RE: Friday, Good; Saturday, Not So Much
On Monday, December 24, 2007,Jakester wrote:
Hey! Don't you be makin' fun of Brian's sense of direction! His head's all full up with beer stuff, and family stuff, and, um, beer stuff. So there!
Jack: Man, it is hard to respond to a reasoned argument like that. You are obviously an O'Reilly scholar. Maybe you should go to work for him. Oh, wait...
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RE: The Last Gasp of a Pre-Hops-Shortage World?
On Saturday, December 15, 2007,Rebecca wrote:
I don't know how long Big Dan was inside Sly Fox tonight but it was long enough to give me a hug and shoot the breeze for a few minutes! Did he come back on the bus that showed up?
Jack: Yes, he got there early, stayed until Brian went over to Royersford to meet the bus from New York, came back on the bus, stayed late and either eventually got a ride home or is still there even now. I just knew there was a downside to this smoke-free thing....
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RE: A Lager By
Any Other Name.
On Tuesday, December 4, 2007,Ralph wrote:
Jake and Oliver were the 2 bratty kids of the owner.
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RE: Sixpack Sez.
On Friday, November 30, 2007,SecretSkull11 wrote:
I'll support both Yards and Philadelphia Brewing. I'm sure the stakes will be high.
Jack: High, indeed, and the battle will most likely be bitter. Throw in the (as far as I know) still ongoing legal battle over distribution rights to Yards to complicate the one-on-one face-off and then the presumed overall impact of the impressive Origlio distribution system in terms of the whole range of local and national crafts and major imports they pick up from Kunda as of January and you have a beer landscape that is going to be very interesting.
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RE: Moving On Down The Road.
On Tuesday, November 28, 2007,John ("friend of Ruchard Ruch") wrote:
Ron told me that the first batch of the Baltic Thunder will be mixed with other batches made after that. So the public will not be able to taste the first batch.
Jack: That'll teach 'em. Damned pushy public.
Seriously, thanks for the info. Sorry about that Richard thing. It can't make your life easy.
But you do see that this just makes my imaginary scenario even more intriguing? While that first batch lasts, it all works.
A limited supply...desperate beer geeks...Baker haggard and drawn but unable to leave the building for fear of being kidnapped and ransomed off for a pint...armed guards around the tank...Bryson in chains...
Why the latter, you ask? Well, surely he'd try to slip a taste out to me, wouldn't he? I mean, I'm his bestest ever pal. And he'd get caught, 'cause that's how my luck goes.
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RE: Besides, It's Not Like I Stopped Drinking Or Anything
On Sunday, November 24, 2007,Scoats wrote:
Cease and Desist refers to the beer's prior name, which was Red Rider,
as in The Xmas Story. "You'll put an eye out". They got doubly served
by two Red Rider/Ryder intellectual property owners if I recall
correctly. Does the label still have a kid with his eye patched? I
can't explain why they spelled it as " 'Ol " instead of " Ol' ".
Jack: Ask and ye shall find out, eh? Thanks, pal. Good story, though I was hoping for something involving a bar fight. As for the label, no kid with an eyepatch. Now it features a judge's gavel and the words "Inspired By The Long Arm Of the Law."
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RE: Swallowing My Pride. The WordPress Option.
On Saturday , November 24, 2007, Tony wrote:
Concerning WordPress: back when I was doing web development full-time (so to
speak) I used WordPress as a sort of ersatz content management system for my
business partner's web sites. I was favorably impressed by its internal
organization and use of up-to-date mark-up and adherence to HTML and CSS
standards. It made it that much easier to tweak it to meet our requirements.
That may not have any relevance to your potential use of the blog software, but
you can consider it a recommendation.
Jack: Yeah, it seems like a very solid program to me. My hang-up is trying to figure out how to personalize it somewhat and run it from my own website. I can do all that, or could before I upgraded to Windows XP and will how probably have to/want to start over, but I'm having trouble substituting my logo for any of theirs and stuff like that. Being sick for a week or so hasn't helped either.
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RE: I Went to New Orleans And All I Got Were These Lousy Photos.
On Friday, November 16, 2007,Jason Alstrom of BeerAdvocate wrote:
So, is DBI still giving away free trips in exchange for exposure? Or did everyone on this trip have to pay their own way?
Jack: Thanks for asking, Jason, but you already know the answer, right?
For those who don't know, yes, the trip to New Orleans was paid for Distinguished Brands International on behalf of Dixie Brewing. It was a promotional junket, something which is hardly unusual in the brewing industry, or many others. It does behoove those who partake of same to reveal that fact, and I do so whenever I write in print and often enough on my website that everyone ought to be aware. In this particular instance, since I did only photos as a prelude to a longer report which may or may not still appear, I didn't do it directly. Let us hope that no hearts and minds were changed as a result of seeing me in my Hopman costume. Mea Culpa, just in case.
In the mainstream press, most publications choose to reimburse all costs for writers who go on trips paid for by others in order to avoid any appearance of conflict or undue influence, which is a good and admirable thing. Trade journals do not, and cannot afford to do the same, certainly not in the craft beer industry. Trips such as this one help me do my job better and I hope that I've earned the trust of my readers in both print and virtual venues as someone who is a source of reliable information, and, in those places which allow for and even demand opinion (such as columns and blog posts), as someone who makes his relationships and his biases clear and transparent. If I haven't achieved that, then whatever "exposure" I provide is essentially meaningless anyway.
Tell me, Jason, do any of those beers you feature in reviews in your magazine happen to fall into your hands for free? For the most part, I couldn't care less either way, but in the context of your question, it would be useful to know that. Also, while I am a charter subscriber, I find I can readily pick up copies of each issue of BA magazine at various brewpubs, beer bars and retailers all over this area. I wonder, are you "giving away free" copies (Hundreds? Thousands?) "in exchange for exposure?"
On Monday, November 5, 2007, Steve wrote:
What has happen[ed] to the once near great Jack Curtin? Pimping yourself in a recycled Royal Stumble costume for free beer and a trip to New Orleans! Also are you drinking a beer out of a pint glass or a plastic "Dixie" cup?
a concerned friend.
Jack: With friends like these, as they say. HopMan belongs to no single individual. His is the spirit of bitterness, to be assumed by any man strong enough and willing enough.
Your spiteful comment makes it appear that you have already embraced his philosophy without realizing it, possibly as the result of something "Big" [Dan-ish] missing in your life. Have faith. Perhaps one day you too will have the privilege of wearing the costume (assuming it can be shrunken vertically but not horizontally) and exorcising all your internal demons.
Also, noting in passing that drinking out of a Dixie Cup seems totally appropriate when drinking Dixie beer (but maybe that's just me), I believe that you embarrassingly have mistaken the hand of estimable editor and publisher Tom Dalldorf up aside my head as my own in our group picture, apparently not quite grasping the idea of how hands actually work and on which side the famed opposable thumb resides.
Look again. Look carefully. See my right thumb peaking out ever so slightly from beneath my cape to reveal where my hand actually was (or did you think I was just happy to see everybody?).
Note also that Mr. Dalldorf's other hand is clutching the shoulder of an underage female. I fondle only females of a certain age.
I am, quite simply and as far as you can logically surmise, the most innocent person in the entire photo.
Apologize at your leisure.
A beer will suffice, two would be extra nice, a truly repentant reader would do it thrice and, dammit, why is there no "ice" rhyme for four? I was on a roll here.
On Sunday, November 4, 2007, Carl wrote:
Great photographs! Why didn't you wear a costume though? That's the same thing you were wearing when I visited you last. Back then you just said it was your "Special Beer Drinking Outift."
Jack: I'm sorry. Do I know you? And what's an "outift?" Some sort of gummint thing?
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RE: Too Much Information? Not In This Case.
On Friday, October 26, 2007, Bill Covaleski wrote:
Hey Jack, I agree on the coolness of Philly Beer Week shirt.
Meanwhile, here's another option for you. This is a design we introduced way back in April for a Victory For Tyler (School of Art) fundraiser we were a part of and it was such a hit we have kept it in the lineup.
Check out the ladies version as well.
Christmas is coming sooner than you may think!
Jack: Nice to hear from you, Bill, but if Richard finds out you're infringing on his pimping chores, you might find yourself all Ruch-ed up. Be careful out there.
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RE: Anonymous Is As Anonymous Does.
On Tuesday, October 23, 2007, Stephen Jay wrote:
Nice! Probably the funniest caption you've written. Is the wrestler guy in the middle from Mexico?
Jack: North Wales, actually. Pretty much the same place, except Mexican roads are in better condition than Rt. 309 is.
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RE: A Style By Any Other Name.
On Monday, October 22, 2007, Patrick wrote:
And if you call it a "Belgium beer" or a "Belgium-style beer," then you're just plain illiterate.
Thank you for performing that public service....
Come to think of it, "artisan" vs "artisinal" vs "artesian" has always bugged me too. Can you make that your next campaign?
Jack: I dunno. I was thinking of going after dangling participles next.
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RE: Quickies.
On Friday, October 19, 2007, Lambic1 wrote:
Abstinence. That's a tough one, no matter how you slice it. How about seven
beers a week - total. Drink them when you want and, don't forget to add a
little exercise. But you already know that...
Jack: Sorta my plan, with no definite number but definitely a moderate one. A bum leg and bad back preclude much extensive exercise at present but I'm working on that.
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RE: Call Him Dock Street Dude (Again).
On Wednesday, October 17, 2007, Jay wrote:
Show-off!
Jack: Okay, I asked for that. Whenever anyone says he doesn't want to be a show-off, he does. And I was setting up the situation to show off (that, and getting it on the record that I was onto the story just in case it broke elsewhere first, as it kinda did what that guy spouted off on Burgundian Babble Belt. Fortunately, thanks to a tip from a loyal reader, I caught up with it real quick.
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RE: Look, I Don't Want To Be A Showoff, But...
On Wednesday, October 17, 2007, Glenn wrote:
See me shudder with anticipation.....
Jack: Ew!
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RE: Mr. O'Reilly's Very Excellent GABF Adventure.
On Tuesday, October 16, 2007, Bryan wrote:
It certainly is admirable. To be honest, never having been to GABF or WBC, I always figured that the awards were more of a commentary on the brewery and brewer than the individual beer itself. I say that because my (cynical?) assumption was that the beers being judged were paid a bit more attention to in their crafting than what might ultimately get served up in bottles or draft back home. Therefore, while the XXX beer winning a gold in Denver might be a very good beer, it may not be exactly what is being drunk back at the home office. So, I have always discounted slightly a beer that won a medal and attributed it more to the brewer and his/her capable talents rather than the specific merits of the purportedly same beer that I could get at the local pub or at the bottle shop. It's nice and refreshing to hear that the cynical meanderings in my pea-brain were wrong in Brian's case this year.
Jack: Ah, doesn't the world look all clean and bright and new once you cast off the dark cloud of cynicism? Be more like me, lad, a cheery sort who sees only the silver lining. Just ask anybody.
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Two Brothers, One Clueless Lady
On Friday, October 12, 2007, Bryan wrote:
Fascinating! That interview was simply dumbfounding and revealing just how ill-prepared the interviewer was. I think the statement where she suggested "hops might make you hop around" could have been the most humorous. And, do you think that she really knows Dock Street "very well"? Maybe craft beer gained one or two new fans today?
Jack: I give John and Chris props for not breaking out laughing. But they kept their composure and got some nice exposure and that's a good thing.
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If I Had A Hammer...
On Tuesday, October 10, 2007, T.C. is not happy:
That's truly a disappointment. I know I'm not alone in being supremely disappointed by this. As I recall, the first bottles of the Hammer went out with the shoddiest possible labels, and it seems almost ironic that such a great brew would be delayed by nothing else but the bottles they're meant to rest in.
Jack: Hey, disappointment is one thing and your memory does put the the whole thing into some sort of weird perspective. Nice.
Meanwhile, some guy over at BeerAdvocate is picturing an angry mob with torches and pitchforks storming the gates at Victory.
Then again, it is a guy over at BeerAdvocate...
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One Door Closes, Another Opens
On Sunday, October 7, 2007, Stan Hieronymus laments:
I'll be wearing black on weekend. I'm that disappointed you won't be in Denver.
You should have auctioned that room on eBay. With the gay rodeo in town, rooms are at a premium.
Jack: Had to be done, Stan. Trust me, I wouldn't have cancelled otherwise...especially if I had known the gay rodeo was in town.
So who's gay, the bulls or the bareback riders?
Not that there's anything wrong with that (a cliche I swore I'd never use again but it works so damned well...)
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Photos: I Took 'Em, Gotta Post 'Em
On Thursday, September 20, 2007, Steve responded to Kelly (below):
Since I do work (sometimes) for a non-profit organization, I can easily doctor up 501©(3) forms for my fund raising venture.
Jack: Good to know. I figured you might have depleted all the funds by now.I plan to be the only charity case in this sordid tale.
On Wednesday, September 19, 2007, Kelly wrote:
I feel bad for Steve--maybe there is something that can we can do to help, Perhaps we should hold a fundraiser to collect $ so he can get his condition taken care of!!!
Also, it looks like Brandon has been practicing pursing his lips--10 for form!!!
Jack: Why do I have this sense of a Giant Hand hovering over me? Anyway, I like the fundraiser idea. Please send the funds to me. I promise you, I will see to it that Steve gets everything that's coming to him.
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The Memorex Question: Is It The Malt Or Is It The Lagering?
On Wednesday, September 19, 2007, Scoats wrote:
"Malt Maven"--I must have misread that the first time around. I thought you called yourself a "Malt Matron" which provided an
interesting, if somewhat disturbing, visual.
Jack: The "disturbing" part is probably a lot like the visual I couldn't handle on the day Bryson posted something about "getting lucky."
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Iron Hill Phoenixville: News and Brews
On Monday, September 17, 2007, Chris wrote:
Looks like those glasses may need a new prescription! How could you have overlooked my beautiful German Pilsner on tap at Phoenixville's Oktoberfest event? Dry and hoppy and loaded with German Select hops! Tim's probably got some left in Phoenixville but if not feel free to swing by West Chester and I'll buy you a pint.
Jack: Ladies and gentlemen, as predicted, Chris LaPierre, head brewer guy at Iron Hill West Chester, all over my case. Just because I made one little mistake.Or...
Did I instead cleverly trick him into becoming a Big Name commenter here at LDO?
Nah, I screwed up. But I also fixed it. Hey, maybe he'll buy me two pints.
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When Gods Play And Mortals Tremble
On Sunday, September 16, 2007, Peggy , or maybe Tom or maybe both (which would be just a tad too cute) wrote:
"Consider the possibilities.
"Baker and Covaleski, mere humans, infused with the Power of the Gods. Ruch rising toward that great Corner Barstool in the Sky in a state of pure ecstasy. Bryson sinking to his knees in tears, overcome with emotion...."
And Peggy? She'll be watching all of the nuts from the sidelines.
Jack: Ah, the one character missing in my little scenario: the Goddess figure who, haughty and uninvolved, will take such amusement as she can from the follies of the masses. Woe be unto those, such as I, who might incur her wrath.
My fear quotient is rising.
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Seven Days With Michael - The Long Weekend
On Wednesday, September 12, 2007, Dan wrote:
I remember the both of those dinners, the trappist had the "Fred Flintstone ribs" and of course the wonderful run to the train station to catch the last one home. Who among us could ever forget the famous line uttered to Mr. O'Reilly, "Do you like corn?"
Jack:
I still make that run now and again, although I'm usually smart enough to be going for the next-to-last train these days. Never missed one yet, but I have arrived in time to see the preferred train pull out and had to sit (and try to stay awake) for an hour for the next. And I prefer "Big Honkin' Piece of Meat," but "Fred Flinstone Ribs" works too. Those babies hung over a very large plate on both sides. That too has changed, for the most part, with smaller, just-right sized portions now a Monk's staple.
The "corn" pick-up line was proffered to The O'Reilly back when he was young, charming and single. Whenever he recalls the moment, I bet he's happy he's none of those things any longer.
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RE: Memories of Michael
On Friday, August 31, 2007, Jeffrey wrote:
It’s wonderful and fascinating to hear the comments from you and Lew about your memories of Michael Jackson. It’s clear from your tributes that he had a profound affect on both of you. The quality shows that you indeed paid attention and I’m sure, from wherever he is, he is pleased.
I look forward to your next entry on the week long trek with Michael Jackson.
Jack: Thank you. And I promise that (on Sunday or Monday it looks like) my report on "Seven Days With Michael," unlike my cohort's fond memories, will not include anything which took place in a men's room.
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RE: Another Bit Of History Fades Away
On Wednesday, August 29, 2007, Grandson Mark wrote:
"Eddie Friedland and I were talking about the 1996 event recently as it turns out, both recalling that it was not all that crowded given how many people now claim to have been there."
It's beer's version of Wilt the Stilt scoring 100 in Hershey...everyone says they were among the 4,000 that were there.
Jack: I doubt there were 4,000 there but I get your point. And, by the way, I remember that night in Hershey well.
On Thursday, August 23, 2007, Lew wrote:
Ave, Copa, Too!
You're right about that Belgian draft event (either on or just after Tax Day, no?) not being crowded: I don't remember having much problem getting a beer, unlike almost every other damned Belgian event since then in Our Fair City. And I remember the draft La Chouffe that day, a true eye-opener. Hell, I recall going in one afternoon to see if their was any Im Fueschen draft alt left to find only Tom behind the bar, his hand on the cask, looking wry.
Damn, this is dredging up all kinds of stuff. I remember running up to Tom's office and crowding in there with John Hansell, Andy Musser, Jim (and Lisa) Anderson, and Tom to sip the first release of Old Potrero. Later that same night, which was after the 1996 Christmas dinner, I think, I remember making a prediction to Andy and John that Victory would be one of the top ten breweries in the country, in the presence of Sierra Nevada, Deschutes, and Anchor.
I came across a picture of myself from one of those Christmas dinners...man, talk about "when I wore a younger man's clothes." And hair.
It was a great run. Thank God McGlinchey's is still there. Thanks for the memories, Jack.
Jack: My pleasure. Thanks in return for adding some additional detail to my mini-tribute.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: Higher Alcohol And Beans
On Tuesday, August 30, 2007, Lew wrote:
As you said about that first Belgian draft beer event at Copa... how many people actually had the first iteration of Perkuno's Hammer? It was only a 300 bottle limited run (and I got five of them), bottle-conditioned, and we didn't get much utilization of the beans (they didn't pop open). A dead-on recreation would be almost impossible. Me, I'd just encourage folks to get some of this first batch. Thanks to all that cursed ignorance on the part of a certain wholesaler or wholesalers, it's been aged for a super-long time, and should be smoother than glass. Yum.
Jack: See the exchange above. Trust me, everybody will be comparing it to a beer which, as you say, they never had. Me, I'll be on hand the 15th if at all possible to experience the goodness.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: Notes From The A-Team
On Tuesday, August 28, 2007, Jay wrote:
"Whatever's happened to get 'em all feisty, I blame Yashinsky and Brugger."
It probably has something to do with this:
Or this:
Jack: Oh right, blame me. I just posted the pictures. Okay, I took them too.
They're from a Royal Stumble at Nodding Head a few years back in case anyone is wondering. All the brewers get into costume for the event--not quite that much costume, though.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: Starting From Scratch
On Monday, August 27, 2007, Ron from Jersey wrote:
Regarding fest beers and Troegs, if they took out their old Vienna Lager recipe, and did unto that like they did to turn the ESB into HopBack Amber, we might get something really interesting.
Jack: Personally, I was happy with the Vienna Lager as it was...and the ESB too, for that matter, though if it had to be sacrified, HopBack is definitely a nice recompense.
On Saturday, August 25, 2007, Bryan wrote:
Ha, thanks for the reminder...Me thinks I have one of these lurking in the back of the cooler. Might need to use it today to stay hydrated!
Jack: Oh, I'm sure you would have found something suitable in any case.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: Well, That Didn't Take Long...
On Friday, August 24, 2007, Scoats ripostes:
From my understanding Dock Street is meant to be a full production brewery as well as brewpub. If true to the original plans and my recollection, the brewery space takes up much more than the brewpub service area, by a 3:1 ratio from what I recall.
Jack: We're probably in a bit of a "quibble" here. You're right about the brewery size re: the restaurant space, but I don't see them as a production brewery. On the other hand, I can see why you, and they, might. I just don't buy it. For now.
On the other, other hand, to get back to the original point, Dock Street was not what Kehoe was thinking about in any case.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
On Thursday, August 23, 2007, Scoats wrote:
The third would be the recently opened Dock Street, you silly goose.
Jack: Nope. I asked and he specifically excluded brewpubs. And, heck, if you include Dock Street, then you have to include Nodding Head and Manayunk and Triumph too, right, even granted the fact that Dock Street plans, at least for now, more off-premises distribtution than those three?
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: What I Did, And Didn't, Do Of A Fine Saturday In August
On Monday, August 20, 2007, Dan wrote:
Ah, it was a quiet time at the retreat, with everybody going through "dehop". The other one is now in charge of a rare item, a sixtel of Yards Philly Pale Ale.
Jack: Um, this doesn't make any sense. Should that maybe read "I'm now in charge of...?" What am I missing here?
And, have you been drinking?
On Tuesday, August 21, 2007, Dan replied:
I'm sorry. The fictional character has the keg at his house.
Jack: Which isn't a helluva lot clearer, of course, but I think he means he has the keg at his house. Party, anyone? I have the address and directions.
PS: Thanks for proofreading, Dan. Ir doesn't get any more humiliating than to have you catch my misspellings. Well, okay, maybe if it was Steve...
On Wednesday, August 22, 2007, Dan proceeded to drive the knife in:
Were you "acually listening?" And does "Townes do sing?" Me think you be binge drinking.
Jack: I can only bow to your wisdom and perspicacity. I'd fall on my sword as a properly defeated warrior should, but, given the record so far, I'd probably hit my sowrd instead.
On Monday, August 20, 2007, Tom wrote:
"I was required to neither shower or dress up more appropriately to fulfill the attractions of that beer..."
Well it seems to me that a beer named "Cuvee Des Fleurs" deserves better.
Your servant, Tom Baker
Jack: Hey there. I knew some "heavyweight" type would eventually show up in these discussions. I see your point, but my perspective has always been that respect I show has nothing to do with the outer trappings, a truth I learned back in the day when, near broke, I slowly drank away my pretty good wine cellar and discovered that champagne went amazingly surprisingly well will pizza and hoagies.
Allowing that beer to accompany on my journey through the final third of a very good novel was tribute in itself.
Does it sound like I'm scrambling here?
On Monday, August 20, 2007, Dick wrote:
Well the weather was extraordinary, the beer was wonderful, the people exceptional, the human foosball fun to watch and more than just a bit quirky (it was a Weirback event). We missed you but on the other hand your day sounds as if it was the kind of peaceful, contemplative day I would have loved.
Jack: It all depends on what you contemplate, of course. Navels don't count.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: Breaking Up. Maybe It's Contagious
On Monday, August 20, 2007, Todd wrote:
Townes Van Zandt wrote Pancho & Lefty. Speaking of music and beer... I introduced one heck of a lot of happy new fans to Pale Ale cans at the Philly Folk Fest this weekend.
Jack: Damn. I knew that. And I was actually listening to Townes sing that very song on a CD in the car early last week. I grow old...I grow old... Or at least my mind does.
Pimping beer, eh? That's a good thing.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: The Tipping Point Tipping Point
On Friday, August 17, 2007, Lew (yes, THAT Lew) wrote:
I'll see your tipping point and raise you: Me saying beer's at a tipping point in December 2005.
Over to you, Jack...
Jack: "Tipping Point" has to be in the headline to count. Geez, don't you understand anything about how this stuff works?
What is truly fascinating, though (to me anyway, who believes there are no coincidences), I just stumbled across that RateBeer interview with you within the last 48 hours while searching for something else entirely. This has great meaning but I can't yet decide what that might be.
And, you know me, I'll lose interest soon.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: I Wasn't Just Teasing, Honest.
On Thursday, August 16, 2007, Steve wrote:
That was a good impression of an Andy Reid press conference. Whole lot of nothing!
Jack:
You're just all pissy because I outed you as a fictional character and need to try and not be so emotional. I can only respond "time's yours," which will be a complete non-sequitur to anyone who's not a Philadelphian, but that's the way it goes.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: Two Beers I Drank This Week...
On Sunday, August 5, 2007, Big Dan wrote:
Had the 12 last night, this is going to be another winner for them. The rye works real nice and should become a major player for more breweries.
Jack:
I agree. Can I quote you when Dan Weirback calls and tells me I trashed his beer? These creative guys are so sensitive...
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: Kehoe Speaks.
On Sunday, August 5, 2007, Bryan wrote:
While Tom was putting words to keystrokes, I was out pounding the pavement for 12.5 miles. Discovered his posting when I returned. So, while I may not have much of a life, I actually did leave the house and enjoyed the beautiful weather this morning. Oh wait, I'm going to an afternoon picnic too (I was even invited). My life's lookin' up!!
Jack:
Yeah, right. And you have a real job too.
Good pickup on the story. Enjoy your picnic.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: Another Precinct Heard From
On Thursday, August 2, 2007, Tom wrote:
And who can forget Dirty Dawg from Limerick?
Jack:
Actually, I managed that rather easily.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: Great Minds
On Monday, July 30, 2007, Lew wrote:
Actually, no one told me about Lukacs's book. I heard a piece about it on
NPR, thought it sounded like a good way to get up to speed on the wine biz,
and got it out of my local library. The beer parallels hit me, and I've been
preaching it to everyone who will listen since then.
Jack:
Damn, this story keeps taking on different dimensions, don't it? I figure Lukacs and his publisher owe us a pint, okay a glass of wine, for all the publicity we're giving it.
On Sunday, July 29, 2007, Stan wrote:
I don't know that I was the first to tell Lew about American Vintage, but I do know I mentioned to it him quite awhile back. Not long after it was recommended to me by - drum roll, please - Vinnie Cilurzo! Strange, small world.
As an aside, I don't know if I'm more thrilled about the ability to leave comments or that you have the rss feed working.
Jack: Isn't that fascinating. Probably a good thing I didn't mention the book to Vinnie while I was pontificating, so he thinks I'm smart enough to have figured it all out by myself.
I'm happy with the coomments capability and the rss thing myself and am finally starting to get into a routine where I remember to code the feed and the feed.xml file when I post, as well as keeping a running archive file so that those feeds are always working even as time goes by.
And I'm seeing it jack-up site visits and page hits over the past week or so, which was part of the point, given some other plans I have. Thank you for pushing me into it. (This is Stan Hieronymus, beer writer to the stars, I'm talking with, gang. Be properly impressed.)
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
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RE: Why You Should Never Listen To a Talk Radio Host
On Friday, July 22, 2007, roan22 wrote:
Hi Mr. C--This is roan22 from beeradvocate.com. I love that your site now allows comments, brilliant move. Anyway, since when are pubs open late across the pond (well England/Ireland anyway)? When I was in London they closed by like 11pm. Unless you knew someone, which I didn't, but if I did I could have been invited to stay for an illegal lock-in. Maybe this just happens in the country pubs.
Or the other option was to go to a "club," for later night drinking. Unfortunately the last train to the suburb town where I was staying (Maiden head) left Paddington at 11:30, so I couldn't so the club thing. What are they like?
Jack: The last couple of times I've been in London were as a guest of Fuller's and we generally were out past 11. I took no note of whether than was unusual. One of these days, I have to tell again the story of Sir Anthony Fuller and I (he in his double-breasted dark blue pinstripe suit, which was, shall we say, unusual for the neighborhood and the hour), wandering the streets of Soho after midnight in search of our lost companions, whom we eventually found about 1am in the back room of a jazz club). I do think there was a law changed in 2005 which allows pubs to apply to extend the 11pm closing limit but also seem to recall not too many of them have done so. That's likely even more the case out in the 'burbs.
I'll call attention to your question on the main site and see if any offers more and better information.
As for Ireland, the only time I can ever recall a pub being closed on me there was with me inside and it was due to a passing funeral. It's an old custom and kinda sweet. And when they close you inside, of course, that's a Good Thing.
Thanks for the nice comments about the added comments. I wanted to do that for a long time but was finally given the incentive by various people pushing me to go the "blogger software" route. I hate being pushed so... Doing it myself, albeit more time-consuming, is very satisfying so far. But the bright shiny day is new and the darkness always comes, don't it?
And hey, don't call me "Mr.," please, 'cause that will mean Bryson will then want to be called "Your Majesty" or something like that. You know how he gets...
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RE: Beer Fox Hearts Sly Fox
On Monday, July 23, 2007, Big Dan wrote:
I'm gonna have to meet this "passionate hophead," sounds like one helluva swell guy!
Jack: If she would only pick up the bottle and read the label, right? Ah, well. Look at this way, pal: "Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, wasting its fragrance..." No, wait, forget that. Your fragrance is not something we ever want to get into.
On Monday, July 23, 2007, Steve wrote:
How come Big Dan isn't working on a rainy Monday afternoon?
Jack: The ways of skilled professional beer events planners are not for mortal men to know or understand.
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RE: One (More) Small Step For Mankind
On Sunday, July 22, 2007, Jaysus wrote:
This is turning into one heck of a Not-a-Blog!
Jack: I admit I'm pretty happy with it all. We'll see if it stays that way as the weeks roll on.
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On Saturday, July 21, 2007, Carl wrote:
I will give you a dollar..."The Sell All Comments' link is now active."
Jack: Whoops! Now fixed. We may see a lot of this, folks, Carl is my non-resident proofreader.
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