Sunshine, Suds, and Smart Phones

Day #511 Karnival Kolsch / Stoudt's Brewing Company, Reading, PA
Previously from this brewery: Scarlet Lady and Revel Red

It's a glorious, beautiful, sunny and warm day here in the suburbs of Philadelphia.  Therefore, I'm debating how much I should type, as (1) I'd rather be outside and (2) are you going to read this if you're spending the day outside enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer?  Although, you all have smart phones, so I suppose you can sit and read this while you enjoy the warm rays of the sun on your face.  I sometimes get yelled at because I spend a fair amount of time looking at my phone.  I can't help it... good things live there.

And once I hit the 'publish' button, this beer review will live in the internet (and your phone!) as well.  Up today is a pint of Karnival Kolsch from Stoudt's, which I had on draft at a work happy hour last night.  As you might expect from a kolsch, this beer has a clear pale gold color, and a nice bit of white head.  There are aromas of grass, yeast, and grains, and balanced flavors of hops and malt, with some lemon and earthy notes in there as well.  Very refreshing, very easy drinking... great beer to sip while you're sitting outside, reading this post....

Happy hour!

Second kolsch beer in a week, as I recently had the Kolsch from Lancaster Brewing Company as well.  Both excellent choices when you're in the market for something lighter yet flavorful.  If you're driving down the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Reading, you'll see signs for Stoudt's.  You should take their advice and stop in for a beer.

Thing to Think About Today:
Are you outside?  If not, let me paint you a musical picture of a sunny afternoon.  No, I mean it - Tom Jones signing Sunny Afternoon.   Yes, there's a minute of talking before the musics starts.  But seriously, relax and enjoy the weather and don't worry about things like when the music will start.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdL4tGoaBg0

" My girlfriends run off with my car / And gone back to her ma and pa"

Beer 342: Stoudt's Scarlet Lady and a Growing Problem

I may be addicted to striped sweaters. Another one came home with me today.


This photo doesn't do it justice. It is fantastically neon pink with black and white stripes. Because if there's one thing I love almost as much as a striped sweater lately, it's neon. Another color I love? Scarlet. As in Stoudt's Scarlet Lady ale.

Stoudt's is located in Adamstown, Pennsylvania, which I just learned is Antiques Capital USA. It's trademarked so you know it's true. I highly recommend a visit. Stoudt's makes some awesome beers and it's an incredibly easy place to get to. While the Scarlet Lady ranks fairly high on my favorite beers list, I'm also a fan of their Fat Dog stout, Heifer-in-Wheat and Karnival Kolsch. The Karnival Kolsch has become a beer of choice at Franklin Institute events. Sadly my distributor couldn't get any for me at the most recent event, but rest assured I'll have something from Stoudt's at upcoming events. I'm slowly converting the macro-beer drinkers in Philadelphia. Watch out!

I was lucky to find the Scarlet Lady on the hand pump at Teresa's Next Door last night. I love beer on the hand pump. I think it brings out a lot more of the subtle flavors in a beer. Scarlet Lady is an extra special bitter -- one of my favorite styles. It smells of nutty malt and pours a lovely reddish amber color with a thick, off white head.


The flavor is robust malt with a nice bitter finish. There are notes of caramel, nuts and just a little grassiness. It's nice crisp beer with a full body. Cheers!

Over? Did You Say OVER?

Beer# 27  Revel Red / Stoudt's Brewing Company, Adamstown, PA
If you're reading this, chances are you are:

1. A friend of mine who went to Penn State
2. A friend of mine who understands my deep connections to Penn State
3. A stranger on the internet who cares about beer and doesn't give a shit about Penn State

Apologies in advance for group three, feel free to skip ahead.  For the first two groups, I'm sure everyone has opinions on the news that Penn State hired a new football coach today, after a long and occasionally 'lost in the woods' search.  We'll never know who else was offered or who else the search committee wanted.  What we know is that a relative unknown with an underwhelming resume was hired, and given the keys to one of the most prestigious, if admittedly damaged, football programs in America.  I'm furious.

I imagine I'll get over it and still support the team, still buy my tickets, still make my donations.  But I can't help shake the feeling that this hire is a failure waiting to happen, either through him leaving after a short stay for a better NFL job or through the fact that maybe he's not that great of a coach.  Obviously I hope he's the second coming and wins 18 National Championships in 11 years (I know!).  Somehow, I still predict this ends with some crappy seasons and him leaving in the middle of the night like the Baltimore Colts.  I'm furious and frustrated.

The worst part about this is the great men who were let go (or will be soon) because the university was too afraid of bad PR in the future - despite the administration's incredibly ham-fisted handling of the situation from day one.  To Scrap, Vandy, Jay, LJSr and the rest of the gang: Thank you for jobs well done.  Thank you for your passion and professionalism, even in the face of uncertainty.  Your love for PSU and contributions to the team and school won't be soon forgotten.  Thank you, all.

Group three can pay attention again.  Beer of the day is courtesy of Stoudt's, a relatively local brewery.  I have no idea what color this beer is, as I drank it straight from the bottle.  Good hop & citrus balance on this ale.  Refreshing, crisp taste.  I assumed this was a new full-time beer they were launching, not just a temporary season addition.  However, their website calls it a seasonally available winter beer.  Not sure if I see it that way - in my mind winter beers are much heavier or involve roasting/toasting something.  It's still a very good beer, so maybe I'll just shut up and move along.  If you're in the neighborhood, their brewpub also serves up some great food.  If antiques and farmer's markets are more your style, they have those too.

Thing to Think About Today:
"War's over.  Joyner dropped the big one." 
One of my all time favorite examples of standing up against authority.
 

NOTHING IS OVER UNTIL WE SAY IT IS!