You'll Get Nothing and Like It!

Beer #345 Wrasslers XXXX Stout / The Porterhouse Brewing Company, Dublin, Ireland
Beers to go: 21

After a productive day at work today, I'm in hustle mode tonight as I need to make some dinner, blog, and then transport myself down to Total Wine in Delaware to stock up on wine for Thanksgiving (and maybe some beer for future use).

So tonight I give you a review for Wrasslers XXXX Stout, from The Porterhouse Brewing Company.  This Irish beer is a dark black hue with a thin tan head.  The aroma is of smoke and toasted malt.  The taste has some chocolate, but you really find an overwhelming amount of toasted, roasted, burnt, smoky malt.  There's some bitterness on the finish, but this whole overwhelming smoky thing is just not my cup of tea, and I can't even picture a world where I would drink this beer regularly.  However, that's just me; I'm sure for those of you who like these sort of beers, it's a very fine example of the style.

She can't wrestle, but you should see her box!

 Porterhouse was opened in 1989, and claims to be Ireland's first brewpub.  They now have a number of locations throughout the U.K., and one in New York as well.

Thing to Think About Today:
I really can't think of the word 'Porterhouse' without thinking of Porterhouse, the clubhouse attendant from Caddyshack:

"Why you sonofabitch!"

It's also on my mind because I just re-watched this classic comedy two weekends ago.  While Porterhouse was but a bit character in the grand scheme of the movie, I'm sure his hatred of Judge Smails made him want to engage in some wrestling.  Or, wrassling.... in honor of this beer.  Off to shop, my friends.  Have a good night, and go ahead and think about Caddyshack in my absence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrTqenN1SqQ

Beer 341: A Dose of Humility and Porterhouse Brewing

Two nights ago I went to my first intermediate yoga class in a long time. After hitting a month's worth of beginner classes after an entirely-too-long absence from any yoga studios, I felt confident. It also didn't hurt that Mr. Blog Named Brew did the same intermediate class the prior week as a novice yoga student. 

Oh. My. God. These chicken arms didn't know what hit them as I found myself in repetitions of down dog and high plank. Float my feet to the front of the mat? How about I take 19 baby steps to get there and stay somewhat in forward fold?  After about 70 minutes of some serious yoga flow, I was utter jello. After another 12 minutes, I begged for mercy and curled into child's pose. OK, I didn't beg. I just crumpled into a heap and wiggled into position.

The funny thing about yoga is that I tend not to really feel the workout until two days later.  That would be today. Sitting up is a challenge. I sound like an old man, grumbling and groaning every time I get up from my desk. I think my spine is trying to leave my body. I worry that I won't be able to feed myself dinner. Really. Worried.

You know what else is so intense?  The Wrasslers XXXX Irish dry stout from the Porterhouse Brewing Company in Ireland.  Could this really be my first beer in 341 days from Ireland? I checked all my records and indeed it is. Before I get into the beer review, take a gander at the cap on this one:

A pull tab on a bottle? I had no idea that existed.  This may be one of the most unusual caps I've encountered.  After peeling off the cap, I ended up with this:

The Wrasslers XXXX poured black as night with a thick tan head.  The flavor was vanilla and milky at first.  That was quickly followed up by some roast coffee. It finished with a bracing dryness and a bit of smoke.  The armoma was earthy and full of cocoa.  The most interesting part of drinking it is the way it grabs hold of your tongue and just doesn't let go. 

I think this is a good beer.  Cheers!