Expand your definition of a "session beer"

Per my earlier entry, the Avery Experience beer tasting happened this past Wednesday night at Toronado. And all I can say is that I'm glad I work from home, because despite my best attempts at pacing, I got drunk.. and, consequently, there was a bit of a price to pay, headache-wise, in the morning. haha. But it was all good..

It was my first beer tasting (besides various festivals); I showed up solo, but it there was a friendly crew in attendance and so got to talk beer, learn a new (drinking?) game, meet some brewers (Adam Avery, Richard Norgrove), and drink some awesome beer. Check this line-up; fifteen beers, served in five separate flights:

Flagships
1. Ellie's Brown Ale (5.6% abv)
2. White Rascal Belgian Wheat Ale (5.6% abv)
3. India Pale Ale (6.3% abv) **

Quirky Seasonals
4. New World Porter (6.7% abv)
5. THIRTEEN - Weizen Doppelbock (9.5% abv) **
6. FOURTEEN - Belgian Dubbel IPA (9.46% abv)

The Holy Trinity of Ales
7. Salvation - Belgian Golden Ale (9% abv)
8. The Reverend - Belgian Quadrupel Ale (10% abv)
9. Hog Heaven Barleywine (9.2% abv) **

The Dictator Series
10. The Maharaja - Imperial India Pale Ale 2007 (9.65% abv) **
11. The Kaiser - Imperial Oktoberfest 2005 (8.9% abv)
12. The Czar - Imperial Stout 2003 (11.9% abv)

The Demons of Ale
13. The Beast Grand Cru Ale 2007 (16.42% abv)
14. Samael's Oak-aged Ale 2006 (14.5% abv)
15. Mephistopheles' Stout 2006 (15.1% abv) **

** = personal top picks

My favorite memory of the night was that on several occasions, as he was saying a few words about each beer in a given flight, Adam Avery would note, "This beer is totally sessionable." And he would be talking about a beer like their IPA at 6.3% abv (ok, on the high side, but I'll give him that one), but then later he'd say this about their FOURTEEN as well.. at 9.46% abv! We all had a good chuckle; the man obviously has a highly-optimized liver. ;)

Babies, you don't know what you're missing

Babies, you - those of you under 1 year of age, anyway - don't know what you're missing. Sure, there are a lot of things you can't do: drive, vote, breakdance (at least until you're two), drink fabulous beer; you can't even ride a bike for christ's sake! And you've probably written these things off as activities you'll grow into (maybe - or maybe you've written them off altogether); you feel you can wait a few months, years or whatever to participate in these rituals so important to our culture (and personal well-being). While an understandable outlook, it *is* somewhat naive; it's like your nervous system isn't totally developed or something.

And if that's the case, then that totally sucks for you. What else can I say?

But if you do have any sense - and I hope that you do; stars be not crossed! - you would sink into proto-depression upon realization of the worst of it.. forget the drinking and driving (or drinking and landlording), the true horror is that you cannot eat the most delicious and biblical (and I mean that in every sense of the word) of foods: honey, in any incarnation. Wow, it almost - almost - pains me to think about it (i.e. your stunted life), but then I take another bite of my peanut butter, banana and honey sandwich, a device positively dripping with the most delightfully-hued and edible goodness, and I snap back into an existence filled with hedonist (and gooey) bliss.

My god, when I think of honey, I wish it would waterfall down my walls; I wish honey would *become* my walls, ever-flowing and golden. Can you imagine any greater pleasure than to slip into a shiny porcelain tub of the stuff, to feel its heavy viscosity all about you, and in the process, become a hungry bear's delight (or, a languid bear's envy). Yes, let's enjoy the life's work of a million busy bees; a decadent dip to heal thy wounds! Afterwards, you realize you've never been so fresh, so clean; you're a preservative-free treat, and I'm wishing to shake your hand.

It seems the science behind the baby ban lies in your low-acid digestion system; it cannot handle a certain type of living organism found in honey, even processed honey (and other sweeteners, actually). I don't know: I think it could be worth the small chance of paralysis (or death) to be able to kiss the pollen-dusted and sun-drenched hand of Melisseus before that first birthday (when, apparently, your digestive system wises up). Now, I'm not telling you what to do, but I am saying "think about it"; you've got to grow up sooner or later, and - I can assure you - any experience with honey will make you a hit at the playground.

Splash became hibiscus and jax (and splash)

Today, my kitchen is in the midst of a minor transformation, but one already paying dividends in the personal happiness department; it's amazing what simple pleasures can do for the psyche, huh? You see, I'm signing a new year-lease at my place on Monday and with that new permanence-ishness in mind, I'm doing a bit of reorganization, redecoration and the like (which will extend to my bedroom as well; we'll see about the other rooms).

I won't go into the details here because it seems a bit silly - beyond saying that I got a few new knives to hang on the wall; it's not like I'm constructing a deck or putting a urinal into the bathroom (which would be awesome); I'm moving shizz from one drawer to another, upgrading my bed, etc. But, suffice to say, there will be a party in a few weeks once the changes are in place and we (i.e. my new-ish roommate and I) are all settled.. if only because I haven't had too many parties at my place to begin with - I've been here at my "new place" a year already! - and, well, it's overdue. I just need to clear out my fridge (of good beer and local veggies) to fit a couple of cases of PBR in there. ;)

In semi-related news, I went to City Beer for the first time this evening with a friend, and, really, all I can say is that it was long overdue. Good scene; I brought home two bombers of the aforementioned Kill Ugly Radio from Lagunitas Brewing as a souvenir. And I can't wait to crack 'em open, tastefully, and one at a time, of course..

They left me rambling and corybantic

The rumblings left me left and right, they left me rambling and corybantic. To that (the situation, not her), I said, "how could she have left me?" I mean, I thought I had things under control; I *had* the situation under control.. I know I did (but I guess that reality went the way of my lady). She's gone. And, appropriately and frantically enough, I said - again, I ended up saying this out loud and upon absent ears: "I thought I had things under control!"

Alas, but such was not the case (and I was alone).

In situations comparable, one wonders - and one keeps wondering at all times forever, sometimes via parable - what makes the neglected (like me) tick and tock; and how can I *not* be more conscientious of others lost among the multitudes (again, like me); and perhaps there *is* a place for a derelict-to-be (like me, three times repeated)? For these, I wish for a trinity of positive responses to be winked most immodestly vis-à-vis her carefully groomed eyelashes (they pop!). Say it with me now: "yes, yes, yes!" You see, the ess's slip off *my* tongue so easily, and I can't get enough of that steaming-kettle sound (or, at least, that is how I dream it to be).

Alas, but such was not the case (and I was alone).

People on both sides of the equation are, paradoxically, in favor of a better life, even when they can't agree on the specifics of the definition. So even with - or perhaps because of - these bestest of intentions, caustic splits begin; idyllic designs for the future never come to fruition. And it seems the wicked means of these intrinsic games-in-play are reasonably unintentional, but still, they reverberate internally as confusing conflicts of flippant interest. Finally, when these sorts of thoughts are snagged within your grasp, one wonders - here, via exclamation! - silently and, yeah, to no one in particular: "It does not have to be this way!"

Alas, but such *is* the case; so, let it be..

Prancing nougat in the meadow

I've tried a lot of candy bars over the years; in fact, I go out of my way to do so when I'm galavanting around the world. And the ubiquitous Snickers bar (the orginal) is still my #1. Truth be told, every object of affection needs a creation myth:

Happy peanuts soar
over chocolate covered mountaintops
and waterfalls of caramel.

Prancing nougat in the meadow
sings a song of satisfaction
to the world..

The world.

Wow. You read this sort of thing and you almost feel like there is no hope for you, yourself, as a writer (especially when you write sentences like this one). Still, now that I know these lyrics (and music that goes with), I've got a new song to sing in the shower. In the meantime, can I help you enjoy (your next) Snickers? I believe that I can..

A personal - and delicious - top-tenner

If one has a particular passion, one loves to rank its constituents. Here, let's talk beer; and I offer a very personal top-tenner, in no particular order:

01. Drake's Brewing - IPA
02. Drake's Brewing - Imperial Stout
03. Flying Dog Ales - Classic Pale Ale
04. Moylan's - Hopsickle Imperial Ale
05. Full Sail Brewing - Son of Spot
06. Russian River - Damnation
07. Bear Republic - Racer 5
08. Avery Brewing - IPA
09. Avery Brewing - Mephistopheles' Stout (2006)
10. North Coast Brewing - Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

honorable mentions (not for quality):
xx. Tecate
xx. Pabst Blue Ribbon

As you can see, I lean towards American beers with bite, which basically has meant Northwest Pale Ales, American IPAs, and Imperial Stouts; I'll mix it up with a Belgian strong ale once in awhile. And as I try more and more (and more), I'm sure to update the list; we'll watch it grow.

Plenty of other folks put in their two cents about "top beers" as well:

Beer Advocate
Men's Journal
The Brew Site
Hedonist Beer Jive

And they all have the same caveat as mine: these lists are simply starting points for some beer exploration (and not set-in-stone declarations of absolute greatness). Find some of these goodies and give 'em a go; you'll be sure to find some you like (and some you don't). Beyond these, I've got a couple more beers on my radar; I'm looking forward to trying them in the next couple of weeks:

a. Lagunitas - Kill Ugly Radio
b. Avery Brewing - The Reverand
c. Avery Brewing - The Czar Imperial Stout (2003)
d. Avery Brewing - The Maharaja Imperial IPA (2007)
e. Russian River - Little White Lie

Salud! Oh, and I'm always open to suggestions, especially if you're buying..

Never been so happy Mephistopheles is in town

Holy moses!

Avery Brewing is coming to San Francisco in a big way this coming week. According to What's on Tap, two tastings and a paired dinner for the brewery are planned (with the latter also featuring some Russian River brews - also a favorite).

August 28th: The Bistro (Hayward, CA), tasting
August 29th: Toronado (San Francisco, CA), tasting
August 31st: Cathedral Hill Hotel (San Francisco, CA), dinner

Check the details at:

http://www.beernewsletter.com/blog/?p=428

Yeah, so I think I'm going to try to get tickets for the Toronado tasting; my only hesitation is that this is going down on a Wednesday.. and I've had my ass kicked by some powerful, high-abv Avery brews before. One bottle of their Mephistopheles' Stout on an empty stomach will put you on your ass; in fact, just looking at the bottle - it's wicked! - could give you a buzz. And here, that 15.1% abv monster is just one of fifteen tasty treats they will be serving! Of course, I'm thinking it'll be a sipping night, but, still, those things add up.

But if anyone wants to go, let me know asap (these things sell out), and I'll be all over it. ;) UPDATE: I bought myself a ticket, so I guess I'll be trying to meet some beer-loving strangers this coming week..

Suprises beyond the master

The "Matisse: Painter as Sculptor" exhibit at the SFMOMA (ongoing until September 13th) just didn't do it for me. But I should say upfront that I'm not a *huge* Matisse fan to being with - in his more well known role as a painter, or otherwise. The weekend crowds (relatively-speaking, anyway) and hubbub didn't help (for this type of show; when I'm in the mood, I sure do like a crazy opening).

That said, I thought it *was* a well-put-together exhibition in an academic sense: thorough and researched, this was sure and apparent. Sculptural works - mostly from Matisse, but a few from other related artists - were placed among a multitude of related artistic devices in all manner of media; commentary by the curator(s) abounded (scripted - on the walls, or sonant - in your ears). The scope of his work, in form, in interval, and in occasion, reminded me of my ignorance of art history. The man was surely a huge and important figure, pushing modern art boundaries at the start of the century.

But, again, it wasn't for me. In short, I could appreciate the care and the positioning of the works, but the whole didn't hit me on a pure enjoyment level (which is where I usually need art to hit me, given my aforementioned lack of edumacation). Actually, in this way, the show reminded me of the Picasso exhibit they had up a few months ago.

Still, there were some unexpected surprises.

I would say to check out the Felix Schramm installations on the same floor (good thing they were on the same floor or else I probably wouldn't have seen them; you know how I only like to visit one floor of a museum at a time!). They struck me in sort of the same way as the Richard Serra pieces at the MOMA in New York City insofar that they play with (i.e. fuck with) your sense of space and personal balance, albeit in a much different medium. Both created pieces that made me slightly uncomfortable on a very primal level (at first, but then, of course, you snap back to the fact that you're in a sterile and eminently safe museum setting - haha); the walls are broken and they are falling in! For the most part, he uses typical and thoroughly modern (i.e. "disposable") building materials, drywall and 2x4's and so forth; this was actually more refreshing than seeing something done with a more "permanent" medium (ex. rock or steel or lead). And, in whole, the installations seemed to be timely: images of the destruction of our houses and infrastructure made out of this stuff stuff (i.e. via war, via hurricane, etc.) are everywhere, left and right. Our land - but moreso "someone else's" land - is topsy and turvy, broken and twisted.

I would also direct you to the projection-based work of Anthony McCall, "You and I, Horizontal"; find it at the top of the 4th floor stairs (as if there was any doubt now); walk straight ahead. It certainly was the most playful work I've come into contact with in awhile (although that might change with the upcoming Olafur Eliasson exhibition this coming month). I won't spoil the experience, but suffice to say that the room is dark (go in; go in!), and the experience is hypnotizing (if you let it be). It was fun to see a bunch of random folks chillin' on the floor; others were trying to catch or manipulate the lights beams as they crossed the room. It still makes me smile to think about it; the sculpture is made out of "nothing". I'm not sure the scene was what the artist had in mind, but sometimes these things develop in unexpected ways.. and that must be pleasing: your art is alive and subject to the swish and sway of the wild!