Thirsty Thursdays: Spice Up Your Life
By Daniel Bordage
Beer: Beau’s Siduri White Pepper Saison
Style: Saison
ABV: 10.2%
Pairing: A White Pepper Saison with a “Spicy” playlist. Spice in the title, lyrics, band name or something that will spice up the boudoir.
About the Beer: “Siduri is a character in the Epic of Gilgamesh. She is an “alewife,” a wise female divinity associated with fermentation (specifically beer and wine).” (Source Wikipedia)
I’ve been eyeing this sultry Siduri for the better part of two seasons. She was sitting there, in my basement, calling out my name. After pondering why I hear voices in my head, I decided to drink her in. Her spice of life was asking me to be content with the simple pleasures of life. A dichotomy that was hard to fathom. “How could that be?” I asked back. “You are so beautiful (packaging) and delicious (taste of the beer). There is nothing simple about you…” She then said, “Shut the f$%# up Daniel and make the damn playlist already!”
The commercial description goes as follows:
This extra-strong saison beer has been spiced with white peppercorns and aged in red-grape icewine barrels. The pepper character is definitely present but doesn’t overwhelm this delicate creation; earthy undertones come out in the finish.
Contest of the week
I asked the wonderful Jodi of Ottawa’s favorite spice store, Cardamom and Cloves, to make a “Spicy” gift basket for our contest. The winner had to choose a local band or song that would fit the “Spicy” theme. The winner announced later in the playlist!
The Music
(Almost) Full Grooveshark playlist HERE
(Almost ) Full Youtube playlist HERE
Mulatu Astatke – “Yegelle Tezeta”
When I hear this song, I can only imagine an underground jazz bar serving a dish of something made with Berbere. You see, Mulatu is from Ethiopia and so is Berbere.
Al Barry and The Cimerons- “Morning Sun”
Not everybody likes it in the morning. But I do… the sun that is.
Dynamite Motel – “Why Try And Change Me Now”
This is the winning song in this week’s local artist contest. Wow! The sweetest of spice. Thank you Mean Dorris (of the Ottawa band The Haig) for the suggestion. For that, you win the Cardamom and Cloves spice gift.
The National – “I Should Live In Salt”
We kind of do already live in salt with the North American diet. The history of salt is quite interesting. My potato chip addiction thanks you salt…
White pepper is used as an ingredient in the beer. But pepper is only used in the title of this song. They do sing about cinnamon though. In researching this playlist, I found that so many good songs mention cinnamon. Anybody know why? Below are two of my favorites.
Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks – “Cinnamon And Lesbians”
Neil Young fell in love with a cinnamon girl. I fell in love with “Cinnamon and Lesbians.”
Stone Roses – “Sally Cinnamon”
Yup… cinnamon is delicious and not all are alike.
They are mad about saffron and so am I. Did you know it takes 80,000 flowers to produce a pound of saffron, with a cost in the range of 600 to 2,000 dollars a pound? This makes saffron the most expensive spice in the world. Also, from Cleopatra’s time to this day, it’s said that the aroma lingering on the skin after a hot saffron bath is enough to make any lover go mad with desire. The word saffron derives from Arabic: Za’feran and da asfar, meaning yellow.
Let’s heat it up a bit. It’s cold outside and this will help get the blood going.
Ottawa’s own RiSession adds the perfect spice with Maple Syrup. Yeah, I’ve used maple syrup before to spice things up. Who hasn’t?… Boy, do I love BBQ sauce made with maple syrup!
Flying Lotus – “Spicy Sammich”
Dim the lights and set up the table with candles, Siduri, and a spicy sammich. Don’t forget the napkins!!!
Keep the mood going with some Massive Attack. Most songs on Mezzanine would spice things up.
Is it warm in here? Or is it just me?
Mike Patton has fronted some heavy bands in his day. From Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, and Tomahawk. But this departure project is the spiciest by far!!!
Honorable mentions
Neil Young – “Cinnamon Girl” (too obvious to include)
Death From Above 1979 – “Sexy Results”
Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Sir Psycho Sexy”
Contact me on twitter @danielbordage or at dropthatspills@gmail.com for suggestions, comments or just to say hi.