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.
August 08, 2012
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!
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!
July 08, 2012
I Like Beer...
Years ago Tom T. Hall had a country music hit when he wrote "I Like Beer". Well, guess what I like beer too. (No surprise if you read this blog).
This week was a particularly good week for tasting beer. It started out on Tuesday night at iTap. (I worked late and was thirsty when I got out of the office). When, Emily saw me walk in I asked her for a Firestone Walker Union Jack. This is one fine IPA out of Paso Robles, California. It has a nice orangish color to it and is it hoppy. Four pounds of hops per barrel. As good as it was, I finished the evening with a really big beer; Hebrew Jewbilation Ale. It is aged over Oak and comes in at 10.5 percent by alcohol. It is darker than most Stouts I've enjoyed and has a nice hoppiness that finishes with a taste of malt and alcohol. After that I called it a night and got my butt home before I could get myself in trouble.
The next day was the 4th of July so we headed to Grafton and one of my favorite spots to drink fine beer, the Piasa Winery. The owner Will, knows his stuff and I asked him what he recommended. He gave me a taste of Dark Horse Brewing's Crooked Tree Ale and I was sold. It was the first product I have ever had from the Jackson, Michigan brewery and based on this IPA I hope to taste a lot more. It was hoppy but not obnoxiously so. It pours an amber color and is unfiltered. Big in hops as I say, but a bit on the dry side. If you are a "hop head" you really should find this beer and try it. Before leaving Will asked me if I was familiar with Samuel Adams small batch brews. I said no, so he educated me. I bought a bomber of Dark Depths Baltic IPA. I had the chance to taste it this afternoon and it was, well, interesting. It's hard to describe. It has lager yeast, bills itself as an IPA but also reminded me of a Porter. The contrasts make for an interesting combination. It pours dark like a Black IPA, but the malts that come through at the end of it are subtle. I'm not sure I will buy it again, but as I say the contrasts make for an "interesting" beer.
This week was a particularly good week for tasting beer. It started out on Tuesday night at iTap. (I worked late and was thirsty when I got out of the office). When, Emily saw me walk in I asked her for a Firestone Walker Union Jack. This is one fine IPA out of Paso Robles, California. It has a nice orangish color to it and is it hoppy. Four pounds of hops per barrel. As good as it was, I finished the evening with a really big beer; Hebrew Jewbilation Ale. It is aged over Oak and comes in at 10.5 percent by alcohol. It is darker than most Stouts I've enjoyed and has a nice hoppiness that finishes with a taste of malt and alcohol. After that I called it a night and got my butt home before I could get myself in trouble.
The next day was the 4th of July so we headed to Grafton and one of my favorite spots to drink fine beer, the Piasa Winery. The owner Will, knows his stuff and I asked him what he recommended. He gave me a taste of Dark Horse Brewing's Crooked Tree Ale and I was sold. It was the first product I have ever had from the Jackson, Michigan brewery and based on this IPA I hope to taste a lot more. It was hoppy but not obnoxiously so. It pours an amber color and is unfiltered. Big in hops as I say, but a bit on the dry side. If you are a "hop head" you really should find this beer and try it. Before leaving Will asked me if I was familiar with Samuel Adams small batch brews. I said no, so he educated me. I bought a bomber of Dark Depths Baltic IPA. I had the chance to taste it this afternoon and it was, well, interesting. It's hard to describe. It has lager yeast, bills itself as an IPA but also reminded me of a Porter. The contrasts make for an interesting combination. It pours dark like a Black IPA, but the malts that come through at the end of it are subtle. I'm not sure I will buy it again, but as I say the contrasts make for an "interesting" beer.
Post 4th of July Thoughts
It was a short work week and included the 4th of July holiday. I am tardy in writing but thank you to the men and women who have served and sacrificed to make the United States what it is. Thousands and thousands of Americans have given their lives so we may continue to live free in what I believe is still the greatest nation to ever exist. So, belatedly, Happy 237th birthday United States of America!
June 23, 2012
Work and Beer
I sure hope you're having a great summer. I am but it's flying past in a hurry. This past week was a real bear as I worked about 55 hours setting up, configuring and resolving a lot of problems associated with the move of PCs.
The beer this summer has been amazing. I had the chance to hang out at two of my favorite watering holes last weekend and each had a great Stout aged in barrels. iTap in Soulard had New Holland's Dragon Milk aged over Oak. The Tap Room had their own Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon barrels. Yes, I know they are not really summer beers, but man are they good. As someone much wiser than myself once said, "So many beers, so little time". Happy Summer!
The beer this summer has been amazing. I had the chance to hang out at two of my favorite watering holes last weekend and each had a great Stout aged in barrels. iTap in Soulard had New Holland's Dragon Milk aged over Oak. The Tap Room had their own Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon barrels. Yes, I know they are not really summer beers, but man are they good. As someone much wiser than myself once said, "So many beers, so little time". Happy Summer!
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