Buzzin', Oscillatin', Cruisin', notes from the Rogue.

"Even if the conditions are really bad, I'm still buzzing on being in the water." -Spencer Hargraves
Still hangin' out at Holiday's on 66th. 5/14/2015

   It's good to get back in the water again. Nice to get wet. Even "less than" surf conditions haven't detracted me from looking forward to paddling out for the next set. Went out mid-week into knee high and somewhat mutilated swell.  Water had been oscillating between the lower 60's and the upper 50's. Checked in at 58F. Tried out the new boots and gloves. Jury's out for a while. Water's too warm to call out the effectiveness. Anyways...light onshore winds outta the northeast. Tide was coming in. Sectioned. Unorganized. Caught a few, driving 'em in until my fins dragged sand. I see more water time in my future.
   This past week was also Cruisin' Weekend in the OC; checked out the local hot-rods. And I met up with my brother as we hit on a couple of local brewery fares in 3rd Wave Brewing and Mispillion River Brewing as part of this week's celebration of American Craft Beer Week.

   3rd Wave Brewing, out of Delmar, DE.  Having moved into the the original Evolution Brewery and sporting the Stoke of Surf throughout their tasting room, they have been spilling their own reputable brews ever since. Expanding into Bourbon barrel aging as well as sours, their repertoire has grown considerably. We did a couple flights and found their beers to be a little more sessionable- lower ABV, and their claim not to be overpowering held true.  The Tennessee Wyld Ale combined Bourbon aging with sour notes for a clean, crisp, dark brew. Rated 3rd Wave a solid B.

Big week. Big Stoke!

 

   Back home on the deck we popped a Beach Bum Joe, Mispillion River Brewing's Belgian Pale. Poured a nice deep, hazy gold. 'Bout a finger and a half white head with fair lacing. Sweet aromas of orange and grain. Had the familiar Belgian yeast taste with a fairly crisp, light bitter finish. Rang in at 5.5% alcohol and 28 IBUs. Hailing from Milford, DE, Mispillion just started canning, and this is one of their first two big distributors. Drank a couple of these babies. Rated a B as well. Nice weekend.

"The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand,

with no bottom."  -Kenny Chesney