Steel Brush, notes from the Rogue.

"That's when it all goes wrong. I turn back to see the biggest set of the day going square,
there's nothing I can do...it smashes me, leg here, arm there..." -Al Mackinnon. UK Surfer
Closed down for the evening. Feeling the sting, Holiday's & 66th. 9/13/2017

   Last couple of weeks have been harsh on my confidence. Painful sessions. A ride here and there followed by trips through the washer. One too many grinders on the head. Tried to hold position in the strong currents, Staring down the sets as they loomed up outta the blue-grey dusk. Needless to say got slammed with lefts and rights while Hurricane Jose scoured the Right Coast like a steel brush across metal churning out to sea after passing by New England. Water's still in the low 70s. Air has been cooling into the low 70s. Can make for chilly finishes. Had the spin cycle to keep the blood warm.

Walking off Jose's lacerations.
30th Street junk. 9/21/2017

 












   Close friend of ours in town over the weekend. Shown the local watering holes and whatnot. Included St. Michaels in the digression. Managed to put down a couple of brewskis in the process. The first. A heavy typifying recents times on the water. Troeg Brewing's Doppelbock legacy, Troegenator. One of those meals within itself. Translucent reddish-brown pour with about a single finger tan head. Caramel and chocolate in the aromas with a taste of sticky sweet molasses and  woody malt up front finishing off with a 25 IBU tone of hops. Bitterness balanced the sweet front nicely. This one was chewy. More apt to be thought of as a colder weather brew. But, the 8.2% ABV gives this beer the ability to take the chill off after a late surf session. Too many and it's another churning in the washer. Rated an A-.

Bellevue from the ferry. Tred Avon River, 9/17/2017.

   St. Michaels- always a good time. Took the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry in. Lyon Distilling; great Maryland rum. St. Michaels Winery; a tasting room by the sample or glass. Eastern Shore Brewery; improved variety. Had to hit Gina's. Out to Wades Point to set up our post Thanksgiving reservations. Local shops.

"Rum for all!"  - Capt. Jack

Zach's serenity. Wades Point, 9/17/2017.

   Finished up at Foxy's Harbor Grille. Burgers, tuna steaks, and I had to get the soft crab sandwich. All good. Washed all back with the DR's best. Presidente Beer. The review on this Pilsner style is easy. The Dominican Republic's version of an American lager. Pale yellow pour. Thin head. Watered down taste. Slight bitterness, thus low IBUs. 5% ABV means an easy drinker on a hot day. In the Caribbean or on St. Michaels harbor. The warmer it gets the worse it gets. So keep 'em cold. Ironically, just talking with our DR manager about this brew during my Cali business trip. Rated a C.

"Shhh! I hear a Presidente
calling me." -DR bar patron

The Veer, notes from the Rogue.

"I run six plays, split veer. It's like novocaine." -Coach Boone, Remember the Titans.
Clean lines; frontside veer. 30th and Rodeways, 9/7/2017.

   Irma. Cat 5. Cruising west towards the Gulf. Cut right driving into Florida. Barrelling head on, veered left up the Gulf Coast. Driving up the gut of Tallahassee. Through Georgia into Alabama before cuttin' right into Nashville, Tennessee. A hurricane that comes up and to the left of us will usually give some nice frontside rollers and this past Thursday evening was waist plus and pumpin'. Just under 75F water. Air in upper 70's with some humidity. Sky of reddish- purple, and blue. Nice night out, but now the sun is setting fast. Not much light left by the time I get home, change, and head on out. Find myself pushin' instead of enjoyin'. One and not much more before I'm done. Frustrating, considering how nice it was tonight.

   Actually, just got back from the Midwest last weekend. Chicago and Family for Labor Day. Managed a few decent brews as well including Anchor Brewing's Go West! IPA. Poured  bright amber-gold with about a foamy, finger thick head. Clean grapefruit and pine aroma. Very smooth going down. Lightly sweet with resin and citrus up front and 75 IBUs of herbal hop bitterness in the back.  Nice fresh bite in the finish. At 6.7% ABV, I really enjoyed this San Fran IPA. If it weren't for the mixed six, I'd have had another. Came in at a B+/A- rating.

The difference between beer

and your opinion is that I asked

for a beer.        -Bar Sign

Post 'cane peace, 9/7/2017.

Scent Of Havoc, notes from the Rogue.

"The serene brutality of the ocean. The electric power felt with each breath of wet, briny air." -H. Black
Dropping in for dinner. Last day of August, 2017. Holidays- OCMD.

"Cry havoc, and let slip the

Dogs of War!"  -General Chang 

 July marked the beginning of 'Cane season. But, it's this time of year that the atmosphere really begins to churn in the southern Atlantic. Last week. I could smell it in the air. That briny scent of havoc that comes when a system brushes the East Coast. Tropical Cyclone 10.

Think it was a cross between a tropical storm and a depression. As it passed it just seemed to break apart. Humid enough as the 76 degree temps felt more like 86. Resembled more of a nor'easter. Those big, bruising, backsides I love so much. Waves about chest or so. Little ripply along the face. Water in the low to mid seventies. Started down the face a steep fast left before eating lunch. Or, dinner as it were. Not much more after that as the sun set down leaving me to walk back a few blocks (several times) under a deep purple and orange-pink sky.

    The Pines has more than it's share of rental properties. Been watchin' em cycle in and out all season. Different peoples each week. Riding bikes. Walking dogs. Been thinning out lately. Summer coming to an end. Owners coming in to do repairs; spend their time on the water. Makes this beer perfect. Summer Rental. A Radler brewed in the German cyclist tradition. Flying Dog Brewery put together a nice combo of sweet and tart. Easy drinkin' (4.5 ABV) light Lager steeped with grapefruit and passionfruit provided a light aroma of citrus with just enough hops to finish dry, crisp, and refreshing. Clear, pale yellow pour with a thin half-finger head. Light lace. Pretty simple offering at 10 IBUs. Mixable (Gin/Vodka) is always good. Rated a B.