Point Seclusion - Holiday Alteration Pt. 2, notes from the Rogue.

Santa's perfect Christmas present...glassy rights and a small lineup on the day after. 47th-48th street break, 12/26/2020.
“Are you saying you don’t believe Santa can surf?” the big, old lifeguard thundered. ‘You’re talking to the man who taught Santa to surf. In fact, I’m surfing with Santa at the pier tomorrow morning, at the crack of dawn,” he bragged.
 -The Story of Surfing Santa, Easy Reader, 1978.

   Two days after arrival to Carol Stream, the virus hit us and we were headed back east. Out of consideration to family around us, we could not stay. Long drive back. Christmas 2020 was spent in the Pines. Secluded at the Point. Quarantined at our home. Decorated inside and out, and no one to show it off to. Although our neighborhood did enjoy the outside lights.

Lit up Hometown at Whitehorse Park

Always embrace time alone with my Wife. Found the stoke in the peace. Morning coffee. Christmas movies and a spiral ham dinner 'n fixins. Hometown Christmas Lights at Whitehorse Park. Couple of runs to the beach for surf checks and take out. Few holiday beers to sample.

Rude Elf's Reserve. Belgian

Dark Strong Ale. 10.5%...pretty

strong comin' outta PA's Fegley's

Brew Works. Clear cherry-amber

pour. Maybe a finger thick off-white

head. Aromas of nutmeg, ginger

and bourbon cherries. Could taste

the booze. Some semi-sweet malts,

toasted sugar, toffee. Light bitter-

ness (25 IBUs) balanced the finish. 

Liked the 4-pack of tall boys. Rated

a B+.

Evo Craft's Blurred Vines poured

a hazy orange with a 2-fingered

white head. Smelled of pine-

apples, citrus, and peaches. Light

 spice. Flavors of grapefruit,

guava, sweet honey, and light

 grains. Tropical bitter citrus

 finish with pine in the back-

ground. 7.2% ABV, est.

50 IBUs. Rated an A-.

"I triple-dog dare ya!"

, 

No holiday dinner would be

complete without the Cran-

berry Sauce. In this case, Fin

City's Christmas IPA? Maybe?

Presents as a big beer at

 6.5%. But, not big in taste.

Poured a clear, dark amber.

1.5-finger puffy tan head. 

Some citrus, but no cranberry

 in the aromas. Tasted

orange peel and a light

tartness(maybe cranberry).

Little to no sweetness, and

at 75 IBUs, made for a

very bitter finish. Rated a C+.

   Lots to appreciate about a Christmas by the beach. It was family that was missed. Couldn't visit, nor could we have 'em over. The quarantine restrictions were for everyone's safety. A downer nonetheless. 'Specially at Christmas. C'mon 2021!

"Nothing ever
 seems too bad,
too hard,
or too sad
when you've got
a Christmas tree
in the living room."
-N. Roberts