Running Towards, Not Away

Beer #493 Session Black / Full Sail Brewing Company, Hood River, OR
Previously from this brewery: Session Lager, Session Black , and Session Lager

As a kid growing up, my friends and I would play basketball for hours on end in the summer.  Show up at Beech Street playground early, run games all day, take a break to get a drink (Gatorade used to make an iced tea flavor back in the day, and it was glorious), then get back and get another game going until darkness called 'next' and sent us all home for the night.  It was a constant of my teenage years, and it was a place where I was truly happy.

I bring this up for two reasons; one trivial, the other important.

One, I'm playing two basketball games tonight due to my spring league and summer league schedules overlapping.  When I saw this, I immediately realized I haven't played two meaningful games where score is kept and referees call fouls in one day in a very, very long time.

Two, because I've been struggling to put my emotions regarding the tragedy of yesterday's Boston Marathon attack into words.  I think about how much joy and satisfaction I get from participating in sports, most notably running and basketball.  When I first saw a doubleheader on my calendar, I thought back to the feeling of being a kid and playing the game I love all damn day.  The tragedy of yesterday changed my perspective.  Now I've been thinking about races I've run, how many friends I've supported from the sidelines, how many people whose lives are forever damaged from simply just cheering on runners.  They were just fucking waiting with anticipation for loved ones to finish doing something that brought them joy.  I can't even fathom the pain of those families touched by the explosions

An event like the Boston Marathon is a cause for celebration; there's a reason why so many people line the race course and gather at the finish line.  Sporting events can and do bring out the best in people: the struggle to achieve, the will to compete, the satisfaction of hard work, the brotherhood among competitors, the elation of finishing strong, the sense of accomplishment from doing something others can't or won't try, the desire to get out and do it all over again.  I hope the terrorist actions of yesterday don't dampen that spirit.  I hope sports continues to be a way for people to band together, to find common ground, to heal, to move forward.

Do I feel like an idiot doing something as silly as a beer review today, when so many are hurting and working to restore order to the world?  I do, but the world keeps turning.  As much as we grieve and wonder what terrible force in the world allows this to happen, we keep on with our lives, marching forward.  We get up, we get dressed, and we go about our business - proof positive that no matter what evil lurks in the world, the good people won't stop living their lives.

Today you get a review of Session Black from Full Sail Brewing.  In the glass, it's a bright, clear mahogany (as clear as mahogany can be, I guess) color, with a thin head.  There's a lightly toasted malt aroma, and the taste is malt sweetness, with some very mild hop bitterness.  At a mere 5.4% ABV, you get a good flavor without the wallop of a higher ABV beer.  Not a bad summer option for those who are malt fans.

That looks inviting, doesn't it?

Another beer that arrived in a less than 12oz bottle!  No offense, but I think you learn this trick on your first day of MBA class: slightly smaller packaging + same price = greater profit, as you're putting less product in each package.  I sincerely hope this isn't a profitability scheme the rest of the craft beer world notices....

Thing to Think About Today:
Rather than a silly song or something about sailing, I think I'd like to once again remind everyone that a great way to ensure hospitals and trauma centers have the ability to deal with both unfortunate events and routine operations is to donate blood.  If you're one of the 37% of Americans who are physically able to give, the world desperately needs you to donate, and donate as frequently as you can.  To find an American Red Cross blood drive near you, visit: http://www.redcrossblood.org/

While keeping the victims of tragedy in your thoughts and prayers is important, it's far more important to actually do something tangible.  Please give blood.

Lighten Up, Francis

Day #459 Swing Session Saison / Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA
Previously from this brewery: Let's see.... Hundred Horses, another Hundred Horses, NATO IPA, V-12, and a sampler.

There's a new Pope today, and his name is Francis.  If you're like me, and perhaps you are, you can't hear the name Francis without thinking of the movie Stripes, and this wonderful scene where we're introduced to Francis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OnpkDWbeJs

From here going forward, I defy you to hear the name Francis and not think, "lighten up, Francis."  Something tells me I'll hear about something draconian the Pope does or says to drag the world back towards the 15th century, and I'll be saying those exact words very soon.

Enough silliness, let's talk beer.  Tonight I'm reviewing Swing Session Saison by Victory.  In my trusty Gary Coleman pint glass, this beer has a pale and ever so slightly hazy gold color with a wispy white head. There are aromas of grain and pepper, and the taste is quite refreshing.  Light, with a nice bit of peppery spice, hints of citrus, and a barely there touch of hop bitterness.  This beer is fantastic, and in my mind it tastes like summer.  Quite frankly, summer can't get here soon enough.  Maybe drinking this beer will encourage warmer weather to hurry up?

Beer is always better in my Gary Coleman glass

I also recently grabbed two bottles of White Monkey, Victory's delicious Golden Monkey aged in white wine barrels.  More on that later...

Thing to Think About Today:
Well, I can't tease you with a scene from Stripes without dropping in a bit more here at the end.  Great movie with Bill Murray in his prime, tons of great quotable lines.  Hopefully the new Pope doesn't have to go through "ARMY TRAINING, SIR!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6pcpulBU8A

Boat Drinks!

Day #457 Session Lager / Full Sail Brewery, Hood River, OR 
Previously from this brewery: First out the limo!

I'm getting right down to business.  I'm a businessman.  Tonight's beer is a bottle of Session Lager from Full Sail in Oregon.  This beer is among the greatest beers ever.  Why?  Because it was a gift from a friend.  Give your friends beer, and they'll love you forever.  Poured out of a stubby 11oz bottle, this beer is a clear, bright gold color with virtually no head.  You get an slight aroma of sweet malt and grain, and when you take a sip you find a flavorful, yet easy drinking beer that has notes of malt and hops, grains, and something close to popcorn.  As the name suggests, this is a session beer and has a low ABV (5.1%), good flavor, and isn't overly complex, which means you can drink a number of these in the course of a day.  This beer will definitely make a tailgate appearance this summer.

This picture was taken outside. SPRING TIME, YO!

During my trip to Oregon last summer, I made it up to Cascade Locks, which is only about 20 miles away from this brewery.  Should have taken a longer road trip, but even without visiting Hood River, I can assure you this part of the country is as beautiful as anything you'll find in America.  Stop by if you're ever near Portland.

Thing to Think About Today:
Somebody follow me: Full Sail makes me think of boats.  Boats makes me think of the boat life.  The boat life makes me think of yacht rock.  Yacht rock!  I'll pause here: for those of you who don't have a yacht, yacht rock can be categorized as the easy listening music popular from the late 70's to mid 80's.  You know, that smooth, chill vibe you'd expect to want to listen to while cruising the bay on your yacht.  If you close your eyes and picture the 80's, I'm pretty sure you see yacht rock videos in your head.

Well, it just so happens my neighbors were in the mood for some yacht rock this weekend, as evidenced by their blaring of Yah Mo B There by James Ingram and the yacht rock God, Michael McDonald.  Now, I get that it was a bright, sunny spring Sunday.  I'm just not sure what was happening in their yard/house/driveway that made them want to fire up this song.  However, it brought a smile to my face, so I guess I'm not really complaining.  If anyone has a yacht and wants me to bring the Session Lager.... call me.  I'll "mo b there."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBo2Kn8iBxA

Day 408: NXNW Sampler and Some Rambling

Texas Beer Week hits its second to last installment with a review of NXNW. It was the first Texas beer that I found upon our arrival and I maximized my time there with the sampler.

The Northern Light is a great session beer. It pours a bright golden color with barely any head. It's a little bready with a hint of hops.

The Bavarian hefeweizen is a traditional German wheat beer. It pours an opaque lemonade color. No strong aroma, but has great banana and clove flavors. Excellent.

Then there was the Duckabish amber. It poured a clear amber color. It was very malty and creamy.

I also tasted the Jingo pale ale, Okanogan black ale and something aged in Jack Daniels' barrels. I didn't write any notes on those samples.

Perhaps I need to work on my writing dedication when I'm sampling the sampler. I tend to fall apart when I have more than a few beers to review. In lieu of good beer reviews, I share my photos of UT's campus and a great chicken trailer we found on South Congress Avenue.

Ms. P's Electric Cock. I kid you not. We should have bought the t-shirts.

UT's campus. Two balls. Seriously?

And the had the nerve (balls?) to tell me
not to photograph the balls.

Me and a wishing well.  What did I wish for?
More beer.

I'm throwing my year 2 format out the window because this is one of my more disjointed posts in awhile. If Mr. Blog Named Brew finds his notes, then perhaps we'll formalize this mess.

Cheers!

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 320: Hop City Brewing and a Squirrel Tale

I have Penn State on the brain so I'll share a college tale with you. It's no secret that I'm not a morning person. So one Wednesday morning in college, I'm heading to a late morning class with my to-go breakfast in hand -- a Nature Valley granola bar. I'm snacking away as I hike across campus and as I get to the HUB (student union building for those of you not in the know), I notice a faint chirping/barking behind me.

I glance over my should and there's a good sized squirrel following me. As I pass through a thicket of students, this squirrel starts running circles around me as I attempt to walk as nonchalantly as possible to class. This goes on for two entire blocks. Me dodging students and bikes in an effort to shake my stalker. That squirrel barking at me in hot pursuit. He was persistent.

I throw a piece of granola bar -- my breakfast, mind you -- a few feet behind me and pick up the pace. That damn squirrel grabs the meager offering and let's me know exactly what he thinks of it. At this point I am mortified. People are stopping and pointing at me. Pointing! The horror!

Nature Valley puts two granola bars in each pack so I looked down at my remaining granola bar and made a decision. The squirrel gets his prize. I hurled that delicious breakfast treat right at his head and hustled away. The little bastard grabbed it, ran ahead of me and plopped himself on a trash can lid and nibbled away. I swear he smiled at me when I walked past.

He looked oddly like the squirrel on the Hop City Brewing can.


Look at him! All cocky. Eyeing his prize.

Hop City Brewing Company is based in Brampton, Ontario and the Barking Squirrel is their (5% ABV) lager. It poured an amber color with a fluffy off white head. It smelled of grain and reminds me of Yuengling lager.

The flavor had a slightly fruity hop but was mostly malt. It's nice and mild and quite sessionable. I think it would be great for tailgates. This is a good beer.

Cheers!

Beer 302: Piton Lager and Impartial Judging

I had my first Piton, brewed by Windward and Leeward Brewery, in July 2001. Piton was the official beer of the Generose Honeymoon in St. Lucia. It's been eleven years and three months since I enjoyed a cold, crisp Piton and all I can do is sigh and wander down memory lane.

I'm trying to be my usual judgmental self as I review this Piton. But it's tough through the hazy filter of island breeze fueled, sun drenched memories. It poured a bright gold color with a very white, short lived head. The smell is corn and malt. The taste is light-- grains and some grass. It tastes like a macrobrew lager with a little more than average flavor.


Windward and Leeward Brewery is Heineken's operation in the Caribbean. So while Piton isn't a craft beer, it is in that "can't get it easily in the U.S." category of microbrews that makes it passable for me to include on the blog. Finally I do need to recognize one of Gary's friends and coworkers who very kindly smuggled two Pitons back to the U.S. for us. Thank you!

All in all, I'll call Piton a good beer. Cheers!

Beer 225: Lambrucha is for Me!

Today I'm drinking a crazy mash-up of Belgian ale and kombucha.  It's brewed by Brouwerij de Troch and imported by Vanberg & Dewulf. De Troch is in Belgium and Vanberg & Dewulf is in Cooperstown (NY).

From the Vanberg & Dewulf website:


Lambrucha is the first time that two different types of live yeast drinks have been blended together to create a completely new live yeast beverage. Lambrucha combines hand-selected house Lambics that are a minimum of one year old, and specially brewed organic Belgian kombucha.  Kombucha has been enjoyed in Central Asia for millennia. A deliciously tart effervescent beverage is created by pitching a mushroom into tea and letting it ferment. Kombucha is renowned for its pro-biotic, health-giving benefits. Lambic is the legendary spontaneously fermenting beer from the Senne River Valley in Belgium. Lambic contains some 500 different yeasts. Lambic is the signature contribution to brewing science practiced for centuries in Belgium.


At 3.5% alcohol by volume, Lambrucha certainly is closer to beer than tea—but we think it makes more sense to describe it as “two great yeast cultures, one great drink.”


(From Marci) It poured an opaque straw color with tons of bubbles and a full white head. It smells like brine -- actually reminds me of pickled vegetables -- and a bit herbal.  The taste is some serious lemon tartness.  In the background, there's a green, grassy taste...maybe even something mint.  The high carbonation level leaves a crisp, clean feeling in my mouth.  


The Lambrucha is definitely a unique beverage and I would guess that not everyone is going to love it. I've never had anything that tastes quite like it but I'm already in love with it.  And at 3.5% ABV, it is very sessionable, which I'm about to do. I wonder how mad Gary is going to be when I go steal his glass?

Cheers!

Feeling grateful...

Tonight my team at work celebrated the holidays together at our annual holiday party. Sitting there, laughing, having great conversations and enjoying the company of friends, I was reminded just how lucky I am to work with these people. Some of us have been around for years - a decade in fact - and others mere months. But you would think we've known each other for far longer based on the laughter and good natured ribbing. It's so much easier to put in the blood, sweat and tears when you keep company like this!

I'm also grateful to hear from a friend, who I don't ever see. Sometimes the most random message means the most. I'm also grateful for my husband, who expands our music collection like it's his job. For example, my morning commute included:

Lou Reed Walk on the Wild Side
Mystical Shake Your Ass
Public Enemy
R.E.M. Sidewinder
Tribe Called Quest
Pearl Jam
Ludacris Move Bitch
The Killers Human

I think there was also some John Legend in there and a few other things that have fallen out of my head since this morning. Thanks, Bob, for keeping it interesting!

Tonight's beer was Yards Brewing Company's Brawler. I'm a malty kind of gal and most other choices were on the hoppy side. I chose well. Brawler goes down smooth and is easy on the ABV...really the definition of a session beer. This should be more people's go to beer.

Tell me, what are you grateful for?