Jubelale 2010

Jubelale is here, and it is delicious. This year's label art is incredible. The 2009 label was very forgettable, and strangely enough so was the beer. I always enjoy the beer, but I almost think I anticipate the label art more than the beer. Well, 'tis the season to drink winter warmers. Enjoy them!

Introducing: Maow-Peeng Pale Ale!!

That's right everybody! Now fermenting is the special edition Maow-Peeng Pale Ale, brewed specially for our annual trip to Bend! It's a NW style Pale Ale brewed with Centennial and Cascade hops! We took some pictures to document the process!

All ingredients purchased from
Bader Beer & Wine Supply!












Here we are steeping the crushed malted grains!













Smellin' good!


















Shaby adding the Malt Extract.













Hops!!!!


















This is what I was drinking while we were brewing!













Chillin' that wort down!













Now we wait!


















Well, that's what we did today! Hopefully this one turns out. And hopefully it is ready by the time we get to Bend! I consulted with Aaron Kayser on the spelling of Maow-Peeng. I think it just rolls off the tongue. Maow-Peeng Pale Ale!

Good People Drink Good Beer-Hunter S. Thompson

Why have I not posted since November? Is it because Shay is pregnant? Is it because I was aggressively pursuing a new career to only be shutout at the last minute? I don't know. I can't tell you why. But don't think I have not been experiencing excellent craft brew. As we speak I am enjoying a Horn Dog Barleywine from Flying Dog Brewery in Denver, CO. It has been aging in my fridge since last year and it is delicious (Aaron Kayser left it at our house, thank you sir). I have really been re-evaluating things as of late. I don't want to be a cop, which is essentially what a park ranger is, unfortunately. My dad gave me a great piece of advice, "Bloom where you are planted". I have been planted right in the heart of "beervana" and why would I want to leave? I know this post has no particular direction or theme, but hopefully it will get me back on track. Life is too short not to drink good beer. And I think that applies to much more than just beer. Cheers!

2008 "Our Special Ale"

I decided to crack open my last "Our Special Ale" from Anchor Brewing Co. in San Fransisco.

This is one of my favorite holiday beers. And probably one of the "spicier" beers of the season.
There is definitely a "figgy" component to the beer (I'm sure figgy is the technical term!). I can't really detect too much of a change from when it came out last winter. Although the beer sits at 5.5% abv, it is definitely able to be aged. I was listening to "Holiday Beer 4" from the Beer School podcast and they were sampling Our Special Ales from the late eighties, and it sounded like they held up beautifully. Well the beer is gone now. Goodnight!

Zucchini Fritters

I have started and deleted five different introductions to this post. I just can't really seem to get words flowin' this morning. I guess all I would really like to say is that even though I just ate these for dinner last night, I wish I had all the ingredients in my kitchen so I could make some up for dinner again tonight! Or even lunch. I modified this recipe from one that I found in How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman.

I started out with five zucchini and trimmed the ends and then grated them on a box grater. Then put them all into a strainer and sprinkled a big pinch of salt over the top and let it sit for about an hour.



















After the hour, rinse the zucchini and put it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze all of the water out. I even got Cody to help me with this part.



















Then I put the zucchini in a large bowl and mixed egg, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, garlic, green onion and some parm cheese.

Fried them up in a little oil and BLAM-O!!



















Wonderful on a plate. We put our fritters on top of brown rice and topped them with fresh tomatoes, basil and horseradish.

Zucchini Fritters
Modified from Zucchini Fritters recipe by Mark Bittman







5 zucchini grated
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
2-3 cloves of garlic
2-3 green onion chopped
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
salt and pepper


Grate zucchini and put in a strainer. Sprinkle with a large pinch of salt and let sit for an hour with a towel under the strainer. After that hour rinse zucchini and then put zucchini into a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out all of the liquid.

Put squeezed zucchini into a bowl and throw in all other ingredients.

Liberally coat the bottom of a skillet with oil and keep it at about med-high heat. I used a cookie scoop to make sure each fritter was about the same size and before I put them in the oil I flattened each one. The browner they get the easier they are to flip so I let them brown up quiet a bit, about 2 minutes on each side.

**A note about the parmesan cheese-The first time I made this I used shredded parm in the little tub, and this last time I used the Kraft parm cheese with the green top (just because I forgot to buy the other at the store) and both times it turned out great!

2009 Abyss Hour Long Tasting-In Real Time

7:56 p.m.-Shay demonstrates the magnitude of the moment by wearing white gloves while displaying The Abyss.














8:00 p.m.-I finally open the beer, after spending 5 minutes on the demolition of the wax covering.

8:02 p.m.-Finally I take a sip, after spending a couple of minutes admiring the absence of color in this absolutely gorgeous beer. This just might be the finest brew ever crafted (excuse the hyperbole, but this beer deserves it).

8:21 p.m.- This beer is dangerously delicious. Even though this is one of my favorite beers of all time, I'm always taken aback at how good it is when I drink it. Though this beer is incredibly heavy it still presents a strong hop character.

8:28 p.m.-This is the fourth version of The Abyss in my collection. The question is...when do I drink them? I think I will collect the first 10 editions of this beer and then hold a vertical tasting with a group of my closest friends. Probably during the holidays. So you have that to look forward to. If that is what I indeed decide to do, it will take place in 2016 and I will be 32 years old. That is crazy to me.


8:36 p.m.-Working my way through this 22 oz bottle like a champ. Shay has enjoyed the several sips she has hawked from me. Ahh, this beer is delicious.

8:38 p.m.-I am kind of kicking myself for not going to the Abyss launch party at the Portland pub. But to be honest, I forgot about it. I guess they had 2007, 2008, and 2009 all on tap at the same time. That would have been fun to sample.

8:43 p.m.-I may or may not be listening to xmas songs. Okay, I am. I can't help myself. But I must say the best xmas album of all time just might be A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi. Aaron Kayser, I am giving you credit for legitimately introducing me to this album.


8:45 p.m.-Damn, keeping this going for an entire hour is getting difficult.

8:48 p.m.-A cool pic of the Deschutes Portland pub. Just thought I would throw that it in. I once compared the atmosphere of the new pub to that of a Red Robin. This may have been an overreaction (damn, this Trans-Siberian Orchestra song I'm listening to sucks!). It is really cool inside. I guess it just doesn't feel as authentic as the public house in Bend.

8:52 p.m.-One more sip in the glass. Ahh, all gone. Ooh, I could really feel the alcohol burn in my nose on that last drink. Even though IPA's are my favorite beers to drink, I think this beer still remains at the top of my favorite beers list. But ask me again this spring when I am drinking a fresh Pliny the Elder and my answer might be different.

8:56 p.m.-Well it's been an hour. The Abyss has been consumed. I am listening to another crazy Trans-Siberian Orchestra song (you know, the majority of their songs aren't very good). Ahh, that's better. Harry Connick Jr. can sing christmas songs all day. Aight, good night!!

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

The most anticipated seasonal craft beer is finally here! THE ABYSS!!

I picked a couple of bombers from By the Bottle, one for drinking, and of course, one for aging. This is the Imperial Stout brewed by Deschutes Brewing Co. This beer is battling it out with Pliny The Elder for the designation as my favorite beer! The Abyss, 11% abv, is brewed with licorice and molasses, with 33% aged in oak bourbon barrels. According to the bottle, "It's dark. It's deep. It's mysterious. This imperial stout has immeasurable depth inviting you to explore and discover its rich complex profile. The flavor of this special brew draws you in further and further with each sip. The Abyss beckons. Enjoy the journey."

My collection now includes the Abyss from 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009!

I won't open this beer until later this week, so look for a post including tasting notes and pictures of the brew exposed and awaiting consumption.











Now, these aren't the only beers I picked up from By The Bottle. I also picked up the inaugural (in bottles) batch of Sleigh'r from Ninkasi Brewing Co.

According to the bottle, "A delicious northwest seasonal brewed with winter in mind. A dark double alt, malty, and delicious, it's sure to keep the winter at bay, and yes, Sleigh'r does rock!" I first had this beer last year at the Portland Holiday Ale Festival and loved it. I am so stoked that they bottled it this year. A great winter beer, and at 7.2% abv it is substantial, yet very drinkable.