Bitches Brew

Miles Runs the Voodoo Down-part 1 of 2...

Miles Davis 

The Prince of Darkness

The Picasso of Jazz

"Davis drew a line in the sand that some jazz fans have never crossed,

or even forgiven Davis for drawing."

"One of the most remarkable creative statements of the last half century, in any artistic form."

Bitches Brew

Directions in Music by Miles Davis

Groundbreaking jazz fusion album from 1970. 

Produced by Teo Macero

John McLaughlin-(Electric)Guitar. Wayne Shorter-Soprano Sax. Bennie Maupin-Bass Clarinet

Two bassists-Dave Holland and Harvey Brooks playing electric and double bass.

Two drummers playing simultaneously-Don Alias, Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Lenny White, and one or sometimes two percussionists! (Congas mostly)

Two, and sometimes three electric pianos. Played by Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, and Larry Young.

Only one guitarist, the incomparable John McLaughlin (who would later go on to form the Mahavishnu Orchestra) although later touring groups of the Miles Davis Fusion era would incorporate as many as three guitarists on stage and record some amazing live documents as well.

Bitches Brew

(Bottle shared at home in inappropriate glassware)

9% ABV. 38 IBU

Milton, Delaware

"A bold, dark beer that's a Fusion (see what he did there?) of three threads Imperial Stout,

and one thread Honey Beer with Gesho Root

a gustatory analog to Miles' Masterpiece..."

"designed as the ultimate partner for ...."

 "Spicy Curry Chicken....."

(Homemade Chicken Tikka Masala)

"sipped cool, from a ...wine glass while listening to the album."

Sam Calagione

(Standard Edition on Left. The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions:Box Set, on Right)

Bottle shared at ToronadoSD

(appropriate glassware)

One of the best food and beer pairings I have experienced so far.

Yeah "Experienced"

The sweet honey backdrop behind the deep dark chocolaty stout flavors went perfectly

with the strong spicy savory flavors of the curry dish. Also the nuttiness of the Basmati Rice. The first time we drank a bottle at a bar I thought it was a good stout and I definitely tasted and smelled the honey more. Overall I thought it was good but not great.

Somewhat thinner than a lot of my favorite stouts,

definitely sweeter and not worth the price necessarily.

When we had another bottle, at home, with the meal, it was exceptional.

We happen to have an excellent Indian Grocery store right down the street and have access to otherwise difficult to obtain ingredients. Also get great advice from the people that work there.

We actually did put the album on and it was an overall outstanding dining experience.

Now I need another bottle so we can do it again.

Miles Runs the Voodoo Down part 2...



Las Cuatro Milpas

Las Cuatro Milpas
Barrio Logan
San Diego, California

Served cafeteria style. Simple menu.
The pot on the right is for frying the rolled tacos.
This place is famous in San Diego. Mostly for the...

Chorizo Con Huevo
Tastes exactly like it looks, beans, rice and some chorizo, in a spicy broth.
Pretty friggin good. They make and serve a ton of this.
The most popular menu item.
Thousands of satisfied San Diegans can not be wrong.
Comes in three sizes. Bowls of cilantro & onion on counter to add yourself.

Comes with flour tortillas made in the back.

Some of the tastiest fresh made tortillas you will ever have.

No, there is no huevo. It is rice and beans and chorizo.

I do not know why they call it chorizo and eggs, no eggs.

Yes, they should call it Chorizo con Arroz con Frijoles.

Rolled Tacos
Not frozen and fried. These are made on premises, with actual meat in them.
Bigger than the basic wimpy soggy taquitos you get at most places. Way better.
Then deep fried in front of you while you wait in line.
Crispy shells, covered in lettuce, sour cream, & cheese.

Mini Tortilla Factory
Back of restaurant. Busy place.

Stone Imperial Russian Stout 2011

I.R.S.
2011 Classic Release

10.5 ABV, 52 IBU
Warrior Hops

Dark pour smells like rich roasted coffee and chocolate malt.
Tastes like coffee, chocolate, molasses, cocoa, and more bittersweet chocolate.
It's from Stone so naturally, more bitter than sweet
but not as overwhelmingly bitter as some of their other ales. More complex and well rounded. with lots of wonderful subtle flavors. Also plenty of hops
Up front-chocolate, then some wonderful creamy vanilla. Hoppy ending.

Escondido, California

Stone (Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout) In Egypt

According to Pliny the Elder, Anise was used to cure sleeplessness,

and as a remedy for Asp bites.
So there's your Egyptian Tie-In.
(Stone In Egypt are from The Netherlands)

Stone Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout

Odd Year Release

10.5% ABV, 52 IBU 

I think your enjoyment of this beer will be based on how well you like the taste of licorice.

Also might depend on how much you like Absinthe, Ouzo, Galliano, Sambuca or Jagermeister.

I suspect it will be somewhat divisive based on that. In fairness, I am not a huge fan of licorice,
so my opinion is somewhat biased. I really respect this for what it is,

but I definitely prefer the basic Stone IRS over this version.

According to online sources Anise tastes like; Liquorice, Fennel, and Tarragon.

To me it tastes like Black Licorice.

There is actually a whole lot going on in this Stout. Besides the predominant licorice flavor there is an underlying vanilla as well as slight chocolate, cocoa, and roasted malt.
So while I was enjoying it, and I did enjoy it, I was sort of wanting to taste more of the underlying subtle flavors than the strong upfront licorice.
It was a bit much for me, but like I said, I am not a huge fan of licorice.
Still, glad I tried it and I look forward to future odd year releases.

I bought a few bottles of this and will be sharing them with others who enjoy licorice more than I do.

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

Black Chocolate Stout
ABV 10%

BrooklynBrewery.com

Brooklyn, New York

Brewed once yearly for the winter season.
"Achieves a chocolate aroma and flavor through the artful blending of six varieties of
black, chocolate, and roasted malts."

Pours very dark, nice and thick.

Unsurprisingly, this smells and tastes a lot like rich, dark, bittersweet chocolate. That was exactly what we were expecting and exactly what we got. I mean that in the best sense.
Exceptionally well balanced between the bitter and the sweet.
The flavors of rich, creamy chocolate, espresso, fudge with nuts,& slight vanilla.
Needless to say, also amazing roasted malt flavor.
Incredibly delicious. Enjoyable, and complex.
An outstanding representation of the style.
Which happens to be my favorite style.
This was my first Brooklyn Brewery beer. I have a bottle of Black Ops I haven't opened yet.

I also just bought:
The Brewmaster's Table
(Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food)
by Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster.

Back in your Black...

California Surf & Turf Burrito at Porkyland

San Diego, California

 California Surf & Turf Burrito

Carne Asada, Shrimp, Fries, Sour Cream.

Porkyland is well known in San Diego for it's Carnitas.

In fact that is all I ever eat there. The other day my pal Frankie texted me pictures of an amazing looking burrito and when he told me where he was eating it I was surprised.
Surprised and fascinated.
Fascinated, obsessed, and now on a quest.
So, we went to the Hillcrest location and I got my first one.

For anyone who might not be familiar with a California Burrito, it is essentially a carne asada burrito with french fries added. Sometimes, but not always, with guacamole, and/or pico de gallo.

The Porkyland version does include guac, but I opt out.
Thus reducing it to it's simple fundamental elements.

Would prefer straight up avocados but that's just me. Oh man, could you imagine? this already tasty burrito with avocado? So, Carne Asada, Shrimp, French Fries, Sour Cream,
wrapped in a Porkyland tortilla.

The tortillas at Porkyland it must be said are pretty much the best around. Also Porkyland takes the time and effort to actually rest the tortillas on the grill while they are preparing your burrito,
so they get nicely warmed up and lightly browned.

The carne asada, the central component, the anchor, is perfectly grilled and prepared.
Good amount of it too.

The shrimp is cut up into little shrimp parts instead of whole shrimps, but good enough, although I would prefer more. Heavier on the turf than the surf.
The sour cream unfortunately is of the American pasty type.

It really needs the Mexican style creamy type.
Regardless this was tasty and filling which is exactly what I wanted.
Overall, a really good burrito. Just sloppy enough without becoming a complete gloopy mess.
They have been doing this awhile and are not messing around when it comes to burritos.

Now when I return to Porkyland I will have a tough choice, but choices are good.

Green Flash Double Stout

Green Flash Brewing

San Diego, California

Double Stout
Black Ale

8.8% ABV, 45 IBU

Two Tulips (On Tap at Green Flash Tasting Room) a Double Double?

Stout Aging barrels in Background.

Award Winner
Golden naked oats mashed with dark crystal, roasted malts.
UK Target hops added throughout boil.
A perfect blend of oat scrumptiousness and malt deliciousness.

Wonderful aroma that only hints at the outstanding flavors yet to come.
Creamy, silky mouthfeel.

Luscious,creamy, chocolaty taste. Like a milk chocolate brownie.

Creamy caramel, slight vanilla, cocoa oats. Loads of chocolate flavors;
dark, milk, bittersweet, the whole delicious chocolate spectrum.

Some roasted creamy coffee malt goodness.
Outstanding creamy chocolate oat aftertaste.

Thick, creamy, chocolaty, delicious.
Just like Old Raspy this is a Go To Stout. Readily available, affordable and incredibly tasty.
Definitely in the top few California Stouts. Even though California is not the first state someone generally thinks of when they consider stouts, some pretty amazing ones are made here.
Although I must admit I do dream of one day going to the Stout Holy Land (Great Lakes Area)
Fortunately for us, the Brewery has recently moved and is now the closest brewery to our house so we can easily hit the Tasting Room on our way home from dinner for a leisurely Double Double.

We drink this a lot and like to keep at least a 4 pack at all times.

The new facility in Mira Mesa

More Stout, aging in more barrels. Looking forward to this.
Mostly Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels.

Double Stout on it's way to becoming Silva Stout

Double Stout Barrels in background

Belgian Brown & Special Cuvee in foreground
Double Double in the middle

Double Double.

Double Double

Another Double Double...