Sake

I've never had sake (a Japanese alcohol made from rice), but because it has been so prevalent in many of the Japanese shows I've been watching on Netflix this calendar year, I decided to try some. Back at the beginning of the month I'd bought a 200 ml (roughly 6.75 oz) Chika Sake Cup from Hakutsuru, and tonight I finally opened it up.

I have to say, so far I am not a fan. To be sure, it's not a top shelf brand, but it smells very boozy, tastes very boozy, and I can feel the slightest sip slide down my throat and thorax like fire. The only plus was a pleasant aftertaste, which I can't quite place (a mild honey perhaps). I won't give up on the type of drink as a whole, but this particular brand, despite the cute and reusable glass container, isn't for me. I do like the cup though, with its three cute images.

Glassware

After the taste-tests of various flavors of soju, out of a small repurposed three-dollar spice bottle, I decided to upgrade my experience by buying a 4-pack of actual traditional soju glasses (brand name Jinro). They came wrapped in fantastic block print paper, and the image printed on them is very cool. Going forward I'll be able to respect the custom, with the flavors I truly enjoy.

Soju - SoonHari Apple Mango

So tonight I had my first bottle of soju, a type of alcohol from South Korea distilled from tapioca and rice. I decided on the apple mango flavor from SoonHari, and it was the perfect choice. I don't keep shot glasses in my house because I only drink beer at home, so I used a small glass spice jar I snagged for $3 at Target. The Apple Mango compared to the Peach Tree schnapps I drank far too often back in college, but a lighter, smoother version. The five shots of 12% alcohol went down nicely, with no bitterness or boozy aftertaste. I enjoyed it very much, and despite downing the entire 375 ml (12.68 oz) in under an hour, I was only a bit buzzed. Such a great experience! I can't wait to try some other flavors...

BEER - Pacific Coast Time

I was drawing and playing online games this evening, and I decided to have a couple of beers. I had picked up a 4-pack of cans a few days ago, of Pacific Coast Time, a West Coast DIPA. 

Hailing from the Mighty Squirrel Brewing Company out of Waltham, MA, this double IPA is wonderfully pine-y, with subtle grapefruit undertones. And it has just the right bitterness. It pours very clear from the can, with very little head. None of that silly foam to take up space in a glass! And check out the artwork (often the reason I opt for one beer over another of similar profile) - a wave of hops. Very cool. And lastly, the beer definitely lives up to its name. It reminds me of many of the beers I've had with my brother over in Northern California. Highly recommended.

And for all of us Red Sox fans, they have a second location next to Fenway Park. Check it out!

BEER - Lake Life Pale Ale

I was at my sister's house for dinner last night with her and her husband, and on the way I snagged a 4-pack of cans of Lake Life Pale Ale from Hobbs Brewing Company out of Ossipee, NH (they also have a tavern in West Ossipee). It is a fantastic mix of Citra and Simcoe hops. We had it with grilled beef filets and garden salad, and it was a great match for the meal. At 5.9% it doesn't slam into you, but it does sneak up a bit.

 

I've had other beers from Hobbs, including the Jacked Up DIPA and the Hi, Jack! NEIPA, both great ones, so it was nice to find yet another good brew from this particular place. Recommended.

International Beverages

I've spent a great deal of time over the last year (and even more since the calendar turned to 2024) watching (and very much enjoying) K-Dramas, as well as Japanese shows of various styles. Alcohol can be found in many of them, especially the K-Dramas, so I snagged a bottle each of South Korean soju and Japanese sake for future taste tests. Results to come...