Action Figures & Their Beers: A Gran old time!

by Beedo Sookcool
on 2012-07-02, 14:49:50

Before I get into this week’s review, it’s time to present a news sandwich. The bad news is that I am now on a course of chemotherapy. But belay any pangs of pity, because the good news is that it’s just part of a voluntary clinical trial to test its effectiveness on my arthritis. So, even if it doesn’t work in the long run, I’m back to doing some proper science again, even if it’s only in the role of guinea pig. However, the further bad news is that even at the greatly reduced dose I’m taking, there may be some unpleasant side effects, such as I’m only allowed about two beers’ worth of alcohol a week. So for all intents and purposes, 2012 really is the end, at least as far as ongoing series of AF&TB are concerned. Good thing I stockpiled enough reviews to take us into 2013, after which, I may be able to do the occasional AF&TB one-off special. But we'll see how things develop. Anywho, on with the review . . . !

PERONI DOPPIO MALTO GRAN RISERVA

Once in a while, I’ll be browsing the beer aisle, and suddenly, an action figure connection will just suddenly click in for something I’ve overlooked for months or even years. And any übergeek worth his or her salt should’ve spotted today’s link in far less time than it took me. The alcoholic Gran exile, Ree-Yees, is happy to drink away his pain, and the stronger the drink, the better. So this stronger-than-average (6.6% ABV) Gran Riserva beer from Peroni would be just the ticket.

Now, I don’t actually read or speak Italian. Like most languages in my repertoire, I know only a few choice phrases based around asking for food or drink, saying please and thank you, and suggesting that a person’s brainpower and/or parentage and/or romantic recreational practices should be called into question. But, like most languages derived from Latin, if it’s written down, you can generally make a pretty good guess, considering how many Latinate or Romance words have made their way into English over the centuries. This double-award-winning, double-malted beer (if I’m guessing correctly from the blurb) is brewed from an old recipe of Giovanni Peroni specifically to create a strong, yet balanced taste. Objective achieved!

Definitely rich in malty flavours, Gran Riserva also has that tinge of fine sugary brandy-butter flavour that can be found in other high-quality, high-alcohol, high-end, low-run beers (such as Fuller’s Vintage 2010). In fact, this beer (in my opinion) is of a slightly better quality than Fuller’s Vintage 2011), in that it is delicious at a wider temperature range, from ice-cold to about 50° F / 10° C. As can be expected, the cost is a little more per unit of volume than with the run-of-the-mill brews, but that’s largely offset by this stuff being sold in those dinky little 330 mL bottles. But this stuff is extremely nice, and you’ll probably want to savour it, so by sipping appreciatively, you can make it last as long as a standard beer. Unless you’re one of those obnoxious rich jerks who buys rare vintages by the crate and pours as much of them over your $1,000-a-night rent-a-dates as goes in your mouth; in which case, I hope the zombies eat you first. Slowly. From the feet upwards. So you can watch. Waste as much money as you like on your arm-candy, I don’t care. But waste good drink just because you can afford to, and see how fast I break out the recipe for Yuppie Douchebag Stew and my rusty old dissection kit from my days as a biologist.

Drink this if you also like: Fuller’s Vintage Ales, Full Bore, strong beers, well-crafted commemorative or limited edition beers, fine brandy.