Stoke Of The Season, notes from the Rogue

Racetrack Marine...ready to take on the high seas of Christmas. Rt. 589, 12/11/2017.

    Travel along Baltimore Avenue, Ocean Highway, or hit the Inlet and you are left with no doubt as to what time of year it is. The OC clearly has the spirit of Ho'okipa rolled out.  Christmas looming. Focus this time of year needs to be on enjoying the reason for the Spirit. Don't let the occasional choppy conditions stress.

The "List" still pretty much unchecked; always manages to take care of itself. Need to pull down those decorations and get the Point ready to be garnished up. This too will happen...with family. The coastal waters continue to hover just above 50F. It is their siren call for one last surf. Want to believe it will still happen. Days getting shorter. Opportunity to surf, fading. In the meantime, as I travel through town on the way to another surf check, I can't help but feel the Stoke of the Season.

   The dark days of Winter. Warmers to shake the on-coming cold of the season.For the most part. Chaos Mountain in Roanoke, Virginia brought in the three set Cocoborealis. Chocolate nibs on top of chocolate cocoa on top of roasted chocolate malts, brewed with hops and oats...a rich, filling Triple Chocolate Stout of a meal that weighed in at 6% ABV. Scents of coffee, plenty of chocolate, and light smoke. Poured an opaque black-brown with a less than finger thick brown head. More chocolate, coffee, and some cherry in the taste where any other flavor got lost. Slightly burnt/bitter, 31 IBU finish. Not bad. Rated a B-.

 Ninkasi has been showin' up quite a bit on my radar as of recent. Their holiday brew, Sleigh'r; a Winter Altbier that I had seen around enough to give the subliminal suggestion to add to my warmer arsonal. Nice chestnut brown pour with a finger-plus, creamy tan head. Aromas of nuts and toffee with a sweet chocolate and malt taste. 60 IBUs gave a refreshing hop tone to what is usually a heavy brew. At 7.2%, this was a heavy warmer to fight off the oncoming winter blahs. Rated a B+.

Heading to North OC. Love them lights Dude...Cheers!

Meli Kalikimaka!