New phone test and last day at work!

Well, today was my last day at work! I am no longer a fully employed human being; just thought I would send a quick blog post about that! I also have a brand new phone that is much more diverse in it's capabilities, so this is the first official post with my new phone.

Hmm, now that I am an unemployed, fulltime broke college student; what beer should I celebrate with???

Maybe this would be appropriate!

 

Devil Dog Imperial IPA, Laughing Dog Brewing

Laughing Dog's Devil Dog Imperial IPA is a beer I've been wanting to try for quite some time. It's not that I couldn't find time to go and pick up a bottle at a local specialty beer store, it was it's availability. I have had the opportunity to try some of the brewery's other beers, like Dogzilla, Alpha Dog, CSB and DoggFather, but never came across the Devil Dog in any of my travels.

I first discovered Laughing Dog beers on a weekend trip to Portland, Oregon in the spring of 2009. I attended the Spring Beer and Wine Festival at the convention center and just had a really good time. While in Portland though, I was able to find time to visit Johns Market and Belmont Station to do a little beer shopping. I went a little crazy, but managed to fill up and ship home three cases of locally brewed beers, mostly bombers, That were not available in my area. The Devil Dog was exactly what it claims to be and I thoroughly enjoyed every sip. Cheers! 

Carbonation overload!

This is what happens when a bomber is over-carbonated! After it was all said and done, I still enjoyed the brew, and ESB from Harmon Brewing Company in Tacoma, Washington. The beer was getting up there in age, so I don't know if that had anything to do with this mild accident. Enjoy the video below and Cheers!

Wreck the Halls Winter Ale

Wreck the Halls Winter Ale
Full Sail Brewing Co.
Hood River, OR
6.5% ABV
68 IBU's

Color / Appearance: Darker amber color, nearing ruby or copper like appearance. About a one finger head forms, somewhat off-white and creamy.

Aroma: Tons of citrus fruit on the nose, I would say a mix of grapefruit and orange. Also a touch of earthiness. Also has a rich candy caramel malt aroma as well, but the hops are the tip of the spear in the smell.

Taste: Medium body and creamy on the palate. Citrus hops right away up front- obviously a generous amount of centennial hops are used, but the sweet candy malt balances quickly. Again, an earthy character follows on the finish, slightly bitter, but enjoyable.

Wreck the Halls is a combination of IPA and your typical winter warmer, which is usually more malty. It's a bit of a different type of winter warmer and I'm beginning to see more of these hybrid types of winter ales on the shelf.  Another example of the style is Bi-Frost from Elysian, both solid beers in my opinion.
Cheers!

SMC

Charlie Sheen-co de Mayo

Well this post doesn't have a whole lot to do with beer, but there is beer involved! Tonight, Thursday May 5th, 2011 at the Diamond in Lake Elsinore, CA, home of the Lake Elsinore Storm, single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, will be hosting a rather unique and controversial promotion.

Well, controversial for some, maybe, but I personally think it is nothing more than good old fashioned light-hearted American humor pointed at Mr. Sheen and to celebrate his delinquency and possible rehab. Of course, if you have attended minor league baseball games in the past, especially at the single and double-A levels, you know and have experienced some of the wacky promotional events they can come up with. Tonight is no exception! Sheen-co de Mayo will happen tonight at 7:05 pm sharp! I plan on being there myself and hopefully I will bring back some good video and photos to post on here. I can only say that I think pictures will definitely be like a thousand words to describe this one. Here is a short list of events that will happen on this night down at the ballpark:

Charlie Sheen bobblehead doll given away to the first 1000 people through the gate (see photo below).

A pair of wild thing eyeglasses to the first 500 people in honor of wild thing Ricky Vaughn from the movie Major League.

The #99 jersey will be retired.

2 for 1 Ho-Ho's special, with a possible appearance by the Goddesses, so I hear.

Tiger-blood cocktails will be served.

A pink taco eating contest.

And to cap it off, it is Thirsty Thursday! $1 draft beers, other drinks and sodas.

As for the beer part of this event, well, it's Thirsty Thursday! However, this is a staple promotion for every Thursday home game and I will most certainly be having a few beers from local favorite Black Market Brewing! Now I understand how some people might take this as nothing less than offensive, but with the exception of the name, I don't think this is in any way directed at, or making fun of a certain neighboring country on our southern border. Regardless, I look forward to a fun filled evening of California League baseball, and who knows, maybe Charlie will decide to drop in!

I'll check back in when it is all said and done. Cheers!