Notes: Beer and Jazz

Recently uncovered two intersections between beer and jazz. The first is a new brew by North Coast Brewing Company called Brother Thelonious. As the name implies, the beer honors avant garde pianist Thelonious Monk. The beer was produced in conjunction with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, and a portion of the procedes goes to the institute. I've yet to try it, but will have a full report when I do. There are a lot of mixed reviews on BeerAdvocate, so we'll just have to wait and see. Perhaps it will be available at AleFest.

Another jazz-inspired brew worth noting is Allagash's Interlude. This brewery continues to push the boundaries of brewing the way Coltrane, Bird, and others pushed jazz. As part of their Serie d'Origine, Interlude is a farmhouse ale aged in French Merlot and Sirah oak casks. I picked up a bottle at Jungle Jim's and have it cellaring in the basement. I only wish that I would have grabbed a second bottle to try one now! (Here's what the folks at BA say about Interlude.)

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