blurry memoirs (a bartender's take on life)

refreshing

2011-11-14T17:11:00.000-08:00

Let me get back to business. I'm going to pretend I had kept this up the entire time and avoid the awkward "Hey, man I'm sorry dude- here's a beer; so much has happened."

blah, blah, blah

Every writer requires a muse from time to time and although both are abundant- beer and my foreskin aren't always enough to keep your eyes occupied in this venue because frankly I run out of ideas from time to time. (And I get lazy)

I've been spending time and drinking beer with someone that has made me feel talented, so here I am again.

It's been quite a while since a had someone special to share beers with. Lately my beer drinking has been restricted to practically sitting in my closet with the light off as I go through either a 12 pack of Redhook ESB or Sierra Nevada Pale. Beer became more business and less pleasure. And trust me, there was a lot of overtime with little productivity.

So, let me tell you about the root of this new energy....

It was a weekend in late September 2010. I was house sitting for my good friend and high school English teacher in Monrovia. I had plans on meeting a friend for a beer in downtown at a Gastropub- London Gastropub to be exact. Decent place with Port Brewing and Allagash and others on tap.

Now mind you- I was heartbroken and socially regressed. This weekend was a means to put my head back on and push through all the new changes that had me in a choke hold at that time.

My company that night knew exactly what I was going through and was pretty much in a similar situation- although at the time I had no idea of it until we walked down toward town. We talked about out current problems-lightly.

When we reached the bar, it was an easy choice for my first beer- Firestone Union Jack.

My female company, well confident in my taste, asked me to order something good for her. So I did.

Craftsman Poppy Fields- (remember that)

We chatted and chatted and I hadn't felt such catharsis with a person that was more than a acquaintance but not quite a full blown friend yet. I sipped my beer and noted that the server had switched the beers. (I didn't get my Union Jack)

I looked at her- she said I looked good (obviously, I noted at this point, she was a liar).

Aside from that- she looked good. But she felt better- we were two people confused, hurt, and afraid- but I never felt so comfortable being such. (I'd compare it to the feeling women that choose to not wear bras have- they're all out there and vulnerable but it's a source of freedom- or some other empowered propaganda)

I didn't feel crazy. I wasn't even buzzed. Moreover- I wasn't alone.

She opened her mouth and said,"This beer is really good."

Fuck. Of course it was good- that was MY beer. That's why I ordered it. But she had it and I had stupid Craftsman Poppy Fields....

(It's only stupid because the dude that owns the brewery is a dick)

I felt stupid and told her that she had been given my beer and it wasn't Craftsman- (I didn't want her to get the wrong impression of the wrong beer)

She merely smiled and said, "Oh, well let"s fix that." She lined the beers up, side by side, equal distance from both of us, sitting opposite one another. "We can share them," she said.

Beautiful, smart, beer-loving, slightly neurotic (like me), and sharing.

Jesus Christ.

To make a long story short- it was the only time I have ever spent three hours in a bar while only drinking three beers the entire time. We were communicating and bonding. And I needed it.

She's a supporter of my writing and has proved to be very human just like me. Every once in a while, you try a beer that you've never had before and it makes you fall in love with beer all over again.

This person is the female equivalent of just that idea.

She makes me thirsty for all the things in life I have been afraid of before. And it all started with a beer.

Thanks gurl.

you know who you are.

Hangover

2010-11-28T14:38:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm a jackass.

I have been very preoccupied lately with my new life.

Here's what you guys have missed.

-Went through an emotional divorce of sorts.

-Secured employment with the state of California (nothing amazing, but a decent steady job that will eventually fund homebrewing.)

-Went through a horrible depression.

-Made a new friend and changed residences. (I'm still in Pomona)

My beer drinking has slowed and I've been focusing on myself and the em betterment of such. I'm not going to lie, for a while I was that dude from the Zoloft commercial- and I couldn't take neither pleasure nor refuge in my first love- beer.

As anyone, I made a lot of mistakes by drinking too much- it's common. I have a lot of issues.

Here is my promise to any of my remaining readers.

If you keep reminding me you need me and furthermore- beer, I will do my best to keep on the up and up.

I leave my house around 7:35 am and get home around 7 pm. Now mind you, I live on White Ave. and work on Garey Ave. I don't always feel like sitting in front of a computer continually, especially now that my computer work no longer involves beer, but the assholes that we know to be the general public of California.

Now more than ever- I have an obvious need to drink (the DMV).

But beer drinking shouldn't be just to take the edge off. Its artistry should be a celebratory beverage heaped in victory and splendor.

And now that I am a working man, getting his shit together, I am all about the big win.

I recently hosted, in conjunction with the amazing Joey's BBQ (Pomona), a beer tasting.

Joey's is always so hospitable and we sampled the following.

Moose Drool (Big Sky, Montana)- A brown ale, that seems to be true the English style in that is is lacking in carbonation. but doesn't allow it self to be watery as would it's more famous commercial cousin.

Hazelnut Porter (Sea Dog, Maine)- A porter not very portly, but with the hint of hazelnut that makes you want to warm the beer up and drink it as an aperitif.

Scotch Porter (Mad River, California)- The one porter I feel that is out in the open screwing with everyone's expectations. It tastes like peat. That's it, nothing else. It's not overly smokey, which would make it taste like a pig in a bog. It's just the quiet thicker girl at the dance that you know is dying to jump your bones.

Fuel Cafe (Lakefront, Wisconsin)- I enjoy this brewery's Cherry Lager, and although I'm not a fan of Midwest offerings, I can tell you, I'm not a coastal coffee drinker either. However, this beer has that coffee grit that tastes good when slightly iced. I'm an herbal tea drinker, and a hop head, but this beer is the kind that can wake you up- but only to slap you on the side of the head.

In other observations, it seems downtown is a-gush with new beer. I've helped dba256 revamp its lagging beer offerings (lagging since my departure). I've noticed those over at Acerogami have also taken note of beer's marketable powers, in relation to craft beer and not the previous South American garbage flowing out of there from before.

And whether or not anyone realizes it, my dream is coming true.

I set out to change the beer climate of downtown Pomona, and although I have very little to show for it, I've engineered (in a roundabout way) a future for downtown's revenue and culture.

Artists and art lovers drinking commercial products never made much sense to me.

I hope I can continue to be involved with Pomona and her thirst for new beer.

I promise I will get back in the saddle and do good beer works for the thirsty and ignorant.

Trust me, lately- I've just had a really bad hangover.

New Logo (thanks Juan)

2010-08-06T13:43:00.000-07:00

Here's my new logo- revised to be used for what, but none other than a Pomona Beer Festival to be held in October-

BREWMONAFEST!!!!!

Be ready, cause I'm comin'!!!

You know what's delicious?

2010-08-01T17:39:00.001-07:00

At a beer festival I went to yesterday, we had one of the most satisfying drinks ever to grace my palate.

"Shave and a haircut."

Sailor Jerry's rum (not a big fan of rum though)
Coca Cola
Topped with Guinness

This is delicious in the most chocolatey, alcoholic way.

Not to mention, a fine use for Guinness- because let's face it- Guinness is boring.

10,000 hits

2010-05-08T15:15:00.000-07:00

Yup. Ten thousand hits since I started this blog in 2008- not too bad considering most people don't realize I have a mind full of things to say.

This is a beer blog, but I have tended to throw in my personal beliefs in politics, religion, sex and whatever else I come across.

I hope I have provided a venue that has provoked laughter, raised eyebrows, and attempted to provide education.

I have provoked controversy for the most part though.

Anyhow, in my labors for the love of beer I have finally come across a situation that will make or break me in this business and future endeavors.

I will be taking the Certified Cicerone exam.

Here are some examples of possible questions found on the test.

- Just prior to fermentation, brewers test he wort with a hydrometer or refractometer to asses what important property of beer?

- Brewed on the banks of the Rhine river, Zum Uriege is a class example of what style?

- What ingredient is most likely to be responsible for a cheesy flavor in beer?

- Would the flavor attributes contributed by Acetobacter species be desireable in an outstanding example of a Flanders ale?

- If a brewer adds gelatin or isinglass to a beer, what are they trying to achieve?

To put it simply- its a massive test that will no doubt be the biggest challenege I have yet to face vocationally.

So keep me in your thoughts and prayers especially during beer drinking time- I could use all the positive waves I can get!

Thanks for reading all...it can only get better from here.

Cheers!

Somebody STONE me to death because BJs BLOWS!!!!!

2010-04-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

When I was standing outside on Wilshire Blvd near the entrance to the La Brea tar pits I was happy- happy that is, until I took a bite of a gyro to find, that despite the lunch truck's lack of listing,- feta cheese was all up in my food. (I hate cheese)

I took a deep breath and spoke aloud-

'This gyro has set the tone for today....'

And unfortunately I was correct.

After spitting out my food into a plastic bag and rinsing my mouth out with Hawaiian Punch, I ventured into the Page museum in an effort to pass time until BJs Brewhouse Stone Dinner.

Now, I haven't been incredibly active lately with going to beer events because I've been doing my own- among other things. My friend Sandra invited me and I accepted with the hopes of mingling and meeting new people and keeping my face out there.
The dinner was held at the BJs location in Rancho Cucamonga.

This dinner was the worst event in the history of events that compile my life.

This isn't an overstatement- this is fuckin' scientific fact.

Now let me try to go over this with you all without fear of flashbacks from all the trauma I experienced.

Once seated I was faced with a menu that was 4/6ths cheese. (I hate cheese) Normally, I would've walked out of the place but not before spitting on something and possibly sexually assaulting a server. (Only as a means to display my anger)
Instead- I looked over at the missus and decided that I should wait it out and all I needed to do was to drink a beer and relax.

My attempt to grease my wheels failed. Upon being asked, the server looked at me with zombie eyes and said "Let me ask..."

Alright, I'll be a sport- but why is this something to be questioned? Is BJs in a position where they no longer wish to profit? What the hell is going on here?- I received an answer of "no."

I felt like the Incredible Hulk. I'm sure this display turned the missus on, but it hardly did anything to bring me pleasure. But I remained open minded (at least relatively speaking given that this is my version of open mind)- my next effort would be to inquire as to whether or not I could simply purchase a flight of beers to be tasted instead of having to ignore the food served while paying an exorbitant sum.

The server's answer was- "We don't serve each individual- everyone shares."

This didn't answer my question nor the overall concern of paying for something I do not wish to have. There was no accommodation at all...but there wasn't enough competence to understand the accommodation necessary. (Anger rising even more)

I took a deep breath and imagined every woman without a top on. I felt slightly better and decided to keep going. The missus was clearly concerned with my comfort at this point. And I thanked her for it. I felt I needed to see this through just the same despite my intuition and better judgement.

I was sitting there awaiting the first beer and while doing so was accosted by a young man. He walked up to me and asked if I used to work in a bar. I told him I did, and the fellow recognized me and mentioned he was also a reader of my blog. I didn't remember him and I felt so bad.

I love people that enjoy what I do, and I, frankly, do it for them. I usually remember people, but this dude looked like a lot of other dudes I've seen. So therein lain the problem, I suppose. That- and I used to drink a lot more than I do now. I apologized to the dude and I meant it. I wished I could remember him- but wishing did me no good. He told me that he only met me once. I felt better about that revelation but it didn't excuse my poor memory just the same. Everybody deserves acknowledgement and here this dude is complimenting me since I've obviously made an impression on him after one meeting- and I have nothing in return for him.

Well dude- if you're reading this- I sincerely apologize and if you see me out and about again- I will gladly buy you a beer and talk shop with you.

Could this night get any worse for me?

YES.

The beer was being poured and out of a table of six- I was short poured by a good two oz. That doesn't seem like a lot, but visually it is demeaning and even emasculating. The servers obviously had no guidelines or instruction in pouring other than- "hey, don't fill their glasses." I understand getting less than a pint, but it should be uniform and consistent. I could go on and on as to reason why, but what's the point?

All I know is that I am spot on when it comes to the art of the pour. I actually obsess about such details. Since beer's packaging in respect to on premise sales sites is based on the glass- it is imperative to respect it and do the beer, the establishment and the culture justice.----Right?

Many times this escapes the entire chain- and it leaves people like myself in a lurch. I make it so important to love what I do that it infuriates me when I see people above me not taking adequate time to love what they do as well. This is beer- what more can anybody ask for? I would love somebody to walk right up to me and offer me a job because they respect what I do and how I do it. I love beer- she's my wife.

So back to the menu-

*vomiting*

This menu was the most half assed approach to a tasting yet. If a business wants to do a beer and cheese pairing- do it. There's a category for that- but shit, not everybody wants cheese on everything- this is why America is not a culinary power and also why everybody admires Belgium's approach.

But allow me to come up with a better Stone pairing using the menu provided

Levitation Ale- with Garlic Parmesan Kettle-Style Chips

Not a bad pairing- but the Levitation displayed some oxidation and lacked the usual carbonation. (This problem could not be helped, so I don't fault anybody)

Stone IPA with Santa Fe Blackened Chicken Salad

I believe Ruination should've been spotlighted instead merely because the IPA was so flat (product quality) it didn't crispen the salad upward- thusly complementing it.

Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale with Gourmet Mac & Cheese

This was appropriate, but the whole Gourmet Mac & Cheese thing is fuckin' played out.

Arrogant Bastard Ale with Salmon Teriyaki

This teriyaki was great, but I would have switched beers and used the Oaked for this dish and the regular Arrogrant for the mac and cheese. The reason being is the presence of Umami- it just overworks the palate and I felt the Oaked would be more mellow to such a salty, Umami laden dish. But good nonetheless.

Stone Smoked Porter with Bjs Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza

Should have been Ham and Pineapple Pizza.

Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale with BJ's famous Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Pizookie

Where the hell is the Stone Russian Imperial Stout with this one? Self-Righteous was a great idea, but would have paired with something less bland.

Have you guys noticed I have yet to mention any discussion about the beers/pairings?

There was no explanation or guidance during the entire dinner by anybody to help me understand why these choices were made or if any feedback from the customers existed.

Toward the end a very cocky young man walked over to the table and described himself as a beer seller and pretty much just talked about himself and asked if we had any questions. In fact- he exhibited signs of being a few pints over the recommended operating protocol. And he had the nerve to say everybody else was drunk- How professional....

My question- "Why are you employed by Stone?"

This dinner should have been guided by someone trained to incite some kind of excitement for the products sampled. I would have done so and I would have engaged the audience and gauged the experiences of each customer- for marketing purposes later.

I would have used a small PA system and guided everyone through each pairing- at least that would have distracted everyone from the horrible service provided by the BJs staff. You could be served your beer and dish 20 minutes apart.

In fact, we received our check- without having received our last beer- our server didn't know we hadn't received it. What the hell? How did she not know? She was supposed to pour it for US!!!

I wanted to get up and grab everyone's attention and educate them myself- nobody learned anything at all, and as my own table begged me to educate them myself- I did not pay thirty dollars a head to teach- at least not without some kind of peace of mind.

I feel very embarrassed- I love Stone brewing and I expected so much better. I Still love them and endorse their products, but I cannot recommend another beer dinner like this- at least not without assurance of better operation.

And I'll be the first guy to throw it out there-

Let me do it. This is what I do anyway.

I really wish things had been different and I didn't want this bad taste in my mouth- I only wanted a smile and the awesome aftertaste that Self-Righteous Ale provides.

Always remember to tip your bartender, and NEVER forget to thank your drinking buddy.

2010-01-18T02:05:00.001-08:00

This is a topic that I've managed to overlook for a while since having started blogging. Right now though I realize how much of an oversight it is and how I must address it.

When we think about beer, we usually think about bars, or places- backyard around a grill and secretly in cars on lunch break at work... (it happens).

And although we do remember the reasons that brought us to drink (whether in celebration or heartbreak among others) we tend to neglect the importance of our drinking buddy.

This is the one person we tend to enjoy drinking with moreso than others. Many times this person is more of the reason why we share beers in the first place rather than merely the actual beer.

Let me tell you the story of my drinking buddy.

My drinking buddy is named Melissa. She is 5'1" and has denim blue eyes. A stranger once described her as "the downest bitch on the block." She can be sweet in the subtlest of ways. And I fell deeply in love with her. It was the fall of 2005 and I used to supervise people for a living- I had an employee that I had never talked to much and she kinda always walked to the beat of her own drum, and I let her. She'd pretty much go on break or to the bathroom whenever she wanted and seemed to pass the time without a notice of me- her supervisor.

I had never given the girl much thought because I was always busy and I usually chatted up the girls that would respond to me brightly and quickly. This girl didn't seem to be that type. -I never singled her out or treated her any differently, although she did have more freedom than my other employees simply because I couldn't tell her otherwise- I didn't know her and I must've been standoffish because of it.

A buddy of mine once saw me talking to her- which was the day I finally took the initiative to do so. He told me he could see me going out with her. I didn't think much of the idea, since she simply seemed like a person that didn't care much to fraternize and whatnot amongst co workers and the like.

Things soon changed when she was given a different position still under my supervision. This position rendered her and I too work more closely. And I found myself going to check on her more frequently- and then I'd find odd jobs to do within the vicinity just so I could talk to her more. She would respond dryly and, at times, even dreamily. She would make me laugh and her approach was very nonchalant and yet pretty. She wasn't a ball buster, but she wasn't a doormat either. We'd make fun of customers together or play around to make the time go by quicker. I soon found myself looking forward to my shifts when she'd also be around. I'd even watch her out of my peripheral when she was on break. I was falling in love.

I made an ass out of myself when I finally got the guts to ask her out- although I didn't do it outright.

I left a note for her- and this is what it said- "The cool points are out the window and you've got me all twisted up in the game."

Smooth, right?

Wrong!

She didn't understand it, and in fact wrote a reply of, "who is this?"

I was a smooth operator up until this point- and I had no better resources at my disposal when it came to her.

I eventually spilled my guts to her- online (what a fuckin' nerd).

From then on we exchanged nervous smiles and I knew that this was going to be the most difficult thing ever. Acceptance would've been great- then again rejection would've been equally as satisfying to my mind's curiosity. This girl just smiled at me and I had no idea what would happen next.

We then started hanging out, and one of our early moments involved a children's party of a co worker. We went together, but not before I purchased a twelve pack of Pacifico for myself and an 18 pack of Budlight for Melissa.

We went to the party and talked to people but mostly remained engaged in each other. We consumed a few beers and other drinks and soon left for a mutual friend's house. There we met up with a pair of friends (more co workers).

We continued to drink and on said friend's couch- Melissa turned to me and kissed me our first kiss. She missed my mouth. And I WAS IN LOVE.

Soon after that we became official and enjoyed a pleasantly long honeymoon period. We were only days old when I met my birth mother on her deathbed where she subsequently died- and I always felt uneasy about the whole thing. I was scared the rush of emotions brought by my mother's death would affect our relationship. However, I loved her even more for being brave enough to meet my family for the first time as a new girlfriend under such crappy circumstances at the services for my dead mother.

Life went on, and when we consummated our relationship sexually I was dumbfounded. Up until this point I had been a man whore. And Melissa was still young and not a whore. This was a big step for both of us, but I figured moreso for her.

I WAS WRONG.

After all was said and done, I lain in bed close to crying (despite having been a confirmed man whore). What happened next is a matter of debate between her and I. But I swear I remember her getting up, scratching her ass and going to the kitchen.

All I wanted to do was cry and be held. (can you believe that shit?)

She came back to the room with a beer in her hand and offered me one as well...

NONCHALANTLY!!!! I had met my match at this point...and I certainly had decided I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her at that moment.

The following was a series of events like any other relationship with ups and downs, but my fondest memories of us usually included beer, and yet at the same time some of the worst memories also involved beer.

She took me to Stone Brewing for my birthday.

We went back on Valentine's day to celebrate our love there.

She's my designated driver- and I was an extra set of eyeballs when the trips became treacherous as we were both a little intoxicated, at times.

I've shared so many great beers with her- some beers great- some beers simply in great places. I've spilled my heart to her over a pint, and I've shed tears to her just as quickly. She has been my reason for drinking here and there. But I love her still.

What I am telling you guys is this- thank your drinking buddy. Make sure they know how much spending time with them really means. It's important. It can be a six pack on the beach at night, or it can be at a concession stand at the big game. It doesn't matter, just toast one for your drinking pal- and if you're lucky this person might as well be the love of your life too.

I know mine is. And all I could ever hope for is that my glass always remain as full as the amount of love in my heart for her. Even though I don't know when my last pint is to be had- I swear I hope it's the pint I get to share with her.

Cheers my drinking buddy and my best friend- Cheers to you, sweet Melissa.

From Mexico with love

2010-01-16T01:14:00.000-08:00

Well, a pair of buddies just came back from their annual trip to see family in Mexico. I missed their company and our usual beer drinking. As a souvenir they brought me back an unusual mug (very unusual) and a couple of beers that one can really only find in Mexico.

I just opened them up and poured them in to the missus' snifter. Here is what I found for each.

Noche Buena Cerveza 2009 is from the newly FEMSA acquired brewery Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery (Bohemia, Tecate, Carta Blanca)-(FEMSA is a Euro Brewing Conglomerate in the news recently and on Skrip's blog)

Here are the goods;

Alcohol (ABV): 5.9%

Color: Clear (filtered) Amber

Mouthfeel: Between light and moderate- typical lager.

Description: Minimal carbonation allows for no head and yet remains quite fizzy. Buttered toast flavors exist (might be possible phenol ester). Relatively heavy alcohol esters are also present. Overall the beer drinks a little stiffer than it appears and almost feels Bock-ish in nature. I would call it a winterbock, but it has too much adjunct corn sweetness to say so. It is a surprising beer and I would drink another one.

Negra Modelo Edicion Especial "Color" is from Modelo Group.

Alcohol (ABV): 5.3%

Color: Burnt Orange (unfiltered)

Mouthfeel: Light Bodied

Description: This beer is a bottom fermented beer that offers very little carbonation, if any. Prunish scents gather in the nose, but this is deceiving. Large Alcohol esters are present and the grain flavors associated with this type are overshadowed by a grape lollipop type of aftertaste. I would drink this beer again, but in varying times and temperatures.

Umami, mama!!!

2010-01-15T02:52:00.000-08:00

Well among the perceptions found in beer- sweet, sour, salty, and bitter there remains a largely overlooked division. That fifth category is UMAMI!!!!

Now as a person who attempts to educate others- Umami isn't something I come across often enough, nor is it something easily detected by the ones I teach, at least not in an appropriate context. Umami is a certain meatiness found in Asian cuisine, namely fish sauce and soy sauce. It is exhibited in broths and shrimp. It isn't that much different than A-1 steak sauce. Umami isn't a catch-all type of category, but rather a specialized area that has receptors in the human body just as another category (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter) would have.

Now, the bulk of "umami" perception lies within beer- to me at least. We must consider that it is a thin slice of the savory pie and that as such, I consume more beer than anything else (second and third place going to fries and buffalo chicken respectively). Despite this truth, umami isn't even that apparent to me and is the holy grail of taste perception to beer nerds like me.

I know what you guys are thinking...

I want to taste "umami,' how do I get my hands on it?

Let me say this. "Umami" is a fickle mistress with many twist and turns. Usually, serendipity is umami's counterpart. I was lucky enough to enc outer umami through a six pack of 2007 (that's right) Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine. These bottles had twist off caps which may have helped to facilitate slight oxidation and the further mellowing of flavors associated with aged/umami ridden beer. The beer itself poured an opaque color of rust. Minimal carbonation was to be found, but a slight saltiness was abound in a sea of meat heft laden with dark flavors only comparable to aged steak runoff and soy sauce with a dash of ponzu pepperiness. In fact, an overall green peppercorn flavor prevailed over a sweet maltiness that would have surely dominated this brew upon initial turnout given that this was a Sierra Nevada product.

Umami isn't always purposely intended as a part of a brew's flavor profile. It is rather a part of the noble aged beer category. Over time as beers are allowed to naturally develop, mellowing ales pick up such subtle complexity that it is often said to not have occurred at all by naive palates. In fact, most beer drinkers would consider the beers "fouled" and not as "seasoned" as they actually would be.

This denomination alone can be used to calibrate the learned from the young and is an integral part of any serious beer drinker's repertoire. Sometimes, you just have to be lucky enough to find a beer that has been aged for you purposely or inadvertently.

Give ME head!!!!!!!!

2010-01-10T00:41:00.001-08:00

People have different preferences and perspectives- this is a no brainer. The more and more that I observe people I can't help but notice how people always talk about "getting head."

I love it.

However...."head" isn't just a dirty allusion. And it doesn't only exist in the bedroom, or the car, or on park benches....

Head on a beer is quite possibly the closest I come to sex with an inanimate object. Each beer produces a different kind of head. Some beers produce very little. So let's talk about head and what it does to beer and moreso- why.

Lets dispel the first big horrible myth-

"The bartender puts foam in my beer so the bar can make more money by giving me less liquid."

Well, this isn't true. Bars make more money when they use 12 or 14 oz. shaker glasses instead of 16 oz.

In the beer industry the amount of head has an unspoken standard at an inch worth or so- depending on style. American craft beers are typically poured in this manner. Carbon dioxide is used to serve beer because it literally melds into the beer (it's soluble in beer). Carbonation gives a beer texture and literally enhances the beer's overall aroma and flavor by allowing particles of beer to enter the nose and mouth. The nose has already been proven to assist in the ability to taste.

"Well, I only like head on beer when it comes from a nitrogen tap."

--Well, you are an idiot.

Nitrogen is used in beer dispensing when the beer being dispensed is one not made to be effervescent. Nitrogen allows the beer to flow from the pressurized keg without imparting the same amount of carbonation as carbon dioxide- resulting in a creamier consistency. A beer dispensed from nitro is more likely to be served "still." Head is achievable though and actually has a frothier consistency- the very spout has a perforated disk to make sure head is produced, although by shaking up the particles instead of being impregnanted with gas.

So technically, you're not an idiot. Don't make me change my mind though.

Pouring a perfect beer with a nice head isn't rocket science, but you have to pour a lot of beers before you can perfectly pour beers you've never encountered before. As the liquid comes from the tap and/or container you'll get a feel for what kind of carbonation you have. Then the only thing to do is control you pour with the motor skills God gave you and hopefully you have assigned the appropriate glass for the job.

Pouring a beer into the wrong type of glass is like getting a handjob at the circus-

That's the end of it- no punchline.

Most specialty beer glassware actually tells you how much head is required just by the shape and marks (if any).

Look at the photographs below and study the shapes of the glassware and look at the styles of beer contained within. Of course there are variations and each beer from each brewery is different, but it's a good start.

This is a Scotch Ale in a "thistle" glass. The shape of the glass allows the head to develop and pucker up slightly at you. However, it doesn't allow the nose of the beer to lose too much of the smoked peat aromas that are a signature of this style.

Weisse Bier is usually served in large "vase" glasses. The shape flares a little like a tulip pint, but the glass is larger to facilitate more room for head.

Imperial Stouts require a nice bit of "chocolate milk" head. Snifters are usually the glass of choice because it holds in most of the prized nose of such a bold beer.

For Belgian/Belgian style beers, a generous amount of head is always present due to the high levels of carbonation in the beer via live yeast production of additional carbonation through conditioning. Glassware ranges from goblets to pokals, but each is roomy enough for foamy delight.

New Year Beer Resolutions

2010-01-07T23:43:00.000-08:00

Blah, blah, blah- new year....blah, blah, blah....

So- hey kids! My 2009 didn't end as well as I hoped, but it did see my beer consumption drop by 95 percent, facilitated a weight loss of 30 lbs. and welcomed a sober holiday season.

(I know- I can't believe that shit either- but it's true)

My beer resolutions are simple and I think I'll keep them to myself for now, but here are the resolutions you folks should be taking on for 2010.

Numero Uno-

Don't be a beer douche bag-

Instead if name dropping beer names/brands on people who have no idea what you're talking about, try to relate to them and wedge beer style education into the mix.

I am not impressed with a person that talks of Racer Five IPA.
I am impressed with a person that knows Racer X IPA, and has an ability to differentiate between the two. (never head of Racer X have you?)

Education is paramount and conversations should always be geared with you either having walked away with more beer knowledge or having educated (to any extent)someone with less experience. This keeps the beer world moving round and round. I can get into beer conversations anywhere- and although I usually do the bulk of the teaching it is equally satisfying to have learned something new myself. And anybody that can talk about beer can be a friend of mine. It's just good social politics.

Secondly-

The best thing you can do for yourself from a drinking standpoint is to understand why these beer products even exist.

Beer is a proven anthropological propellant. it is a social lubricant as well. It is artistry in a bottle.

Wine making has the concept of "Terroir"- don't make me explain it, just google it. It pretty much means serendipity for vinters.

Brewing has a much more complex profile simply because it is not made by serendipity, but by the hand of man- with intention and purposefulness. The vinter is much like a cook heating up a can of soup. The brewer is an artist drawing upon an almost innumerable amount of variables to create an ideal beverage.

There are more beer styles than wine styles. (this is very true)

While there may be wine blending- beer constantly berths new styles and experiments with rules and even goes "retro" more often than not.

This isn't a liquid meant for slurping- it is something to be taken seriously and enjoyed just as life should be fully enjoyed. Also, much in the same way breasts should also be enjoyed. (this is especially true)

Thirdly-

Shop for good beer at good small businesses. There are tons of mom and pop stores that offer a variety of craft brews. Please spend your money there and keep the cash local. Be wary of elitist small businesses that may only offer beer to supplement sagging wine sales. (this does not help good people- but instead fuels opportunists that more than likely are gouging prices anyhow) A good rule of thumb is an ability to ask questions about the craft beer and have them answered thoroughly by the retailer.

Anything else is a travesty of the three tier system and merely a good ol' fashioned conservative wallet rape!!!!

DO NOT TRUST ELITIST ESTABLISHMENTS THAT OFFER NO EDUCATION OR ASSISTANCE WITH THE PURCHASE OF CRAFT BEER PRODUCTS OTHER THAN THE POINT OF SALE ASSISTANCE IN TAKING YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY!!!!!

Brewers are passionate people and it would be wrong of me to recommend that you take all that hard work into account without also requiring that the place you obtain the products from is also in line with the same ideals/ethics as previously described in the process of making/drinking good beer.

These are some pretty decent resolutions anyone can make at any level.

Just remember to drink well and be well.

Cheers!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

2009-11-18T18:35:00.000-08:00

Anchor Christmas Ale

Anchor brewing releases a new Christmas Ale every year and this year is no different.

The 2009 Christmas "Our Special Ale" is exceptionally creamy compared to previous vintages and exhibits slightly oak-ey vanilla heft.

Its mouthfeel resembles more a cream soda than wassail normally found in winter time. I haven't decided exactly whether or not I like this beer. I must imbibe several more six packs before deciding. What I've loved about previous vintages of this ale is the presence of spicy blackberry/currant flavors mixed with spruce.

I need to test this more- if you see it yourself don't be afraid to try it and share your experience.

Transition

2009-11-08T14:26:00.000-08:00

Well, the city's favorite bartender is a free agent now. It's a minor setback for the growing craft beer culture in downtown Pomona, but I am currently in the works to remedy this travesty.

Anyhow, I would very much like to thank all of you whom I have met during my stay at dba256. I have enjoyed the company of many new friends and I have relished the opportunity to serve the community in a way no one else has bothered to try. I thank and love each one of you.

This will not be the end of my service to the people and community I love in the name of my greatest love- beer. Please stay tuned and I will be glad to inform everyone of my whereabouts and hope to continue my spiritual mission of baptism through grain, hops, water, and yeast.

the big international beer conspiracy

2009-11-03T12:37:00.000-08:00

Everybody now takes greater notice to the existence of a counter beer culture. This culture stands against all that is macro brewing. It takes to heart that the beer label on the bottle in one's hand is just as important as the name of the birthplace on one's birth certificate.

But did you know there is a group that is attempting to become a rebel force?

These rebels are diguised as people who enjoy "exotic" beers. That means obscure imports.

This perpetuation is often misguided and riddled with confusion. So let's see how we can fix it.

Let's use a simple format to deconstruct the errors of these uneducated drinkers.

For example;

Latin American beers.....

The people that "Only drink Latin beer" are either one of two things; ignorant, or incredibly ignorant.

Does anybody know how many corporate breweries exist in Mexico alone?
-three

Three breweries brew over a dozen different beers- how's that for a monopoly?

I know where you're going to go with this rebels...

(Whiny voice) "Well, I drink ________." (insert Quilmes, Aguila, Panama, Brahma, Imperial, some other piss etc.)

The problem with the majority of international beer is this-

90-95 percent of the world drinks Lager.

Not interesting variations on lager- but just plain light colored, light bodied, light flavored lager.

Tibbs, why is this so?

The answer is simple- you know how accordions are present in horrible Mexican music?
----It's the freakin' Germanic influence provided by emmigrating Germans throughout the early to mid 20th century!!!!

Germans went everywhere and took their beer sensibilities with them. This meant that Imperial in Costa Rica doesn't taste that different from Tecate in Mexico or quilmes in Argentina. Bet you rebels feel pretty stupid now, huh? No>?- Well, you should.

Now let's get to the second part.

Brewing has had a long history of representing the people brewing the beer, the environment in which is it brewed, and the local products in such environment.

A brewer would use local water, local barley and/or wheat, local hops, and usually use a cultivated local yeast or spontaneously found local yeast.

You could travel from place to place and find unique beer different form the beer in the previous locale.

But not anymore.

And that is due to trade and technology.

Modern day brewers can control the chemical makeup and character of water used in brewing.

That means you can take Pomona Municipal water and change it to taste like the legendary water of Burton found in Bass.

This gives the modern brewer flexibility in achieveing desired taste and quality. But it also refrains him from total local expression in a most chemical sense.

Trade comes into play by allowing a brewer to purchase grain and hops from whoever he wishes- no longer limited by local supplies and market strongholds. Trade affects international beer in the respect that when you pick up a bottle of Panama- there is a good chance that the grain used in brewing the beer may have come from Bolivia or even the US.

Ethically- how can you drink an exotic beer made with ingredients that aren't even representative of the beer's supposed origin?

The answer to this confusion is craft made beer.

Afterall, why drink another country's budweiser? Why?

Hanging out with celebrities!

2009-10-02T23:43:00.000-07:00

Yeah- I know I haven't posted much lately, but September was a pretty horrible month for me.

I wasn't trying a whole lot of new beer, I was working more (which is good), and I was enduring some other problems. But don't worry guys- I'm not on the wagon or anything!!!!

And, I really don't want to be the guy that writes about every single thing. I've been doing this for a year and I have over 7,ooo hits so far with just under 100 posts. I like that pace and will keep to that standard unless my life gets a lot more interesting.

And this past week it has.

So, here's the scoop.

I was at Back Abbey on Wed. when I spotted Meg there having a good time. (Yes, Meg was having a good time at Backhair Abbey, Back Alley, etc.)

Anyhow, we sat down and ordered some beers. And I really didn't know what I wanted. I usually drink Saison Dupont and Fuller's London Pride.

I ordered a London Pride and to my surprise it tasted off. It exhibited paperiness....which is a storage issue, but I made no issue with it because it was slight and could've been simply due to my own innaccuracy since I had not had it in so long.

The next couple of beers were a fluke.

I ordered A Celebrator (Ayinger) Doppelbock, and then Bavik Pilsener.

At this point I was grasping for straws. My beer mojo wasn't working.

John, the owner of Back Abbey, came by and sat as we caught up a little. He informed me the founder of D' Chouffe would be in later for a meet and greet.

Chris Bauwereats showed up and after some disappointment with the lack of knowledgable clientel, came by. He introduced himself and bought us some beer. He sat down and we immediately started talking about beer, the industry, the past, the present, and the future.

He and his partner Danny, the marketing director of Duvel, had been traveling around the country on a Slow Brew tour. Chris was a character, very gregarious and very European. Meeting him made me happy because I could see how genuinely happy the man was- a man that simply did exactly what he wanted to do. In him, I saw what I hope for myself someday. We eventually made it back to dba, and here are the photos.

Melissa and her free Chouffe hat!

Me and Chris having some Stone beers

Chris, Danny, and I

by Charles Baudelaire

2009-09-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

Get Drunk!

Always be drunk.
That's it!
The great imperative!
In order not to feel
Time's horrid fardel
bruise your shoulders,
grinding you into the earth,
Get drunk and stay that way.
On what?
On wine, poetry, virtue, whatever.
But get drunk.
And if you sometimes happen to wake up
on the porches of a palace,
in the green grass of a ditch,
in the dismal loneliness of your own room,
your drunkenness gone or disappearing,
ask the wind,
the wave,
the star,
the bird,
the clock,
ask everything that flees,
everything that groans
or rolls
or sings,
everything that speaks,
ask what time it is;
and the wind,
the wave,
the star,
the bird,
the clock
will answer you:
"Time to get drunk!
Don't be martyred slaves of Time,
Get drunk!
Stay drunk!
On wine, virtue, poetry, whatever!"

-- Charles Baudelaire

32 oz. of cold fresh sex

2009-08-18T01:25:00.000-07:00

Hey all of you out there in blogger land. I am here.

I've been here, but I've been in partial hiding because I suspect the mayor has put a price on my head. I think he's using the meter reader as his contract killer...so I've had to lay low. And I've been especially mindful to use limited amounts of electricity!

For now, I think the bulk of the danger has passed although I can't say for sure.

I'd like to, at least, chronicle some last beer ideas in case I don't make it through the rest of this month.

So I'm gonna let you into my world of sexy fantasy....(do not stop reading- keep reading).

-Well, just make sure you have your passport stamped and ready for pleasure town, because the Bus O' Lust has just pulled in and we're all going for a ride and won't stop until we reach Climax Point.

Here's the setting.

I was talking to the missus the other day; which is something I try to do from time to time or else she won't let me grope her; occasional groping of course- I am, in fact, a gentleman.

Anyhow, we were talking, and she started saying "I think your drinking is gettin'....blah, blah, blah, hey, nanni, nanni...gesundheit....blah, blah, blah."

And my mind wandered where it usually goes, which just happens to be the dirtiest alley in the city that is my brain. And the usual suspects were there. Bill Clinton, George Clinton, the nice girls from the website suicidegirls.com and I were about to play nude red rover-red rover, when all of a sudden I snapped out of it.

I thought to myself, 'Self, what the hell are you doing? This is perverse by even your standards- think of the one true love of your life. Don't be a disgusting bastard!'

And I was right about myself. I am a disgusting bastard. So, I turned away from that alley and found a more respectable avenue in the red light district of the city I call my mind, and who was there tastefully dressed heel to toe in lace and silk but the love of my life- Zooey Deschanel!

Now, I know what you're thinking.

"Tibbs, my man- don't be a jackass! What about America Ferrera?"

Well, 'what about her? She's so 2008.'

Zooey is my main affection now, at least where I have a complete say-so and fate has no intervening hand.

Like I was saying, Zooey Deschanel walks over to me with her bedroom eyes and whispers softly.

"You know Tibbi; I heard you're native American. Guess what? I'm a cowgirl and I am about to ride the savage out of you, you tasty bastard."

*side note- one time a cute girl once told me she would 'ride the savage out of me.'

She continued to say..."I love your beer belly, it makes me so hot; just like Louisiana Sausage in the summer."

And I know it seems gross, but for a fat guy like me, this is probably the sexiest thing someone can say to me. Of course, other than what she said to me next.

"I want to drink a delicious American craft beer, preferably a triple hopped India Pale Ale, out of your belly button- you sexy braumeister."

For you skeptics: leave me alone- this is my world of sexy fantasy and if a beautiful woman wants to drink beer out of one of my orifices or crevices, that sure as hell is between her and I- and I usually have a waiver form handy just in case.

And about the probability that a beautiful woman like Zooey Deschanel would want to engage in a hot session with a fat beer dude like me- let me just say this:

Read it and WEEP! I am totally in style now...what do you guys think about that!!!!

(Go ahead, glance it over...I'll wait.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/fashion/13POTBELLY.html?_r=3&scp=1&sq=hip%20to%20be%20round&st=cse?no_interstitial

(Continue blog here)

Well, for once I am ahead of the physical trends...sure it's a recession, but we don't have to look like it, right? Amirite? (laughing)

Emaciated is so pre-Obama...tub is lub!!!! (just pretend 'lub' is 'love')

I'll spare you the dirty details of my sexy mind romp with Zooey Deschanel, and I'll get to the goods.

SEX. AND BEER.

So, I'm onto my next point (cue segue).

Why don't we have beer in the bedroom? There's aspirin in the bathroom right? And most likely there's petroleum jelly in the night stand. For some it may be under the pillow. (Just saying)

People would have such a good time and enjoy their lives better if there was beer in the bedroom.

I don't mean a tailgate trough full of ice and brew. That would be tacky.

I am talking about a nice mahogany headboard- with about five taps of beer above resting heads. Waiting for the proper moment which, upon utilization, will bring ecstasy and sudsy love to whomever dare pour a pint of pleasure for himself and his love partner.

Or, on the flip side...it could be used as a deterrent.

Don't want to have sex? Just reach above and pour a pint for your partner and watch as he/she delights in a proper alternative to lovemaking.

think about it- this could revolutionize the sex industry and bring a little sloppy excitement to mankind. No television, or books, or other propaganda- just bare essentials. Nude people, clean linen, and a delicious aphrodisiac.

( I know some people will say that beer is a sedative- which is true- but when you're drunk you want to have sex; who cares if its bad? Most people think they are great in bed while intoxicated- you know why? Because the person usually is intoxicated!)

Besides...a headboard full of cool tap handles is not only classy, but can be a creative decorative addition to any home...

Here comes the hard question.

"Tibbsy, what would you have on your headboard?"

Let's see...

I would have Cherish Kriek Lambic. A nice fruit Lambic rich with sticky cherry tartness and the right amount of carbonation to tickle anyone's fancy. Great brew foreplay...

Secondly, I would need Pink Killer from Belgian brewer- Silly. It's a delicious wheat based grapefruit beer. Aromatic as all erotic smell, with a lingering flavor that satisfies the palate and will turn anyone willing into a "Pink Killer" of his own. (if you know what I mean)

Thirdly, a beer from the folks at Dogfishead brewing get a choice spot on the sexy headboard of beer with their Imperial Pilsner, a delicious sharp, yet sweet style they have dubbed..."Golden Shower."- Alas, the beer is no longer called this due to gov't intervention, but I'm sure the tap handles are still around somewhere, and the beer surely didn't change I bet.

Fourth tap wold undoubtedly be from Flying Dog Brewery- a classic pale ale, aptly named for a classic sexy position- Doggie Style Pale Ale!!! That's right! Now you can drink you're favorite position presumebly whilst in such position. Nothing can be more gratifying, right?

And lastly, the money shot of beer- Climax brewing's Cream Ale....because nothing else looks better dripping from your partner's exhausted sweaty, sexy face...

(insert graphic photo here)

Well, that about wraps it up for my sexy beer idea...let me know what you think and what would be on your sexy headboard tap list.

And if you see my sexy Zooey Deschanel, tell her to take a number...I'll be right there as soon as I am done with the missus. 'Don't worry ladies, there's plenty of beer in this keg- if y'all know what I mean.'

By the way- this is Zooey, and just imagine I wrote the obvious Bang/Face joke....(go ahead and laugh- it's okay)

-Now if only I can get the missus to the Salon so we can get her dyed and "banged."

Last night

2009-07-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

"Brewing Hope" was an overall success. I don't have all the numbers yet, but I'll let everyone know once everything is in order.

Thanks to everyone- I'd like to elaborate, but I'm tired!

"It's a good thing."-Ron Faris.

We interupt this beer blog-

2009-07-21T02:36:00.000-07:00

I really hate doing this, but I had a very interesting conversation (confrontation) tonight. I don't wish to divert attention away from our upcoming 'Garden Fire" fundraiser, but at the same time; this is too good to pass up.

So here's the story.

Picture this- I am awaiting the results of the city council meeting, so I am working the bar as to provide dba256 the opportunity to have representation at the meeting. People start coming back and the news is great. The DPOA has been re certified. Great!!!

Everybody starts drinking and celebrating and the usual suspects are about and everyone is relieved. A council member walks through the door and is all smiles, and a little later the honorable Mayor Rothman arrives.

This isn't a big deal, but I really was surprised to see him at dba256 because it is a rarity. I have seen him at other establishments though.

Anyhow, a celebrating member of the DPOA walks up with Rothman to the bar an requests a beer to be put on the tab for the mayor. A Dale Bros. Pacific Daylight is ordered.

So amid the busy transactions and between duties, our honorable mayor is poured and served his beer. I continue to fulfill orders and he walks away. Everybody is having a good time.

Everybody is hobnobbing and schmoozing and all of sudden an associate grabs my attention and requests that I make it over to the other end of the bar where Rothman awaits. OK- sure...

I make my way over there and inquire as to what is needed, in the event I am to pour more beer for these happy campers.

And this is the conversation that ensued.

Third Party: "Tibbi, I'd like you to meet the Mayor, Elliot Rothman. Mayor, this is Tibbi."

Honorable Mayor of Pomona: (extends hand)

The city's favorite bartender: (extends hand and shakes)

Honorable Mayor of Pomona: "You're the one that writes/blogs, right?"

The city's favorite bartender: "Yup, I hope there are no hard feelings. (laughs)"

Honorable Mayor of Pomona: (While still engaged in handshake) "You're a very funny guy."(Pauses and glares) "There are lots of hard feelings."

Third Party: (Jaw drops) "Uh, Tibbi- you two know each other? I am so sorry..."

Tibbi: "No, it's fine. Don't apologize."

Honorable Mayor of Pomona: "I am a face to face man. When I was young we had CB radios. You know CB radios? People would get on them and talk- People would hide behind electronics. I didn't like that."

The city's favorite bartender: "Sir, I do not create illusions. What you see is what you get, my name is there and my photograph is there. I do not hide behind anything. I am always here and available-everybody knows where I can be found"

Honorable Mayor of Pomona: (Disengages handshake and ignores me as to walk away upset) "Well, (third party) I'll see you Wednesday." (Turns and walks away.)

What the hell? Really?

Did the mayor just attempt to cheap shot me while I was working and even serving him?

He knew damn well who I was when I served him his first, then second beer. My image is plastered everywhere and who can really not see me? I am a big fat bearded dude that always has a beer attached to my hand.

He picked a really shitty time to act so immature, seeing as we are all coming together as a community to help our own out. (Maybe city hall should take some notes)

He attempted to call me a coward and I am sure he was surprised by my reaction. Was I supposed to kneel before him and sob and beg his forgiveness because he's the mayor and that's that?

Is this fuckin' bizzaro world?

Look, I don't walk into city hall, open his office door while he's working and start boo-ing....but you know what? maybe I should....

Isn't there some city business to attend to? Maybe he doesn't have anything else better to do but to harass people while they are working, but I have much better things to do-

Like what you ask?

Like serve people tasty brew and promote our upcoming FUNDRAISER!!!!

I sure hope the mayor intends on making up for this debacle at the fundraiser by ponying up some funds and being mature. He wants to be face to face? Let him be face to face, with his wallet and an apology. He should help those in need and put aside his petty grievances. He's supposed to be a leader- not a crybaby.

He answers to us. He answers to me. He is my servant, so he should be getting me a beer and making me happy, not trying to throw his weight around because his itty bitty feelings are hurt.

Wow.

Come to think of it, I haven't said all that much about him. I've seen him in bars- drunk. I've seem him do plenty of things. It's time for him to stop pretending and to be accountable for his own actions. -I am. That's why my name is on my blog. That's why my contact info is on the blog. And that's why I stand by what I say!!!!

If he doesn't like it, I am sure there are plenty of other jobs he can do.

But, for him to accost me while I am working with the intent of insulting me; a constituent- that's just a pussy thing to do.

I am a native Pomonan. I am the eighth generation to live in Pomona. My family predates Pomona as a city and goes back to original land grant given to my great, great, great, great grandfather Don Ricardo Vejar. You know Vejar elementary? How about Vejar street? That's my family. We are indigenous (practially and literally) and I'll be dammned if some jerk is gonna come into my city and mess things up because he feels entitled to- and if he does- I am sure as hell not gonna be quiet about it, nor am I going to allow him to treat me as if I was some second class citizen.

Get some class- and oh...get me fuckin' beer while you're at it....

Brewing HOPE!

2009-07-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

Beer can do a lot of things.

Well, I am a big fan of making beer solve any problem. And, the fires are no exception. I am organizing a Beer Fundraiser for those displaced by the 'Garden Fire."

I call it "Brewing Hope" and I plan on making people happy with beer and using the proceeds from that beer to bring about the necessary recourse for those involved in our local tragedy.

I remember meeting Fred last fall during his campaign. We drank some beers and talked about beer a little and he always remembered who I was- which is nice. Anyhow, he was a nice dude and I remember the time when he brought a torn out ad from a magazine to the bar. The ad was for Stella Artois- and it displayed the proper technique for pouring the beer. It made a decent impression on me, despite hating the beer.

Anyhow, I believe in the Van Allen philosophy as applied to gardenstuff and whatnot; it coincides directly to my philosophy on beer. Pure, organic, and beautiful. I get it. And they got it. And now I'd like to see them get it all back again, of course, alongside the rest of those displaced. I want life to be returned back to normal so we can all have a beer and feel all the better for having grown a little more in these trying times.

If anyone would like to help- contact me -idrinklocalyoucantoo@yahoo.com

The poster has all the information and we will be setting up a box for collection of toiletries, supplies, clothing and whatever else seems useful to those that need it. We will be selling beer donated by Dale Bros for donations to be directly given to the needy.

I might have some special tricks up my sleeve as well. Please come by and show your support. We're not celebrating, but we are reinforcing the human spirit with a little brew to ease our own worries and to soothe the day's hurries.

Cheers!!!! Please come by.

Sunday Beer Tasting

2009-07-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

Come by tomorrow at five for Sunday School!!!

The class will be an introduction to INDIA PALE ALES (my favorite style)

I promise to keep it simple and not bombard your palate with too much hoppiness.

Citrusy, bitter delight for your tongue and the tonuge in your mind.

So come by and allow me to anoint your soul with tasty brew.

Cheers!!!!

HARD AT WORK

2009-06-21T01:37:00.000-07:00

I have been hard at work lately.

I have been working on expanding distributorship of Hangar24's beers to the west of the San Bernadino county line. I am awaiting exact details, but if I have done my job right, I have two on premise/off premise venues and one off premise venue poised to start selling Hangar24 Orange Wheat and Pale Ale.

And there may be some delicious keg Hangar24 IPA on it's way to a tap near us too.

Just sitting and waiting to quench my thirst with some tasty brews just a little further than nearby...stay tuned.

Hopefully the folks over at Hangar24 will help us all out with a little brewed sunshine....

WWJD(rink)????

2009-06-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

Here's an important question for man and woman alike, despite creed, color, or [insert additional retoric here].

What would Jesus drink?

The answer lies in another question; what did Jesus drink?

The Bible tells us wine dominated the ancient scene. Prostitutes, tax collectors, kings, disciples, and Jews alike all seemed to drink wine with everything and for any and every reason.

But history shows us throughout ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt among other places (around 9,000 years ago) favored fermented beverages based in grain (beer!!!).

Am I really to believe such deep and strong roots in brewing beer just disappeared in favor of wine; or is this just another papal cover up?

Well, you know what?

It is the biggest fuckin' papal cover up of all time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I believe (emphasis on the faith aspect) that Christ was totally drinking beer with the disciples and healing the sick all while under a cool buzz.

Think about it- 12 dudes....and no beer?

It wasn't girls night out. (if you know what I mean) Of course there was beer!!! There was bread wasn't there? Bread and beer not only taste delicious together, but guess what? They use the same ingredients! Coincidence? Fuck no.

What are the chances people would finish making bread and say, 'Hey that was hard work- I'm thirsty; I'm gonna ignore this spare grain and go harvest some grapes and make myself even more tired. Not to mention, I'm gonna end up dying my feet and lips purple too....'

People may have been smaller, but they weren't idiots. (not that wine drinkers are)

The Church must've got a good deal on some contract wine production. And with this they created the whole 'This is my blood; not really but it's wine, so enjoy it. But don't enjoy oral sex.'

(Oral sex+ beer= heaven; that's just mathematics....)

So, the papacy just started the whole wine thing and never looked back. They did some biblical editing and the truth is lost forever to the passage of time.

But luckily for us all; I am pretty good at guessing.

I think Jesus drank tons of beer. And I am willing to bet he drank a spiced ale rich in dark fruit flavors,sweetened with honey, emblazoned with grains of paradise and exotic spices (maybe cardamon) but refreshing in the daunting heat of being in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. No way you can sustain yourself throughout the fertile crescent with Chardonnay in tow. And if it's Manischevitz- you're not going anywhere to preach. (you'll most likely be puking your brains out because you never should have paired the red with fish from the red sea!)

If Jesus were to take me home with him soon, I'd bet he hang around with me a little and have a beer tasting.

And this is what I would pour him.

Russian River brewing Temptation: a beautiful golden ale aged in chardonnay barrels- it exhibits a mild spicyness and great carbonation that bubbles thick fruitiness and crisp bitterness

Alesmith Horny Devil- This is a Belgian style strong ale from a San Diego brewing powerhouse!!!! It has evident coriander notes that bounce upon signature Belgian sweetness. But it's not puny by any means. It's a big beer for people that like to sin, just so they can be "forgiven."

Smaltz brewing H'ebrew Messiah Bold- I bet Jesus would love this brown ale...nutty and yet sweet.

And lastly a beer from Canada...

Le Saint-Bock Brasserie Artisanale crucifixion- a pale bock that for no apparent reason is called crucifixtion. I couldn't find a label photo-

Overall, I think Jesus would enjoy these beers, and would then say, "My son, what beer would you like to drink for all eternity?"

And I would say.

Jesus Christ, I'll take nothing less than the divine holy trinity of beers....

Russian river Blind PIG IPA, Russian River Pliny the Elder Double IPA, and Russian River Pliny the Younger Triple IPA

And now for a beer blessing...

Bene+dic, Domine, creaturam istam cerevisae, quam ex adipe frumenti producere dignatus es: ut sit remedium salutare humano generi: et praesta per invocationem nominis tui sancti, ut, quicumque ex ea biberint, sanitatem corporis, et animae tutelam percipiant. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Bless, O Lord, this creature beer, that Thou hast been pleased to bring forth from the sweetness of the grain: that it might be a salutary remedy for the human race: and grant by the invocation of Thy holy name, that, whosoever drinks of it may obtain health of body and a sure safeguard for the soul. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Humpday Sunday recap....

2009-06-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks John Clifford for poking me in the ribs as a means to get me to post more.

Anyhow, Sunday's tasting was great. We had the largest turnout thus far for my beer tasting. I'd say it was close to 20 people. Doesn't seem like much, but it is once you consider my format is much different from dba's conventional wine tasting format.

Well, as promised- there were stouts. Here is some of the information covered in Sunday's class.

Well, stouts originated in Britain of course. But the original term referred to Porters- more precisely; porters stronger in alcohol content. This was the application of the literal term "stout."

At this time, stout referred to any strong ale, but being more commonly used to differentiate between variations of porter as offered by any singular brewery. SO, brewery A could be brewing pale ale, golden ale, porter, and stout porter. There may be two porters with differing strengths- thus necessitating an adjective of "stout."

But what does it mean now?

I'm glad you asked. Today, stouts apart from the traditional dry Irish stouts, and cream/milk stouts are different from porters in the dominating aspect of malt differences. Stouts usually are higher gravity and have more roasted malt flavor.

There are porters with smoked and roasted malt, but more often than not, they simply contain dark malts, as opposed to treated malts...

to go along with the beers, I thought we needed some blueberries and black licorice. And you know what?

It worked perfectly- the bit of acidity form the berries and the deep flavor from the black licorice helped provoke some of the more tasty nuances of the brews...

Our first beer in our taste lineup was Beamish Irish Dry Stout

Beamish exhibited a very light body with creaminess and a touch of coffee. Pretty standard.

Our second beer was Guinness

Guinness is guinness...it's a little roasty and a little thicker, but it's not some huge beer like college kids think it is...it has less calories than the equivalent glass of skim milk!!!!

Our third beer was Sierra Nevada Stout

Now this beer, was moderate in mouthfeel, nice and roasty with this little twinge of sweetness right before a decent dryish finish. This is what a stout is supposed to be from an unlikely place. I bet most of you thought Sierra Nevada only made Pale Ales!!!!

Now, our fourth stout was the delicious Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

This beer pours like motor oil, smells like soy sauce and has the most beautiful dark fruit flavors blanketed in smoky earthiness. Like eating the remnants from an orchard fire started by burning chocolate.

If you see this beer, buy it, and enjoy it. Put it in a glass with some vanilla bean ice cream....

SGV Tribune came by and took photos of the tasting!!! My Cele-brew-ty status is growing, but my only concern is why SGV trib is hip to me, but the Bulletin hasn't given me the time of day!!!!!

SUNDAY JUNE 7th !!!!!!!

2009-06-03T13:50:00.000-07:00

I will be holding beer tasting at 5pm.

The theme of this tasting will be STOUTS!!!!

Hoo-ray!!!!

Just imagine bobbing for chocolate truffles floating in a mocha filled oak barrel!!!!

It's gonna be just like that! And if anyone wears a Guinness shirt, he/she will be punched.

This isn't your English Silly Nanny- type of beer tasting. We going to get down to the nitty gritty....

Get out of the way MAY!!!!

2009-05-27T01:03:00.000-07:00

I cannot wait for June.

Why?

Well, quite frankly, May has been lackluster. June brings my beer tasting, the focus of which will be STOUTS!!! Yes, awesomely bodied and tasty stouts.

I am making myself vow to launch the podcast I have been threatening people with the past month. I am currently in talks with the fine people at Walnut Liquorette for further cooperation and possibly a business deal that will benefit all (consumer, retailer, and advocate being myself).

I also hope June will have some good news for me on the employment front as well.

I have been with dba256 for a year now, and I would like to invite any and all to every Sunday in the month of June for some recaps in the year of beer. (I promise to have some celebratory goodies as well)

Maybe I'll get a raise.

(stop giggling; it could happen....)

Thanks to everybody around, and please make June your month to refresh your soul with some tasty ales.

Like what you ask?

Mirror Mirror from Deschutes brewing- a bond street series ale (premium) that builds off of the legendary Mirror Pond Pale Ale to commemorate awesomeness.

Allagash Hugh Malone- The best unimposing Belgian Style IPA

Cantillion Iris- the best sour beer for my money right now....

Rodenbach Flanders- The epitome of sour red ales...

And thanks to all that came by and enjoyed some Fruit Lambics with us during our last tasting. I hope you all learned something, and I appreciate your dedication to the learning of all that is scholarly drinking.

For those of you that missed- damn man...you should have been there...the more the merrier...

I'm gonna break into the arts colony scene for sure, now....

2009-05-19T21:42:00.000-07:00

Beer Tasting revision

2009-05-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

Beer Tasting will be on May 17th- not the 10th.

We have pushed the day back due to advertising timing. Now, I have more time to make it even better.

See you all there...everybody.

Beer Tasting

2009-05-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

Beer Tasting has been quite slow since the start of the new year. With less discretionary income, it's no wonder.

We have revamped the program and will be holding a larger, more in depth tasting once a month at dba256.

The first of these new classes will be MAY 10th- and our attention will be on LAMBICS!!!

Hoo-ray!!!!

-In other news, I am working on putting a podcast together.

The format will consist of beer tasting and I will include a list of beers for each program. In theory, you will be able to download the podcast and buy the beers, and listen along in the comfort of your own choosing as we drink along thanks to technological advancements.

The beers will be easy to acquire, and I hope to partner up with a couple of retailers so as to assist everyone involved. I will try to make these "podcast tastings," as budget friendly as possible, and I am open to having people come on the programs to assist during recording sessions. Email me or comment with any reactions

idrinklocalyoucantoo@yahoo.com

let's all go- seriously- who wants to come with us?

2009-05-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.stonebrew.com/socalstorm/

Spring's finest brew

2009-05-01T15:01:00.001-07:00

Dale Bros. Dude of York-

Nicely hopped refreshing brew...find it; and drink it all.

Thursday, the day of my soul's renewal...

2009-04-17T13:14:00.001-07:00

Well, yesterday was awesome. I went to the premiere of Beer Wars at UCLA. As I described in my previous post, it is an awesome one of a kind beer event. The city's favorite bartender even had the opportunity to get more than he bargained for thanks to the folks at Stone (thanks Scott).

My day started with a trek to Westwood for a small gathering (about 25 people) at Westwood Tavern at about 11 in the morning.

Once there, we assessed the bar's beer selection and deemed it "passable."

Greg Koch, walked up to us to say hello, and upon seeing me, he said. "Hey I know you."

If you look at my Stone Winter Storm post, there is a photo of him and I, and the missus, of course.

He remembered, me- I guess...this beer expert sticks out like a sore thumb...(obviously)

We went into a smaller private bar section at this nice contemporary facility and seated ourselves.
Greg Koch, founder of Stone Brewing, and Sam Cagalione, of Dogfishead Brewing, were there to speak to us "insiders," about where the industry is going and where we stand in the industry and category. This was a group of die hard beer lovers all brought together through the three tier system of beer.

Anyhow, we tasted some delicious beers and went over some light numbers, and business philosophies.

Dogfishead 60 minute IPA, Midas Touch, and Palo Santo Marron, and Stone Arrogant Bastard.

It was cool to get a chance to talk with these guys being they are both from amazing breweries situated on different coastlines. Stone being from Escondido, and Dogfishead from Delaware.

Of course, Sam is a very handsome and charismatic man, and the missus now has a crush on him. Honestly, I don't blame her...

Here's me and the boys with Sam in the middle...

I asked the pair of beer heroes a very important question.

"How long before we see a collaboration ale between Dogfishead and Stone?"

Sam assured me, I'd see one between Victory, Stone, and Dogfishead by 2010- So, you guys heard it here first folks. It's gonna be awesome when it gets here...I am sure of it.

After the discussion, there was more beer to be had and yet time to kill before the movie showing. So we ventured to Father's Office, but unfortunately it was closed. So we scrambled to Jerry's deli in Westwood to be more strategically placed for the upcoming Beer Wars showing at Royce Hall. The beer list sucked there, so my buzz had a chance to wear off....

Too bad.

My friends, the missus and I, ate and high tailed it to UCLAs campus. For those of you not familiar with the campus. It is beautiful. Only one drawback.

There are these big fat steps up a hillside toward Royce Hall...I hate stairs. They are a fat guy's worst enemy, especially when you are as short as I am. I am 5'6" yet my inseam is literally 21 1/2"- you do the math and figure how the hell it's possible, but it's true. My tailor is used to it by now, but it still boggles my mind.

We got to Royce Hall, and once I adjusted to the high altitude,(insert more jokes here) we got out tickets since I was on the VIP list. (insert more obnoxious words)

And we waited. I saw the dude from the legendary Stuffed Sandwich in San Gabriel. The same guy that poisoned me with his super hot hot link sandwich. He was so sweet to the missus, but he poisoned me and scoffed at my beer exploits, but I still love the dude. He's a true beer snob.

I also saw the Chimay rep whom served us at the Back Abbey's Chimay Anniversary Dinner. It was a who's who of the regional beer industry. And I felt right at home.

We viewed the movie and then remained for the Q and A portion moderated by, none other than, Ben Stein. Sam, Greg, Historian Maureen Ogle (whose book I am currently reading), Anat Baron, and Co-founder of Sam Adams were all there for beer discussion.

Wait- the dude from Beer Advocate was there too...

I won't give away the movie's details, but it was an interesting insight into the beer industry. Fresh perspective were abound and it wasn't some pumped up testosterone fest. It was a clear messaged movie about a few people and how things add up in the bigger scheme of things.

We attended the VIP reception afterward, had some more free beer, and some tasty ribs along with some finger foods, and made the way back home, it was great day, and I felt like a born again Virgin having just lost his secondary virginity to beer...

This is what I want to do with my life. The answer is beer, all I have to do is figure out "how."

Let me fill you guys in....

2009-04-15T13:09:00.001-07:00

Since my last post, I've been pretty slow with my beer adventures, but the missus and I did happen to drive up to Big Bear Mountain Brewing for a session.

On Tuesdays they serve two dollar pints, two dollar pastrami sandwiches, and two dollar chili dogs!!!

(Awesome)

The Little beaver IPA was pleasant, and their Orange Blossom Ale was the most amazing beer to have ever incorporated orange into the mix.

Try them, they're nice people and it's a one of a kind trip.

In other news, I was paid a huge compliment on Sunday by John, the owner of Back Abbey in Claremont.

He told me he was glad I do what I do. And i feel likewise toward his pursuits.

The beer community is amazing. And at times like these, I can't help but be glad I finally have found my niche.

On that note..check out beerwarsmovie.com

Playing in theatres tomorrow is a one of a kind beer event. Check it out at a theatre near you.

I hate you Blue Moon.

2009-03-30T14:14:00.001-07:00

Belgian????

2009-03-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

I've noticed how the Belgian beer market has skyrocketed recently. I must admit I enjoy Belgian beers moreso than other international beers excluding English/Scott/Irish styles.

I love the Back Abbey in Claremont,and Lucky Baldwin's in Pasadena.

I appreciate flemish styles mostly, and Belgian strong ales are some of the best brewed beers- period.

But I must say, I see this craze as very "trendy."

I hear dudes walk around and say foolish things like, "Dude, Delirium Tremens is the best beer- ever." and "Chimay Blue is the only beer I drink."

NO!!!!

Please, NO>>>

There is a world of beer out there and I have to say, there are tons of similar Belgian Styles being brewed home-side.

Never, ever, ever cling to such cliches and narrow your beer vision. It's alright to fancy a particular style or even brewer, but drink everything with the hopes of finding the perfect pint somewhere along the way.

While only a few real Belgian beers appear localy, and even less so, trappist beers, a few craft options are available.

These beers are delicious and even better than their Belgian counterparts

Ommegang Abbey Ale- a dubbel abbey ale (think Belgian style brown)

Ommegang Three Philosophers- (strong ale flavored with cherry juice)

North Coast Thelonius Monk- (abbey ale)

North Coast Le Merle- (Saison; which is a French Style farmhouse ale)

Lagunitas Sonoma Series Hop Stoopid (Saison/Belgian IPA hybrid)

Lagunitas Sonoma Farmhouse Style Saison (Saison)

Greenflash LeFreak (Belgian Style IPA)

New Belgium La Folie (Flanders' style Red)

BEHOLD!!!!!!

2009-03-16T18:26:00.000-07:00

Come by this Sunday. Let's make up for time lost with a little beer history and merriment!!!!!

Clarification

2009-03-12T03:18:00.000-07:00

There's a movement to keep big breweries dominant in industry categories by attempting to fool the public into thinking some of their products are comparable to microbrew/craft beer.

Somebody out there even tried to chop heads with me on the subject by calling my belief in microbrew over big brew "ignorant."

WOWEEEEEE!!!!!!

Really, big breweries are the victims here? Does that guy really think so?

For the sake of humanity as animals with some kind of ability to discern- I hope not.

I've been reading about the history of beer in America- note my previous post...

And I can tell you, despite the pre-industrial revolution roots in beer being produced in America- what we have left from those founding breweries rarely resembles the beer that overflows the shelves in the market.

"How did this happen Tibbi?"

Well, it's not so much "how," but "why?"

Prohibition didn't just kill the market, but it created back pressure. Pressure that was alleviated when the 21 Amendment was passed.

Brewers were back in business, but in order to profit and regain, they had to churn out large, large quantities of beer. And they started cutting corners. No longer were these beers the nutritional wholesome lagers and bock brewed by German immigrant hands- these were industrialized poor excuses for use of water, that would continue to be handed to the masses who would've drank horse piss if it came in a bottle.

Prohibition had starved the thirsty and these same desperate people became vulnerable to whatever marketing and products produced thereafter...almost as a way of staving off any reappearance of prohibition ever again....

Many microbrewers have sought out old recipes and now produce beers that were reminiscent of beers brewed prior to prohibition.

One of these beers was Session Lager from Full Sail brewing in Oregon. It is a pilsner/lager and it tastes as early American beer once did....

So, now that it's clear the big breweries have been up to this fleecing for some time, why continue to back them up?

especially when breweries like Budweiser belongs to InBev...

the profits generated from the sale of their beers don't stay stateside like they used to anymore, now the Great American Lager works for Europe...

ah....Patriotism....

Anyhow, support your local breweries and keep the money going to people who work here and hard for it. You're going to get better beer out of it anyway...

Cheers!!!!

Aladdin Jr. II

2009-03-10T00:28:00.000-07:00

Aladdin Jr. II will be opening its doors Tuesday March 10. Go by and see them, and sample the delicious offerings.

I will be meeting up with the folks over there to consult possiblities for beer offerings.

Cheers!!!

Emphasis on food pairing-

2009-03-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

What are your all time favorite beer/food pairings?

When I was younger, I wasn't able to drink beer as I ate food. (Of course, the beer was sub par then)

Now, I can't imagine food without a nice complementing beverage.

What do you guys say?

I think my favorite beer pairing is Spicy Lamb Korma and a nice Old Monk 10,000 Indian Lager.

Spring is coming

2009-03-09T18:33:00.001-07:00

Be sure to watch out for spring seasonals to be released by various breweries.

Witbiers are especially popular around this time, as are bocks, lagers, and even pale ales.

As the weather starts warming up a bit, be sure to look for new labels and beer selections

Be sure to stay away from Rising Moon (Coors' Blue Moon Spring Seasonal), and Hop Hound (A-B fake spring beer),

Is anyone else out there tired of fake craft beer from the big breweries?

Here's a list of beers that fit such category and should be abstained from.

Wild Blue (A-B fake Blueberry Ale)
Shock Top (A-B fake Belgian White Ale)
Hop Hound (A-B fake Mystery Beer)
Sun Dog (A-B fake Summer Lager)
Anything with "Moon" on the label (Variety of Coors fake Belgian Inspired Beers)

4,079 Hits

2009-03-09T04:46:00.000-07:00

How's them apples?

UPDATE

2009-03-09T04:43:00.000-07:00

One 22oz. Bottle of 2nd Anniversary IPA (Port Brewing)

One 22oz. Bottle of Hop-15 (Port Brewing)

One 22oz. Bottle of IPA (Marin Brewing)

One 12oz Bottle of Yuengling Black & Tan

All three Back to Future Movies

=

I am going out of my mind- stay tuned.

Word of the Night- DISAPPOINTMENT

2009-03-04T00:45:00.000-08:00

Okay, well today seemed like it was off to a good start. The missus and I had lunch with a couple of friends at Lucille's BBQ. I am not one for chain restaurants, but this is a jewel- (Sweet Tea, Tri-Tip, and Hot Links, fuckin' delicious)

Anyhow, after falling ill to the "Itis," we left for Hollywood. The missus got tickets to see RENT, which she had to see for one of her classes at school. I wasn't keen on it from the beginning and made several attempts to pawn this duty off on her mother, but to no avail. Well, what's a great boyfriend like me to do?

I slept in the car most of the way, and when I awoke, I found myself quite thirsty. I had been looking at watering holes around the area in preparation, and i had my eye on Bowery.

I have to research watering holes because I don't trust LA/Hollywood to have enough sense to get the beer I like to drink (with a few exceptions).

In fact, I think Martinis are still popular there anyhow. (spits)

Well, Bowery is listed as a Gastropub with a New York theme. (Hence its name)

And gastropubs are supposed to be venues with good food and good drink, which normally entails craft beer.

Here was Bowery's Beer list

Stone IPA
Ommegang Three Philosophers
Lost Abbey (which was out)
Chimay Red
Pabst Blue Ribbon

- DISAPPOINTMENT

I had a couple of Stone IPAs and wondered how a business can claim to be a gastropub when it fails to have a core element. And if that wasn't enough, the place had a full bar, yet no draft system. Their selections were all bottled. Something is wrong here and I don't understand why I don't have a job ensuring these things don't happen.

(sighs) The life of a blogger.

We left Bowery to its shabby wannabe elite. We went to the Pantages, parked the car, then found our seats. We were in the upper Mezzanine (great, right?).

Well, fuck that place.

I am a fat guy. You know what fat guys hate?

Stairs. People filled rows with narrow passage, and worst of all- small old narrow theater seats.

And the show hadn't started yet.

Well, maybe I already had a preconceived notion about this Rock Opera, but nonetheless, it was confirmed.

It sucked. I have to be honest. I couldn't connect with the characters, the plot got a bit unbelievable, and I found it to be a little "dated". None of the intended humor was all the relevant or accessible.

I think this thing was hyped up by its creator's death before release.

Now, I know what you guys are thinking. "Tibbi, you're just insensitive to the gay/artistic/AIDS cause(s)."

To you I say, "I am a straight writer who used to be constantly mistaken for a sensitive homosexual. I have a gay brother. And my best friend in high school was gay, even though I didn't find out until post graduation, which made all of the previous sleepovers kinda awkward in retrospect."

In other words, "I get it."

It was missing some things. I wanted Mimi to die. I didn't understand why she didn't.

Isn't this supposed to be a modern version of La Boheme?

I wanted something less preoccupied with Angel's flamboyancy in favor of character development in his essence. Angel's character and message were fine, but toward the end, the constant references to Angel show how little writing was done to keep the audience in tune with him so that they themselves would mentally reference Angel instead of the cast.

-DISAPPOINTING

When I came home I flipped on the boob tube to finally not be disappointed- Rush's concert in Rio was playing on VH-1. (yes, I watch VH-1, I am old- and MTV is stupid.)

Temples of Syrinx!!!! YES!!!!!

Meg and K!!!!!

2009-02-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

Melissa (the missus) and I have decided that K reminds us of Brian Posehn. He's a comedian and a character on the Sarah Silverman Program. (in case you don't know, but you guys should be hip to that just the same)

It's not an insult, but a compliment, does K get this alot? (or ever?)

check it out, but K is much less sloppy and old looking

just the same, it's awesome!!!

C'mon guys, come have a good time this Sunday at 5pm

2009-02-27T12:00:00.001-08:00

In this economy, fun is still abound

2009-02-26T14:44:00.000-08:00

My friend Renee is always trying to challenge me. She once tried to eat more buffalo wings than me. We tied.

But this time, we chose something sinister, and easily calcuable. McDonald's Chicken Mc Nuggets. (one of my favorite foods)

(You may take a break from reading to throw up)

Well....

I won.

50 Chicken Nuggets to her 32.

Men are just better at eating. It's science.

Today, in beer......

2009-02-24T01:33:00.000-08:00

Today was most excellent, seeing as I met a new fellow blogger, ran into the always gracious and graceful, Meg and K, and was the very first person to buy the new Shameless McDale Irish Red Ale....from Dale Bros. at the Press' release party...

And did I mention I drank the Press out of Stone IPA during this all?

Well, I did.....

I talked to Andy Dale, and he told me the next batch has some changes for the better and I can't wait to taste the newer Irish Red Ale, with a more full bodied weight to help balance the very malty profile with mild hop presence and somewhat astrigent and bitter mouthfeel from said malt stance.

I can't wait for Korean BBQ!!! (Meg, and K!!!)

The best part of the night was the point at which Meg flipped me off in front of my girlfriend....

Check out the new blog....

http://originalskrip.blogspot.com/

and check out The new beer at a local bar near you

Shameless McDale Irish red.... from our friends at Dale Bros Brewing!!!

Cheers!!!!

Drinking Songs

2009-02-12T01:18:00.000-08:00

Whenever, I walk into a new watering hole I start taking mental notes and scoring the venue on many factors, including beer selection and ambience. I love dark bars, and if you walk into dba on my night, I usually have the lights turned low. One other thing I love is ambience created by music.

Blues is usually blaring when I tend bar. I've always had a romantic view of dark bars with booze and blues. Earlier in my youth, I was best described as a bourbon drinking blues listener. Some things have changed. I still love bourbon. I still love blues. Only thing that's changed is how much bluer I've gotten as I've aged. A woman once told me, "When I look at your face, you look young, but your eyes have an old soul."

Well, a heritage of heroin and pain will do that to a person.

Not to get too dark though.

Let's talk about great drinking songs. Please feel free to post your favorite drinking songs.

Research my choices if they seem foreign to you, and if all else fails, come into the bar and you'll probably hear some of the selections.

Here we go;

Whispered Words by Dan Auerbach from his new album Keep it Hid

Ain't nobody's business by Jimmy Witherspoon it can be found on numerous Witherspoon records and compilations

here's Jimmy

Any song from any album by the Black Keys; Big Come Up, Thickfreakness, Rubber Factory, Magic Potion, Chulahoma, Strange Times

Any song from Grand Ole Party's new album Humanimals

here's a glimpse of one of my favorite tracks from that album

Maggot Brain by Funkadelic from Maggot Brain

the maggot brain

Any Song by the Animals

I hate to use this video, but it's still one of my favorites although their music catalogue is full of great songs

Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters

There are more songs, but let's see what you guys can come up with...after listening to some of these I have to go grab something to drink while i do this...

Change of PLANS!

2009-02-04T14:34:00.001-08:00

At first, as winter approached, I was more than happy to sample porters, stouts, and spiced ales. But winter never really came.

85 degrees outside isn't exactly a good reason to go to the fridge and grab an Imperial Stout.

So, I've been forced to drink outside seasonality in forward vision toward Spring.

What beers does spring bring might you ask?

Here's the list of things to grab/drink as the weather maintains a beautiful constant.

DESCHUTES Cinder Cone Red- Nice moderate red ale without the excessive caramel/scotch flavors you'd find in other beers of this style. Crisp and hop/dry finish. Perfect for evening drinking.

PORT BREWING Panzer Imperial Pilsner- Not many breweries bother with pilsners, especially imperial style (twice the pilsner). Thank God for Port. This nicely refreshing beer has a strange candy cane sugar finish. This beer drinks like a bright sunny day, but in a very satisfying way.

ALBA Scottish Pine Ale- This beer is brewed with spruce and pine shoots- it has this super floral scent and tase with earthy tones giving the palate superior satisfaction. Rare find. But worth it all....

MAUI BREWING Bikini Blond Lager- This is by far one of the best blondes around. Light and refreshing, but not watery- some hop traces but without astringency.

HANGAR 24 Orange Wheat- This could be one of the only wheat beers I'd ever crave. Wheat beers are great candidates for additional flavoring- (Seadog Blueberry Wheat, Sam Adams Cherry Wheat)- This beer is very clean tasting with rind, but moreso blossom presence.

Keep your fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-02T16:14:00.000-08:00

The city's favorite bartender has an interview with Hangar 24 brewing in Redlands.

Please keep your fingers crossed, as I attempt to spread my wings in the industry I love most. My interview is February 10th.

STONE- alot of things went wrong, but alot of things went right!

2009-01-25T22:39:00.000-08:00

Well, today was fun. I took my 3 litre growler to Stone with the hopes I would be able to fill it up with 10th anniversary IPA. (that last of which was available for growler fills- period)

No dice. And I was angry about it. They ran out, but I HAD THE 3 LITRE SPECIALTY GROWLER MARKED FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY IPA!!!! Other plain growlers were being filled with it, and it wasn't fair to me.
C'est la vie.

Anyhow, my next move was to grab a table and you know what?

NO DICE!!!!

The tables were all reserved, so we hung out on a balcony and drank some beer waiting for a slight opportunity of accomodation. I wasn't happy, but I relaxed as I saw my friends enjoying themselves.

While standing around and talking and drinking, something cool happened.
A dude came by to tell us "Stonewall" was being poured.

Stonewall?

Never heard of it, so I sent the missus to investigate. She brought back two four ounce glasses back, having paid 7 bucks for each. (It was all for charity.)

It tasted like a mix of beers, with definate caramel notes. The missus then informed me Greg Koch himself was pouring the beer and that I should go talk to him.

The funny part is, that I was hesitant because after the beer I had, I wasn't sure if I could hold up a conversation with Stone brewing's CEO and founder. I went over anyhow after mustering up some courage. It's not everyday you meet your hero. I found out the beer we just drank (Stonewall) was the product of an original charity project at the dedication of Stone's new facility. The story is that stones in a stone wall that was built were dedicated for the sake of charity. A friend to Greg and a charitable contributor was given a three litre bottle of "Stonewall," as a commemoration of this all. In short, she kept the bottle in her fridge for years, until bringing it to Stone today as a celebratory gesture. And I was one of the few people that had a chance to taste it. I took a picture with Greg to remember the moment.

After talking to Greg, the missus and I went to fill my other three growlers and look into getting a table once more.

After stating my case and pointing out some things, the hostess was able to give us a table almost immediately. And we were all grateful...as you can see in the photo below.

The beers of the day;

Stone 2003 Old Guardian Barleywine
Stone 2004 Double Bastard Ale
Hitachino Nest Beer Aged in Sake Barrels
Hitachino espresso Stout
Bruery Saison Rue
Cantillon Gueze aged in Bourbon Barrels
Brassierie DuPont Avril Bier de Table

-thanks Juan and Susie for my poster...

2009-01-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

No SUNDAY SCHOOL tomorrow!

2009-01-24T19:13:00.000-08:00

There will be no Sunday School, as I will be at STONE brewery for STONE WINTER STORM!!!

I will be drinking rare vintages of Stone beer and enjoying the company of friends- of course, if you want to join us- all are welcome!!!!

Brother Tibbi is ready for beer already!!!!

The most offensive thing I have ever heard-

2009-01-20T18:03:00.000-08:00

"Now, fellate me as I eat this expensive ham!"

Current IPA Count- 140

2009-01-16T15:28:00.000-08:00

I've been keeping track, but I can't post full reviews of each, just my own blips on which IPAs recieved "Yays," or "Nays."

Pliny the Younger (Russian River)-awesome beer, it's very complex yet crisp and easy to go down, but you'll only want to sip it to make it last longer.

Hop 15 (Port Brewing)-very awesome layered hoppy flavors, moderate alcohol traces, good APV

Stone IPA- there are better IPAs, but then again there are not. great bouquet. great consistent taste and always welcome strong APV without tasting sour.

ACME IPA (North Coast Brewing)- good session IPA, not too strong, but not subtle...this is what you dirnk when you wake up in the morning with some toast and jam

Indica IPA (Lost Coast Brewing)- not too big a fan of this one. lost coast is awesome, but they use unconventional hop choices for this beer- even for california style IPA. it's okay. i prefer sunny delight and this is minute maid- nothing wrong with it, just not my preference.

Green Flash Imperial IPA- one of the best double IPAs- strong APV and good flavor, pretty robust.

Deschutes Inversion IPA-good session IPA

Bison Organic IPA-decently priced session 22oz IPA

Avery IPA-awesome citrusy IPA, one of the best regular IPAs

Maharaja Imperial IPA (Avery)-super awesome, top five IPAs, good APV

Sleighor Reaper Ale Double IPA- decent daily drinker, good price for a double-4 dollars

Medocino White Hawk IPA- eh, not tasty enough....

Pyramid Thunderhead IPA-weaksauce

Widmer Borken Halo IPA-weaksauce

Red Hook Longhammer IPA-weaksauce

Snake Dog IPA (Flying Dog)-it's alright, but i wouldn't take it to the moon with me

Hop Ottin' IPA (Anderson Valley)- dog piss...it's so highly recommended, but it's not that great

Hop Devil (Victory Brewing)-good, but in a different context, it's deeper like a cognac almost....

Hop Rod Rye (Bear Republic Brewing)- it's a good companion for sandwiches

Racer 5 IPA (Bear Republic Brewing)- always a good choice, crisp hoppy flavor

Sierra Nevada IPA- more tradional, severe alcohol trace with moderate APV

Alesmith IPA-very tasty, but has an almost menthalating alcohol footprint

Big Daddy IPA (Speakeasy)- very good basic IPA, pretty complex for a small beer

Double Daddy Double IPA (Speakeasy)- builds on basic IPA and blossoms nicely in the mouth

Full Sail IPA-eh, it sucks, even for a traditonal IPA

Wipeout IPA (Port Brewing)- ports IPAs are always good, but you can only drink one 22 oz. -you want to drink multiple port beers despite this- for some reason they just are consistently drinkable brews...

Nectar Ales IPA (Humboldt)- good session IPA california/tradional hybrid

Union Jack IPA (Firestone)- fucking aweseom IPA it's my plan B, next to Stone IPA- i recommend it highly

Rubicon IPA- decent session IPA

IPA (Blue Frog Brewing), eh...jumbled flavor, tastes like soda, not very balanced...

Hoptown IPA- session IPA...pretty good

Stone Ruination- do i have to tell you?

Sierra Nevada Celebration- good seasonal, this should be their year round offering...

Steelhead Double IPA (Mad River)- good session double....if that's possible

Ballast Point IPA- fuckin awesome. 7% very citrusy but also moderately malty simultaneously without being too brash like a rye IPA...good

Lagnitas IPA-pretty good. not as consistent as i'd like, but tastes good overall...

Coastal Fog IPA- great session IPA, very close in flavor to union jack...highly recommend it.....

Meantime IPA- expensive, but it gives you an idea of the basis for our modern socal IPAs...bitter without backup flavor, but good for it's raw nature...

Moylan's Hopsickle Triple Hoppy Ale- the name says enough...it's pretty good...close to Russian River...not as complex, but full throttle...

Moylan's IPA- english style...very good if you can get your hands on it...

Lagunias Maximus- awesome 2.99 double IPA- LAGUNITAS IS CHANGING MY EXPECTATIONS

Shipyard- fuggles IPA- fuggles...are a good bittering hop, but it lacks complexity and bouquet...

Greenflash West Coast IPA- lots of sediment, but it keeps the dick hard

Butte Creek Organic IPA- don't remember too much, changed labels...

Samuel Smith IPA- weak, but tasty, not enough hop bouquet nor bitterness...session IPA..

Left Coast Hop Juice- hop infused vagina flavor- awesomely sour!

Mission Brewing IPA- benchmark quality

Stone Belgian Style IPA- i must give it time to grow on me, yeasty hoppiness....

BJs Owen's IPA-pretty tasty, i underestimated it at first, but it's good....grab a growler of one at your local BJs....

Maui Brewing Company Big Swell IPA- it was in a can and it was delicious. aftertaste of pineapple and tasty hop traces.

Anchor Brewing Liberty Ale-session IPA....easy going down but obvious foot print...rides the line between APA and IPA in a good way....

Anderson Valley 20th Anniversary Imperial IPA-maltiness clouds any hop flavor- drinkable, but too drinkable for an imperial IPA

Grand Teton Brewing Sweetgrass IPA-too sweet and malty- good session, but shouldn't be mistaken for a hoppy beer....

Santa Cruz Ale Works IPA-awesome find- 2.99........close to Stone IPA in Bouquet and flavor....awesome

Brasseirie D'Achouffe Double Belgian IPA Trippel- yeasty flavor overiddes hoppiness...but delicous . just the same...

Port Brewing- 2nd Anniversary Ale- awesome...the best eight bucks you can spend on a bomber of tasty, complex hop juice...get it- it's rare around here and obviously a seasonal...

Drakes IPA- awesome...i can see how it won at the gabf

Victory Hop Wallop- good sweet, hoppy seasonal, very effervescent

Urthel Hop IT- it was good, better than other beligan IPAs. heres the twist. it's a dutch beer in the belgian style that tries to copy IPAs, but it's good.

Bear Republic Racer 'X'- never seen this before, hasn't been bottles in five years, but is occasionally available for draft. not my favorite- racer 5 is better

Avery/Russian River Collaboration, not litigation IPA- kinda good, not what i expected from these two breweries. maybe their brewing styles were working against each other instead of being complementary

Coronado Brewing Islander IPA- pretty decent drinker...top ten easy...

Coronado Hoppy Beer Belgian IPA- the best Belgian IPA i've had...

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing IPA- not good. organics almost never have enough hops

He'brew Lenny's RIPA- double IPA with too much rye malt to be able to define itself as bittersweet or an IPA. not good. too thick

Stone 11th Anniversary Ale- the best RYE IPA....hops shine straight through with malty accents- the way it should be

Piraat Ale- it's a good trippel, but i don't taste enough hops, maybe it's the variety, but it oculd just be that danm belgian yeast

Dogfishhead 90 mintue IPA- very smooth and refined, deep like brandy, but hoppy. this is a beer i would move to the east coast for

Full Sail Prodigal Sun IPA- i never cared much for this brewery, but this was in fact a decent offereing. the only thing i would change would be the crappy finish, but it's a decent drinker other than that.

Russian River IPA- very drinkable, just the right amount of citrus flavor and balanced with hops.

Oskar Blues Gordon- really good, but uber expensive. it's a hybrid of an amber an a double IPA....it's very malty and sweet, it's similar to a rye IPA but better

21st amendment brewery Brew Free or Die IPA- very well balanced, but still has hopped up edge. six pack of cans is 9 bucks- a steal compared to Maui breiwing big swell and oskar blues gordon

Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA- classic english beer. like a bitter but without the creaminess malt flavor...good show....

Left Coast Brewing Torrey Pines IPA- delicious pine laced citrusy IPA with good hop balance and clean finish

Hitachino Classic Ale- creamy session IPA in a good japanese way- domo arogatu!!!

Pliny the Elder double IPA by Russian River- delicious double IPA- quite possibly the best, so hoppy yet balanced, perfect hop choices and crisp aftertaste

Stone 10th Anniversary IPA- deliciously thick and complex with caramel, toffee and rye accents...too much almost

Hair of the Dog Blue Dot Double IPA- tastes like a san diego ipa, gloriously hopped up and full of IBUs, but tasty

St Peter's IPA- skunked, but still tasted smooth and mildly bitter, but not creamy like an esb

Burton India Empire Ale- this is where it all started- delicious lightly hopped pale, but with rocky taste (just like it's brother BASS)

Craftsman IPA- too creamy, but a good session

Craftsman Point 5 IPA- better, with more citrus peel accents

Big Sky IPA- delicious roasty malt flavors with awesome piercing bitterness shining through

Alaskan IPA- very bubbly, and soap sudsy type of head...but lacking in bitterness and complexity

Odell Brewing IPA- delicious tart bit right at the end...nice creamy head- decent balance with good bittering hop choice

Boulevard Double Wide IPA- great, no citrus here, more acidity but from an apple perspective- delightful

Alesmith Yulesmith- Christmas came early this year and it was delicious

Coronado Idiot IPA- signature coronado flavor...great

Port Brewing High Tide IPA (fresh hops)- warrior hops dominate this beer, but it is not super aromatic, but if you take a deep breath in while you sip the beer becomes so incredibly floral with tight accents of pine- goof fuckin' seasonal again PORT!!!

Lagunitas Sonoma Hop Stoopid- I don't think this beer has a lot of hops, but it rings in at 8.2% alcohol. It has a great balance of hops to malt and is hoppy in a very 'clean' sense. Tons of blackberry (believe it or not) with some citrus and light on the pine, but sharp on the malt tang. Good Show!!!!

Beer Valley Leafer Madness Double IPA- tastes too familiar to command such a high price- session double IPA

Moylan's Moylander Double IPA- pretty harsh, but good- very hoppy and effervescent

McEwan's IPA- Scottish style IPA- confusing at best- peat moss smoky, with little hop bite. Not sure what to think about this one

Deschutes Hop Trip Fresh Hop Ale- strange mossy flavor, not very citrusy or acidic....as with most wet hop beers...very interesting brew.

Karl Straus Stargazer IPA- pretty decent session IPA, not too hoppy though, but decent enough

Russian River Blind Pig- do i have to tell you how great and smooth yet hoppy this beer is?

Flying Dog Double Dog Pale Ale- very good, a little too malty, but balanced

Port Brewing IPA- basic IPA but surprisingly creamy AND hoppy in a way only Port can be.

Stone 7th Anniversary IPA- mildly beautiful IPA, almost of Russian River smoothness...very surprising beer, almost too subtle to be Stone

Marin Brewing White Knuckle Double IPA- really solid malt bas to it, with a nice stinging op bitterness...

Bad Elf IPA- not good...

Rogue Yellow Snow IPA- very conservative IPA- but good just the same

Stone Sublimely Self Righteous Ale- Black IPA, awesome hop/malt balance....drinks like levitation but hoppier.

DogfishHead 120 minute IPA- do I really have to tell you? Surprisingly sweet, hop monster that drinks like a single malt whiskey/bourbon.

Mikkeler Stateside IPA- Scandanavian meets West Coast- efficient, modest IPA.

Southern Tier Imperial IPA- reminds me of Moylands- and that's a good thing

DogfishHead 60 minute IPA- duh!!!

Ballast Point Sculpin Limited release- awesome fruitness, but less citrus and more hard fruit- arpicot, but also nectarine like acidity- just the right amount of hops. Drinks like an herbal tea.

Hangar 24 IPA- very different IPA, kinda inky and citrusy acidic, very good, but not bold...decent drinker

Sierra Nevada Torpego Extra IPA- finally, an IPA from sierra nevada that tastes good...i recommend drinking it closer to room temperature...

Rogue XS Imperial IPA- i was very impressed with this crisp and bitter IPA, yellow snow didn't really do it for me, but this beer made up for it, quite nicely.

Bell's Hopslam- very sweet IPA, nice session, but not all that great for severe hop heads.

Three Floyds Dreadnaught IPA- this beer is best after it's warmed up a little and had a decent amount of orange zest. delicious.

Eel River IPA (organic)- sucks, pisswater flowing downstream.

Marin brewing IPA- not too bad, i underestimated marin brewing, but this has a green apple acidity to it. good job

Pike Brewing IPA- subtle session IPA...wouldn't care if i ever saw it again...

Avery Ale to the Chief- Avery put half New World IPA and half Maharaja in a bottle.

Karl Strauss Tower 10 IPA- way better than stargazer IPA. Very floral, but minimal bitterness...nice introductory IPA...and decent session beer.

BrewDog Hardcore IPA- best Scottish IPA. super subtle and floral with lemony zest.

Big Bear Mountain Brewing IPA- orange spiked IPA about 45 IBUs, but nicely crisp

Roots Organic Woody IPA- horrible syrupy malt flavor. didn't come close to being nice.

Lagunitas Underciver Investigation Shut down ale- I think this was supposed to be a "mild," but it is a damn fine double IPA at about 72-75 IBUs...awesome beer...

Lagunitas Kill Ugly Radio- lagunitas is easily the best consistent IPA maker on this coast.

Bootlegger's Rustic Rye IPA- Not a fan of Rye IPA- but this so nicely balanced with crisp bitterness...almost an impossible job. good beer

Alesmith Yulesmith (summer edition)- always a great ester filled hop bomb.

Lagunitas We're only in it for the money- each IPA lagunitas makes is slightly different yet always consistent in good taste.

Sam Adams Double IPA- homebrew contest winner that is chucked full of syrupy hop oiliness that is delightful

San Diego Hopnotic- hoppy, nicely bodied, citrus foamy hop bomb.

Port Brewing Trigger Hoppy- The best belgian style IPA.

Port Brewing Third Anniversary- 2nd anniversary was good. this one was smoother in texture and moderately thick.

Alpine Hoptical Illusion- weak session IPA- I thought Alpine would have something spectacular.but this isn't it.

Deschutes Red Chair IPA- sweet session. great bouquet and easy drinking.

Lagunitas Correction Ale 2009- beautiful mildy crisp ale.

ABita Jockamo IPA- horrible

Dogfishead Apri-hop- not big on fruit beers, but apricots and IPA go incredibly well together.

Ballast Point Dorado double IPA- tinges of rye hide in a hooped up brew that is incredibly sturdy and consistent throughout.

Allagash Hugh Malone- the best belgian style IPA- retains crispness without excessive sweetness, and a touch of bitterness. well played.

Deschutes Mirror Mirror- triple IPA/ Barleywine- based on the famous mirror pond pale that i love so much-brandy alcohol and earthy bitterness.

Mendocino Blue Heron- similar to an english bitter....but closer to a mild...

Had Indian food the other day and revisited the great beers of INDIA

2009-01-16T12:12:00.000-08:00

for REN!!!!

2009-01-16T02:57:00.000-08:00

Hair of the Dog makes one hell of a double IPA. THEY ARE AN AWESOME BREWERY FROM OREGON.

What I need right now...

2009-01-15T13:54:00.000-08:00

jeez...it's making my mouth water...hoppiness to equal happiness. I need a sedative, my head hurts.

For Melissa....

2009-01-14T00:24:00.000-08:00

I want to say I am sorry for all the times my barstool was more a lover to me than you. Times when I caressed the curves of my drinking glass with such a thirsty lust.
I remember the days when the only thing keeping my mind numb was the thought of you.
I could only give you so many drunken kisses, bubbly with blind hope.
-You could only take them for so long until realizing the hangovers to come.

And yet you stayed.
And yet you stayed.

I would try to keep from holding your hand for too long out of fear you'd leave me at someone else's doorstep, just as had been done before.

But you didn't.
But you didn't.

I want you to know that the answers you seek in your books are the answers I see in your eyes- even when they are glossed with tears caused by my own hopelessness...

This is my love story.
And to you I pledge my heart.
When I hold you, I feel the closest to closure. Alas, these stitches may never come out, but my heart will always function-

--function for you.
function for you.

At times it seems I wish for younger days. Days when the cold didn't seem quite so cold.
Truth is, I wish for younger days only so I could've better prepared myself for you.

You deserve more.
You deserve more.

I will do my best to make sure I live long enough to see this debt repaid, for I owe you all the love I am not meant to be afforded.

I will pay you back.
I will pay you back.

Who is coming with us????

2009-01-08T16:47:00.001-08:00

check it out;

http://www.stonebrew.com/calendar/09SWS/index.php

everyone is welcome, the more the merrier- SUNDAY JANUARY 25th

One of the best winter moments so far...

2009-01-06T00:59:00.000-08:00

- that's right!

2009-01-04T13:44:00.000-08:00

in case you can't read the dialogue-

WOMAN: "Little early for a beer, isn't it?"

MAN RESPONDS: "Little late for a diet coke isn't it?"

(awesome)

it's pretty amazing

2009-01-04T11:42:00.000-08:00

I read this article yesterday, and I think it's a a great story; the kind of which gives you hope as to where we are going as a society these days.

read it here: http://www2.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_11358597

Be at dba256 this SUNDAY!!!!

2009-01-02T21:41:00.001-08:00

SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS SUNDAY AT 5pm

We're gonna make beer this time, in addition to our usual tasting....
you don't want to miss this...

This year

2009-01-02T15:13:00.000-08:00

I am gonna drink more beer than any other man alive. And I will turn my pee into an alternate fuel source.

I swear to God, if I see one more penis....

2008-12-31T18:25:00.001-08:00

...it'll be far too soon. I was at the gym today, with the intention of working out and finding some peace. Not today. No peace for me. On my way out from the back of the gym, I was almost assaulted by an old man's penis....

Now, I know this is a gym and there's a locker room, thus this is definitely a locker room environment, but there's no excuse or any logical reason to parade around carelessly so as to possibly hit someone with your dangling wrinkled meat.

There was a bunch of old men just flopping around and as I tried to keep blinders on and get the fuck out of there, one dude just gallivanted along and almost hit my hand with his old dilapidated sagging love sock.

SINCE WHEN IS THIS OKAY? He never even noticed this happened!!!

I understand these dudes have no practical uses for their penises any longer and they also have no shame, but that doesn't necessarily render these penises any less dangerous.

Do you know what would've happened if that dude hit me with his penis?

I WOULD BE SITTING IN JAIL FOR PUTTING MY FIST THROUGH HIS HEAD.

I'm not homophobic, nor is this the product of some strange happening of my youth. It's just that I was brought up to be ashamed of my body. (and let's face it, you would hate to have my body instead of your own)

The closest I get to such offensive behavior is when I used to walk around work and in public with an erection with the hopes of seeing women gasp at the glory before them. (my girlfriend never liked this embarrassing game) And mind you, I never got the erection on purpose to do this, but rather I wouldn't care if I just happened to have one in public or at work. But I'm older now, and I don't play this game anymore....now I just annoy my girlfriend with my penis in private...

And that's why they are called "privates" not "how'd ya do's"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I run into you at the gym, please don't slap me five with your penis!

Come and get it!!!!!!!!

2008-12-30T00:34:00.000-08:00

Stone just released a new beer. Well, actually, a new version of an old beer.

This beer is Stone's Sublimely Self Righteous Ale- a black IPA.

That's right, a bold hoppy IPA brewed with roasted malts, giving the beer an opague black color.

It's on tap at Heroes' and if I have any input, it'll be at dba256 soon, as well.

2002

2008-12-24T00:59:00.000-08:00

I've been handing out a beer with this label on it. This is a serious beer gift. It is a 2002 (that's right) Christmas Ale from Anchor Brewing in San Francisco.

"Our Special Ale," is a beautiful spicy, thick, christmas beer and I've selected only a handful of people to share it with.

The beer's carbonation has deteriorated a bit, but it maintains some molasses flavor along with licorice and an export stout-like dryness to it. It's bigger after aging and drinks heavy.

The rest of you can be green with envy at this gesture. You can always go out and buy Anchor Christmas Ale 2008. But that would be so "now."

Yellow Snow

2008-12-23T21:06:00.000-08:00

After rushing and shopping nothing beats a new beer...

Rogue Yellow Snow IPA isn't a huge robust IPA a la SoCal, but rather it has the sophistication we've come to expect from older Northwest style brewing

Pacman yeast, coastal waters and a moderate amount of Amarillo hops

Conservative IPA just in time to keep me from going crazy, but not quite enough IPA to sedate me like I usually prefer.

All I want for Christmas is.....

2008-12-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

A night with America Ferrera...

but I'd settle for a couple of hours-

......or fifteen minutes with her mouth

or five minutes of a chance meeting with the palm of her hand in a broom closet...

please Santa- I've been good this year

Mark your calendars!!!

2008-12-19T13:29:00.001-08:00

SUNDAY SCHOOL- 5PM at dba256

Come let Brother Tibbi anoint you in Holy Brew

Beer Tasting for the heathens in all of us

CHRISTMAS PARTY TODAY!!!!!

2008-12-19T13:21:00.000-08:00

Come down to dba256 tonight!!! We're having come good deals to help with the holiday blues!!!!

4 dollar Pomona Queens and free appetizers!!! Plus, some other goodies!!!!

I'll be there getting sauced, so you should come by in case I say something funny!!!!

BLOGGERS UNITE AND ASSEMBLE!!!!!!

It's cold man-

2008-12-16T16:29:00.000-08:00

I need more winterbocks and doppelbocks...

Christmas Ale sounds good too...

Wassails, and Mead- it's beginning to look like Christmas...

Great Beer News

2008-12-12T23:01:00.000-08:00

Beer Advocate- a great beer enthusiast resource has just named STONE BREWING the all time best brewery!!!!

I smell, Sunday School's tasting this Sunday at 5pm.

read it for yourself here: http://www.stonebrew.com/news/081211/

Congratulations Stone!!! And let's get fucked up, now we have yet another reason to!!!!

Holidays

2008-12-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

If anyone needs any assistance with beer related gifts, my expertise is always available.

Maybe a holiday beer tasting for friends and family is in order.

Are you wondering what beer would go well with duck?

email me- idrinklocalyoucantoo@yahoo.com

At the gym

2008-12-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

So I went to the gym with the missus yesterday and I kinda poked around. For a fat guy like me, the gym poses dozens and dozens of opportunities for self embarassment. I walked around looking for a fatter guy to work out next to in an attempt to appear smaller, but no dice.

I went to the sauna and sweat out all the bad stuff, when all of a sudden I was visually assaulted by an elderly Asian woman. It was a lesson in old age anatomy, and apparently I was being privately tutored this time. Needless to say, I left and went to find my love partner for comfort.

She was pounding out on the eliptical machine, which is also my most hated enemy. I then went to the bike and after a few minutes felt self conscious about my testicles, so I decided I needed to buy compression shorts to eliminate the chance of visible "pendulum sac."

So far, this gym trip wasn't very fruitful.

And there was no eye candy or anything, just an old Asian lady with a sagging----uh......gym bag. (wink*)

I jumped on the treadmill and power walked a mile then went back to the sauna to wait for the missus to finish up and meet me.

As I sat down, a I swore I heard the man already there say, "Hey, nice beard."

To which I replied, "How's that?"

And he answered, "Nice beer."

I was wearing one of my beer shirts and he noticed it.

I was at the gym with the intention to better myself and maybe garner some bedroom points with the missus for a time to be later named. And here I was talking beer with a stranger in the sauna. He was a cool guy though, we talked of Belgian ales, and I expressed my love for American Micro and Craft. He told me of a couple of dynamite pizza joints, and I felt pretty guilty. We were like a pair of troublemaker kids at a funeral reception- everybody was there for a reason and these two kids didn't understand so they just went around fucking shit up and putting frogs in the punch bowl, and so on....

Oh well, wherever I go beer will be with me- wish me luck on my effort to eliminate some of the evidence of its presence....

SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY!!!

2008-12-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

5pm- tonight's theme- California

Birthday

2008-12-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my birthday, and it was a bummer for me. I kinda felt weird and a little depressed because I've never been 25 before (laughing) and I pondered all the thoughts I usually grapple with, but differently this time- well...contextually different.

Birthdays have been a sore spot for me the past few years anyhow. For me, it's an anniversary of the moment I was given life and handed to my mother, only to be discarded. As an adoptee, I've had to rethink my policies and perspectives on a lot of things, since actually finding out I was adopted when I became an adult of age. Last year's birthday wasn't so bad because I made a conscientious effort to have a good time and drink enormously.

Well, I went to work at the bar in the morning and I cleaned for a while with the hopes it would keep me from breaking. It worked, but then the bossmen showed up and one of them was grateful for my morning's efforts while the other busted my balls a little, when all of a sudden, he actually told me I looked depressed.

What the hell???

I can't even get this guy to listen to anything I have to say, and all of a sudden he can read me like the side of a box of cereal!!!!

Well, that's when I knew I was wearing my sadness like a Halloween mask at a wedding.

My day dragged on and it turned around when my brother from another mother came to invite me to a bbq to be held in my honor...

I explained my emotional situation, but told him I'd go anyhow, because, I'm not a complete dick.

Well, later I did go to the bbq, and I realized that as this clock runs out the only thing I have to hold onto are the people and moments I love and live for.

We laughed, we hugged, we drank, and yes...someone brought herb...
We ate and I wondered when the last time was when we were all together like this...

It was a band-aid on the wound...it was comforting, and I honestly felt strange about my friends coming in waves, paying tribute, and then I drank a little more and relaxed at the sight of my own real family that had come together, not just for a bbq, but in general- for life.

This family of handpicked people all with integral positions toward me and the collective group. For a rare moment in my entire life up until now, I was in fact home-

And I'd give anything to keep it from ever being any different

SO, my day had a happy ending after all...

Thanks guys....

Wow!

2008-12-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

I've never seen someone else that looked like me, until I saw this guy- I bet he's not fat like me though-

Oh yeah....I forgot

2008-12-03T15:26:00.001-08:00

Marin Brewing

White Knuckle Double IPA

notes= good malt base, with nice stinging hop bitterness, smells of marijuana and lemonade

That makes 100 IPAs!!!!!

Hooray for India Pale Ales!!!!!!

Sunday School!!!!

2008-11-28T21:53:00.000-08:00

come over to dba256, and let Brother Tibbi anoint you with the spirit of good brew!

Beer, love, and beer tasting

This Sunday

By the way...

2008-11-21T15:38:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Stone and Lucky Baldwin's I have reached 99 different IPAs, the 99th being Stone 7th anniversary IPA (for the record they are on year 12).

Man, I need more beer....I have to break 200 IPAs...

Lots of news

2008-11-21T15:18:00.000-08:00

Well, the city's favorite bartender has four new beers at dba for you all to enjoy.

Maui Brewing Big Swell IPA- beautiful citrusy moderately bitter ale- it's 7 bucks but it's canned (that's right, canned) in Hawaii, and that dictates higher costs, but it's worth it.

Deschutes Jubelale- this is a great spiced holiday beer- it's not too heavy and syrupy, it has some dark fig flavors and the signature water taste you'd expect from a brewery that uses river water for their brew.

Anchor Steam Beer- this is a truly California Common beer...the only beer style invented and indigenous to us here on the left coast.

Anchor Christmas Ale- this brew is all black berries and raisins with hints of anise- Merry Christmas, guys!

IN BIGGER NEWS

My beer tasting is finally happening (officially)!

A week from this sunday, I will be hosting my own beer tasting and providing education to those wishing to know more about beer.

It's gonna be great and I hope to see you all there.

We will be going over everything from glassware to history to how much head a particular beer requires.

Tonight's Outing-

The missus and I will be seeing Sarah Silverman perform at Nokia Club. It's gonna be so awesome, i'm gonna wear a diaper so I don't have to get up and go to the restroom and risk missing out on something...I hope Sarah makes fun of my girlfriend, that would be great!!!!

Keep an eye out!

2008-11-16T12:39:00.000-08:00

Down at dba, we will be moving our "by the glass" whites to a wine cooler, leaving our third fridge (under the back counter) available- and guess what's going into that firdge?

MORE BEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Be on the lookout for some Christmas beers and special releases.

HOORAY! I'M HAPPY AGAIN!!!!

I needed this-

2008-11-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

Lately, I've been down in the dumps for a number of reasons, but I completely forgot about it all and I have The Back Abbey to thank.

Last night, the missus and I went to a Chimay sponsored dinner in celebration of their 25th anniversary of export to the U.S.

Tickets cost us 25 smackers each, how could we not go?

When we arrived, we found each table adorned with booklets, pens, bottle wrenches, and special edition commemorative Chimay goblets (instant collector items worth the price of the ticket alone).

Needless to say, I was giddy and, admittedly, partially aroused by the sight and anticipation of what was to come.

Upon the start of the event, we were addressed by the owner, John, and the Chimay representative. They went over a little bit of history of Chimay and John expressed his excitement for his ties to Chimay, being that he owns a Belgian beer pub and also that he has a deep passion for Belgian beer.

The first course was a cheese plate paired with Chimay White (a Belgian trippel).
Good presentation, the missus enjoyed the cheese and apples. (I don't eat cheese)

Here's the beer in said special goblet;

The following course was especially delicious and also paired well with the trippel;
it was a delicious semi-spicy crab cake accompanied by some pickled garnish.

Now, keep in mind- we were being thrown free stuff left and right. The tickets were only 25 dollars and the food up until this point had already exceeded expectations- how were they able to pull this off? Well, it's part of Chimay's campaign to celebrate it's existence in the States and continued growth in the premium beer market. And it was wonderfully timed with John's unveiling of new food items to his already delicious "Gastropub" menu. This was an unbelievable spread, but there's more.

The second beer was the Chimay "Red." this is a delightful "dubbel" with a warm taste yet delicate mouthfeel, almost impossible for such an abbey ale.

This beer was expertly paired with a roasted pear and hazelnut salad with a light vinegarette and feta cheese. (mine was sans fromage- thanks BA)

I should also inform you that the crowd here on this night varied from a man with, I could not make this up, cheetah spotted dyed hair, to a table of cosmopolitan gay men, to an old man with a cheap looking date who knew nothing of beer and was annoying me, to yours truly ( a fat brown dude that can outdrink the entire room of weekend booze warriors). Now, I'll be the first to tell you, I do not fancy Chimay completely, but this was indeed something I, as a beer lover, could not pass up. I specialize in American craft.microbrew beer, and I love, especially, the beers we make here that emulate Belgian styles. Every once in a while, though, it's nice to get back in touch with the roots and I couldn't be happier about the Back Abbey's existence and seeming success.

Now, back to the dinner-

The last pairing was the most amazing feat of the night. I had starved myself all day and I was greatly rewarded with Chimay "Blue" and an 8 oz. filet mignon with mushroom gravy and steak fries.

This was the point where I ejaculated all over the table and the missus fainted. (well, practically)

Here's the "blue" a strong dark ale that helped the lacy mushroom gravy blend into the deliciously buttery steak

It was a great success and "Cheers" to John, the great Back Abbey staff, and of course to Chimay.

Happy birthday Chimay, you'll always be America's "Belgian."

And to you nay sayers- Fathers Office could never have pulled this off, nor would ever be in a position to make me happy by not putting cheese on something- this is the last word on the debate.

Rothman vindicated?

2008-11-04T15:00:00.001-08:00

NO!!!!!

Rothman's partial tests are back. His BAC was 0.4- as opposed to the the limit which is 0.8.

Rothman was technically not drunk, although it was said not all subtance tests were completed.

He still failed a sobriety test and I think this news is "too little, too late." (when it comes to his campaign and political future)

Blood alcohol level has a correlation here, but believe me when I say that I have been able to consume upwards of seventeen (17) beers during a shift of work lasting about nine hours.I was completely coherent and no one was even privy to my consumption because I gave no tell tale signs of intoxication. This is an isolated incident, because sometimes it's very apparent I've been tipping the elbow. My point is that every person is different and although the law may not designate a level as being dangerous, consider that there is no excuse for unsafe driving and putting innocent people in harm's way, whether the reason is due to intoxication, lethargy or emotional instability.

I'm gonna step off of the soapbox.

And if anyone ever wants to challenge me to a drink off, I am definitely game.

Make that...

2008-10-29T02:11:00.000-07:00

..an even 1,200 now- I need to get out this week, so I can "blog" it up some more.

1,183 hits

2008-10-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

As of today, this blog is at 1,183 hits. Not bad, seeing as my blog is the least conventional by local blogging standards. It's been 36 days since my first entry, and I'm so glad to have found a place where like and unlike minds can meet and share ideas, gain insight, and have some laughs.

Maybe, more blogs will endorse me, although I doubt it seeing as my blog has "different" content, but just the same I am glad to see how the other half lives nonetheless.

Thanks to everyone that keeps track of my blog, and I always welcome questions, comments, and crtiticisms. Anyone with beer questions, are especially important to me.

Thanks again, and if anyone sees David Allen, tell him i'm still waiting on his notes on my blog!

Cheers, Pomona!!!!

Anger

2008-10-23T11:43:00.000-07:00

If you guys go by dba, don't be surprised if you don't see me. Apparently, the other bossman is trying to be fair and spread out the hours a little more evenly among everyone and since I have the most shifts, I have been cut down. Now I have to work from the bottom up, again.

It makes me angry. I've worked hard to make people happy and serve them to the best of my ability. I've taken marginal shifts and turned them into days people look forward to. Now, the familiarity has been wiped away, unfairly.

C'est la vie- I'm looking for a new job anyhow, but I wish I had already secured one before this depressing news. If anyone wants to know my schedule, please feel free to email me.

I know some people only go to the bar when I am there, so please come by and see me either this Saturday morning or Sunday night and I'll do my best to serve you well.

If anyone would like to contact the bossman and perhaps throw in some good words for me- ron@dba256.com

I appreciate all who have supported the bar and myself, let's hope this situation doesn't get any uglier.

Vote for me, next time!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

The missus and I watched "W" Sunday morning. I thought it was a great movie. Brolin does an awesome job. At first, I thought the movie was going to romp Bush the entire way- it didn't. It was a very humanistic portrayal and I think it gave some insight, but in no way offers up excuses.

Anyhow, after the movie, the missus turns to me and says, "I really think you should run for mayor."

-I've made a couple of jokes about it, obviously, but she was dead serious. I dismissed it and laughed, but I'm thinking about a grass roots campaign for NEXT election. Well, of course only on the condition the Aztec calendar allows for such an endeavor. (insert additional superstitious hogwash here)

I would love to be mayor- in the sense that I would love to be the head Pomonan. My heritage runs deep in Pomona, plus I would love to wear a top hat. I would definitely wear a top hat if elected, and that would be a major part of my platform. A top hat and monocle; it would be like photos and pictures of early savages turned "civilized."

I know what you're thinking, "Isn't 'Tibbi' an Urdu word? And aren't Pakistanis terrorists? Is that why you have a beard?"

Well, to you pundits- yes. It means "medical" in Urdu. And I have a beard because it's a sign of virility (no enzyte here ladies- don't need it). But, let's face it, "Tibbi" is just a cute name that softens my image and makes me approachable.

Enough of the little details though. Let's go over my philosophy and plan for the betterment of my city- Pomona.

This, of course will be done in my favorite- the question and answer format.

What qualifies you for mayoral candidacy?

Good question- I am a lifelong resident of Pomona. I work in Pomona. And I have my roots in Pomona. If anyone had been witness to Pomona's growth or lack thereof, it has been people like myself. I feel I have a unique perspective to this city which will undoubtedly help me serve this city.

How does being a bartender correlate to being a good candidate for mayor, you jackass?

As a bartender, you have to know when to cut people off and kick people out. Enough said. (Watch out Carrizosa, you'll be the first to get the boot- medium style)

Aren't you a drunk?

That's really none of your damn business- yet.

We don't need another spic trying to run our city, what makes you different?

Technically, I am not a spic. I am indigenous to Pomona by way of several generations. The key to Pomona's recovery and overall growth is to make the general population comfortable with and proud of Pomona. All too often Pomona has been used as a midway point from those fleeing the big city (Los Angeles) to more destitute grounds (San Bernadino). People don't care about her (Pomona)- we're just a civic halfway house. I want to change that by using code enforcement to crack down on our neighborhoods and help raise property values for our homeowners. A huge section of our population rents, so eliminating neglected properties will help instill pride among our caring citizens.

With this we can expect to see safer streets, paving the way for better execution of community projects and events. People won't buy into the concept of community if they can't leave their homes for fear of violence and conflict.

Yes, it's true. Many of our citizens are not legal citizens of this country. The fact remains they make up a large portion of California's consumer driven power. I don't want to cater to this demographic completely to the point where donkey shows are prevalent and mobile taco stands are everywhere, but I do want to grab hold of that sales tax revenue. To do so, we'd have to dedicate our support to more local businesses and to more demographically specific businesses provided they comply with the laws (employment related and tax related...etc.).

Mexicans took our jobs!!!

Well sir, what is your industry?

Uh, I'm a marketing analyst...

Oh, so you never picked oranges or washed dishes?

No, went to Cal Poly...

Anyhow, we can maintain a safe city, reap the benefits of commerce, and still have a strong community if we stop compartmentalizing they way the city works. Everyone has to know our objectives straight out. Everyone has to be in on it. No personal agendas.
What happened to the idea of Fourth of July block parties? What happened to neighborhood barbers? What ever happened to Otis from the Andy Griffith show? I loved that guy.

What have you done in the private sector that gives you confidence in your ability to run the city?

Look, I have no private sector experience. Pomona is not a business. The efficiency of the private sector doesn't mix with the red tape of sleepy civic government. All you get is road rage on tricycles. (remember I coined that guys) I think we need a shot of common sense and a bottle of perspective.

I've been mugged in the city! Yes, it's true. I once walked down to the store at night to get a pack of cigarettes and a dude tried to take my money. A big black dude grabbed my pocket and I punched him.

Did you knock him out?

No- it didn't faze him at all, he was high. He then threw me into the street. He came at me again, so I punched him and ran for my life. Do you think I wanted to leave Pomona? Hell no! I stopped smoking cigarettes, and the next time I saw that dude, before he could say a word to me I whipped out my knife plain as day.

Why are you telling me this?

It's for two reasons

A: So, you know I'm tough and I will cut you.
B: So, you know I have faith in this community and I've seen it from all sides. Businessmen, educated men, and political men have good ideas but sometimes they don't translate to the everyday Joe just trying to get to the store for a pack of cigarettes without getting mugged or running into a girl everybody already has fucked, who by the way is pregnant and a school dropout at 14.

I love my city, let's share it with the world. Vote for me and I will turn this city around.

My name is Tibbi, and I keep it fresh like ziploc, son. Vote strong, vote for your neighbor-me.

By the way, the city has too much property remaining unused profitably, but that's another blog.

Beer Nationalism

2008-10-17T10:27:00.001-07:00

I had a dream last night that I was on my way to the moon as part of a NASA program to figure out the affects of beer on man in space and the affects of space on beer.

SPACE BEER!!!!!

Now, this would've been a great dream, had it not been for the beer choices. I had to drink different beers from different countries, but alot of it was bad, then I must've pushed myself to wake up in order to keep myself from having to drink "Sol," and "Corona."

Don't remember much else though, but it brings up a good subject- Beer and Nationalism!!!!

Everybody knows a guy that's a foreigner. This foreigner usually drinks his nation's beer often and makes remarks about how "Guatemala has the best beer in the world."

Guatemala? Beer is produced in Guatemala?

Maybe the guy you know isn't from Guatemala, but it happens. The dude doesn't really even have to be a foreigner though. I know guys that are 1/30 Irish, and can't keep their traps shut about Guinness.

"Ha- you know, I'm Irish- so I have to drink Guinness. I drink it in the morning with my cereal, and when I break out I use Guinness as an acne treatment...etc"

-Horrible. Simply horrible. These examples of beer nationalism are killing the beer market. This is what keeps the beer market from broadening faster and wider than it already is- and it's really annoying me.

I don't see any point in being excited about my nation's mass produced beer. I am excited about good beer in general, and that's the hallmark of any beer drinker worth the alcohol in his blood stream. The truth is, mass produced beer in any other country is no better than our crappy mass produced beer. There are exceptions to this and these are some of the international treasures that foreigners can really be proud of.

This a beer from Morocco. It's is a lager and is moderately smooth. Most beer that you will encounter from abroad tends to be variations of lagers and pilsners because of German immigrants and such influences on brewing.

This is an Ethiopian beer, and again- a lager. The mainstay of beer drinkers in Africa is, however, Guinness Export, which is drier than extra stout. It has a tan label.

From Israel comes this medium bodied lager, Goldstar- it's good for many flavorful dishes found in Arab/Jewish cuisine.

Efes Pilsner does similarly well, and it's from Turkey.

Let's not forget about ALMAZA from Lebanon-one of the very few beers from green glass bottles that I, myself, will drink. Nothing goes better with lamb, falafel, and harrisa better. The best Pilsner outside of German and Czech breweries.

Argentina is proud of it's own lager and they should be. Pretty thin but nice mouthfeel- surprisingly astringent, but necessary when paired with beef (good beef).

It's a running joke that Russia has been notorious for sub par products. Baltika Beers are the exception. The beers are numbered for each style, which makes ordering easy. "I'll have a number three." - The wheat bear is surprisingly good, and they have a well rounded collection that makes you forget how bad Borscht can be if not done right.

Germany has too many beers for one country, with regional differences being apparent in every glass. This is the crown jewel for me. Germany has many light bodied, light colored beers, but this one is unlike all of them (except in the now extinct dortmunder style). Rauchbier tastes so smoky, like bacon. It stands up to pork sausage and braised cabbage as I'm sure it stood up to many foreigners complaining about it's bacon taste. It will continue to stand up to time. Bravo Germany, you got one right.

India, for some reason took to brewing German lagers, despite the British occupation which would've logically prompted more ales being brewed. Despite this strange affect, they did take the best water and spin out some great lagers. Old Monk 10,000 isn't just a lager, it's a strong lager- of which a category doesn't exist. Lagers are crisp and light. Medium alcohol, but this one packs a punch very slyly. Damn you India. You're too good at what you do.

Japan, in recent years, lifted a ban on microbrewing, and I couldn't be happier. Hitachino makes some of the tastiest, rarest brews. this classic ale isn't just another Japanese copy of American innovation. It's a rework of something we, as Americans, can only wish we could have come up with in the first place. This is a genuine Japanese beer, without having to be so Japanese. They can be proud of this beer. Normally, it would take maybe ten pitchers of Sapporro to get me a little high. this one makes me happy, and it has alcohol to keep me happy.

Cheers to international beer done well!!! These are beers people can be proud of.

This is my provocative blog/ The GAY blog

2008-10-16T17:47:00.000-07:00

I was reminded this morning of the ongoing debate of gay marriage. While I am normally moderate, I'm pretty liberal on this subject for many reasons. I am going to use some of the statements I've encountered and respond accordingly;

-Marriage is between a man and woman; the bible says so.

Now, this is a fundamentalist statement. It's a conservative statement, but I don't consider this to be an educated fundamentalist statement, nor an educated conservative statement. I hate this statement because I've always wondered why fundamentalists cite the bible in this argument. The bible says God created man and woman. So, does this mean gays were "factory seconds," or "defective?" Are they not products of God in God's own image?- I'm looking for some consistency here- this argument is not very "Christian."

-I don't want my children to think it's alright to be gay or that it is an option.

Whoa man, whoa- this is a ridiculous fear, but somewhat understandable. No one wants to interrupt the status quo. But what exactly is the status quo for children, in regards to homosexuality?

(has flashbacks from private school)

.....I remember calling my friends "fags," alot. I also called other guys "fags" alot. I remember making alot of jokes about people being "gay."

Not much has changed, and as I grew older I kept calling my friends "fags," and I still make jokes about people being "gay."

But this is wrong- not for moral reasons, so much, but because I've been using words completely out of context. The entire time I was using "gay," and "fag' when I should've been using "retard," or "loser."

And for that I am sorry.....

In fact, I had a gay coworker. I would get angry with managers and I used to call them "f*$#ing faggots," then I would have to turn around and say, "sorry Eddie, I didn't mean to offend you." It was a bad habit. I am a working man, and I don't swear a whole lot, but I do love my racial epithets and sexual slurs. In this case, I would use the word "faggot," to emasculate men, because for many insecure men, this is the worst thing one can be called. For me, the worst thing I can be called is, "wetback." (for the record- I am not)

What I am getting at is this, establishing tolerance of homosexuality and lifting the taboo connotations with it, can only benefit us as a society striving for utopia.
Maybe it starts with children. (not sure myself though) It won't make children want to become gay, it would only help reiterate equality for all and possibly open dialogue so as to avoid family problems and such, associated with "coming out."

-Gay marriage makes a mockery of marriage between a man and woman.

So, if you don't try to stop gay marriage- the terrorists win. If you support gay marriage, you must be French- and French ain't 'merican!!!!!

You see where I am going?

Men and women are making a mockery of marriage in the US. Marriage by way of pregnancy is making a mockery of marriage. The divorce rate in America is making a mockery of marriage. Superficial relationships are making a mockery of marriage.

I thought people were more progressive than these arguments. History shows man progressing up to this point and despite our advances in technology and medicine, we've seemed to regress philosophically. It's as if we have no time to be conscientious anymore.

There's no room for common sense, where will people put their blackberries?

Now I am not a proponent for homosexual lifestyle. I am a proponent for equality and common sense for the betterment of society as a whole- not for sociological sections apart.

Okay, despite any argument I can make, these might be unrealized opportunities with this issue.

Gay marriage will stimulate the economy.

Think about it. More weddings mean more flowers, photographers, venue rentals, dj services, live band services, and a host of other related costs. Gays are notorious for having more money as discretionary income due to the fact they gays have less family expenditures.

Gay marriage will help curb AIDs.

It's no secret, gays tend to be more expressive, especially sexually. There are huge campaigns to help curb AIDs and many of these are targeted at gays. Promiscuity is a huge inadvertent result of the gay lifestyle due in part to a lack of discipline as prescribed by marriage or at least the opportunity for such monogamy. Marriage is a symbol of loyalty, dedication and monogamy. I am not saying gays are wild and full of AIDS, but there is an inherent sociological effect because of the absence of marriage as an equalizer acclimating themselves to the general population which would then in turn establish health and moral concerns that everyone else would normally be subject to.

(this is a generalization, please take it in context)

Anyhow, that's it for this one. Homosexuality isn't going anywhere, and no one has the right to limit anyone else's potential to lead a life equivalent or greater to that of anyone else.

It's bad enough the powers that be dictate many aspects of our lives without having to define the word "happiness," and a list of those whom "happiness" may be afforded to.

No one should be forced to marry and no one should be prevented from marrying.

Job Hunting

2008-10-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

I'm looking for a job- no luck yet. I applied with the city of Pomona for a job at the library, but the posting doesn't close until the end of the month and I doubt I am the ideal candidate, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'd like to work there and help people out. Anyhow, if anyone has any good leads on employment, let me know. I'm not planning on leaving the bar, but I need to put some money in my savings.

I have strong customer service experiensce, sales experience, and lots of supervisory experience- and oh...beer experience.

New Friends

2008-10-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

Last night some fellow bloggers met up at the bar (dba). It was great to put faces to names.

Ed, Meg, K, Calwatch, and Andrew...are my new friends and eveyone seemed to enjoy getting a chance to talk face to face, which is easier than exchanging post comments and volleying back and forth between blogs, posts, and people.

I must say, it was gratifying. I didn't get to participate as much as I wanted to, because I was, in fact, working the bar, but there was a good vibe.

I hope it becomes habitual, as habitual as casual meetings can get when life goes along its normal course, with its regular irregualrities and serendipity.

Good people, good writing, good city. They do say the pen is mightier than the sword.
-We'll let you know.

My new quote!!!!

2008-10-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

This is my quote of the day- I said it myself

"Let beer be the liquid in our veins and let our genitals be our moral compasses!!!!!!!!"

What do you guys say?

My originally intended post

2008-10-09T00:06:00.000-07:00

Rothman was the word tuesday, but I originally had a heartwarming story to tell before Rothman was spewing from my lips like vomit after three liters of beer. (trust me on the three liters-*wink)

So, it was tuesday night and the bar was a little slow. I was a little upset because the Presidential debate was on and I was against screening it so outrightly at the bar.

My ethics kinda prevent me from displaying politics in the bar on the grounds that people go to bars to enjoy the bar and, at times, escape the outside.

The debate screened anyhow since no one contested it (which was only fair). A mock vote took place, which I abstained from. If you really want to know, Obama won by 84% of those polled.

Now to the nitty gritty;

A couple came in and wanted to drink a flight of red wine. I obliged and they sat in dba's lounge area. I recognized them from the previous week, of which I had good impressions of them. Time passed as the slow bar continued to move toward the dark side of the clock, when the couple approached me.

"Do you have Peroni," the lady of the couple said.

'No, I actually don't- I'm trying to get rid of that beer," I replied.

"Why?," she said.

"It's not good beer and it's in green glass which allows the beer to become skunked," I informed her."How about I give you a better beer."

"Sure," she said.

I handed the couple Sessions Lager from Full Sail brewing (Oregon). I then described it as a Lager/Pilsner in the style of beer that was brewed prior to prohibition, which explains the medicine style brown glass bottle.

They loved it- of course.

Moments later the gentleman was on his knee, to which I figured he might just be playing around. They were later embracing each other and making out.

The couple then came up to the bar and requested to closeout, but not before the lady of the couple announced to everyone that she had just become engaged.

My heart surged and I instructed them to sit at the bar, as I poured them a congratulatory glass of Sparkling Zin.

After drinking, they paid their tab and left.

Nothing made me happier than to witness such an act at dba. Especially since they did so during the city's favorite bartender's shift.

I'm glad for them and look forward to serving them on their future anniversaries!!!

Cheers!!!

The beer's on me today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

behold!!!

http://www.insidesocal.com/news247/2008/10/pomona-city-councilman-arreste.html

here's the copy of the text in case the link goes dead

Pomona city councilman arrested
By Lori Consalvo on October 8, 2008 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
POMONA - City councilman Elliott Rothman was arrested for drunken driving Tuesday night, officials said.

The city has not released any more information on the incident.

Rothman was elected to the City Council in 1996 and re-elected in 2002, and 2006, according to his biography on the city's Web site. He has served as council member for the past 12 years in District Five.- end-

Councilman Rothman, geez man...maybe you shouldn't have played dumb when it came to owning up to Police Chief's Romero's inclusion to that propaganda rag!!!!! (of course the one which you knew nothing about)

Well guys, if anyone wants to celebrate- I'll buy the beer....

If there is anything I hate more than pretentious bastards- it's Elliot Rothman!!!!

Just for laughs ( a long time ago)

2008-10-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

the chops, the awesome hat, ricardo, hookah- oh how i miss those days

Heroes

2008-10-06T10:22:00.000-07:00

I really wish Ommegang Hennepin was still at Heroes in Claremont.

Now, they have about 5 Oktoberfest biers; who cares about Oktoberfest bier?
What about pumpkin ales? What about nice fall porters? What about Christmas beer? Jubelale is out; we should all be drinking that!!!!!

C'est la vie. They have Union Jack- what more could I ask for?

I await the cold of winter for it brings some of the most delicious beers.

Keep an eye out for Anchor Christmas Ale, Deschutes Jubelale, and various other winter warmers...

It's gonna be a delicious season.