from the twisted minds of snm
Yes, IPA. Every variety pack now wouldn’t be complete without an IPA, yay. Pours clear amber, small head. The moment the cap was popped could smell the hops. Hop aroma accompanied by its bitter. There is a little bit of grain flavor that shows up and there is no hint of skunk. Fairly light mouthfeel.
As IPA’s go, I can actually tolerate this and drink it.
2.5 out of 4 IPA disliking monkeys
Next in the Fullsale “mashup” is a lager. Pours a clear bright yellow with small head. Balanced hop, touch of funk in initial aroma but does not offend, bit of bitter carries through middle and tapers, a bit of nut in the finish. Clean. Another easy drinking “session” beer.
Not terribly complex, but I give it a 3 out 4 cruising monkeys.
Showing up at Foodland are beers from Oregon brewey Fullsail. Picked up the session “mashup” pack. 11 ounce bottles, the cream ale pours a clear medium amber, very light head. Bitter hop aroma but not strong. A bit of grain in the finish. Medium mouthfeel. True to the session idea, it’s easy to drink, nothing to forward, but there’s enough to keep it enjoyable.
3 session monkeys out 4,
I’ve been starting to gripe about breweries coming out with new beers for the sake of new beers, that we need good classic beers. Nothing was really jumping out at me so I decided to grab something I haven’t had in a long while, the Blue Moon Belgian White. This is their claim to fame. Pours a cloudy bright light amber with small head. Definite citrus aroma, balanced bitter comes in but subside pretty quickly. Nice grain in the finish. Medium mouthfeel.
Solid 3 of 4 don’t forget your roots monkeys.
was at client call and discovered this, Omusubi GABA, in this tucked away shopping complex on the edge of Waikiki called Eaton Square. I’ve always noticed the entryway and the BBQ place visible from Hobron Lane. Never went in until now. You go into a pretty nice inner courtyard with interesting water features and koi pond.
This shop specializes in musubi made with GABA rice. Rice that has been germinated which causes enzymes to activate and increases levels of nutrients and softens the texture. It’s a small, bright space that might remind one of a Bakery with product lines up carefully on shelves for you to select. They are also carefully labeled detailing ingredients and even country of origin. Continue reading ‘Gaba ‘
Don Quixote lately has been bringing in some different fresh fish from Japan. I wanted to buy a budai (uhu) but they were all a bit too large for just myself and my dad. This Itoyori looked good and sounded like a good candidate for steamed black bean Chinese style. It’s a neat pink with bright yellow stripes and a thread that extends off its tail. Happy to report it came out well.
Last from the summer seasonal Sam Adams pack. Their rendition of a gose, which after some research is an ancient German style beer. Characterized by being sour, salty and inclusion of coriander. Pours clear yellow with small head. Aroma, uh… I can’t really say. This is a very nondescript beer. I’m thankfull that it is not very sour, I’m not a fan of that in beer. It’s got a light mouthfeel, and nary a buzz.
I guess beer makers are in search of the next IPA and searching for styles not heard of before to try, and even include stuff like cucmber in it. Yes, it says on the label this has cucumber. This beer is inoffensive, but it’s also unmemorable.
2 out 4 gosey monkeys.
Blue Moon seasonal, a “Belgian style pilsner”. Pours clear medium amber with small head. Moderate hops aroma, subtle citrus. Aside from the initial Pils flavor, there isn’t a whole lot more going on. Mouthfeel is pretty light.
I guess this is a “session” pils and I guess its successful at that. On the flip side, it doesn’t leave much of an impression. It’s not terrible at all, I’d have to give it a middle rating of 2.5 out of 4 pils monkeys.
What, they put out something on the shelf other than an IPA, and it’s a dark?! Sierra Nevada Stout. Pours opaque black with strong head. Hop blended with smoky aroma. Moderate bitter lasts through, a little sweet creeps in, then the bitter tapers but hangs around. A medium heavy mouth feel.
Despite the pain from a centipede bite on my toe about an hour and half ago, I’m enjoying this beer. Heck, I may have had this before, but I haven’t seen it on shelf so long that I don’t recall if I have had it.
Solid 3 out 4 centipede stomping monkeys.
recently opened at Koko marina Sophie’s pizzeria. After my experience with Pieology in Aina Haina been hankering for some decent pizza. Was a bit dubious as this has a somewhat similar Subway style counter ordering. It isn’t unlimited choice for single price though. They have a neat Italian dough squishing machine that produces the thin crust for the pizza. Takes the skill out of it, but also ensures consistency.
I went with traditional crust with house sauce, ricotta cheese, sundried tomato, spinach & Italian meatballs. Tossed into yet another Italian device, stone oven with spinning base. In a few minutes, delivered to my table was a 10″ pizza with a proper crisp crust, flavor not overpowering, and not feeling like a bloated sodium fest.
At a similar price point, if you were going quantity over quality then they lose, but if you want a good pizza that you can finish and not feel bogged down the rest of the day, Sophie’s wins hands down.
Solid 3 out 4 Italian pie monkeys.