Dogfish Head and the Velvet Love Box


Finally! I've been waiting my kids' entire life to drink a Dogfish Head beer. Granted it didn't become a full on quest until shortly after I started writing on the KC Beer Blog but those kinds of details don't matter.

The day started at 5:30 AM and involved a 6 hour drive from Wichita to Fort Worth. Stella and I did some outdoor mall shopping in 99 degree heat. We made a liquor store run to a special liquor store that Stella thought had Dogfish Head. They did not, but I picked up a couple of St. Arnold's sixers that Lee, the Austin beer guy, raves about. When we got to my brother in law's house around 4:30, I cracked open the St. Arnold's Lawnmower. Then I had the St. Arnold's IPA and then a St. Arnolds Lawnmower (shut up, I'm on vacation).

After all of that my brother in law, Milk Stout, and I headed on over to The Flying Saucer in Sundance Square. I knew my historic quest would be fulfilled at The Flying Saucer. The Ft. Worth Flying Saucer was quite packed and we had a small amount of trouble sitting where we pleased because of the crowds. Everyone gravitates toward the outdoor balcony seating. We had to sit in the lower level patio and enjoy the no airflow and searing heat. Oh well, I was going to have a Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, the heat outside wasn't going to stop me.

I actually admired my restraint because the waitress was right on us and I didn't have a chance to peruse the menu to my satisfaction, so I ordered the fire sale beer , which was some kind of porter (shut up, it was my fourth beer, I can't be expected to remember everything). After finishing that beer up and a good perusal of the beer menu, I decided to cash in my chips and get the beer I've been dreaming of, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. Milk Stout and I were deep into some kind of conversation about podcasts* or politics or something like that when the IPA came. As Milk Stout was talking I took a little sip and savored. He stopped mid-sentence and said "it looks like you're drinking wine" because of the way I was savoring the drink. The 90 Minute IPA might be my favorite IPA EVER! It was tremendously balanced hitting on the bitter and sweet notes. It was just a wonderful experience in my mouth (that's what she said). I then let Milk Stout in on my quest for Dogfish Head (read that as dirty as you would like). I told him about "Brewing up a Business" and beer nerd type of things regarding the Dogfish Head brewery.
*Milk Stout and I had a discussion about social networking and podcasts and said that Wes and I should do a podcast. Milk Stout has never been around Wes and I and I suspect that if he had, he would no longer be interested in us doing a podcast. I don't think too many people want to hear 2 grown men talk about penises, gay sex, cruising, ball shaving and penises for 30 minutes at a time.


As we were sitting there talking I noticed Hurley from "Lost" sitting right behind Milk Stout. Milk Stout studied the menu and decided he would like to try his namesake beer, Left Hand Brewing's Milk Stout. I've never been able to get myself to try the Milk Stout, it just sounds kind of gross. Milk Stout didn't really like it either. Meanwhile, Hurley headed up to the stage and starting setting up the band equipment. That's right, Hurley's in a band, Velvet Love Box.

While they were setting up, it became apparent that we were going to have to find a new place to sit because it was going to be loud. But, before we moved, I ordered a Dogfish Head Raison d'Etre, that's right, it's flavored with raisins. When I read about it in the book, I didn't think it sounded very good, but it is the beer that put Dogfish Head on the beer lover's map. So it must be good albeit unconventional. Sure enough, it was fabulous! I'm going to spend the rest of the day after I finish this incredibly long post (which I told Milk Stout would probably only be 3 or 4 paragraphs) trying to find a liquor store around here that sells it. It does have a raisin flavor, but it is not overly strong and is balanced out by the other flavors. It's a great beer, easily in my top 10 favorites.

We never did get a seat on the balcony and we left The Flying Saucer after I finished my beer. We finished out the evening at the Fox & Hound in Arlington? (I have no idea where we were, Raison d'Etre is 8.8% alcohol). I'm sure the fine folks at the Fox & Hound enjoyed hearing me slur obscenities about Al Gore and his quest to kill off the world's poor. The only thing I can say about the Fox & Hound (I've never been to one before) is that bottomless chips and salsa for $4 is an inspired idea. I may actually have a full post about the Fox & Hound sometime this weekend. I'm sure I can give the beer selection a full treatment.

Speaking of treatment, I've had perhaps five gallons of liquids already today. Getting up at 7 AM was not my favorite thing in the world today.

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