September 19, 2013

INDEED BREWING COMPANY - SWEET YAMMA JAMMA  "Ale brewed with sweet potatoes and spices." Yeah, i was a little nervous about this one ad i am not a sweet potato fan. The aroma is loaded with spices, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and of course the sweet potato is there too. Not bad. The taste doesnt have as much spices as the aroma though, which is kind of dissapointing. A little sweet from the yams/sweet potatoes, but not overly so.  I think they are trying to compete wuth the "pumpkin" beer market with this one, and its not too bad, I was pleasantly surprised. Well worth finding and giving a try.

PUBLIC ENEMY - POWER TO THE PEOPLE AND THE BEATS PUBLIC ENEMYS GREATEST HITS  I caught part of the 2013 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Introduction ceremony on HBO the other day and wanted to hear some Public Enemy after that. Nice to have all their biggest hits in one place, but it seems some songs have some selective edits and some do not, very weird. Anyways, a very influential hip hop group and well worth listening to, but for full effect you need to listen to their first 3 albums in entirety, but this will give the new fan a nice introduction.

2 miles on treadmill

September 18, 2013

ATWATER BREWERY - DECADENT DARK CHOCOLATE ALE  Very sweet, chocolate dominates the flavor with some hints of vanilla and coffee. The taste is not as chocolatey as the aroma, but it still dominates anything else. Taste is not up to par with the smell. Seems a little thin, but not bad overall. However, i think there are a lot better chocolate beers out there that i would pick before this one.

THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE - ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?   Forty-three years ago today Jimi died. This is his classic debut and is a must have for any music fan. Classics: Purple Haze, Manic Depression, Hey Joe, and, well actually, they are all classics to me.

3 miles on treadmill

September 17, 2013

BOSTON BEER COMPANY - SAMUEL ADAMS LATITUDE 48 IPA  Floral hop aroma with some citrus and fruit. A little bitter wih a nice mix of fruity and pine hops. Taste is hoppier than it smells. A nice IPA, drinks easily, nicely balanced, not a hop bomb like so many IPAs out there. Was a little surprised by this one, well worth checking out.

THE ALTERNATE ROUTES - GOOD AND RECKLESS AND TRUE  Little known rock band from Connecticut. Saw them as an opener at The Fine Line many years ago and really liked them and have been following them since. Strong album from start to finish, they are very underated and just looking for that big break.  Favorites: Ordinary, Going Home With You, Time Is A Runaway, and Are You Lonely?

1 mile on treadmill, 90 minutes of tennis

September 16, 2013

ALASKAN BREWING CO. - ALASKAN RASPBERRY WHEAT  Huge raspberry fruitiness in the smell with a little wheat character. Taste has a big taste of raspberries, but its not too sweet. Nicely balanced. A nice job by Alaskan on this one, a very solid offering. One of the best fruit beers i have tried.

BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS - LIVE MONSTERS  A great live release from 1998. BHTM is one of my favorites and hearing all the hits live is great. This recording captures the "live" experience pretty well. Great bluesy rock, turn it up and grab a beer.

4 miles on treadmill

September 15, 2013

BELLS BREWERY INC. - OBERON ALE Nice fruiy smell with hints of wheat. Taste has a nice citrusy nature, mostly orange with some grapefruit and lemon. Very nice summer wheat beer, i would drink this one again anytime and will make this one a summer regular in the future.

WEIRD AL YANKOVIC - IN 3D   Sophmore release from the great Weird Al. Comic genius. Love all his stuff, puts on a great live show too, very entertaining.

2 miles on treadmill

September 14, 2013

BROOKLYN BREWERY - BROOKLYN PILSNER  Scent of floral citrus. Taste is nicely balanced between the hop bite and the sweetness of the malts.  Very refreshing,  very nice example of a German Pils. I was really surprised by this beer, wasnt really expecting much, but it was very good.

CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED - CARNEY Debut album from 1998 from this red dirt alternative country band. One of my favorite groups, sad they broke up in 2010, but they left behind 10 great albums. Dont let the "country" tag fool you, these guys could flat out rock. While not their best album, well worth the listen, as this is where it all started. If you have never heard rhese guys, check them out, just great music.

3 miles on treadmill, 16 mile bike ride

September 13, 2013

DESCHUTES BREWERY - TWILIGHT SUMMER ALE  A pretty nice refreshing light beer, very crisp and balanced,  but nothing to really rave about or set it apart from any others in the style. Sweet malts upfront with a little fruity background in the aroma and taste. Be a perfect beer for a hot summer day.

RICHARD PRYOR - THE WARNERS BROS. ALBUMS (1974-1983)  Listened to the first album in this box set, That Nigger's Crazy.  Not much more needs to be said. Comedy classic. RIP Richard Pryor, you are missed.

2 miles on treadmill and 14 mile bike ride