Peach Berliner Weisse

I had the chance to stop by one of my favorite craft breweries in Saint Louis after work last night; Perennial Artisan Ales.  I met Kate for the first time and she was working behind the bar.  In asking her what was new she told me the Peach Berliner Weisse.  I am a fan of wheat beers, but not of fruity beers. But, this one surprised me.  The peach flavoring was subtle and brewer Phil Wymore had used a yeast that resulted in a tart beer.  Kate told me the name of the yeast, but my little mind was more thrilled with this tart beverage I was drinking.  The taste grew on me the more I tasted.  So, I ordered a second and am glad I did.  If you get the chance stop by Perennial and check out the Peach Berliner Weisse.

The House is Wide Open

Last week we were faced with record high temperatures here in the Midwest of the USA.  It has been a long hot summer.  In July alone there were 15 days over 100 degrees and the Mercury rose to over 90 on 29 days.  Shoot, the low temperature in St. Louis for the entire month was 70 degrees.

But, this weekend, oh what a welcome break.  This morning the overnight low was 51 degrees and it is the coolest it has ever been on August 18th in this community.  Today and tomorrow the high is only supposed to reach about 80 degrees.
Thank you Cold Front for pushing through and bringing us this welcome relief.  I doubt you stay very long but you are at least providing us a break and a taste of what is ahead in the next several months.  Because of the snap in the hot weather, my windows are all open for the first time since May and my over-worked A/C is taking a well deserved rest this weekend.  It feels great to be alive.

Rams Start their Pre-Season

It was a great weekend if you are a sports fan.  The Olympics wrapped up in London, the PGA crowned Rory McIlroy it's new champion, the Cardinals lost two of three to the Phillies, and the Rams started their pre-season schedule where they left off last January.  The Rams dropped the first exhibition game of the season to the Indianapolis Colts 38-3.  I did not watch it but from what I have read this morning, it was ugly.

Pre-Season exhibitions don't mean squat.  But, I sure hope this Rams team improves on last year and Sam Bradford doesnt get seriously injured before the regular season begins.  Go Rams!

Another Benefit of Firing AT&T

The primary election in Missouri is finally over.  The campaigns could have been run in less than two weeks because many friends and associates had made up their minds several weeks ago on how they would vote in yesterday's Primary election.

I experienced a first this year.  Because I no longer have a telephone land line, I didn't have to listen to the assortment of garbage "robo-calls" these moron politicians seem to believe is their God given right to use to annoy people.  And the calls come while families are trying to eat dinner.  Now if that doesn't annoy you, keep in mind that you are paying for the phone line these idiots are calling to insult you with their boring blather.

My advice to you is tell AT and T to take their land line and put it where the sun don't shine. Believe me you'll be glad you did and won't have to listen to any more of this crap prior to November's general election.

Beer Week in St. Louis

It's taken a few days to find the time, but thanks to the St. Louis craft brewing industry for a wonderful ten days. I was able to take in several of the events and am glad I did. It started the last weekend of July with the Midwest Belgian Beer Festival hosted by Perennial Artisan Ales in South Saint Louis near where the River Des Peres flows into the Mississippi. (Well, the River Des Peres isn't exactly flowing these days as it has been dried up by the intense heat of the last six weeks. Let's just say it's trickling into the Mississippi). Perennial does a great job with everything it touches so it came as no surprise to me that there were so many Belgian's available for tasting. I had the opportunity for the first time to taste several Sour beers. Perennial's was done by brewer Phil Wymore, and ran out quickly. Goose Island from Chicago had both of its breweries represented, and one of them brought a big sour beer, and New Belgium from Colorado brought a very nice Kriek. The Kriek, with sour Cherries, changed as the room warmed. Long story short, it was a great afternoon that passed by very quickly.

Last weekend, iTap in Soulard, hosted a Firkin Festival. For the un-educated a firkin, or cask, is pumped by hand and served at room temperature. I had time to try 4 Hands Red Rye out of the cask, Stone's Arrogant Bastard Cask Style and finally New Holland Brewing's Dragon Milk aged over Bourbon Barrels. Oh, it was all good. I would have had a second Dragon Milk, but the fact I was driving prohibited that, even after several glasses of water back. Another amazing day for beer lovers in St. Louis.
Thanks to all the men and women in St. Louis who brew these wonderful products!