Top of the Hops

Just an update on the status of our Hop garden. J planted six rhizomes in early April. The Cascade have plentiful cones and are about ready to harvest. These were from the giant oversize rhizomes and I'm impressed that they produced this well the first year. I expect that I'll get enough for at least one batch. The others, the Fuggle and the Willamette varieties only have a few small cones--these were from the normal sized rhizomes and I expect that next year they'll produce better.

Scranton by way of Cleveland

This past weekend we loaded the family truckster, pointed it west on I-80, stabbed the thruster, and set a course for the Cleveland area to the annual family reunion. My sister C and her husband P were hosting the reunion this year and C put me in charge of Beer. It's a burden, I know. But, not really certain of the availability of beer by-the-keg, in Ohio, I decided to purchase a sixtel here, load it in a cooler with ice, and transport it, and my Beer Meister, the 300 miles. Side-note: a standard single 1/2-keg beer meister just fits into the back of an explorer, if you lay it on its side, and swing the narrow backseat forward to allow the tower to protrude forward.


My beer choice, as always for me, was an adventure of the highest order and excitement level. (See how just the littlest things amuse me?) In the end, I decided on a sixtel of Weyerbacher Hops Infusion. As many of you know and some may not, this is a very approachable beer that has an excellent hop aroma and unmistakable hop flavor that makes its presence known, unlike as I've heard described elsewhere: ``those insipid lagers'' , but not overwhelming. I figured that for some this may be the first time they've tasted this sort of beer, and something too radical and maybe no one would drink it. My fears were unfounded and most if not all of the assembled clan enjoyed it. (The keg did not kick, but it almost did, and I transported it and my Beer Meister safely back to PA after the reunion--where I retapped it and continue to quaff large quantities from it.)


For some of us on the trip, this was our first encounter with Cleveland and we decided to do it in style and make a long weekend of it by leaving Friday morning. We arrived after lunch and immediately headed downtown to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As we approached the pyramidal monument that serves as the mecca for those that revel in things loud, melodic, and raucous, it was with eager anticipation that I wondered what this place would hold for us. I'm here to tell you that our visit was wonderful and well worth the $22 admission. The special exhibit of The Doors occupied the upper-most level, and I learned that back in the day, the Doors had played a concert at Susquehanna University which is not too far from here. It struck me how the artwork on album covers, posters, show-announcements and such embodied the prevailing spirit of the time in that sort of spacey, swirling, dazed but I won't say confused way, that many of the time no doubt felt. (Do I wist for times like those?) L liked the Rolling Stone exhibit as there were many examples one of her favorite authors, Hunter S. Thompson, and his major contribution to that seminal document of the Rock and Roll period. Of course there was the impressive staging and prop characters of The Wall that were used when Pink Floyd performed the album in its entirety only a few times. We concluded our visit by watching a 60-odd minute film-tribute to the past inductees. This is done in an imaginative and informative way that is able to document all the past winners, set to their music, in a collage-like fashion.


I could go on and on about other cool stuff at the Hall, but I won't, so you can experience, explore, and discover this treasure on your own. We only had four or so hours at the Hall, until it closed at 5: 30, so if you're planning on going, I would rather you have six to eight hours to fully appreciate and begin to absorb the enormity and scope of the place. It is easily worth every one of the 22 bucks entry.


Afterwards, we headed off to try to locate the Great Lakes Brewing Company for a meal and a chance to sample the liquid fare in their brewpub. Now, if you're not careful it's easy to miss the street--it's off of West 25th street, heading south, about a mile west from about mid-downtown. Hmmm, sounds impossible to find, doesn't it? Anyway, get the address, check a map, Google it, GPS it, etc. before you go. After missing the street as we traveled down 25th, we turned off 25th to go around the block and found the brewery one street north in the same block. It may be joined to the brewpub but I couldn't tell. We kept looking and driving and then located the court the second time by (McLean Court) and we began trolling and eventually caught and reeled in a free street parking spot around the corner and a block south. The place is located on a cobblestone, tree-lined street that holds other interesting looking places which we'll explore the next time we're in town. As we crossed the street, it was hard not to be enticed by the very nice outdoor al-fresco dining area, but we were informed by the hostess that there would be an hour wait for an outdoor table, but indoor tables were available immediately. I personally wanted to see the bar that I've drooled over in pictures, so we accepted an indoor table without a drop of hesitation.


We were seated in the tap room, at a table that was one of about six along the wall opposite the bar. It was about 6-ish on a Friday evening and the bar was crowded with an after-work bunch of office workers looking to blow off a little steam with a side benefit of blowing the head off a cold brew. The assembly included a guy there for his surprise 50th birthday party. I can only hope my 50th birthday party be held in such a place! Gazing around, it's hard to miss the bar and what a bar it is! It's hard not to be overwhelmed by the magnificent, dark, wooden, squat columns that bear arches that separate and frame mirrors over and dividing the back bar. The area of the columns are adorned with fleurs-de-lis-like emblems of the most involved symbolism of which their meaning I could not fathom. And this before I even tasted a single Brew!

Next time: what's Scranton about Cleveland.

Next stop. The Beer Stop!

The Beer Stop is located in Hazleton (or is it at the extreme edge of West Hazleton?) on Rte. 93 and when driving south, on the right hand side almost at the corner where Broad Street veers to the left in front the former Miners (now Citizens) Bank building. I knew of this place for a while, but only stopped in for the first time in February or March of this year, but I'm glad I finally did.

PA has some onerous laws that are slowly changing conerning where and how you can buy beer. The Beer Stop seems to be at the cutting edge of these changes.

This fine establishment connects with a convenience store across the parking lot from the former State Store and offers a wide variety of domestic and import beers that can be purchased by the six, the case, and/or mixed and matched in seemingly any number of bottles and cans greater than zero. I haven't tried to buy just one, but I did pick up three which is closer to one than six, so ein bier, lutfen, may work for you.

They advertise the largest selection of Latin beers around, which I can't vouch for. What I can attest to is the fine array of domestic craft beers. On my last visit I picked up a bottle of Troegs Trogenator, a bottle of Troegs PA Pale Ale, and a bottle of Troegs IPA. I would say that there have been at least 20-30 domestics and the same of imports available, by the bottle, on each of the three occasions I have gone in. Prices seem to be equivalent or a bit less than what you would pay at a bar, but you'd have to search far and wide to find a bar that carries these beers!

The Beer Stop pays me in beer to proffer this sort of advertising, so take this post with a sip of beer. In any event, if you're in the mood to try some new beers, this is the place to go. You will not be disappointed that you stopped at the Beer Stop.

Beer, Beer and Oh, did I mention more Beer?

One of the supremely joyful experiences I navigate through, in this thing I'll loosely call

my life

is visiting my friendly local beer distributor.

Can there really be anything better than the feeling of getting out of your car, your forehead coolly damp with a sweat that can only come from driving windows-down 13 miles in a Subaru with a blown head gasket--its AC long gone, walking through a 90 degree warehouse only to have to wait impatiently while the overhead garage door rolls up with a metallic grind-rumble and hum, slowly opening to reveal the escaping arctic-cool air instantly vaporizing against the encroaching heat, fogging your vision momentarily, and then tentatively striding through clear guard curtains, curtains meant to keep the badness out and the goodness in, and finally, ambling into a walk-in cooler to peruse the selection of beer kegs lined up like a regiment of R2D2 clones?

One Guy Brewing Reprise

I had a hanker'n for some good beer yesterday and since my beer meister is empty right now I knew I'd have to do something really creative to quench that awful wildfire of a thirst that you can only get when either fighting fires or bottling a batch of home-brew. So after pondering the situation, I decided to take a drive over to One Guy Brewery to see what was on tap and get a growler-to-go.

It dawned on me when I drifted off I80 onto 11, that perhaps One Guy wasn't open this early on a Saturday, at an hour closer to a shoot-out than a bullfight. I put that thought right out of my mind--the power of positive thinking getting the better of me. My raison d'etre was clear: satiate that thirst or else! I rolled up at about 1:30 and noticed that the weekend opening hours begin at 1. Phew, that was luck.

I sauntered into the cool tap room and slipped onto a stool next to an old-timer sipping on a Berwick Lager. After looking at the beer menu, I started to map my liquid plan. I'd start with the Pilsner, then move to the Hefeweizen, and leave the growler fill for the brainstorm that I knew would come after drinking good beer.

The shaker of Pilsner went down easy. A delightful beer, crystal-straw colored with just the right amount of hops taste and aroma. So that's what Saaz hops taste like! No sooner had I finished this gem, I asked for the large Hefeweizen. Large. In the weizen glass. Sans lemon. Prost! What a wonderfully different flavor experience from the Pilsner. Now Pilsner's are as accessible as a Starbucks in NYC, taste-wise, and a Hefe takes some getting used to, but WoW! This one transported me back to Frankfurt, circa 2005. What a fantastic summer beer. I'm here to tell you that this is one for the archives, friends. I dare say, you won't find a nicer Hefe this side of the pond.

After the Hefeweizen, my choice was clear. A growler of the Hefe to go, please, and make it quick the world's about to end.

I was just about to get up and take my liquid gold home, when the guy next to me, ordered the Christmas in July special and that offered that this treat was his second favorite to the Cinnamon Boldy. He convinced me with about 8.2% probability that I would not dislike this warmer and having missed the Cinnamon Boldy, the last time, I didn't want to make the same mistake twice. So I ordered a glass. Having aged for 10 months this marvel arrived a bright ruby red, with a nice aroma of gingerbread. Now, I'm not one for spiced beer, this one having been complemented with honey for sweetness, but there was no mistaking the power of this beast. A great warming reminder that in a few short months we'd be enjoying the Christmas season again.

I made my way home, in reverse, having put out that fire and reminding myself to go back again soon for another visit.

Hey, Tazio! What's in the Beermeister?

Is it `meister or `miser?--always wondered about that...

On Saturday, with the weather decidedly proclaiming that Winter had been left behind at last, I loaded up my beer wagon and carted my two empty sixtels back to my favorite distributor, Weyerbacher Winter Ale and Blue Moon may ye rest in peace, it's been nice knowing ye, and replaced them with Sam Adams Summer Ale (one for the ladies) and Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA. I was pleasantly surprised to see the IPA and leaped (ok, white guys can't jump, let's say I hopped) at the chance to try it. For the other, I was initially attracted to the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat. I like the Cherry What myself but it's not been a beer that I've seen everyone taking a liking to in the past, even with only the hint of cherries, so I avoided it and settled for the Summer. I usually try for one keg destined for easy drinking and one for a treat and/or special occasions like a new day.

I knew that in general prices have been going up, but wow was I in for sticker shock this time. Discounting the $30 per keg deposit (thanks scrap bootleggers!), my total came to $182! Surely grounds for griping and grumping but since it's for a tall cool one aka good cause, I'll forgo that for now in deference to beer.

Brought them home and, salivating salaciously, regretfully stored them in the miser until I had a chance to tap them which arrived on the day of rest and relaxation. Before tapping, I took the opportunity to clean my beer lines and taps as I am want to do on these occasions. Note to self: one supply tap gasket going, gotta get a replacement at Beer Solutions next time... Another note to self: devise a circulating beer line cleaning system with sanitary valves that can automate the whole process including cleaning, rinsing and drying, to make periodic cleaning much easier.

Then, the moments had arrived in which I would first draw samples of my Spring treats. The Sam Summer Ale I've had before and is close in taste to the Blue Moon. Hey, I like `em tasting like breakfast cereal--wait the Breakfast of Champions! Except not clear like Blue Moon or clear as a Summer day, in fact, more like a clear Spring day, but mighty fine golden color and smooth taste nonetheless. Not really that distinctive to my buds but a nice quencher if you know what I mean. I was really looking forward to the IPA as I had read about it in a NYT article on extreme beers I think it was, a few months ago. It pours with very little head an opaque apple-ciderish color with medium aroma of Hop and a hint of Apricots? Very nice hop taste, not overwhelming like Victory Hop Wallop or even Hop Devil, but somewhere in between and excellent nonetheless. Balanced malt flavor and not much Hop aftertaste. Oh, It's 9% abv. Thrilling!

Bottle AhhhhtWort

Did you ever notice how wonderfully varied and beautiful beer bottle artwork is? Have you taken the time to appreciate and delight in it or is it more important to crack that bottle open and indulge? Do you think it's just a marketing gimmick? I would like to suggest that the label is as important as what's in the bottle. It serves to give you a hint and sometimes a sledgehammer to the fored, about what to expect. For example, does the illustration portray an image of antiquity that means to evoke mental images of what beer may have tasted like long ago. Is the subject abstract, mysterious, and hard to pin down exactly what the artist had in mind when he rendered it? Perhaps this is indicative of a beer that's hard to pin down exactly what the brewer was trying to do. Does the image make no bones about what's inside? For example, Troegs Nugget Nectar shows a Hop cone having every last bit of Hop Goodness squeezed out of it. Is the illustration signed by the artist? I haven't seen this much and have to wonder exactly why not. This is pop art for the masses and art it still is, let there be no doubt. Tonight I savored an In-Heat Wheat from the Flying Dog Brewery. The illustration was created by Ralph Steadman in what looks to be a pen and ink. It portrays, well, I'll leave that up to your imagination.

Cool Beer Meister for light drinkers

Heineken and Krups of beer and coffee fame respectively, have Beer Teamed to bring a beer meister for the masses. It's called the BeerTender. It looks like it only works with the 5l Heineken DraughtKegs, and has an integrated refrigerator, LCD readout with temperature, a beer gauge that indicates when it's time for a refill, and some different temperature settings. See it Here. I like the idea of using it to dispense my homebrew.

How far we've come, yet how close we are...

You know, I miss my Babcia. She passed away oh, about 10 years ago, and I still think of her and the times we shared. I inherited a lot from her and it amazes just me how deep that goes. For example, my great-grandfather (her father) loved to build and a house he built still stands going out of Mocanaqua towards Glen Lyon. It's the house beside the diving bell--it's hard to miss--it's the one with the plumb walls and level roof.

I used to sit in awe of the stories she told about how she had to pay kids in grade school to tell her what the teacher was saying--she only knew Polish and no English. Tales about their family constantly moving to find work--Mocanaqua, Gary Indiana, Kentucky, back to Mocanaqua. I miss those recollections.

I inherited her love for travel--going with her on Greyhound to visit my Aunt Charlotte and Uncle George in Michigan. Taking the Greyhound from Shickshinny to Wilkes-Barre for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Flagging down and riding the Greyhound (again!) to Bloomsburg for the Fair, then coming home by myself on said bus (at the ripe old age of 8) after getting separated from her for what seemed like the Fair, a perennial occurrence.

I inherited something else from her too. We both brought and I continue to bring growlers of beer for our fathers. Can you believe it? I remember her telling me how after a hard day in the mines, her father would give her a nickle to go to the beer garden and bring back a bucket of beer. I would imagine he felt out of place there, probably only knowing Polish, and probably too dog-tired to go himself. But at the same time knowing that he needed a beer to relax after the tenseness of working underground all day. These days, I do the same thing. I, being fortunate enough to usually have a couple of beers on draught, usually fill a gallon sun tea jug for when I go see my Dad (except during Lent). Right now, he's building a house and a gallon of whatever I happen to have, goes a long way to cool the frazzled nerves.

I didn't know my great-grandfather but I think I'd have loved him. Just like my Dad.

Free Meal at a nice Bar and Grill

Who says there's no such thing as a free beer? I don't know of any--I usually just borrow it for a while until I drain the brain if you know what I mean. Well, in this case the beer's not free but the food is (almost). The Arena Bar and Grill at 380 Coal St. in Wilkes-Barre PA has an excellent beer menu and serves fairly good pub grub. If you go and sign up for mailings, they'll periodically send you a postcard that you can bring in to save $10.00 on your next meal. It's not valid after Penguin games. They have a lot of imports and domestic microbrews on tap--I would say at least 20--and they change pretty often. This placed used to be the lamentable Black Rock Brewing Company (Brewpub).

Oh. I don't have any financial interest in the Arena Bar and Grill. I just like it. Check it out.

Head Topping

What do you call it when you pour your favorite beer into a glass and the head tops the rim and overflows down the side? Is there a word for that event? Depending on your general outlook on things this could be viewed as a happy or unfortunate occurrence. Happy since that image of a slightly overflowing beer is one of legend and also unfortunate as this equates to wasting.

Let's try out a couple for size. Wasteage? Sounds too toxic. Spillage? Seems too mundane--like the expense a bar might incur by too-hasty barmaids filling shot glasses. Rimming? Too much like child-birth. How about these: ``storming the Bastille'' or a ``bishop's defrockment''. In context: ``Joe, stop pouring otherwise you'll storm the Bastille.'' Or ``Sebastian, slow down or that bishop's gonna be defrocked!''

The ``bishop's defrockment'' is kindof a play on the opposite of the term ``a bishop'' which is what you would call a beer that was poured short and less than what you paid for. I hate getting a bishop when I'm out anywhere and I usually send it back to get topped as I'm paying for a full glass. If there's no line on the glass, I expect it no more than 1/2" from the rim say, on a pint glass. Am I being anal on this?

Guilty Pleasures

I admit it--I like Blue Moon Belgian White. It's a nice thirst quenching beer and I've found that people who wouldn't otherwise like a craft beer take a liking to it. While it's not a craft beer per se, it is in that Twilight Zone of beers that serves to get people out of the Miller Light conundrum (mine not theirs) and into a more flavorful beer. It reminds me of ummmm, Cheerios. Do you have any beer that you hate to admit you like?

Beat the high cost of Hops. Grow your own!

Here's a link to a place where you can order Hop rhizomes in many varieties. And it looks like ordering opens up March 20, 2008. I don't have any financial interest in this place, nor have I ever purchased anything from them before--it's just something that I found after doing some research.

I suspect that Hop will grow here where I am in NEPA as my father told me that some grew wild behind the farmhouse where he grew up. Further, I read somewhere that up-state New York was a huge producer of Hop at one time (1800s) before the industry moved out west.

Has anyone grown them successfully in NEPA and can you give some gotcha pointers?

S, how long until this gift drys up?

It's mostly never appropriate to quiz a gift-giver how much a certain gift cost them. Especially if it's you who received the gift. Closeness to the giver may make it possible to ask but be careful as the risk assumed is like reaching across a field of dead soldiers after you've had one too many. One slip and the wrath of the Hop Devil could come tumbling down upon thee--no matter the good intentions. Most gifts are a known entity. That is, you open it, you see it/feel it/taste it/touch it/sense it. You either love it or hate it, and that's that. If you want to know further about the gift you can look up the cost behind the giver's back (unless it's a hand-made one like my revered homebrew beer gifts--shameless plug inserted here). Over and done. Bye Bye Baby Bye Bye.

The reason I ask this is because my friend S gave me a magnificent gift for Christmas and I don't know when this gift is going to end. I'm lucky huh? A bottomless mug of beer if you will. But, why should I even care as long as it's a gift that keeps on giving? Well, for one I hope this gift never ends, but to receive the gift I need to be home when this gift arrives with a rap on my door around lunch-time, once a month. This gift requires me to sign, no not as in for-the-deaf but an actual signature proving that I am indeed the rightful recipient of said gift. How many gifts have you received that you have to sign for? I feel special. I am the recipient of a domestic microbrew beer of the month club if you haven't guessed it already.

I've decided not to ask S about the extent of this gift. She meant it to be a surprise on the day she gave it and then every month thereafter. That there's no stated end to this gift serves as a reminder of all that is good in the world and that maybe, just maybe, this gift goes on forever.