Summer Jam, session notes from the Rogue

Rockets red glare over the St. Martin River, 7/4/2022. 

     Family and friends. That is what life's about. Front end of July has been a whir. Fireworks, barbeque, beer, crabs, surfing, boating, fishing, Did I mention beer? Even got a new roof. All while struggling with migraines. Jammed into a couple of weeks. Like I said- a whir. Sometimes a very loud whir. Did I mention Family and Friends? Helped me along. Though a flash in time, it all made for an enduring summer jam.

East Channel dues, 7/3/2022.

 

Reel Inn family time.

Another BJs Texas brew.

Oasis Amber. Bright amber

pour with only 4.5% alcohol.

Big off-white head. Earthy,

malty smell. Flavors of toffee,

Some breadiness. Very light

bitterness. Nuthin' major. But,

 an easy sipper in the summer.

 Rated a C+/B-.

Brother's Pride, 7/13/2022.

Dewey Beer Company and

Fish Tales Bar & Grill

teamed up on this one. Trono

Pale Lager. Pale straw

colored pour. 2 Fingers of

foam. Biscuity aromas with

sweet corn, and pepper. 

Light taste, with flavors of

grains, crackers, spicy

herbal hops, and a touch of

lime.  ABV of 4.5%.

Estimated 10 IBUs. Fun.

Light. Brother loved

these 16oz. tall boys.

Rated a B+/A-.

Yacht shot. Bay cruisin,' 7/17/2022.

Twilight rising over the Sinepuxant, 7/20/2022.

Assateague odd couple, the Island. 7/21/2022 

Crabs and beer. The quintessential

summer feast of the Eastern Sho'.

Sweet Corn. Shrimp. Old Bay. And

not just any beer. Oliver Brewing

 Blue Crab Pale Ale. Damn! Hazy,

light gold pour. Fizzy 2-finger, white

head. Some grain, light pine, and

citrus aromas. Lemongrass, orange,

light malts in the flavor. 5% ABV 

for sessionable sipping. About a 30 

IBU bite in the finish. Not a smash,

but a perfect compliment. A solid B

rating.

A gift from our Badger state friends.

Copper State Brewing. And lemme tell

ya, this was one of a big variety they

graced us with from the "Mid-North."

Platinum Blonde Nitro Blonde Coffee

Stout.  If you're gonna go heavy in

 the summer, this be it. 38 IBUs. A

 healthy 7.3% ABV. Honey-gold pour. 

Thick, 2 finger, fluffy head. Smells

 of milk chocolate, and expresso. Taste

 included cocoa and expresso, with

 maybe stone fruit in the background.

 Smooth and creamy thanks to the

 nitro, with a 'lil snap of a hop finish.

 Rated a B+.

Sunset Marina Sentinels, 7/22/2022.

River Of Glass, session notes from the Rogue.

Stress relieved. Shell Gut, 7/6/2022.

 

     Early July. Early summer. Home from work. Need to take the edge off. Slash the stress. Add to it cluster headaches (a form of migraine)- been startin' gettin a few. Hot temps, high humidity, high pressure system, and low winds converged as they do this time of year and thus had the summer flatties occurring up and down Delmarva's wedge of the Atlantic. Also left glassy conditions on the St. Martin. Pulled out the Jimmy Styx. First SUP sesh of the season. Launched from DP's dock. Headed starboard towards a small island off of Teal Bay inlet. Sorta a local bird sanctuary. Found out quick. At first I was stoked at the caws of the Terns and Black Skimmers as they crisscrossed the tiny islet. However, as I began to circle the sea grass mass, the bird calls developed an urgency in their tone. Like a well trained fighter squadron, formations developed as they broke off one at a time to swoop in low warning me away from their domain. No, it did not stop me. Did force a little more focus on my balance as I continued around. Swinging back towards whence I came, the blitz eased off. Trek through the evening glass was an easy one. Headed towards a crab pot marker. Across to the no wake buoy. Quick detour down Moonshell Canal. Turned back to avoid incoming boat traffic. Back to the dock. Done. 

     Brew for the evening. Definitely one for the close of the night. Bell's Brewery. Had their Oberon. Great summer beer. UberOn? Different kind of animule. And yes... one too many of these and the mules potentially come out. 11.3% ABV. That's right. A summer kicker (vs. winter warmer). Bourbon Barrel aged Wheat Ale. Bit of a boozy taste...and feel. Scents of bourbon and a touch of honey. Flavors of dark fruit, oranges, maple, and grains. Poured a clear orange with a fast dissipating white head. Thin lacing with each sip. Warming, maybe a little calming, with carbonation that faded in the finish. Rated a B+.  

"I went on a diet, swore off drinking
and heavy eating, and in fourteen
days I lost two weeks." -Joe E. Lewis

     

More. I Need More, session notes from the Rogue.

"Surfing was an easy hookup, even before I got my own surfboard. It was undeniable.
Just watching it, I could see surfers were having a great time." -Gerry Lopez
Slicing a thin line from the slim line. 66th and Holiday's, 7/1/2022.

     Sesh number two. An evening that featured 5+ mph on-shore winds, that led to broken, sectioning swell. Water still hangin' around 70F. Sets seemed to alternate between chop and semi-clean thigh highs. Got frustrating at times. But, get a ride- forget the bad set, thus I wanted another. Conditions were not always cooperative. Regardless, when it comes to waves, quantity improves your quality. In short, need to increase water time. A few right slices, one half-a$$ed left. Got wet. Got stoke. Wanted, no, needed more.

   Pleasant evening. Aforementioned on-shore winds led us over to the bayside and Macky's. Couple of cold drafts, a frozen daiquiri, jerk chicken, broiled Salmon and a Mahi salad. But the head turner was the Scallops Dynamite. Scallops on the half shell with crab imperial. Money. Great finish to the session.

54th & Bayside, 7/1/2022.

When the world's gone

crazy, man, it all makes

sense.

Sittin' here, drinkin' beer,

talkin' God, Amen.

-Chase Rice

     The brew to close the experience. Delaware's Dogfish Head Brewing. A fruit ale. Mandarin & Mango Crush. Like the post crash of the set ya passed up, this exploded with notes of tart mandarin, orange citrus, and tropical sweetness. Poured a hazy, pale orange with a thin off-white head. Flavors exhibited more of mandarin oranges with a mango sidecar, and a malty yang closeout. Taste not as strong as the aromas. Solid at 6% ABV. Not overwhelming. 10 IBUs gave that crisp finish that clearly separated the Crush from a sour. Need more. Rated a B/B+.