Season Finale's Siren Song, cuts from the Rogue's notes.

"Named must your fear be before banish it you can." -Yoda
Chest-plus swell calling from beyond. Trolling the Inlet's south jetty border, 11/5/2022.

     Last cruise on the bay. Burning up the gas before shut down, literally, for the winter. Can't help but feel that pull to stay on the water. The smell of salt, pine tar, and boat fuel in the air. The sound of the waves crashing on the horizon, wake slapping against the sides of the boat.  Right Coast's siren song. Fear that this is the last of our water-time. Ocean and surrounding tributaries getting colder (60s), yet a clear day in the lower 70's. Did a few drifts in the bay. Trolled the inlet. Ran into neighbor DP and his wife on one of those drifts. Also comin' up dry. Decided to hit up Harborside for a late day lunch/early supper. Fish weren't bitin', but the beer was cold. Zipped back out to the inlet for a few more casts whilst admiring the North Assateague break. Classic finish to a stoke filled boat sesh on the water.

Full lot...seafood's a waitin'.

 

    

     Beers that stand up to the end. BJ's Brewhouse offered a semi-sweet, very hazy IPA. Zany Zitrus. Refreshing after a mellow day on the bay. Cloudy, golden orange color with a finger or so white head. Strong hops and citrus in the nose. Grapefruit, oranges, and lemon in the flavor profile. 50 IBUs come out strong with each sip. A real hard hitter at 7.4% ABV. A dangerous A- rating.

    Not been huge on porters. Found one that won me over. A real warmer after a cool night washing the last of the season's salt off the boat. Flying Dog's Gonzo Imperial Porter. Black as night pour with a 2-finger, dense, fizzy head. Very aromatic layers of molasses, coffee, and roasted malts. Sweet, rich toffee, chocolate, and espresso in the taste. Smooth and silky feel with each sip. Packed 85 IBUs of well balanced bitterness on the back end. Speaking of packin', at 10% ABV this might have doubled for extra fuel had we run dry. "Bold and forceful." Like the gonzo beer that it is. Excellent porter. Gave an A+ rating.

Ride home... throttle wide open. St. Martin straightaway, 11/5/2022.

Limited Visibility, cuts from the Rogue's notes.

 

"You can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start, you will." -Stephen King
Enter the mist, Halloween morning on the St. Martin. 10/31/2022

     All Hallows Eve. Appropriately fogged in AM start to a Monday. Limited visibility at month's end. One might think such timing and conditions would distract the ghouls. Not. The fog burned off. October humid, wet, chill in the air. Yet, Berlin streets just as crowded. Much of the time a crushing (packed) Trick or Treat fest. Enjoyed it. Stoked to see all the little monsters running from door to door. Our own Superhero Granddaughter threading her way through the waves of candy crushers like a pro. Wrapped up with dinner at the Sterling Tavern. And multiple brews reviewed. Boo!

A locale Fest Bier. Burley Oak's

O.C.Toberfest. Aromas of toasted

bread. Malts. Light yams. Yes! 

Malty sweetness, and more light

yam in the taste. Copper pour with

fizzy, white, finger or so head. 

Toasty, biscuity, light hop finish.

 5.5% ABV. 17 IBUs. Excellent

Marzen. Rated an A-.

Super Star!

5. Or the Strong Ale formerly

known as Five. Brewed by Green

Bay's Copper State,  Old Fashioned

 Ale has the notes of vanilla, and 

caramel after aging in Cognac 

barrels. Also cherries and citrus.

Tasted of said cherries, oranges 

and sweet malt. 11% ABV made for 

a warming sipper. Maybe 30 IBUs. 

Very smooth. Gave an A Rating. 

Baltimore's Heavy Seas provided
Oktoberfest Lager. Toasted malts
and floral hops in the aromas. Toffee
and sweet caramel in the flavor profile.
Dry, lightly bitter (15 IBUs) finish.
5.4% made for sessionable drinking.
Not epic, but a fair Fest brew. C+ Rating.

Visibility restored. Clear, clean, and sunny; hope for a smooth ride. Malibu Beach, 11/1/2022.