Today is May Day. And Meat Day...

Today the workers of the world unite to bring attention to the disparity in working conditions around the world. There are protests over immigration rights, living wage, and poverty all the world 'round.

And that's a good thing. I'm a firm believer that we're too complacent here in these United States of America and we should exercise our First Amendment rights more often and with more vigor.

That being said, today is also Meat Day.

Our friend Waffles has been accepted into a Mathematics PhD program so in order to celebrate, we are taking him to Fogo de Chao. Or as I like to call it "Meat World".

There are few things finer than being served well prepared slabs of animal flesh by men dressed in Gaucho costumes. It's almost like a weird culinary sexual perversion. You know? Kinda like something that you'd see in Another Another 9 1/2 Weeks?

My personal favorite is the Bottom Round and is known in Brazil as the Rump Cover. Which sounds like something you'd do when hopped up on Crunk or Pimp Juice.

I do think it would be pretty hilarious if a Gaucho approached the table with the spit of Bottom Round and asked, "Would you like some Rump Cover?" Oh, the looks from the Bourgeoisie. Priceless, I tell you!

Here in the U.S. Butchers generally tend to cut it up into cheaper cuts, but what those crazy Brazilians do to it with just a little bit of salt and peppar and the judicious application of fire is magical.

Pictures are forthcoming

Changes to Your Daily Bourbon and Bacon

In an effort to be more proactive with the Daily Bacon Forecast, and to ensure that our loyal readers can plan their bacon consumption in advance, we here at Your Daily Bacon and Bourbon (and by we, I mean myself and the mouse in my pocket), are moving to a weekly forecast. This way you'll know well in advance what bacon plans on doing, and you can act accordingly. So without further ado, here is the first of the new weekly Bacon Forecasts!

Monday: Today Bacon Is Going To Boycott Tofu!
Tuesday: Today Bacon Is Going To Liven Up A Salad!
Wednesday: Today Bacon Is Going To Beckon!
Thursday: Today Bacon Is Going To Shrivel!
Friday: Today Bacon Is Going To Boycott Tofu!
Saturday: Today Bacon Is Going To Boycott Tofu!
Sunday: Today Bacon Is Going To Hang Out With Hash Browns!

So obviously Tofu has really pissed Bacon off! Expect some weak-sauce retaliation from Tofu, but in the end Bacon will triumph and Tofu will slink off with it's tail between it's legs...

Finally! Some Bourbon...

So there it is. Quite possibly one of the finest bourbons I've ever had. So how did I find out about this wonderful elixer? Well, I have to tip my hat, and offer a sincere and heartfelt "Thanks!" to Da Creech, who gifted me with a bottle of it two Christmases ago.

Originally, I was uncertain about Basil Hayden's. I had tried a couple of the small batch bourbons and found almost all of them had that rough and raw flavor and finish typical of bourbon. Almost all of them required ice or a splash of water to ease the burn of drinking them. The worst of them required a healthy dosing of Coca-Cola to smooth it out. So needless-to-say, I was a bit gun shy when it came to another small batch bourbon.

Basil Hayden is an 8 year old bourbon produced in the Small Batch line, and smooth doesn’t even begin to cover its flavor. Its got the typical hints of caramel and vanilla, but there’s a touch of pepper from the more than average rye included in its making.

I’ve found that 2 large ice cubes are the perfect accompaniment to a generous pour. But I wouldn’t turn it down neat or with a splash of branch water.

Seek it out. Add it to your bar.

Okay, It's not Bourbon, but it was a delicious American Whiskey.

So last night I attended a small charity event at Beer Bistro here in Chicago. And while most everyone was drinking beer, I decided to buck the trend and try something new. So I ordered a Templeton Rye neat and a water back.

I definitely won't give up Bourbon for it, but it was a delicious experience and given the opportunity, I'll drink Templeton again! I added a couple of cubes of ice from the water and let them melt, then drank.

Orange-caramel in color, it had a fresh grain aroma and light soury rye taste with a nice peppery finish.

I'd definitely recommend Templeton Rye for someone who wants to try something a little different from the everyday. It's a great booze for a celebratory toast or just sipping with friends.


image by Geoff Lane (glane23). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/