What doesn’t though, right?
In traveling, I’m often in a position where my options are limited to fast food. I read a great tip about creating a wallet reference card with the best food options (that you like) at each restaurant you face - this way, you know what you are eating and don’t have to make decisions based on heuristics.I put the following together. If you find it useful, great. If you can improve it, even better.

Rubio’s – 2x Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos (640C)
McDonald’s – Premium SW Salad w/ Grilled Chicken (320C), Ice Cream Cone (150C), Sausage McMuffin w/ Egg (450 Cal), Sausage Burrito (300C)
Chili’s – Fajita Trio (550C), Caesar Salad with Chicken (930C), Guiltless Salmon (395C)
Chipotle – Steak Burrito Bowl with rice, black beans, green salsa, cheese, sour cream, and lettuce (680C)
Sushi – Sashimi (50C), Sushi (250C), Rolls (250 – 500C)
Subway – 6” Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki (370C) or Turkey Breast (280C)
In N Out – Double Double Protein Style (570C)

Venturing further into the Deschutes’ lineup led to Buzzsaw Brown today. Similar to Green Lakes, Buzzsaw is a rich but subtle brew, with no bitterness.

Buzzsaw initially hits with a flavor reminiscent of a quality dark bread. Similar to the bread served at Outback. This is followed by a notable taste of caramel. It rounds out with the finish of a mild porter.

This is another Deschutes offering that goes well with food. They realize it, as well. From their website:
“Buzzsaw Brown is one of my favorite beers,” says Deschutes Brewery Brewmaster Larry Sidor. “The unique combination of European and American malts makes it a very food friendly beer that pairs well with a wide variety of flavors.”

Additional holiday tasting notes include St. Peter’s Cream Stout and Avery’s Mephistopheles Stout.

Starting with the Cream Stout -

Things start out on a good foot, with 16.9oz instead of 12oz. But that’s just sizing. The taste is a bit interesting being a milk stout. It reminds me of a very weak latte with a disproportionate amount of heavy creme. Almost as if the barista put in half of the recommended amount of grinds, and used a very mild breakfast blend. There is a mild bitter flavor overlay, slightly more bitter than the Obsidian Stout from Deschutes. Like the Obsidian Stout, it has a decent, lingering finish.

Next, the Mephistopheles Stout from Avery-

Ok, if you’re looking for bitter, this is the stop. The Mephistopheles is an exercise in bitter. The initial taste is bitter. The finish is bitter.

Spitzer’s Bitter Beer FaceOnce you get past the bitterness, there’s a range of flavors. There are notes of berries - dark berries like raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, etc. There is also a sweet flavor, much like black licorice or anise compounded by raw sugar. The sweetness of the berries and licorice stays through the finish, where there’s a hint of frosting, like vanilla frosting. Bitter vanilla frosting.

Overall, the Cream Stout is a great beverage, and would likely pair well with any carb-laden meal. Mashed potatoes with cheese, dinner pancakes, etc. The Mephistopheles is exceptionally complex, with great sweet notes. But the bitterness overpowers it, making it outside of my preferred palate.