If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a glass of Strongbow might put the doctor out of business for at least a month.
While the carbonated and golden apparence of Strongbow might deceive some as just another premium beer, this golden goodness is actually made from 50 different types of apple juice, fermented of course. The reason for these many types of apple is to achieve a taste that guarantee it’s premium quality.
Mom says drinking juice is good, so why not 50 in 1, right?
Strongbow comes in draught (check location here) as well as in bottles (best enjoy over ice)
When it comes the word premium and sports, nothing quite represent those two words closer than sailing, and it is in this prestigious sports that Strongbow partners with Baby Tonga – a Beneteau 53f5 owned by Antony Hastings.
Baby Tonga is returning this year to the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta (RMSIR) in an attempt to capture her third victory at the race – a hattrick.
Along with Sydney to Hobart and the Rolex China Sea Race, RMSIR is the only South East Asia regatta recognised by the prestigious London based Royal Ocean Racing Club. This isn’t some small race.
So you might ask, what does Baby Tonga and the RMSIR has to do with you, my dear readers?
Well, more about that later, but first here are some facts about Baby Tonga.
This yacht is the epitome of power and grace, and the reason this might interest you is that you (and maybe me?) has a chance to win a cruise aboard Baby Tonga by participating in this Facebook game on Strongbow Malaysia’s facebook
Access the facebook game here, then key in your information and start playing.
The game is pretty straight forward, sail as fast as you can with arrow keys towards the finishing point, then answer 3 trivia questions for added bonus. My lousy first attempt was over one minute, but that time will be cut short by a lot, look out!
The prizes:
I don’t know about you, but a chance to be on this brilliant sail boat, that’s gotta be a golden opportunity that only comes very very rarely.
I’ve personally never sailed before, but Haze did (on her blog post here), and according to her it was an experience of a life time, and that wasn’t on a luxury speedster like Baby Tonga.
Imagine sitting on the deck on this beautiful boat while the sun is setting, or standing at the very front of Baby Tonga feeling the wind blow on your face while the sail boat is cutting through water. That would be an awesome feeling. I want to be on it!
Good luck folks, and bring your anti seasick pill cos we’re not gonna waste any of these awesome cider aboard Baby Tonga.
Strongbow at Royal Oak, Jaya One
In the mean time, I shall enjoy a pint of Strongbow. 
Some weeks ago I attended a pretty special fine dining session hosted by Carlsberg Malaysia at Samplings on the Fourteen, Berjaya Time Square Hotel in conjunction with their participation in the 11th installation of Malaysian International Gourmet Festival.
That was a long sentence in a paragraph, but basically it was Carlsberg introducing Kronenbourg 1664 & Kronenbourg Blanc as the official beer of the festival.
Asahi, Kronenberg, Blanc, Savanna Dry
It was a night of food and beer pairing, with the food prepared by Chef Jochen Kern and Chef Valmurugan Subramaniam (Sous Chef of the restaurant).
Chef Jochen Kern is a German culinary expert with more than 40 years of experience in the industry, having served many dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II, President Bill Clinton, Dr. M, King of Thailand, Sultan of Brunei and more. With a credential like his, we knew we were in for a treat.
pan fried foie gras – om nom nom nom
We started the night with Pan Fried Foie Gras on marmalade of fresh grapes, red onion, and Kronenbourg Blanc. Two generous slabs of those liver was more than I bargained for, it was as good as the memory of my first time having it at Zipangu. There were also a couple shavings of truffles on top, le yums!
The foie gras was paired with Savanna Dry Cinder, perfectly counter the fattiness of the liver. Good stuff.
savanna dry cider infused porcini mushroom, poached black cod, Blanc
Next up was what the good chef called Cappuccino, Savanna Dry Cider infused Porcini Mushroom; and Poached Black Cod, in Kronenbourg Blanc Sabayon & Beurre du mutarde on brown lentille and potato compote. We had these with a glass of Kronenbourg Blanc.
The soup had an interesting blend of taste, with the sweetness of cider crossing with the taste of mushroom, it worked for me. Poached black cod is new to me too, and the beer infused sauce over the fish was perhaps just a tad too much smoothness, perhaps something fresh or crunchy could have made it even better, but I was just nitpicking. It was still very good nonetheless.
grilled American prime beef tenderloin
Then we arrived at the main dish of Grilled American Prime Beef Tenderloin. This slab of meat was glazed in peppered Kronenbourg lager and tomato choron with Louisiana corn crisps and tender chilly bean tomato.
Say what you would about Wagyu or Kobe beef, I still love these classic prime beef just as much. It was perfectly prepared, and of course went very well with the glass of lager accompanying the meat.
hot corossol souffle with cafe luwak, cafe amarula iced
Desserts came in the form of Hot Chocolate Souffle with cafe luwak sabayon (I just had cafe luwak in Bali a week prior) to go with Inniskillin Ice Wine, which was very cold, sweet, and aromatic, perfect for desserts.
To cap the night, we also had a cup of Cafe Amarula instead of the usual coffee or tea. Much creamier, and carries a kick on top of the coffee flavor, good stuff.
chef Jochen Kern, Siao Ling, Søren, myself, and Suan
It was a fantastic night that was only bettered by the company at our table of 5. Two other media friends, Suan, and myself were joined by none other than the MD of Carlsberg Malaysia, Søren. Whom despite his position, turned out to be a friendly chap who shared with us many topics both in and outside the industry.
Now I shall replay the memory of savoring that foie gras in my brain, on a loop.
