I have been attending the Renaissance Festival since it began at its humble beginnings at Jonathan, West of Minneapolis. I have noticed for the last few years the shrinking of the Renaissance official goblet and mug. I then determined to do a small experiment with the mugs and goblets in my home and to see if my thoughts were correct. Below are my findings.
Mug 2009 with warrior and sword, looks more Medieval than Renaissance but they have always played fast and loose with history. It is more about fun and pretending than history. Mug 2009 - was 16 oz. filled to the brim. In comparison, I have a mug from 1984 which was a 20 oz. Imperial pint. It had the silhouette of a unicorn on the side in dark brown on a sandy brown base coat. The difference was not too bad for the number of years that have passed but it has declined.
Goblets are a different story. I have a 1985 Feast of Fantasy, 15th anniversary goblet white/lt. grey with fleur de lis designs stamped into the sides and blue accents. It held 160z.
The next goblet dated from 1998 bluish, purplish glaze with a natural lt. brown clay medallion with a wizard and a crumpled hat. The medallion proclaimed "Renaissance Festival 1998" and was 12 oz. to the top of the brim.
2000, Y2K, the goblet had a beautiful multi-cloured glaze of black, blue, red, gray glazes melting on the sides of the goblet. Inset was a natural lt. brown clay medallion saying "Rennaissance" and a portrait of "Elizabeth Regina". The goblet held 8 oz. if poured to the brim.
2005 goblet sported beautiful glazes over a green base. The natural lt. brown clay medallion proclaimed "Renaissance Fair" and had a dragon etched into the medallion. This size of the goblet bowl was a 7 oz pour to the brim.
Not terribly scientific but carefully done all the same. This gets me onto another pet peeve and that is bars claiming to be pouring pints when they are actually pouring 14 oz. or smaller and then pouring so as to produce a collar of foam that would be larger than that of an archbishop's cleric collar. They are already making loads of money on every keg and they are greedy, cheating honest people out of their rightful pint of beer.
Showing posts with label beer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beer. Show all posts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
summer beer fest things
Sunday 28 June 2009, six months to my birthday and the day of the Summer Beer Fest at Midway Stadium in St. Paul. Congratulations to Flat Earth Brewing for their Sunburst Apricot Ale voted the best of the Fest. It was very good and very refreshing. I piped at Noon for the VIP people and then at 1 pm for the brew masses. I piped with Josh.
The other beers I tasted were: Barley John's Little Rosie and Wild Brunette, Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, Fitger's Goose Island Apricot Wheat and Prince Humperdinck's Hefeweizen, Goose Island Matilda, Grand Teton Sweet Grass IPA and Bitch Creek ESB, Left Hand Milk Stout, Liftbridge Minnesota Tan (not too great), New Belgium Mothership Wit, Abbet Belgian style ale, New Holland Dragons Milk, Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence, RockBottom Bastogne Blonde & Intoxicator Rauchdopplebock, Rogue Mom Hefeweizen and Dead Guy Ale, Schell's Hefeweizen and Helles, Southern Tier Iniquity Imperial Black Ale, TownHall Belgian White Ale, Ol' Jack Frost Imperial Stout, and Konigshoeven/La Trappe Witt Beer. A few of my favorites are Kalamazoo Stout, La Trappe Witt, New Holland Drangons Milk, Left Hand Milk Stout, and Ol Jack Frost. It was a great time.
The other beers I tasted were: Barley John's Little Rosie and Wild Brunette, Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, Fitger's Goose Island Apricot Wheat and Prince Humperdinck's Hefeweizen, Goose Island Matilda, Grand Teton Sweet Grass IPA and Bitch Creek ESB, Left Hand Milk Stout, Liftbridge Minnesota Tan (not too great), New Belgium Mothership Wit, Abbet Belgian style ale, New Holland Dragons Milk, Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence, RockBottom Bastogne Blonde & Intoxicator Rauchdopplebock, Rogue Mom Hefeweizen and Dead Guy Ale, Schell's Hefeweizen and Helles, Southern Tier Iniquity Imperial Black Ale, TownHall Belgian White Ale, Ol' Jack Frost Imperial Stout, and Konigshoeven/La Trappe Witt Beer. A few of my favorites are Kalamazoo Stout, La Trappe Witt, New Holland Drangons Milk, Left Hand Milk Stout, and Ol Jack Frost. It was a great time.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Konigshoeven Things
This Friday I went to Four Firkins, beer store, to meet Prior Father Isaac Majoor. He is in charge of brewing at the abbey. The Trappist abbey of Konigshoeven is the only abbey in the Netherlands, and it is one of seven Trappist monasteries brewing beer in Belgium and the Netherlands. The beers I tasted were the Dubbel, 7% with a deep reddish colour. It tasted of dried fruit, with amalty sweet character. The Tripel, 8% was the next in line. It had a rich golden colour. It tasted of spices, and slightly bitter with hops adding a bitter profile. Next in line and my favourite was the Quadrupel 10%, deep amber colour, rich flavour, fruit, slight sweet, slight hop bitterness. This beer has always been one of my all time faves.. It is especially good with bread, cheese, and fruit like peaches. Two new beers in the profile were very good and tasty. The Witte a traditional Belgian wheat beer with lots of spiciness, flavour, and character. Refreshing and satisfying like no other wheat you will have ever had. The last beer is St. Isid'or 125th anniversary Beer was brewed to commemorate the beginning of brewing at this abbey 125 years ago. A picture of the monk, Brother Isidorus that started the brewery is on the label and was its first brewer. The beer is a amber in colour and mildly sweet with a slightly bitter taste and a taste of fruit in the finish with a hop bitterness. This beer is a fund raiser as well. All the proceeds from the sale of this beer go to the establishment of a new monastery in Uganda. The monks came under pressure and threatened violence last year in Kenya at their monastery. So they uproot themselves and went off to Uganda to reestablish a new monastery to continue to do God's work. Donations can be made to the Monastery directly, so please do. www.konigshoeven.nl
They no longer make the refectory beer, the Enkel, this was a very light weight beer and weighed in at around 3.5 - 4%. This was a beer the monks drank for refreshment. Another note, they are trying to reclaim the name La Trappe, a name they used to market under in this country. As I said, they are one of seven Trappist monasteries brewing beer. At one time, they were denied the appellation Trappist due to their relationship with a local brewery. In 2005, when Phil and I made our pilgrimage to Belgium and the Netherlands we did not stop because they were no longer considered part of the Trappist fraternity. They are back now and selling their great beer in the USA once again. Amen.
They no longer make the refectory beer, the Enkel, this was a very light weight beer and weighed in at around 3.5 - 4%. This was a beer the monks drank for refreshment. Another note, they are trying to reclaim the name La Trappe, a name they used to market under in this country. As I said, they are one of seven Trappist monasteries brewing beer. At one time, they were denied the appellation Trappist due to their relationship with a local brewery. In 2005, when Phil and I made our pilgrimage to Belgium and the Netherlands we did not stop because they were no longer considered part of the Trappist fraternity. They are back now and selling their great beer in the USA once again. Amen.
Monday, March 23, 2009
March things
I haven't posted on the blog for awhile. For those of you who are following me, I am sorry. In the intervening time, I had been busy preparing for St. patrick's Day and playing with band on all of their gigs.We did Emmetsburg which was really good but a long, long day. I even curtailed my day by 5 hours, stopping around 9pm. Some of the lads continued on till 2-3am. I was quite good as I did not drink anything till our next to last bar, the Corner Bar. Their we were able to score some Sam Adams Winter lager and Michelob Amber Bock. Okay beers, but better than all the varations of light beer you could swill and some even light green beer. YUM YUM YUM!!! I drank a whisky and some beer. At the last gig, we ate and had some more normal beer, Fat Tire, Guinness, and something else. It was a lot of time spent doing this gig, however, the people of Emmetsburg love us. We can do no wrong. The weekend was shot.
On Monday, Thom and I played at Barley John's Brewpub for their 9th anniversary. We had food and beer. I drank the Anniversary Ale (red ale with lots of hops), Wild Brunette, and a couple of the Double Oat stout (excellent). A good time was had by all and we played really well. Damian, Molly, and Doug were there as well.
St. Patrick's Day, I came to work to do time cards and left around 9:30 to catch a bus to O'Gara's. The band always meets at O'Gara's and has for years. I guess always. There we tuned up and took a band picture jumped onto the bus and went to Summit. Bill Gilchrist joined us as well to hitch a ride to the parade. At Summit Brewing, we played for the employees and their yearly St. Pat's feast provided by Rahr Maltings. We played and then went onto the bus to the St. Paul parade. We were no. 29th in line. We played a lot. It felt like it was no stop. The weather was nice not as nice as Monday but really nice. We played through the landmark center for their IMDA event hosted by Phil. After the play through, we walked to the Liffey and played there as well as having some beers. We then got on the bus and went to the Bulldog in Lowertown, St. Paul. Played in and then had some world class beers, Maredsous 8 and the Duchess de Bourgonine. We made some converts to those beers. We then went back to O'Gara's for the world's shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade. We had a couple of beers. I actually shared one with Mary.
For Mary, this was her first parade and first St. Patrick's day. She was a good sport. A woman asked her what was under her kilt and she said, "running shorts". So we instructed her on clever retorts to the silly request. In O'Gara's, I was playing behind her, when we walked through a fetching brunette slapped her on the bum as she marched through. I related this to her and other band members and we had a laugh. But Mary did not want to be fetching to anyone especially another woman so she let her hair down. In her kilt though, I could see where someone think she amy be a guy. She has an androgynous look about her. I think she looks feminine but I am one person.
Thom and I then off to Barley John's to play for the crowd there. By this time our reeds were really wet so we needed to air dry them so we could actually play them. We met John's mother in law and children Rose and Nick. We couldn't play for them because our reeds were so wet. We did get them dried out enough to play a couple of tunes. We had drinks and food here as well. I should say really good food and really, really good beer. We met Katherine, Damian, Jen, and Jen's friend Terry who took to perry cider as a duck to water. I think she drank 3 glasses full which is a lot considering the perry is at wine strength. Katherine and I shared a Pizza Laura (named after John's lovely wife Laura), a vegetarian pizza which is to die for.
Next day, I was so shagged. I hurt everywhere. I went to the Historical Society for a CALCO meeting and learned more about Twitter. We also saw an exhibit on maps curated by Pat Coleman. the map exhibition was excellent.
On Monday, Thom and I played at Barley John's Brewpub for their 9th anniversary. We had food and beer. I drank the Anniversary Ale (red ale with lots of hops), Wild Brunette, and a couple of the Double Oat stout (excellent). A good time was had by all and we played really well. Damian, Molly, and Doug were there as well.
St. Patrick's Day, I came to work to do time cards and left around 9:30 to catch a bus to O'Gara's. The band always meets at O'Gara's and has for years. I guess always. There we tuned up and took a band picture jumped onto the bus and went to Summit. Bill Gilchrist joined us as well to hitch a ride to the parade. At Summit Brewing, we played for the employees and their yearly St. Pat's feast provided by Rahr Maltings. We played and then went onto the bus to the St. Paul parade. We were no. 29th in line. We played a lot. It felt like it was no stop. The weather was nice not as nice as Monday but really nice. We played through the landmark center for their IMDA event hosted by Phil. After the play through, we walked to the Liffey and played there as well as having some beers. We then got on the bus and went to the Bulldog in Lowertown, St. Paul. Played in and then had some world class beers, Maredsous 8 and the Duchess de Bourgonine. We made some converts to those beers. We then went back to O'Gara's for the world's shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade. We had a couple of beers. I actually shared one with Mary.
For Mary, this was her first parade and first St. Patrick's day. She was a good sport. A woman asked her what was under her kilt and she said, "running shorts". So we instructed her on clever retorts to the silly request. In O'Gara's, I was playing behind her, when we walked through a fetching brunette slapped her on the bum as she marched through. I related this to her and other band members and we had a laugh. But Mary did not want to be fetching to anyone especially another woman so she let her hair down. In her kilt though, I could see where someone think she amy be a guy. She has an androgynous look about her. I think she looks feminine but I am one person.
Thom and I then off to Barley John's to play for the crowd there. By this time our reeds were really wet so we needed to air dry them so we could actually play them. We met John's mother in law and children Rose and Nick. We couldn't play for them because our reeds were so wet. We did get them dried out enough to play a couple of tunes. We had drinks and food here as well. I should say really good food and really, really good beer. We met Katherine, Damian, Jen, and Jen's friend Terry who took to perry cider as a duck to water. I think she drank 3 glasses full which is a lot considering the perry is at wine strength. Katherine and I shared a Pizza Laura (named after John's lovely wife Laura), a vegetarian pizza which is to die for.
Next day, I was so shagged. I hurt everywhere. I went to the Historical Society for a CALCO meeting and learned more about Twitter. We also saw an exhibit on maps curated by Pat Coleman. the map exhibition was excellent.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Burns Nite Things
The 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns (25th January) was celebrated in Orval at Chez Skrade. A good time was had by everyone, at least that is what they said. Katherine and I provided haggis, veggie haggis, tatties, cheese, scotch, and soda bread . Our guests Colleen, Doug, Molly, Jeff, Cathy, John, Steve, Damian, Jenn, Bob, Michele brought goodies to share as well. We started off the night with a social hour and then at 7:15 pm CST. I piped in the haggis, Bob recited the customary Ode to a Haggis by Burns and we sat down to eat. We had clapshot, Guinness stew, more cheese, more scotch, beer from Flat Earth, salad, and lots of fun. Around 8:30 pm we had the customary toasts to the President, the Queen, laddies, lassies, departed friends, and whatever else we could think of in the way of toasts. All in all it was a good evening of friendship and warmth. Perhaps we will do it again next year.
The scotches on deck for sampling were Lagavulin (16), Highland Park (18), Glen Moray (10 sherry cask), Glen Farclas (12), Bunnahabhain (18), Jura, Bowmore, and a couple of others I forget.
The scotches on deck for sampling were Lagavulin (16), Highland Park (18), Glen Moray (10 sherry cask), Glen Farclas (12), Bunnahabhain (18), Jura, Bowmore, and a couple of others I forget.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Summit Things
I was the tour guide today at Summit. It is very cool talking about beer and Summit. I had a great time. It is funny, I always flog the Great Northern Porter and the Oatmeal Stout. Invariably, the people taking the cue try it and enjoy drinking it. The pouring was fast and furious. We served over 100 people three beers each. It was mad.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas things
here it is 24 December, Christmas eve, and I am all finished with my shopping (I hope). last night I shared some beverages with Doug, Colleen, and Molly. Good conversations and good beer at TownHall Brewery. What more can you ask for? I had a Scaldis Noel which was sweet and flavorful. Definitely a sipping beer for a winter's night, a cold winter's night. I also had two pints of milk stout. Those were absolutely delicious and tasty with lots of depth and character. It had hints of chocolate, coffee, toffee, dried savory fruit, and hints of vanilla.
On Sunday, we had the Skrade family Christmas and it was a good time. Angie came down with vertigo and Nic took her to urgent care. they called me to come over early to take care of the ham and glaze it. I also hung around with the kids. before I went to Nic's home, I dropped off some beer for the McGilp's. In the afternoon, I took Damian over to Brent's home to shovel his sidewalks and to do some grocery shopping for him. He is invalided at home.
The dinner was delicious. We had ham, cheesy potatoes, squash (prepared with ginger, maple syrup, and olive oil), salad, cranberry sauce, and cookies. We exchanged gifts after dinner. I think everyone was very happy at their presents. angie had been wishing for a couple more place settings of Lenox Christmas bone china and she was happy to get it. I picked it up last year the day after Christmas. Gears of War 2 was Nic's gift and some art books. DeDe was given a cook book 'Soul Vegetarian', Fashion Encyclopedia, pie weights, and china. Ava asked for and received manga. She has so much manga especially some of the very specific titles like Fruits basket, Mixed Vegetables, Muyho & Roji. WOW!!!! Damian received books from the Saxon series, French Dunnies, and Fallout 3. K and I received a gift certificate to the Nicollet Island Inn from DeDe. I received the 2nd season of Rome and a Japanese demon.
On saturday, Ava and I went to the Nutcracker, Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker which quite an extravaganza. Ava had a cold and coughed quite a bit. We ate at the Rock Bottom restaurant. I had a busy day, Summit in the morning, Ava in the afternoon, and I shoveled DeDe's driveway then came home and shoveled our driveway. I was shagged. So I called K to say I was not coming to the TCGC concert at Bethel. Instead, I out on Seven Samurai and had a good time watching the remastered version. It was just beautiful. A couple of beers and snacks and I was in hog heaven.
Friday was the Solstice Party and we had a really good time. I came home early picked up some things at the store. I cleaned a bit and just got ready for the evening. It was good to see everyone. K commented on that there were around 30 people there. I guess there was. Karen gave me a cd of Bob Wills with Tommy Duncan. It is so good! My freinds brought some nice beers: Anchor Christmas 2007 and 2008, Rush River Winter warmer, Chimay Blue, Sam Adams Chocolate Bock, Flat Earth vanilla porter, and a variety of winter warmers from New England. Great beers except for the Rush River, quite forgettable.
On Sunday, we had the Skrade family Christmas and it was a good time. Angie came down with vertigo and Nic took her to urgent care. they called me to come over early to take care of the ham and glaze it. I also hung around with the kids. before I went to Nic's home, I dropped off some beer for the McGilp's. In the afternoon, I took Damian over to Brent's home to shovel his sidewalks and to do some grocery shopping for him. He is invalided at home.
The dinner was delicious. We had ham, cheesy potatoes, squash (prepared with ginger, maple syrup, and olive oil), salad, cranberry sauce, and cookies. We exchanged gifts after dinner. I think everyone was very happy at their presents. angie had been wishing for a couple more place settings of Lenox Christmas bone china and she was happy to get it. I picked it up last year the day after Christmas. Gears of War 2 was Nic's gift and some art books. DeDe was given a cook book 'Soul Vegetarian', Fashion Encyclopedia, pie weights, and china. Ava asked for and received manga. She has so much manga especially some of the very specific titles like Fruits basket, Mixed Vegetables, Muyho & Roji. WOW!!!! Damian received books from the Saxon series, French Dunnies, and Fallout 3. K and I received a gift certificate to the Nicollet Island Inn from DeDe. I received the 2nd season of Rome and a Japanese demon.
On saturday, Ava and I went to the Nutcracker, Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker which quite an extravaganza. Ava had a cold and coughed quite a bit. We ate at the Rock Bottom restaurant. I had a busy day, Summit in the morning, Ava in the afternoon, and I shoveled DeDe's driveway then came home and shoveled our driveway. I was shagged. So I called K to say I was not coming to the TCGC concert at Bethel. Instead, I out on Seven Samurai and had a good time watching the remastered version. It was just beautiful. A couple of beers and snacks and I was in hog heaven.
Friday was the Solstice Party and we had a really good time. I came home early picked up some things at the store. I cleaned a bit and just got ready for the evening. It was good to see everyone. K commented on that there were around 30 people there. I guess there was. Karen gave me a cd of Bob Wills with Tommy Duncan. It is so good! My freinds brought some nice beers: Anchor Christmas 2007 and 2008, Rush River Winter warmer, Chimay Blue, Sam Adams Chocolate Bock, Flat Earth vanilla porter, and a variety of winter warmers from New England. Great beers except for the Rush River, quite forgettable.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Things Christmas
Well, here we are in the throes of another Christmas season. The lights are up on the tree outside, the cards will be mailed, parties are planned, the days are being mapped out. This is so I may be able to participate in as many events as is humanly possible. The goal is to sample drinks and food without achieving a massive weight gain. Here is the schedule until 4 January:
11 Dec. - Ava's concert with tenor sax at Anwatin.
12 Dec. - Game at Doss's home.
13 Dec. - (killer day) Go and visit Alsadhu 10 am, fencing 12-1, Bjorn's Harn game 1-6? maybe?, Mark & Sue's wedding reception 2-8, Brian Boru Band party 7 - ????. Holy Hannah that will be one full day. I doubt Katherine will accompany me as Ellen is coming into town and she has practice all morning and going to watch Adam sing at 7 pm.
14 Dec. - Visit Mike W., make pumpkin bread for the MJC party.
15 Dec. - Stop at TownHall for some milk stout and then to Brent's for a game of Harn with Bjorn.
16 Dec. - Band practice, Stub & Herbs K-9 on draft.
17 Dec. - RockBottom $5.00 growlers, $2.75 beers, Old Curmudgeon on at 6 pm.
18 Dec. - Adam's Winter Concert 7 pm.
19 Dec. - 1/2 day off, Solstice Party starts at 7 pm
20 Dec. - Work at Summit 10:30 - 12:30 pick up Ava and go to RockBottom for lunch and Nutcracker at the State. DO NOT FORGET THE TICKETS OR THE ROCKBOTTOM $10
21 Dec. - Christmas at Nic's home with Grandma Dee
22 Dec. - Making Christmas cookies
23 Dec. - Fencing or band practice
24 Dec. - Church service
25 Dec. - Christmas Day at Cindy's home, Alex More's birthday
26 Dec. - Go to the stores early for cards at Barnes & Noble, ornaments at Macy's, and fencing. Game at Alan Coleman's home.
27 Dec. - Game at Alan Coleman's home or Stout Tasting.
28 Dec. - Open house at George and Anna Atkin's home. My birthday brunch at DeDe's home.
29 Dec. - Game at Brent's
30 Dec. - Fencing, Wendy's birthday
31 Dec. - Home? New Year's Eve with Nic & Angie and bowling?
01 Jan. - Bowl games
02 Jan. -
03 Jan. - Katherine's birthday, my mother's birthday
04 Jan. - Laurel's Birthday - send card
What a line-up and there will probably be more to add to the list. I hope I make it through the holidays with slight weight gain, good blood pressure, a good liver, and piece of mind.
11 Dec. - Ava's concert with tenor sax at Anwatin.
12 Dec. - Game at Doss's home.
13 Dec. - (killer day) Go and visit Alsadhu 10 am, fencing 12-1, Bjorn's Harn game 1-6? maybe?, Mark & Sue's wedding reception 2-8, Brian Boru Band party 7 - ????. Holy Hannah that will be one full day. I doubt Katherine will accompany me as Ellen is coming into town and she has practice all morning and going to watch Adam sing at 7 pm.
14 Dec. - Visit Mike W., make pumpkin bread for the MJC party.
15 Dec. - Stop at TownHall for some milk stout and then to Brent's for a game of Harn with Bjorn.
16 Dec. - Band practice, Stub & Herbs K-9 on draft.
17 Dec. - RockBottom $5.00 growlers, $2.75 beers, Old Curmudgeon on at 6 pm.
18 Dec. - Adam's Winter Concert 7 pm.
19 Dec. - 1/2 day off, Solstice Party starts at 7 pm
20 Dec. - Work at Summit 10:30 - 12:30 pick up Ava and go to RockBottom for lunch and Nutcracker at the State. DO NOT FORGET THE TICKETS OR THE ROCKBOTTOM $10
21 Dec. - Christmas at Nic's home with Grandma Dee
22 Dec. - Making Christmas cookies
23 Dec. - Fencing or band practice
24 Dec. - Church service
25 Dec. - Christmas Day at Cindy's home, Alex More's birthday
26 Dec. - Go to the stores early for cards at Barnes & Noble, ornaments at Macy's, and fencing. Game at Alan Coleman's home.
27 Dec. - Game at Alan Coleman's home or Stout Tasting.
28 Dec. - Open house at George and Anna Atkin's home. My birthday brunch at DeDe's home.
29 Dec. - Game at Brent's
30 Dec. - Fencing, Wendy's birthday
31 Dec. - Home? New Year's Eve with Nic & Angie and bowling?
01 Jan. - Bowl games
02 Jan. -
03 Jan. - Katherine's birthday, my mother's birthday
04 Jan. - Laurel's Birthday - send card
What a line-up and there will probably be more to add to the list. I hope I make it through the holidays with slight weight gain, good blood pressure, a good liver, and piece of mind.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Uptown Tattoo things
Uptown Tattoo party at Surly Brewery on 15 November was really cool. Thom and I poured beer for the evening and played bagpipes a couple of times. I met lots of old friends, family, and friends of Nic and Angie. Ava was decked out like a little lady. Damian had his hair spiked. Nic and Angie were dressed to the nines. I wore my kilt with tux shirt and bowtie and katherine was dressed in a very nice dress. Bartending was very cool. I was able to see almost everyone. There were alot of beautiful tattooed women there. The food was awesome with roast pig and turkey from John and Cara. Brasa supplied the sides creamed spinach and baked mashed yams, yum, yum. The beer was Surly and people loved it and were drinking alot of it especially the Cynic, a saison formulated by Todd Haug. A good time was had by all!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Halloween things
Ale Saints Day at the Blue Nile on 2027 E. Franklin Ave. in Minneapolis's beautiful Seward neighborhood. Al the bar manager had put together an mazing selection of great beers (porters and stouts) for an extravaganza. At 4 Pm he opened a cask of Bell's Porter ***, 5 Pm cask of Summit Great Northern Porter with black treacle ***, 6 pm keg of Bell's Expedition Stout 2007 ***+ (this had matured so nicely and was so tasty it was a beautiful beer) and a 2008 keg ***, 7pm Surly Smoke Baltic Porter **+(not as good as at the brewery on Darkness day. The other beers on draft were Surly Darkness Russian Imperial Stout***+, Leininkugel's Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout **, North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout***, Moylan's (CA) Ryan O'Sullivan's RIS***, Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter**+, Summit Great Northern Porter**, Salopian Entire Butt English Porter**, Furthermore Three Feet Deep Smoked Stout* (too astringent, smoke not appealing), Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence Stout***+(this was so amazingly good), Surlyy Coffee Bender*(Too much coffee with my beer), Flat Earth Cygnus X-1 Rye Porter**+, Southern Tier Oatmeal Stout ***, Lion Stout(One of my all time favorites)***, Bell's Java Stout (too astringent coffee had a bad effect on this beer)*. Thom and I played some bagpipe tunes and had a good time. We were joined by Damian & Jen (preggers), and Doug.
After awhile we went over to Town Hall and had some food and you guessed it - more beer. I had a pint of stout (always good). We were joined by Katherine, Colleen, and Brent. The menu has changed and it was all very good. I had half a walleye sandwich with Brent, sweet potato fries, and deep fried green beans with spicy dipping sauce.
I worked on DeDe's yard on Saturday with DeDe, Damian, and Ava. Greg the electrician switched the boxes and updated the electrical for the house. On Sunday, Katherine and I worked all day on the yard and started to put the yard away for a long winter's nap. I visited Mike in the hospital and dropped off presents of leaves for everyone. Whew!!!!
After awhile we went over to Town Hall and had some food and you guessed it - more beer. I had a pint of stout (always good). We were joined by Katherine, Colleen, and Brent. The menu has changed and it was all very good. I had half a walleye sandwich with Brent, sweet potato fries, and deep fried green beans with spicy dipping sauce.
I worked on DeDe's yard on Saturday with DeDe, Damian, and Ava. Greg the electrician switched the boxes and updated the electrical for the house. On Sunday, Katherine and I worked all day on the yard and started to put the yard away for a long winter's nap. I visited Mike in the hospital and dropped off presents of leaves for everyone. Whew!!!!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Things Fall
Nic ran the TC marathon today. Damian and I volunteered at the food booth. My were we lucky, it rained really hard and if we had been any where else we would have been soaked and cold. Otherwise, we were cold. Volunteering was good. I was wiped out for the day though.
Ann's birthday was Friday and I thought about her quite abit. After work, I went to the Campuc Club as the guest of Phil Platt. I saw Thom, Omar, Dustin, and Cathy pouring. We listened to Doug Hoverson and had a great time. Afterwards, I went to Doss's house and gamed with Gary, George, Walter, Nick, and Greg. We played Catan. It was Ok but I would have rather played the History of the World. Ate far too much snacks and had a couple of beers. Saturday, I gave a tour at Summit. I need to work on my tour and make it a bit more coherent. We then went to James and Martha' home for a homebrew tasting party. Good beers and good conversation all around. We stayed till about 10:30 then headed home. I awoke around 6 am to prepare for the Marathon. Whew!!!
Ann's birthday was Friday and I thought about her quite abit. After work, I went to the Campuc Club as the guest of Phil Platt. I saw Thom, Omar, Dustin, and Cathy pouring. We listened to Doug Hoverson and had a great time. Afterwards, I went to Doss's house and gamed with Gary, George, Walter, Nick, and Greg. We played Catan. It was Ok but I would have rather played the History of the World. Ate far too much snacks and had a couple of beers. Saturday, I gave a tour at Summit. I need to work on my tour and make it a bit more coherent. We then went to James and Martha' home for a homebrew tasting party. Good beers and good conversation all around. We stayed till about 10:30 then headed home. I awoke around 6 am to prepare for the Marathon. Whew!!!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Autumn Brew Review Things
Well, another Autumn Brew Review and another year has pass into history. We adverted a near disaster as Thom did not have his bagpipe chanter. he had forgot it at pipe practice. So K brought my extra from home and we made it. Some note errors and some forgotten bits but it worked. Met up with Bob, Thom, Brent, Molly, Doug, Colleen, James, Adam, and all of my brewery friends. Afterwards, we went to Grumpy's NE and had some food and some beer. I threw out the beers I had as I just didn't like them. I made it home with the help of Bob by 9:30
Beers that I tried:
Schells - Dave Berg - Stout **, Bavarian Forest Dampfbier **, U Bier **
Barley John's - Colin & John - Oktober Fest *, Dark Knight Returns ***, Wild Brunette ***
Fitger's - Dave Hoops, Bob, Frank & Brian - Cherry Stout cask **, Cherry beer ***
Flat Earth - Jeff & Cathy - Cygnus X-1 **, Rode Haring Flanders Red Ale *, Winter Warlock ***
Great Waters - Boston Bob - Mr. Smooth Mild cask **, Pflugenpfalagen **, Saison **
Herkimer - Gustavo vale - Sky Pilot **, Vienna Country **
Lift Bridge - Farm Girl Saison **
McCann's - Chris - Middletown Braun **
MPLS Townhall Brewery - Mike Hoops, Adam & Pete - Oak Porter **, Scottis Wee Heavy ***, Chocolate Oatmeal Stout ***
Rock Bottom - Rolf - Smoked Porter cask ***, Saison **
Summit - Oatmeal Stout brett cask ***, Black Treacle GNP ***
Surly - Omar & Todd - #2 cranberry stout ***, Cynic & cranberries **, Tea bagged Furious *
Vine Park - Rabid Penguin Porter *
Avery - 15th anniversay Brett Gueze **, Avery New World Porter **
Boulevard - Bob's 47 Oktoberfest *
Butte Creek - Organic Porter **, Organic IPA **
City Brewing - Bar Harbor Real Ale *
Furthermore - 3 ft. Deep Stout ***, Knot Stock **
Left Hand - Milk Stout ***, JUJU Ginger *
Leininkugel - Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout **
New Belgium - 1554 *
New Holland - John Haggerty - Dragon's Milk ***
Ommegang - Ommegeddon **, Hennepin **
Peak Organic - Pale Ale**, NutBrown **,
Shmaltz - ConeyIslandFreakToberFest**
Southern Tier - Unearthly Imperial IPA**, Heavy Weizen Imperial Hefe***, Cherry Saison*
Two Brothers - Domaine Du Page**
Tyranena - Chief Blackhawk Porter **
Victory Brewing - Golden Monkey Tripel **
Beers that I tried:
Schells - Dave Berg - Stout **, Bavarian Forest Dampfbier **, U Bier **
Barley John's - Colin & John - Oktober Fest *, Dark Knight Returns ***, Wild Brunette ***
Fitger's - Dave Hoops, Bob, Frank & Brian - Cherry Stout cask **, Cherry beer ***
Flat Earth - Jeff & Cathy - Cygnus X-1 **, Rode Haring Flanders Red Ale *, Winter Warlock ***
Great Waters - Boston Bob - Mr. Smooth Mild cask **, Pflugenpfalagen **, Saison **
Herkimer - Gustavo vale - Sky Pilot **, Vienna Country **
Lift Bridge - Farm Girl Saison **
McCann's - Chris - Middletown Braun **
MPLS Townhall Brewery - Mike Hoops, Adam & Pete - Oak Porter **, Scottis Wee Heavy ***, Chocolate Oatmeal Stout ***
Rock Bottom - Rolf - Smoked Porter cask ***, Saison **
Summit - Oatmeal Stout brett cask ***, Black Treacle GNP ***
Surly - Omar & Todd - #2 cranberry stout ***, Cynic & cranberries **, Tea bagged Furious *
Vine Park - Rabid Penguin Porter *
Avery - 15th anniversay Brett Gueze **, Avery New World Porter **
Boulevard - Bob's 47 Oktoberfest *
Butte Creek - Organic Porter **, Organic IPA **
City Brewing - Bar Harbor Real Ale *
Furthermore - 3 ft. Deep Stout ***, Knot Stock **
Left Hand - Milk Stout ***, JUJU Ginger *
Leininkugel - Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout **
New Belgium - 1554 *
New Holland - John Haggerty - Dragon's Milk ***
Ommegang - Ommegeddon **, Hennepin **
Peak Organic - Pale Ale**, NutBrown **,
Shmaltz - ConeyIslandFreakToberFest**
Southern Tier - Unearthly Imperial IPA**, Heavy Weizen Imperial Hefe***, Cherry Saison*
Two Brothers - Domaine Du Page**
Tyranena - Chief Blackhawk Porter **
Victory Brewing - Golden Monkey Tripel **
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Labor Day Things
It was a long weekend starting on Friday with going to the State Fair early to help Barb set up the MN Supreme Court Historical Society booth at 7 am. We set it and I worked till 10:30 am then went back to my truck to change into something more comfortable. I played my chanter for 45 minutes. After that I went out to see things I didn't see when I went with Nic and his family on 25 August or wouldn't do with Katherine. It was actually quite nice and liberating. No need to vacillate and hem and haw about this and that and take into consideration the other person's feeling about whether they wanted to do this or that ot eat this ot that. Ah, so very nice. Brent arrived late and right away it was beer time and whatever. Then Katherine arrived as did Karen. It was good to have had the time to myself.
Saturday, Katherine's 35th reunion in Buffalo. It was a very interesting event. I was introduced to all her old high school classmates. It was interesting to hear people to talk about what has gone on in their lives and read the class bio handout which caught people up with what everyone was doing. It truly was fun and interesting.
Sunday, a nice long bike ride down to lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. K went back home to get ready for church and I went to work in the garden and putter around the house. I am not finding church very interesting or compelling. I know the message is always the same, however, the messenger is sometimes a problem. I met with the McGilps at Townhall and had some very good beers. Then I dashed over to Orchestra Hall to catch the TCC Gospel Chois do a small concert. It was very delightful and cool. We (Brent, Katje, and myself) went to Acadia and had some beers and share a sandwich.
Monday - Day of the March. We went to Menard's to get bricks for the pull off. The kids were to help their mother do this however, they are the laziest, good for nothings. Yet, they are paid an allowance for doing nothing but breathing. I went to Nic's house and picked him and Damian up and go to the peace march on the RNC. We parked up by Western and walked to the Capitol where we then waited for approx. 2 hours for the march to start. We met the McGilps and Eli their gradnson. When the march actually started down the street we moved at a pretty good pace. We met Nic's neighbors Pat, John and Jessie and marched with them. We were shouting " Hey Hey Ho Ho 13th Avenue Against the War!! Nic was embarassed as was damian. The march was permitted to go within about 200 ft. of the RNC Excel Center doing sort of a hairpin sort of turn around. Counter protesters were very few and the cops in riot gear were out in force. Dressed in black with shin guards, padding, helmets, tear gas launchers, Edina's armoured car, and mounted cops on bicylces and horses. It was pretty incredible. I am glad everyone was very cool. The organizers had people stationed between the cops and the marchers, that was very good. After we marched we had a ice cream by the cathedral as an ice cream truck had stopped. We then went home and it was good.
Saturday, Katherine's 35th reunion in Buffalo. It was a very interesting event. I was introduced to all her old high school classmates. It was interesting to hear people to talk about what has gone on in their lives and read the class bio handout which caught people up with what everyone was doing. It truly was fun and interesting.
Sunday, a nice long bike ride down to lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. K went back home to get ready for church and I went to work in the garden and putter around the house. I am not finding church very interesting or compelling. I know the message is always the same, however, the messenger is sometimes a problem. I met with the McGilps at Townhall and had some very good beers. Then I dashed over to Orchestra Hall to catch the TCC Gospel Chois do a small concert. It was very delightful and cool. We (Brent, Katje, and myself) went to Acadia and had some beers and share a sandwich.
Monday - Day of the March. We went to Menard's to get bricks for the pull off. The kids were to help their mother do this however, they are the laziest, good for nothings. Yet, they are paid an allowance for doing nothing but breathing. I went to Nic's house and picked him and Damian up and go to the peace march on the RNC. We parked up by Western and walked to the Capitol where we then waited for approx. 2 hours for the march to start. We met the McGilps and Eli their gradnson. When the march actually started down the street we moved at a pretty good pace. We met Nic's neighbors Pat, John and Jessie and marched with them. We were shouting " Hey Hey Ho Ho 13th Avenue Against the War!! Nic was embarassed as was damian. The march was permitted to go within about 200 ft. of the RNC Excel Center doing sort of a hairpin sort of turn around. Counter protesters were very few and the cops in riot gear were out in force. Dressed in black with shin guards, padding, helmets, tear gas launchers, Edina's armoured car, and mounted cops on bicylces and horses. It was pretty incredible. I am glad everyone was very cool. The organizers had people stationed between the cops and the marchers, that was very good. After we marched we had a ice cream by the cathedral as an ice cream truck had stopped. We then went home and it was good.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
RenFest things
Pouring beer for Flat Earth at the RenFest on Sunday is always amusing. I always enjoy the RenFest. There are the costumes people wear which are crazy and outrageous. There are some very fetching women very sexy in costumes. There are cool costumes. I especially saw one of articulated leather armour this man made for himself. All the tooling and articulation handled by himself. It was a true work of art. Getting hit on by women at my age is flattering. I think anyone would be flattered. It is nice to know that women still have an attraction to me. I cannot think why as I am chubby, greying, and short. The beers we poured were Black Helicopter, Bermuda Triangle, Belgian Pale, and Angry Planet. Lots of kilts all around and bagpipes by Twin Cities Metro. The best thing however was the ratcatcher. I was talking to his understudy a young man who ahs been doing the routine for a several years. He told me the original ratcatcher came to the fest once in awhile to do some comedy for the fun of it. Phil and I saw him in his old form.He was doing everthing adlib, extemporaneously with the crowd and the crowd loved it. I loved it as I hadn't laughed that hard in awhile.
Golden Beer things
Saturday evening, we had a critical mass of people to do a wee bit of analysis on golden beers. Now these golden beers could be any style as long as they were golden in colour. We tasted Oh, Brother! tripel from Two Bros.; Gouden Carolus, Cuvee de Keiser 2008; Granite City Wit and hefeweizen; Andrew & Rick's Tripel; Biere Blanche de Celtique from Britainny; Bermuda Triangle from Flat Earth; The two standout beers of the evening were Gouden Carolus and Blanche de Celtique. the judges were Bob & Michele McKenzie, Mark & Shona (bob's sister), Andrew, Damian, Katje, Brent, and dennis.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Weekend things
The weekend is upon us and upon me. K is off taking her daughter to University. They are driving through the day and will arrive there tonight. I am planning on playing and having some good fun. Friday night will be boardgaming with Greg, George, Walter, and Nick. Saturday off to the St. Paul Farmer's Market and listen to the Eddie's. Maybe work on the chimney in Quebec, maybe not. With K gone this affords me time to get away and go to a movie I want to see without this feeling of guilt or accommodation. Saturday is this summer's Golden Beer Fest, formerly the Yellow Beer Fest. Bring your favorite yellow beer to taste and share. Belgians will be prominent. Speaking of Belgian, I think of Belgium and going to see Belgium again. What a beautiful country and people especially the Flemings. The tasting should be fun as we have a number of people coming and it should be good fun.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Things Beer Judging
I will be judging for the Minnesota State Fair homebrew competition tonight at the Fairgrounds. I have done it the last few years and it is always fun as I see people I haven't seen for awhile. Try some homebrews and write good comments and hopefully gentle in comments about their efforts. I had a couple of disasters myself in my brewing career i.e. a Holiday ale with too much cloves. What I learned was that a little bit of cloves goes a long way.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Beer things
Last night I gave two brewery tours at Summit Brewery St. Paul, MN to the folks visiting there to participate in the Lighting Run. Lots of bike or hogs, young and old, tattooed or not, and in leathers or not, and all of them enjoying a perfect evening as the humidity had dissapated and there was a gentle breeze. The tours were smaller, 12-24 people. I gave them an abbreviated tour which still took around 40 minutes. When I wasn't talking about Summit I was pouring it for people, a lot of them had never had Summit and never had a full bodied craft beer. It was fun.
After the tours, I went to Barley John's brew pub and met Molly and Doug. We sat outside enjoying the perfect Minnesota summer evening. I had two beers their Wild Brunette and the Old 8 Porter. I hadn't had any beers at Summit as I don't like to give tours and drink beer. We talked of many things. Doug has been going crazy with geneology and has discovered all sorts of links to his family. I told them of my adventures in Portland and all beers that were sampled for research purposes. I also told them about the exciting and fun seminars I had taken at the AALL Convention. Great evening talking beer, computer and Internet technology, and whatever else was interesting under the evening sky.
After the tours, I went to Barley John's brew pub and met Molly and Doug. We sat outside enjoying the perfect Minnesota summer evening. I had two beers their Wild Brunette and the Old 8 Porter. I hadn't had any beers at Summit as I don't like to give tours and drink beer. We talked of many things. Doug has been going crazy with geneology and has discovered all sorts of links to his family. I told them of my adventures in Portland and all beers that were sampled for research purposes. I also told them about the exciting and fun seminars I had taken at the AALL Convention. Great evening talking beer, computer and Internet technology, and whatever else was interesting under the evening sky.
Friday, July 25, 2008
RSS Things
Adding these RSS links was rather difficult and yet easy once I actually did it. I probably spent more time than I should have, however, I've read a number of articles and saw explanations of what RSS is on YouTube. Learning all this new material is mind blowing. I hope to spend part of the weekend working on my RSS links, feeds, and sharing it all with friends and colleagues.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Playing with things in my and for my blog
I have had a long and interesting morning setting up this blog. It has been fun and with some timely questions to staff that have more experience and expertise I have finally started my blog. Now I am adding content and things i.e. avatar, rss, and favorite things.I may actually get something going here.
On Tuesday evening, after band practice and needing some neck oil to relieve a parched throat and a dry tongue. My friend Thom and I went to the Muddy Pig and we had a couple of glasses. Thom had a beer called Rogue Latona and Cain & Ebel. I had a Domain du page and a Matilda from Goose Island . It was a nice, pleasant way to finish off a Tuesday of bagpipes and drums.
On Tuesday evening, after band practice and needing some neck oil to relieve a parched throat and a dry tongue. My friend Thom and I went to the Muddy Pig and we had a couple of glasses. Thom had a beer called Rogue Latona and Cain & Ebel. I had a Domain du page and a Matilda from Goose Island . It was a nice, pleasant way to finish off a Tuesday of bagpipes and drums.
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