Should'a, Would'a, Could'a, the Rogue's notes.

Sweet! 34th Street Break, 10/28/2023.

The wave peaks earlier than I anticipate.
Fear of plunging to my death I pull back…
watching a left roll toward the beach as I sit
slightly too far back on my board. In such
self defeat, I flop off my board.
Only to stand up in waist deep water.
-D Mark

     OCToberfest weekend. OC's annual fall beer festival. Great time. But, walkin' up to the beach prior to dinner reservations. No Bueno. Slap upside the head as to what was missed. The effects of former Hurricane, now Tropical Storm Tammy. Considering the season had-  should'a been there with waist to neck high waves. Nippy. Rubber would'a been involved. Clean, with the occasional tubular A-Frames. Could'a been sliced. Yet. Never take for granted what you already have. Appreciate. Friends. Food. Beer. Good times. Plenty of stoke today!

OCToberfest 2023.

    The beer. A Delmarva local collaborative effort between Chincoteague's Black Narrows Brewing, Rocket Frog Brewing, and Atlantic Shoals Surf Shop. Atlantic Shoals Hazy IPA. Poured a cloudy straw yellow... the light pour being kinda a Black Narrows trademark. Deceiving with a 6.5 ABV, though it was smooth and light tasting. Estimated at about 40 IBUs. Aromas of citrus, grains, and pineapple. Tasted of more pineapple, lemons, grapefruit, and guava. The hop finish was very smooth, not overpoweringly bitter. Not a powerhouse, but a definite repeater. Rated a B+.

Squashin' It, the Rogue's notes.

Southern cookin'. Clean rollers heating up further south and further out.
7th St. & Malibu Beach, 10/1/2023. -L. Gerachis pic

     The cooler days and nights serve as a reminder of Autumn's tightening grip on the Shore. Water has slipped consistently into the 60's. Recent rains haven't helped. Sands- with time, have been shifting, moving the break further out. Need to take the time to find that wave. My time is waning. 

     But- not for pumpkins. Annual hunt. Wife. Granddaughter, Pooch. Yep- 3rd year to Parson's in Dagsboro, DE. Plenty to choose, Plenty to eat. Plenty to do. Success. Again. Squashed it! Only with Family.

Crowded line-up!

     Celebrated with a couple more Fall beers. Burlington Beer Company's Good Company. Munich style Fest bier. Poured a bright copper-gold. Finger thick, white head with tons of lacing with each swig.  Light malts, grassiness, maybe apple in the nose. Flavors of fruit and grains, toasted malt and a hint of caramel. Not sweet at all. At 15 IBUs, just a slight English bitterness to the finish. 5.5% ABV means, "go ahead, have another!" B grader. Tis the season.

     Next Pumpkin Ale up. The Other One Brewing. The newest OC brewery. Former Backshore brewer, Nate brought on The PumpkiNATE-R. 15lbs. of pumpkin puree. Smelled like pumpkin, allspice, nutmeg, sweet malts. Flavors of pumpkin pie, cinnamon, nutmeg. Dark amber pour. Frothy, beige head. 'Bout a finger. Favorite new pumpkin to this point. 6.3% ABV, 20 IBUs. My biggest issue...#4 of the 16oz. 4packer was flat. Threw it a B+/A- rating. Cheers to the Autumn brews!

"Save your candy, I'll take the pumpkin
brews." -Anon.