Summer Slam, session notes from the Rogue

Never turn your back on the Ocean...or in conditions like this, the beach. 65th, south of Holidays. 8/15/2019

   More shorebreak. Like a watery finger flicking you onto the hard, wet, sand. Not the most knowledgeable about the subjects, but due to sand pumping and shore erosion, high tide does not offer the best conditions. Last week was a prime example. Water had cooled down to 71F, and it was hanging around 70F on the beach. ESE on-shore winds about 10 knots. Waist to stomach semi-clean swell that toggled back forth between a point break and a close out...in knee deep water. Wore the rubber top to cover any body slams. Took a couple. A painful session. Now I need another.

Still in one piece.

   Wow! An American IPA that really depicted the Ocean's mood as of late. Holland, Michigan's New Holland Brewing does Mad Hatter. A slightly hazy, orange pour with a finger-plus white foamy head. Light piney hops and citrus in the aroma. Considering the 65 IBUs, the taste was not as bitter as many IPAs. More mellow. Traces of pineapple and mango with a tad malt sweetness and a hair more resinous pine in the finish. At 7% ABV, a couple downed made for pretty fair painkillers. Rated a B.

"The letters in 'Brace Beemer' can be
rearranged to spell 'Embrace Beer.'"

-Dave Barry