East vs West, Porter Showdown

During the summer my beer of choice is generally a hefeweizen or if I'm lucky enough to hit up a McMenamins happy hour, their Ruby Ale (one of the best beers ever [made with 42 lbs. of Oregon raspberries]), however, for one of those cold winded evenings where the chill blows through the valley, or if I'm just feeling like being "one of the guys", I thoroughly enjoy a solid stout, or the stouts easy-going cousin, the porter.  My hubby-bear is all about the IPAs and stouts, but I often like to take a step back and only bring 3/4th of a loaf with my meal.  A porter is ideal for these occasions where you might want full flavor, but don't need it to overpower everything else you're putting in your mouth.

[side note] try your favorite porter with some chunky tomato bisque and salad or grilled cheese.  It's sing-along awesome!

So, as a fan of the porter, when a free Ninja Porter, brewed by the highly regarded Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, was placed before two tipsy bears, my jealous bias was grateful for the opportunity to compare and contrast this unsuspecting challenger with the home-grown Porter from McMenamins Brew Pub and Restaurant. 

 I did not take either of these photos unfortunately but the one to the right is the Ninja Porter from the Asheville Brewing Company, while the one to the bottom/left is McMenamins' Porter

  Although later Bipolar Bear and I found out what an amazing Brewery the Asheville Pizza Co. is, this was our first introduction and I have to say, it fell short, especially after all the hype.  We found that the Ninja Porter's name is fairly apt as we never did encounter any real flavor.  For a dark beer it was surprisingly thin and empty yet with a bitter edge.  For me it was more of a chore than an experience to drink a full pint.  The McMenamins Porter, however, is creamy and toasty yet without undue bitterness or overwhelming bread-like qualities that many dark brews possess.

Without a doubt, although few beers are on par with the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company's Fire Escape Ale (with real jalapenos!), their porter fall greatly short while the McMenamins' Porter soars among their other choice beers.  Today the West wins out, paws down.

Worth It

We roamed far and wide across the beautiful city of Asheville, NC in search of the infamous Ashville Pizza and Brewing Company.  At finally seeing its weather-worn sign our little beary hearts lept in our chests as we imagined the succulent nectars which would imminently touch our tongues.  We had been to one of their locations already but were turned away because their brewery was actually at their original location on Merrimon Ave, and bears only drink from the freshest streams (plus they lacked the jalapeno ale that I was really looking for).  Yet now, sitting under their canopy, watching puppies play, enjoying the laughter of people drinking and being merry, we knew that our efforts would soon be repaid.

Our wonderfully engaging waiter, not put off by our rough exteriors,  was mightily helpful in our selections.  "Jalapeno?" I murmured.
"Fire Escape Ale", he replied.  My growl confirmed the transaction and soon I had a cold, spicy beer sitting in front of me.  One sip and I proposed.  My favorite beer to date.  My heart aches when I think about it being all the way in North Carolina, but distance theoretically make the heart grow fonder and so, I wait.  Wait til the day when I can bring Fire Escape Ale to my lips once again.  It is a clean beer with strong flavors of real jalapeno.  Perfect for a summer afternoon and a bacon, bleu cheese salad.

At this time, Bipolar Bear had been wandering around searching for an individual from whom to buy a cigarette.  When he returned with a menthol the waiter came and took his order.  There were many beers to chose from and after we were told that they only brew their scout stout in the winter, he was at a loss of what to order.  But, then he spotted the Shiva IPA.  Pointing a clawy paw, the waiter nodded and brought out what would be a game changing IPA.  The Asheville Brewing Co. website claims that "Shiva will destroy all your preconceptions of an IPA", and its true.  It is the essential IPA.  Light citrus flavor without being sour, bitter but still clean, and pleasantly hopsy without being overwhelming.

These two brew took the cake, the title, and maybe even the kitchen sink.  But, I wouldn't count the chickens before hatch in this brewery just yet.  The East v. West, Clash of the Porters is up next.

Bears At Barley's

My scruffy friend and I left Tall Gary's Cantina with the recommendation of a local pizza and beer joint with a jalepeno ale.  Bears happen to be fans of all three of these factors: beer, pizza, jalepenos.  Naturally we took the bait and went on a hunt.  Unfortunately, the name of the place we were told was not the name which is present on their sign.  Also, after about an hour of searching for food that was around the corner, we discovered that this was only a branch of the brewery and did not have their jalepeno ale on tap.

Barley's Taproom and Pizzaria

photo from http://www.barleystaproom.com/asheville/

There we were, two bears with no beer and low blood sugar.  The evening was quickly becoming dangerous for humans and bears alike, yet, there was a light at the end of the desperate pizza tunnel which came as a lit sign at the end of Aston street.  As you can imagine, or have perhaps experienced, late in the evening, one beer in, no food, a hunger for both and being a bear, you may eat just about anything and pay exorbitant prices for the most pathetic or disgusting of foods.  In this instance, Bi-polar Bear and I lucked out beautifully.  Like a beacon calling us home, we found a beer and pizza heaven at Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria, Asheville, North Carolina.

The board of beers

types unknown

Originally put off by the brainmelting noise level, our stomachs quickly overrode our hesitations, and soon we were blankly starring a waitress in the face.  She understood our needs and brought us a seven dollar margarita pizza, the special that evening, and a board of beer samples.  It was perfect.  The board of bears gave the board of beers a solid 3 out of 4.

Unfortunately we forgot to take one of the menus with us as we left that blessed place, so I don't have any details to share.  All I can say is that I highly recommend this restaurant.  The beer we had was great and Barley's has over 80 different beers to offer with 15 on tap.  The food was fantastic and very reasonably price, at least the special was which we ordered.  The staff friendly and helpful, letting our little bear brain work as little as possible late in the evening to satisfy our hunger and thirst.  Two big bear hugs for Barley's, may I feast my beady eyes on your establishment again someday.

Bear With Me

New and expensive, Bi-polar Bear and I have traveled the country to suitably end up in the beer capital of the US, or so we were told.  Coming from the Northwest, a haven for micro brews and independently owned restraunts, we had seen a good share of quality beer and food.  However, after getting acquainted with two local brews and a very friendly local bartender at Tall Gary's Cantina in Asheville, North Carolina, we were informed that Asheville has beat Portland for best beer in America the last four out of five years.  Bi-polar Bear and I looked at each other knowingly.  The gauntlet had been dropped.

"Greetings from Asheville"
mural by Scott Allred
located at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company


With heavy judgements in our hearts we sipped our beer and listened to the five-peice, three generation band play their set of open mic night.  Highland Brewery was the featured beer on tap, so I ordered their seasonal Razor Wit Belgian Wheat while my Beary IPA connoisseur requested the year-round Kashmir IPA.  Admitedly, I felt that the Belgian Wheat was one of the best I had had, although I should say that my repertoire for Belgians is a bit limited.  However, Bi-polar Bear felt that it was too sweet and had a strange after-taste.  But, when it came to his IPA he gaves it an ademant thumbs up, stating, "it's the best."  I, currently not a fan of IPA's because of their intense bitterness and hoppy demeanor, did not enjoy the Kashmir, but that is what my coffee saturated colleague is for.  Both we recommend though, based on one's preferred taste; the Razor Wit for a sweet yet refreshing beer, and the Kashmir when looking for a hoppy and bitter summer ale.

Our beers at Tall Gary's Cantina

the one to the left is the Kashmir IPA

the one on the right is the Razor Wit Belgian White

Our first experience with beer/breweries away from home resulted in delicious drinks and a surprising sense of local-beer spirit and pride.  The competition is on but like all drinking games, everyone wins in the end.