The "Beer Me" Blog

4 Things H.P. Lovecraft Taught Me About Barleywines

2009-11-06T15:12:00.004-06:00

John Schuff of BrewCast.NET shares some recently-found wisdom.

4 Things H.P. Lovecraft Taught Me About Barleywines

1. Some Things Are Best Left Sleeping
2. Cold Can Take The Life Out Of Things
3. Strength Without Finesse Is A Monster
4. Strength With Finesse Is Even Scarier Than A Monster

To find out just how those points relate to beer, you'll have to read John's article.

Cthulhu fhtagn.

Home from Dublin

2009-11-01T23:59:00.004-06:00

Yesterday: Last day in Dublin

(Warning: there is virtually no beer-related information in this article.)

Hey, Delta! You suck.

Friday morning, 24 hours before our 8:20am Saturday flight, I printed our boarding passes. Exit row seats from Dublin to JFK. First class upgrade from JFK to Cincinnati. Exit row seats from Cincinnati to Omaha. Not perfect, but comfortable.

Saturday morning, checking in at the Dublin airport, the Delta agent handed us new boarding passes, saying that there had been equipment changes on the first two legs. No more exit row to JFK. No more first class to CVG. They didn't have Paris and me sitting next to each other anymore. And she said she couldn't do anything about that; we'd have to wait until we got to JFK.

We got to JFK not long before our next flight was supposed to be boarding. The agent there said there was nothing he could do. This did not sit well with Paris, who has flown 150,000 miles with Delta this year, and whose so-called "Elite" status entitles her to better treatment. After some discussion, two adjacent seats magically became available.

We boarded, a bit later than scheduled. The plane was full except for one seat. We sat at the gate for twenty minutes. We were told that we were waiting for a Delta crew member to arrive from LaGuardia, who needed to be on this flight to commute to another flight. We waited another twenty minutes. We were told that the commuting Delta crew member wasn't coming after all. We backed away from the gate.

Let me emphasize this: they held a flight full of paying customers for a Delta employee, who never actually arrived.

The airport was operating on only one runway because of high winds, and we were fifteenth in line. After thirty minutes, we reached the number one position. The pilot announced that ATC had closed our departure corridor, so we had to pull out of line and wait five or ten minutes for it to reopen. We finally took off about an hour and a half behind schedule.

Arriving in Cincinnati, we — and everybody else on the flight — found that we had missed our connection to Omaha by twenty minutes.

Let me emphasize this: they held a flight full of paying customers for a Delta employee, but they did not hold the connecting flights for those same paying customers.

Delta put us up in a hotel and gave us each $21 in meal vouchers. The gate agent was friendly and apologetic, and she told us we could go relax in the Crown Room Lounge before heading the the hotel. Upon entering the Crown Room Lounge, a phenomenally snotty woman told us that we had "no authority to be here", and she would have to track down the person who had supposedly given us that authority. After a few minutes of her attitude, we said the hell with it and went to the hotel. Besides, all they had was industrial yellow beer.

They rebooked us to Omaha via Atlanta first thing Sunday morning. Those flights ran a little late (and they didn't even bother to tell us about the available first-class upgrades) but we did make it home in the end.

Look, I understand weather delays and equipment delays. But it's damned irresponsible and insulting for them to delay the flight for one of their own, and not offer the same courtesy to us who pay the bills. And the incompetence and arrogance with which they handled the situation is inexcusable.

I'll have to look back through my past travel notes, but I don't remember Northwest ever treating us this poorly. If this is the service we can expect from "the new Delta", I'm going to have to find some other way to get around.

Hey, Delta! You suck. Thanks for fucking up our first wedding anniversary.

Last day in Dublin

2009-10-30T23:59:00.008-06:00

Yesterday: Tram Co (or not)

Just to complete yesterday's notes, I'll mention that after having dinner at Bleu Bistro (Krombacher Pils), we wandered over to Bruxelles (Guinness) for a few pints. We wanted to have one at the world's smallest pub, the Dawson Lounge, but it was packed to the rafters with a couple dozen people.

Blue Bistro, Dawson Street, Dublin

Bruxelles, Harry Street, Dublin

Dawson Lounge, Dawson Street, Dublin

Today, I wandered by the Dawson Lounge again, just in case. The sign on the door said they'd open for lunch at 12:30, but they didn't. Instead, I went to John Kehoe's for a quick pint.

John Kehoe's, 9 South Anne's Street, Dublin

Declan at the Bull & Castle had mentioned yesterday that he'd be tapping a new cask ale, so I walked over that way to have a taste.

Carlow Malty Bitches

The Bull & Castle offers a few more beers that didn't yet appear on my beer list, so I started working my way down the line.

Árainn Mhór Bán

Shepherd Neame Whitstable Bay Organic Ale

Shepherd Neame 1698

About this time a real cute Irish girl, about half my age, came bouncing into the bar and sat down next to me. She apologized for being late and ordered herself a Guinness. Puzzled, I kept up my end of the conversation while she asked where I was from and how I liked Dublin and all sorts of small-talk-stuff. I ordered another beer.

BrewDog Hop Rocker

She was about halfway through her pint when she got a text message. She answered it, and then says, "Oh no, I'm sorry, I've been ignoring your texts!"

I smiled and said, "Now I have to ask. It's unusual at my age to have an attractive young woman to pull up a barstool and strike up a conversation with me, and I certainly have been enjoying your company, but...have we in fact actually met?"

Smiling still, but not quite as brightly, she said, "Sure and we have! You're Ralph, aren't you?"

"Sadly no, I'm Richard."

She turned surprisingly pale, even for an Irish girl, downed her pint, sent a text, said a quick and friendly goodbye, and ran embarrassed out the door.

Palm Steen Brugge Dubbel Brune

Duvel Moortgat Maredsous 6

We fly home early tomorrow.

Tomorrow: Home from Dublin

Tram Co (or not)

2009-10-29T23:59:00.008-06:00

Yesterday: Howth

Since we didn't manage to visit Tram Co on Monday, I thought I'd give it a try today. I got off the Luas at Cowper and walked by Slattery's, since I forgot to take a picture on Monday.

Slattery's Bar, 217 Lower Rathmines Street, Dublin

Continuing down Rathmines, I soon came across Tram Co. It was just as closed at noon today as it was at 7:00pm Monday. I couldn't find anything on their door that said when they might in fact be open.

Tram Co, 121 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin

Continuing in the same direction, I passed Anseo. Locked up tight, no hours posted. Ditto for Solas on Wexford Street.

I knew the Bull & Castle wouldn't open until 12:30, so I walked past it and around the corner to Temple Bar, where I found the Porterhouse open. After that three-mile walk, I was ready to pass some time with a couple of Oyster Stouts.

Porterhouse Temple Bar, 16-18 Parliament Street, Dublin

Thus refreshed, I went back up to the Bull & Castle to get through the rest of their Irish beer selection. And a bowl of lamb stew. As for my long beerless walk, bartender Declan explained that the bars don't open until afternoon because, unlike the English, the Irish don't do their drinking at lunch, preferring instead to make up for it after work. That means I can get a later start tomorrow.

Carlow Curim Gold

Harp Macardles

Árainn Mhór Rua

The next one turned out to be Beer #8000, and Declan meant it to be a special treat. Carlow leann folláin is a rich, creamy Irish Foreign Stout. I could tell there was a magnificent beer in there somewhere, but unfortunately, this bottle had seen better days.

Carlow leann folláin

Tomorrow: Last day in Dublin

Howth

2009-10-28T23:59:00.006-06:00

Yesterday: Messrs Maguire

Dublin's suburb Howth is a 30-minute train ride north of town. Our friend Monte recommended that I make the trip, and since today was a very nice day for a journey, I did so.

Howth Station and the Bloody Stream Restaurant

Howth has a harbor where the fishing boats come in. The whole pier is lined with seafood shops and smokers.

Howth West Pier

Ireland's Eye (Inis Mac Neasáin)

Houses on Balscadden Road

Monte heartily recommended the Ye Old Abbey Tavern located just on the hill on the opposite side of town from the pier. Yes, it really is called "Ye Old". They claim the pub dates from the 16th century, and I don't doubt that at all.

Ye Old Abbey Tavern, 28 Abbey Street, Howth

Great baked salmon here, with Guinness to wash it down.

Tomorrow: Tram Co

Messrs Maguire

2009-10-27T23:59:00.004-06:00

Yesterday: Meeting John Duffy

There really aren't many breweries here in Ireland: only 16 by my count, and that includes the contract companies and the industrial giants. I visited one of Dublin's two brewpubs on Saturday, and I visited the other one today.

Messrs Maguire is at the south end of the O'Connell Bridge over the River Liffey. It's an ancient pub with several separate ornate bars upstairs and down. I didn't eat here, but the food smelled great; oddly, it's served cafeteria-style.

Messrs Maguire, 1-2 Burgh Quay, Dublin

Messrs Maguire Haus Lager

Walking back through town, I noticed that the Irish take their alcohol very seriously. Apparently they have entire companies devoted to insuring your liver.

Royal Liver Assurance: that's something we could all use.

Tomorrow: Howth

Meeting John Duffy

2009-10-26T23:59:00.007-06:00

Yesterday: Bull & Castle, and the Guinness Storehouse

John Duffy is the Editorial Officer for the Irish Craft Brewer website, and he has also contributed lots of information to Beer Me! over the years. He took Paris and me on a Dublin pubcrawl today.

We were supposed to meet John at the Bull & Castle at 2:00pm, but we got there early and found them closed, so we went around the corner to Legends Bar to kill some time.

Passed by Dublin Castle along the way

Legends Bar, 16-18 Lord Edward Street, Dublin

Legends has tables where you can pour your own beer

Legends is a very nice bar, although the beer selection is pretty standard.

Kilkenny

Smithwick's Irish Red

We did find John at the Bull & Castle at 2:00.

Bull & Castle Pub, 5/7 Lord Edward Street, Dublin

John pointed out some of the better Irish beers that we didn't try yesterday.

Whitewater Clotworthy Dobbin

Hilden Cathedral Quarter Beer

Hilden Headless Dog

Pifko is a Czecho-Slovak bar on Ushers Quay. Along with central European beers, they serve a house Irish Red Ale.

John Duffy and Paris outside Pifko Bar, 41-43 Ushers Quay, Dublin

Barrelhead Pifko Beer

A short walk back toward Temple Bar led us to the Czech Inn. Along with a range of draft Czech beers that we can't get at home, they feature a very nice Pils called "Murray". I can't find any information on this beer, and John doesn't know where it's brewed.

Czech Inn, Essex Gate, Temple Bar, Dublin

"Murray" Beer

Šariš 11% Tmavý

Heineken Slovensko Zlatý Bažant

We meant to go to Tram Co next, and we found a cab to take us there, but it was closed. (At 7:00pm. On a Monday night. On a bank holiday.) So we walked a few blocks south on Lower Rathmines Road to Slatterys for some bottled Guinness, and John's wife Dara joined us there. John tried to teach me to order the bottles "off the shelf", but I forgot and so mine were ice-cold.

Guinness Extra Stout

Our party went our separate ways, and Paris and I walked over to the Luas for the ride back to the hotel. We finished the night with the bottles of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout that we bought at the Storehouse yesterday.

Guinness Foreign Extra Stout

Tomorrow: Messrs Maguire

Bull & Castle, and the Guinness Storehouse

2009-10-25T23:59:00.000-06:00

Yesterday: Dublin

The Guinness Storehouse is a good mile and a half from St. Stephens Green (according to the tourist signs which I was dumb enough to follow). Fortunately we came across the Bull & Castle about halfway there.

Bull & Castle Pub, 5/7 Lord Edward Street, Dublin

We learned that the Bull & Castle is Dublin's best pub for craft beer selection. It's where the local beer geeks hang out, and the homebrew club holds its meetings upstairs.

Carlow Goods Store

Whitewater Belfast Black

Whitewater Belfast Blonde

Any football fans out there who can explain to me the meaning of the pint glass in the lower right corner of the screen? I've seen it on at least two networks.

There's lots more to try here, so I'm sure I'll be back.

The sun was actually shining today, so the rest of the walk was quite pleasant. The Guinness Storehouse is their tourist facility; they don't do actual brewery tours anymore. It's set up on seven levels in the old fermentation building, and the self-guided tour shows a fair bit of the history of the company and its equipment.

The Guinness Storehouse, St James's Gate, Dublin

Floor plan of the Guinness Storehouse. Note the pint-glass shape of the atrium.

This is what it's like inside a freshly-poured Guinness.

"The world drinks over 10,000,000 glasses of Guinness every day."

An old 600-barrel kettle

Our own Porter brewster poses with a quote from Arthur Guinness

The tour ends on the top level with a free pint at the Gravity Bar.

The Gravity Bar atop the Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness tank farm as seen from above

All in all it was interesting for the average tourist, but We Who Chase Beer might find it a bit lacking.

The rain had started again, and we opted for a taxi to take us back to the Luas stop.

Tomorrow: Meeting John Duffy

Dublin

2009-10-24T23:59:00.018-06:00

(Follow along on the map.)

There was some concern whether I'd make my connection in Atlanta, but in the end I arrived in Dublin about a half-hour early, at 9:30am. Paris had arranged for a taxi to take me to the hotel in Leopardstown.

My method of beating jet lag is to hit the ground running, so we were in central Dublin before noon. Our first stop was the Quays Bar.

The first Irish beer advertisement I saw was for Budweiser.

Quays Bar, 11 Temple Bar, Dublin

My first actual beer in Ireland was not Budweiser.

Just up the road is the very nice Palace Bar.

The Palace Bar, 21 Fleet Street, Dublin

Galway Hooker Irish Pale Ale

All the beers in this town are served Really Fucking Cold. I blame Budweiser. It's incredibly popular here, as are MGD and Coors Light.

O'Neills has a number of beers from Franciscan Well Brewery and Carlow Brewing.

O'Neills Bar, Suffolk Street, Dublin

Franciscan Well Blarney Blonde

Franciscan Well Rebel Red

Carlow O'Hara's Traditional Red Ale

Carlow O'Hara's Celtic Stout

Franciscan Well Friar Weisse

Porterhouse Central is just a couple of blocks away. They used to brew on-site, but now they have a production brewery out in Blanchardstown that supplies their five pubs.

Porterhouse Central, 45-47 Nassau Street, Dublin

Porterhouse Chiller

Porterhouse Temple Bräu

Porterhouse Hersbrucker

Porterhouse Alt

Porterhouse Red

Porterhouse Turner's Sticklebract Bitter

Porterhouse An Brainblásta

Porterhouse Oyster Stout

Porterhouse Plain Porter

(No picture?!?)

Porterhouse Wrasslers XXXX Stout

Porterhouse Hop Head

They also offered massive three-liter glasses of Erdinger Weißbier, but I didn't partake.

Right around the corner is The Farm. I know we had a Stout here, but I don't remember whose it was. It went well with the chocolate dessert, though.

The Farm, Dawson Street, Dublin

The Luas took us from St. Stephens Green to the hotel, where we had one more pint of Guinness before turning in well past midnight.

Tomorrow: Bull & Castle and the Guinness Storehouse

Facebook

2009-10-21T16:43:00.002-06:00

After years of resisting, I finally caved and joined Facebook yesterday. Frankly, I'm not impressed; it has real "ease-of-use" issues. I'm inclined to make this a very short-lived experiment, but I invite you to try to convince me otherwise.

My Facebook Page (I think. I can't be sure.)

Trappist Ale withstands the test of time

2009-10-21T14:34:00.002-06:00

The monks are getting older, and there aren't enough young men joining the ranks to replace them. This could eventually spell doom for the wonderful Trappist beers.

The brewery at Westmalle has certainly worked up a demand for their craft; they cap production at 12 million liters, or just over three million gallons a year, not too shabby. But as the average age of monks across Europe creeps up to the late 60’s, even the monks themselves have come to admit that some communities could disappear.

“Keeping the brewery going then would not be part of our philosophy,” said Brother Bernardus, abbot of Koningshoeven Abbey. “The brewery is there to serve the community, not the other way round.”

Read the whole story at Draft Magazine.

Rock Art's Vermonster

2009-10-20T14:54:00.002-06:00

I don't know if it will have any real effect, but show your support for a small American brewery by clicking on this link to sign this petition.

This is for all people who support Rock Art in their fight against Hansen Beverage, owners of Monster Energy Drink. Recently, Monster has told Rock Art to “cease and desist” their production of Vermonster, a 10% barleywine because they fear that there could be confusion between this beer and their energy drink. The labels bare no resemblance to each other, one is a beer and one is an energy drink. The only similarity is the “Vermonster” vs “monster” part of the name.

Please help support a small brewery in VT that is up against a giant corporation. It’s not about fighting for the name, “This is a fight about principles, and to tell corporate America that our justice system is not for sale. We, the people, hold the power, and we have the tools to combat your deep pockets.” - Matt Nadeau, Owner of Rock Art Brewery LLC.

Andy Capp

2009-10-19T18:44:00.001-06:00

As seen at comics.com yesterday:

Please voice your support of Wisconsin’s small breweries – no new beer tax!

2009-10-12T15:33:00.003-06:00

Renowned beer author Lucy Saunders posts this eloquent plea against injustice:

On Tuesday, October 13th at 10am, there will be a hearing at the State Capitol in Madison regarding Wisconsin Assembly Bill 287. This bill increases the tax on a barrel of beer from $2 to $10. The bill states that the 400% increase in taxes will fund drunk driving law enforcement and alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs. It does not address the effect on the consumer, loss of jobs (at breweries, suppliers, taverns, stores), nor does it justify why punishing the majority is good for the minority.

The language used in presenting this bill is, as Kirby Nelson of Capital Brewery points out, very shaming: “the people trying to make this happen are considering changing this from a “tax” to an “impact fee”. They want to emphasize that it is needed to offset the “harm done by beer”. I find it insulting to imply that the millions upon millions of us who enjoy beer are a menace to society and need to pay more to offset our havoc causing ways. This type of mentality cannot go unchallenged.”

Lucy's article (read the whole thing here) encourages Wisconsin residents to contact their state representatives with their thoughts, and to join in a rally outside the capitol building at 9:00am on October 13.

Wednesday: Avenue Pub fun

2009-10-07T23:59:00.004-06:00

Paris finished her conference early today, so we both got on the streetcar and headed back to the Avenue Pub.

Taps at the Avenue Pub, New Orleans

Once again, Emmy found beer after beer that I hadn't yet tried.

Founders Red's Rye

Mikkeller Nelson Sauvin Single Hop IPA

Brooklyn Local 1

Seafood on Bourbon Street ended this evening as well as this trip; we fly home tomorrow.

Tuesday: Avenue Pub fun

2009-10-06T23:59:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, Gordon Biersch brewer Tom Conklin told me about a new beer bar on St. Charles Avenue, the Avenue Pub. I took his advice and walked down there this morning, and I'm glad I did.

Avenue Pub, New Orleans

Avenue Pub's owner Polly keeps 31 taps flowing, mostly American craft beers, with a few fine imported beers thrown in. Bartenders Emmy and Wheels were intelligent, beer-knowledgeable people who were great fun to talk to. The food menu is simple but interesting, and I highly recommend the Saint Chuck Duck sandwich. And the beer prices are absolutely the most reasonable in town.

Emmy pours a beer

I got through these drafts and bottles on today's visit:

Abita Amber
NOLA Brown Ale
Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale
Abita Turbodog
Abita Fall Fest
Rogue Cap'n Sig's Northwestern Ale
Rogue Smoke
Boston Beer Company Sample A Pils
Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA

Avenue Pub is at 1732 St. Charles Avenue, corner of Polymnia Street, easily reached using the St. Charles streetcar. They're open 24/7 for your drinking pleasure, which is unusual even for this town. Don't miss it.

Sadly, I had to head back to the hotel at 4:30. But there's a good chance I'll come back to Avenue Pub tomorrow!

The St. Charles streetcar passes in front of Avenue Pub

Muggy Monday

2009-10-05T18:00:00.001-06:00

It's hot and it's humid and it's raining here in New Orleans today. Not that that will stop me from finding more beer.

I left the hotel at 10:45 and got to Crescent City Brewhouse at 11:00...to find that they open at noon.

So I walked along the riverside to kill some time.

The former Jackson Brewery, New Orleans

I took a river cruise on the Natchez during my first visit to New Orleans, twenty-odd years ago.

And after a short while, I found myself at Gordon Biersch.

Gordon Biersch, New Orleans

Gordon Biersch Golden Export

Gordon Biersch Hefeweizen

Gordon Biersch Czech Lager

Gordon Biersch Märzen

Gordon Biersch Schwarzbier

Gordon Biersch Festbier

A couple of hours and a short walk later, I was back at Crescent City Brewhouse.

Crescent City Brewhouse, New Orleans

Crescent City Pilsner

Crescent City Red Stallion

Crescent City Weiss Bier

Crescent City Black Forest

Crescent City Unfiltered Oktoberfest

Sleepy Sunday

2009-10-04T17:06:00.005-06:00

Sunday, a day of recovery. The breakfast buffet at Court of the Two Sisters is magnificent, and reasonably priced at $28.

Court of the Two Sisters, New Orleans

Returning to the hotel, I found the bed quite comfortable for my noon-to-four nap.

Red Fish Grill is right around the corner from our hotel. I had a NOLA Brown Ale and an Abita Turbodog with my oysters and blackened catfish.

Red Fish Grill, New Orleans

Another Lazy Magnolia Jefferson Stout at Beer Fest, and we called it a night.

Saturday in New Orleans

2009-10-03T23:59:00.008-06:00

(The KMZ map is here.)

Paris and I arrived in New Orleans this afternoon. As always, she's here for work, and I'm here for beer. This isn't really known as a beer town, but we'll see what I can find.

Canal Street

We stopped at Crescent City Brewhouse for a late lunch (catfish) and a quick beer (unfiltered Oktoberfest). Good stuff, better than I remember it, but still really pricey. I'll come back later this week to take more notes.

We met up with Paris' colleague Brian, a Birmingham native and lover of real ale who now lives in London. The St.Charles Streetcar took us across town to Cooter Brown's Tavern. Here you'll find some 40 taps and hundreds of bottled beers. There are even 20 or so that I haven't yet tried. I managed to tasted two each from Mississippi's Lazy Magnolia, Louisiana's Abita, and Lithuania's Rinkuškiai. (Pictures and notes to follow.)

Back on the streetcar for the five-mile ride to Canal Street, then a few blocks' walk up Bourbon Street to meet more of Paris' colleagues at Pat O'Brien's. Bourbon Street at night is less a street and more of a Schwemme.

Saturday night on Bourbon Street

I'm not a hurricane drinker; the bottled beer choices were Abita Amber and Miller Lite. Three Ambers were enough at that place, although at $4.50 a pop, they were the cheapest beers in town.

Well past midnight, Paris and I split from the rest of the group for a nightcap at Beer Fest. Hers was Abita Andygator, mine was NOLA Blonde Ale. Eight-fucking-fifty for a plastic cup of beer. Arena pricing without the inconvenience of a game.

Back at the hotel at 2:00am, setting the alarm for 9.

Michael Feekart

2009-09-27T23:59:00.000-06:00

I didn't go to GABF this year, but longtime Beer Me! contributor Michael Feekart did. He and his wife Clancy stopped in Omaha on their way home, and Paris and I met them at Upstream Brewing Old Market for a beer.

Richard, Paris, Michael, and Clancy

Fun people! Mike did point out that I could stand to catch up on some sleep.

The Jaipur rumor, debunked

2009-09-24T12:42:00.004-06:00

I heard a rumor at a recent beer festival that Jaipur Restaurant & Brew Pub here in Omaha was under new ownership, and that the new owner had plans to close the brewery side of the business.

The Jaipur was one of the first Nebraska brewpubs, having opened in 1992, and they serve fine ales alongside their excellent Indian cuisine. It would be a shame to have to cross them off the brewery list, so I went there for lunch today to get the story.

(Try the lamb curry with rice and an IPA.)

The manager said the rumor is "100% false". Brewmaster Al Lunn, who has been at Jaipur for 16 years, laughed and said that he had no plans to leave the brewery. Both were surprised to hear such a thing, and assured me that brewing will continue at The Jaipur.

That's good news.

The Jaipur is located at 10922 Elm Street in the Rockbrook Village.

Palm Prē beta testers wanted

2009-09-23T12:05:00.009-06:00

I haven't been completely idle since leaving Columbus. My friends here in Omaha talked me into developing a mobile version of Beer Me!. They all have Blackberrys and iPhones, but I took the easy way to start and made it for the new Palm Prē. (It's all done in Javascript, HTML, and CSS.) If this version has some success, I'll do versions for other devices.

Before I put it on the market, I'd like people all over the USA (Sprint) and Canada (Bell) to test it for me. This is especially important because I don't actually have a Palm Prē of my own, and I know it operates a little differently than the software emulator.

If you're interested and able to test my app, let me know and I'll send you the .ipk file. (You can find installation instructions here.) I'd like to get maybe 20 people to sign up as testers.

Here are some screenshots:

Oktoberfest, 2009

2009-09-21T11:37:00.003-06:00

The Boston Globe checks in with pictures from this year's Oktoberfest.

The 176th Oktoberfest started on Saturday the 19th, kicked off by Munich Mayor Christian Ude, tapping the first keg with a cry of "O'zapft is!". With predictions of over 6 million visitors heading to Munich, the festival runs until October 4th. This year, a traditional liter of beer will cost visitors about 8 euros (11.75 dollars).

See all 31 pics at The Big Picture, which is a site well worth subscribing to.

Oktoberfest beer cheaper for many tourists despite price hike

2009-09-15T09:56:00.002-06:00

Inflation hits the Oktoberfest again, but not as hard as the last couple of years.

The average cost of a litre of beer at this year’s Oktoberfest will be €8.44. And while Germans might moan about the 3.8 percent increase from last year’s price, it’s still cheaper than what many tourists pay for brew back home.

The majority of the Oktoberfest’s visitors come from the United States and Japan, and this year organisers need not worry about inflated prices driving their biggest group of customers away. A litre of beer is still 40 percent cheaper than in Japan, while Americans will pay just 5 percent more than they would back home.

US$12.33 for a liter seems like more than 5% above what we pay here in Omaha, but I guess it's not outrageous. Read the whole story at The Local.

Dublin

2009-09-11T14:49:00.003-06:00

Paris just got word that she'll be going to Dublin in the very near future. Besides the places I've marked on this map, where can I find good local Irish beer?