The Last Dance

I have discovered it hard to say goodbye to the vehicles I have owned. This is due to the relationship I form with each one. Some have been one-way relationships where I asked and received much more of and from them, than they ever asked of me.

In others I have found myself the codependent in the relationship, pouring more and more money and oil into them, hoping upon hope that just one more fix would make everything OK, but in the end, I was only the enabler of their dysfunctional behavior.

The relationship I had with my 2003 Explorer was a good one overall and lasted 5.5 years and 188,000 miles.

The pairing started out great--we met on my birthday and had a few blissfully transcendent weeks together. The honeymoon ended quickly though when an unruly junkyard dog of a rear differential chewed through its speed sensor and got out, causing erroneous ABS application. Little did I know at the time, but just replacing the chain wasn't gonna soothe this raging beast--this dog was hungry as hell and soon broke the chain again and started howling not just at the moon but whenever I took it out for a walk. I ended up having to give that dog away and replaced it with another from eBay. This one's temperament was just right and continues to faithfully do its job to this day.

This being my first 4 by 4 relationship, I guess I never realized just how high maintenance she'd be. For example, the front wheel bearings on `er have been replaced a number of times. Seems like she gets tired of `em every fifty thousand dances or so. The first time, I had `em professionally replaced but thereafter I did it myself. I thought I could do a better job of taking care of her.

And oh does she love shoes! And ankle bracelets too! I won't even go into how many pairs she's gone through.

Now, she didn't like surgery much (or was it me procrastinating due to the amount of pain she'd have to endure), and resisted it even when under the knife. Her bones were strong as steel--I should know I spent two hours once amputating the bolt connecting a shock to the lower control arm. But in the end, she had new shocks and thanked me for it by acting like a young colt let to frolic in the pasture for the first time.

I neglected her at times and took her for granted. I'm not thrilled by that. I thought that I could make it up to her by giving her fresh oil and flowers. But she always forgave and accepted my attention.

On Thursday, I had one last dance with her, 781 miles worth, to Savannah to turn her over to L. I had promised her her, if she did well at school and she has beyond my expectations. She's well deserving.

Craft Beer Hegemony--not like Bud

Wouldn't you say that the macro beers have influenced us beer drinkers for years, by getting the majority of tap handles, prime shelf space, getting into all the distributors, and being able to afford the prime Super Bowl spots?

This has had a direct influence over what we've come to drink, and aligned the playing field such that the craft beers have had to pick up the crumbs of what is left, being forced into smaller venues, slower uptake, retarded adoption, and low revenues.

Further, I think there has always been a copy-cat approach used by the macros--when the big guy came out with a light beer, everyone else dimly followed.

But do you really see this in craft beer? Do you think that anyone making craft beer is at all influenced by these behemoths in terms of beer quality or business model? I don't think so, and in fact I can't even think of one craft brewer trying to influence the craft beer industry in anything but positive ways. That is, being adventurous and creative in what the produce, pushing the envelope, and letting the consumer joy in the results.

You might say that some of the big craft brewers do and have had some influence over the smaller. But this is mostly in pushing the bounds of what's possible in the creative endeavor of brewing and not dominating what is sold in a particular market.

I think of this as the true democratization of beer which might even serve as an example of what we should all be striving for in work and life.

Beer Safes for Sale?

With safecracker-safe safe sales sailing higher these days, I wonder if there are beer safes that provide both climate control and beer bandit protection? Hmmmmm.

Belly Ready Stimulus Spending Ideas

Some states are asking their residents for ideas on spending the stimulus largess. I like this idea:

One Virginia resident proposed a "shovel-ready" idea to lift small business development by giving a six-pack of locally brewed beer to every adult in the state. The cost would be $48.6 million with the assumption that the beer's price would average $7.99.

Vegas

I was surprised a little to see how little the recession has effected gambling. The casinos were all very busy, especially in the evenings. I don't have anything to compare this against however, not having been there at any height of irrational exuberance--for example, at the height of the dot-com bubble.

The average age of gamblers seemed to be in the 30s as opposed to Mohegan Sun/Atlantic City where it's probably 55 to 60. This could have more to do with the lower median age of people out west compared to those in the northeastern U.S., than with younger people having more disposable income to play with. But it could be due to the younger generations having more of the psychological yearning to hit it big in one shot without having to work for it--the gold-digger mentality of those in California and Nevada, if you will.

Almost every casino and the city itself subscribes to the notion of making getting around and away from a casino very difficult. What with the only way to get across the street, sometimes requiring crossing three streets (and three opportunities to go into three other casinos along the way); with casinos internally designed like a rat maze of gaming areas; and casino signage that varies greatly in quality making the New York subway signage look good.

There are bargains to be had. In hotel rooms--they are probably subsidized to a certain degree by the associated gaming in the casino. Restaurants--lots of deals advertised, where you can get a complete dinner for 10 bucks or so.

I'm always struck by being able to drink a beer as you walk around. I'm not sure we need more places that allow this, though.

Aside from gambling and nightlife (and great places to have a brew), there's a lot today within a quarter-day drive of the city. There's the Valley of Fire State Park and Lake Mead to the northeast that can be driven through, hiked, and has some great rock formations and indian petroglyphs. There's the Hoover Dam which is some engineering achievement and turns out to be a fine example of Art Deco architecture. And of course there's the desert and Death Valley which can also be hiked and/or driven through. Based on the waterline of Lake Mead and at the Hoover Dam (behind Lake Mead), they're going through a drought out there. The waterline behind the Hoover Dam was a good 50 feet below the rim of the dam.

Important Life Contemplations

As he stood on the scape, was he contemplating life, or just whether to go that way to find the next great beer?

Bottling of the New Prez I.P.A. complete

I just finished bottling the commemorative, celebratory, paean, which I've been calling the New Prez I.P.A.

This one is loaded with hops including Simcoe®, Cascade, and Amarillo. Dry-hopped with homegrown whole Cascade hops, Amarillo, and more Simcoe®.

In a week or two it should be ready for alpha trial. Beta to follow a couple weeks after that.

This brew is one for the ages--I can just feel it.

Weekend in Vegas

Just got back from a weekend in Vegas. Yeah baby! We hit a lot of beer bars/microbreweries/draft houses and I'm here to tell you each and every one was great. Vegas is a great town for beer and don't let anyone else make you think otherwise. And you can reach most via a short crawl of the Strip. That's S holding some salt from the floor of Death Valley which she used to rim a Margarita....

In no particular order:

Pour 24--just inside the New York New York casino (a short campaign from the Excalibur via walkway), and next to Coyote Ugly. A very good looking rectangular bar overlooking the game floor, and if you can take your eyes off the coyote babes skulking around long enough to have a look at the beer menu, you'll see where it gets it's name as it boasts at least 24 bottles and 24 beers on draught. I had a hard time deciding on one, as many varied styles were represented (someone obviously thought about great beers when building this menu), but I ended up with Big Sky I.P.A. from the Big Sky Brewing Company out of Missoula Montana. I had never tried this one before and it kicks in with just the right amount of hops to keep things interesting but not too much to blow the sucker--call it a hop firecracker. A great place to hit before or after you hit it big downstairs.

Chicago Brewing Company--an oasis if you have a car and want to get away from the Strip. This large place is sitting in one of those suburban shopping complexes that require you to act like a rat in a maze to get in and out of. They have vid poker right at your stool and they make a mean I.P.A. too. Play and the drinks are on the house. Lots of their own beers on draught, but decided on the Hardway I.P.A. which made losing 20 bucks really easy. Oh. I took this picture as I back-crawled back to the car.

Big Dog's Draft House-- Another great microbrewery/bar/casino to visit if you have transpo. This is the cheeseheads paradise for all of Las Vegas as evidenced by the Packers memorabilia scattered around the place. They serve snacks in of course, dog dishes, and the tap handles are what else: fire hydrants. Open 24/7 with video poker right at your stool. As this is Vegas, after all, I had the Dirty Dog I.P.A. which was excellent. A medium hoppy nose and taste. Take my woof for it: the slots are as loose as a pooch and this is the place to go if you want to have fun with the big dogs.

Tenaya Creek Brewery--another oasis requiring caravan by car to get to. Being away from it all ensures that you won't be bothered by any babe-trading-card flicking hucksters like you're want to be if you stick like a fly to that ribbon of asphalt they call the Strip. Great looking, high-ceilinged, U-shaped granite bar, making and serving some great beers. I was swept away by the Monsoon I.P.A. served in a chalice. Can you tell I like I.P.A.s? Poker at the bar, pool tables and brewery in the back. Picked up a copy of the sister-ship to the Mid-Atlantic brewing news: the Southwest Brewing News. So that gives you an idea of the vibe of the place. They know, make, and love great beer.

Ellis Island Casino and Brewing Company--one block behind Bally's you'll find a place where you can get cheap beer and a steak dinner for $6.99, which really can't be beat. Every tap sported a handle screaming EIB and I had a hard time picking between the Hefe and the Amber Ale. But EIB Amber Ale it was and what a great choice that turned out to be. A very clean, balanced ale that made me think I was a lager drinker. Red tufted, naugahyde booths in the dim taproom reminded me of Frank Sinatra in a Vegas-kinda way.

Freakin' Frog--Freaking dark college beer joint is what this is, next to a hydroponic gardening shop. Ehh? Reminds me of the Rathskeller in State College. This place is a longish but not overbearing walk from the Strip near the UNLV campus with a Whisky (or is it Whiskey) school upstairs (for when you're too hungover to attend real classes) and where the professor teaches spirits and beer school. Here they had some nice imports on draught but as this was one of the first places we hit, I wanted to stay local, so I picked the Tenaya Creek Winter Seasonal which was a nice, spicy treat. Of course, winter in Vegas is more like October in NEPA, so I was a bit flavor confused, but it was great anyway. A nice dark ale with a nice malt kick to the forehead. Kick it!

Crown and Anchor--Roit! This place is a trip back to that quaint place they call England, old chap--old wood bar and exposed timber framing. Rugby and Football on the big screen, and 30 mostly imported beers on the big back wall. I had a Tetley Ale here from the tap which was good in a very English kind of 3.5% way if you know what I mean. (Is it just me or are all their beers session beers under 4% ??? Can you say: lightweights?) S sort-of enjoyed a Pilsner Urqell--which was the first time for her. No amount of forearm scratching, lunatic raving by me could convince her it was a great beer and that she'd like it. To each their own, I guess. A London cab sits out front for an imaginary ride home if you've had too much.

Barley's Casino and Brewing Company--Ahh, our first stop. We were on the way back from the Valley of Fire State Park where we had fired up an awful thirst so this place fit the bill perfectly. (It does require some ground transportation to get to as it's not in Vegas but Henderson.) This is a brewery/casino. Sheesh! Does it get any better than casinos and beer? No I.P.A. on draught right now, so opted for the Boulder Gold Hefeweizen over the Doppelbock. Hard choice but it turned out well as the Hefe hit all the right banana and clove notes on my sense piano. Had some pizza from their flame-fired oven which was good. The pieces were thick, wedgy, and gooey with cheese, and unlike what I'm used to in NEPA pizza. Was this Chicago style? Anyway, great with the beer.

Monte Carlo Pub and Brewery--tried to get in here at 9 (a.m. that is) to try one of their brews but they were closed. And I thought Vegas never slept! Did manage to get in later that night when, much to our dismay we discovered they no longer make their own beer. Nonplussed, we ran around in circles for a while trying to decide whether to stay or go but decided to stay and choose something from their small draught selection. I chose the Sin City Stout from the Sin City Brewing Company which was a nice change of pace from all the I.P.A.s I had been quaffing. It was a clean tasting, nippy not biting version with a subtle tinge of coffee.

Hits
Big Dog's Draft House--beer, vibe, and 24/7 service makes this a must.
Tenaya Creek Brewery--another great microbrewery with a nice bar and pool--mid-scale in the luxe factor making it a great date place.

Misses
We missed Gordon Biersch which is east of the Strip, one or two blocks over, near Flamingo street on Paradise. Next time.... Also missed BJ's, the Yard House south end of the strip with a colossal 160 taps, and Triple 7 downtown (take the bus to get to this one if you don't have a car).

Hey, great idea, let's have a month dedicated to Strong Beer

Just happened upon this cool idea for a month (February) dedicated to strong beer. The triple I.P.A. looks deadly. Strong Beer Month.

Bacon Explosion and Beer--Steelers Super Bowl Party Time

As you may know, I have an intense love of bacon and beer.

What sort of beer do you think would go good with the Bacon Explosion. I'm thinking I.P.A. The more imperial the better.

Peevish or Not, you decide

Is it too peevish to expect beer bottles at least rinsed before returning? Put another way, I've found chicken feathers, peat moss, chaw, corn, and pancakes at the terminus of bottles. Is this too much to ask?

Reminiscing about the Mojave Desert

I was just thinking about my last (and first and only) visit to the Mojave desert, just about this time of year in 1980. How long was I there? Hmmmm, six weeks? No, too long; but at least four weeks. Gallant Eagle `80 it was. 121st signal battalion, the Big Red One, First Infantry Division.

You know, the desert is a place you gotta experience if you have the chance. The scale of it is so hard to gauge on first experience that it's just amazing. Looking out across the floor of a valley between two mountains, it's so easy to think that the distant mountain is only two or three miles away, when in fact it's 20. While there, me and a buddy were at a point where we could see the Goldstone observatory to the west and at a lower elevation than we were, and we decided to hike closer to get a better look. Well, 1/2 hour of fast hiking later brought us no closer to it than when we started.

Also, dispel any preconceptions you may have of the desert being dry and parched. Down on the floor it can be 80 during the day, but up on a 5000 foot mountain, you're liable to get snow. At least in January.

I remember just coming in to town and this is where I learned of Bon Scott's death--saw it on the front page of a local paper. May he R.I.P.

After concluding the games, and cleaning and loading our equipment onto train cars (yes, flatbed train cars) for the trip back to Kansas, we had some time to waste as we waited for our stick to go out. Our first sergeant told us not to get into any trouble and warned us that there would be hell to pay if we found some. Well, being 19 and full of piss and vinegar, sure `nuff we made our way over to the PX and found some in the form of two grocery bags of good vinegar and other spirits. We proceeded to spend the afternoon in the barracks squirreled away in a corner with the wall lockers encircling us like the Great Wall, drinking and playing Spades.

You know, things couldn't get much better than this, right?

They did.

Here comes the first sergeant, striding cockily, short, with something to prove, regulation moustache not lower than or past the edge of the upper lip, making his rounds to check on things, and he finds us holed up in the back. Standing over us, he takes one look at us sitting down low on our duffle bags, then at the cards, and then at the bottles which we weren't fast enough to spirit away. And then, like Moses himself come forward to the 20th century, down from the Mountain, the sunlight forming a halo behind him, he picks up the bottles, looks at the labels, shouts: ``I told you guys no drinking!'' raises them over his head and in one swift motion smashes them to floor where they shatter into a hundred pieces. We were speechless. ``You guys just earned yourself the last stick back to Kansas after you load all the gear onto pallets and then all the pallets onto the planes.'' And we had to do just that before we could step onto and sit down on a plane and go back.

But it was worth it.

1.020!

Road Trip

Will be embeerking on a road trip today if the weather cooperates to try as many beer bars as I can before Sunday night.