Ethiopian Sidamo Nekisse (49th Parallel Coffee Roasters)

49th Parallel Coffee Roasters, in partnership with imagine1day, is giving 100% of proceeds from sales of their latest offering, the Sidamo Nekisse, directly towards funding a new school in Ethiopia. Although the bag is pricey ($30/340g), it is a totally worthy cause and a really neat coffee.

Tasting notes:
Upon opening the bag you will be met by sensuous olfactory pleasures, something that smells like tropical fruit and butterscotch. As suggested on the bag's tasting notes (with which I wholeheartedly agree), it tastes predominantly of fresh tangy raspberry (with some tropical fruit mixed in for good measure). Deeeeeee-liciousness.

Grab a MacDonald ($10) and a Queenie($20), head over to 49th Parallel's cafe (2152 West 4 Avenue, Vancouver) give it a french press, and you are golden. Everybody wins.

www.imagine1day.org

Castillo de Monseran Garnacha 2006

Ahh, Castillo de Monseran. Deliciousness.
The varietal is 100% Garnacha, and hails from vines that are at least 50 years old in the region of Aragon in Spain.
I find this wine to be an excellent bottle in itself (no need for pairings). Super ripe cherries, medium body, and a pleasant acidity on the finish. It is coming extremely cheap as well, retailing for $11-$15. It is a sweet wine that will please everyone sitting on yr couch.
I strongly recommend.

Deschutes Black Butte

The Black Butte is my favorite porter, and the flagship beer for the much ballyhooed Deschutes Brewery located in Bend, Oregon. For me, it is a quintessential night beer.
It is extremely easy to put down. Any reputable liquor store SHOULD carry it. Most don't. Fools
Tasting Notes: Good and heavy, with malt and dark chocolate flavours complemented with a nice roastiness.
The best damn porter around, and well, not TOO pricey ($14-$18 for a 6 pk).