GOOD BITCHES (CELEBRATING JAZZ FUSION WITH SOME DOGFISH HEAD, THE DVR AND A WARM NIGHT IN WITH THE MRS.)

Earlier in the week, I managed to get my hands on a bottle of Dogfish Head’s Bitches Brew – a special beer commemorating the 40^th anniversary of Miles Davis’ groundbreaking jazz fusion album, Bitches’ Brew. Being a pretty big jazz fan, as well as a closet craft-beer freak, I was excited to get a hold of some, not realizing how limited it was going to be. (Our store received 12 bottles – that was it.)

I took it home, hoping to share with my wife what I had learned was a fusion beer, melding an Imperial Stout with an African Tej (a malt beverage infused with honey). I cheaped out on dinner, throwing a Marie Callender lasagna in the stove, and with some of the wife’s DVR’d TV shows, we poured two glasses, had dinner, and let the magic happen.

Obviously, the musical Bitches’ Brew should have been playing, but I thought about the song “Spanish Key” while tossing back one glass after another. It was rich, thick, brimming over with chocolate espresso, slight molasses and candied raisins, roasted mushrooms, a hint of black truffle, sweet spices and more chocolate.

A beer for the cold weather outside to be sure, I was all warm and fuzzy with the Mrs. as we watched one of our favorite shows, The Event. I wish there was more to be had, but with the bottle empty, I can only opine for a 41^st anniversary release. As for the music, I need to download the double disc on i-Tunes - with Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea and John McLaughlin jamming with Miles, it’s an awesome jam.