1st Annual Christmas gift guide…
What kind of low, boring product would a modern blog be if it didn’t promote some solid seasonal consumerism with a Holiday Gift Guide? Lame, seriously lame. So in the interest of being fabulous and not lame here are the Sauce Captain picks for the season.
Booze
These 3 picks have been real surprises for me over the past year and are listed here because they make my mouth water when I think of them.
- Rogue - Spruce Gin
Being a serious fan of gin in it’s London, Oude and Jonge styles I’m always blowing a bit of cash on a new gin to see how it rates. This year I stumbled on Rogue’s Spruce Gin and have become a huge fan, pushing it on family, friends and strangers. Not only does it make a really swell gin tonic, a prerequisite for inclusion in the family booze box, it adds a hint of more to any cocktail, including Napoleans, Collins, and the tasty Gin Caesar. The spruce in the finish adds a fresh note above and beyond the juniper and the ginger pops out nicely with the right mix. It provides further proof of the beverage skills of the Rogue gang.
55CAD @ 750mL - Kensington Wine Market, Calgary - BoekenHoutsKloof - 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Introduced to me by my sister and her husband, this has to be the best glass I’ve had in recent memory. Brilliant texture and lovely hints of currant and warming spices flow into a nice fat (but not overwhelming) finish. I’ve seen reports that it’s sold out at the source, but some bottles may still be floating around. If you can’t find this, try for the 2005 or sample their Syrah. It’s enough that South Africa has climbed a few notches on the To-Travel list and the cellar now has a marked row for this winery.
45CAD @ 750mL - Metrovino, Calgary - Amber’s Brewing Co. - Australian Mountain Pepper Berry
A new brewery out of Edmonton released another fruit finished beer into the market, following the trend caused by the spike in hop prices. One thing makes this brew markedly different than the general crop - instead of using strawberries, apple or raspberries, this lager is finished with sun-dried Australian mountain pepper berry. It makes this lager interesting enough to be remarkable. The fruity and spicy nose is well complemented by the fresh pepper finish that lasts without petulant lingering. Works well in the summer as a quencher and the spicy make it an excellent addition to the winter holiday season. Out of the hundred plus brews that have graced the beer fridge this year, this has been my favourite.
12CAD @ 6×341mL - Calgary Coop, Calgary
Reading
While I’ve done a lot of reading of books over the past year, none of them were published in 2008 - I still seem to working through a pile of older books. I did get through and really enjoy some Palaniuk, Quarrington, Shteyngart, Chabon as well as a few of the new crop of mainstream economics books. These though, regardless of publication date would make excellent gifts for those that are tired of the ordinary.
- Reason Magazine - Reason Foundation
With 40 years of well written libertarian news and commentary, Reason magazine will give you a solid monthly dose of small government, property rights and legal equality.
20USD - 12 issues - All About Beer
A real treat when it arrives in the mail, All About Beer covers news, brewing, beer culture and has an extensive rating section done in conjunction with the Beverage Testing Institute. Their reviews, done by perennial favourites like Papazian, Evans, Oliver, Protz and Eckhardt make it a must have for any beer enthusiast.
30USD - 6 issues - The Mystery of Capital
- Hernando de Soto
Along with it’s companion, The Other Path, The Mystery of Capital is the best book I’ve read in the past 5 years. It simply describes the basics principles that are required to help bring prosperity to the masses, making it clear that the motivation of the vast majority of people is to participate in the economy, to improve the lot of their families. The basic principles of property rights, small government and equality before the law are the kernel of broad based economic improvement.
13.53CAD - Trade Paperback
Video
The selection of good TV just seems to be improving, as long as you don’t troll the standard networks and lose you mind trying to avoid another mind-melting reality show. These picks are sure to please those with taste and a sense of humour.
- Supernatural
What first got me watching this one was the involvement of Ben Edlund (of the Tick fame). Once I’d had the chance to get through a few episodes, I was hooked. A solidly entertaining show, it’s loaded full of classic rock, cute boys and cute girls, witty banter, ass-kicking, and a massive dose of demons, monsters, and vampires. Seriously entertaining, and the only show I watch every week. Now available in Season 3 on DVD. But, of course you should start with Season 1
and Season 2
first…
27.99CAD
- Lead Balloon
Another sit-com done in the style of The Office and Curb Your Enthusiam, Lead Balloon stars Jack Dee as a cynical stand-up comedian who chronically screws up his jobs and relationships. Unlike the other shows you almost begin to like the main character, or at least don’t want to light him on fire or push him in front of a train - most of the time. Very funny, simple and highly entertaining. Be the first on your block to watch it and feel culturally superior.
6.98GBP - DVD of Lead Balloon Season 1
- Big Train
Another British import, this sketch-comedy show did a solid job of weaving multiple scenes together for lots of laughs at others expense. All of the members have gone on to bigger things though alumnus Simon Pegg, of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Star Trek fame, is certainly the most famous.
35.18CAD- DVD of Big Train: Season One and Two
- The Venture Bros.
Another product of the Cartoon Network this mash of Johnny Quest and adult oriented content delivers hilarity in send-ups of your favourite TV themes and 60s comic book characters. Rusty Venture screws-up in his aim to be the world’s greatest scientist. Brock Samson (Patrick Warburton) literally tears heads off, and keeps the two Venture boys safe from their own stupidity. With fabulous quotes like:
Brock Samson: After the twist, you’ll feel a snap and the body goes ragdoll on you.
Hank Venture: And that will knock him out… even more?
Brock Samson: That will kill him.
Hank Venture: Do I have to?
Brock Samson: Alright, fine crybaby. Tie him up and, I guess, gag him. But at the first sign of trouble I want you to at least break both his knees.
How can you go wrong?
54.94CAD - DVD of The Venture Bros.: Seasons One and Two
Anything here rankle you? Feeling overly perturbed or elated? Leave a comment below. or subscribe to the Sauce Captain feed.
Glad to see you like the Jack Dee sitcome “Lead Balloon”. Great series that I think is only now getting the recognition it deserves. Glad to see that the BBC has commissioned a Lead Balloon Xmas Special this year.