Packed House, cuts from the Rogue's notes.

"All quiet along the Potomac" - George McClellan
Quiet explosion of cherry blossoms along Monument Path, Washington, D.C. 3/18/2023

      D.C. As for driving it? Not for the feint of heart! Add a hit of the Cherry Blossom Festival, another swig of St. Paddy's Day and the Wife and I were well on our way to some Capital masochism. A day of traffic madness. Illegal parking. Yet... still saw the sights. The Potomac. The memorials. The blossoms. The stadiums. The breweries. Had some beer. Some wings. Some Georgetown cupcakes. Unnerving at times. But sunny skies and warm breezes kept up our encouragement. Always in search for that next parking space. Carving up the Federal avenues, and alleys. Soon to leave in the sunset of the rear view. Headed back East. A turn homeward just before the dead-ending of the beach.

WWII Atlantic-Pacific Theater Memorial.

     En route to Washington, picked up a sixer of Port City Brewing's Monumental IPA. Unfiltered. Hazy amber color. Less than finger thick, foamy eggshell head. Fast dissipating lace. Heavy waft of black tea and malts. Some floral hops. Bready flavor. Included pine and grass. Sweet, toasted malt. Tangerine surrounded it all, pulling into a nice citrus finish backed up by 57 IBUs of sharp, yet refreshing hop bite. 6.7% alcohol makes for a strong sipper. Rated a B/B+.

   In town. Washington Navy Yard- Bluejacket Brewery. Grabbed a few appetizers. A flight (plus) of course. Have to say the brewpub space and brewery were spectacular. The service... very impersonal. added their app on your cell, and ordered from that. Then a server showed up with the goods. No questions asked, nor was their an opportunity to ask. Recommendations? Substitutions? Options? Forget it. No one to answer. Beer? Pretty good. And a varied selection.

Before leaving, picked up a 4-pack of Full Fathom Five. Will admit- the can design got me. Double NEIPA with a potent 8% ABV. Very cloudy, dark gold pour. Thin frothy off-white head. Sticky lace. Big aromas of pineapple, orange peel, and ripening mango. Lots of sweet tropical fruit in the taste- grapefruit, guava, mango, orange. Hoppy pine resin. Balancing malt. Big 60 IBU closeout of grapefruit bitterness after every swig. Rated an A-.

"Full fathom five the widow lies,"
-Victor Rawlings/Reese
Hawaii Five-O Ep.2, 1968

Seein' Green, cuts from the Rogue's notes.

 

Blue-green and clean chesties. Holiday's at 67th on the OC, 3/5/2023. -M. Condon pic.

    Finally seein' green again. Spring is on the horizon. A week ago, water near 50F. Some decent swell for the core few and blue (if out too long). Green glass rolling in with offshores outta the West, Southwest. But with cloudy skies, and nor'east winds knocking down and chopping up the Atlantic during the weekend, what's left? More green. St. Patrick's on the beach. Parade time. Local clubs, marching bands, and businesses ripped up Ocean Highway for the 41st time since 1980 (cancelled in 20 & 21). Plenty of corned beef, sauerkraut, and beer to supplement. Plenty of stoke to go 'round in spite of the weather.

The Jolly Rodger skimming by a sea of green and the grandstands. 45th St., 3/11/2023.

     Red Ale. What else would the Irish expect for an emerald celebration? Kinda like brown ales. I've had ta git used to 'em. Conway's Irish Ale after Pa Conway, the Grand Patriarch of Great Lakes Brewing. Poured a bright red-amber with about a finger of light beige fizzy head. Thin lacing. Big aromas of malt, caramel, and toffee. Tasted of baked bread, more toasted malts, and the sweetness of toffee and caramel came out. Light fruity hop bitterness (25 IBUs) in the background that extended into the finish. The 6.3% alcohol level packed a deceptive punch. Lit up the sights, sounds, and foods of the celebration. Rated a B+. Impressive for a Red Ale. Slainte!

"You're not in America now,
you're in Ireland. So have a
drink and shut up!"
-Matthew Goode