#52BottlesOfBeer 45: Townsite Brewing Perfect Storm Oatmeal Stout

November is upon us! The weather starts to get a bit colder snow threatens us from the hills... and Winter is coming!

So what shall I do to help ease the passing of Halloween, and prepare for the dark snowy nights ahead? Well, I'm going to enjoy eating and drinking some oatmeal of course!

Yes, you read that right: drink some oatmeal.

But before I elaborate on that, allow me to indulge in a look at the label. Sorry, but this isn't instant oatmeal we're talking about. Regular oatmeal takes a bit of time to prepare, and enjoy- just like a good stout.

I find this label to be quite fascinating, actually. I love the darker greys and blues of the tornado, sky, and tidal wave- and how it contrasts with the striking crimson of the building. I especially love how it looks almost comic bookish in nature. To be honest, I could almost imagine the Quaker Oats guy fleeing from the building and running like they're in a "Godzilla" movie...

Townsite Brewing's Perfect Storm has a deep, and rich brown colour to it that tells you that it's got the same sort of fullness to it that oatmeal has. I loved that the head of foam- which it holds fairly well is a stormy, though lighter brown colour, rather than a creamy one. It's almost like whitecaps on a rough lake.

The first sip definitely let you know that oatmeal was an ingredient. Not that I'm complaining, since I do enjoy eating oatmeal. It has a very filling, soothing, winter morning feeling to it. You get that relaxing taste of oatmeal in the morning, and the kick of the stout in a wonderful blend. Each sip was slightly different. Sometimes it was more oatmealy, while other times that flavour was more of a subtle undertone. It was quite a pleasant experience, I found.

As I sipped away, my mind drifted off to memories of my Dad preparing oatmeal on the weekends when I was a kid: the blending of soft and rough textures, the warmth of it, the taste as it mixed with brown sugar, the soothing ritual of sitting down in the dark morning to get my day off to a healthy and tasty start before trekking out to tackle Elementary School.

Those are fond memories, and Townsite Brewing's Perfect Storm was a fond experience within the storm that is so far 2020. A Good.

Comments

#CocktailHour: Slushtail

Summer approaches, inspiring thoughts of sunshine, backyard parties, and having a tip and sip with friends. With that in mind, I bring you this week sunny beverage. To make a slushtail, mix a can of frozen orange juice, a can of frozen lemonade (or limeade), a can of pineapple juice, a couple cups of black tea (or English Breakfast), and two cups of bourbon- such as Southern Comfort, in a pitcher. When it's all nicely mixed, put it in the freezer until it's a nice slushy consistency. Scoop the slush into a cocktail glass, and pour in some Sprite or 7-Up. Add a little umbrella for some frivolous fun, and a straw. Voila! Ready to enjoy. This is a very refreshing drink. The fruit juices, Sprite, and bourbon- when chilled makes for a great punch-like drink. The bourbon doesn't overwhelm juices. In fact, they are all nicely balanced in terms of flavors. The sourness of the citrus fruits contrasts well with the slightly sweeter Southern Comfort. It was refreshing enou

Unlock your fate with The Puzzle

When my dad wasn't working, building stuff or being my dad, he was making puzzles. It was a guaranteed way for him to unwind. So it was with great interest that I sat down to watch Italian filmmaker Davide Melini's award-winning short The Puzzle. You see, the mother in the five-minute film likes to relax with puzzles just like my dad. Unfortunately, her good-for-nothing son keeps harassing her for money. Losing herself in her favourite passtime, the mother soon discovers that completing this puzzle might unlock a nightmare. The Puzzle has been an official selection at more European film festivals than you can shake a stick at, and was voted Third Best Italian Film at the Rome International Film Festival in 2008. Having watched it, I'm not surprised. It's a tight little film that hits you hard in the final few seconds. You can tell Melini cut his teeth as an assistant director for legendary Italian filmmaker Dario Argento. But enough chit chat on my part. See if yo

The Animated Addict: "The Adventures of Tintin" (2011)

If you're a 40 + white dude, like myself, you may remember a comic series called " The Adventures of Tintin ". I know I remember them. This series, dating back to 1929, got turned into a animated feature film by Steven Spielberg in 2011. After buying a model of ship called The Unicorn, teenaged journalist Tintin finds himself on adventure that will take him from the high seas, to the low deserts, and from the distant past to the present. With his trusty dog, Snowy, by his side, Tintin uncovers a story connecting two men across the centuries.. . The story is really quite good. It's well crafted, and high paced- with just enough slow moments to build and develop the world and the characters. This is the sort of adventure story you'd find in the old serials of the 1930's and '40's. In fact, it felt like it was the sort of tale that you'd find Indiana Jones undertaking. I found myself swept up, and swept along as our hero swung from one e

Search This Blog