Review – Bigger on the Inside from Urban Roots

Someone at Urban Roots Brewery is a Whovian, in addition to a Bow Ties are Cool beer, there is also today’s reviewed West Coast DIPA in a familiar blue color…

Bigger on the Inside, a common exclamation for new companions upon entering the Tardis for the first time starts with a really light and see through yellow color. Getting a big grape aroma (no celery here). Lots of tropical fruit notes. Guava and citrus for me. And the 8.5% ABV is most certainly there. As strong as a Sontaran warrior. I do like the balance of strength and fruit flavors.

Doctor Who & A Beer

Doctor Who is back! So is David Tennant. Not as the 10th Doctor but the 14th.

And I have just the beer for watching the three specials and then the Christmas Day appearance of the 15th Doctor, Space Time Sipper DDH IPA a collaboration between Tarantula Hill and Casa Agria.

“With an extraordinary hop lineup including Mosaic, Citra, Cryo 586, Simcoe, and Riwaka, this brew is crafted for the ultimate cosmic experience. It’s like sipping on a starlit dream, with the first dry hop showcasing Cryo 586, Citra, and Riwaka, and the second stage burn featuring an intergalactic blend of Nectaron, Simcoe, and Mosaic.”

For a deeper cut, Urban Roots has a barrel-aged beer by the name of Demon’s Run that has brandy barrels in its pedigree. An only viewers and River Song know where the brandy is hidden on the Tardis.

Need another L.A. suggestion? Benny Boy Brewing has a new bourbon barrel-aged Cherry cider coming December 10th, named Madame Ruby. And the new Doctor’s companion is named, Ruby Sunday.

A Podcast & A Beer – Doctor Who: Redacted

I am usually a non-fiction podcast listener but I have quite enjoyed the seven episodes that I have listened to so far of Doctor Who: Redacted.

People are going missing. Forgetting seems to be happening to everyone and three intrepid podcasters try to track down the mystery of what is happening and why a mysterious blue box is involved.

For me, fiction audio needs to have immersive techniques used. Bring in the foley artists, use echos and other sound tricks. Actors reading can take you only so far and DW: Redacted is using a lot of effects that work really well with the story created that has a lot of Whovian history shout outs. Though they have been way tooo heavy with the Doctor. Who? dialogue. We know this is about memory, no need to bang on about it so often.

That quibble aside, the twenty minute episodes move fast and are give room for each of the three main characters, Abby, Shauna and Cleo to tell their stories.

To pair with this podcast you can go one of two ways, three if you want to use it as an excuse to have British beer. One is to have beers brewed by women to match with our protagonists.

The other option being to pick a beer that embodies the spirit of someone no longer with us. A beer that brings back a memory. I might pick up a wine/beer hybrid that is a combo of what my dad drank and what I drink. Take a walk down memory lane.

No, now all 14

On Mother’s Day, the BBC and Russell T. Davies announced the actor taking over the key to the TARDIS. Ncuti Gatwa, most likely known for the role of Eric on Sex Education will take over the Tardis from Jodie Whitaker.

This news practically demands a celebratory / anticipatory beer.

And I have a few options for you…

Firstly, because it is a celebration find a big imperial stout that is over the 14% mark but under 15% to tick the numerical box. And no the War Doctor, Fugitive Doctor and the Timeless Child are not included in that number.

Secondly, since Gatwa is Scottish, find a nice Scotch Ale to toast his casting. There will be a nice opportunity to have Capaldi and 14 have an aggressive accent talk.

Lastly, let’s find one of those really blue hard seltzers out there, who am I kidding, but since the Doctor enjoys Jelly Babies and Jammy Dodgers, find yourself a weird as hell pastry stout but no fish fingers and custard.

A Book & A Beer – Time Lord Victorious / All Flesh is Grass

During the downtime between Doctor Who seasons, there has been a whole Time Lord Victorious series encompassing books, audio, video games and even escape rooms. I recently read my second book from this saga, All Flesh is Grass and will try to review it as a standalone book as well as part of a larger story.

I really like the villain of the piece, the Kotturuh. Partially because they are not typical. Not to the level of, say, The Silence or The Weeping Angels but certainly more layered and actually dangerous than many one show creatures.

I did also like the interplay between Doctors 8 and 9 and I wish the book had been just them so that more depth and detail between that pair could be explored. I am a big Tennant fan but I feel his arc is a familiar one. Played out effectively already in The Waters of Mars. His function in the narrative could have been played by a sub big bad on my opinion.

I do like this story and maybe parts of it will come up with the current Doctor.

Now I could pair this with some Tardis blue slushie smoothie beer but instead I suggest getting all three colors of Chimay beer to accompany this book to match the three Doctors.

A Podcast & A Beer – David Tennant Does a Podcast With…

This choice should not come as a shock to those who read the blog and have caught on to my Whovian tendencies. Normally, I am not a big fan of the simple interview podcast. I prefer strange characters or plot twists or just straight up beer talk.

But I tell you, the way that David Tennant speaks is just great. Such a strong accent but you understand every word and so far, he has been interviewing actors that he has ties with so it is all very informal shop talk. Behind the scenes stuff, actory tidbits and a little, “how I became an actor” backstory.

I would try to pair beers with the guests. Perhaps a golden ale from England for Olivia Colman. Maybe a Tardis blue, blueberry accented sour for Jodie Whittaker. For John Hamm’s episode maybe a Mad Men inspired bourbon-barrel aged stout.

Or you could just hit the nail on the head and have a Tennant’s lager.

The 13th Doctor (or 15th)

It was a very British day yesterday with the Mens final match at Wimbledon followed immediately thereafter with the long awaited announcement via a teaser trailer of who would take the acting reins from Peter Capaldi and be the next Doctor Who.

Congrats to Jodie Whittaker and new showrunner Chris Chibnall. Let’s hope they can bring a steady hand to a series that had some highs and lows the past three years.

Now Game of Thrones has a whole range of beers, and I think it is high time for Doctor Who to get a few themselves.

Here are some suggestions for the BBC to ponder….

Darillium Sparkling Ale – a light fizzy golden ale made with champagne yeast.

Missy’s Extra Special Stab in the Back Bitter – a light cask ale dry hopped with Galaxy

Companion Kolsch – light and refreshing and perfect to spend time with

Souffle Girl – a nitro cream ale that puffs up with a foamy head.

Sonic Screwdriver Session IPA – a loud blast of hops that will open up taste buds but not wooden doors.

The Original, You Might Say – a thoroughly English “tele” porter. Quick and dirty like a vortex manipulator.

…and Relative Dimension

I have vowed not to chase whales but when I saw this Hopsteiner ad on Facebook, literally right after watching a trailer for the new Doctor Who season, I almost broke the promise and became the War Doctor.

And even though, I am more looking forward to the first Moffat-less Doctor, I would have liked to have a can (or two) of this beer from Moustache Brewing with me as Peter Capaldi completes his run as the 12th.

The Doctor has Landed (Again)

Tonight Peter Capaldi’s Doctor lands the TARDIS into a new season….

So, what beer will I be drinking as I watch where Clara, The resurrected Mistress and special guests and monsters go to to find Gallifrey?

Other than this mythical beer…
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The easy places to start with would be the Ninkasi Space Beer or anything Scottish to match the brogue of Capaldi. Maybe Paradox from BrewDog. Even easier would be Two-Hearted IPA from Bell’s.

Or you could go historical and find your oldest beer in the cellar to make your own brewing time travel trip.

I haven’t decided what I will drink but the whatever the bottle is, it will be exterminated.