Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Is Beer the new Wine?
I sense a pattern among people my age (late 20's, 30's): we are dropping words like IPA, Porter and Stouts versus the traditional Pinot or Cabernet. A growing case of beer snobbery.
Previously, I've always associated beer with the Homer Simpson's of the world- beer bellied and drunk by the 6-packful. But thanks to the more sophisticated "tasting" instead of chugging, and the fine biological structure of "better beers", the caloric intake is still minimal. So it was a pleasant surprise to find that most of the people that crowd these popular microbrew/gastropubs are fairly young and in good shape. (Could be an LA thing or a deeper circle of yuppie-dom).
Collectively, we rush to get the new exclusive beer that came from a very far remote microbrewery where the local beer buyer had to sacrifice a finger for or just a little dignity for a keg. Yup. No grocery beers for us- just the stuff worth research and traveling hundreds of miles to taste. And why not? I enjoy going over to the local gastropub/brewery to taste something entirely new and different. Granted, I had to work myself up to the IPA level, but I now appreciate a good beer. As I've always appreciated a well-crafted drink that people put some thought into (like coffee or tea) and doesn't empty my wallet.
Mike introduced this new interest. He and his friends began visiting local breweries near out of town bike races (which is often the case), and now find themselves deciphering flavor profiles and using words like "hoppy" and bold as adjectives. Now, we find ourselves tasting new premier beers nearly every week, but we're far from being the only ones. PS. Don't worry we won't judge your PBR, but we'll probably prefer not to drink it.
My favorite beers are Russian River's Supplication, Rodenbach Grand Cru, Russian River's Pliny the Elder and Mikkeler's Beer Geek Breakfast Weasel
Previously, I've always associated beer with the Homer Simpson's of the world- beer bellied and drunk by the 6-packful. But thanks to the more sophisticated "tasting" instead of chugging, and the fine biological structure of "better beers", the caloric intake is still minimal. So it was a pleasant surprise to find that most of the people that crowd these popular microbrew/gastropubs are fairly young and in good shape. (Could be an LA thing or a deeper circle of yuppie-dom).
Collectively, we rush to get the new exclusive beer that came from a very far remote microbrewery where the local beer buyer had to sacrifice a finger for or just a little dignity for a keg. Yup. No grocery beers for us- just the stuff worth research and traveling hundreds of miles to taste. And why not? I enjoy going over to the local gastropub/brewery to taste something entirely new and different. Granted, I had to work myself up to the IPA level, but I now appreciate a good beer. As I've always appreciated a well-crafted drink that people put some thought into (like coffee or tea) and doesn't empty my wallet.
Mike introduced this new interest. He and his friends began visiting local breweries near out of town bike races (which is often the case), and now find themselves deciphering flavor profiles and using words like "hoppy" and bold as adjectives. Now, we find ourselves tasting new premier beers nearly every week, but we're far from being the only ones. PS. Don't worry we won't judge your PBR, but we'll probably prefer not to drink it.
My favorite beers are Russian River's Supplication, Rodenbach Grand Cru, Russian River's Pliny the Elder and Mikkeler's Beer Geek Breakfast Weasel
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
My LaGrange Race Report for the 2/28/10 Dare to Race Grand Prix in Ontario, CA
Race: Dare to Race Grand Prix
Where: Ontario, CA
Racers: Jocelyn Pogue, Anne Cuizon
Category: Womens 4
Results: 2nd, 11th
The full moon was still out, the ground slick, and it was a pleasant 41 degrees out while Jocelyn and I approached the course. None of this phased us because we were very nervous about racing since this was my 2nd crit and Jocelyn's very first. Our goals: to finish with the pack and to survive.
We had a whopping field of 13 girls at the start. There were a few attacks that never stuck for long. Both of us went for primes but didn't quite make it. With four laps to go, I grabbed the wheel of an Ironfly rider who used her magic powers to get a flat right in front of me. Somehow avoiding a crash I was able to bridge a small gap along with a couple Team Possabilities ladies.
After the last corner, we were all in a field sprint, and instead of throwing the tacks (a last resort) Jocelyn found an opportunity to weave around everyone and take 2nd while I finished all smiles with the pack.
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