Genesar and Post-Sandy, notes from the Rogue

Sweet shapes, 11/1

   Every now and then I "trek-out" doin' a little explorin', little shoppin', maybe some surfin'.  On this particular afternoon I was on the prowl for a Christmas gift that ya gotta search in those hard to find nook and cranny type shops.  My way of shopping... I know what I want.  I'm on a mission.  I will exhaust all resources (and sales clerks) to find what I'm looking for.  Unfortunately, no success today.  In my travels however, I happened by one of my favorite type places.  A Revolutionary War period plantation home called Genesar.  Actually, the place's real place was during the War of 1812 as a lookout for British ships making their way through the now defunct (sealed by the Hurricane of 1818) Sinepuxent Inlet.  I am a bit of a history buff, so I was excited by this opportunity.  The current family that owns the joint is still looking for a benefactor(s) that will aid in the ever more urgent renovations. The place is literally held together by the moss that covers it, ready to crumble under the ever-increasing weight of time.

Glory and majesty

 

Surrounding Newport and Sinepuxent Bays

  On the beachfront, Ocean City will be under beach recovery for awhile.  Dunes need rebuilding, lots cleared and reworked, buildings repaired.  But I gotta say, the week following was ideal with sweeeeet head-high availabilities as the tide was still low but coming in.  Sandy ushered in the colder aqua (52F), but light off-shores held up some very nice barrels. Sunday however, not so much.  Less than knee high chop and the fading light discouraged any foray into the waters.  Empty beaches and scattered surf fishermen have ushered in the true off season.  Nice sunset though.

Ready, but not.

Not much waiting, 11/11

Good day.

 










   Tonight's brew hails from the City of the Salt Lake in Utah, Uinta Brewing's Dubhe Imperial Black IPA.  A whopping 109 IBUs and 9.2% ABV will kick yo ass fo' sho'!  Yes, the beer is pronounced "Doo-Bee" and is named after Alpha Ursae Majoris, a red giant with a mass 4x that of the sun.  Sure to fire up a few.  Pours a smooth black with a creamy, tan, one finger head.  Hints of citrus and pine in the smell with strong roasted malts and coffee in the taste.  Crisp finish without the heaviness of a stout.  Loved it. Rated this an Imperial A.

"Beer. Now there's a temporary solution."
                                 -Homer Simpson

Fury And A Woman Scorned-Sandy's Wrath, notes from the Rogue

Taming the Beast.  Virginia Beach's Raven Lundy carves up Sandy in the OC,   October 29, 2012

   It was labeled a "Superstorm" similar to the "Perfect Storm," the Halloween Nor'easter that ravaged New England in '91.   A tropical Missus that couldn't decide if she wanted to be a Hurricane or not, collided with a northeast storm and cold front outta the west to morph into a true living Wraith.  Felt by all but untouchable.  (Some analysts refered to it as a "Frankenstorm."  Really?).  Very angry. Very violent.  And we were very fortunate that she brushed by us, however the upper east side (New York and New Jersey shores) got slammed.  My only casualty- my computer blew a power supply.  This post on borrowed equipment.
  Some initial pics including the above Nick Denny photo of a sic triple overhead making all the surf covers.  Seriously insane rides.  These guys have been chasing hurricane swell for years.  Needless to say, ya leave this surf to the pros.  More to come...

On the prowl.  Photo Courtesy N. Denny

OC Pier damage

SUPERFLY! photo courtesy N. Denny

Tow-in maybe.  No Photo-Shopping here.  Photo courtesy N. Denny

OCMD Bayside

Seacret flood

Sandy's Rage.  OC Inlet, 10/29.  Photo courtesy N. Denny

   The beer of the hour, Hop City's Barking Squirrel Lager.  A clear amber ale with nice lacing and a one finger off-white head.  5%ABV and 24 IBUs puts this one on the maltier side.  You know, I figured big storm, Barking Squirrel sending out the alarm, but during these situations, a hoppier beer would definitely do a better job of keeping one on his (or her) toes.  In addition to the malts, this one had a grainier aftertaste. A little watery going down.  Very average.  Graded it a C.

"If you guys are going to be throwing

 beer bottles at us, at least make sure 

they're full."

                          -Dave Mustaine, Megadeth