Das Mixture

Last Mile Lounge - Fear the Goat Edition

Opening Statement

 

For New Years Eve Jaclyn and I attended the Texas Bowl, resplendent in our Navy attire, to view the tilt between the US Naval Academy and Missouri. The photo above shows that Navy administered a spanking and sadly, it could have been worse. However, I am not going to complain about the total domination by the Navy squad.

A couple of non-football related highlights:

• The Brigade of Midshipmen is awesome. It's not every day you can see our future military leadership march into a stadium.

• The Marine Pilots who did the pre-game flyover were on hand for the second half of the game and were introduced to the crowd. All have done battle in the skies overseas and were given a rousing standing ovation.

• The Navy Flags got a workout from all the scoring!

   

All in all, a great game with the pageantry and excitement one would expect from a bowl. And Navy won!

GO NAVY!

Listening to: Nights in White Satin - The Moody Blues

Closing Argument: Fuck the Missouri Band! All I am saying is this is the first time I have ever seen a band resoundly booed. Absolutely inconsiderate.

A Decade of Steps

Opening Statement

Glory is a state of mind. Celebrate your runs to the fullest and you will be rewarded - Jamoosh

In 2002 Jaclyn and I drove around the Houston Marathon to cheer for our friend Brian Primary as he tackled the marathon course. And the rest, they say, is history.

First Marathon: In January of 2003 I laced up my shoes for my inaugural marathon (Houston). It did not go as planned. A knee injury just beyond Mile 17 meant I had to drag myself to the finish. It was heatbreaking and emotional at the same time. Best Moment: Post race as I made my way to the staging area I spotted my wife Jaclyn on the other side of the fence with an "I Love My Big Dog" sign. I thought I was going to cry. To this day it's still my favorite sign.

Arguably, that first marathon turned me into an ultra-conservative runner. Not necessarily a good thing from a time persepective, but definitely a boon to running multiple marathons over short time periods.

Biggest Accomplishment: I'm not sure of this one.

In 2006 I ran the Goofy Challenge (half marathon on Saturday; full marathon on Sunday) and then ran the Houston Marathon a week later.

Also in 2006 I ran two marathons in January (Disney and Houston) and two marathons in February (Surfside and Tampa).

Again in 2006, I ran seven marathons and three half marathons in five months (Marathons: Disney, Houston, Surfside, Tampa, Dallas Big D, Oklahoma City, Green Bay. Half Marathons: Disney, Seabrook, Madison)

 

Making my way around Lambeau Field during Green Bay. Yes, that is a Saint Arnold Brewing singlet.

2006 was definitely the year of running joy and included one more marathon (Dallas White Rock), two half marathons (Disneyland and Houston/Koala) and a 25K before the year ended.

Fave Run: My favorite run is not an organized race. It's a point to point run in San Francisco. I begin by running down to Fisherman's Wharf and taking the ferry over to Sausalito. Then it's a run through Sausalito and up Mount Tamalpais to the Golden Gate Bridge. Across the Golden Bridge and down into Fort Point National Historic Site. Then it's along the beach where you can watch the windsurfers and folks playing with their dogs. After that, you make your way by the Yacht Club and then into San Francisco Park. The hill in San Francisco Park takes you down to the Maritime Museum and back to Fisherman's Wharf. Spend some time running along Fisherman's Wharf and finally head back to the hotel. Normally a nine or ten mile run depending upon what hotel I stay in.

Call Me Coach: Prior to my knee injury in 2008, I coached first-time marathoners with Houston Fit. The only thing more rewarding than helping people become better runners is meeting them to begin with.  

Biggest WTF Moment: I have to go with a tie on this one.

Surfside (2006) is on a beach. Nice hard packed sand (and very little camber) which is easy on the joints, although a little tougher on the muscles. The 13.1 miles to the turnaround was run into a 20+ MPH headwind. Once I turned around, less than a mile later the wind changed direction - Oh c'mon man! I did get a free microdermabrasion skin treatment though.

     

Do you know why Jaclyn is so happy? Because she wisely chose the Half!  

Tampa (2006) was going well despite a delayed start (lightning) and some rain early on. As I neared Mile 21 I was on pace for a PR and making my way through a nice little neighborhood. Then I turned left onto Bayshore Blvd and encountered hurricane force winds - you gotta be fonkin' kidding me! It was easily a smack in the face and drove me back. It thoroughly sucked all the drive right out of me. I did regroup in the last mile or so and still got my PR, but it was not easy.

Most Emotional Race: Oklahoma City (2006) - if you don't get emotional during this race, there is something terribly wrong with you or you are a cyborg. Run to commemorate those who died during the OKC bombing, there are reminders everywhere about the loss that so many experienced. Late in the race I was running through a neighborhood that had large banners on each light pole. Each banner had the name of a bombing victim on it. Fifteen yards ahead of me a runner stopped under a banner and bowed his head. On his back was the name of a person he was running in tribute to. I quickly realized the name on the banner and the name on his back matched and I swear my heart stopped. I cannot, to this day, tell that story without getting choked up.

Most Fun Run: Sometimes it's all about the people and the 2007 Bataan Death March was one of those times.

 

Jaclyn, Sylvia, Robert & Felix during a walk break in the desert.

There may not be anything fun about miles 8 - 13 being one long climb up a mountain, but when you are with the right people, you don't notice much. Also, when Sylvia and I are serenading folks with Hooked on a Feeling, can it really get any better than that? Of course it can. Throughout the marathon we were able to interface with many of America's military men and women and realize how wonderful many members of our younger generation are.

Most Satisfying Experience: I have to go back to my second marathon for this one. My goal for Houston (2004) was to finish healthy. Not only did I feel great when I finished, but I knocked 29 minutes off my time from a year earlier. I felt so good that I ran back down the course and picked up my wife, who was running her first marathon. I ran her to about a quarter mile from the finish and then sprinted over to the finish line so I could watch her cross. I have never seen a bigger smile on her face and I have never felt prouder of her.

Best Post-Race Beer: You might be wondering if Jamoosh partakes in post-race brew. First, you have to have better things to think about. Second, um, duh!

 

Jaclyn and I at Titletown Brewing in Green Bay. A short post-race walk from our hotel.

Let me just say this, a brew pub has been prominently involved post race after every Houston Marathon (except one), both Surfside Marathons, Green Bay, Eugene, Madison, um, I think I'll it leave it at that.

Worst Race Experience: Hands down this is Dallas Big D in 2006. Never again. Not only did they have us running on a street under construction, but traffic control was horrendous. I'd like to now direct your attention to the bus that is rumbling down the road, head on toward several hundred runners - hello. Not only that, in many neighborhoods the police had no idea what side of the cones the runners were supposed to be on. To make matters worse, they opted for a late start and the temperature rose to over 90 degrees. If that weren't enough, the water at the aid stations in the latter part of the race was warm. Did I mention they ran out of food...

Most Consistent Race: Easily Eugene in 2007. My overall pace stayed very close to ten minutes for the entire race. This was also the first marathon where my last mile was my fastest.

 

I'm the one in the orange singlet - notice what the dude in the red/white is wearing

 

Jamoosh in front of the House that Pre made famous 

One of the coolest things about the Eugene Marathon is that you can warm up at Haywood Field. That's right, you can run in Pre's footsteps.

The "Now I Get It" Race: In 2007 I was working a project in North Dakota. Stuck in Fargo over a weekend in the fall, I noticed a small town an hour or so down the road was holding a half marathon. Next thing I know, I am signed up for the Sheyenne Valley Shuffle and a bus is dropping about 50 of us off at a dam. Our race instructions: "They have agreed to hold the train for an hour. If you don't cross the tracks in time, you will need to wait for the train. See you back in town." Up to this point, I had always run a half marathon like a marathon. Slow going at first and just easing into a comfortable pace. After a few miles, I was in last - as in dead last (FYI - when I checked the results from the previous year, every one had a faster time than my PR). Not only was this unacceptable, but there was also the pesky train to worry about. So I picked up my pace and started picking off runners. In fact, by the end of the race I was consistently running sub 8:00s (I know, slow for many of you, but fast for me). It was then I realized there is a huge difference between training for and running a half marathon and training for and running a marathon. For the record, I did beat the train.

In many races that I run, whether it be anything from a 10K to a marathon, I often "hang out" with fellow runners. For example, if I am doing a marathon and my wife is doing a half, I'll run the first part of the race with her and then do my own thing. Also, when I come across friends in the same race, I often slow down and chat awhile before moving on. A PR is great, but the race experience is more important for me.

The Magic Marathon:  2005 in the Magic Kingdom. Dorky? Sure. But one of my goals was to run a marathon with my wife. Hence, in 2005 I ran Disney with Jaclyn at her pace. Plenty of bondage bonding and a great time to boot. We took our time, which is something everyone should do at least once when they run Disney.

   

Donald Duck is Jaclyn's favorite Disney Character, so everytime we ran in to him, we stopped and got a picture

 

The wonderful thing about Tiggers is they love Jamoosh   

Half the Distance - Twice the Fun: Seabrook's running weekend in the Spring features a half marathon on Saturday and a half marathon and a full marathon on Sunday. In 2007 I ran the half on both days, not only running faster on Sunday, but setting a PR as well.

Speaking of Half Marathons, during 2006 my wife completed twelve of them. Twelve!

It's Just A Training Run: In 2007 I was signed up for the Houston/Koala Half. At that point in my training I had a 19 Mile Run scheduled. So right before the race I ran six miles, changed my shirt, and then went on to easily PR in the Half Marathon by five minutes.

Good Samaritan: During Dallas White Rock (2006), I ran a good first half and was feeling stronger as the race went on. About nine miles from the finish I came across a first time marathoner who was struggling. He had developed an issue with his leg and on the one hand, he refused to quit; on the other hand, he was unable to stay motivated. I opted to put my race aside and get him to the finish line using every tactic I could think of. Because of the look on his face when he crossed the finish line and his thanks, I have never once thought about what could have been.

Challenge: Back in 2007 a fellow runner put out the challenge of ten loops of the Seabrook/Kemah Bridge (approximately 18.7 miles total). Needing a "hilly" run to get ready for Bataan, early one Saturday morning, under the cover of darkness, I set out (with the wife sleeping in the car, no less). Twenty times I went up and down that bridge to success.

  

Last trip down the bridge

My Number 1 Fan (with "the" sign)!

Listening to: Danger - The Motels

Closing Argument: The decade may not have ended on a high point, but there was plenty of running goodness throughout.
 

And the Running Gods Passed

Opening Statement

I can only sacrifice so many small animals - I fear the Running Gods have abandoned me.

I am nearly to the point of shrugging my shoulders and accepting the inevitable. The day rapidly approaches where I will no longer be able to convince myself that a marathon distance is possible. Sadly, 2009 will end, the way it began, the Runner Jamoosh being just plain Jamoosh. Boo hiss.

As I patiently battle my foot injury, I've tried to remain positive and have even forced myself to believe that as long as I can run 10 miles by a certain date, I can struggle through the Gasparilla Marathon at the close of February. That day is rapidly approaching and the foot just does not seem to want to cooperate.

I'm not sure what to feel as this has become all too common place. Verily, this was supposed to be my Running Year in Review, but my running joy was short-lived and the post would have been two lines at most.

Hence, tomorrow I will embark on a postive as possible review of my Running Decade. The purpose is two-fold: Relive some of the good stuff and recruit unsuspecting runners into the Cult of Jamoosh.

Until then.

Listening to: I Want You to Want Me - Letters to Cleo

Closing Argument: I would gladly give up beer (horrors) to be running like it was 2006 again...

A Decade of Brew

Opening Statement

 

I guess you could say the decade officially started at Redhook Brewing in Woodinville, WA when it was dubbed by my friend Jimmy Pop and I as "The Happiest Place on Earth." Thanks in part to Bartender Dan and a flash of boobies (heh, heh, I wrote the plural of "booby"). Now, because I have a random access memory, we're going semi-bullet style.

Favorite Northwest Brewing Stops:

• Redhook Brewing (Woodinville, WA)
• Pyramid Brewing (Seattle, WA)
• Hopworks Urban Brewery (Portland, OR)
• Widmer Brewing (Portland, OR) 

Free has been a running theme throughout the decade. I hesitate to question why, but it may have something to do with the fact I love to talk about beer and that my wife, who doesn't drink, knows more about beer than most people who wander into a brewery or brew pub.

• My wife and I were sitting at the bar early one afternoon in a near empty Schlafly Tap Room in St. Louis, telling the bartender and an older gentleman, also at the bar, how the Tap Room was a much better brew pub than the place we had just visited (very true). Later when we went to pay our bill the bartender told us it had been taken care of. Turns out that older gentleman was the owner.

• During our honeymoon in Arizona (2001), Jaclyn and I visited Hops (not the chain), where the brewmaster was so enamored with us, he not only gave us a private tour, but also loaded us up with a small suitcase full of brewery paraphernalia.

• At Celtic Bayou in Redmond, WA the bartender insisted on giving us numerous bombers (22 oz bottles) of their brews as we were leaving. This was before 9/11 so we were still able to carry liquids on planes. Our carry on luggage consisted of several cases of beer.

When in Wisconsin... Places in Wisco we will always stop when we are in the general area:

• Great Dane (Madison)
• Ale Asylum (Madison)
• Thirsty Pagan (Superior)
• Lakefront Brewing (Milwaukee)

In 2001 Tropical Storm Allison dropped 40 inches of rain on Houston - much of it during our Reception at the Saint Arnold Brewery (Jaclyn and I were married in Florida and this was our "Houston" reception). Jaclyn and I were the last to leave, except for Nick, who was playing host and Beer Lord that night. We found out a few weeks later that Nick had to spend the night at the brewery because he got flooded in. If only we had stayed an additional half hour...

 

Random note, during a Saint Arnold Tour I remarked to Brian Primary that if I met a woman who would allow me to have my reception at the Saint Arnold Brewery, I would marry her. Nuff said!

My first beer rennaissance came about because I began brewing my own beer. My second beer rennaissance has to be attributed to discovering Dogfish Head Brewing a few years back. I don't know if these guys are absolutely mad or wonderfully creative, but they are indeed some type of beer geniuses. Thanks to Dogfish Head my beer palate has exploded and I now have a soft spot for big, bold, robust sipping beers.

Favorite Dogfish Head Beers of the Decade:

• 60 Minute IPA
• Palo Santo Marron
• King Midas
• World Wide Stout

More memories:

• During a road trip from Houston to Wisconsin in the middle of the double aughts, Jaclyn and I visited 17 brew pubs/breweries over a nine day period.

• This year, a seven day trip that included Salt Lake City, Seattle, Portland and Ashland (Oregon), yielded 14 brew pubs and breweries.

• The first time I visited Florida to meet Jaclyn's family, after picking us up at the airport, I was quickly dumped at a brew pub so they could go look at wedding dresses.

• As we entered 2009, I was on a project in Virginia that required my presence six days a week - no vacation; no flying home. My company flew my wife out for New Years and we spent all of New Years Day at the Vintage 50 Brew Pub in Leesburg, VA - seriously, a good 8 - 9 hours watching Bowl Games and enjoying some excellent beers. Did I mention the free beer courtesy of several different bartenders? May have been the best New Years Day ever.

Three IPAs that defined my decade:

• Dogfish Head 60 Minute
• Lagunitas Maximus
• Stone Ruination

Continuing... 

• In 2005 Jaclyn gave me a bottle of The Czar - a Russian Imperial Stout from Avery Brewing for Christmas. It was so good, we purchase multiple bottles every year and cellar one or two.

• For several years during the double zeros, Jaclyn and I had our TABC licenses (enabling us to legally serve alcohol in TX) and served beer for Saint Arnold Brewing on many occasions, including their Tenth Anniversary Celebration and the reopening of the Tall Ship Elissa in Galveston, TX (Elissa by the way became the name of their IPA).

• My wife and I smuggled several cases of Saint Arnold to Tampa, FL so I could toast with a Saint Arnold Brew (Summer Pils) during our wedding reception.   

My Saint Arnold Stranded on an Island Brews:

• Lawnmower (Perfect for the hot days)
• Amber (The one brew that is always in my refridgerator)
• Christmas (Great for the cool nights)

 

During one particular rowdy vistit to BJ's Brewhouse, my wife somehow talked the manager into giving her one of their unique pizza servers (seen above serving up bear). I don't want to know what she did to secure said item, but you cannot purchase them and BJ's no longer uses them.

Best Three Tours of the Decade:

• Saint Arnold Brewing (Houston, TX)
• Lakefront Brewing (Milwaukee, WI)
• Any time you can get a personal tour with the brewmaster

More stuff:

• My wife and I have turned the Beer Tastings we host into an art form, including several iterations of the 12 Beers of Christmas and everyone's favorite: Beer vs. Beer. By the way, Jaclyn is the greatest Beer Wench on the Planet (honorable mention to Carolyn and Kim, both awesome wenches in their own right).

• Brian Primary has been my favorite person to taste beer with this decade. In fact, we randomly have blind tastings - thanks to the greatest Beer Wench on the Planet

• Jaclyn and I visited breweries and brew pubs in 27 different states during the decade.

Jaclyn's five favorite Brew Pubs/Breweries:

• Grumpy Troll (Mount Horeb, WI)
• Saint Arnold (Houston, TX)
• BJ's Brewhouse (Pearland (TX)
• Town Hall Brewing (Minneapolis, MN)
• Turtle Mountain (Rio Ranch, NM)

You mean there was beer involved...

• My good friend Brian Primary met his awesome wife, Melissa, at a Brew Pub (Two Rows). Ironically, she was serving him beer.

• My 40th Birthday was held at the Saint Arnold Brewery (2002).

• In 2008, Jaclyn and I were at a beer dinner at Dogfish Head (the original Rehoboth Beach, DE location) and Sam Calagione, the founder and owner, stopped by our table for a chat. When he found out we travelled all the way from Texas to celebrate our Anniversary at his beer dinner we were presented with a bottle of Raison D'Extra (a bolder version of the Raison D'Etre) from his personal stash.

Three great Brew Pubs/Breweries not yet mentioned in this post that you must visit during the next decade:

• Stone (Escondido, CA)
• 75th St. (Kanasas City, MO)
• New Glarus (New Glarus, WI)

This could conceivably be a ten part post, however the decade is nearing an end and let's face it, you still have things to accomplish. So I'll stop the Brew Train right here. I also considered adding a list of my top beers of the decade, but there are just so many that I would surely have left some out. Besides, that's another post altogether and just maybe...

Listening to: Heartbreak Beat - Psychedelic Furs

Closing Argument: Suffice to say, nearly every one of my best loved brew memories involves my wife Jaclyn. Beer hopping just isn't as much fun without her at my side.

Round-Up: The Year in Beer

Opening Statement

I'm only here for the beer...

As 2009 abruptly comes to a close, I can only say "wow!" I set out, but a humble man, with a goal of tasting 50 new beers. Thanks to travels across this great landscape I not only exceeded expectations, but apparently I resembled a frat boy at a Friday version of Drinkin' with Lincoln (Beers for a penny for those who missed that particular college experience).

Actually, with a tasting glass in hand and the world's greatest designated driver - my wife, I was able to sample well over 100 new beers in 2009. I have been informed there are still many brews awaiting to fall upon excited taste buds, hence 2010 holds promise.

Best New (to me) Beer: With so many to choose from and so few that made a lasting impact the award goes to the Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron. This sipping beer features some deep flavors and is the first brown ale I actually enjoy. When I saw it on the shelves of the local Beer Store a few months back I have to admit, I may have gotten moist.

Best Beer Related Purchase/"Gift":

 

One of these tap handles was purchased and one was - let me see, how do I put this - jacked by our bartender and handed over. I'm not saying which because they both rock (and I visited both breweries this past year). 

Best New (to me) Brewpub: My wife and I made rounds in the Midwest and the West Coast this year and projects in the Southeast enabled visits to a plethora of Brewpubs and Breweries. But the place I want to go back to the most is Hopworks Urban Brewery in Portland, OR. 

Best Brewpub Experience: Momentary friends, witty conversations, and great beer made for some awesome evenings around these United States. I'd have to give the nod to the Thirsty Pagan, a little hole in the wall in Superior, WI. I would have gladly slept on the floor if they had allowed me to.

Best Use of Google: While travelling over to Redhook Brewing in Woodinville, WA my wife and I spied a small sign stuck next to a sidewalk that read Black Raven Brewing. Over lunch at Redhook we were able to Google Black Raven and determine that a stop was indeed necessary. We weren't sorry.

Best Beer Experience: In February, Brock Wagner, owner of Saint Arnold Brewing came by for a tasting with six different versions of Divine Reserve (1-6). A small group of us had a once in a lifetime tasting that we will not soon forget.

Best New (to me) Seasonal Beer: Seasonal brews run the gamut of styles and flavors and even the Christmas Season features a veritible buffet of brews to choose from. Normally, my favorite time of beer is when the weather turns cold and this year it was no different. I give you a toss-up between Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and Widmer Brrr. Contrasting tastes to be sure, but deliciousness abounds on both counts.

Listening to: Trailer Ras - Long Beach Dub All-Stars

Closing Argument: This week I'll be wrapping up the decade in both running and beer. One of these posts will be infinitely longer than the other.

And To All A Good Night

Opening Statement

My wife and I both have the day off today so last night was date night. All I am saying is that upon her arrival home from work she was presented with Jamoosh and a 70's porn mustache. I don't think I need to say any thing more...

Holiday Cheer

Listening to: Click above - duh!

Closing Argument: May Santa and your significant other rain upon you all the running gear that you desire and deserve this holiday - hey, you are worth it! Happy Holidays everyone.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

Opening Statement

Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you are at home - Carol Nelson

The madness is complete. Yesterday I finished up my Christmas Shopping - which was essentially securing stocking stuffers for the wife. I would be remiss if I posted what awesomeness will show up in her stocking come midnight on Christmas Day as it will raise the expectations of women everywhere and that is not something I will do to my fellow male sapiens out there.

Random observation: I am convinced that everyone has the retarded gene. Fortunately, in many people this gene is benign. Or so I thought. Apparently, during the holiday season, the retarded gene flares up. Why is this and is this grounds for doing away with Christmas? 

Winners

Congrats to Victoria and Heather (over at Junk Miles). My wife reached deep into the Nike Running Hat and pulled out your names for running books by Dean Karnazes and Bart Yasso respectively. Give me an address and the books will be sent out shortly.

Marathon

No, not the running kind - the couch kind. Yesterday was the first official day of vacation, hence I opted to conduct a Star Wars Marathon (Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Care Bears in Space Return of the Jedi). In hindsight, the Empire was doomed not because good triumphed over The Dark Side, but because of the design of the Storm Trooper battle gear. The Empire outfitted their soldiers in cheap plastic that limited movement, narrowed the line of sight, and was hard pressed to provide protection from a spit ball.

Oh yeah, and there was that tiny little issue of a design flaw in The Death Star, but I digress. 

What I have failed to inform you is that grilled sausage and cold beer was heavily involved.

Listening to: These Blues - Models

Closing Argument: Today I am considering a MINI (Cooper) Marathon (The Italian Job, The Bourne Identity, etc.).

Sing Along - The 12 Beers of Christmas

Opening Statement

Apparently some folks (with little imagination) had a WTF moment when instead of a song about 12 Beers, they stopped by my blog last week and found not only a picture of 12 beers, but dutifully read that said beers were the center piece of a Christmas Celebration. I know, it does seem odd that with all the "me too" versions of Christmas songs causing blogosphere cheer you might be a little surprised if one of your favorite blogs (bad assumption) does not follow suit. Thus, in order to satisfy the common denominator, I give you the caroling version of the 12 Beers of Christmas.

On the First day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

A big ass bottle of Czar (Avery Czar Russian Imperial Stout)

 

On the Second day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

Two Divine 5’s (St. Arnold Divine #5)

And a big ass bottle of Czar

 

On the Third day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

Three Treblehooks (Redhook Treblehook Barleywine)

Two Divine 5’s

And a big ass bottle of Czar

 

On the Fourth Day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

Four Lagunitas (Lagunitas IPA)

Three Treblehooks

Two Divine 5’s

And a big ass bottle of Czar

 

On the Fifth Day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

Five Celebrations (Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale)

Four Lagunitas

Three Treblehooks

Two Divine 5’s

And a big ass bottle of Czar

 

On the Sixth Day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

Six Holiday Spice (Lakefront Holiday Spice)

Five Celebrations

Four Lagunitas

Three Treblehooks

Two Divine 5’s

And a big ass bottle of Czar

 

On the Seventh Day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

Seven Dogfish 60’s (Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA)

Six Holiday Spice

Five Celebrations

Four Lagunitas

Three Treblehooks

Two Divine 5’s

And a big ass bottle of Czar

 

On the Eighth Day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

Eight Happy Endings (Ale Asylum Happy Ending Belgian Abbey)

Seven Dogfish 60’s

Six Holiday Spice

Five Celebrations

Four Lagunitas

Three Treblehooks

Two Divine 5’s

And a big ass bottle of Czar

 

On the Ninth Day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

Nine Black Lagers (Sam Adams Black Lager)

Eight Happy Endings

Seven Dogfish 60’s

Six Holiday Spice

Five Celebrations

Four Lagunitas

Three Treblehooks

Two Divine 5’s

And a big ass bottle of Czar

 

On the Tenth Day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

Ten Edel Pils (New Glarus Edel Pils)

Nine Black Lagers

Eight Happy Endings

Seven Dogfish 60’s

Six Holiday Spice

Five Celebrations

Four Lagunitas

Three Treblehooks

Two Divine 5’s

And a big ass bottle of Czar

 

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

Eleven Arrogant Bastards (Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale)

Ten Edel Pils

Nine Black Lagers

Eight Happy Endings

Seven Dogfish 60’s

Six Holiday Spice

Five Celebrations

Four Lagunitas

Three Treblehooks

Two Divine 5’s

And a big ass bottle of Czar

 

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas Jaclyn gave to me

Twelve Ibuprofen

Eleven Arrogant Bastards

Ten Edel Pils

Nine Black Lagers

Eight Happy Endings

Seven Dogfish 60’s

Six Holiday Spice

Five Celebrations

Four Lagunitas

Three Treblehooks

Two Divine 5’s

And a big ass bottle of Czar

Listening to: Modern Way - Kaiser Chiefs

Closing Argument: Kids, that's 66 beers. More than enough for 11 days of indulgence and a day of recovery...

Open, Open, Open

Opening Statement

The easiest way to spot a wanker in a pub is to look around and find who's drinking a Corona with a slice of lemon in the neck.  - Warwick Franks

 

At 10:00 this morning, Jaclyn and I were in line for the "last minute" grand opening of Saint Arnold Brewing to the public.  Yes, yes, this was after a night when a veritable brewer's dozen of holiday beers rode ripshod across the stream of consciousness.

Last night's 12 Beers of Christmas was a small gathering that featured some big personalities and even bigger beers. However, as big as the beers were, we took all thirteen (Brewer's Dozen!) down one by one and ironically, we were all standing at the end. Interestingly, several folks were taking notes...so they could remember their favorites in case the memory became - shall we say - fuzzy.

Overall the evening gave us some hits, some misses, and some standards. At the top of the pile were the Sierra Nevada Celebration, the Saint Arnold Christmas, and the Redhook Winterhook. Disappointments included the Abita Christmas Ale and the Full Sail Wassail. The Widmer Brrr and the Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout both received special consideration. All in all a moment in time of good friends and holiday cheer.

Admittedly, after last night and an early morning trip to the brewery (well of course there was beer, it's a brewery for gosh sake) there was an afternoon nap.

Listening to: Enter Sandman - Metallica

Closing Argument: Saint Arnold Brewing did not get their Certificate for Occupancy until 4:59 PM yesterday. It had been hung with the City of Houston for several weeks. Hence the last minute "grand opening." The new brewery is spacious to say the least. I cannot wait to host a gathering there. I just need a reason. Oh yeah, each and every one of you will be invited. 

Last Mile Lounge - 12 Beers Edition

Opening Statement

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me: a beer - Bob and Doug McKenzie

Behold the line-up for tonight's 12 Beers of Christmas:

 

And a photo of the excited beers chillin' and faithfully awaiting to pleasure a palate:

We also have some giveaways for a few lucky guests - A six pack which includes five Christmas brews and a pint glass for enjoying them. Don't you wish I was your friend!

Listening to: German Test Drive - Spymob

Closing Argument: Shoutin' out to Rachel for the envelope full of goodies. And without the anthrax!