Earlier this week, I reported that the Flying Saucer had started carrying cinnamon whisky, specifically a brand called Early Times Fire Eater. Last night I decided to give it a try. I knew my buddy who is a liquor rep for Fireball, a cinnamon whisky I drink now and then and enjoy, would not be happy that I was ordering a competitor’s product. However, he wasn’t there, and I figured as “mayor” of the Saucer it’s sort of my duty to try their product offerings and report back.
I ordered a shot of Fire Eater, intending to take a sip to measure the taste, then shoot the rest. After one sip, I determined that I would not be able to shoot the rest. I would throw up if I did. This stuff was just nasty. There was cinnamon flavor, but it was way, way, way too sweet, and it did not burn at all. My liquor rep buddy warned me this was an inferior product, but I thought he was just trying to convince me to stick with his brand. He wasn’t lying at all though. There is nothing good I can say about Fire Eater. Congratulations Abita Turbo Dog, you are no longer the worst product the Saucer carries.
I shouldn’t be surprised either. I’ve seen lots of bottles of other Early Times products around Downtown. By that I mean that I have seen empty bottles of Early Times products on the sidewalk and in alleys, after the bums have finished them and thrown them away.
One other thing: Look at this bottle. If you ignored the words “Fire Eater,” what kind of liquor would you think this is? I would guess peppermint schnapps. I get it that they’re going for a late 1800s circus tent theme, but this just isn’t the best packaging for cinnamon whisky.
Let’s move on to something happening at the Saucer that I do recommend. This Tuesday, December 11 at 7:00, there will be a Yazoo vertical tasting. They will be serving Hop Project batches #65, 66, and 67. Yazoo Hop Project is kind of a unique IPA in that they never make two batches exactly the same way. Each batch has a number, which lets you search for that batch number on Yazoo’s blog and read about the beer you’re drinking and how it was made. There will be a special Yazoo taster flight that evening – on a flight, you get 5-ounce sample glasses of five different beers. In addition, Yazoo pints will be only $3 until the kegs blow. I assume Yazoo will have a rep or two on hand for the vertical tasting. Their reps are some of the nicest folks in the brewing industry, and good people to talk to if you want to learn about beer.
If you’re an animal lover, you might want to consider going to Mid-South Spay and Neuter‘s Spaytacular Gala. It will be tomorrow, Sunday, December 9, from 2 to 5 PM at Jack Robinson Gallery on Huling. Mimosas, wine and beer, bloody Mary bar, brunch food, silent auction. Tickets are $40 individual/$75 couple.
A few weeks ago, a Twitter account called the “South Side Supper Club” started following me. I assumed that some of the South Main folks had banded together to share dinners. No, I was wrong. South Side Supper Club is a band, and they perform at the Double J Loft Bar tonight from 11 PM to 2 AM. The band’s lineup includes Good Shane, front man for Dynaflow. “We’re giving 3 hours of what we got at the Double J on Saturday night. We’ll be upstairs in the bar. Got a couple of new things to try out as well as several of our standards. Come out and give us a listen,” they posted to Facebook.
That’s all for now. I plan on hitting Panda’s bar at Bardog at 11; rest of day TBD. As fellow blogger Air Traffic Mike would say, until next time, y’all take care of yourselves.