Page 46 - the NOISE March 2016

BY GARY KURTZ
Everyone’s Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day.
What do you think of when you think of Saint Patrick’s Day? Green clothes, green beer, green vomit into a green party hat? Or do you think of hearty Irish cuisine? Bangers and mash, colcannon, corned beef and cabbage come to mind. If you’re anything like me, you think of Guinness and Smithwick’s — and I think we can do better. Nothing against Guinness or Smithwick’s. These beers hold a special place in my half-Irish heart.
Like many who were not interested in the yellow fizzy beer often served in college dorms and dyed green on March 17, I introduced myself to mass market beer via the two darkest options I could get on tap at the local watering hole in college — Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale and Guinness. During one fateful evening at a legit Irish pub in Raleigh, North Carolina, I learned the two can be layered to form the loveliest of pints — the Blacksmith. A half pint of Guinness floated on top of a half pint of Smithwick’s — black and red and beautiful. I think this year, we should say to hell with tradition and craft something just as magnificent from something that isn’t shipped from halfway around the world. Enter Prescott Brewing Company.
I’ll be honest; PBC has never been my favorite brewery in Northern Arizona. Their canned IPA is reasonably tasty, but I haven’t found any of their other distributed options have agreed with my palate. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. They have their target audience figured out, clearly; they’ve been in business for over 20 years at this point. They’re doing something right, even if it’s not my particular cup of tea. But back to the point — this year, on the Feast of Saint Patrick, let’s try something new. Let’s layer PBC’s Raven Maniac Imperial Stout on top of their Manzanita Red Ale for our own take on the Blacksmith. I shall call it a “Red Raven.” PBC, you can use that name as you please. Let’s talk about the components.
Starting at the bottom, Manzanita Red is a rich, caramely red ale with a balanced piney hop bitterness that plays against the sweet toffee character of the malt profile. Gorgeous red color, but no real mid-palate to speak of. This beer is so close to being great! Which is why we’re going to layer the Raven Maniac on top of it. If you could make drinking motor oil sound like a great idea, you would understand what drinking this thick, rich stout is like. Viscous doesn’t even begin to cover it. There are huge flavors of dark coffee and cocoa — but that doesn’t really do it justice. Think of the strongest, darkest coffee you’ve ever had, and then crank it up to 11. Then think of the darkest, most bitter chocolate you’ve ever tasted — now throw it away and go chew on some cocao nibs. That’s the intensity we’re talking about. Pinecone aromas from the hops give character and dimension to the overwhelming blackness of this heavy imperial stout. Layered together, they are a force to be reckoned with.
I know what you’re thinking right now, “O’ Captain, my captain, where can I make this marvelous amalgamation happen?” As it occasionally happens, I can answer this. PBC can make this very thing happen for you if you ask nicely at their brewpub on Gurley Street in Prescott — but only if you ask nicely.
While you’re there, get yourself some food so you can get safely home. Personally, I can speak very highly of the pizzas and the fried pickles. If you’ve never had fried pickles, bless your heart — now’s the time to change that. Welcome to the next age of your existence. You’re also thinking, “O’ Captain, my captain, I’m (insert breed of Christian here) and it’s Lent! I can’t drink alcohol or eat meat! You suck for writing this during Lent!” To that I say, you need to do your research. Saint Patrick’s Day is observed as the Feast of Saint Patrick in the Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox churches and on this particular feast day, all Lenten dietary restrictions are lifted. Which means Cody Burkett, the AZ Wine Monk, can break his fast without feeling guilty about it on March 17. Which means we’re going to need a driver — preferably one in green who doesn’t mind being seen with two Celts in kilts.
| Gary Kurtz will pass on the green beer this St. Patty’s Day.
gtkurtz@gmail.com
46 • MARCH 2016 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us