In The Flats, cuts from the Rogue's notes.

"Force yourself to stop looking backward and dwelling on the...'train wreck' you've just been in. It's mental quicksand. -Bill Walsh
Life in the flats. Assateague public access, 1/28/2023.

     The Flats. Ten yards to the right or left from the line of scrimmage. As a running back, spent some time there playing college ball. Head on a swivel. Don't wanna get blindsided. Surfing... have spent time there right past the break. Not so cool. Tough to scratch that next ride when the swell ain't cooperatin'. In both cases- can be a fight. This past weekend... very representin'. There's a reason why no-one's in the water. Poor conditions, Even for Assateague. Flats were just that- flat. Water's in the 40s. That contributes. Nuthin' worse than sittin' in the cold Atlantic waitin' for a swell that ever comes. Like waitin' for a pass that never comes. Watchin' all the action on the opposite side. 'Cept that never happens in the water. You're either in position or you're not. No worries. We got Sinepuxant Brewing. 

     The go-to brewery. Wanna relax? Get over the small surf blues? The Rt. 611 brewery. New brewer. Expanded selection. Couldn't go wrong. Didn't matter that we didn't even see any horses out 'n about. Or, that the water was still so cold. Still had the sunset. And beer. Fan the Flames. A 4.8% ABV Black Lager. Notes of roasted coffee and caramel in the smell. More caramel, some cocoa, with a nice balance of hops (est. 30 IBUs) in taste after taste. Blackish-brown in the pour. Beige, finger-plus head. Not a big beer, but one of my favorites outta Sin-Brew. Very quaffable. An easily downed crowler. Rated an A.

"The best beer experience
comes out of a tap."
-Beer, The Ultimate Guide

   Since we've been in the season of darkness, and dark brews, and thinkin' 'bout that next surf op. Brooklyn Brewery. Black Ops... Barrel Aged Stout. Black, opaque appearance. Thin mocha-tan head. Oily, viscous feel in each sip. Aromas of bourbon. Scotch even. Roasted malts. Vanilla and expresso. Oak more pronounced in the taste...which I liked. At 12.4% ABV so was the Four Roses bourbon and scotch...beggin' to do some damage. More vanilla and burnt coffee. Dark fruit. Cherries or raisins maybe. Smooth and warm going down. The 70 IBUs of hop bitterness provided a nice balanced kick in the finish. Another A rating.

"De Morte Est Vita," cuts from the Rogue's notes.

Chilly breezes and an empty waterway. Start of a new year on the St. Martin, 1/5/2023.

      And so it begins. Dawn of the dead? More like dawn of life! Hopes and resolutions of a new year. Thanks to the patience of my Wife. Finally got two of our kids to put aside their differences and get together with the all the grandkids. That in itself was a resolution achieved. Spend more time with them. Family is our focus. But appreciation can sometimes slip. Focus. Back to the gym with some level of consistency (Daughter's wedding comin' up helps to motivate). More time in the surf. Walkin' the pooch one morning, couldn't help but to notice all the bare trees. No color. Chilled breeze off the water further emphasized the surroundings. Keep the notion in front..."de morte est vita." From death comes life. Of course... beer helps it along. 

     Warrenville, IL's Two Brothers sent a warmer to ward off those breezes. Northwind Imperial Stout. Jet black body with a foamy, finger thick, light brown head. Viscous with thin brown lacing. Wafted layers of charred oak, anise, and coffee in the aroma. Very sooth going down with flavors of bitter dark chocolate, molasses, hints of bourbon, and toasted malt. Boozy, but not too much. The oak barrel aging brought the expected big beer ABV of 9.1%. So had to take care with this one. Especially from a sixer. The balance of the hops at 45 IBUs made this a winner warmer. Rated an A.

"When you drank the world

was still out there, but for

the moment it didn't have

you by the throat."

-Charles Bukowski