Birra Moretti's La Rossa!

Let me give out this disclaimer.  I'm really thirsty.  I just got finished putting trim down in my old sanctuary, and I was parched beyond patristic levels of acceptability!  So now that I've got that out of the way, I can honestly say that I'm loving La Rossa as if it were my own Rose!  A sturdy amber color and great lacing, the beer makes me salivate like a sailor stepping onto dry ground in a meat market.  This is a double bock, and one of the more enjoyable ones at that.  7.2% ABV isn't too high for my tastes.  As many here at the Red Onion have noticed 6 or 7% is a great sweet spot for beer.  This one is a little malty, but I wouldn't expect anything else from a dobblebock!  Worth a shot, and you can find it a most Publix Grocery stores, so Moretti is waiting for you right around the corner.  7.2 Monks and it's growing on me!

Dad's Little Helper Black IPA

Dad's Little Helper from Rogue made me want to break out all my neck ties and sing a song and dance.  One of the best black IPA's I've ever had.  It's only the 2nd and the first was a growler from a home brew kit, so there.  It's delicious.  Worth driving to Kellyton Alabama to get this mean double deuce.  Thanks Dunkelstien!

O'Fallon's Black Hemp

Nothing about this that struck me as being overwhelmingly impressive.  Too many samplers that night, that is for sure.  Seemed like it had a bad aftertaste.  All I know is that when I tried to do a Christian deed and I offered to finish my Monastery brothers Black Hemp in exchange for a Samuel Smith, he graciously took me up on the offer and O'Fallon fell back into my hands.  Probably won't get this again.  3 Monks out of 10.

Old Engine Oil Black Ale

Greetings and salutations from Mustachio! Dunkelstein and I are trying out this porter. The label says "Viscous-Cholatey-Roasty". It's defiantly roasty and bitter. It's not quite as chocolaty as I would like, but it's a pretty good porter. Not what I was expecting. Chicory is the words that Dunkelstein is using to describe this beer. Neither he nor I are thoroughly impressed with it. Don't get me wrong. It's pretty good. 6% ABV and a nice silky head I'll give this one 6 Monks.

Orval Trappist Ale

Orval isn't happening for me. It's got a great head, and a silk that lasts. Pouring a rich brown with a pale head the taste leaves something to be desired. Too much carbonation, and a kind of champaigny taste. Not the best Trappist beer I've had. I don't think I'll ever get this again. 4 monks.

Why I love Walt Disney's Robin Hood

Greetings and salutations to my fellow onions. Since Brother Red and myself seem to be the sole proprietors of this blog, I've decided to do with it what I've always wanted to do. My original purpose for the "Brotherhood" was to be a theological society that enjoyed the gifts that God has given us. The gift of grace, philosophy, theology and of course beer. Apologetics would be covered within this endeavor. After all, if we are to present ourselves as Christians, we will have to defend our preference for the finest choice of beverages. So instead of jumping right into heavy philosophy, of which I would probably fail miserably, I will wax eloquently over a certain piece of pop culture that is close to my heart.

Robin Hood by Walt Disney is one of my favorite traditionally animated movies. The story is great, and the anthropomorphizing of the story with a wily fox and a pretty little vixen in the place of two of the main characters is just classical fun. But there is another element that could easily be glossed over while watching the movie. Some of what I'll be saying, I'm no doubt reading into the story, but the allusions are there, whether accidental, intentional, explicit or implicit.

1. FRIENDSHIP-The theme song used in the intro had me from the time I was 8."RobinHood and Little John, walking through the forest, laughing back and forth at what the other had to say. Reminiscing this and that, and having such a GOOD TIME, udalaly, udalaly, golly what a day". The song is superbly written. (more on that in a minute) Best friends talking & enjoying one another's company in a thick forest. Trust and loyalty encompassed within the fellowship of nature as God intended. When you watch this first seen, you realize these two chum's have know each other for quite some time. The flavor of the moment is as sweet as it is enduring. It is a motif, that is sadly only true to many of us within the context of fiction.
2. Roger Miller- Do I really need to say anymore. In the opening credit scene he equates the traveling minstrel to a modern day folk singer. The allegory is dated, but nevertheless, true. I'm not sure how many of the songs he wrote for the movie, but his whimsical style, and heartfelt sorrow in an off beat kind of way are completely appropriate. No one else could have pulled off a rooster singing "Every Town has it's ups and downs. Sometimes the ups, outnumber the downs. But not in Nottingham" and have everyone sobbing in the room. He's just great as a big chicken.
3. Prince John & Hiss- This devilish duo is all too wonderful. Neither of them are idiots. They are simply eaten up with their own selfishness. A groveling, thumbsucking pretender to the throne andhis cohort; a mesmerizing snake that is a miniature of our old fiend in the Jungle Book. These guys are bad in all of the best ways. Smart, greedy, impetuous and braggadocios. We've got to hand it to them, if it weren't for these two hacks, we wouldn't have a story. A simple and old fashioned couple of bad guys. Shriek can't hold a candle stick to this kind of villainy.
4. The Underdog- What could I say about this monotonous motif, except that it never, ever gets old. After all if something is true, or at the very least reflects the truth, it will resonate with everyone except your typical sociopath. Fighting for the poor and against the oppressive regime, that has been manipulatively forced upon the people. There is a great deal here to relate too. It is a thematic element that is never lost upon the greatest of movies. Only such extreme movies such as "No Country for Old Men" have lost the "hero against all odds" only to replace it with a sick feeling in your stomach. It's true that the bad guy does win, ALOT! But every once in a while the good guy wins, and those are the stories that we rejoice in. Because that is what is good.
5. Friar Tuck and the Christian Element- Here is my favorite character in the whole movie. The good Friar Tuck is as much the hero as Robin Hood. A kind and gentle old badger, whose main concern in this whole matter is his congregation and the poor people of Nottingham. It is in these tough times, that the good monk shows his steel. There are at least two direct references to the teachings and words of Jesus Christ within the context of Tuck. When the tiny parishioners of the small church give their last farthing, Tuck chokes up and says "No one can give more than that". The reference is obvious. The little female mouse gives only one small farthing, their last farthing, and Tuck, a man of the cloth, is seen praising this act of charity. But it gets even better. As the wicked sheriff of Nottingham continues to prey off the weak and defenseless in the small town and church, Tuck gets fed up. A man of peace no doubt, shows what happens when the right hand of fellowship is taken out upon those vessels of wrath. The scene is classic. Tuck kicks the sheriff out of the church and is eventually imprisoned for his action. He isn't taken down lightly though. Only with the help of a trigger happy vulture, can the evil sheriff subdue this badger in his righteous anger. The second reference to Jesus is not hard to see, but easy to miss. While in his prison cell, right before he's broken out by our good friend Little John, we see a bible beside Friar Tuck, with the words "Forgive them all" etched into the stone above the book. The idea that a Disney movie would portray Christianity in a positive light is still mind boggling to me. But I'll take it, and I'll be more than happy to point it out to my kids. More often than not, Friar Tucks example of leadership within the Church has been my experience. Not that I've been Tuck, even though I have been a badger, the stout hearted work of Christian men has always impressed me. Everyone complains about hypocrites. I would like to praise those fat Friars out there, that are living according to the Word.
6. The Burning of the Castle- The allusion to the burning of Rome at the hands of a mad emperor seems to be always jumping out at me. I'm probably reading too much into this scene, but the madness of the Prince and the viciousness of the sheriff, seems to evoke that old pattern of Nero-tic blame, upon those who are innocent. Maybe it's just an exciting scene.
7. True Love- Love is an inexhaustible subject. What I like about this, is that Maid Marian and Robin Hood never kissed during their courting. A virtue I hold dear now that I've got two daughters. I hope that all three of my children will follow in this honorific highway, that so few follow down now. The glorification of marriage bound up in a happy ending where love conquers all is glorious. I love it.
8. King Richard (The Lion Heart)- Only shown for one scene, it is clearly a reference to the Crusader King Richard. Historically speaking this king was the most just and upright of the many crusader kings. The very idea of portraying anything that has to do with the crusades in a positive light has long since passed in popular culture. Here we've got Richard happily congratulating his new in-laws, and sporting a large cross upon his chest. The emblem of his kingdom.

These are the reasons I love this movie so much. For some reason I wanted to share that with the world.

Red Brick Brown Ale

Greetings from Brother Red. It's been far too long a time since our last post about God's proof that he loves us and he wants us to be happy.

RED BRICK-Brown Ale
This is the most delicious brown ale I've had that I remember tasting so tasty. To say a thing is tasty is as good as saying that a thing is sticky. Without knowing what in the world we are sticking too, it is a fairly worthless and senile definition. So if I might elaborate in true Chesterton style, hopefully someone of the Brotherhood will endure me. Let me begin by saying I'm drinking this in a beer chalice. Those familiar with my stock will of course know I'm referring to the chalice that our dubious Dunkelstein had purchased for a number of us. The beer poured out a semi opaque brownish red. The head, while not being poured terribly carefully, was around a quarter inch. The silking was and continues to be quite nice. It's a little on the sour side, something that I've come to expect from high content beer. This barely makes the cut for high gravity. At a not too terribly high 6% ABV the is bark is stronger than the bite. And for a good Christian, this is always a pleasing thing. With a medium body, a bit of sour, and a touch of nuttiness, this down home southern beer is going to bring me back to their brick house once again. A good ol fashioned Atlanta based company, these regional raconteurs are anything buy redneck. With a witty and almost tasteful ad campaign, these guys have, at the very least, hooked me for a second shot. I'll give this one 6 Monks. That's right boys. I'm moving our grading system up to a 10 Monk monastic scaling sequence. I hope and pray everyone here in the south has not be affected too heavily by the dreadful tornadoes that have come through. Simple Sauce, and whatever that laplands surname was, we would love to hear from you guys.

A Different IPA

That's right Onions, it's an Irish Pale Ale and you will do it justice only in a mug.  This beer has a great head and comes out a beautiful amber. Good Lacing and a fairly full body.  Better than most of the Irish Red's I've had this beer has a slight caramel taste and a small bit of bitter.  Beer Advocate didn't rate this one very high.  ABV is 5.5 and I'm really not seeing much of a pale ale here.  Nevertheless, it is quite enjoyable, especially with cheesy turkey dogs, making our culinary skill above reproach.  Whether it's an Irish Pale Ale or a more traditional Irish Red, I like it.  I like the Irish, I like beer, not too fond of New York, but I've never been there.  I'll give this beer 3.5 Irish Monks.  Brother  Red has spoken.  What say you.

Yeti Imperial Stout by Great Divide Brewing Co.

Yeti Imperial Stout is hoppy and toffee all in one.  Pouring it is kind of like watching a yeti make syrup. It poured thick and very, very dark.  Nice roasty malts with a little bit of caramel.  Better than the Samual Adams Imperial Stout.  Kind of like an explosion of hoppy sweetness.  75 IBU's and a high 9.5% abv it is quite an impressive beverage.  I insist on any Onions in the area to come over and partake.  Brother Red gives this one a clean 5 monks.

Lamentations, & Wogh

Brother Red is missing his old monastery friends.  3 remain,  two have moved to greener pastures.  Hopefully we will unite here on this plain of existence, but if we don't see each other here I'm sure we will share a Stout Drought together in the here after.  Hopefully we'll get together before that.