Speakeasy Double Daddy Imperial IPA impresses the hell out of us at Mao's Kitchen

I pick David at his work because we're dog sitting his boss's dog tonight, the sweet Thora. His boss had to rush to the hospital because his wife is having twins. Coincidently, after we drop Thora off we head to Mao' Kitchen, a BYOB (bring your own Bible) Chinese restaurant near the water in Venice to drink a Speakeasy "Double Daddy." Here's to Scottie's newborn boy and girl! Seriously, boy and girl twins must be the best kind of twins. Win, Win, Win.

Mao's is one of the few BYOB places in LA and we have decided that eating here should be a semi-weekly event. Why not take advantage of a restaurant that not only promotes our Beereveryday quest, but also celebrates Communist propaganda all over its walls, right Comrade?

The other benefit to coming here is the ability to pair beer with spicy food. We drink a shit-ton of IPA's. How much is a shit-ton exactly? Think about the phrase "too much" for a minute, get an idea, and then double it. Yet, the only food which pairs really well with IPA's are spicy foods, like Thai and Chinese. And as you can see by the picture, the plastic glassware they stole from a Luby's Cafeterria/Buffet services our beer needs so well. Well, it's Communist themed restaurant, what did you expect from the Hammer and Sickle?

The Speakeasy Double Daddy Imperial IPA clocks in at 9.50% alcohol. It has an incredibly rich caramel malt and it's rich enough almost to be creamy - like a Dogfish Head 90 min IPA. The hops are smooth with a small bite as it finishes. There are few DIPA's that are this smooth and easy. This is the Kenny G of DIPA's. The label is a playing card with a 1940's hustler on it, which is appropriate because this smoothness is gangster. I love a big bodied hoppy beer that doesn't kick me in the teeth with hops. BAD BOYS rating.

Since I know some people who read the blog actually live in LA, you should try what I had for dinner, it was excellent - Weiwuer lamb - A very popular street food from remote ancient silk road region in northwest China... salt, cumin & chili powder with sliced lamb, cashew, jicama, onion & cilantro - fast cooked in the wok...It's basically lamb with chili powder.