While We Have Power....

Beer #324 East Coast Lager / Cricket Hill Brewery, Fairfield, NJ

Working from home today, but taking a break to blog while we still have power.  Hurricane Sandy has officially arrived, and from our spot in the suburbs of Philadelphia things are getting very real outside.  And by real, I mean real bad.  Winds have picked up, and the rain is coming down in buckets.  Did I mention that we live in a neighborhood prone to losing power?  Did I also mention our back yard likes to do an imitation of Lake Superior on days like this?  And have I mentioned our dogs HATE going outside in the rain, which means they're destined to forget the fact they're house broken today?  Awesome.  Who doesn't love a good hurricane?

While it's getting hectic here, it's likely worse in New Jersey.  So, while it's still there, today's beer will be from the Garden State - the East Coast Lager from Cricket Hill Brewery.  This lager pours with a clear, effervescent gold color.  You find the aroma of grain and barley, and the taste is clean, bready, with some nutty undertones.  A very sessionable beer at 4.2% ABV, if you're looking for something easy.

Need to drink all the beer before we lose power...

Cricket Hill has been in business since 2002, and they actively practice Reinheitsgebot, the Germany beer purity law.  Now you know.

Thing to Think About Today:
It seems I have more songs about hurricanes and rain than I care to count in the iPod.  So, let's just go ahead and leave something nice and mellow here for now.  Be safe, don't leave the house if you don't have to (unless you're bringing me beer or food).  Take it away Counting Crows.... let's be the Rain King today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu9rtD7KKBI

"If there's anyone at home at your place, why don't you invite me in?"

Beer 29: Cricket Hill East Coast Lager or Why Do I Have so Much Crap???

Today was spent cleaning out the basement and garage.  I'm pretty sure we've never cleaned the garage out even though we've been living in this house for eight years.  The basement got a major reorganization -- and of course a good cleaning -- a few years ago, but certainly needed it again.  After five hours of nonstop work, I am pretty pleased by the results.  But holy cow...we accumulate stuff like it's our job.

Why do basements and garages become the graveyard for random mugs, rugs, jackets and packing peanuts?  Why do I have so many screwdrivers, a tire and enough old paint to redo the Sistine Chapel?  2012 is the year I begin to live more simply.  Today was a HUGE step in the right direction.

***

After scrubbing the dirt off and considering burning the clothes I wore to clean, it's now time for a beer.  I bought this one on a lark.  There was something about the label that caught my eye...probably my favorite shade of green.  And who doesn't like lager?  

Cricket Hill  Brewery hails from the East Coast -- New Jersey specifically.  The East Coast lager went into my pint glass with an average head and surprising straw color.  Maybe I've drank too much Yuengling lager, but I expected more color.  If I were to create a beer scented scratch and sniff sticker, it would smell like East Coast lager.  I can't explain it any other way.  It just smells like beer.  It's not a bad thing.  Every once in awhile, even I just want a beer that isn't going to challenge my nose, taste buds or brain in some way.

It's easy drinking (4.2% ABV) with smooth malt flavors on the front and hops in the finish.  But it doesn't finish as smooth as I'd like.  In fact, it's leaving a weird flavor on my palate.  I'll leave the New Jersey jokes alone.  

Until tomorrow, folks.  Time for some take out and a movie.