An evening with the Rahr Brewery

COME TO POP'S SAFARI CIGARS AND FINE WINES FOR A DOUBLE EVENT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!

LOCATED AT:

2929 Morton St, Fort Worth, Texas 76107

817-334-0559

Dear Pop's Customers,

Time is growing short for the Robert Mondavi Wine Dinner on Thursday November 18. We still have 10 seats available. Pop's will feature a delicious prime steak dinner accompanied by four Mondavi Reserve Wines. Each of these fine wines is made in the Mondavi Tradition.

The evenings fare is $100.00 per couple plus gratuity and tax. Included are the wines, dinner, a Champagne reception and live entertainment.

PLEASE RSVP TODAY - 817-334-0559
The Godfather of California Wine
Perfection in a bottle

Event Sponsor
RAHR BEER

For those not attending the Mondavi Wine Dinner Rahr Beer will host a $20.00 cigar and beer pairing.  Noah, from the Rahr Brewery will be here to to talk smoke and beer.  Don't miss this fun for everyone event.  You can take your Rahr Presentation glass home as a gift.


Resident Cigar Expert Bear Duplisea will match cigars with the limited release Winter Warmer now on tap at Pop's. And, when you test drive the Buff Butt. Take the glass home. That's: 2 Beers, 2 Cigars, and Rahr Glass.  ONLY $20!!!

SNEAK PEAK OF PAIRINGS!:
Amber Red:

This brew has a nice light, tan head and caramel nose. The body is filled with a great blend of malt and sweet hops. It is a Vintage and classic-style lager (except it's red), with a crisp smooth finish.



Being paired with:
Partagas no. 6 (thin lonsdale)
- With a great draw, medium body, and smooth-pepper filled flavor, this stogie provides an excellent compliment to the crisp and clean lager. The No. 6 has a plentiful amount of smoke and will make for an excellent cigar experience.

Sancho Panza classico (any size)
- This is a classic cigar, medium body, so it won't overwhelm. It is a box-pressed, hand made smoke with great consistent construction highlighted by solid wood flavorings, pepper and a wonderful non-lingering finish.

For people who want to splurge on their own: La Flor Dominicana Premium Line, Oliva "O" serie, Torano Virtuoso, Ashton Classico; Heritage, or JC NEWMAN Brickhouse.

WINTER WARMER:

This beer has a brilliant dark color with cocoa and malty notes on the nose. CLASSIC RAHR light tan head that is solid and fuller-bodied. It has a smooth, sweet mouth feel and crisp ale-like bite to bring home the finish. Great winter brew!
Being paired with:

Esteban Carreras 187
- With this beer you will need cigars that can go pound for pound with the beer, but you do not want to overwhelm it or counter it. This is a nice med-full bodied smoke, with excellent spice and body. Ash does not hold too long, burn is even though and finish will match the Warmer beautifully.

Perdomo Dynamite
- Again, solid med-full smoke with ample spice, but nothing that will overwhelm. Cool smoke is not lush, but will provide a good match with the nice spicy finish.

Splurge: LFD Air bender, LFD Dbl ligero, Ashton VSG, CAO Brazilia, Brickhouse

Come join us, whether your live far or wide.  Don't miss me in action and remember, there is nothing wrong with knowing you are the best.

Regards,

Bear

"Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday."- The Impressive Clergyman, The Princess Bride

Marriage.  A much debated institution.  For centuries there have been discussions, theories, jokes, observations, and selected commentary on one of civilization's most ancient traditions. 

I hate to disappoint some of you, but this entry will not be poking fun of or a proverbial bashing of the joining together of man and wife.  On the contrary, let's look at this as it was originally intended a blessing and celebration of two people joining their lives and families.  I have been married six months, my parents just celebrated 42 years together.

In fact, I'm really not going to tackle the body of marriage as a whole, but rather the beginning.  The wedding.  Weddings are a billion dollar industry.  Between venues to photos to cake, every year Americans spend on average $30,000 which, on average, winds up being a 20 minute ceremony and a 4 hour reception.

Some may say that's ridiculous, some say it's unbelievable, and some would say, "Yeah, that sounds about right."

I told you this wasn't going to be a cynical observation and it won't be.  For those of you that know me, I can be a hopeless romantic and so this entry will be on celebration.

And why not?

Cigars, fine wines, premium liquor, and beer have been the mark of celebration for centuries as well. 

This may actually surprise most of you, but I actually did not smoke at my wedding.  Before?  Of course.  During honeymoon?  Most Def.  However, I did not take a single puff at my wedding reception.  In fact, I don't smoke at many weddings, at least during the course of traditional events.  I prefer to to take part in the traditional events: toasts, cake cutting, dances, etc.  Who wants to miss that?

This past weekend, I was present at the union of James McCombs and Katie Evans.  They are a beautiful couple that I wish nothing but happiness and joy for the rest of their lives.  Many of my cigar comrades were in attendance.  And while many of them were as excited as I was to toast our friends' marriage with a good smoke, they didn't want to miss any of the festivities either. 

"I don't think I'm going to be able to smoke tonight, bro," one friend commented.  "I just don't want to, it would take me away from the wedding too long."

Truly a man of honor.  You see, my friend was not only thinking in the best interests of James, but was giving me respect by saying subconsciously that he didn't want to rush a good smoke and the amount of time it would take to enjoy it.

I took my cue from him, opting to enjoy the celebration on other merits.  I got to enjoy a dance with my wife, a beer with the father of the groom and savor some damn nice cake. 

However, afterwards I invited some friends back to my home, where we toasted with some champagne and lit some great smokes. 

Good times.  Good fellowship.  Great cigars.  A motto worthy of any post-celebratory gathering. 

So, take your time, celebrate, and enjoy the moments as they present themselves.  To my friends, James and Katie, congratulations and may your joined lives be blessed and joyous.

To the rest of you, take note 4 out of 5 dentists recommend that there is nothing wrong with knowing you are the best!

Regards,

Bear

Atmosphere is everything. Drink up!

"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." - Neslon Mandela

The world we find ourselves in today is changing and moving at an unbelievable pace. 

How many of you had an e-mail address 15 years ago? Owned a cell phone ten years ago? An IPOD eight years ago? A facebook account five years ago?  Or a KINDLE/IPAD 1 year ago?

Information is moving at a constant pace.  Ideas are being exchanged instantly across the globe.  One's reputation can be tarnished one minute and absolved the next with a simple posted apology on Twitter.


Who cares, right?


Well, whether you do, or whether you don't really isn't want I want to discuss.  My point is, however you feel in today's fast paced society today, I believe everyone will agree it is beneficial to slow down and take it all in.


I get asked quite a bit, "Bear, what do you enjoy most about cigars?"


That's simple.


I enjoy the lifestyle and the moments it creates.  Don't get me wrong, I believe cigars to be delicious treats and do enjoy a number of other things about them.  However, I love what cigars create and force and individual to do. 


Someone once told me, "Stogies are great, they force you to sit down and have a conversation."  I couldn't agree more.  For centuries, cigars have been a symbol of class, wealth, elegance, dignity, and celebration.  Today, most cigar enthusiasts enjoy the camaraderie it brings with other aficionados. 


A cigar is important, but what and how you pair it with determines a lot about your experience. 


Ambiance is important.  Are you comfortable?  Inside? Outside?  In your car? Is the lighting overpowering?  Is it dark?  Are you alone?  In a large group?  Are you having a drink?  Is it a cocktail?  Is it affecting the cigars flavor?


All of these questions may seem tedious and a bit ridiculous, but whether you know it or not they are already in your head.  Your choice of surroundings is what can often make or break a cigar. 

A friend of mine and also a fan of this blog, Paul, recently commented that he enjoyed when I offered up how my drink paired with a cigar I was reviewing.  And since I find it to be a good decision to pair your favorite cigar with a good beverage, I've decided that will be the topic of discussion for this week's entry.


Before I start, let me hit with some ground rules:
1) Never choose an accompanied beverage solely because you've heard or think it will pair well with a cigar.
    - What I mean is, if you don't like a drink without a cigar, no stogie in the world will make that drink taste
well.
2) Never choose a cigar solely because you've heard or think it will pair well with a certain beverage.
    - The same a rule #1, no drink in the world will change your mind about a cigar.
3) Never dip your cigar into accompanied beverage.
    - I know you saw your grandpa do this.  Trust me, it is a bad idea.  As I have stated in the past, direct contact with your cigar and the liquid will damage the cigar's integrity, construction, and overall flavor.  If you'd like to smoke a flavored cigar (ahem, loser) then there are some available.


Ok, now that the rules are set, here are some opinions and insights into accompanied beverages with your selected cigar.


Beer:
     Beer can be a great partner for your stogie.  I usually would lean towards something with a little more body to hold up and balance out more mild to medium cigars.  Stouts and porters would fall into this category.  A good time for this would be late afternoon or early evening.  I usually enjoy a brew on Sunday afternoons with my cigar.
     Try this: Grab a hefeweizen to counter a spicy, heavily bodied smoke to change your smoking experience into a complex world of great flavor.  It's a meal you've dreamed of, but have never had


Brandy:
     Along with port and cognac, brandy is a very popular after dinner beverage.  So, of course, it would a great choice to accompany your favorite puro.  I find that Brandy really opens up the nose and one's sense of smell, so it goes great with cigars that have a very pleasant bouquet.
     Try this: Let the brandy sit for a bit before you light your cigar or ask your bartender to warm it a bit.  The temperature really brings a lot of flavor from your cigar to the front of your palate.


Bourbon Whiskey:
     This drink can typically be very rich and sweet.  Like brandy, it can open up one's sense of smell, but it usually dominates on taste.  With maple, oak, and vanilla notes dominating a lot of bourbons, it pairs well with  full bodied and spicy stogies.
     Try this: Try not to cut this liquor too much and allow the flavors or your cigar and drink to co-mingle.


Coffee/Espresso:
     This is probably my favorite partner to a good smoke.  Especially after a great meal, coffee and/or espresso goes great with every cigar.  Mild to Full bodied or spicy to sweet, each cigar can benefit alongside a good cup o' joe.
     Try this: Pair a heavy/full bodied/spicy smoke with a cappuccino and enjoy the creaminess mingle with earthy spice. 


Cognac:
     Much like brandy it can really open the nose and pair well with cigars that have an affluent aroma.  I beg you, please do not add ice or anything to cut the cognac.  It kills me when I see this.  Lime, coke, ice or Sprite do not belong in the same glass as cognac, especially when pairing with a cigar.  When too much complexity is added to your personal ambiance it can distract and one part will be a relief for another.
     Try this: Heavy dinner + Cognac + cigar. 

Port:

     I enjoy a great port and find it to be a great balance and partner to a cigar.  Next to coffee I'll go for a port.  I will say this having a port during any part of the day besides late evening is not a good combination.  Just trust me on this one.

     Try this: A tawney port, 10 year+ vintage with your favorite go-to stogie.

Scotch Whiskey:

     An old stand by for centuries and this pairing does not disappoint.  Unlike bourbon, the sweet notes in scotch are usually subdued in favor of good, hardy flavor that really is wonderful in the early evening. 

     Try this: If you enjoy smoking before dinner, grab two fingers of your favorite scotch and mild robusto to open up your palate for supper.

Wine:
     I have very mixed feelings about wine being paired with cigars.  If done, I would prefer a rich, robust red.  I have had white wine with a cigar in warm summer afternoons, but overall I try and stay away from white wine and cigars together.  Even most reds don't pair well.  I'd rather enjoy wine with my meal and then enjoy a cigar with another beverage post eating.
     Try this: Actually, just don't.


Wild Card:

Coke: 

     A lot of sweetness and a certain spiciness can go well with some cigars, in particular heavily bodied smokes. 

     Try this: Give your favorite full flavored stogie a whirl, pairing it with your preferred cola.

As always, I welcome comments and added thoughts.  But, with this entry, I am really looking for some.  I want to know what you enjoy and perhaps add to some of my thoughts.  Keep smoking and remember that there is nothing wrong with knowing you are the best!

Regards,

Bear