Brewing is off, Joel changes teams
Remember the Revolutionary War? Apparently Joel doesn’t. He’s across the pond fraternizing with King George and his ale-loving minions as we speak. And until either Joel comes back to the colonies or I get better, Jeff won’t be able to brew by his lonesome. Consider this week your week off. We’ll hopefully be able to pick up brewing next week.
They get me. They REALLY get me!
I got a couple ‘get better soon’ gifts from the folks at work this week. Among them, a 1000 piece puzzle of beers around the world. There are only a few beers in the puzzle that I’ve 1) had, and more importantly 2) enjoyed. Among them Hoegaarden, Liberty Ale and Duvel. But it’s the thought that counts. Thanks, work associates! Hope to see you soon…
Moonshine and C4
Read a great article in Wired recently about the underground production of moonshine. One of the highlights was a bit about a federal agent:
John Spidell misses the moonshine tradition. A former federal revenuer, the 65-year-old spent the first half of the ’70s “busting up” illegal stills in North Carolina. His job sometimes required living in a sleeping bag under a piece of canvas for weeks at a time, watching a big still, waiting for the owner to appear. Smaller stills got less attention.
“A five- or six-hundred-gallon outfit wasn’t worth wasting time on,” he says. “I’d go back to my vehicle, get the C4 explosives and blasting caps, and I’d blow it up. There were only so many of us, and only so much time.”
That’s right, C4! The full article is a pretty interesting read on the current state of moonshine.
I’m glad beer brewing is legal.
The things I miss about beer
I’m still not sure what is wrong with me… but for the time-being I’m feeling pretty lucid. Anesthesia makes for good sleep. I started reflecting on the fact that I haven’t had a beer in over 3 weeks. At this point I’ve been trying to make every bite/sip count, and sadly I can’t justify the brewski yet. But it is weird for me, and I’ve come to realize the things I like most about beer.
- The subtle complexities. I love the fact that beer is a living beverage. A good beer, in my opinion, tells a story. That story can be as simple as keeping you refreshed on a hot day, but I’m usually driven towards the beers with layers of flavors. Balance. Subtle little hints of fruit that you can draw out with certain yeasts and different fermentation temperatures. I love a beer that evolves in your mouth. (That’s what she said)
- The company. Sure, we don’t NEED beer to make friends. Or to hang out together. But gathering together to enjoy something beautiful and tasty is just so dern fun. Good beer is flexible enough to be the main attraction, but it also has no problem playing bit roles in friendly conversations.
- Jeff and Joel. These aren’t as universal, but mostly pertinent to my dealings with ‘beer.’ Not being able to brew for 3 weeks now has been muy turrible. Not quite as turrible as whatever malady I’ve managed to aquire, but nonetheless it’s given me a new realization of how awesome my business partners are. I trust them completely and even enjoy their company. Jeff came by Friday night to watch a movie with poor lil me (Killer Klowns from Outer Space) and it struck me that I missed hanging out. Making fun of Joel regularly is something that I pine for again. I think it was good for my soul.
Just some thoughts while I feel good enough to jump on the computer… Hope to be back at it soon.
Brewing is a GO
Sorry for the late notice, dear readers, but we did want to let you know that we’re on for brewing tonight. We’ll be giving our Belgian Dubbel a second try, after a quite successful first pass. We’ve got that first pass on tap, as well as Drafty Kilt and our latest creation, the Belgian Wit version of the Weiss Guy. (Wit Guy? Nah.)
Stool Boom
Jonathan mentioned to me yesterday something about the doctor wanting to do stool tests on him. I immediately thought of this great song from Waiting for Guffman which is (somewhat) related.
Health update
I apologize for my absence on the blog recently, and I’m afraid it may continue for a little while. For the one or two of you who are actually interested, I thought I’d clue you in on what’s going on.
I don’t know. What I do know is that I’ve lost 14 lbs and haven’t been able to go to work in 2 and a half weeks. Fortunately I’ve been able to work some from home and my bosses have been very understanding of everything. I’ve switched doctors and it seems that things are finally moving the right direction ? test are being run, I’m getting referred to specialists, etc. But for now I’m weak and nauseous and even whinier than usual. I know, right?
Thanks for all of your concerns. I can’t wait till I’m well enough to have a beer again…