Kibbles 'n Bits, notes from the Rogue.

Assawoman Glass, 11/23/2014

   Every time I hit the beach now, the pictures reveal what my mind already knows. My season is coming to an end. Until next spring, and Spring is a ways away. Water is in the low fifties. I could feel it. Over last week, I could feel it. A few degrees difference makes all the difference.

"One, keep paddling. Second, don't see it as a sport. See it more like learning a martial art. It is holistic in its scope and effects, and it is a lifelong pursuit."    -Alex Dick-Read                47th-48th Street Jetty, 11/23/2014.

Another fairly windless eve. Good thing. Lessens the chill. Waves? If last week's were morsels, this week's were kibbles and bits. The knees highs were the larger sets. Not much to write home about, but as this was potentially the last surf I'd get in a while, I graciously rode every opportunity. More squeeze than carve considering the size. And my beach town itself? Pretty quiet, empty road night. The OC is in full off season, and decked out in Christmas. Lights, garland, ornaments. Enjoy it while I can. Hear tell it's gonna be a cold winter. Just as well... another front approaching.

   Two brews to take the chill off tonight, boys 'n girls. Local Burley Oak's Funkus Saisonus, a Wild Ale with low IBUs (19) and a mid level alcohol content (5.4%), but in a 750 ml. bottle. Nice. Aged in French Oak. Formulated with sour cherries and lemon verbena. A very refreshing post surf beer. Pours a hazy gold with little head. Aromas of cherries and lemon with a tart finish. Takes some getting used to. B rating.

    Next the thermogenic to ease the tingling in the fingers and toes. Global Warmer from the Brooklyn "Beer Beasts" themselves, Sixpoint Brewing. Outrageous hop character at 70 IBUs and the 7% ABV does the antifreeze work. An Imperial Red Ale (love those Imperials!), that pours a reddish amber with a solid off-white two finger head.  Plenty of lacing.  Citrus-Pine notes with tastes of mango and grapefruit. Rated an A-.

"Some say the world will end in fire, 

some say in ice. From what I've tasted of

desire I hold with those who favor fire."

                                     -Six P.

"Signs, signs everywhere signs." Ya can't escape it. Tis the season...

Route 50 Entrance, OCMD 11/23/2014

Boardwalk Tram Station, 11/23.

Division Street, 11/23.

OC Downtown, 11/23/2014.

Chilled But Tasty, notes from the Rogue

Tasty morsels on a chilled evening.  47th Street, 11/16/2014

   I sat on my board taking in the quiet of the evening. The soft spray from the crash of mostly knee-high waves behind me filled the surrounding air with the scent of the Atlantic's salt. I was comfortable in my full suit. The boots kept my feet warm.  My hands, in gloves, were fine until the near end of the session when my fingertips started to tingle. I deal this time of year. Don't like the rubber, but I took three Ibupro's beforehand and that seemed to take care of any discomfort. Small, but calm night. Relaxing. Clean conditions. 58F in the water, 55F air temps. Caught a number of short rides, mostly fronts. Couple backs. Wiped on a few. Face-planted one. Swung into a couple near waist highs morsels that I could squeeze more than a few drops out of. Nice chunks of time that took the stress out of a long week. Bit of a clouded twilight. Watched a front moving in, the menacing dark blue-black skyline moving in from the north; a sharp contrast to the brighter grayish-white cloud cover to the south. Sign of the sub-freezing nights coming later this week. The water temps start to deteriorate snappy fast with colder nights. Holiday's are coming. Family's coming. My sessions are numbered. Next weekend? We'll see.
   The beer review is one from a couple of weeks ago.  A Chicago based brewery, Pig Minds Brewing in Machesney Park. A rather bold coffee based Imperial Stout. Joe Daddy. 100 lbs. brown sugar, 2 gallons of molasses, 5 lbs. Guatemalan joe. A real kick in the ass this one is.  The coffee hits you square, both in the nose and the mouth. Then you get roasty malts, subtle tastes of cocoa, and creamy texture.  Pours black...very opaque black, with a thick brown two finger head.  Heavy equally brown lacing clung to the sides of the glass. Not super sweet. Can taste and feeeeeel the 8.2% alcohol content. A warmer for sure. Enough hops at 25 IBUs to crisp up the finish. Lots going on... especially coffee. Just a little sticky. Rated an A-.

"I've only been in love with a beer bottle and a

mirror."                -Sid Vicious

In Honor, notes from the Rogue.

Lt. Comdr. P.F. Wattay, Carrier Pilot.
US Navy. Korea, 1951/72

   My father loved the Navy. He would have loved me to join the Navy. To be a pilot. To follow in the footsteps. If I had, it would have definitely been the Navy. In honor of those who have served our country. Thanks Dad!
   A toast to our Veterans. Fittingly patriotic. Sam Adams Brewing's Cream Stout, a subtly sweet, creamy, roasty taste, with a 28 IBU English dry hop finish.  Pours dark mahogany with a two finger brown head.  Thick lacing. 4.8% ABV.  Rated a B+.

"For every wound, a balm.
For every sorrow, cheer.
For every storm, a calm.
For every thirst, a beer."
- Toast

Gone Down Fighting, the Rogue's notes.

Anger Management.  10th Street break.  11/1/2014

   The weekend marked the end of 2014 Daylight Savings Time (DST). Surf reports boasted semi-clean overhead swell. Weather called for heavy rains and strong 25 to 30 mph winds out of the northeast. I can honestly say surf was not in my plans, although that didn't stop me from getting in a surf check. Crossing the Rt 50. bridge into town, the bay was an expanse of white caps. Crosswinds became noticeable as soon as I hit Baltimore Ave. Turning up 10th street the empty parking spaces and bag covered card machines gave way to symptoms of an offseason in full swing. An empty boardwalk opened up to a panorama of gale force winds and a sea that dared me to enter. Looked as if DST had gone down fighting and wanted someone...anyone to join in. I declined. Took the extra hour's sleep instead.

Join the fight.  10th Street Backshore, 11/1/2014

   What I accepted however, was the next two Marzans. Terrapin Beer Company's Pumpkinfest, a Pumpkin Marzan loaded with the usual cinnamon, clove, and pie spices. Poured a dark copper-brown with a finger plus white head. Fair lacing. Low hop bitterness (23 IBUs) with a pretty strong malt backbone. Not overly sweet which was good.  And the 6.1 ABV gave it some umph.  Rated a B+.

"I am a firm believer in the people. 

If given the truth, they can be dep-

pended upon to meet any national

crisis. The great point is to bring

them the real facts, and beer."

-Abraham Lincoln

Flying Dog's Dogtoberfest is Maryland's backdoor German import...all ingredients brought in from Munich und Vienna.  Also dark copper with a two-finger light tan head. Aromas of toffee with a slight caramel taste. Just enough hops at 30 IBU to lend a crisp finish. Not quite as strong at 5.6 ABV, so I had a couple or so. This one was also a B grader.

"Red sky at morning, sailors take warning."  All Hallows Eve sunrise, Snow Hill Road. Salisbury, MD 10/31/2014.