Dead End, the Rogue's notes.

The water's so cold on his face. But the feeling's the one that he craves.
Don't try to explain. It's the call of the wave.     -The Malibooz
Thigh to waist ocean creeping into the 40s; 60th street break under construction. 2/14/2018

   Hit that dead end of Winter. Gloomy days. Sunlight peaking out now and then, but its "missing persons" impression wears on ya. Reachin' for the end. Need the glare. That's okay. With Hawaii a couple weeks off, I'm rollin' with the punches. Ocean City is in full beach repair mode. And, we're on the hunt for a boat. We say for 2019. We'll see. It is said that a boat owner's two favorite days are the day he buys the boat, and the day he sells it. I'm a hardhead. Need to learn that for myself.

Open bow Yamaha Jet- Seaside Boat Show.

   Decided to drink on it. Chicago's Temperance Beer Company does a Rye Pale Ale that fit the bill...unfortunately not literally. Regardless, with the name Restless Years- a nice pick for this time of year. Had a six pack on hand to drill through. Poured a murky amber-orange with a near two finger off white head. Mild citrus and rye spice in the aroma with tastes of orange peel and hoppy pine. At 5.8% ABV, a very easy drinkin' beer. A sixer would make a boat decision much easier. Liked it, but didn't drink the entire six. Didn't get the boat either...yet. Rated a B+.

"An intelligent man is sometimes

forced to be drunk to spend time

with his fools."

-Earnest Hemingway

 

Cry Wolf, the Rogue's notes.

   Hawaii trip coming up. March. Last month a Nuclear Missile Warning was issued to the 50th state in the Union. False alarm. Not cool. Would totally f-up our trip. Effectively created panic across the Islands. As did the news media, to further the scare even after it was past. These days they are especially good at that yellow journalism. We become numb to it at times. That's what happen's when ya cry wolf. Accidentally or otherwise. Somebody got fired. Scapegoats can be found everywhere. This week the Slower Lower got our own... a Tsunami Warning. National Weather Service tech glitch. Not the terror induced reaction Hawaii had. Most thought, "yeah okay." Personally? Checked the surf report. Ankle to knee. No flooding here. Hope all the jobs are safe.

All clear on our cut of the Right Coast. Knee scrapin' shorebreak at low tide; 38degrees F- OC Pier, 2/4/2018.

-Shannon Blyth Pic

   Recently enjoyed a bomber of soured Oak Aged Farmhouse Ale. The Reaver, a wild ale brewed with native wild yeasts and souring bacteria by Coastal Virginia's Reaver Beach Brewing. Paid this place a visit years ago when it was still in an industrial park. Much has improved. Aromas of orange citrus, oakey vanilla, and funky yeast typical of wild ales. Tart, fruit sweetness with tastes of peach and tangerine. A bit wine-like, but with a slight boozy oak finish. The sharp carbonation combined with the finish is what made it. Poured an orange-gold with a thin white, fizzy head. 7% alcohol with 8 IBUs. This one is a mellow drinker, perfect for a Tsunami watch... or the next set. Rated a B+.

"I don't need the threat of

impending natural disaster
to stock up on beer."  -EE