Monk's Cafe
10/11/07
This was to be a dinner hosted by Sam Calagione of DFH
and Anders Kissmeyer of Norrebro Bryghus of Denmark, but the beer gods
and weather had other things in mind. Ander's flight from Seattle was late
and he was expected about an hour into the meal. Then the weather gremlins
stepped in. Thunderstorms hit Philadelphia aggressively and the flight
was diverted to D.C. and with him went the supposed star beer of the evening....the
collaboration that Sam and he brewed together in Sweden.
For a starter, our appetites were whetted by the refreshing
Berliner Weisse, Festina Peche served with a Beet Salad which was excellent.
Never having been a fan of beets, I couldn't believe it!
We were served DFH's Indian Brown Ale one of their flagship
beers which has always been underappreciated. Every time I drink this,
I say I have to buy it more often, but there's always something on my list
that delays that. Quail with lentils was placed before us and I knew we
would be in trouble by the end of the night trying to ingest all the food.
An outstanding pairing if there ever was one.
Sam's famous Pangaea was poured for us next. This concoction
made with a product from each of the 7 continents was named for the single
continent that floated in the middle of this ball of water before drifting
apart millions of years ago. Paired with pan-seared Diver scallops and
chowder sauce, it was most enjoyable. I love scallops and my doesn't so
she gave me hers also. I was in heaven.
A Lamb Shank Confit w/shitake mashed potatoes and bitter
greens sat in front of me and I just sighed. Maybe I shouldn't have had
those extra scallops..... At any rate, the lamb washed down beautifully
with 90 Minute IPA and the first of several beers from Norrebro, North
Bridge Extreme, a 9.5% malt & hop bomb.....odd you say, well, it was
a balanced brew despite both designations.
I finally saw some respite coming. I am not a cheese
eater so I just enjoyed the fruit compote that accompanied the Stilton,
3 year Cheddar and Taleggio cheeses. It was my wife's turn to reciprocate
by taking my portion. I just sat back and enjoyed the sweet and brandyish
Raison d'Etre and the Skargaards Porter, a 6% dark beer with bacon(?) and
malt in the nose but dry, chocolate and coffee notes in the palate.
The end was in sight! All I had to do was get through
the dessert and I was home free! Norrebro's La Granja Espresso Stout and
Dogfish World Wide Stout '03 sat before me dark and menacing. La Granja
was sweet and very coffeeish and the WWS is, of course, very warm and syrupy...outstanding.
They both were wonderful with the Chocolate Cheese Cake though overpowering
as they are. What a finish! I made another one!
Looking forward to the next adventure! Cheers!