Brew Masters: Bitches Brew Episode

Last Sunday Discovery Channel aired the first episode of Brew Masters.  The show follows Sam Calagione as he makes some of Dogfish Head's 31 annual brews.  The first episode followed Sam as he collaborated with Sony Music on Bitches Brew.  Bitches Brew is both a album and now a beer.  The album Bitches Brew was Miles Davis's first Gold Record, and is considered a highly influential piece by the music community.

The beer Bitches Brew is a blend of an African beer and a Russian Imperial Stout.  The African beer, Tej, was described by Calagione as coyingly sweet, and more like wine than beer. Tej is also higher in alcohol content.  The Russian Imperial Stout is lower in alcohol content and has a chocolate base.

I drank a bottle of this as I watched the show.  I found the show informative, but wished it would go deeper into some of the processes behind brewing.  For instance a deep explanation of the benefits and reasons why someone would want to blend beer would of been excellent.  A bottling line malfunction provided a useless distraction to the plot of the show.  I found it annoying that they made a big deal over having to throw out $7,000 worth of beer.  Which, by the way, was a false alarm.  While that is a lot of money, it is a drop in the bucket for an operation like Dogfish Head.

I know this was only the first episode so I do hope and believe a lot more about craft beer will be explained in future episodes.   For instance tonight Sam explores Chicha, also known as Spit Beer.  So please tune in tonight and get grossed out.

Tasting Notes:

Poured from a large format bottle into a Dogfish off-centered glass creating a thick, dark tan head that stuck around, yet created little lacing.  The aroma was sweet with very subtle hops, and at 9% ABV I could smell some alcohol.  The body was full with a velvety feel, and notes of roasted coffee and chocolate and a trace of smoke.  Wish I had some dark chocolate to pair with it.

Fire Up The DVR; It Is Time For Beer TV

That is right folks, tonight on the Discovery Channel two shows will have beer as a prominent focus. At 8:00/ 7:00 CST Dirty Jobs is airing an episode titled Beer Processing.  My DVR says the episode is new, but chicken sexer is listed as being the other half of the episode of the show.  My presumption is this is a repeat of a season one episode.  I recall that this episode gives a pretty thorough review of the brewing process, and of course focuses on sanitation.  I love the irony of a show called Dirty Jobs talking about sanitation.

Then at 10:00/ 9:00 CST is the main event, Brew Masters.  This is a new series on the Discovery Channel and will follow Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione around the world.  The promos of the show seem to lean towards Sam's more exotic brews.  I wish the show would cast a wider net.  I think people would be fascinated by more typical styles like porter and IPA.  Also, the series will only follow Sam around.  If the show continues into a second season it seems it should start featuring other brewers.  Either way, I am excited.  This will not just be a show for beer geeks, but will also start exposing a wider audience to craft beer.  Finally, if Discovery Channel is putting this on TV they must really think craft beer has a supportive audience.  This makes me wonder when we will see TV commercials for craft beer.

Tune in tonight to see what happens!

#1 of 1001 Midas Touch

I picked Midas Touch from Dogfish Head as the first beer.  I have not had it before.  To be honest I waited to try this because of its cost.  I only have so many beer dollars.  I picked this beer because in theory its the oldest beer in the book.  Dogfish Head created this brew to try to recreate a beer found in the tomb of King Midas. You can read more here.

Tasting Notes:
Bottled on Date of 5-10-10 consumed 7-18-10 and poured into a wine glass.
First thought was this isn't beer.  The beer has allegedly been a big favorite of champagne drinkers.  It seems to impart a lot of characteristics of champagne.  It comes across crisp and dry.  Definitely taste the grapes. I saw no lacing and little head.  I was impressed I think I will pick up a few more of these to have around.