Five Guys

PrimeTime and I left Bone Marrow and T-Bone and decided to venture to Five Guys Burgers and Fries to continue our burger challenge. This was my favorite going in and one that I didn't think would be topped, at least until I went to 500 degrees.

Five Guys didn't disappoint. I have near the office and the house. My boys love it as do I. I generally go with the cheese burger (double patties), lettuce, fried onions and ketchup. PrimeTime added jalepeno peppers . Although the presentation isn't the best, (the buns are normally squashed) the burger is awesome It is hot, juicy, and full of flavor. The service is slower than fast food but much quicker than a sit down place. The cheese is melted to perfection. Overall this is my go to burger.

I only rate it slightly lower than 500 degrees (the ketchup there is fantastic - See post April 6, 2011. I scored it a 4.2 (vs 4.25 for 500). PrimeTime rated the best so far at 4.5. Difficult to argue with him on this great burger.

Fiveguys

Spring Break

Just back from Spring Break with the family. We visited the Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia and Th Greenbrier in White Sulfur Springs in West Virginia. Both are beautiful old school resorts.

The Homestead

Greenbrier

We had to get dressed up (jacket and tie) for dinner in the main dining room, ate huge buffet breakfasts, and played golf at The Meadows at the Greenbrier, and swam. Mrs Cast Iron and the boys did a tour of the bunker which I had done previously. Carved deep into the mountainside beneath the West Virginia Wing of the hotel is an emergency Cold War fallout shelter built during the Eisenhower era. Once a top secret U.S. government relocation facility for Congress, designed to house members of Congress and their staffs during [and after] a nuclear attack. It was decommissioned in the early 1990's after Ted Gup of the Washington Post reveled its existence in 1992.

One of the more interesting things we did was swim at the Jefferson Pools. These natural springs are a constant 98 degrees and full of natural minerals. Apparently Thomas Jefferson spent  three weeks there in 1818, and swam in the pool 3 times a day. It is said to rejuvenate you after floating in them. After an hour, Mrs Cast Iron and I just felt that we needed a nap.

I was very disappointed on the beer selection at both places. I hoped that both would have a good selection of local brews but it was not the case. At The Homestead I tried The Homestead Lager which was decent but nothing too write home about. Good taste, with a hint of hops, but nothing more.

At the Greenbrier I had the Shock Top Belgium White. Never heard of it before and then I saw it today in Wegman's. (Yes PT, TB and BM I have the next two brews for the exchange, I'm sick of waiting for you chumps). It is served with a slice of orange, and clearly made as competition for Blue Moon. This is a Michelob product, and very easy to drink. There is a touch of citrus, not quite a good as Blue Moon but would be quite refreshing on a hot day.

Shocktopbeer

Favorite Premium Beer

I think I surprised my wife when I declared a beer my favorite that wasn't VB. I did say that it was my favorite premium beer. What beer? Samuel Smith's Pure Brewed Lager.

It is remarkably complex for a lager. It has a sweetness to it that you don't normally get and I equate to honey. It is smooth and something you can enjoy again and again But it comes at a premium price which is the only downside for me.

Surprised

I'm sitting on the train this morning and we pull into a train station. The lady that I'm sitting next to is getting off. She turns to me and says "Excuse me, sir". Wow, she said "sir". She was easily in her 30s, and she called me "sir". I'm sure she was just being polite, but I felt old.

Maybe I need some Just for Men. Mmmmm....

Flying Dog

I have been staring at her for a week or two. She was certainly daring me to pick her up. Finally tonight was the night. With my wife watching I picked up another women, and she was a Raging Bitch, from Flying Dog Brewery.  Beer-Anniversary  I believe that this was brewed for Flying Dog's 20th Anniversary.

Although a decent hoppy beer it was much like the a lot of the others I have been drinking. The other Flying Dog beers have been good but this was average. This is an American IPA at 8.3% APV, and a mixture of 3 different hops.

I think it is time to go back to a lager or pils.

500 Degrees

In an amazing turn of events Bone Marrow, T-Bone, PrimeTime and I were all in the office today. We have been negligent for our burger challenge but decided that today we should do something about it. After a quick discussion we went to 500 Degrees.

Both PrimeTime and I went with the The Turbo Burger medium rare which was awesome. It had great chipotle ketchup, that has just the right amount of spice (as well as cheese, jalapenos, lettuce and tomato). If anything it could have done with some more of it. The first few bites missed the ketchup but when I tasted it, it was fantastic. T-Bone and Bone Marrow both went with the Classic Burger (lettuce, tomato and cheese). 

The spicy fries were very good, but the truffle fries weren't worth the extra dollar and were underwhelming. Great value for a gourmet burger at $8. There is not a lot of seating, but we ate late and scored a table.

T-Bone, PrimeTime and I scored it a 4.25* out of 5, and Bone Marrow scored it a 4. It has taken an early lead that may be very difficult to beat.

It is located at 1504 Samson St Philadelphia and the website is under construction, but on Facebook.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Tried the Hop Ottin' IPA with a nice soy marinated beef tonight. A good hop filled beer from the beer swap. APV 7%. It was good but I prefer some of the others I have tried recently, such as the Founders, 90 minute and Maximas.

Hop-ottin-ipa

Anderson Valley Brewing is out of California. The bottle has a picture of Bear with Antlers. What does this mean? As described on their website:


It’s not a bear. Bears don’t have antlers. Of course not. Who ever heard of such a thing?

It is, however, a BEER. The Legendary Boonville Beer to be exact. Barkley, by name, who could be considered a cross between a bear and a deer (thus a beer). Barkley and his brethren are often seen about Anderson Valley by lovers of truly fine beers (especially if they’ve had a few).

Founders Pale Ale

I tried another beer tonight from the beer swap. This was a Founders Dry Hopped Pale Ale from Michigan. You might recall that I purchased the Founders Double Trouble. I have been interest to see how this compares to its big brother and it compares very well. It is 5.4% APV  great golden color, good head and well carbonated, but not too gassy. It had a very balanced taste, and after the first sip I thought wow. Good level of hops. This beer is available year round.

Founders Pale Ale

Piling On

Actually I have never watched Family Guy, but hearing about the opening day fun for the Mets, I thought it only appropriate to pick on Mets fans. As seen on Yahoo, Mocking.

Sorry PrimeTime, it really is time to switch to the Phillies.

And one more

The Mets

A Phillies fan, a Mets fan, & a Yankees fan are climbing a mountain & arguing about who loves their team more. The Yankees fan insists he is the most loyal. ''This is for the Yankees," he yells, & jumps off the mountain. Not to be outdone, the Phillies fan is next to profess his love for his team. He yells "This is for the Phillies!!!"... & pushes the Mets fan off the mountain.