The Colleen Drive-In

I can remember the Colleen Drive-In as a staple when going to visit great-grandma Tinsley in the early 1980's: we'd stop for ice cream or corn dogs or sundaes. I'd always throw up on the way back home. But that had nothing to do with the ice cream--I got terrible motion sickness.

What you may not have known is that the Colleen Drive-In started out as a chain of roadside stands originating in  Wooster, Ohio called The Dairy Isle in 1951. It eventually grew to 160 locations although today there are only a few scatted across the East.

Colleen had it's name change in 1964. You can find a similar stand in South Boston, except no ultra cool giant cone, so why even bother?

This ultra awesome website takes you through the history of a few other roadside stands in Virginia. I suggest you check it out.

Pints O Plenty Pick-O-Da-Week

Erginger Pikantus:

What the website says:

For some people, Erdinger Weissbier Pikantus 'dark bock beer' is a delicacy to be enjoyed in the colder months of the year. For lovers of strong beer, however, the season for Pikantus lasts a full twelve months.

At 7.3% alcohol, this specialty wheat beer has a considerably higher alcohol content than other varieties produced by Erdinger Weissbräu. The dark bock beer owes its sharp and full flavor to the use of selected dark wheat and barley malts and a significantly longer maturing process.

In contrast to many bock beers, Erdinger Weissbier Pikantus 'dark bock beer' does not taste too sweet. Despite its higher alcohol content, Erdinger's master brewers have succeeded in retaining the smooth Pikantus flavor.

What I say:

A toffee, banana scent with an equally, unoffensive sweet amber finish. Four out of five.

Heresy:

This old heathen is aged in whiskey bourbon barrels. Please enjoy this clip of Grandscrew getting pissed about me buying beer. She advised all the patrons I was going to hell, never mind the implication for their own souls.

Heresy is a decent imperial stout, a little heavy on fruity tones for me but most def a nice port brandy finish. I say three out of five.

Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout:

What the website says:

This is the famous Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout. In the 18th century, Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, ordered a stout to be sent to her from England. This beer was brewed strong and hoppy to survive the sea voyage, and it arrived in perfect condition. Soon "Russian Imperial Stout" became the toast of the Russian aristocracy. Brewed since 1994, our Black Chocolate Stout has itself become a modern classic, heralded the world over. It achieves its dark chocolate aroma and flavor through the artful blending of six malts and months of aging. Properly kept, it will improve in the bottle for many years. This stout is the toast of the winter season in many countries, and there is nothing better to enjoy with chocolate desserts, cheesecake, ice cream, fine cheeses and roaring fireplaces.

This is your basic chocolate/coffee stout. You can't go wrong with it. But nothing special. Thick, rich, and dark. Three out of five.