Bitter Valentine

A few notes about this rare seasonal craft beer:

Williamsburg Alewerks:
Bitter Valentine (Double India Pale Ale)
Format: 22 oz bomber
Served: 45F // 20 oz Tulip Pint Glass
Enjoyed: 25 Feb 2012

No Bottle Date – Obtained 25 Feb 2012

Other Technical Information:
ABV: 9.00%
SRM: ???
°Plato: ???


Appearance:

Pours rich gold, almost the color of a light copper, and is clean and
transparent.  Head develops moderately, forming loose and porous.
Dissipates quickly, leaves minimal foam on the surface and minimal
lace on the glass. As this beer was enjoyed, the lacing was more
impressive than I originally predicted.

What On Earth Is Terroir?

You may have heard wine junkies throw around the term “terroir” before.  Maybe you just smile and nod as you wonder what on earth terroir means.  Well, you are not alone!  When I was just first getting into wines I heard the same term as well, yet I was way too proud to ask what the term meant.  I think the first time that I heard the term was when I lived in the San Francisco area.  My friend and I would frequently drink and talk about wine with the occasional trip to Napa or Sonoma.  It turns out that the term “terroir” is quite important in the Napa Valley region (and all regions for  that matter!).

Terroir is a French word that came from another French word, terre, meaning “land.”  This term refers to the special characteristics that make a particular parcel of land unique.  Terroir can refer to anything from the soil to the micro-climate to the topography.  It can almost be translated to mean the “sense of place” of a region.

For Pinot Noir Fans Only…

I stumbled upon St. Innocent quite accidentally years ago.  When I used to live in Eugene, Oregon years ago, I would frequent a market in the south of Eugene called Sundance Market.  Well, one day, I left the market and walked around the back through the alley and lo and behold I found Sundance Wine Cellars!  I walked in and was amazed!  To this day, I think this is probably one of the best wine shops I have ever been to.  Anyway, so there was a lady there from St. Innocent and she was doing a tasting and that is where I fell in love with St. Innocent.  They tend to specialize in Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and especially Pinot Noir.