Yazoo: The Beacon

Yazoobrew.com

Calfkillerbeer.com

We’ve only written about food so far, but when we tasted this beer we had to share it with everyone.  Yazoo Brewing Company of Nashville, TN and Calfkiller brewing Copmany Sparta, TN got together to create a truly unique ale.  The two middle Tennessee breweries joined forces to brew an ale calling attention to Tennessee’s craft beer taxes which are the highest in the nation.  Rightfully so, Beacon has been dubbed a “Tennessee High Tax Ale.” 

The experience of this beer starts with label and packaging.  Your eyes are immediately drawn to a pig, which is quartered, with a light shining on it.  The various parts of the pig list the state of Tennessee taxes per gallon on wine ($1.21), domestic beers ($1.37), college party beers ($1.13) and craft beers ($1.86). As you explore the label you notice on the left hand side, a pretty humorous description of this “oppressively refreshing” beer.  We actually chuckled audibly when reading this.  Prior to popping the top you must first get through several inches of red tape, wrapped tightly around the neck of the bottle. Well played Yazoo. Well played. 

The beer pours cloudy, golden color and clears up as it sits.  You’ll also see and taste a high level of carbonation.  Take a good whiff of the Beacon before you enjoy it.  There’s a definite smoky, citric bouquet attached to the beer.  The smoke no doubt comes from the smoked German wheat used to brew it.  The smoke is very prominent in the first sip you take and it finishes with a dry, fruity flavor.  I could see this going very well with some BBQ or cheese. 

Beacon hasn’t reached all stores and restaurants yet, but I was able to find it at Whole Foods in East Memphis.  We strongly suggest trying this beer for its unique flavor, but also encourage you to support Tennessee breweries in working to lower an oppressive tax that reduces their ability to compete and grow.  Happy drinking!

Central BBQ

Central BBQ

3 Locations across Memphis
Cbqmemphis.com
Open 7 days a week at 11 a.m.

It’s been a busy week so we’re a little late with this post, but it’s a layup. Last Sunday had lunch with the family at Central BBQ on Summer Ave.  It’s been far too long since we’ve eaten there, but my-oh-my it was worth the wait!  I absolutely love Central and pretty much everything on their menu.  I say pretty much because, well I can’t get away from my favorites and I haven’t tried everything.  Today, however, I was enlightened.  Before I go any further I confess that I didn’t really venture too far from my usual, but I did tweak it thanks to the Memphis food bucket list item #18…the pork nachos on Central’s homemade potato chips.

First of all I can’t believe it took the suggestion of someone an article I read about 9 months ago for me to try this.  I used to live across the street from the original location and ate at CBBQ on a weekly basis. MINIMUM.  I also got the nachos 9 of 10 times.  I’d occasionally get a pork sandwich with some creamy mac’n’cheese on the side or a sausage and cheese plate, which we also had on this visit, but I always went back to old faithful.  Everything about these nachos is right.  You can get pork or chicken, hot or mild, jalapenos or no jalapenos.  You can then add as much of one of the various CBBQ shakes or sauces. One could make a case for this dish being one of the best local, casual dining dishes, especially for less than $10.  I couldn’t possibly ask for more, well I thought I couldn’t.  Putting this perfect pork concoction on the homemade Central BBQ chips, at no extra charge mind you, took this to an entirely new level for me.  The flavor of the chips just works perfectly with every facet of the nachos in a way a tortilla chip never could. 

As previously mentioned, we also split the sausage and cheese plate.  We hadn’t been in so long we just had to take it all in.  This is a more unique cheese plate that incorporates pepper jack cheese and instead of using traditional tomato based BBQ sauce they use a honey mustard sauce.  These are just a couple of fun twists to a classic Memphis appetizer.  Be sure to savor every bite of sausage in all its smoky goodness.

 

The Mrs. dish of choice is the BBQ chef salad.  It’s your typical salad what with its crunchy, edible shell and smoked turkey.  Wait…that’s not typical.  No cold cuts or dishes to wash with this one.  Pick your dressing, pick your meat and, if you so choose, order yourself a frosty beer to wash this one down.

In a city full of pit smoked pig Central BBQ stands out as a shining example of what real Memphis BBQ should be.  Whether you like your meat dry or wet, on the bone or off be sure to swing by this locally owned pig heaven and try their culinary couture.