S1P20 - Beer Review - Golden Ale

The Beer

Cigar City Brewing Golden Ale

• American Golden Ale 
• ABV 4.5%, IBU 28
• Built for the warmer months (of which Florida has plenty), Cigar City Brewing’s Golden Ale is brewed with American Willamette hops and pale wheat malt to create a low-alcohol American Golden Ale that balances bread-like malt flavors with herbaceous hops and a vibrant carbonation.
• Enjoy Cigar City Brewing’s Golden Ale wherever the sunshine takes you!
• Tasting Notes -Fresh baked bread, red apple and herbaceous hop aromas present themselves subtly on the nose while flavors of crackers and light pear-like fruitiness are punctuated by floral hop flavors and lively carbonation to create a crisp, quaffable Golden Ale.

The Brewery

Cigar City Brewing

• Founded in 2007, first beers 2009
• About 60,000 bbls a year. Over 6,000 different beers since 2009
• 3924 W. Spruce St, Tampa, FL 33607 - north of 275 west of Dale Mabry. Northwest Tampa not far from the airport
• Tasting room open Sunday-Thursday 11:00 to 23:00, Friday & Saturday 11:00 to 1:00am
• A location also in the airport
• Distribution originally in FL, GA, AL, PA & NY. Now 27 states

Since 2010, Cigar City has released Hunahpu's Imperial Stout every March with a large beer festival to celebrate the release. Each year over 5,000 beer fans attend and brewers from all over the world have poured their beer at the festival. Attending the Hunahpu's Day Festival is the only way to acquire bottles of Hunahpu's Imperial Stout.

Hunahpu's: Imperial Stout, 12% ABV. Named in honor of a hero in Mayan mythology, the stout is brewed with ancho and pasilla chile peppers, vanilla, cacao, and cinnamon.

• Other Beers -
• Jai Alai - IPA
• Guayabera - Citra Pale Ale (APA)
• Florida Cracker - Belgian style white ale with coriander & orange peel
• Lager
• Invasion - Tropical pale ale
• Tocobaga - Red IPA
• Maduro - Brown ale
• Cucumber Saison - Tropical ale & cucumber 

As of March 2016, Cigar City has partnered with Longmont, Colorado-based Oskar Blues Brewery to form Oskar Blues Holding Company which includes Oskar Blues, Cigar City, Perrin Brewing and the Utah Brewers Cooperative outfit that includes the Wasatch and Squatters brands.

The Review

This is a version of an IPA. In this case, called Golden, which it indeed is, but could just as easily be called an American pale ale or even a Tampa pale ale. It did not have much of a head nor did it lace the glass. In fact, it seemed to have lower than normal carbonation. 

This beer is marketed as a warm weather sessionable beer. The lower ABV lends itself to that. I find it hard to drink more than a couple of IPA type beers in a session. While this is not an overly hopped beer, there is enough bitterness to add up over time. That is just my preference. In general, I am not a huge IPA fan. This beer would be just fine with a meal. Also, the hops in this beer are not floral, citrusy or very aromatic. 

This is the fourth selection from Cigar City Brewing that I have reviewed. It is by far my least favorite. Nothing terrible, nothing outstanding. I rate Golden Ale a two (2) out of five (5). Try one of their other beers first. Guayabera, Jai Alai, and Lager are all better choices.

wjh

S1P19 - Beer Review - Guayabera - Citra Pale Ale

Guayabera

Citra Pale Ale

These are the beer notes from the Two Old Guys Drinking Beer podcast S3E03. The beer segment starts at 1:04 into the podcast. We both found this beer a very refreshing surprise. The Citra in the name was a little scary since neither of us is a fan of fruit juice in our beer. Citra turns out to be the name of the hops used. These hops are fruity and very aromatic. You will smell this beer before you taste it. The IBU rating of 50 is a little misleading since this beer is not overly bitter like some IPAs. It is also not sweet or cloying. A good solid beer that you can drink more than one of. This beer got a solid three (3) out of five (5) bottle caps rating from both old guys. Give it a try this summer.

Traditional throughout Latin America, the guayabera shirt combines style, functionality, form, and tradition in its four-pocketed design. We at Cigar City Brewing feel the same reverence and appreciation for the guayabera that we do for the Citra hop varietal, an ingredient that imparts notes of tangerine, lime and berries to this traditional American Pale Ale. The exclusive use of Citra hops in this beer creates a flavor that’s at once unique and recognizable, while its dry, crisp character and moderate alcohol make it as refreshing and functional as a crisp linen guayabera.

• American Pale Ale
• ABV - 5.5%
• IBU - 50
• 165 calories
• #2 Cigar City beer after Jai Alai
• Year round 27 state distribution

Brewery

• Founded in 2007, first beers 2009
• About 60,000 bbls a year. Over 6,000 different beers since 2009
• 3924 W. Spruce St, Tampa, FL 33607 - north of 275 west of Dale Mabry. Northwest Tampa not far from the airport
• Tasting room open Sunday-Thursday 11:00 to 23:00, Friday & Saturday 11:00 to 1:00am
• A location also in the airport
• Distribution originally in FL, GA, AL, PA & NY. Now 27 states

Since 2010, Cigar City has released Hunahpu's Imperial Stout every March with a large beer festival to celebrate the release. Each year over 5,000 beer fans attend and brewers from all over the world have poured their beer at the festival. Attending the Hunahpu's Day Festival is the only way to acquire bottles of Hunahpu's Imperial Stout.

Hunahpu's: Imperial Stout, 12% ABV. Named in honor of a hero in Mayan mythology, the stout is brewed with ancho and pasilla chile peppers, vanilla, cacao, and cinnamon.

• Other Beers -
• Jai Alai - IPA
• Guayabera - Citra Pale Ale (APA)
• Florida Cracker - Belgian style white ale with coriander & orange peel
• Lager
• Invasion - Tropical pale ale
• Tocobaga - Red IPA
• Maduro - Brown ale
• Cucumber Saison - Tropical ale & cucumber 

As of March 2016, Cigar City has partnered with Longmont, Colorado-based Oskar Blues Brewery to form Oskar Blues Holding Company which includes Oskar Blues, Cigar City, Perrin Brewing and the Utah Brewers Cooperative outfit that includes the Wasatch and Squatters brands.

wjh

S1P18 - Beer Review - Dos Equis Mexican Pale Ale

Dos Equis Mexican Pale Ale

These are the beer notes from the Two Old Guys Drinking Beer podcast of 04/13/19 (S3E03). The beer segment starts at 00:39 but you are certainly encouraged to listen to the whole episode.

Dennis and I both rated this beer a solid 3 (out of 5) bottle caps. It is a refreshing beer. Probably the least bitter and hoppy of the pale ales we have sampled. Give it a try.

The Brewery

• Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery - Now a subsidiary of Heineken International. Founded in 1890.
• Based in Monterrey, Mexico. Plants in Monterrey, Guadalajara, Toluca, Tecate, Orizaba and, Meoqui.
• Beers brewed include - Dos Equis, Sol, Bohemia, Superior, Carta Blanca, Noche Buena, Indio, Casta and Tecate.
• Output - 3.09 GL (gigalitres)/year. (26,330,000 US beer barrels; 18,880,000 imperial barrels)
• Carta Blanca was the first beer in 1890.
• In 1909 began producing beer supplies. Bottles, caps, boxes, and packaging. Also produced malt.
• Some early labor innovations in 1918, provided medical services. Reduced workday to 9 hours from 12 hours in 1907. Very progressive.

The Beer

• Introduced in September 2018 as a draft only beer
• Distributed for off-premise (package) sales February 2019. 6 & 12 packs, bottles and cans. Texas & New Mexico are 1st markets.
• 5.5% ABV, no IBU found
• Mexican Pale Ale with citrus hops and a hint of heat … brewed with citrus hops and a pinch o fire ant tears for a spicy kick. 

Some bonus beer information:

• Beto Beer - Circle Brewing Co., Austin. Election Pale Ale. Available in Austin & San Antonio.

• 

wjh

S1P17 - News & Politics

A recap of politics and news since about 03/16/2019

This may be the last regular bi-weekly edition of the 1OGDB blog for the time being. The Two Old Guys Drinking Beer podcast (2OGDB) is back on the air so I will be expressing my political and news opinions there. When warranted, I may use this forum to publish notes, graphics, and/or expansion of topics covered by 2OGDB. This blog may resurface from time to time for other reasons but the regular posts are now on hiatus. My BillyJim47 and TrumpTrack blogs are still in full swing as are the various Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr accounts. I'll see you at those blog and social sites and the podcast. wjh

National & International

• Trump is upset that his Fox New supporter Jeannine Pirro has been suspended for questioning a Muslim Congresswoman's, Ilhan Omar, loyalty to the US. Trump never met a fellow Islamaphobic he didn't like.
• 03/19 - A federal judge ruled that the Interior Department violated federal law by failing to take into account the climate impact of its oil and gas leasing in the West. The judge temporarily blocked drilling on about 300,000 acres of land in Wyoming.
• 03/20 - New Zealand bans assault rifles five days after the Christchurch mosque shootings. They also institute a mandatory buyback program. Meanwhile, the US is still counting on thoughts and prayers. 
• 03/21 - Trump wants the US to recognize Israel's authority over the Golan Heights. This is counter to current US policy and the United Nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing Trump on this issue. 
• 03/21 - EU approves an extension of the Brexit deadline of up to almost two months. The ball is now back in the UK's court. 
• 03/22 - Trump reverses additional North Korea sanctions that the Treasury Department imposed yesterday. Great coordination in the administration. 
• 03/22 - Special counsel Robert Mueller submits his report to Attorney General William Barr.
• Barr states there will be no more indictments by the Mueller team.
• A FEMA data breach exposes personal information on 2.5 million disaster survivors.
• 03/23 - The last Islamic State village has fallen. 
• 03/24 - Barr submits a four-page summary of the Mueller report to Congress. No collusion, no decision on obstruction but also no exoneration.
• Two survivors of the Parkland mass shooting have committed suicide. PTSD and survivor guilt. Our gun violence is the gift that keeps on giving. 
• 03/25 - Trump formally recognizes that Israel has authority over the Golan Heights. A gift to Netanhayu just prior to Israeli elections. Also, in conflict with established State Department policy and the UN.
• The Trump administration asks the court to completely invalidate Obamacare. They have no viable plan to replace it. 
• Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos cuts $18 million for the Special election from her 2020 budget.
• Trump restores the funding after the public outcry. Throws DeVos under the bus. The administration initiates a firestorm and then Trump takes credit for extinguishing the fire. 
• 03/27 - A US district judge blocks the Kentucky and Arkansas Medicaid work requirements.
• 03/28 - Trump threatens to close the Mexican border. I'm sure south Texans are thrilled with that prospect.

wjh

S1P16 - Baseball - Spring Training 2019

Baseball News Since About 02/11/2019

Rangers

• New manager Chris Woodward. 
• 02/13 - Rangers pitchers and catcher report to spring training in Surprise, AZ.
• 02/18 - First Rangers full-squad spring training workouts.
• 03/02 - Adrian Beltre visits the Rangers camp.
• 03/06 - Rangers sign Jose Leclerc (25) to a four-year extension worth $14.75 million with two additional option years for $12.25 million. A total of $27 million. Leclerc receives a $2 million signing bonus and a $1 million salary for 2019. He will receive $2.25 million in '20, $4 million in '21 and $4.75 million in '22. The options are for $6 million in '23 and $6.25 million in '24, with $750,000 in buyouts.
• Some more info and renderings of the Rangers new Globe Life Field. 
• Predicted roster.
• Joey Gallo, OF - "If you had to sum up the modern game in a single player, it’s probably Gallo, he of the Babe Ruthian power and the Bob Ueckerian batting average."

Other MLB

• 02/18 - Most teams have full squads reporting today and still free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado have not been signed. MLB owner collusion or are the stars asking for way too much?
• 02/19 - Manny Machado (26) finally signs with the San Diego Padres. It's a record-setting 10 year, $300 million deal. Word is he will play third base. Since it's the Padres, we probably won't hear much about Manny for a couple of years. They are a bad team with a good farm system.
• 02/19 - Don Newcombe died at age 92. He was the MLB's first Black ace pitcher. He was NL Rookie of the Year in 1949. In 1956 he won the NL MVP and Cy Young awards. He as the first Black pitcher to start a World Series game. 
• 02/26 - The Rockies sign third baseman Nolan Arenado (27) for $260 million for eight years. That's $32.5 million/year. The largest per year position player salary. 
• 02/28 - Bryce Harper (26) signs a $330 million 13 year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Less per year than Machado and Arenado but more total dollars.The largest total contract in MLB history. In my opinion, this is the worst of the big three contracts for the team. Harper is overrated and not worth the money. Average or below defense, erratic offense. 
• Mike Trout becomes the highest paid MLB player with a 12 year $426.5 million contract. That's $35.54 million/year. No opt out.
• MLB is using the pitch clock in spring training games but it will probably not be used in the 2019 regular season. Why not? Will be part of a new MLPA contract, implement in 2022. 
• Tom Seaver (74), Tom Terrific, diagnosed with dementia. 1967 ROY, 12-time all star, 3 time Cy Young winner, 5 time K leader, 311 wins, 3,640 Ks, HOF.  
• A $1 million bonus for the home run derby winner in 2019.
• Rule Changes:
• Inning breaks reduced to 2 minutes in 2019, maybe 1:55 in 2020.
• A single trade deadline for 2019, 7/31.
• All-star voting in 2019, a primary fan vote then a top 3 runoff 1-day fan election.
• Mound visits reduced from 6 to 5 in 2019.
• Active rosters will rise from 25 to 26 in 2020. September rosters capped at 28.
• The three batter minimum for a pitcher will go into effect in 2020.
• The minimum DL stay will be returned to 15 days
• Continuing talks between now and the end of the current MLPA contract in 2021.
• Red Sox & Yankees will play a 2 game series in London in June. 
• Is it time for MLB to expand? If yes, where?
• 03/20 - The 2019 season officially started with the Mariners beating the A's 9-7 in Tokyo. Ichiro (45) started in right field and went 0-1 with a walk.  
• 03/21 - Ichiro retires after the game. Cooperstown in five years. 
• We have reached a new salary plateau for baseball stars. It is now $30+ million/year.

Other Baseball

• 02/15 - The #6 Florida Gators open their regular season against Long Beach State. The Gators are ranked from #3 to #6 in the various pre-season polls.
• The independent Atlantic League to experiment.  A Three-year partnership with MLB
• Trackman radar to help call balls & strikes
• 62'6" pitching distance in the 2nd half of the season
• No shift. Two infielders on each side of 2nd
• Three batter minimum for pitchers
• No mound visits except to change pitchers or injuries
• Increase base size from 15" to 18"
• Reduce time between innings and pitching changes from 2:05 to 1:45
• Some college teams are using a walkie-talkie and a catcher earpiece to call pitches. 

The pretend games are over. The regular season started today. Just a short 162 games from now we will be ready for the postseason.

Let the games begin. Play Ball! Batter Up!

wjh

S1P15 - Peroni Nastra Azzurro

Peroni

• Peroni Brewery is a brewing company, founded by Francesco Peroni in Vigevano, Italy in 1846.
• The Peroni company was established under the founding family name in the town of Vigevano, Italy, in 1846. The company was moved to Rome by Giovanni Peroni in 1864, six years prior to Rome becoming the Italian capital in 1870.
• Best known worldwide for its premium lager, Nastro Azzurro
• Peroni was bought from SABMiller by the Japanese brewing giant Asahi in February 2016. Part of merger/divestiture.
• Beers under the Peroni brand include:
• Crystall, a 5.6% abv pale lager;
• Peroni Gran Riserva, a 6.6% abv strong lager;
• Peroncino, a 5% pale lager;
• Peroni Leggera, a 3.5% pale lager.
• Wuhrer brand – a 4.7% pale lager launched in Brescia in 1829.
• The main brands are Peroni (4.7%) the best selling beer in Italy and Nastro Azzurro (5.1%)
• Nastro Azzurro was launched in 1963. The name means Blue Ribbon
• The small town of Bergamo in northern Italy is home to our Nostrano dell’Isola maize, exclusively produced for us.
• INGREDIENTS:
• Italian Maize: A blend including Nostrano dell’Isola
• Hops: Saaz-Saaz and Hallertau Magnum
• Barley: Two-row spring barley
• Water: Pure, ‘soft water’, with low carbonates
• $10 @ Goody Goody for 6 pack 11.2 oz cans.

This beer is a fairly standard lager. Crisp and clean with a light yellow color. It should obviously pair well with Italian dishes like pasta, veal, and pizza.

Dennis and I both rated this a solid three bottle caps. You can hear our commentary on the 2OGDB podcast starting at the 41-minute mark. CHEERS!

wjh

S1P14 - News & Politics

A recap of politics and news since about 03/01/2019

National & International

• Washington governor Jay Inslee announces he is running for president. He is the first governor in the Democratic race.
• Otto Warmbier's family speaks out against Trump's defense of Kim Jong-un. It is normal behavior for Trump to speak glowingly of evil dictators. 
• 03/01 - Pakistan returns the captured Indian pilot. Kashmir tensions de-escalate. Cooler heads seemed to have prevailed. No nuclear war this week.
• 03/01 - Trump's golf resort in Aberdeen, Scotland was ordered to pay the Scottish government's legal bills after losing a battle over a wind power development that the president argued would spoil the view from his course.
• 03/01 - A dozen mature trees were cut down and dumped into the Potomac River from Trump National Golf Course property in Virginia last week. Our pro-environment president at work. 
  

• 03/01 - Israel’s attorney general recommended that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted on corruption charges.
• 03/01 - Justice Clarence Thomas has been maneuvering behind the scenes to whip votes for Rao, his former clerk. He reached out privately to at least two Republican senators. Supreme Court justices shouldn't be playing politics. 
• 03/04 - Former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper enter the field for the Democratic presidential nomination.  
• Trump now blames the Democrats and Michael Cohen for the failed summit with Kim Jong-un. Of course, we all knew it couldn't possibly be Trump's fault. 
• 03/04 - The House Judiciary Committee has sent document requests to 81 individuals and entities tied to the president.
• 03/04 - A coalition of 20 states and California separately have filed lawsuits seeking to block Trump administration changes to the Title X family planning programs. Even more suits are expected. 
• 03/04 - There are allegations that Fox News squashed stories to help Trump and gave him some of the questions before a debate with Clinton. Shocking.
• 03/05 - FDA Commissioner Scott Gotlieb is resigning.
• 03/05 - Michael Bloomberg will not run for president in 2020. Good.
• According to US military analysts, North Korea has started rebuilding their missile test facility. So much for a successful summit. The master dealmaker at work. 
• The federal budget deficit is $310 billion, up 77%, in the first four months of the fiscal year. Mostly because of the GOP tax cut that was supposed to pay for itself.
• The trade deficit for 2018 rises to a record $891.2 billion, $419 billion with China. This despite Trump's tariffs and promise to reduce trade deficits. 
• Don, Jr., and Eric employed an illegal immigrant as the caretaker of their private hunting retreat. 
• 03/07 - Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen sues the Trump Organization for nonpayment of $1.9 million in legal costs. He also sued for an additional $1.9 million in reimbursements for fines, forfeitures, and restitution. 
• 03/07 - Paul Manafort sentenced to 47 months in prison for bank and tax fraud. Too little time for his crimes. 47 months is only 20% of the minimum recommended sentence. 
• 03/08 - Jobs growth falls to only 20,000 in February. Expected job growth was 175K. The unemployment rate remains low at 3.8%.
• 03/08 - White House communications director Bill Shine resigns. He will move to Trump's reelection campaign. Shine is the former president of Fox News. He left Fox amid the sexual harassment and discrimination troubles at the network.  
• 03/08 - The House passes H.R. 1, a combination voting rights and campaign-finance/ethics reform bill. The GOP controlled Senate probably won't even consider the bill. 
• 03/11 - The Democrats choose Milwaukee as their 2020 convention site.
• Trump releases his latest budget. It's $4.7 trillion. A $1 trillion deficit, $8.6 billion for the Wall, big cuts to Medicare, by $845 billion over 10 years, and other domestic programs, increases for the military budget to $750 billion, a 5% increase. Typical Trump shit. Build a wall, boost the military, fuck the ordinary people. Why does the largest, most powerful military in the world need more money? 
• Congress invites NATO Secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg to address a joint session.
• Nancy Pelosi on impeaching Trump, "He's just not worth it."
• 03/12 - Australian Cardinal George Pell sentenced to six years in prison for sexual abuse. Not a long enough sentence but it's a start.
• 03/13 - Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort is sentenced to 73 months in prison in his DC conspiracy and fraud case. 30 months will run concurrently with his 47 month Virginia sentence. That leaves Manafort a total of 7½ years of prison time. 
• 03/13 - Manafort is charged with 16 crimes in New York including mortgage fraud. If convicted, Trump will not be able to pardon him on these state charges. 
• 03/13 - The Senate rebuked Trump with a 54-46 vote ordering the US military to end support of the Saudi's war in Yemen. Now onto the House.
• 03/14 - Beto O'Rourke enters the presidential race.
• 03/14 - The New York appellate court allows the Summer Zervos defamation suit against Trump to proceed.
• 03/14 - A judge has ruled that the Sandy Hook families' suit of gun maker Remington can proceed. 
• 03/15 - Trump vetoes the bill opposing his border emergency declaration. His first veto. Back to Congress to see if they can override the veto, probably not going to happen. Will wind up in the courts.

Texas & Local

• The Texas Senate unanimously passes a bill giving teachers a $5,000/year pay raise.
• A proposed House bill includes higher school funding but not the $5K raise.
• The legislature is considering a bill to make possession of one ounce or less of marijuana a civil offense, not a criminal offense. Good idea. 
• Hardly any bills actually get passed until the last week of the session.

wjh