Beer & Biryani at Chutney's
Anne & I went to Chutney’s the other night. Owned by husband-and-wife team Ash Shukla and Denise May, it’s the best Indian restaurant in Sarasota and has an excellent beer selection as well. I ordered an Affligem Dubbel (Brouwerij Affligem; Opwijk, Belgium; Dubbel; ABV: 7.0). It’s a full-bodied Belgium ale that’s as smooth as silk. Sweet & malty with hints of dark fruit. It complimented the lamb stew that I had as the main course.
I’ve been on a bit of a Belgium & Artisan ale kick the last week or so. In addition to the Affligem, recent beers included the following:
La Roja Artisan Amber Ale; Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales; Dexter, MI; American Wild Ale; ABV: 7.2. Aged in oak barrels, this is a smooth amber ale with hints of caramel, spices, & sour fruit.
Rare Vos (Amber Ale); Brewery Ommegang; Cooperstown, NY; Belgian Dark Ale; ABV: 6.5. A smooth drinking Belgian from the brewery that brought us Three Philosophers & Ommegang Abbey Ale. Spicy hoppiness balanced by orange citrus & sweet caramel.
Chimay Première (Red); Bières de Chimay (Abbaye Notre Dame de Scourmont); Baileux (Chimay), Belgium; Dubbel; ABV: 7.0. Sweet malty taste balanced with hints of dark fruit & spices.
St. Armand French Country Ale; Brasserie Castelain; Benifontaine, France; French Farmhouse Ale; ABV: 5.7. Not quite as strong as the Belgiums, but very smooth with an array of light chocolate, dark fruit, & spices.
I highly recommend each of these ales, and several of them will pop up on a future update of my favorite beers list.
