My Favorite Beer: Kodak
Kodak, a ‘cutting chai’ stout, seemed like it belonged on Kodak Ektar 100
It all started on ‘new camera’ day; I had picked up a fun point ‘n shoot and went for a celebration beer!
Left: Kodak Cutting Chai Stout
Right: New (to me) camera
As I stared at the board at Pilot Project, a “chai stout” caught my eye and I was intrigued. I got a sample, took a sniff and it was perfect (more on that later). As I sat outside and reveled in this new elixir, I got to know the 35RC. After finishing off the pint, I went back inside to see if they had some to go, I discovered the name of this beer….Kodak!
Love at first sight…
35-RC; 40mm; Lomochrome Metropolis
I had happened to be carrying around a roll of Ektar 100, and the kernel of an idea formed…Kodak (the beer) shot on Kodak. Now wouldn’t that be something…
(Quick disclaimer: as the eagle eyed readers will have noticed this beer is actually called “Kadak.” I discovered this (obvious) fact after I had had my fun, so I figured “why let something like a flaw in the whole premise spoil our good time?“ Keep reading and I'll make it up to you with some tasting notes 😜)
The first time these two met ❤️😍
35-RC; 40mm; Lomochrome Metropolis
The next weekend, I loaded up my camera with some Ektar 100, and started biking out to the zoo. I also loaded up my Backpack Full of Beer (TM)(R) to see what I would see.
On the way out, I stopped at one of my favorite street art spots!
Continuing on, I found a fun alleyway that had some phenomenal backgrounds that the Ektar loved.
Next on the zoo…where the beers stayed (mostly) away, on account of all the children.
Outside the zoo, I found even more to look at, including a stunning conservatory.
After a (power) burrito, I continued to bike the lakefront and before heading home, the moment had come to give my Kodak a proper funeral.
It was on this very bench that Kodak took a tumble. It was for quality…the beer was at risk of a pinhole leak. I had to drink it… The wildflowers in the background, majestic trees, and agro bikers passing by was how it wanted it to end…
A few spots grabbed me on the way back. Finally, with just a few shots left on the roll, I looked for some worthy scenes.
Thus ended Kodak’s day in Chicago.
Now I’ve showed you a lot of this beer. I’ve even hinted that I’ve had the beer (at least twice). If you’ve gotten this far, you’re probably wondering how it tastes. Don’t worry, I’ll do the hard work, but I encourage you to follow in my footsteps.
I suggest pairing this beer with the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack 🎵🎶
When you crack open the can, you’re instantly hit with cardamom. There’s a sweet quality that’s reminiscent of cloves, mulling spices, and cinnamon. It instantly reads chai in my brain. Even more exciting that that, it reads as the chai I have in my tea pantry, with bonus fudge. When I take a sip, it delivers!
Just like a hot tea, you need to sip this beer slowly. It has a thick mouthfeel, which comes from the lactose (it’s a milk stout too!). The spices, malt roast, lactose sweetness, and hint of vanilla in the finish all create a delicious drink. If you’re really sipping slowly, you’ll notice the hint of alcohol burn (it’s 8%) is very reminiscent of the bitter undertone in a strong brewed cup of chai. The spices are with you throughout as if they were your fairy god mother. Without knowing the exact secret chai recipe, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that my spicy fairy god mother was made of green cardamom, cinnamon, clove, black cardamom (I get a hint of smoke), and possibly even fennel. And this fairy spice mom is about to blow your mind…taste for root beer as you drink; cardamom is a major root beer flavor. 🤯
The beer fades from this rich spice with milky sweetness zone into a chocolate that sticks around on your palate and slowly fades into a gentle herbal bitterness and alcohol bite.
The final gift this beer gives you is the intricate lace on the inside of your glass. You think to yourself, “with a lace that fancy, this vessel is is worthy of the best! And since it’s so worthy, I might as well run it back and grab another Kodak!”
Good by, you chai prince!
…that’s how they get you.