Where's My Primo?, the Rogue's notes.

"Hey Haole, some days for surfing and some not. This one not. Here, have a Primo.
Plenty more waves. Relax."  - Henry Preece, Hawaiian local
67th Street knee-high shorebreak... Cardy Cardy 123 No Break for sure. 7/29/2016

   No surf. Looked forward to the only chance I'd have for a sesh this trip. Small shorebreak conditions. As I crossed the dune line, my Girl in tow, I could feel the disappointment rise from the pit of my stomach. Small swell breaking right up on the beach. Air was a very comfortable offshore breezy low 80's. Water in the mid 70's. Smell of salt in the air. Crowds were light. But, as I said, no surf. I was annoyed. 

In Shaun Tomson's book, Surfer's Code, he talks in one chapter about big wave surfer Fred Van Dyke standing on the beach during a ten-foot blown out day at Haleiwa. Eyeing the punishing waves and debating whether or not to go in, local surfer Henry Preece gave him the above advice. Now granted, conditions were in no way the same. This evening, much more serene. Too much serenity. Preece's advice applied in this case as well. What was a drag to me was how much time would pass before that next carvable wave. Opportunities not necessarily lost. Just on hold. To help relieve my annoyance we took a walk. Sometimes she has patience with me. She understands. I think. North...no waves. Then headed south; no waves. Then I dove in. The warmth of the Atlantic surrounding me. Took in the salt air. Felt the warm breeze. And let the incoming swell nudge me towards shore. You could say I felt better. Some. But there was something else that would have helped. Where's my Primo?!
   Okay, so I would get close to drinkin' that beer; sittin on the beaches of the North Shore. Well maybe if one has quite the imagination. We finished up disgorging the House on Spearin, and stayed the last evening at my brother's home in Delaware for a bit of a soiree.

Two nice flagon's of suds helped to upgrade the experience. Groove City Hefeweizen; Cambridge, MD's nicknamesake. Contrived by RaR (Realerevival) Brewery this murky gold brew at 5.2% ABV is very refreshing. Nice quench for a humid summer evening on the Shore. Complex aromas of banana bread. Tastes of bananas and lemons. Slight sweetness, with a fresh citrus zest finish. Rated an A-. Very good Hefe.

"Sorry Honey, I can't hear you with-
out a beer in my hand."  -Anon.

Another local beer- a true Delaware source, was Honeysuckle Rose, a Belgian Blonde brewed right up the road from my brother in Smyrna, DE. Only about two years since inception, Blue Earle Brewing has made it's mark on the Delaware Beer Trail. Mild at 22 IBU's but with enough hop kick to give a 'lil peppery spice to it's life, Honeysuckle Rose brought in hints of candied orange and lemon that lead to a fairly dry finish. Poured a hazy amber with light lace. 7.2% ABV made it a bit more like a heavy lager... kept it on the down-low for me. I rated it a B-.