Best Irish gastropub ever

Margaret, the girls and I went to New Orleans this weekend to see some family. My family all still live in the New Orleans area, and her cousin lives there also. An added bonus this weekend included visits from Margaret's Aunts Carla and Bonnie.

Like any good foodie Margaret has a list of restaurants that she wants to try in town. Since I am now a beerie, I will check out the beer menu before deciding on where to dine. Due more to the beer than the cuisine, we dined at a place called the Irish House on St. Charles Avenue.

This place has a very impressive beer menu. Even better was the fact that their staff knew the beer I requested and brought me a couple of beauties from the Nola brewery. One I will review is the Hurricane Saison.

Th Hurricane is the first saison type beer that I have had. Beer advocate describes a saison as a sturdy farmhouse ale usually brewed in winter for summer consumption. It is a complex style noted for a fruity aroma and flavor.

Appearance: Beer has a dark golden almost orange color and is clear. Lots of bubbly carbonation with this beer. One finger of white head with good staying power. Patchy lacing was noticed while drinking.

Smell: Very floral aroma noted with this beer. Hops give this beer a sweet perfume like smell.

Taste/Moufeel: Sweet floral and fruity favors are present with this beer. The hops leave a sweet lingering flavor on the tongue. Carbonation gives this beer a bubbly but medium mouthfeel.

Overall: I really liked this beer. It has a very distinctive flavor with sweetness from the hops, but without the bitter finish that I would expect from a hoppy beer. It paired well with the fish and chips I ordered. I figured it was fitting to have some proper London pub food when the summer Olympics are in the UK.

For the first try with this kind of beer and first beer I have tried from the Nola brewery, i was very impressed with both. I am going to search out more of these kinds of beers. The night was made even better by spending it with good food, good beer, and good friends who happen to be family. For those who are not in on the title joke, whenever Margaret and I get together with her cousin Philip, whatever we are doing gets dubbed the best (insert thing or event) ever. Even though it is meant as an exaggeration, it usually does not disappoint, and it didn't.

Lastly, on a food note, the chef and owner of the Irish House, Matt Murphy will be appearing on the Food Network show Chopped on July 31. For those in the New Orleans area there will be a viewing party at the restaurant that night.

For more information on the Nola brewery, please see http://www.nolabrewing.com/

For more information on the Irish House, please see http://www.theirishhouseneworleans.com/


Cheers!