All we are saying is, give Michelob a chance
By Colin Burch
For Weekly Surge
I'm continuing to reevaluate my beer-snobbery.
I had basically written off the big domestics in favor of microbrews and imports, until twice recently I dined at Chuck's Steakhouse, 9695 Kings Highway on Restaurant Row in Myrtle Beach.
My wife and I always love the food at Chuck's, but the steakhouse has only one beer on tap, Michelob Lager, plus a tap for the beer substitute Michelob Ultra. (They also have a selection of bottled beers.)
But Chuck's knows how to make the most of that Michelob, offering a big, frosty, 28-ounce goblet for $5.50.
On both of my recent visits, the goblet was perfectly frosted.
I thought the Michelob had interesting hop characteristics, followed by a pleasant dryness.
It was not the blandness I had come to expect from big domestics. Michelob had something going on. It paired well with steak. I finished the goblet smiling.
Later, I went to the Michelob Web site, which claimed that their lager is made with European hops and "a 100-percent-malt blend." Meaning: no rice, no corn, just barley malt. What a difference.
summer, wine and you
Imbibing and socializing - that's your summer in a nutshell.
Here's where to do it with wine.
- La Belle Amie Vineyard, corner of S.C. 90 and St. Joseph Road, North Myrtle Beach;
399-9463; www.labelleamie.com
- June 21: First Blush of Summer Music & Wine Fest will feature live music by The Paul Grimshaw Band and Latitude, plus plenty of food and wine. Runs noon-5 p.m. Admission is $8, which includes parking, access to gift shop, and limited wine sampling.
Other upcoming La Belle Amie events include:
- July 5: Independence Music Blast
- July 19: Summer Parrot Head Festival
- August 2: Dog Days Blues & Jazz
- Silver Coast Winery, 6680 Barbeque Road, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.; 910-287-2800;
www.silvercoastwinery.com
- Second and fourth Wednesdays of each month: Wacky Wednesday Dance Parties are live-music events at Silver Coast Winery, with several live performers lined up to get the dancing started. Wine will be available for purchase. Admission is $3.
- Tuesdays: Wine guru Al Gomes hosts a wine tasting seminar entitled "Wine Tasting Through the Senses." The $15 admission includes wine tasting and a signature glass. Reservations are required, so contact the winery.
- Wednesdays: Winemaker Dana Keeler hosts a wine tasting seminar entitled "Wine: A Sensory Experience - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly." The $15 admission includes the tasting and a signature glass. Reservations required.
on the metal stand
Speaking of Silver Coast Winery, its Calabash Red and Calabash White each won a bronze medal at the 32nd International Eastern Wine Competition, which was held in Watkins Glen, N.Y., May 21-23.
Another Silver Coast wine, 2005 North Carolina Chardonnay, also won a bronze medal.
The 32nd International Eastern Wine Competition included more than 2,200 entries from 38 states, three Canadian provinces, and 13 countries.
Contact Colin Burch - the Beerman - at beerpour@yahoo.com or visit his beer blog at http://maltyhops.blogspot.com