posted Apr-10-2006 09:11 AM            

This week-end I had the pleasure of staying at the Norwich Inn. It is located in Vermont at White River Junction.

http://www.norwichinn.com/

The brewer there is truly a master at his craft and as a side hobby smokes meat. He is, I am afraid, attached as he has let me know on many occasions and also refuses to take me on as staff, he feels that I might be detrimental to business. Perhaps I should stop calling him Tim – as his name seems to be Jasper Murdock – oops, my mistake.

The beer served this week-end included:

Whistling Pig Red Ale
Inspired by an Irish classic. Garnet-red in color with a rounded malty flavor and a lingering hop aftertaste.

Fuggle & Barleycorn
Fuggle is the distinctive hop variety which flavors this pale ale, and is one of the few varieties used in brewing today which your great-great- grandfather might also have enjoyed. A classic golden ale.

Oh Be Joyful
Vermont's soldiers in the Civil War used this name for the often frightful concoctions they fermented from hardtack and other camp supplies. We use the moniker as an invitation. Despite its earlier incarnation, we think you'll like this, a classic English Mild Ale. Light and refreshing with very little bittering hops.

Second Wind Oatmeal Stout
This black ale has the characteristic flavor of dark roasted barley, the sweetness of caramel malt, a full body contributed by oatmeal, and an intense but balanced hop flavor.

I wonder why he calls it second wind?

Anyways, Friday evening I settled in with a pint of Whistling Pig Red Ale, one I have always enjoyed there. I enjoyed it enough to have a second. While sipping on pint number two, a group of New Yorkers came in – I don’t usually mind the NYC crowd, but as I was trying to relax they were going on about who was seen skiing at Killington, and who was invited to attend a Dave Matthews pre-concert bash an so on. A bunch of twenty something or others all trying to out do each other. Just as I was about to head out and take my beer upstairs, one of them offered to go to the bar. Unfortunately just as I passed by, one of the young women put in her order for an Amstel Light.

“Honestly” I tried to keep it down “as long as you aren’t drinking beer, why not get something that tastes good, like Sprite or Chocolate milk. Unless it really is beer that you want, because if it is, then you might want to try one of the brews on tap. Perhaps the “Oh Be Joyful”.
Their shocked faces told me all that I needed to know. I continued my journey up to my room with my pint of Red Ale and copy of “Mill on the Floss”.

Some of you may already know where this is going as it won’t be the first time this has occurred. The next afternoon, when I went into the bar for my post-hike beer, the sign was up:

“Whistling Pig Red Ale is now served in 8 oz glasses only.”

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posted Apr-10-2006 09:59 AM            

They should just put your picture up with the caption:

This woman is to recieve her orders in 8 oz. glasses ONLY!!!
Anyone serving this girl PINTS of beer will be fired!!!

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Life is Short ... Make Fun of It.

400 Beers

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posted Apr-10-2006 12:20 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
Okay kids, let's get brewin'!!!

Okay kids, let's get brewin'!!!

quote:
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from realbeer.com
Radical Beer Open
THE BASICS
Who: America's most innovative brewers strut their stuff. All commercial breweries are eligble to compete.
What: Radical Beer Open.
Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico.
When: May 19-21. Entry deadline May 5 (beer must be in Albuquerque).
Why: Because some of the most innovative beers in the world are now being brewed in America. Because it's American Craft Beer Week.

Now I know y'all have some weird sh!t laying around. Send it in and let's see what we can do!!!

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I volunteer TRM's "Sugars Syrup Kolsch"

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posted Apr-10-2006 12:25 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
As I crossed the knee-deep meadow, grasshoppers leapt ahead of me like porpoises playing off the bow. Butterflies did their best impressions of seagulls in the surreally cerulean sky. A thin gravel ribbon lay below the tall grass, tying together two clouds of pine forest six hundred yards apart. A massive island of granite sat amid the pasture, calling me to rest. I was thirsty; I obeyed. I propped my creaky conveyance, climbed the miniature mountain, and took a well earned five. Above me circled a majestic Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) I saw him, he saw me. Our eyes met. His brow knitted with a look that said, “This is going to be good!!!”

I’m not wearing that bunny jersey ever again.

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I thought that I would bring this one up again - I really like it.

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
A thin gravel ribbon lay below the tall grass, tying together two clouds of pine forest six hundred yards apart.

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This is my favorite part for sure.

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
Our eyes met. His brow knitted with a look that said, “This is going to be good!!!”

I’m not wearing that bunny jersey ever again.

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And this is just very funny.

More !!!

[This message has been edited by La Tortuga (edited Apr-10-2006).]

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posted Apr-10-2006 12:43 PM            

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posted Apr-10-2006 12:45 PM            

A wildlife refuge that houses eagles and owls
A llama farm for obvious reasons
Long Trail Brewing Company – great place. They have a patio that overlooks a river, good beer on tap and chili – served just the way I like it – lots of cheese and no onions.

http://www.longtrail.com/foa_ipa.cfm

El Señor brought me home a 6-pack on Victory Devil Hop when he saw me looking through the Vermont real estate section in the Sunday paper.

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posted Apr-10-2006 02:18 PM            

If you don't like onions, though ... no onions shall there be. I'll just use extra garlic.

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posted Apr-10-2006 02:54 PM            

What are we drinking?

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posted Apr-10-2006 03:18 PM            

Now we need to know a few things about your chili habits, first, Princess. This is for posterity, so be honest

Do you like it on top of anything like cornbread, rice or even (gasp) pasta??? I prefer to do a beanless for competiton (that sounds so weird), but the family likes all the colors of black, pink, red and even white beans in the mix. What is your bean stance??? Do you prefer heat, or spice??? (I mean in your chili, Muffin)

I'm thinking cornbread on the side (with jalapeno garlic butter, if I have it [ha! IF I have it!!!]), no beans, and spicy, but not hot. You want a tingle, not torture. I don't want to make you cry.

Since it's still kind of cool up there a smoky porter would be nice; I'm warming up down here so an IPA or an early hefeweizen works well.

You don't need to wear cowboy boots, but those Gateway box / cow-spotted Chucks would be awful cute.

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posted Apr-10-2006 03:54 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
Now we need to know a few things about your chili habits, first, Princess. This is for posterity, so be honest

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First of all I am happy to see that you understand the significance of this situation. Chili is not to be taken lightly.

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
Do you like it on top of anything like cornbread, rice or even (gasp) pasta???

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I grew up eating my Chili over rice and still like it served in this manner, but have grown to prefer it on its own, topped with cheese, jalapeños and chopped tomatoes. If there is to be a starch involved, some tortilla chips on the side will do quite nicely.

Pasta - never!

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
I prefer to do a beanless for competition (that sounds so weird), but the family likes all the colors of black, pink, red and even white beans in the mix. What is your bean stance??? Do you prefer heat, or spice??? (I mean in your chili, Muffin)

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Beans for sure - Chili isn't really Chili unless you receive a calling card the next day.

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
I'm thinking cornbread on the side (with jalapeno garlic butter, if I have it [ha! IF I have it!!!]), no beans, and spicy, but not hot. You want a tingle, not torture. I don't want to make you cry.

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I love cornbread, I love a good tingle, I love jalapeños, I love jalapeño cornbread that will give me a tingle and make me cry.

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
You don't need to wear cowboy boots, but those Gateway box / cow-spotted Chucks would be awful cute.

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I believe that this is a food conversation and not a fashion forum.

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posted Apr-10-2006 04:11 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by La Tortuga:
If there is to be a starch involved, some tortilla chips on the side will do quite nicely.

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White, yellow or blue corn???

quote:

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Originally posted by La Tortuga:
Chili isn't really chili unless you receive a calling card the next day.

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I told you about one of my old girlfriends, whose nickname was "Flutterbutt," didn't I???

quote:

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Originally posted by La Tortuga:
I believe that this is a food conversation and not a fashion forum.

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So, I take it that you don't have any??? Damn.

[This message has been edited by randymar (edited Apr-10-2006).]

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posted Apr-10-2006 04:38 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
White, yellow or blue corn???

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Either one really - all are good - guacamole is greatly appreciated as well.

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
So, I take it that you don't have any???

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Nope.

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posted Apr-11-2006 08:13 AM            

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posted Apr-11-2006 08:19 AM            

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posted Apr-11-2006 08:32 AM            

¡Gracias mucho mi amigo!

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posted Apr-11-2006 09:07 AM            

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posted Apr-11-2006 10:15 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by La Tortuga:
I volunteer TRM's "Sugars Syrup Kolsch"

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But it's Maple Sap Kolsch, which I will be bottling next week.

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posted Apr-11-2006 10:24 AM            

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posted Apr-11-2006 01:46 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
Does that give you enough time to get a 6-pack out to NM???

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I'm not going to walk it.

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posted Apr-11-2006 01:49 PM            

I dun know such theengs, jefe.

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posted Apr-11-2006 02:01 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by therealman:

I'm not going to walk it.

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Who said anything about walking it? Allow me to repost some of the information - it is a Radical Beer Contest as in revolutionary, but as our transportation has progressed since those times - feel free to use the US mail system!

Radical Beer Open
THE BASICS
Who: America's most innovative brewers strut their stuff. All commercial breweries are eligble to compete.
What: Radical Beer Open.
Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico.
When: May 19-21. Entry deadline May 5 (beer must be in Albuquerque).
Why: Because some of the most innovative beers in the world are now being brewed in America. Because it's American Craft Beer Week.

How: Judges will be asked to pick the best three beers on the table (in preliminary rounds and the final). That may sound basic, but we want them to have as much room to work with as the brewers do. We won't be looking for the "most radical" beer but the best of the radical beers. We wouldn't be surprised to see judges reward innovation. We will provide feedback from the judges.

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posted Apr-11-2006 02:04 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by RunMonkey:
Runs With Monkeys?
RunAmonk?

Is happy valley a pioneer valley reference or some other reference? If the latter, yes.

OK: here's what I'm basing my 'targeting to women' observation on:
1. a soft, pastel palette (I can't spell any more.)

2. THE BIG OL' WOMAN HEAD on the side of the carton and on the label. Lots of swooshing big hair, pretty face, cascade of flowers. But no St. Pauli Girl-style barmaid whatcanigetyousir-type illustration.

3.I'd bet (and I'm basing this on absolutely nothing but a long-established fondness for theorizing about things I know nothing about): I bet women buy more 'seasonal' beers than men.

4. "Seasonale: a rejuvenating ode to spring"

And that's it! That's my theory and I'm sticking to it!

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Funny - RunMonkey may have something here. I had a book stamp that had an image which closely resembles the HiPA woman and read around her head "This book is from the library of La Tortuga" or some such thing. I loved that book stamp - wonder where it is?

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posted Apr-11-2006 02:22 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by randymar:
I meant, does it need to sit / rest before you ship it???

I dun know such theengs, jefe.

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Actually, it is probably best to ship it as soon after bottling as possible. Immediatelly after bottling the beer is flat. The carbination builds over time; requiring about two weeks.

To be honest I don't think the Kolsch will be radical enough. Perhaps the Raspberry Vanilla Wit or Christmas Cheer.

Not what about the problem of me not being a "commercial" brewery?

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posted Apr-11-2006 02:38 PM            

Do you have enough of your more creative brews on hand, fresh enough and in enough quantity as to be sent out for judging???

Enough already, with the "enoughs."

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posted Apr-11-2006 02:43 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by La Tortuga:
I loved that book stamp - wonder where it is?

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It's not in the garage, I can tell you that.

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