365 different beers from 365 different breweries in 365 days with random musings on beer, food, music, sports, dogs and anything else interesting along the way
Beer #332 Oregon Trail Raspberry Wheat / High Noon Saloon and Brewery, Leavenworth, KS
Earlier this year, I spent some time on the actual Oregon Trail, tracing the steps that Lewis and Clark took on their voyage westward. I also previously shared the wonder that was is the Oregon Trail video game, which taught countless kids the 8-bit dangers of not having extra wagon wheels and the fact that dysentery can kill. So imagine my surprise when I picked up a can of the Oregon Trail Raspberry Wheat from the High Noon Saloon and Brewery..... and found that it was brewed in Kansas. More on that later.
This beer has a cloudy gold color with no head, and you find a light aroma of raspberry. The taste is light too, with some raspberry flavor and notes of grain and barley. This beer is an easy drinking 4.5%, and would certainly wash away some of the dust from a hard day on the Oregon Trail. However, it's probably not one you're adding to your regular rotation, despite the sassy blonde cowgirl who adorns the can.
Yee-haw!
This brewpub is housed in a building that previously manufactured cast iron stoves. Now you know. You should also know that the Lewis and Clark expedition officially shoved off from St. Charles, MO, and traveled west along the Missouri River, which runs right past the town of Leavenworth. Now you know more than you did previously.
Thing to Think About Today:
Clearly, this seemingly never ending election has everyone a bit on edge. I hate politics, but love you guys, so let's go ahead and drop something about peace and love on everyone. Why? Because half of America is going to be furious tomorrow, and I prefer harmony. Let it ride, Elvis Costello, with some (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding:
Game day, bitches! By the time you all read this, I'll be two hours into the best tailgate ever! Don't worry about me...I have deep fried peanut butter and jelly.
Today's beer of choice? The High Noon Saloon and Brewery Oregon Trail raspberry wheat ale. It's brewed in Leavenworth, Kansas, which is the start of the Oregon trail.
It poured a hazy golden color with a thin white head. It smells strongly of fresh raspberries. The ABV is 5.5%. It has lots of very nice raspberry flavor but is generally watery. It's as if someone left a bunch of ice in my glass and it melted and left this behind. It has potential but didn't quite make it. I'll call it average at best. Cheers.
"Why do you weep? Did you think I was immortal?"
- Louis XIV, King of France
Spending his last days in the garden
Less than three months into the year, two things have already transpired which I assumed were never, ever going to happen. First, the larger than life Joe Paterno passed away, which seemed like an impossibility as he continued to coach (and win) as an octogenarian. Earlier today, our oldest dog, Flash, passed away after a short but fatal bout with cancer. I realize Flash is over 15 years old, a long enough life for any dog, but until a sharp turn for the worse two weeks ago, it seemed that he'd just go on forever. Two months ago, on one of those sunny January days that felt more like April, we took Flash for a four mile walk along the Schuykill River in Valley Forge Park. We were more tired from the walk than he was. Shortly before that, Flash worked on an engineering project in our kitchen - using the drawers as steps to get onto the counter. Sadly, his calculations were a bit off, and he ended up pulling out one of the drawers too far, sending it and our silverware crashing to the kitchen floor. I knew one day he'd slow down, and perhaps have back or hip problems and need help getting around. But I never expected him to go so quickly, and from something like cancer. This was a dog destined to go out in a blaze of glory; caught in the crossfire of a Mob shootout, stabbed in an alley fighting over the hand of a beautiful woman, fending off a grizzly bear attack, saving someone's life in a burning building. A noble, respectable death. Cancer never seemed like a worthy enough opponent. I've long compared this dog to Rasputin, the Russian mystic legendary for his ability to escape assassination and continue living. In the same vein , Flash managed to square off against all sorts of trouble that would bring down a more average dog, and yet came away from every adventure smelling like a rose. Much to the dismay of my wallet, which had to pay for the emergency trips to the veterinarian.
The idea of owning a dog came about as many ideas in my life have come about. Marci comes up with a big and completely crazy idea, I say no, Marci wears me down, I eventually say yes, and we execute on said idea. Flash's arrival was no different. Senior year of college, Marci decided we should get a dog. We were one summer and one semester away from graduating college, and we already knew marriage was coming once we entered the real world. We both loved animals, although I never owned a dog before. First we tried to rescue a dog from the SPCA, but were denied due to the fact we were college students. Next, we tried to buy a dog from someone who had taken an add out in the paper. That approach didn't work, as we took a trip into the boonies to meet some sketchy characters selling a Jack Russell, only to have them decide they loved their dog more than they loved $100. Very odd.
On Wednesday, May 7, 1997 we magically ended up at Bubbles Pet Shop in Altoona, PA, although how we found this place or got there I have no recollection. This was before Google maps or GPS, after all. We figured we were going to be in an apartment post-graduation, and decided a smaller dog with short hair would thrive best in that environment. So, of all the dogs in the pet shop, we found three dachshund/terrier mixes from the same litter, two boys and a girl, looking cute and eager to go home. We ended up choosing the male who seemed less high-strung, paid $136.74 (no doubt on a credit card), picked up some toys, dishes, a collar, and a leash, and walked out the door with a fuzzy red bundle of joy. I often think about what happened to his brother and sister, and wonder if they had lives well lived. Two years ago we saw a 13 year old female doxie/terrier mix who looked like Flash's twin at Doxie Rescue of Bucks County. It took every ounce of self-control we had to not rescue her on the spot, because we were convinced they were related.
Flash's formal name, should anyone care to learn, is Jumpin' Jack Flash Generose, named after the 1968 Rolling Stones song. The name seemed to fit his personality, as he was a bundle of energy. I still remember the first night he stayed in my room. We built a little crate area for him, piled it high with toys and blankets, and then listened to him cry half the night until we let him come sleep in the bed, where he quickly curled up into a tiny ball and fell sound asleep. Flash always seemed the most relaxed in what we called the "mom fort" or "dad fort" - the space behind our knees when we were lounging on the couch. He would curl up in a ball, put his snout on your knee to keep tabs on things, and eventually drift off to sleep and start snoring, completely at peace with the world.
He's finally at peace again, after two challenging weeks. He went from being the dog who once managed to get his paws on and devour an apple pie, to being a dog in too much discomfort to eat even the smallest bit of food. He went from being the dog who would bound outside and run laps through the yard, to being the dog who had a hard time getting up from his bed, and wasn't strong enough to walk through the yard without laying down to rest. Right up until the very end he remained a faithful, lovable, stubborn, loyal, independent, handsome dog. He will always hold a special place in my heart. He was my first dog and a great friend and I loved him dearly.
Rest in peace, Flash. You will be sorely missed.
I've alternated laughing at the memories of Flash's adventures to tearing up while writing this. It seems pointless to stop and review a beer, but I will. Flash was always determined - you don't manage to chew threw a plastic container to get holiday cookies, and then work to hide the ones you're too full to eat without ample determination. I wish I had his determination, in fact. So, in that spirit, and because I can really use a drink, here you go.
Tonight's beer is the Velvet Rooster, a Belgian tripel from Tallgrass Brewing Company. In the glass, it pours a hazy
effervescent apricot. The aroma brings the scent of a peppery yeast and the
flavor brings notes of grain, yeast, pepper, and sweet fruit. It's a decent choice, and well worth the effort. Also, this beer comes in an awesome can, which is always a plus.
This was a good way to start softening the edges of today,
but let's face it - I'm moving to bourbon. There's a bottle of Blanton's with my name on it,
and Flash's memory to celebrate.
Thing to Think About Today:
Well, if we're eulogizing Flash, let's go ahead and put in some appropriate music. If the Stones were responsible for this dog's name, then they're taking us home tonight. This song always made me think of sad farewells, and today I had to say a particularly sad farewell.
I'm not feeling very eloquent tonight. A few hours ago, we took Flash for his final trip to the vet. Cancer got him. Fuck cancer. Fuck human cancer. Fuck canine cancer. I would like to think I'll be able to eventually write something meaningful about how much I love that dog. For now, let's all remember him as the party animal he was...
***
I often called Flash the Velveteen Dachshund. Ironically we had a beer called Velvet Rooster in the fridge, which seemed appropriate for tonight's review. Velvet Rooster is a Belgian Style Triple brewed by Tallgrass Brewing Company. I think this may be the first and possibly only beer I get my hands on from Kansas. It poured a pale and cloudy shade of orange. It had a light head that left a bit of lacing. It smelled of citrus and hops. The taste was strong on the hops for me but I still enjoyed it (a rarity for me). It drank with mild spiciness and a fresh, green flavor. Overall, pretty tasty. Cheers!
