Short Work, notes from the Rogue

"We love surfers...for the same reasons we admire excellent soldiers: because despite themselves they

 have bowed to a force much greater than themselves, which in this case is the wave, and submitted

 to the gnarly rigors of its discipline."  -Peter Heller, Kook.

Wading to submission. Holidays, OCMD. 10/5/2017

   Wow. Already October. My mid-week surf time has been in severe decline with harvest time (that rhyme was mine). Conditions have been pumpin'. Sometimes clean sometimes not. Fairly active 'Cane season. I can say, unlike our southern neighbors (prayers to Gulf Shores and vicinities, Puerto Rico, Florida, Georgia), we've been fortunate. Taken it a lot on my head this season. Very green still. Rides come, but few. Like my sessions. Part of the problem. Water still warm; 'round 70F. Last week, Maria closeouts. Hard to judge in the dusk. Easier to get rolled. Maybe good that darkness fell fast. Made short work of my surf time. Made short work of me. Nightfall comes fast. November ends the mid-week sesh. Gotta clip the coastline earlier if I'm gonna see to get position much less get any decent rides out of it.

   That time of year to hook up with the Autumnal brews. Like my sessions...getting darker. Over the past weekend the wife and I did our annual pumpkin hunting trip. Quite a few of 'em out there. Missed on a few prime targets, but finally bagged the gourd of choice and some color to help display the prize.

Tiki Punkins? Tiki Punkins! Elmers, a Delmarva classic.

Perfect brew to accompany? Outta Seattle. Elysian Brewing's Punkuccino. 6% ABV is enough to warm ya as you hunt for that prize mount. Poured an opaque brownish-black with light floating sediment..assumed that was the pumpkin. Thick tan-brown fingerish head with sticky brown lacing. The fragrance of coffee is prominent with a pumpkin background. 


Not classified as a porter or a stout, but this is more than an ale...closer to a porter. Plenty of Pumpkin, cinnamon, and espresso in the flavor. Nice clean finish at 20 IBUs. Rated a B+/A-.

   In Chicago last year I did this Octoberfest by New Glarus. Staghorn. Went fairly well with burgers and brats. Pale amber with about a finger white head. Grainy aromas with a hint of spice. Malty, lightly sweet, nutty taste. Some carmel. Even at 6.25% it tasted a hair weak though. Not very intense (15 IBU) on the hop side. Rated a C+.

Spilling a beer is the adult
equivalent of losing a balloon.
                      -Anon.

Happy hunting!