Grindy of the Month
January 28, 2008
I’m currently drinking a Newcastle and munching on some shrimp chips…
This winning combination earns my 1st Grindy of the Month award!
For those who have never had shrimp flavored chips before, they are: “A toasted light snack made with tidbits of shrimp, wheat flour and pure vegetable oil blended together and toasted to a golden crispy crunch.”
For those who have never had Newcastle before, it’s “The one and only Brown Ale, full of flavour and remarkably smooth, imported from England.”
And they go perfect together.
Unless you automatically hate the shrimp flavor of the chips, you’ll find yourself stuffing them into your mouth just for the light, crispy crunch. The initial crunch is LOUD but the chips just melt in your mouth oh so nicely. They feel kinda healthy (and 2 grams of protein and 0 grams of saturated fat per ounce isn’t bad), but you have to make sure you don’t eat too many. After all, these things contain Monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is known for stimulating your “savory” taste bud receptors. They have other brands, but Calbee (out of Torrance, California) is the OG brand for me. Once you pop, it’s hard to stop!
Of course, you definitely need a beverage to wash the shrimp chips down with, and Newcastle is a wonderful choice. While I like Pale Ales, the world-renowned Brown Ale is much more versatile in my opinion. It walks the line between flavor and smoothness: you get just enough flavor (and buzz factor), while still being able to pour it down your mouth almost like a light beer (Miller High Life, for example).
Why does Newcastle work with Shrimp Chips? Well, the Brown Ale is drastically different than say, an India Pale Ale. IPA’s tend to use a lot of hops, which usually means more bitterness, more dryness, and a higher alcohol content (they knock me out sometimes). IPA’s seem to dehydrate me super fast, so they’re a poor choice for washing down shrimp chips. Newcastle on the other hand, washes it down smoothly while also giving you an extra (but not too extreme) boost of flavor.
The result: January’s Grindy of the Month. You should give it a try sometime!
Sometimes you’re not looking for grindies. You’re looking to get buzzed, and here’s what you’re after: Jagermeister and Jack Daniels. Mix equal parts and shoot.
It can be a Night Ender for some people but with regular treatment the World War II becomes a buzz favorite. To make an Axis Powers, just add sake or sochu and grappa if you have it. This is not for amatuers.
Alternate WWII’s with beers and you’ll find yourself in the Spirit World in no time at all
The WWII is grossly intriguing, but the Axis Powers sounds like something to avoid at all costs!
I’ve got your grindies of month for Feb, March, April, May, June, July, Aug and Sept. It’s called the Fuji Buffett. Over 180 choices-fro yo to mongolian bbq, and sushi, sushi, sushi. Don’t know what’s in the seafood bake, but it’s in a shell and has imitation crab and mayo and cheese and it’s baked.
“Imitation crab” and “grindy” in the same sentence? I’m not so sure about that. However, my buffet skills do need to be tested…
Saying the seafood bake ain’t grindy is like saying beckman’s jalepeno cheese bread is just ok.
So, you eat shrimp FLAVORED chips but are wary about calling imitation crab grindy? What’s in imitation crab, anyway? I guess I’m wary too.
I just had some real shrimp from Ben Lomond Market, THAT was grindy (or, scrumpchie, if you will…)
Sylv,
I was watching the Food Network Channel one day and Imitation crab is made of a bunch of different fish. The factories mash it all together, mold it, and put a red strip down the side of it all. Scrumpchi!! just kidding!!
There was a vending machine in France that had imitation crab in it. France! It also had milk, pringles, cheese and about fifty other items. It reminded me of this robot thing from the Muppet Show, maybe Four Winds knows what I’m talking about.
It’s much easier to imitate flavor than texture, no?
Why are American vending machines so boring compared to other countries (Japan)?
Newcastle is in my top ten also highly recommend Smithwick’s
Check these out sometime E:
http://www.sausagesource.com/catalog/pf-mzrc.html
“Mama Zuma’s weapons are the hottest jalapeño peppers this side of the Rio Grange. Since she lost the love of her life in a bizarre and tragic accident, Mama Zuma has been hell bent on burning every mouth she kisses with her special brand of passion.”
At the very least, they have some marketers hard at work. I kinda liked the taste, it’s hard to take a whole bag though.
MD
Nice!
I’ll have to try some of those before I compile my top 10 chips of All-time list!
Newcastle is a a good beer and futbol team lol. If you want to try something different check out Boddingtons “The Cream of Manchester” (favorite beer). They come in 4 packs of 1 pint cans (Yellow and Black). Really smooth. American snacks suck you have to hit up the asian markets they have all the dope snacks.
How can I enjoy this grindy? Where can you get the shrimp chips? They aren’t at your everyday grocery
Like Rich said, you probably have to hit up an Asian market to find shrimp chips. However, I definitely do NOT agree that “American snacks suck.”
Ok they dont suck i was robbed a cracker jack toy when i was a kid and i’m bitter lol
Haha, well Cracker Jack’s aren’t too special IMO. But in terms of chips and other snack foods, America has made some wonderful creations.
I’m still doing research for my beer industry “expose,” but my next Grindy of the Month is coming soon!
ha that’s funny. I came here to ask where’s the beer topic? I found a giant bottle of Chimay Blue at BevMO a couple weeks ago. Looked like somewhere between 60 and 80 ounces. It was largo. Drinking some stuff right now called Old Rasputin. Russian Imperial Stout. It has quite a taste. Odd. It’s 18 proof like Chimay. I can’t explain the taste. Bitter..
I could go for some chicken wings.
Yeah, those Chimay Ales are good. Is red or blue stronger?
Blue is the strongest 9%. Red is 7% They have a White. It’s probably 5%.
I miss Sushi so much.