Musings Over a Pint

The Beer Cycle

2012-01-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

Yea, that's about right.

Virginia Brewery Legislation

2012-01-26T17:55:00.001-05:00

There's a bill being put forth in the Virginia House of Delegates that could be beneficial to Virginia breweries, and brewery fans. HB 359, sponsored by Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan (D - 71) will provide for brewery-to-brewery sales.

Alcohol beverage control; conduct not prohibited; leasing of licensed premises by breweries. Provides that ABC law does not prohibit any licensed brewery from leasing its licensed premises and equipment located thereon to a person holding a brewery license for the manufacture of beer by such person at such times as specified in the lease agreement. Any such lease agreement shall require that (i) title to the beer at all stages of the manufacturing process be retained by the respective licensee using the licensed premises to manufacture the beer, (ii) the respective licensee maintain separate records as required by ABC law and Board regulations, and (iii) each licensee otherwise comply with Board regulations. This arrangement is commonly known as alternating proprietorship.

Essentially this legislation would allow a brewery to lease it's excess capacity and equipment to another licensed brewery. Start up costs for a brewery can be prohibitive. Under this bill, an established brewery with idle equipment could enter into an agreement with a new brewery and brew for them. It could also help out of state breweries enter the market with fewer shipping costs. More Virginia breweries means more jobs and more revenue for the state. And more local beer for Virginians!

You can track the progress of the legislation here.

Starbucks Valentine's Date

2012-01-26T07:04:00.001-05:00

A group calling itself the "National Gun Victims Action Council" is calling for a boycott of Starbucks on February 14. The reason? Starbucks chooses to honor the gun laws of the states in which their stores are located.

As is so typical of the gun prohibitionists in the U.S., this group is offended by the Constitution, the laws of the land, and your right to self-defense. They want Starbucks, and all businesses, to impose their own policies to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens. Frankly, I suspect the fear mongering of this group will have no adverse effect on Starbucks' bottom line. In fact, Starbucks might just have a banner day. There are many gun-rights supporters making plans to patronize the business specifically on that day. There's even a Facebook group dedicated to showing support.

I've already made a date to enjoy a coffee at Starbucks with my lovely wife on February 14. In fact, we might just go several times. Mark your calendars now. Even if you don't like the coffee, have a pastry or a sandwich. I think it will be a good day to visit Starbucks as the anti-freedom crowd, and the bad guys, will be avoiding the place.

I wonder if the NGVAC could be convinced to stick to their guns (sorry) and stay away everyday.

Sierra Nevada - Deal Done

2012-01-25T18:30:00.000-05:00

We've been reporting for awhile that Sierra Nevada Brewing was considering a location in Virginia for an east coast brewery. Even as recent as last month, Virginia was seen as still in the running. Unfortunately, it will not be, according to this press release from the brewery.

CHICO, Calif. — Jan. 25, 2012 —Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is pleased to announce that it has chosen a site in western North Carolina for the future home of an East Coast brewery. The site, approximately 90 acres in the Henderson County Town of Mills River— along the French Broad River, 12 miles south of Asheville — will be home to the new production facility, as well as a proposed restaurant and gift shop. “We are thrilled to have found an ideal location in western North Carolina for our second brewery,” says Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada. “The beer culture, water quality and quality of life are excellent. We feel lucky to be a part of this community.”

The new facility will add much needed capacity for Sierra Nevada, and will allow for the quick shipment of brewery-fresh beer to consumers in the east. The East Coast brewery will start with a capacity around 300,000 barrels, with room to grow. The added barrelage will accommodate wider production of the myriad of seasonal beers and bottled specialties Sierra Nevada has produced in recent years, as well as an expansion of the brewery’s well‐known flagship product: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

The new brewery is expected to be up and running in early 2014 and employ 90 workers.

We can close the book on this story now. Congratulations to Asheville on the great addition to your community.

Given all the great breweries that already call Virginia home, we're still doing just fine.

The entire press release is here.

Do It For The Children

2012-01-24T07:31:00.002-05:00

As noted previously, our son's school held their annual dinner and auction fundraiser this weekend. At our previous school, each year we donated a craft beer and food tasting event to the cause. Now that he's moved on to high school, we agreed to do the same for the new school. The event consists of at least eight different courses, served for 6 people, in our home. We discuss the various types of beer, the signature marks of each style along with interesting brewing, beer culture or historical facts related to craft beer. Of course an appropriate food is served with each beer. The event has apparently developed a bit of a reputation as we have folks telling us well in advance they intend to bid it.

The tasting is scheduled be held in May. In order to give the winning bidder something to take home that evening, the package also included a cooler, a bottle opener, a six-pack of Starr Hill beer, a 750ml bottle of Gouden Carolus, 4 assorted specialty beer glasses, 2 Blue & Gray Brewery pint glasses, and copy of the classic "Brewmaster's Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food" by Garret Oliver.

As the evening progressed it became apparent that folks had pooled their resources and two groups were engaged in a bidding war for the event. After the bidding ended, in order to further support the school, we offered to provide another dinner to the second place bidder, if they agreed to also match the winning bid. This offer was accepted.

So, now there will be two Saturday afternoons this Spring that we'll spend expounding on the goodness of craft beer and food, and of course tasting it too! It is a sacrifice that we'll happily take on. After all, we're doing it for the children.

CCW iPhone Reference

2012-01-23T19:02:00.001-05:00

Legislation to make concealed carry permits nationally recognized between the states as been in the news of late. One push behind the proposals is to lessen the confusion and untangle the myriad of gun laws that states enact in ignorance of the U.S. Constitution. Gun owners have a responsibility to know the laws of their states, and of the states to which they travel. Even among non-travelers, having a handy reference can be a useful tool.

I've used a number of iPhone apps that provide references to these laws. CCW – Concealed Carry 50 State Guide is one of the newer such apps available for the iPhone. The main screen for each state provides a quick summary of the state's regulations. Links are provided for detailed information on reciprocity, transportation, restricted areas, and the duty to inform. Links to official state websites are provided where applicable.

The app also uses the phone's built-in GPS functionality to find nearby gun-related places such as shooting ranges and gun stores. Another feature allows the user to input the state or states where he (or she) holds conceal carry permits and the app will show a map and list the states that honor the user's permits.

Someday perhaps we will have elected representatives who actually follow the Constitution they swore to uphold and we will no longer need references like this.

Note: This app and others like it are for informational (or entertainment) purposes only. Be sure to check current laws, from official sources, before travelling. Be a responsible gun owner.

And Then There Was Beer!

2012-01-23T07:22:00.000-05:00

Saturday evening we attended a dinner and auction fundraiser for our son's school. I was looking forward to spending the evening with friends, and even meeting a few more of the parents. I wasn't really thrilled when I approached the bar and saw the beer selection was limited to Coors Light, Bud Light, and Heineken. In fact, a friend who was volunteering at the bar approached me first and said "Sorry, there's no beer." I sucked it up and ordered a Heineken. Oh, now I remember why I don't do that.

A short while later I saw that Jeff and Lori from Blue & Gray Brewery had arrived at the party. A short while later Jeff stepped out and quickly returned from his car with two pigs of beer; Blue & Gray's Fred Red and Classic Lager. I bowed to Jeff's awesomeness and was the first in line for the new arrivals. "I'll have the Fred Red please." I even took a few opportunities to help educate some folks on the beers.

It was a fun evening, made all the better by the unexpected arrival of good beer from my favorite local brewery.

The Ultimate In Aged Beer

2012-01-22T09:22:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned aged or cellared beers in the Musings previously, but for us, five or six years old is about as extreme as it gets, so far. A recent discovery in Great Britain shows what can be done under proper conditions. 2,000 bottles of a 75-year old Coronation Ale have been found in a brewery in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

It was made to celebrate Edward VIII’s first year as king, but when he abdicated the special royal beer was locked away... until now.

Workmen renovating a brewery’s cellars uncovered 2,000 bottles of Coronation Ale which had been hidden for 75 years.

Greene King created the brew to mark Edward’s first year on the throne – but he abdicated in 1936 after just 325 days to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

The beer was brewed at 12% ABV and apparently stored under proper conditions. The "rich fruit flavor" is reported to remain. A British ale fan was able to taste the beer and reports his impressions here.

Of course, there have been archeological discoveries of ancient beer. But those would be of more interest for study, rather than consumption.

See "Royal ale that's never been tasted found in cellar after 75 years" for more info and pictures.

Incompetent Working For Useless

2012-01-21T16:49:00.000-05:00

"All of my senior managers are paper pushers. They won't be able to help you."

Verizon had just accidentally canceled one of my phone lines and informed me that it can't be reinstated due to FCC regulations. That's the response I got from a phone support supervisor when I asked to speak to a senior manager.

That's probably right out of the Communications Workers of America union handbook.

VA ABC Privatization Pessimism

2012-01-21T09:25:00.000-05:00

Virginia Governor McDonnell has long been a proponent of the privatization of Virginia's liquor sales. After some intitial momentum, the proposal was killed last year before even being discussed in committee. Now it appears the Governor is less sure of seeing this goal accomplished during his term. The Washington Post reports:

"Whether it’s during my term or some other term, every state in the nation is going this way," McDonnell (R) said in a recent interview. "It’s coming eventually."

McDonnell, as he continues to roll out policy proposals for the legislative session, declined to say whether the proposal would return this year or before he leaves the governor’s mansion in 2014.

"I’m still committed to the idea," he said. "There are a lot of ways to get this done. At some point its going to happen in Virginia. I just can’t tell you when."

Perhaps Governor McDonnell is simply keeping his cards close to the chest. Only time will tell.

See "McDonnell may abandon his proposal to privatize liquor stores" for more.

In related news, McDonnell is seeking to allow all ABC stores to open on Sundays. Currently only stores in Hampton Roads, Richmond and Northern Virginia urban areas may open on Sundays. It is estimated the extended hours would generate $2.5 million a year in new profits and taxes.

Those Crazy Italians

2012-01-20T12:30:00.000-05:00

Don't get me wrong, I love Italy, but this video made me laugh out loud. And after visiting the country a few years ago, I'd say "Yea, that's about right."

For My Wonderful Wife

2012-01-20T06:30:00.000-05:00

To an amazing wife and mother, I love you!

Happy Birthday, Colleen!

Beer Bottle Target

2012-01-19T18:23:00.000-05:00

Okay, not really a beer bottle. I've seen these Do-All Outdoors Impact Seal "self healing" targets in various styles in catalogues but have always wondered how if they really performed as described. Well, when I saw one in the shape of a beer bottle, how could I resist? Nothing ventured, nothing gained so I figured why I'd try one out. Purely in the name of research of course.

First impression: Wow, it's small. The target area is about 10" tall and 2 1/2" at the widest point. The steel wire support is just tall enough to get the target off the ground to swing freely. The target itself is hard rubber about 3/8" thick.

When hit, the rubber does close in to a small hole. The picture shows a few hits from 9mm and .45 ACP from about 10 yards. The exit holes are no larger than pin holes. It does "heal" though I suspect after a few hundred hits the target may be ready for retirement.

Final impression: It's fun. That is what it's really about anyway. On the practical side, the small size will force you to slow down and take careful aim. A good hit will make the target swing, though it doesn't have the joyful noise of a hit on steel. I'll probably end up straightening out the wire support hoop and suspending it between the uprights of our normal target stand to raise the target off the ground a bit.

Any time spent at the range is great fun, and this target is one more way to add some variety to the day.

1000th Post

2012-01-19T07:36:00.000-05:00

Not this one, the previous one.

While the Musings isn't the most prolific blog out there, I did reach a milestone with that last post. 1000 posts since the blog started in October 2007.

Now 1001, and counting...

Bowman Tours, Small Batch Bourbon, and a Parking Warning

2012-01-19T06:12:00.000-05:00

The Tasting Table posted an article about the free public tours at the Bowman Distillery. We've reported on the news tours previously so that's not news to us. The article goes on to mention some interesting small batch bourbons from the Fredericksburg distiller such as the John J. Bowman single-barrel ($50 for 750 ml) with toffee and almond notes, and the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition rye ($70 for 750 ml). But it was the last paragraph of the post that gave me a laugh.

After your tasting, stop at nearby Lee's Retreat BrewPub for lunch and a snifter of molasses-rich Minor Dementia Imperial Stout ($5.50), which ages in Bowman barrels.

I wonder how the Bowman folks feel about Lee's Retreat at the Blue & Gray Brewery getting a mention in the same article. After all, Bowman did post these signs on the the buildings they own near the brewery.

By the way, Lee's Retreat is closed until February 9th while they do some improvements.

Party Game Product Placement

2012-01-18T20:46:00.000-05:00

They're probably not promoting responsible drinking with this display. But, hey, this is a college town.

At least they hung the ping-pong balls near the factory beer, not the good stuff.

Great Lakes Coming To Virginia

2012-01-18T17:17:00.000-05:00

This press release just in:

02.27.12: Great Lakes Brewing Company To Enter Northern Virginia
Virginia The Newest State For Distribution

January 18, 2012—CLEVELAND, OHIO—Great Lakes Brewing Company (GLBC), Ohio’s most celebrated craft brewer of award-winning lagers and ales, announces its plan to enter Northern Virginia with Hop & Wine Beverage on February 27, 2012. On the heels of rolling out Central Pennsylvania (February 1st) and Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill (February 20th), Northern Virginia is the latest distribution area in the company’s strategic growth plans. Hop & Wine Beverage currently distributes GLBC products throughout Washington DC; Virginia will become the 13th state to receive GLBC’s craft beers.

Customers can expect to see GLBC’s year-round family of beers in package and draft, as well as the new “Taster’s Pack” (a sampler 12-pack). The new market rollout will involve multiple customer appreciation events, meet-and-greets, tastings and giveaways throughout the area.

GLBC currently serves 13 states and Washington DC. Founded in 1988 by brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway as the first craft brewery in the state of Ohio, GLBC is nationally known for its exceptional family of beers including Dortmunder Gold Lager, Eliot Ness Amber Lager, Burning River Pale Ale, Commodore Perry India Pale Ale and Edmund Fitzgerald Porter.

Visit greatlakesbrewing.com/washingtondc-nova and follow @GLBCinDC on Twitter for exclusive updates and event announcements.

Great Lakes is a brewery I've been hoping to see available locally for some time now. I have a friend who occasionally brings the beers back for me his from hunting trips to West Virginia. Unfortunately my "order" is frequently consumed before it gets to me. Soon I'll be able to cut out the middleman.

Lunch Alfresco

2012-01-17T18:07:00.000-05:00

As noted previously, my time on the range has been, and continues to be, limited. However I noticed that the weather for Tuesday was predicted to be unseasonably warm, but wet. The hourly forecast at weather.com showed a predicted one hour break with sun, coincidently right around lunch time. So, it was decided, this was a good day to head out for another lunch at the range!

As we arrived the sun was shining brightly, but only for a short time. Quickly a cold wind came up, instantly dropping the temperature. Never ones to be deterred we shot anyway. It was a great joy to finally get back out and shoot for a bit, and to enjoy the outdoors and some nicer weather. I must say I was pleased to shoot fairly well too. No fancy exercises or bullseye shooting, just time spent behind the trigger. I did put in some strong and weak hand-only strings. We also tried out a new self-healing rubber target which I'll report on later. I got in about 100 rounds before lunch time was over and it was time to head back to the salt mines.

And talk about timing, as soon as we started picking up the brass the rain started up again.

Bought A Lamb

2012-01-17T07:00:00.001-05:00

The good news is that it was butchered, packaged and ready for the freezer.

For at least the past 9 years, we've been getting our Christmas tree from the same folks. Each year Rob Clements from Misty Meadow Farms comes to Fredericksburg to set up his Christmas tree stand in the same location. Some years back we learned that Rob also raises special sheep and cattle. We're are big fans of lamb (on our plates) so we purchased a whole lamb, and a bit of beef, from him at that time. We enjoyed the meats but hadn't gotten around to doing it again. While doing our Christmas tree shopping this past December I inquired about the availability of another whole lamb. I assumed we'd make arrangements to get one in the Spring. But Rob let me had one ready to go. A few days later Rob's daughter brought our order into town from their farm in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

The sheep raised at Misty Meadows is a variety known as Katahdin. Originally bred in New England, these sheep have hair, rather than wool, which is shed naturally every spring. The meat is lean and mild in flavor. The cooler full of cryo-packed meat consisted of loin and shoulder chops, ribs, stew meat, legs and other miscellaneous portions. The individual packages are ready for the grill or stove or oven. I'm looking forward to getting to the enjoyment of the meats, and of course we'll be sure to report on some of the preparations here.

Visit the Misty Meadows web site to read more about the farm, and the naturally raised antibiotic and hormone-free, Katahdin Sheep and Scottish Galloway beef.

And the Christmas trees? Always fresh and well-grown. Our tree has been up since before Christmas and we're still enjoying it.

These Gnomes Will Keep the Goblins Away

2012-01-16T07:20:00.002-05:00

It's never too early to start thinking about Spring gardening projects.

The seller's site on Etsy has more defensive Gnomes.

Flying Dog Wildeman Introduction

2012-01-15T15:30:00.000-05:00

Flying Dog Brewing released this video to promote the release of Wildeman Farmhouse IPA. I am not sure what a "farmhouse IPA" is but I'm curious to try it.

Okay, after watching the video, I'm really curious.

"Wildeman Farmhouse IPA cometh in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC January 30."

Who Would You Trust?

2012-01-14T09:31:00.000-05:00

If you've been following the news recently, you know there's been a spate of traveler arrests in New Bloomberg, er, New York, for gun possession. Before I go further let me state categorically that gun owners have a responsibility to know the law. Just as when gun owners fail to act responsibly in safe handling of their weapons, I find it hard to feel sympathy for those who make themselves victims. However, that doesn't change my view of anti-gun laws and those who support them.

I've already mused over the natural right to self-defense. A gun happens to be part of the tool set. Why do so many people and states try to restrict our right to be armed? In my opinion it's a matter of trust. Not the prohibitionists' trust of me, but my ability to trust them.

Take the misnamed Mayors Against Illegal Guns, headed up by the aforementioned Mayor Bloomberg. These politicians do not want citizens to be armed. Why? Could it have anything to do with the fact that so many of the group's members are convicted criminals? Criminals inherently, and rightfully, fear armed victims. Gun control laws are not about guns; gun control laws are about power and control over people. In the United States, gun control laws have their roots in racism. Today, we see that the self-proclaimed "enforcers" still are lacking moral or legal ethics. When Meredith Graves was arrested, the Mayor chose to falsely claim that she was in possession of cocaine in order to destract from the ridiculous gun arrest. In the now dropped case against Mark Meckler, officials refuse to return his firearm, despite having no legal right to keep it. The state in this case is committing a criminal act in the name of control.

The anti-freedom folks try to make gun owners out to be dangerous and untrusted. Deep down that reaction is not a reflection on the gun owner, it's a reflection of the person's own mistrust of themselves to behave civilly under stress. Their own bigotry causes them to link criminals using guns with law-abiding citizens. And it's not just with guns that the false association occurs. In Illinois a disturbed person attacked people with drain cleaner. Suddenly anyone who needs drain cleaner to fix a plumbing problem needs to show a photo ID and they will have their personal information logged by the state. It's not a coincidence that Illinois is also the only state in the U.S. that refuses to trust law-abiding citizens with guns for self-defense.

If someone doesn't support my right to be armed, I know that I must be wary of their true motives. While it's not an infallible character clue, it does warrant suspicion. After all, what does an honest person have to fear from a law-abiding armed citizen? Absolutely nothing. In my view it is perfectly legitimate to judge a person's integrity by their view on the 2nd Amendment.

It's a matter of trust.

Blog Updates

2012-01-13T22:43:00.000-05:00

First, here are a couple of recent additions the links tabs.

On the Shooting Links tab:
Standing Outside Looking In
"Southern veteran with a big streak of independence."

On the More Links tab:
The Daily Caller
Information and news the MSNBC refuses to report.

Secondly, in case you haven't noticed Blogger has updated their comment system to support threaded commenting. Now it's easier to differentiate between whether someone is making a general comment on a post, or responding to another comment on the thread. Don't forget you can also click the "Subscribe by email" link in the comment area to be alerted to new replies to an individual post.

Finally, in a concession to my own eyes, I'm made the default Musings font one click larger. I hope that works for you too.

A Bit Of Amazing For Friday Morning

2012-01-13T07:30:00.000-05:00

I wouldn't do it. No way, no how. But it's amazing to watch.

The story here:

Super slow motion film captures massive surfing wave off Tahiti

Heavy Seas Ale House Beer Blessing

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hugh Sisson, founder and Managing Partner of Heavy Seas Brewing in Baltimore, gives his blessing of the new Ale House.

Tip o' the hat to Tom Cizauskas. See Blessings for Heavy Seas at Yours For Good Fermentables for Tom's informative perspective of the history behind Heavy Seas Brewing.

A previous post about a more traditional beer blessing is here.