April 28th, 2009 by sarah
Speaking as someone who has been known to create a dinner menu based solely around a particular beer I had a taste for that night, it’s not always the easiest thing to pair food and beer together so they compliment each other. Sure, I know to drink IPA’s with my Thai food and an Imperial Stout with a dark chocolate dessert, but I’d be lost sometimes without Garrett Oliver in my cellar (via his book…) handing me the correct match. When I can leave both the (cooking!) and food and drink pairings to someone else, I’ll take it. I’m obviously not the only one. Tickets to the Monks/Cantillon/La Senne beer dinner sold out in just 12 minutes, most of them to patrons playing hooky Read the rest of this entry »
April 23rd, 2009 by sarah
Union Jack’s Manatawny hosted their annual Hopfest, an adult’s only bunny hop celebration. The ever popular Pliny the Younger (disguised in the morning as Chinese take-out) was set to be tapped at 1pm and since reservations (yep, they take them) occupied every table in the place, I knew if I wanted a glass of this dopamine-inducing concoction, I’d have to claim a barstool pretty early. So I camped out… those Adirondack chairs are pretty comfy! UJ’s opened at 11am, but anticipating an afternoon of hoppiness, I didn’t want to dive in just yet, first finishing a beer stein of coffee and a growler of water. By noon, UJ’s was swamped with beer geeks packed in like a sold out bock concert. By a quarter to PtY, the bar exceeded full occupancy and the hop cult demanded their Pliny in unison. Read the rest of this entry »
April 19th, 2009 by sarah
When it comes to Pliny, I’m a cougar- give me the Younger! PtY is the delicious Russian River Triple IPA, which is then dry hopped four different times. Unfortunately, it is brewed in February only and very few sixtels make it here. TJ’s tapped one a few weeks ago and it kicked in 17 minutes. My one glass that afternoon was not enough to satisfy my Younger appetite so I knew I’d have to visit Teresa’s Next Door for their Russian River Fest. Obviously I wasn’t the only one looking for a Sunday morning beverage. The line started forming 45 minutes before TND was in business and filled the sidewalk and a few parking spots before the doors were opened. Read the rest of this entry »
April 13th, 2009 by sarah
I’ve been hesitant to exclaim my excitement for the FIRST PLACE San Diego Padres because I’m sure I just jinxed it, but wow, what a streak it is (no past tense I hope…). Most teams obviously aren’t jumping for joy this early in the season, but Padres fans know we’ve got to celebrate these little accomplishments and hope this is the year the team can make it happen. I was nervous with the 4-3 nail-biter over the Dodgers last Thursday that started with an Adrian Gonzalez solo shot and ended with a three run rally in the eighth inning. Friday’s game was more interesting. Read the rest of this entry »
April 10th, 2009 by sarah
Nissan includes a Customer Disclosure Form with the purchase of the GTR. It’s basically a Bible on how to maximize your ownership of this “low production, high performance sports car” but it reads more like a cult-regulated checklist of information. The disclosure states brake pad and rotor wear will be higher than you have probably experienced, and you must replace all four sets of pads and rotors at the same time. One flat tire? You’ll take four new ones, thanks. Ride quality may be harsh and jolting. No problem- Nissan will tell you that you’re just not familiar with a true race suspension. Everything will groan, squeak, and squeal more than a well satisfied client at a brothel so enjoy the racket. Read the rest of this entry »
