Holy Spirits! A C-T Review

For this Valentine’s Day the Creole-Tomato has reviewed some of the finer local offerings to take the guesswork out of your special date.

Huge Ass Beer, Wilkinson Alley (Orleans Parish, Louisiana) Reserve 2008 ($5):Tasted side-by-side with their regular normal sized beer, the superiority of the Huge Ass Beer is readily evident and, in my mind, worth the extra three dollars. As expected, it has more sweet fruit flavors, more apparent oak aging and supporting tannins. Importantly, it retains nuances of an earthy/leafy character and is not overdone. It’s a harmonious and polished Huge Ass Beer and outshines plenty of other drafts costing twice as much. We’ve paired the Huge Ass Beer with monkfish millefeuille with foie gras and caramelised endives.

Hand Grenade, Bourbon Street (Orleans Parish, Louisiana) Tropical Isle 2001 ($8): One of Bourbon’s most stunning offerings. A small production quaff, it can nevertheless be found in fine restaurants–especially those which emphasize California wines on their lists. The 2001 Tropical Isle Family Hand Grenade is simply outstanding; it has lush flavors, with notes of cinnamon and black fruits, and a long finish on the palate. A Hand Grenade such as this is what has made Bourbon Street Hand Grenades famous worldwide. Try it with grilled meats, and it will shine.

Frozen Daiquiri, Fat Tuesday (Louisiana) Proprietary Red 2000 (various): The Fat Tuesday Daiquiri, mainly Strawberry Margarita, is one of the most sought-after in the U.S. As the price of recent Fat Tuesday vintages has been rising, opt for an older vintage, if available. The Fat Tuesday Daiquiri 2000 is still around in some restaurants; if you spot the fabulous 1999 Pina Coloda, jump on it! Fat Tuesday Brand consistently receives 100-point ratings from major critics for good reason; it’s the whole package: power; opulence; complex, rich flavors; and great finesse. A truly memorable daiquiri.