosophical and theological bases for the doctrine of self-defense.

A couple of years ago, our parish was presented with a relic of St. Gabriel Possenti, under the name St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. It was an exciting moment when I saw the blurb announcing the displayed relic in our weekly bulletin. Since then, I've enjoyed sharing the story of Gabriel Possenti with many parishioners.

When some local Catholics were looking for a name for a blog devoted to Catholicism and self defense,  we were naturally drawn to honor the Saint by creating Gabriel Possenti Shooters. I dare say most of our Catholic friends who also enjoy shooting are familiar with the Saint and his story.

Recently, I was looking at my Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit when I was struck by the anniversary date printed on the permit — February 27. Wow, my permit was issued on the Feast Day of the Patron Saint of Handgunners! That's some "coincidence." It would appear the Saint has been watching out for me longer than I have been aware of him.

St. Gabriel Possenti ora pro nobis!

Senile Joe Biden

If he was just some unknown bumbling fool, Biden's moronic ramblings might be amusing. But this bumbling fool is the Vice President of the United States for crying out loud. His "self defense" advice is if unknown persons are breaking into your house, you should fire off two indiscriminate blasts from your shotgun into the air outside your home. Never mind you didn't know who or what the threat may have been, now that your gun is empty you'll be safe he claims.

Apparently, it wasn't enough for the Obama administration to sell guns illegally to Mexican drug dealers, they have now taken to encouraging private citizens to break gun laws. It should not be surprising that Joe's advice would be blatantly illegal to follow, in his home state as well as just about anywhere else in the country. But then again, the leftists in the current administration have never been concerned with the law, placing themselves above the rules that bind the rest of us. If some innocent person on the street was injured by Jill Biden's blast, I seriously doubt she would be held responsible.

Someone should probably do a psychiatric evaluation before the Bidens are allowed to own guns.

Flying Dog Single Hop Centennial

After fueling up on coffee in preparation for a Lenten lecture at church Saturday evening, only to find out the announcement in the bulletin was in error, I came home looking for a beer with which to counteract the evening caffeine. I pulled out a bottle of Flying Dog Single Hop Imperial IPA with Centennial that I had received from the brewery a couple months ago. (No, I don't know how I missed it for so long.)

I poured the beer into a cervoise-style glass, just because glassware can add to the fun. (Despite the rants of some curmudgeons.) The beer has a deep marmalade color and the thick head drops to leave behind lots of hop-induced sticky lacing. The aroma is enticing with honey and sweet fruit notes. This is a strong, citrus flavored beer. The taste isn't the bitter citrus rind of which I am so found, but more like the juicy meat of the citrus fruit; lots of grapefruit and orange here.

The mouthfeel of the beer is slightly syrupy, and the descriptive "soft" popped into my mind as I swirled the beer in my mouth. I noted a strong alcohol presence when I reviewed the 2011 version of this beer, but the 10% ABV seems more muted in this 2012 version.

Like the long names on the labels, the Flying Dog single hop series beers are a mouthful. Not for every palate, but for this fan of the Double/Imperial IPA, they're fun and tasty beers.

Disclaimer: This bottle of Flying Dog beer was an unsolicited gift from the brewery. This review was written of my own free will.

1500 Posts

According to Blogger, the previous post was my 1500th post on these Musings. Serendipitously, it was on the topic of the 2nd Amendment. The attacks on our freedom, especially those guaranteed by the 1st and 2nd Amendments, are especially prevalent and vicious these days. If we fail to turn back those forces threatening our rights, the freedom to write another 1,500 posts may not long exist.

2nd Amendment Common Sense

When you live in a society of wolves, you do not fight back by creating more sheep.

Daniel Bongino is a Maryland Senatorial candidate. If common sense like this was more prevalent in Maryland, I might be inclined to visit the state of my birth more often.

Rusty Beaver - New Local Brewery

Rusty Beaver Brewery is new micro-brewery coming to the area. The brewery is the brainchild of the founder of the Virginia Barbeque, Rick Ivey. It will be located in a former Virginia Barbeque location at 18043 Jefferson Davis Highway in Ladysmith, VA.

The plans call for beer to be sold by the growler or glass, four or five days a week. Some food service is also expected, to include Virginia Barbeque sandwiches of course. A report at Fredericksburg.com lists five beers in the works, described by the brewer:

Smashed Bastard (Alcohol By Volume, 5.2): Named for Single Malt and Single Hop Brews (SMASH Brews). Brewed with 2 row Barley malt and German Hallerton hops for an easy drinking beer that works for the common Bud Man. 

Buck Tooth “Big Bite” IPA (ABV, 6.5): A classic IPA with fruity aroma and a bitter finish. Brewed with Pale and Caramel Malt. The hop bill includes Citra, Galaxy, Green Bullet and Chrystal. 

Old Dominion Brown Ale (ABV, 5.7): A rich brown ale with deep chocolate tones. 2 row malt, Belgium Chocolate malt and 40L Caramel Malt with Cascade and Northern Brewer hops. 

The Quake Stout (ABV, 9.9): Named for the Louisa quake during which Austin and I envisioned the Brewery. We brew it with English Muttons Pale Malt, Black and Chocolate Malt with a hop bill of Magnum, Summit and a little Williamette at the finish. 

Zen (ABV, 7.5): Our Stout and Bastard brew mixed (black and tan style) to a yin and yang perfection. Our favorite!

The Rusty Beaver opening is planned in the next couple of months. I'll be sure to pay a visit and report back, as a service to my readers!

See "Small brewery opening in Ladysmith" for more information.

Five O'Clock (Catholic) Friday: Lent

Have a great weekend!