on THE TAPHANDLE "WEEKEND"

WEDNESDAY

Powerhouse Cream Ale, a Cream Ale by Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery

Powerhouse 50 Shilling, a Scottish Ale by Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery

Both on tap.

The Cream Ale was magnificent. It smelled of biscuits and butter, with a wee bit of a floral scent. It poured a rich honey color. The head was solid, thick foam, which left thick lacing behind on the pint glass. The primary flavor reminded me of Cracker Jacks. Additional, more subdued, flavors included nuttiness, earthiness, flower petals. Highly recommended.

50 Shilling poured the color of root beer with an aura of golden-red where ale met pint glass, with a decent head and mild lacing. The aroma was of the light smokiness of barbecued wood chips, bolstered by caramel malts. The flavor promoted the smokiness, nuts, and caramel, with brief notes of cinnamon and cloves. A good mild Scottish.

Both were accompanied by the Powerhouse's Overload pizza. The Overload is spicy and tangy, and covered in pepperoni and sausage. This evening's Overload was probably the best I have ever had. The crust was crisp at the edges and still slightly moist in the middle. The edge of the crust had been brought to the point of almost burning, but being pulled from the oven just in time. Thirty seconds longer probably would have made it less than enjoyable.

This meal was a great way to distract me from the 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit that awaited me outside.

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FRIDAY

The Immortal IPA, an India Pale Ale by Elysian Brewing Company

We fired up the barbecue and had our friends the D—s for dinner. The wife prepared a marinade the night before for Jamaican jerk shish kebabs. The jerk chicken, pineapple, and orange and red peppers were visually appealing, in addition to tasting spectacular. A spinach and strawberry salad in a light oil dressing, lightly grilled pita flatbread (for the skewer contents), and rice added their flavors to the meal. While C. D— was enjoying Tap Room No. 21 Moe's Backroom Pale Ale and Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale from the beer cellar collection, I was enjoying one of the three India Pale Ales he brought by. A great meal and a great beer with great friends.

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SATURDAY

Wildcat IPA, an India Pale Ale by Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company

Another of the IPAs given to me by C. This one went very well with chicken taco salads. The Wildcat helped to cut some of the heat of the jalapeños on my salad. It also played nicely against the spices of the chicken.

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SUNDAY

Mongoose IPA, an India Pale Ale by Hales Ales

You can't go wrong with pepperoni and Canadian bacon pizza. You can't go wrong with Mongoose IPA. Put them together, and, you see where this is going. The final IPA from C.

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During the heat of the past "weekend" I was able to enjoy five good beers, something I haven't had the pleasure of doing in a long while. If this doesn't classify as my pick of the week, then I don't know what does.