Top 5 List for September 12, 2011
I feel like this feature has to make it two more weeks for it not to be forced. This is number 3, I believe. Digest what I have to tell you and know that there will be a beer and record review on Wednesday.
1. Anniversaries
Yesterday was the three-year anniversary of our daughter’s birth. That’s right. She was born on September 11th. While not thee September 11th, it’s a pretty important day in our house. Eventually (or now), I will grow tired of every September 11th focusing on patriotism, terrorists, and fireman. For once, I’d like it to be a day my daughter can look at as her own. She’s too young to realize what a big deal everyone makes over this day. I have chosen to move on and remember this day for the life it has wrought instead of the death. Also, the Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA was pretty great and will be featured in Wednesday’s post.
2. The Womyn of Merge
Also featured in Wednesday’s post will be Wild Flag, but I’ve said too much already…I recently acquired albums by Eleanor Friedberger and Wye Oak. These were nice gets as both albums are really powerful and of the highest quality. However, since I was so late to their bandwagon, I’ll just mention them here. The Wild Flag will get a proper review with a beer (see above) on Wednesday.
3. Black Francis
Black Francis is the imperial stout I brewed that’s currently sitting on oak chips, cocoa nibs, and vanilla beans all soaked in bourbon. It tastes pretty awesome at the moment, but I’ll probably leave it in the secondary for a little while longer just to let it acquire as much flavor as possible. The plan is to bottle by October so that I have it ready for the holidays.
4. Seasonal Beers
The stores are loaded with beers meant for fall: pumpkin ales, Oktoberfests, etc. However, I’m more excited for the beers featuring freshly harvested hops that will be slowly released all fall. These beers feature a sharp bitterness that is lost in your average IPA. I’ve grown a little weary of those who go on and on about pumpkin beers and just wait patiently for my fresh-hopped beers to show.
5. OK. I couldn’t resist. Here’s some Wild Flag…
Beer and Pavement 
My wife and I found out she was pregnant with our first child on Sept 10, 2001, the night before. I spent the next morning in Times Square evacuating to Queens and finally making it back home around 9pm. Took a little away from our joyous news. Happy birthday to your daughter.
Thanks. I get the grieving, but I don’t think it should have an ever-lasting effect on her birthday and we’ll do whatever we can to make sure that she’s both aware of the events of 9/11/0 and 9/11/08.
Just a reminder it’s a short drive to St. Louis, where Schlafly’s fresh hop festival is Oct. 22.
If the hops aren’t already in town they will be soon.
http://twitter.com/#!/ottoatschlafly
Oh, I’m fully aware. I had two free tickets within my grasps when I realized that my schedule wouldn’t allow for a day trip to StL. Maybe next year. (I say that every year.)
I concur about pumpkin ales. I reviewed Dogfish Head because it is the only one I have found that I have liked so far, but I would much rather have just about any other type of beer. I am a sucked for a good Oktoberfest though.
Yeah, that one’s not bad, but I still don’t think I can drink pumpkin ales anymore. Oktoberfests are much preferred to silly beers filled with squash and spices.
I do not like the sound of pumpkin beer. I do like the sound of Wild Flag – I’m looking forward to that review. I need to hear more of them.
Interesting blog. Agree about pumpkin beer, most of it tastes too much like pumpkin pie for my taste. Love the floral aromas and sharp bitterness of the fresh hop beers. I believe Stone and Sierra Nevada have begun growing and harvesting their own hops, practices which really pay off for these seasonal fall beers. Cheers-
Thanks for stopping by, HP. Maybe we should do beers sometime. I suspect we already know each other. New Belgium is supposed to be coming out with a sour pumpkin that I can’t seem to resist the urge to hunt down as soon as it hits COMO shelves/taps.