ChrisC
Well-known member
My brother collects beer koozies from everywhere.
Your coaster collection looks impressive. Likely puts most Americans to shame.
Beer thread?
- Thread starter Sbooker
- Start date
My brother collects beer koozies from everywhere.
Your coaster collection looks impressive. Likely puts most Americans to shame.
tseeb
Well-known member
Not sure if you thought Antigua beer picture I posted was from Mexico, but it's from Antigua, Guatemala where we spent two nights early last week. There are three volcanoes S and SW of Antigua including dormant and often hiked 12,336' Volcan de Agua (next two photos taken the first morning from rooftop deck of hotel where we stayed)
There were other photo ops at Finca that were mostly taken when we arrived before it started pouring rain.
My wife's brother who went to University in Guatemala and now lives in Austin, TX photobombed us in this one.
Our son and his girlfriend are sharing chair on right.
My wife also has a good collection of beer coasters. I made it home with this glass and the excellent coffee.
Saturday night. A long day of open homes.
Just a quiet night in as we’re away in Coffs Harbour for my lad’s Oztag nationals from Wednesday to Sunday next week. There’ll be eating out a plenty then.
Kylie is cooking a specialty of hers. Massaman beef curry. Her mum is Fijian and Fiji has a huge Indian influence……so we eat plenty of curry.
Kylie’s having a local Green Beacon Pale Ale. It’s in a glass from Snowmass. Great memories from that trip. We stayed at the Wildwood hotel. A bit on the cheap and cheerful side but a great location. Got ourselves a powder day too. The coaster is from the Augustiner in Munich.
Just a quiet night in as we’re away in Coffs Harbour for my lad’s Oztag nationals from Wednesday to Sunday next week. There’ll be eating out a plenty then.
Kylie is cooking a specialty of hers. Massaman beef curry. Her mum is Fijian and Fiji has a huge Indian influence……so we eat plenty of curry.
Kylie’s having a local Green Beacon Pale Ale. It’s in a glass from Snowmass. Great memories from that trip. We stayed at the Wildwood hotel. A bit on the cheap and cheerful side but a great location. Got ourselves a powder day too. The coaster is from the Augustiner in Munich.
We collect beer coolers too.
A couple of notable ones for a giggle.
One made to look like a cricket ball. I’m sure there would be a baseball version.
Plenty of these from outback hotels. Towns with strange names like Nindigully, Thargomindah, Oodnadatta, Betoota and Innamincka.
This one ‘Didgeridoona’ is made from the same material as a Drizabone. The Drizabone is worn by horsemen in our high country in New South Wales and Victoria.
tseeb
Well-known member
I got below 200 lbs. (90.5 Kg) for my birthday for the first time in quite a few years and am trying to stay there or get down to 195. I'm hoping to avoid further injury to feet/ankle that affected both sides for over a year and reduced my ability to be in shape for skiing at beginning of last season. I've joined small group who swim in neighborhood pool 8-9 AM twice a week and even ran for the first time in a while walking dog on path near my Mom's house one day last week. I thought I'd come back heavier from Central America as we had many bigger meals than I'm used to, but the four of us who flew home together all had some Montezuma's Revenge our last day or two there that may have offset the eating.@tseeb looks a nice place to visit although I don’t know I like the idea of a police escort to avoid being robbed.
You’re looking trim. Dropped a few pounds?
Tourist areas of Guatemala seem very safe, but volcano hikers have experienced robberies for many years. El Salvador is much safer than it used to be. We did walking tour of downtown that would have been unthinkably dangerous 10 or 40 years ago. Our son and his girlfriend in front of National Palace that we toured with a bi-lingual guide.
We also walked from my wife's sister's house (gated/guarded neighborhood even though located a few blocks from US Embassy) to nearby branch of ubiquitous Cadejo Brewing. The most dangerous part was getting across traffic circle. They did not have their IPA, except bottled to go, and their sampler was first six in menu below so I only tried a couple/three here.
Beer menu from their location on top of ridge overlooking San Salvador. It started raining minutes later.
Price in dollars, their national currency along with bitcoin. That's 23 oz. IPA and I did not keep the glass - too big.
Cadejo is a supernatural spirit that appears as a dog-shaped creature with blue eyes when it is calm and red eyes when it is attacking. It roams around isolated roads at night, according to Central American folklore of indigenous origin. There is a good white cadejo and an evil black cadejo. Both are spirits that appear at night to travelers: The white cadejo protects them from harm and danger during their journey, while the black cadejo (sometimes an incarnation of the devil) tries to kill them. These are in garden at entrance to ridgetop location.
The only beer I got home with. We also bought some 7 year-old rum at duty-free, mostly for gifts for son's friends who watched our dog and for neighbor who watches our house, and some coffee, hot sauces and sweet treats.
jimk
Active member
You guys are making me envious with your scenic beer drinking posts. So I'm going to fight back.
I made a road trip from Wash DC to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada this week.
I had some Alexander Keith lager. It's brewed in Halifax NS:
I downed that puppy at the beautiful Algonquin Resort hotel in St Andrews by the Sea, New Brunswick CA:
I also had some Moosehead IPA (brewed in St. John, New Brunswick) with seaside meals, this is the view from a dining spot in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (old fishing village and UNESCO world heritage site), food front to back Lobster roll, fish cakes, filet mignon:
View of Lunenburg from the water.
I made a road trip from Wash DC to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada this week.
I had some Alexander Keith lager. It's brewed in Halifax NS:
I downed that puppy at the beautiful Algonquin Resort hotel in St Andrews by the Sea, New Brunswick CA:
I also had some Moosehead IPA (brewed in St. John, New Brunswick) with seaside meals, this is the view from a dining spot in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (old fishing village and UNESCO world heritage site), food front to back Lobster roll, fish cakes, filet mignon:
View of Lunenburg from the water.
Looks lovely. And the food…..
Is now peak fall colours in New England? I plan to check the general area out at this time of year at some point. And my wife was a big Anne of Green Gables fan as a kid so we’d like to get to Price Edward Island on that same trip.
ChrisC
Well-known member
We did wine versus beer after hiking the High Peaks Trail loop in Pinnacles National Park - about 2.5 to 1.5 from SF/Bay Area..
There is nothing near the park until 40 miles north in Hollister CA - so cold beer was not an option. However, Calera Winery is only 25 miles away, so the decision was made.
Pinnacles NP Maps
Pinnacles from Condor Gulch Trail
Pinnacles Summit
California Condors Soaring in the AM
Or gliding through the canyons - harder to see
Or hanging out on Pinnacles
Descending into Bear Gulch
Bear Gulch Reservoir and Cave
Tarantulas were out in the Bear Gulch Cave
Calera Winery - Mostly Central Coast Pinot Noirs.
There is nothing near the park until 40 miles north in Hollister CA - so cold beer was not an option. However, Calera Winery is only 25 miles away, so the decision was made.
Pinnacles NP Maps
Pinnacles from Condor Gulch Trail
Pinnacles Summit
California Condors Soaring in the AM
Or gliding through the canyons - harder to see
Or hanging out on Pinnacles
Descending into Bear Gulch
Bear Gulch Reservoir and Cave
Tarantulas were out in the Bear Gulch Cave
Calera Winery - Mostly Central Coast Pinot Noirs.
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I knew nothing of that National Park until now. Thanks. A nice option to kill a day if in the San Fran area.
ChrisC
Well-known member
Pinnacles is a relatively new National Park - 2013. However, it was a National Monument since 1908 - a slightly lower status designation. I never paid much attention to it until it became a National Park. Relatively uncrowded compared to most California NPs.
You want to avoid this park in the summer since it is inland and temps get into the 100s. Or go very early in the day.
Also, trailhead parking lots are quite small, so you need to be there by 8/9am on weekends to get a spot. There are shuttles from lower lots from late spring to early fall.
I doubt I would every travel to North America between May and September. The autumn to spring months are cheaper to travel and my kind of weather.
I’m in Coffs Harbour which is the mid north coast of New South Wales. My lad is playing in an Oztag tournament. Oztag is played over summer and is a mostly non contact version of Rugby League. It keeps his fitness and skills up for his main game.
I went for a long bike ride to Sawtell this morning. Had a nice coffee and sourdough toast with peanut butter and jam.
Sawtell Main Street with Moreton Bay ficus trees.
A nice little inlet.
Looking south from the headland.
And north toward Coffs.
I’m going to ride up to Bellingen in the hinterland tomorrow. It’s near those hills in the distance.
King Tide brewing is a nice little place. They have an Octoberfest theme happening. I had the Doof Doof German IPA but wasn’t a huge fan. The Caribbean Stout was excellent though. I forgot to take a pic though.
It’s a nice little stadium here for a regional town. Good facilities and a beautiful playing surface.
I went for a long bike ride to Sawtell this morning. Had a nice coffee and sourdough toast with peanut butter and jam.
Sawtell Main Street with Moreton Bay ficus trees.
A nice little inlet.
Looking south from the headland.
And north toward Coffs.
I’m going to ride up to Bellingen in the hinterland tomorrow. It’s near those hills in the distance.
King Tide brewing is a nice little place. They have an Octoberfest theme happening. I had the Doof Doof German IPA but wasn’t a huge fan. The Caribbean Stout was excellent though. I forgot to take a pic though.
It’s a nice little stadium here for a regional town. Good facilities and a beautiful playing surface.
q
Member
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Their beer is IMO so/so. They brew IMO again way too many that make a lot of them pretty bang average at best. The firm is pretty edgy with slogans and such like and they have been banned I think from certain marketing campaigns that are a step too far(in some folks eyes anyway). My brother is a shareholder so gets discounts so I get an annual Advent Calendar at Christmas so tend to have a fridge full.
Back around 15 years I guess when they were starting out they brewed at the time the worlds strongest beer. Tactical Nuclear Penguin. It was 32% ABV. I tried it once, very strong and you literally were served a shot or so worth rather than any notable amount. A few years later a German beer was brewed which was stronger so Brewdog had another go and true to their marketing form they brewed a 41% ABV beer and called it Sink the Bismark!
Good to see a touch of home in Australia!
For me, I like beer, red wine and whisky. Like you I don't get the value of super expensive wine but like whisky I can certainly generally tell the difference between cheap and mid range. When in the USA I love Cold Smoke Scotch Ale from KettleHouse brewery in Missoula MT and Fresh Squeezed IPA from Deschutes Brewery in Bend OR. However I am lucky that when I spend a month in the USA that I stay in Philipsburg MT and their brewery is absolutely superb. Great beer, really friendly and welcoming each time I visit. Roll on 2024!
Sbooker Brewdog beer is a brand out of Aberdeen/Ellon(I lost the picture when replying). Basically my home town now is Aberdeen and Ellon is about 15-20 minutes north where they have their brewery. They have 2 bars in Aberdeen now.
Their beer is IMO so/so. They brew IMO again way too many that make a lot of them pretty bang average at best. The firm is pretty edgy with slogans and such like and they have been banned I think from certain marketing campaigns that are a step too far(in some folks eyes anyway). My brother is a shareholder so gets discounts so I get an annual Advent Calendar at Christmas so tend to have a fridge full.
Back around 15 years I guess when they were starting out they brewed at the time the worlds strongest beer. Tactical Nuclear Penguin. It was 32% ABV. I tried it once, very strong and you literally were served a shot or so worth rather than any notable amount. A few years later a German beer was brewed which was stronger so Brewdog had another go and true to their marketing form they brewed a 41% ABV beer and called it Sink the Bismark!
Good to see a touch of home in Australia!
For me, I like beer, red wine and whisky. Like you I don't get the value of super expensive wine but like whisky I can certainly generally tell the difference between cheap and mid range. When in the USA I love Cold Smoke Scotch Ale from KettleHouse brewery in Missoula MT and Fresh Squeezed IPA from Deschutes Brewery in Bend OR. However I am lucky that when I spend a month in the USA that I stay in Philipsburg MT and their brewery is absolutely superb. Great beer, really friendly and welcoming each time I visit. Roll on 2024!
ChrisC
Well-known member
How can that be a beer? That 64 proof is on par with most distilled spirits.
Agree. I do not have a lot of Napa Valley wines floating around. Napa tastings and wines are ridiculously priced now - especially after COVID. But you can find some smaller wineries in the slightly less famous regions of Northern California that do not command the same price points: Russian River, Dry Creek, Alexander Valley, or Central Coast. They can be much more reasonable for decent Zinfandels or Pinot Noirs. Just takes a visit or a local wine store recommendation.
Whisky and now micro Bourbons keep climbing price-wise. My brother did the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky a few years ago. Sounds fun, but would not want to try driving that one.
Tequila is the biggest fraud spirit going on right now. It's over-run with celebrity distilleries, created in a limited geographic area, and does not really require much aging: 1-3 years max (vs. 8-10 years for whiskies/bourbons.) The $1 Billion sale of George Clooney's Casamigos 4 years after founding really screwed up that industry. Hell, even the Kardashians and The Rock have a tequila. And I have no desire to 'sip' it. If you are just putting it in a Margarita, you really do not need anything premium -covering it with lime or hopefully a non-sugary mix.
Telluride has a halfway decent brewery: Telluride Brewing Company - that has gotten better over time. Starting to brew a lot of beers with Rye and/or ex-Bourbon barrels.
ChrisC
Well-known member
Looks like the American version of Flag Football - for younger kids and aging working athletes
Oztag is a non-tackling version of rugby league. Maximum of 8 players at any one time. Defender must remove one or both tags to stop attacker's progress. He/she then holds up the tag and drops it to the ground marking where the play the ball should occur. There is a marker in the play the ball.
Went for a nice 40km bike ride this morning through nice countryside to Bellingen. Bellingen is an old logging town but now a hinterland tourist town with a bit of a counter culture type vibe. Had a great breakfast and coffee.
Then watched a few games of Oztag before an afternoon walk to a lookout on Muttonbird Island. It overlooks Coffs Harbour.
Now checking out a little bar that has a nice selection of brews.
We’re boringly having a WCIPA and NEIPA. Very good though.
Then watched a few games of Oztag before an afternoon walk to a lookout on Muttonbird Island. It overlooks Coffs Harbour.
Now checking out a little bar that has a nice selection of brews.
We’re boringly having a WCIPA and NEIPA. Very good though.
tseeb
Well-known member
I'm way behind in commenting in this very important thread. I've been to Pinnacles at least six times. Twice was from the W entrance; the first time was a stop on return from day trip to San Luis Obispo to deliver flu meds to son going to Cal Poly. I had time for a near sunset hike including through caves that are really openings below fallen slabs.
The peak behind me is the highest in the Pinnacles and has a fire tower on it. A friend's wife was in the Forest Service and used to truck water to it. Chalone also used to have to truck in water before installing an 8 mile pipeline as wells are not practical in the decomposed granite and limestone in the area.
My four times from the E entrance including RV camping twice; once in late Feb. near where son and friends were tent camping and we had heavy overnight frosts, and last April where we watched Warriors playoff on outside TV on friends motorhome that had Starlink (and 5 or 6 TVs). But no big hikes as dogs are not allowed on trails. I also remember two day trips; once doing the big loop @ChrisC did and once doing a lower hike with friend recovering from knee injury.
Wineries on the E side I've visited are DeRose, who used to do tastings at store near my house. They have a Chilean connection, a car collection that used to be open on very limited days and make some great reds including a Cab Pfeffer, and Eden Rift, a mile or two on side road above DeRose, a good spot to have a picnic. Pinnacles gets very busy on Spring weekends, often having lines to get into park on Saturdays due to all parking being full, and long lines for shuttle to trailheads as parking there is limited and fills fast. Will post about beer when I have more time.
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ChrisC
Well-known member
That's quite the visitation record for any National Park - 6x. But it's a pretty good park for a single or half day. The cave hikes from either E or W entrances are a quick round trip - Balconies or Bear Gulch. And longer loops are around 4 hours depending on how many Condors or Tarantulas you find and/or lunch stop.
AllTrails has good descriptions of most National Park hiking trails - Pinnacles: Here
Mt. Lassen is a good relatively uncrowded NP. At Yosemite NP, I try to get a tent campsite on the valley floor - Upper Pines or Camp 4 - so you can spend some time early morning or late evening without the hordes.
I think the only NPs I have been to 6x might be Mt. Rainier, Olympic (since it is so large), or Yosemite. Maybe.