Little More Time, from the Rogue's notebook.

Straining to keep it semi-clean... small, knee-slapper swell. 14th Street Rocks, 4/18/2021. 

           

         Couple weeks back from Florida. Still waiting for the OC's section of the Atlantic to warm over 50F. Been hovering in the upper 40's. Hasn't helped that the evenings' air temps have been in the lower to mid 40's. Early morning ride to work. 7AM. Malibu's Surf Report on local Ocean 98.1FM. Daily tracking of the temps of Ocean Blue. Skirted just above the 50's before dropping back down due to a cold front. Didn't improve the conditions either. Knee high or less. Semi-clean to junky. Weekend. Mid-month. Walked the dog. Checked the surf. Can't be in it? At least be by it. Need a little more time.

   Little more beer whilst I wait. Started with a Japanese import. No, not Nissan. Hitachino Nest Beer brought to the US by Kiuchi Brewery. Located in Tokyo Station, Tokyo. Their Espresso Stout brought on a deep, mahogany pour with a 2-finger, light brown head. Dark chocolate, strong coffee, and caramel in the nose. Light espresso, mocha, and roasted malts in the flavors. Aftertastes of caramel and roasted bitter coffee. Very smooth and light making the 7% ABV a dangerous afterthought. 36 IBUs added to the bitter end. Nice all-around stout. B+/A- rating. 

   Got the next beer earlier in the year. A send-off to the pandemic. Ale Asylum's Fvck Covid 2.0. Outta the Cheese-Head state of Wisconsin. A New England Hazy Pale. Basic at 5% ABV, and an estimated 40 IBUs. Poured a cloudy yellow-orange, with a fizziness of a finger-plus, white head. Thin lacing. Hoppy, malty aromas with scents of orange and grapefruit. Tasted like an English Pale, with the bitterness in the front. Finished with guava and citrus on the back. Good, not great. Rated a B-.

Turn on the good times,

Turn off the TV,

Yeah, the only BS I need

is Beers and Sunshine.

-Darius Rucker