Shorty Post; Long Stretch, notes from the Rogue

"Sticks and Stones might break our bones. But Mother Nature can really tear up your stuff" - S.Paskavich

Midtown chop, 9/19/2016                                      -Dispatch pic

   A shorty post. Keeping an eye out for East Coast conditions. Hurricanes, storms and whatnot. Making a return trip next weekend. Granddaughter's birthday, shore up the hitching plans, and check on the house. Yeah, the deal fell through. Hopeful though as the showings have started back up. So, this time last year I faced a nor'easter that churned up the Atlantic and left her an f'd up mess. Relegated to the BZ. Sun was out though and I was thankful to get wet again. This year? We got Karl off the lower southern coast, and Lisa out at sea. A tropical depression right now, Lisa poses the most likely impingement for next week. Want her to work her timing such that it doesn't affect flights, but sweetens the swell. These things tend to go either way... thinkin' surf's up. Need it! Haven't squeezed out a ride since May. Long stretch. Need to end the drought.

   September. Hurricane season ramping up. Weather cooling down. Brings out those Fall brews. Spatan's Oktoberfest. A reeeal Oktoberfest outta Munich, Germany. Pours a clear amber-gold with about a one finger, pale head. Aromas of caramel, corn, and malt with a light spice. Easy drinking. Smooth. Nutty-biscuity taste with a strong malt front typical of the Marzen style. Some sweetness which complements the piney hop finish. Not what I'd call a "gotta git me some more" beer. More of a relaxing "not bad, I'll have another" beer. Good "bier" to drink by the bonfire. 5.2% ABV, 21 IBUs. Rated it a solid B.

"A fine beer may be judged with only one
sip, but it is better to be thoroughly sure."
-Czech Proverb

Anger From Afar, the Rogue's notes.

"The bitch is hungry, she needs to tell. So give her inches and

   feed her well."  -Scorpions

Hermine's angry spew. Malibus Beach, 9/3/2016.

   











   Sunny skies. Low humidity. Temps in the lows 80s. Light winds. Superb weather for surf, and the Labor Day weekend. But Lake Michigan is flat. And so are the surrounding storm lagoons. My slab of Chi-Town. If this had been the forecast for my piece of the Right Coast the crowds would've been flockin'. But a dispirited Hermine pissed off the masses with a poorly timed Rage party.

Hurricanes. Tropical storms. Whatever. Looked upon with a measure of trepidation. Surfers tend to look upon them with anticipation. Rarely on the day of (except the adrenaline fed). Most... including myself, the days following. At present, I am excluded. I watch from afar.

Clean-up begins. 9th Street break, 9/4/2016.                   -Dispatch Photo 

   Weather channel... on. Beer... check. Two up for judgement. Chi-Town's Half Acre Beer Company. Vallejo India Pale Ale; "brewed with a coastal spirit." Golden pour with a two finger thick white head. Aromas of lemon, pineapple, and apricot. Up front fruit and malt sweetness. Strong lemon-pine hop bitterness on the back end. Clean feel that made the 6.7% ABV seem less than it was, but overall bitter pine hung in the finish. I tried to like it better. Really. A bit Sahara-like to me. Very dry. Rated a B/B+.

"Education is important but beer is

importanter."    -sign outside a bar.

Dogfish Head brewed a SummerSlam with Festina Pesche. A salty, tart Berliner Weiss. Light aromas of funky peach. Tastes of tart citrus with a hair of salt. This is a sour. Some hint of vinegar, yes. Incredibly refreshing. Definitely. Those who don't know just don't understand. Subtle bitterness at 8 IBUs. 4.5% ABV means bring 'em on. Rated an A-.