tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42054671448900437352024-03-05T00:00:05.913-05:00And Beer for the DaddyThe musings of a Zymurgical ExplorerSean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-54020419050216974282011-03-09T13:19:00.000-05:002011-03-09T13:19:38.001-05:00...and the times, they are a-changin'...Just a brief note to anyone out there following this blog... I have moved! Due to my desire to expand the capabilities of this site and what I can offer, I have found that I have outgrown Blogger/Blogspot, and I have moved over to <a href="http://beerforthedaddy.wordpress.com/">WordPress</a>. There will be a bit of time while I get everything in order, but all future posts will be there from now on.<br />
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Cheers!Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-91896609588104882852011-03-07T23:50:00.000-05:002011-03-07T23:50:10.186-05:00The good and the bad, I want to remember it all...Last year, after attending the <a href="http://www.floridabrewersguild.org/">Florida Brewers Guild</a> Beerfest in Ybor City, I set a personal misison to be able to attend the Brewer's Ball this year. For those who are unaware, the <a href="http://www.bestfloridabeer.org/">Best Florida Beer Championships</a> is a "not for profit organization founded by craft beer lovers, homebrewers, and commercial brewers in the Tampa Bay area." To sum up their mission, it is to promote craft beer in Florida through both commercial and homebrewing competitions. This all culminates with the Brewer's Ball, a "small" festival and celebration of craft beer in Florida. 500 people, period. 28 Gold Medal winning Florida beers. 13 mystery homebrews from around the state. Live music. Free food. Amazing raffle prizes. And then the award for "Best in Show" as well as a prize for Best Homebrew (voted on by the attendees after tasting them all). Bring your own glass (or use one of their plastic cups) and taste away. Yes, this is a free-pour-your-own event. And you can go back for anything you want. Skipper's Smokehouse is a great venue for rock and blues bands, and it lends itself well to this very loosely-structured event. One of the most enjoyable things - as always - is getting to meet many of the brewers whose beers I greatly enjoy.<br />
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I was especially excited to meet and spend some time talking with Mark Robertson of <a href="http://pbbrew.com/">Pensacola Bay Brewery</a> in - yes, you guessed it - Pensacola. They are a new brewery to the scene, but have some very good beers. I had their Lil Napolean IPA last year at the FBG Fest, back when Mark was still brewing out of his back yard! Now they are a "real" brewery and the quality is still excellent. I was very impressed with two of their Gold Medal winners, the DeLuna Extra Pale Ale (actually a Kolsch) and the Banyan Brown Ale. I really look forward to visiting Mark up in the Panhandle at some point and checking out the brewery in person.<br />
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The big story of the day was Swamp Head Brewing's seven golds and also taking first and second in the Best of Show. Their Blackwater Floridian Dark Ale was the big winner, with their Smoke Signal Smoked Porter taking the second spot. I got to try both and they were incredible.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Of course, Cigar City was represented in grand fashion, offering up five of their best beers (including the highly touted Hunahpu Imperial Stout), and it is always fun to hang out with the CCB guys (and their better halves). It was also great to see Peg's Cantina get recognized for their Dancing Cody IPA, which is an incredible beer brewed by Doug Dozark.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So a grand time was had by all, no question. This is definitely an event worth going to, and taking whatever steps are necessary. It is a lot of fun to try top-notch beers that are not otherwise available in the area, as well as meet and spend time talking to other craft beer lovers.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I am looking forward to this coming Saturday now, which will bring the official release of Cigar City Brewing's Hunahpu Imperial Stout. If you have not had this beer, it is simply divine. Not for the faint of heart, and not for your fizzy-yellow-water drinkers.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Cheers!!<br />
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</div>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-36562949090042956492011-02-28T23:38:00.001-05:002011-03-01T08:58:13.310-05:00I'll begin by noting the tragic loss of a legend. Sunday morning the world lost blues man Eddie Kirkland in a terrible automobile accident. I had just watched him play the night before at the <a href="http://www.dunedinbrewery.com/">Dunedin Brewery</a>. An amazing talent with a brilliant career. R.I.P Eddie.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='560' height='349' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/X4ga0-AZ-q4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am also saddened to hear of the passing of a true Hollywood legend and icon in the truest sense of the world. Jane Russell was the epitome of the Hollywood bombshell, and exuded something that the industry has so sorely lacked in recent decades: the ability to be sexy as well as classy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the up side of things, the annual Stogies & Stout event at the Dunedin Brewery on Saturday night was fantastic. A great crowd of beer lovers without being cramped, top notch music by Eddie Kirkland, and an excellent selection of beers. I love beer events that allow you to talk with others about the beer. Plenty of open space to move around, good-size pours that allow you to really get a good mouthful, and snack strategically placed about the venue. I want to give big-time recognition to Mike Bryant for organizing one of the best events of the year. It was said repeatedly throughout the night how much people were enjoying the atmosphere. More than one person said "I think I know everyone here..." It certainly felt that way. Even though I met several new friends, at no point did I feel intimidated or unwelcome or like I could not just walk up to anyone and say hello. It was a very welcome and friendly feel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbonVKfBvDNJ-Ij-pmqvL6DDryPlPLRhRzR9TcL6yZ-rJUKJvW4mau-nNDk72oBiNkp86dQb54dBeAkbai4M4XQt51D9AMo5rmusySaI0DcbFyT-gvYRckrYJdzqCpi6vBOLlBm_rpFA/s1600/stogies2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbonVKfBvDNJ-Ij-pmqvL6DDryPlPLRhRzR9TcL6yZ-rJUKJvW4mau-nNDk72oBiNkp86dQb54dBeAkbai4M4XQt51D9AMo5rmusySaI0DcbFyT-gvYRckrYJdzqCpi6vBOLlBm_rpFA/s320/stogies2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some great news on the national craft beer scene as well: the number of American craft breweries has now surpassed 1700! That is amazing growth in a very short time. Much of the credit has to be given to the <a href="http://www.craftbeer.com/">Brewers Association</a> for the tireless work in promoting craft beer and educating people. And a healthy share must also be heaped upon those who have championed craft beer since before it was cool. The brewers, their business partners, the distributors, the bars and restaurants... these are the people that make it possible for us to enjoy craft beer in so many different ways.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Much more craft beer excitement coming our way in the near future!</div>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-6957062034427717762011-02-23T23:07:00.001-05:002011-02-23T23:10:02.645-05:00There's beer geeks and there's beer snobs, and I'm a card-carrying, dyed-in-the-wool member of the beer geek community.So sayeth <a href="http://www.dogfish.com/company/dogfish-way/our-people.htm">Sam</a>.<br />
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So I got called out on a <a href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2011/02/21/hopslam-hoptimum-and-all-of-the-hype">recent article</a> of mine after discussing my opinions of two highly touted craft beers, Bell's Hopslam and Sierra Nevada's Hoptimum. "Bryan" said "<span class="js-singleCommentText jsk-ItemBodyText">when did we begin talking about beer in this hipster, douchey fashion? i LOVE a good IPA but i would never stick my nose it" [sic]. My initial response is: then you, Bryan, are missing out on one of the best parts of truly great craft beer. I love the aroma of an especially hoppy beer, and could easily spend quite a while before drinking it just revelling in its fragrance. That said, his comment does revive the ongoing debate of beer geek vs. beer snob, as well as how one talks about beer in general. Apparently there is still the belief among some (Bryan and his friends, I assume) that one cannot speak about the aspects of a beer one enjoys without sounding like a "hipster" or a "douche". That is unfortunate.</span><br />
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<span class="js-singleCommentText jsk-ItemBodyText">I am opposed to this kind of anti-intellectualism. I do not subscribe to the (dropped out of) school of thought that just because one uses descriptive terminology to discuss a topic somehow precludes their opinion from having any validity. Certainly, there is a point of "too much", and an over abundance of flowery language can undoubtedly turn a neophyte off. But I don't think saying "I, uh, liked it and stuff..." accurately conveys how I feel, especially when what I genuinely mean is "I wanted to bathe in the citrusy, piny, floral bouquet wafting from my glass and I kept burying my nose in it to breathe it in deeper."</span><br />
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<span class="js-singleCommentText jsk-ItemBodyText">I think that there is a resistance among some craft beer drinkers to allow the elevation of beer. By this I mean as soon as a beer drinker, writer, critic, whatever starts using language that sounds similar to a wine review, they freak out and scream snobbery. Wine "experts" have a reputation - much of it well deserved - for waxing poetic about their drink of choice in a language that doesn't mean anything to the unwashed masses. Quite frankly, it turns the average person off and makes a lot of people uncomfortable about exploring wine, which is a shame. There are people in the craft beer community that do it too. We call them beer snobs.</span><br />
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<span class="js-singleCommentText jsk-ItemBodyText">Sam Calagione famously said:</span><br />
<div><blockquote><blockquote><em>There's beer geeks and there's beer snobs, and I'm a card-carrying, dyed-in-the-wool member of the beer geek community. How I differentiate between a beer geek and a beer snob is this: they could have an equal amount of knowledge about beer; they could have equally awesome palates; [they] can articulate everything about the qualities of beer; [and they can] tell you the history of brewing styles. Their knowledge might be the same. But a beer geek loves beer because he or she <strong>loves</strong> beer, and they want to learn more always, try new beers, and share that with the people they love. Whereas beer snobs try to know as much as they can about beer as a power point and to lord it over people, or to stick out as an expert in a field of neophytes.</em></blockquote></blockquote>I do not lord anything over my fellow beer drinkers. I love craft beer. I love talking about craft beer. I love being with other people who love craft beer. Yes, I will use phrases like "The flavor and mouthfeel were excellent, but didn’t measure up to the promise of the nose." Deal with it. If you don't like it, don't read beer reviews.</div>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-72398086194907551062011-02-17T15:17:00.000-05:002011-02-17T15:17:24.779-05:00What's In A Name?<em>...that which we call a rose</em><br />
<em>By any other name would smell as sweet.</em><br />
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Juliet was on to something here for sure. As humans, we have a need to name everything. Sometimes we get away with just assigning numbers (Ford F-150, for example), but even theose become a recognizable name in and of themselves. We like our names to express an image. With cars it tends to be something predatory or fast or strong. Mustang. Challenger. Avalanche. Or something important sounding... Escalade. Grand Marquis. Avalon. Or something rugged. Outlander. Navajo. Mountaineer. You will very likely never see a Nissan Sloth or a Chevy Cuddle. Granted, there is the VW Rabbit, but rabbits are quick, so there you go. Motorcyles do it, too, evoking ideas of power, danger, and mystery. Nighthawk. Hurricane. And of course the legendary Ninja.<br />
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In the world of craft beer (and, to be fair, the big macros, as well) names are part of the equation too. From the obscure references to historical figures (honestly, did anyone know who <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliny_the_Elder">Pliny the Elder</a> was before Russian River made the name famous) to groan-inducing puns related to the ingredients (there is not enough time to list all of the Hop-something names here). There is even, in fact, a <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/asheville-pizza-ninja-porter/72348/">Ninja Beer</a>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bruisin-ales.com/beerblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/ab-ninja-porter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="http://www.bruisin-ales.com/beerblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/ab-ninja-porter.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some of my favorite beers, however, have faily simple names. Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale. Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale. Stone IPA. Excellent beers, simple names. And some of the beers with crazy, bizarre, funny, etc. names are just... meh. Then you have the amazing beers with the great names.</div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/lagunitas-wilco-tango-foxtrot-wtf-ale/117140/">Wilco Tango Foxtrot</a> - A delicious American strong ale from Laguintas in California.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/arrogant-bastard-ale/1315/">Arrogant Bastard</a> - One of my favorite all time beers. From Stone Brewing in San Diego, CA.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/tampa-bay-jack-the-quaffer-porter/25061/">Jack the Quaffer Porter</a> - I love this beer from Tampa Bay Brewing Company, and the recipe was the base for my own Three Halos Rum Porter.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/heavy-seas-loose-cannon-hop3/51447/">Loose Cannon</a> - A fantastic IPA from Heavy Seas Brewing in Baltimore, MD.</div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A great beer does not have to have a great name, and a great name does not make a beer great. But it is always fun to look at the creativity that abounds in the craft beer world.</div>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-69672179215057541152011-02-14T23:24:00.000-05:002011-02-14T23:24:26.670-05:00For this was on seynt Volantynys day, Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.Thanks, <a href="http://www.librarius.com/parliamentfs.htm">Geoff</a>. I'll take it from here...<br />
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</tbody></table> I am not a fan of Valentine's Day; let's just put that out there. More specifically, I am not a fan of what Valentine's Day has <em>become</em>. Not that it was ever a real holiday to begin with. There is no record of any reason for it, and in fact the Catholic Church removed it from the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints back in 1969. Nowadays it is a Hallmark holiday that serves the sole purpose of driving business for the greeting card, candy, and flower makers of the world. It is designed to make men feel guilty and feel the need to spend money - whether or not they have it - to prove their love to their lady fair, and for women to feel that if they are NOT receiving such material affection, that somehow their lives are lessened by the absence.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.thegreenestdollar.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/have_a_smurfy_valentines_day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="http://cdn.thegreenestdollar.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/have_a_smurfy_valentines_day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
That said, there is something nice about having a day that, at its core, is about love. A day that allows even the hardest of hearts to say to someone "I love you,", and maybe give that special someone a token of your affection. As a husband and parent, holidays take on a different meaning than when you are a young and wild Single Person. You can't just shrug and say "meh" when they come along, because there are others expecting things. CHildren especially love holidays where they get little presents or candy or special treats, and Valentine's Day is no different. You know who else like's Valentine's Day, even when they won't admit it? Wives. There are some things I have learned (albeit slowly) in my almost-fourteen years of marriage. Never forget or forget to acknowledge the following: your wife's birthday, your anniversary, Mother's Day (if you have children, and Valentine's Day. Most other slips of memory or action can be forgiven in time; these ones will haunt you for years.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2vG75kHsBsNEvIacSEdLC4cg95PGpYZTM25kbJ_6a9SSkpQp-AxwC_3Sy9V-ZgBUFlro_UbcGO7kHWux7tQRZ5XYL1hfU-dvS209rJSoWJxyz8Wyi-3YavjtDDhRj_xJEkbB6IiNLU2-/s1600/angry-wife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2vG75kHsBsNEvIacSEdLC4cg95PGpYZTM25kbJ_6a9SSkpQp-AxwC_3Sy9V-ZgBUFlro_UbcGO7kHWux7tQRZ5XYL1hfU-dvS209rJSoWJxyz8Wyi-3YavjtDDhRj_xJEkbB6IiNLU2-/s320/angry-wife.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>In a good marriage - or any relationship for that matter - both parties involved know what it takes to make the other happy most of the time. That does not mean they always DO it, but they know. For example, this year my wife and I went to a nice dinner without the kids the night before Valentine's Day and enjoyed each other's company for a few hours with good food and drink. As a gift from me to her, I gave her her favorite flowers, two bottles of Malbec (a newly discovered favorite), and some dark chocolate from Godiva. I made dinner Valentine's Day evening for the family and we all felt the love of family. And my wife, knowing me as she does, gave me:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNF6S-FfzuB3c7S-nTwkGJNBUWjD67S5ivgIaNraDCoPthlj9wafztsr0IgFfmdE43xkS-UrmCH5jM-M6JlnJ7XMEWaj_ssjqGfJ6yA8CcY0PS5sHY_4JZaglJ-no_IZAS8oz9WI92UTXz/s1600/Blue+Point+American+Pale+Ale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNF6S-FfzuB3c7S-nTwkGJNBUWjD67S5ivgIaNraDCoPthlj9wafztsr0IgFfmdE43xkS-UrmCH5jM-M6JlnJ7XMEWaj_ssjqGfJ6yA8CcY0PS5sHY_4JZaglJ-no_IZAS8oz9WI92UTXz/s320/Blue+Point+American+Pale+Ale.JPG" width="239" /></a><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="http://www.ratebeer.com/beerimages/134803.jpg" width="98" /><a href="http://ladiesocb.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/dogfish-head-red-and-white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="http://ladiesocb.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/dogfish-head-red-and-white.jpg" width="87" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'll bet you were wondering when I would get to the beer part, eh?</div>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-14011670549322783442011-02-08T22:03:00.000-05:002011-02-08T22:03:16.204-05:00Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nationI am not a big fan of American football. I'll put that right out there. Sure, I will cheer on the home team most of the time or root against the Philadelphia Eagles (I do not like Philly fans of any sport... they are just mean) or the Dallas Cowboys (I root against anything out of Texas, just on principle), and I did get excited for the New Orleans Saints in last year's big game. But I never watch football by myself, I have zero interest in college football, and could not name more than a dozen players, past or present. That said, I love Super Bowl parties. The food, the crowd, and of course the beer. Nowadays, I usualy make a point to bring some craft beer with me to a party since it is usually the case that these types of parties typically serve beer prominently featured in the advertising of the game. This year, though, had I been invited to the White House to watch the game (hey, it could happen!), I would have been served not only beers from Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, but a freakin' <a href="http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2011/02/white-house-honey-aleand-obama-super.html">White House Homebrew</a>! How cool is that?! This is not a political blog, but I do love our President more today than I did last week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2b_SPCr78uQ/TVDVK7M9sLI/AAAAAAAAVZg/_opm9bZCDgQ/s1600/wh+honey+ale%253ASB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2b_SPCr78uQ/TVDVK7M9sLI/AAAAAAAAVZg/_opm9bZCDgQ/s320/wh+honey+ale%253ASB.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The opening of the <a href="http://www.thealeandthewitch.com/">Ale and the Witch</a> was great. good music, good people, and great beer. Brett has put together a really friendly and laid back place and picked some really excellent beers. I am looking forward to becoming a regular there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Congratulations are in order to <a href="http://www.tampabaybrewingcompany.com/">Tampa Bay Brewing Company</a>. After fifteen years of fighting, they can now sell growlers of their great beer. I know Dave and company have worked their asses off to see this day, and hopefully this is just one more step towards bringing Florida into the mainstream craft beer world. Bit by bit, we are getting there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cheers, all!</div>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-82604971291331595922011-01-31T23:04:00.001-05:002011-01-31T23:09:00.005-05:00To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it!Thank you, Charlie Chaplin.<br />
<br />
First things first, yes, I ran the 5k. I finished it, ran the entire way without stopping or walking, and I did it in under 40 minutes. Those were my personal goals. My trash-talking son beat me by roughly 8 minutes. My body is still sore, but I have to admit it was a LOT of fun, and I plan on doing more. Big thanks to the family for encouraging me, pushing me, and tolerating my gripes after the fact, and a big thank you to our dear friend Tonnya who ran with me and set a pace faster than I would have... which is exactly what I needed.<br />
<br />
On to beer...<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.thealeandthewitch.com/">Ale and the Witch</a> is awesome. I highly recommend it to anyone in St. Pete, either living here or visiting. Brett (the owner) has put together a really great place for the craft beer lover, tucked away just enough to avoid a regular intrusion of Ed Hardy-wearing jack-wagons who might stumble by looking for the highest alcohol beer they can find so they can high-five their buddies wearing 2-sizes-too-small tshirts and then asking why there's no Mic Ultra. 32 taps of pure awesome. And five minutes from home. I love it.<br />
<br />
It has been interesting to watch the <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/bells-hopslam/35488/">HopSlam</a> release activity around the country. I listened to <a href="http://www.mikelovesbeer.com/">Mike</a> and <a href="http://www.dosbeerigos.com/">Phil</a> at <a href="http://www.unitedwedrink.com/">United We Drink</a> discuss the scarcity and hype and difficulty acquiring it on their side of the state, while here in St. Pete its readily available in multiple places. And while Total Wine is carrying it for $19.99 a six-pack (same as South Florida, it seems), my personal favorite place of Rollin' Oats has it for $15.99. Still expensive, but interesting that the price is so drastically different. It's a phenomenal beer, mind you. Rumor has it you can also find it on tap in a <a href="http://www.willardstaphouse.com/">few places</a> around town.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ratebeer.com/">Ratebeer.com</a> has released its <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/RateBeerBest/">2011 "Best" list</a>, and once again, the Stout is king. That irritates me. I love a good Imperial Stout as much as the next person, but there are a disproportionate number of them in the top 25, in my not-so-humble opinion. That said, it was great to see Florida - and Tampa Bay in particular - getting some serious props in the listings. No "beer culture" my ass!Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-65315650228274165902011-01-24T23:22:00.000-05:002011-01-24T23:22:02.700-05:00Dust in the Wind, Dude...Some random thoughts for this week...<br />
<br />
I am preparing (more or less) to run my first race since I ran cross country in high school. A 5k, to be exact. Oh, I have run since high school, but it was either while training for whatever sport I was playing, or running to or away from something. Chronic knee issues, conditioning (or lack thereof) and the fact that I am sprinting towards 40 have all be things to deal with in the return to "fitness". My eldest son, approaching 11, has two 5k races under his belt since December, and has found a genuine interest in running. He's built like a runner, tall and lanky, all legs. Sports are not generally his forte, but he like running and seems to be good at it so far. He is not one for trash-talking, either. Not in video games, board games, anything. When I told him I was going to run the 5k with him this coming weekend, he said "Okay. You'll have to see the eye doctor."<br />
"Eye doctor?" I wear glasses, but was a bit confused. "What do you mean?"<br />
"So he can get my dust out of your eyes after the race..."<br />
Damn kids these days... no respect...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rlv.zcache.com/get_off_my_lawn_yah_dang_hooligans_tee_by_outrag_tshirt-p23530778460065623239ky_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/get_off_my_lawn_yah_dang_hooligans_tee_by_outrag_tshirt-p23530778460065623239ky_400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I am really hoping to get my hands on some Sierra Nevada Hoptimum. I have not seen it anywhere yet, but I am sure its around. I will find some...<br />
<br />
I have one thing to say about the upcoming Packers-Steelers Superbowl: meh.<br />
<br />
Lee Norman Williams - aka <a href="http://www.hoptopia.com/">Hoptopia</a> - posted an interesting question the other day. "<span class="messageBody">Is ranting about certain elements of the craft beer community and craft beer industry going to be a major trend in 2011?" This prompted a good discussion amond some of us craft beer lovers. I liked what Erik Boles from <a href="http://beertaptv.com/">BeerTapTV</a> had to say: "Remember, it's not what beer IS, it's what beer DOES that matters. Beer isn't what you do, beer is what you do while you're doing what you do." I think it is a great philosophy, and elitists be damned.</span>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-90462134330476065752011-01-11T12:48:00.000-05:002011-01-11T12:48:16.487-05:00New Year, New Perspective, New OpportunitiesIt is amazing what just the flipping over of a calendar page can do for one's psyche. In reality, nothing about the fabric of space/time changes, but it feels really good to put difficult things behind you in a symbolic manner. Looking forward to 2011 (as laid out in my <a href="http://beerforthedaddy.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-2011-brew-years-resolutions.html">previous post</a>) I have a lot of things I want to accomplish. But life has a funny way of happening while you are making plans. Just in the past ten days, new opportunities and revelations arise. But those are for another day...<br />
<br />
I recently wrote a beer review for <a href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2011/01/07/beer-review-stones-lukcy-basartd/">Stone Brewing's Lukcy Basartd</a>, a beer I genuinely enjoyed. The original Arrogant Bastard was a very influential beer for me in my craft beer journey, and I said so in the article. Naturally, my editor and the magazine tweeted a link to the article, as they always do. And i got this response:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_AORflH6PhV19IFgQf07WiypFW3AmkvwcYzN4rEuX8KN9YYmo_Ted7nDXiPO5cUH-3frx8Ai3awuv19X060VF31UtTwzg1mLtnLswnuVUDBJzdovWI7BjA0ClUFdZXVr73b-rtiDy5k/s1600/stonegregtweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_AORflH6PhV19IFgQf07WiypFW3AmkvwcYzN4rEuX8KN9YYmo_Ted7nDXiPO5cUH-3frx8Ai3awuv19X060VF31UtTwzg1mLtnLswnuVUDBJzdovWI7BjA0ClUFdZXVr73b-rtiDy5k/s400/stonegregtweet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yep... that's Greg Koch, owner and brewmaster at Stone Brewing. So, that felt pretty good to have that kind of affirmation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also learned that there is a new craft beer bar opening in St. Petersburg. It will be within the next few weeks, and the guy in charge seems to have a good plan. What makes it funny, though, is that it is opening in a location at the base of the building that I used to work in! It figures, after five years there, just a few short months after I leave, a craft beer bar opens there. Not that it would have kept me there... *shudder*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>And finally, I was asked to write an article on the <a href="http://seannordquist.hoppress.com/2011/01/11/cigar-city-calling-all-artists/">Cigar City Brewing label art contest</a> that was announced today. It's nice to be the one people come to for something like that. Makes me feel like I am contributing and part of the scene.<br />
<br />
I am sure the days and weeks ahead will reveal more and more good stuff. I feel it, and I look forward to the surprises.<br />
<br />
Cheers, all.Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-54535550769739095572010-12-31T15:32:00.000-05:002010-12-31T15:32:44.791-05:00My 2011 Brew Years Resolutions2010 was quite the year for me. Lots of ups and downs, turnarounds, and so on. There were some really great changes and happenings, especially towards the end of the year, and I hope to build on those in 2011. I think I see things more clearly now than I did this time last year. Hell, I KNOW I am seeing things through different eyes just since October...<br />
<br />
And so without further gilding the lily and with no more ado, I give to you: My 2011 Brew Years Resolutions.<br />
<br />
<ol><li>Attend GABF in Denver for the first time. This is a carry-over from last year, but this time I will start planning in January instead of realizing in August I am too late...</li>
<li>Visit more breweries. Another carry-over. Just want to continue the trend and see more of the industry. (This includes finally getting up to Saint Somewhere!)</li>
<li>Attend more local events. I get to some, but my lack of planning and paying attention has left me missing some great happenings. Need to rectify that.</li>
<li>More homebrewing. Four batches a year is pitiful. I need to brew more, period.</li>
<li>Meet more "beer people" when they come to town and when I am travelling. Craft beer people (who, as we know, Rgoodpeople) are everywhere. There is no reason not to meet up.</li>
<li>Be more consistent with my writing. It takes discipline and time, but there is no reason I cannot meet all of my obligations each week.</li>
<li>Expand my tasting range. Its easy to fall into a pattern of only IPAs, Imperial Stouts, and the like, but there are so many other great beer choices out there. I should give them a fair shot as well.</li>
<li>X Project 1: CLASSIFIED - A joint venture with another beer visioneer. Should be fun and interesting.</li>
<li>X Project 2: CLASSIFIED - Another involvement I have signed up to be a part of. Not necessarily "fun", but it is important.</li>
<li>Continue to be a vocal craft beer evangelist and advocate both locally and in general. We are in what looks like a craft beer Renaissance, but there is evil at every turn. We cannot afford to be complacent.</li>
</ol>2011 holds a lot of promise and excitement. I plan of facing it with beer in hand and determination in my heart. May everyone have a safe and fun New Years Eve.<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />
- Beer for the DaddySean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-26803274316097682862010-12-30T20:33:00.001-05:002010-12-30T20:47:57.397-05:00My 2010 Brew Years Resolutions - A Look Back<a href="http://beerforthedaddy.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-2010-brew-years-resolutions.html">A year ago, I made my resolutions for 2010</a> as they related to my life and work in the craft beer world. Some evolved and changed as time went on, and some I dropped all together when I realized they were not where I wanted to go with my life. So before I make my new list, Lets review how 2010 turned out:<br />
<br />
1. Attend GABF in Denver for the first time. - Didn't happen. Mostly due to lack of planning on my part, and then conflicting schedules. Looking to try to make it happen this year.<br />
<br />
2. Visit more breweries. - I would say I did okay on this one. Any time I travelled, I tried to make a point to visit any local breweries I could. Not as many as I would have liked, but I did make a good effort.<br />
<br />
3. Start rating beers. - I stopped doing this almost as quickly as I started. I enjoy reviewing beers, talking about the flavors and what I like, etc... but the whole rating thing just didn't feel right for me.<br />
<br />
4. More homebrewing. - Failure. I brewed a total of 4 batches this year, about a third of what I had hoped for. They all came out great, but too infrequent.<br />
<br />
5. More writing. - Pretty good. While my articles for Examiner and Hop Press slipped, I did pick up the Creative Loafing gig, but I need to be more consistant all the way around.<br />
<br />
6. More drinking. And by this I do not me quantity, but variety. - Definitely did this, and got to sample and explore a LOT of new beers.<br />
<br />
7. More reading. - I read everything I could get my hands on, and continue to do so.<br />
<br />
8. Certification and study, part 1. Cicerone program. - Just never got around to it, really.<br />
<br />
9. Certification and study, part 2. Beer Judge Certification Program. - Somewhat limited by access and availability, not to mention time.<br />
<br />
10. Continue to be a vocal craft beer advocate. - A+. I took a much more active role this past year not only in trying to educate people about craft beer, but standing up for it as well.<br />
<br />
So all in all, I give myself a passing grade, but with a lot of room for improvement. Coming soon, the 2011 resolutions!<br />
<br />
- Beer for the DaddySean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-66830049666031697242010-12-02T07:28:00.001-05:002010-12-02T07:46:39.122-05:00Onward Craft Beer Soldiers...Today is the Tampa City Council Meeting that will determine the fate of the much-loved Cigar City Brewing Tasting Room. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin3f1kdW3BnwDLq-cyXUfqBoFARS1ii1R0Q3I57oQf00D_BpNVPjFudVqE7VP7Bnp42lYVHQvXEebjT4vkZz42qNPaVpyKSoFiGdcfaIM34ue63c8rZnaAaMXbuz6JIQwE5c5Pwzx63A/s1600/saveCCB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin3f1kdW3BnwDLq-cyXUfqBoFARS1ii1R0Q3I57oQf00D_BpNVPjFudVqE7VP7Bnp42lYVHQvXEebjT4vkZz42qNPaVpyKSoFiGdcfaIM34ue63c8rZnaAaMXbuz6JIQwE5c5Pwzx63A/s1600/saveCCB.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Once again - and for the last time - here are the pertinent details:<br />
<br />
Date: Thursday December 2nd - <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">THAT IS TODAY!!!</span></b><br />
Time: 10:30 AM<br />
Location: 315 East Kennedy Boulevard (Downtown)<br />
City Hall, 3rd Floor<br />
Tampa, FL 33602<br />
This is a public meeting so anyone may attend and speak if they so choose or just attend to show support.<br />
<div><br />
</div>These are the three members of Council who voted against Cigar City:<br />
Gwen Miller<br />
Thomas Scott<br />
Curtis Stokes<br />
<br />
These are those Council members who voted for Cigar City:<br />
Mary Mulhern<br />
Yvonne Yoli Capin<br />
Joseph Caetano<br />
<br />
And the absentee vote was Charlie Miranda. He is very likely to be the tie-breaker in this fight.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>So it all comes down to today. Lets hope reason and sanity prevail instead of rumor and false accusations made in the name of "serving the community".</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>P.S. If you do not know what I am talking about, read these posts:</div><div><ul style="color: #cccccc; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><li>My <a href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2010/11/10/cigar-city-brewerys-tasting-room-threatened-by-tampa-city-council/" style="color: #99aadd; text-decoration: none;">Creative Loafing article</a> or my <a href="http://seannordquist.hoppress.com/2010/11/10/cigar-citys-tasting-room-facing-closure/" style="color: #99aadd; text-decoration: none;">Hop Press Article</a></li>
<li>Blog Post from <a href="http://crazycatladybeer.com/2010/11/10/cigar-city-brewing-tasting-room-in-danger-of-being-closed/" style="color: #99aadd; text-decoration: none;">Crazy Cat Lady Beer</a></li>
<li>Mark Christopher's <a href="http://www.examiner.com/craft-beer-in-tampa-bay/cigar-city-brewing-needs-tampa-s-help" style="color: #99aadd; text-decoration: none;">article on Examiner.com</a></li>
<li>and of course <a href="http://blog.cigarcitybeer.com/2010/11/10/255-the-tasting-room-needs-your-help-again.aspx" style="color: #99aadd; text-decoration: none;">Cigar City's own blog</a></li>
</ul></div>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-44891475079492130672010-11-30T21:51:00.001-05:002010-11-30T21:53:14.996-05:00Moving Forward...<i>"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."</i> <b><i>- Ralph Waldo Emerson</i></b><br />
<br />
No matter how we approach life, it keeps moving forward. Such is the nature of time and our ride along with it. As such, we now enter the holiday season. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and I hope you found time to reflect on some of the things in your life you can be thankful for. I, for one, am very thankful to be surrounded by my family and friends who love and support me. I am thankful that I have found myself back in a career that challenges and fulfills me. I am thankful for the friends I have made over the past year in the craft beer community, and how much I have learned.<br />
<br />
Thursday of this week is the much-talked-about Tampa City Council meeting that could determine the fate of the Cigar City Tasting Room. Letters have been written, phone calls have been made, and now it is down to the wire. It is probably safe to assume that the three who voted "no" will continue to do so even if only out of ego-driven stubbornness. It is also probably safe to assume that the three "yes" votes will hold, seeing as they are based on logic and common sense. Which leaves - once again - Charlie Miranda. Here's to hoping he makes the right decision.<br />
<br />
Here is the info about the meeting, as posted by Cigar City:<br />
<blockquote><i>For anyone planning to attend the City Council meeting where the wet-zoning for the Cigar City Brewing Tasting Room will be voted on this is the pertinent information.</i></blockquote><blockquote><i>Date: Thursday December 2nd</i> </blockquote><blockquote><i>Time: 10:30 AM</i></blockquote><blockquote><i>Location: 315 East Kennedy Boulevard (Downtown)</i></blockquote><blockquote><i>City Hall, 3rd Floor</i></blockquote><blockquote><i>Tampa, FL 33602</i></blockquote><blockquote><i>This is a public meeting so anyone may attend and speak if they so choose or just attend to show support. We encourage everyone that has the time to attend. Thanks again for the overwhelming support and well wishes. Win or lose we are humbled by the support from the community and beyond.</i></blockquote><blockquote><i>Cheers,</i></blockquote><blockquote><i>Joey Redner and the CCB Staff</i></blockquote>If you are in the Tampa Bay area - or are going to be - think about attending if at all possible. Your support would be greatly appreciated.<br />
<br />
<i>"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."<br />
<b>- Edmund Burke</b></i>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-55575819472565763832010-11-12T10:24:00.000-05:002010-11-12T10:24:25.273-05:00On A More Positive Note...<em>"You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world's happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime."</em> -<b>Dale Carnegie</b><br />
<br />
The past two days have been a tad wild and emotional in the Tampa Bay craft beer community. The uproar over the situation with Cigar City Brewing and the Tampa City Council has been loud and passionate. I know a lot of people have called, written letteers, sent emails, and so on. The next vote is not until December 2nd, so there is a tendency for our outrage to fade and die down. Don't let it. Instead, find out all you can about the issue. Strip away the hearsay and rumor, and get supportable facts. The stronger a case we can make - with real solid facts - the harder it is for rational people to refute. Of course, assuming we are dealing with rational people is a BIG assumption.<br />
<br />
<em>"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer."</em> <strong>~Abraham Lincoln</strong><br />
<br />
So, on to the positive!<br />
<br />
This weekend is the Fall Beer Festival at the Cajun Cafe on the Bayou. If you have never been, you have to go. It is a small event, but you will not find a bad beer in the place. Paul Unwin - the owner - loves craft beer, and has made it a point to be sure his festival is about enjoying good beer. Its not about how much you can drink, finding the highest ABV, or being a beer snob. Its about the beer, and about the people who make it and enjoy it. You can read more about the event <a href="http://www.examiner.com/craft-beer-in-st-petersburg/fall-craft-beer-festival-at-the-cajun-cafe">here</a>. I highly encourage you to attend if you can.<br />
<br />
Also, you should check out the following other events over the next week:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1846605935#!/event.php?eid=168703363158520">Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Celebration at the Pour House in Tampa</a> - Monday, November 15th</li>
<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141076162597416">Cigar City Brewery Dinner at SideBern's</a> in Tampa - Tuesday, November 16th</li>
<li>Any night at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_169226453106068&view=requests#!/Willardstaphouse">Willard's Tap House</a></li>
<li>Any night at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_169226453106068&view=requests#!/OldsmarTaphouse">Oldsmar Tap House</a></li>
<li>pick a night... any night... and support your local craft beer scene.</li>
</ul>Remember, our goal is to support, promote, and educate. And by "our" I mean all of us who appreciate the artisanship that is craft beer. We are not drunken angry mobs. We are not elitist, exclusionary, snobs. We come from all walks of life, all backgrounds, and represent countless regions and socio-economic levels. What we share is a common belief that good beer should be available to those who want to enjoy it responsibly, that craft brewing is a welcome and beneficial addition to any community, and that the world needs to be educated to these facts.<br />
<br />
Cheers!Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-56806552957391198642010-11-11T19:06:00.000-05:002010-11-11T19:06:58.136-05:00Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster - Sun TzuAnd the beat goes on...<br />
<br />
The situation with Cigar City and the Tampa City Council has not changed since yesterday. The call has been heard across the country and people are still talking about it. But I want to urge caution.<br />
<br />
In the past 24 hours I have heard claims of racism (the three members voting no were African-American, the three voting for were white), back-room shady dealings, and personal vendetta. I am not saying any of these are or are not true, but no one has shown me any evidence to support these claims yet. I would hate for one of these rumors to take hold only to find out it was baseless. It is not only unfair, but it hurts our cause.<br />
<br />
Here is how I see it:<br />
<ul><li>As long as Cigar City has followed the laws and complied with everything required of them, there is no good reason to deny them their request.</li>
<li>If there are issues with crime that can be attributed to the operation of the Cigar City Tap Room, we need to know that. And that means we need evidence of that. Not hearsay and "what I am hearing on the street."</li>
<li>If there are traffic or parking -related issues related to the operation of the Cigar City Tap Room, we need to know that, too. And again, there needs to be data to support that claim.</li>
<li>However, if there is something else at work here, it needs to be exposed. It needs to be called out. And it needs to be addressed in a public forum for all to see.</li>
</ul>Maybe that is too simple and reasonable. But it seems like the best way to go about running a city.<br />
<br />
Another comment that was thrown around was "well, that's what happen when you have no beer culture..." Really? No beer culture in Tampa Bay? Then explain to me the success of places like Cigar City, Saint Somewhere, Dunedin Brewery, and the Tampa Bay Brewing Company. Tell me how places like the Oldsmar Tap House, Peg's Cantina, Willard's, the Pour House, and Mr. Dunderbak's survive? We may not be Portland or San Francisco or Asheville, but considering what the craft beer landscape in Florida looked like even three or four years ago, I would say we are doing pretty damn well.<br />
<br />
No beer culture in Florida? Tell that to Redlight, Redlight in Orlando. Tell it to Swamp Head brewing in Gainseville. Tell all the locations of World of Beer they don't know what they are doing. Explain to the owners of the Independent and the Rex that there is no "beer culture" for them to cater to.<br />
<br />
I could go on.<br />
<br />
As I mentioned on Twitter earlier today, the notion that Florida has no "beer culture" is like saying there is no "culinary culture" in England. The claim is antiquated and patently false. There was also the assertion that a "craft beer leader" - who wished to remain anonymous - in Florida agreed with the claim. I have been writing about craft beer for over a year, and have traveled quite a bit, met a lot of people from all over. Apparently I have not met our "leader".<br />
<br />
Frankly the idea of a "craft beer leader" is laughable to me. Craft beer lovers - the writers, the homebrewers, the fans, and even just the drinkers - work together just fine without someone guiding us. Independent-minded, and just as passionate about our beer as anyone from Colorado, California, or Oregon.<br />
<br />
So don't tell me there is no beer culture in Florida. And don't tell me our "leader" agrees with you. If he or she does, they are no leader at all.Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-31430248393877013162010-11-10T20:49:00.000-05:002010-11-10T20:49:12.157-05:00Hell Hath No Fury...There is nothing like a good political debate to rekindle one's activist spirit, no? In case you have been living underneath some kind of Prohibition-era rock for the last 24 hours, you have at least heard about the recent kerfuffle with Cigar City Brewing and the Tampa Bay City Council. If not, there are plenty of places you can go to read up on it.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>My <a href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2010/11/10/cigar-city-brewerys-tasting-room-threatened-by-tampa-city-council/">Creative Loafing article</a> or my <a href="http://seannordquist.hoppress.com/2010/11/10/cigar-citys-tasting-room-facing-closure/">Hop Press Article</a></li>
<li>Blog Post from <a href="http://crazycatladybeer.com/2010/11/10/cigar-city-brewing-tasting-room-in-danger-of-being-closed/">Crazy Cat Lady Beer</a></li>
<li>Mark Christopher's <a href="http://www.examiner.com/craft-beer-in-tampa-bay/cigar-city-brewing-needs-tampa-s-help">article on Examiner.com</a></li>
<li>and of course <a href="http://blog.cigarcitybeer.com/2010/11/10/255-the-tasting-room-needs-your-help-again.aspx">Cigar City's own blog</a></li>
</ul><div>The bottom line is three members of the Tampa City Council want to stop Cigar City from having a tasting room where people can buy locally produced craft beer, drink locally produced craft beer, or have craft beer events. Never mind that it is a local business, owned and operated by local residents. Never mind that they employ over twenty people locally. Never mind that they attract visitor (and their money) to the Tampa Bay area, who then in turn spend their money on restaurants, hotels, and other activities. One would think that in these difficult economic times, the idea of a local business thriving and succeeding would be encouraged, especially if said business is following all of the rules.</div><div><br />
</div><div>But apparently that is not enough for Tampa Council Members <a href="http://www.tampagov.net/dept_City_Council/about_us/Gwen_Miller.asp">Gwen Miller</a>, <a href="http://www.tampagov.net/dept_City_Council/about_us/Thomas_Scott.asp">Thomas Scott</a>, and <a href="http://www.tampagov.net/dept_City_Council/about_us/Curtis_Stokes.asp">Curtis Stokes</a>. Their claim is that "the neighborhood don't want it", with "it" being the wet-zoning and extended operating hours for serving beer or wine. They have made very vague claims that alcohol-related crime is up, but when confronted with evidence to the contrary, they defended the allegations with "well, not everything gets reported."</div><div><br />
</div><div>Sorry, in my world that does not fly. Which certainly makes some of us wonder what this is really about. Are these three part of the insidious neo-prohibitionist movement that often rears its ugly head in times like these? That would mean their argument was more of a "moral" one than one based on any kind of facts. There is some grumbling that this is payback for the Council's long and well-documented battles with owner Joey Redner's father, Joe Redner. Whatever the reasons, the bottom line is voting against making the zoning and hours permanent is tantamount to voting to kill jobs and keep dollars away from Tampa. It is inexcusable and Miller, Scott, and Stokes ought to be held accountable.</div><div><br />
</div><div>One of the positive things to come out of this event, however, is how the craft beer community has rallied around Cigar City. From <a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes/wayne-wambles/now-for-the-bad-news/455267130918">Wayne Wamble's initial post on Facebook</a>, the cry went out far and wide and craft beer lovers from all walks of life answered the call. Letters, emails, and articles spread like wildfire. A new Twitter hashtag was created (<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23SaveCCB">#SaveCC</a>B), and a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_169226453106068">Facebook group</a> was set up by <a href="Http://dosbeerigos.com/">DosBeerigos</a>. I have said before and I will say it again: Beer People R Good People.</div>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-87461440087321462402010-05-10T12:46:00.010-04:002010-05-10T13:34:52.742-04:00May the Fourth be With You - What Would Yoda Drink?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBU62qU5RJM0YzeTNrQUDFb1wgTbzs33wedVjmhfXUIN2UYlNbyPui9ZZZVyWK5psr86fS0SFXc-WYRSAgZ5Yl6E9bvJqH3gzLfkQVNUtwZtFkSLMKBdr-_jv_g4rRQ8jJG49_Wdf1c4/s1600/may4th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBU62qU5RJM0YzeTNrQUDFb1wgTbzs33wedVjmhfXUIN2UYlNbyPui9ZZZVyWK5psr86fS0SFXc-WYRSAgZ5Yl6E9bvJqH3gzLfkQVNUtwZtFkSLMKBdr-_jv_g4rRQ8jJG49_Wdf1c4/s200/may4th.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">In honor of “Star Wars Day” last week, I decided it was appropriate to bring back the “<span class="apple-style-span">fictional characters that I would like to sit and enjoy a good beer with.” Previously, on the 40<sup>th</sup><a href="http://beerforthedaddy.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-would-grover-drink.html"> Anniversary of Sesame Street</a>, we looked at the cast of the beloved children's series and paired them up with what kind of beers to share. I feel it is only appropriate to address the other major influence in my life with the same respect.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span">I will preface this by admitting, with great pride, that I am, always have been, and always will be a Star Wars geek. I remember very distinctly going to see Star Wars with my father when it came out in 1977. We went to see it in the old <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Century</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place> movie theatres (this was long before the multiplex that came along when I was a teenager). I remember riding the escalators up from the underground parking lot, sitting in front of the enormous screen, and watching the most incredible thing I had ever seen. It fundamentally changed me and has remained to this day one of the most influential things in my life. Of course, I am talking about the Holy Trinity – The Original Trilogy, not the subsequent prequels and the new Clone Wars, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span">So, with my uber-geekiness laid out there on the table, let’s answer the question: What Would Yoda Drink?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh37YlDfD75y6gnBVv3V8qDAwDJS-2Vggf3KRXoRbaL_O_aMCjMCLgK5P-8rwXTjDj-2c-l-lu5QHQe4y1Uqt7zca1sLqy925Bhfgz4gK_zcSmlKcRc_v224AL2cLMhIkxjMWPg93_Q7w/s1600/yodastein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh37YlDfD75y6gnBVv3V8qDAwDJS-2Vggf3KRXoRbaL_O_aMCjMCLgK5P-8rwXTjDj-2c-l-lu5QHQe4y1Uqt7zca1sLqy925Bhfgz4gK_zcSmlKcRc_v224AL2cLMhIkxjMWPg93_Q7w/s200/yodastein.jpg" width="96" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><b>Yoda</b> – The serene, wise, and backwards talking muppet is the epitome of a true Master. Never one to rush or hurry, he prefers to sip his craft beer and experience it and all of its nuances. Barrel-aged and complex brews are his choice; <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Cigar</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place>’s <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/cigar-city-bourbon-barrel-aged-hunahpus-imperial-stout/114747/">Bourbon Barrel Aged Hunahpu</a>, <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/lost-abbey-the-angels-share/64975/">Lost Abbey’s Angel’s Share</a>, and <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/barley-johns-the-dark-knight-returns/26218/">Barley John’s The Dark Knight (Returns)</a> are among his favorites.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><b>Ben “Obi-wan” Kenobi</b> – Usually, the “crazy old hermit” is a scotch drinker. Single malt, almost exclusively. But when he sits down for a pint, he asks for a bitter. Why bitter? Lets see, your best friend betrays you and then leads the movement to wipe out everything you have worked your entire life to preserve, you end up living in an adobe hut on a desert planet all alone, and then you have to look after your former friends whiny-ass son, only to have your old buddy show up and kill you. Yeah, ol’ Ben has a right to be bitter. <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/jolly-pumpkin-es-bam/84761/">Jolly Pumpkin E.S. Bam</a>, <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/oakham-asylum/70967/">Oakham Asylum</a>, or some <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/fullers-esb-bottle-keg/290/">Fullers ESB</a> will do.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><b>“Princess” Leia Organa</b> – The spitfire with cinnabon hair looks killer in a bronze bikini, but she’s no lightweight. This girl likes to party and nothing better than a good hoppy IPA after a day of “diplomatic missions to Alderaan”. She loves her <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/bear-republic-racer-5/1608/">Bear Republic Racer 5</a> and <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/bear-republic-rebellion-ipa-amarillo/111465/">Rebellion Amarillo</a>, but has a special place in her heart form <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/sun-king-amarillo-the-princess-warrior/117436/">Sun King Brewing’s The Princess Warrior</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_qm1TFdwbYifD_tMu9e2pL9i3G1F3fVzuY9knDgOok5MtTHOYIHC7COK9EbU6JFbi0nq6G_o_Wt_3JIoW2MAdrT5K6ccn3KA-V551JH1pQDCRfxUiyvMEavaxQnHc_gVPNHvjlO6hhg/s1600/r2beer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_qm1TFdwbYifD_tMu9e2pL9i3G1F3fVzuY9knDgOok5MtTHOYIHC7COK9EbU6JFbi0nq6G_o_Wt_3JIoW2MAdrT5K6ccn3KA-V551JH1pQDCRfxUiyvMEavaxQnHc_gVPNHvjlO6hhg/s200/r2beer2.jpg" width="138" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><b>Chewbacca</b> – Normally Wookiees are not beer drinkers. The foamy head gets in their fur and any spills turn the walking carpet into something more akin to a walking bar rag. But after hours of being hounded by a nerf-herding smuggler (“THIS one goes here, THAT one goes there!”) a strong barley wine makes him less likely to pull anyone’s arms off. </span><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/hair-of-the-dog-bourbon-doggie-claws-from-the-wood/119388/">Hair of the Dog Bourbon Doggie Claws From the Wood</a> is his natural choice, but <span style="color: #474747; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/kuhnhenn-brown-and-hairy-nut-porter/76521/">Kuhnhenn Brown and Hairy Nut Porter</a> will do in a pinch.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><b>Han Solo</b> – The man. The myth. The scoundrel. Cool as winter on Hoth with the hottest ride this side of the mines of Kessel. Han goes for anything rare and hard to get. He had <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/brewdog-tactical-nuclear-penguin/114110/">Tactical Nuclear Penguin</a> before anyone else, and keeps a case of <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/russian-river-pliny-the-younger/43181/">Pliny the Younger</a> growlers in carbonite under that false floor in the Falcon. He is at every release party and is usually the one responsible for the short supply. He’ll share his <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/samuel-adams-millennium/1479/">Samuel Adams Millennium</a> or his collection of <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers//3-fonteinen/2058/">3 Fonteinen</a> brews if he is feeling generous. Word around Mos Eisley is that he hangs out with <a href="http://kmweaver.hoppress.com/">Ken Weaver</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><b>Luke Skywalker</b> – The “hero” of the films. But damn this kid is whiny! He’s used to blue milk with Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, but has been seen shotgunning <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/miller-lite/403/">fizzy yellow water</a> and doing keg stands with Biggs down in Tosche Station. Maybe someday he will grow up and drink real beer, but his lineage is not great.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><b>Darth Vader</b> – The immediate thought is that the Dark Lord of the Sith should drink Imperial Stouts and the darkest things around, right? Not so. You see, Vader used to be Anakin Skywalker, remember? Just as whiny and immature as his son turned out to be. Doesn’t want to listen, thinks he’s better than everyone, and force-chokes people to death if they have the gall to challenge him. He is an honorary board member at <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers//anheuser-busch-inbev/84/">InBev</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">There are others, of course... but we'll see who picks up the tab this time and who gets invited to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUWk1WBfDP8">Ewok celebration</a>.</span></span>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-80636262059376471302010-05-06T21:32:00.000-04:002010-05-06T21:32:17.045-04:00Hey... Lets See If It Works...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi8KtVqC0pbpkYdvgF3OniaEnsfYvm6N47PLbqYGVv9U6HUCpKY1q4R1CQNkR5SGSwhtHLkJmU6pBkadpS2r5-BKMF-Rm5cN8qvXBZcQvUmQbPwiwOyISe2zuy8W8E5pPYmemW3jBkv0/s1600/318978.full.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi8KtVqC0pbpkYdvgF3OniaEnsfYvm6N47PLbqYGVv9U6HUCpKY1q4R1CQNkR5SGSwhtHLkJmU6pBkadpS2r5-BKMF-Rm5cN8qvXBZcQvUmQbPwiwOyISe2zuy8W8E5pPYmemW3jBkv0/s320/318978.full.gif" /></a></div><br />
I do love me some Sierra Nevada.Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-75610782551200088622010-04-27T23:02:00.000-04:002010-04-27T23:02:50.868-04:00El Chupa-hop-ra ReportRacked to secondary tonight. Gravity reading at 1.02. Great aroma still and a good color. Stole a taste and ooooooh this baby's gonna be good!<br />
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Bottling this weekend.Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-80085527495080107352010-04-27T00:12:00.000-04:002010-04-27T00:12:17.990-04:00Brew #2: West Coast IPA - El Chupa-hop-ra?Admittedly, my brewing schedule is way behind the planned brew-a-month pace. However, we do what we can, right? The latest foray was originally going to be a straight-up, American Pale Ale. Nothing over the top, just crisp and drinkable and most likely a session beer.<br />
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Oh well.<br />
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When I arrived at Southern Brewing and started talking to <a href="http://www.zenbrewingcompany.com/">Ben Romano</a> (a fine brewer in his own right), I found myself once again shifting to something little more hoppier. And then more so. And then before I could say lupulin, I had a recipe for a hopped-up West Coast IPA in my hands. Ben convinced me to up the Magnum and Chinook hops. Such is the burden of a hop-headed homebrewer.<br />
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Here is the recipe:<br />
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6.6 lbs Golden LME<br />
2 lbs Golden DME<br />
1 lb Crystal 65<br />
8 oz. Vienna<br />
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1 oz Magnum (60 minutes)<br />
1 oz Chinook (20 minutes)<br />
1 oz Amarillo (15 minutes)<br />
1 oz Centennial (10 minutes)<br />
1 oz Simcoe (5 minutes)<br />
1 oz Amarillo (end)<br />
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I used a dry yeast for the first time, the US-05 recommended by Ben. My O.G. was 1.07. According to my BrewPal app, I am expecting an ABV of about 7.2%, and an IBU of 92. We'll see. Does this rank as a Double IPA?<br />
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After less than 12 hours, the fermenter was bubbling away, and the wafting, bitter hoppiness was floating about. Going to secondary shortly. I wish I had some hops on hand to dry-hop with. Oh well.Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-11640548600827428042010-04-14T16:17:00.001-04:002010-04-14T16:51:56.338-04:00Time Flies When You Are Having Sons...The things that are on my mind this week...<br />
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My oldest son turns 10 today. It doesn't feel possible that a decade ago he arrived in this world (after 5 days of induced labor) and changed my life forever. That weekend my friend snuck a 4-pack of Guinness cans into the hospital room. The Nordspawn never developed a taste for beer, unlike his younger brother. Perhaps that will change over time; I like to think it will.<br />
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I am never tired of hearing about collaborations between craft breweries. Its just one of those feel-good things about the industry that you just don't see much of elsewhere. The latest release is epic as fas as those involved go. Fritz Maytag (Anchor Brewing) and Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada). Giants in the industry. Legends. Icons. Like Mozart and Bach. All reports say the 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken Ale is a fantastic beer. I expect to have a bottle or two in short order.<br />
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Last weekend was the Craft Brewers Convention in Chicago. I do hope to make it there one day. Everything I have heard back indicate it was an amazing event, and not just because of the great quality (and quantity) of beer available. The seminars and speakers alone would have been worth the trip. And then to be surround by so many kindred souls... sounds like heaven.<br />
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The weather is heating up in Florida. We may very well skip Spring and go straight in to Summer at this rate. And that means its time for the more refreshing beers to move to the front of the line. I love my big beers and stouts and whatnot, but there is something special about sitting outside on a warm Florida day with a lovely sessionable pale ale or crisp pilsner. Time to get reacquainted with them, says I...<br />
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Now that we are done with the "first quarter" of the year, it is a good time to take stock and see where we are in terms of the "Brew Year's Resolutions". Some might need to be adjusted and some may no longer qualify. Lets take a look!<br />
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<br />
<ol><li>Attend GABF in Denver for the first time. - Well, this is not until September. So... Grade: N/A</li>
<li>Visit more breweries. - I have been over to Cigar City a few times now, and stop in at Peg's Cantina and Brewpub as well as Tampa Bay Brewing Company, but I need to step it up. There are a few trips planned for this year, so I will make it a point to get to nearby breweries if at all possible. Grade: D</li>
<li>Start rating beers. - I am doing it, but not often enough. Grade: C</li>
<li>More homebrewing. - To date I have exactly one batch done. Not good enough, and far short of where i should be so far this year. Grade: D</li>
<li>More writing. - That I have been doing, but still not consistently enough for my own taste. I need to double my efforts on that. Grade: B-</li>
<li>More drinking. - Also been doing well with this. I am trying to make sure i try something new at least once a week. I have had some really excellent beers, too. Grade: B+</li>
<li>More reading. - It seems like the more I read, the more books I add to my list. I have knocked off several books so far and am loving the knowledge I am gaining. Grade; A</li>
<li>Certification and Study, part 1 - Cicerone. Nothing yet. I am looking to maybe the summertime to really look at this. Grade: N/A</li>
<li>Certification and Study, part 2 - BJCP. See #8. Grade: N/A</li>
<li>Continue to be a vocal craft beer advocate. - Probably to the point of being obnoxious. Grade: A</li>
</ol><div>So, there is work to be done!</div>Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-43501469180016589882010-04-02T16:29:00.001-04:002010-04-02T17:25:12.571-04:00Beer People Are Good PeopleI have been deeply engaged and writing about the world of craft beer for about nine months now. I knew when I decided to focus my efforts on this culture and industry that there was a lot I didn't know and that I needed to learn. I soon found myself surrounded (virtually and otherwise) with other beer lovers, writers, brewers, and so on, all eager to pass on information and answer any question I had. And there was no common theme other than beer people helping other beer people. No one asked "are you a Democrat or Republican". No one cared how much money I made, if I was married, had kids, owned a home, had a good credit rating, or where I went to school. The single factor was that I liked craft beer and wanted to learn more.<br />
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Everyone I have met has a different background, comes from a different place, and has their own personal tastes and preferences when it comes to beer. Hop-heads and malt-heads, sour-lovers and "extreme" beer hunters alike love to talk about beer and their experiences... and actually listen to yours!<br />
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Recently a hashtag of #beerpeopleRgoodpeople has been circulating on Twitter, and I have to smile every time I see it. As I have gotten to know more people I am uplifted by how something as basic and seemingly simple as craft beer can bring so many people together from so many different walks of life. of course there is some healthy competition. West Coast and East Coast, Yankees and Red Sox, NorCal and SoCal, Portland and Asheville... But I have met someone great from each of those. And with each new person i meet, be it online or in person, my own knowledge and appreciation of craft beer grows. I am not only introduced to new beers, but new books, new blogs, new cities, even. I can go just about anywhere in the country at this point and probably be within a couple hours at most from a #beerpeopleRgoodpeople connection. There is something fundamentally comforting about this to me.<br />
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So my goal - long term, anyway - is to share a craft beer in person with as many of these great beer people as possible. As spread out as they all are, it is a lofty goal, but a worthy one, I think.Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-20017653535229861842010-04-01T09:58:00.002-04:002010-04-01T09:58:40.003-04:00Brewed for TotsI was recently made aware of a new craft-beer-related blog called Brewed for Tots. I highly recommend it.Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205467144890043735.post-73523165177991708682010-03-25T12:53:00.004-04:002010-03-25T13:12:00.761-04:00... Out Like a Lamb? Not hardly...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thumb19.webshots.net/t/60/160/9/84/75/398398475kgqjrT_th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thumb19.webshots.net/t/60/160/9/84/75/398398475kgqjrT_th.jpg" /></a></div>March is nearly done. End of the Quarter. Beginning of Spring. And so on. To quote the great sage Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."<br />
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Of course, there are choices that have to be made sometimes. Weighing the lesser of two evils or - if you are lucky - the greater of two goods. The more I go down the path of beer writer/blogger/advocate the more choices I am presented with and the more opportunities. And with those choices come compromises. Balancing those against a regular job and family life and just general responsibilities can be a daunting task. But undaunted, I press on.<br />
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A lot is going on in the world of Craft Beer these days. New breweries opening, long-standing ones being sold, and new offerings appears on shelves. Distribution is increasing and beers previously unavailable in certain markets are suddenly there. Fellow beer writer <a href="http://kmweaver.hoppress.com/2010/03/21/the-untimely-death-of-the-american-session-beer/">Ken Weaver</a> described the craft beer situation in America these days as "an embarrassment of riches", and I have to agree. And its one of those times you have to be happy about being embarrassed. Here in Florida, the news is encouraging. More craft breweries opening up, more events being held, and more beers are becoming available. In fact, the shelf-space is becoming limited for all the new stuff coming in, and buyers are having to make choices about what to stock! A good problem to have, I suppose, but it got me thinking.<br />
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Is there a peak that we might reach where there is TOO much craft beer out there? How much will the market bear? According to studies and reports I have read recently, the craft beer industry increased sales over the past few years while macro-beer sales have fallen. In fact, the craft been industry is one of the few that have actually grown in this uncertain and unstable economy. If you think about market share, we still have a LOT of room to grow. But how does that growth happen and what does it look like? Does it mean more production from the current breweries? More breweries opening up? Larger and more far-reaching distribution? More local consumption?<br />
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The future of the industry is unclear, bu not uncertain. I don't think there is much that could stop the increasing momentum short of another Prohibition, and all signs point to the opposite happening. Greater acceptance and understanding of craft beer is taking hold, and it is also being recognized as a stable and positive economic addition to any local market. More and more craft beer is moving up the ladder of respect, and the brewers recognized not only in their niche but in a larger capacity as business people and artisans.<br />
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The coming months should prove to be interesting and exciting ones. I have been invited by the brewer of a yet-to-open brewery to sample some of his recipes, asked to help organize a craft beer pub crawl downtown, and expect to attend a few special events in the area. Things are happening in St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay, and all of it good!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/MAIN/meats/lamb/images/pear-lamb-kebabs-230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/MAIN/meats/lamb/images/pear-lamb-kebabs-230.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>Now... what beer to serve with lamb...Sean Nordquisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972680326201505619noreply@blogger.com0