Cold Water Barrels, from the Rogue's notebook.

   Standing on the cold, hard, flat, sandy shore. Weekend before DST. 130th Street...Guard station overlooking the beach entrance. Watched well formed barrels roll in. Rights. Lefts. Camera in hand, I was snapping pic after pic. Yeah, I know. When reviewed, many appeared the same. Sweet. Looking at each frame, I remember thinking, "why can't they look like that when the water's warmer?"

Like cold beers, best served from the kegger. Cold water barrels. 130th Street Lifeguard station, OCMD 3/2/2019.

Our piece of the Right Coast ain't made for me to surf this time of year. Temps have been at the 38-40F mark. Not doin' it. Through a light chill of a wind I hoofed it back to the SUV. When I got in, the heater's warmth gave solace to what I was missing. My wife mentioned how clean the surf looked. With a chagrined look I grumbled to her, "why can't they look like that when the water's warmer?"
   Cold ones... always available. 3 Floyds, the Indiana Joneses of mid-west breweries. Known for their collectable IPAs. Lazer Snake IPA, collectable if only for it's 80's rocker style label. 7% ABV. Poured a clouded orange with about a finger of an off-white head. Malt and citrus aromas were a bit muted. Orange and mango more pronounced in the taste. Bready on the back end. Surprisingly, at 55 IBUs there was less than the usual crisp finish of an IPA. Not as juicy as most from 3 Floyds. Rated a B-.

   Belgian imports. Been developing an appreciation for them. However, unlike IPAs and Lagers that I can drink a few, the unique Belgian yeast keeps me limited to one or two. In this case one...at 25.4oz. and 8% ABV...one was enough. Brouwerij St Bernardus Tripel Abbey Ale. Brewed in Watou, Belgium, poured a cloudy gold with a foamy, white, two-finger head. Smelled of spicy pepper and coriander, orange, and banana. Notes of dried fruit and bread, more banana, and that telltale Belgian yeast backbone in the taste. Light hop finish at 20 IBUs. Rated a B+.

"In my opinion, most of
the great men of the past

were only there for the

beer."

-A.J.P. Taylor,

 British Historian

Wouldn't bet on it, but I'm pretty sure we've seen the last of snow for this year. With Spring a couple of weeks out, a good farewell to Winter beer came outta Baltimore. Union Craft Brewing's Snow Pants. A hoppy Oatmeal Stout that stood up well on it's own at 55 IBUs. Poured thick and black, with a thick brown head that dissipated rather quickly. Right away, picked up aromas of coffee grounds and dark chocolate. Felt creamy and smooth. Tasted of sweet chocolate with a tinge of bourbon and anise. The hops really balanced this brew out. Another 8 percenter that would pop ya in the mouth if ya took on one too many. Rated an A/A-.