Two Cigars and Witch's Hat Big Doedish

The Ale

Witch's Hat Big Doedish – DIPA

Witch’s Hat Brewing

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

Hops: Pacific Jade, Zythoes, and Citra

9.2% abv

DIPA = Double India Pale Ale

64 oz Growler

$20.00 refill

Witchshatbrewing.com

I have stated this before on the blog, ‘I hate growlers,’ and then $20 for a refill … it better be damn good for that is like 20 bucks for 5 – 13oz bottles.  This is a quality Belgian beer price to me.  Well, just stop on by and try a glass at the brew pub before you buy … that makes since but, you know what? … I bought it without trying it.  Why?  Because I have tried six or seven of their beers and I enjoyed each one so, I’ll gamble that this should be good. 

Appearance: amber body with light amber highlights around the edges; a one finger (if that) head, large bubbles on the head, but I am pouring it from a growler; have I mentioned that I hate growlers; a splattering of lacing on the glass.

Aroma: aromatic with a touch of bitterness; floral hits me first with a nice touch of sweet pineapple and then a hint of fresh citrus that reminds me of pink grapefruit, white pine tree sap is coming to mind right now, a touch of fruit bread,

Flavors: on the delivery I pick-up some fresh pink grapefruit and sweet pineapple; those two flavors seem to swirl around a touch of caramel and sweet bread during the mid; on the back a touch of pine and a little sweet bread going down the hatch. 

Don’t sell this ale short.  Don’t just gulp it down.  Sip it, swirl it, damn gargle with it.  Pay close attention to the flavorful hops selected.  If you gulp it you will think it seems thin or watery at first and then think it seems bitter at the end of the glass.  I think we can play … what I call … guess what I am tasting with this ale?  I can see – tangerine, pine, grapefruit, pink grapefruit, pink peppercorn, pineapple, floral,  caramel, bread, sweet bread, fruit bread,

Mouthfeel: soft hoppy flavors, don’t let the word ‘soft’ fool you, soft bitterness, bold hoppy flavors (if you pay attention), a light creamy feel, low carbonation, oily, a tad bit on the sweet citrus side but has a nice long lingering oily bitter citrus feel.  Watch out for the 9.2% abv for it does not come across boozy.   

To the Point: Not close to being a bitter hop bomb; a flavorful hop bomb okay – I’ll buy that; nice mixture of soft and slightly bitter hops; be ready for the sweet side of citrus.  Damn, I really like this.  This is top shelf to me.   

This ale is worth the price.

The Cigar(s)

Romeo y Julieta Casino II

Reserva Real

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade Ecuadoran

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Dominican and Nicaraguan

Size: 6 x 50; in a crystal tube

$11.25 a stick

Flavor Profile: this is a nice and mellow stick.  Mild white mushroom and light dry soil earthy tones; the texture is silky smooth and very mild in body.  This is as simple as it gets while still being tasty. 

My Strength Rating: 1.5 – very mild

The Pairing

The nice thing about a very mild cigar is that they can be paired with a mild white wine or beer … or … a stronger one for the contrast.  Here is the contrast.  The flavors of this cigar do not interfere with the great taste of this DIPA (Double India Pale Ale).  The bad thing is that it does not add to the experience and that is not always a bad thing.  Spoken like a true professor. 

Second Pairing

The nice thing about a 64 ounce growler is that you can review two cigars. 

The Witch's Broom in the Background

Hoyo De Monterrey Excalibur Legend Challenger

 Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Nicaraguan, Dominican Ligero

Size: 5-1/4 x 50

Strength Rating: 7 – medium-full

I have always liked the Excalibur Legend but, I have never smoked this size. 

Flavor Profile: nice spice that reminds me of smoked black pepper; a solid oaky wood character and a walnut … maybe a black walnut like note. 

The Pairing with the Excalibur

This is an interesting pairing.  I have to admit that I thought it would be too much for this ale. 

But what happened was the spicy style and woody notes of the cigar brought out the pink peppercorn like note and complemented the sweet citrus of the ale.  The sweetness of the ale’s citus is controlled a bit while smoking this cigar.  I really like this pairing. 

The Difference from one Cigar to Another

The Romeo y Julieta Casino II allowed all the flavors of the ale to shine.  The Excalibur had some good intermingling of flavors.       

To me the Excalibur maximized the tasting experience by soothing the sweet tropical notes and bringing out some of the light peppery tones of the ale.