hatefulblizzard

Beer Blog

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:35:48 GMT

I have decided to resume the international beer quest of old. Sampling the offerings of different countries, in order to experience what the world has to offer. One bottle at a time. This week, with the help of my trusty assistant Liz, we are testing four different beers from other nations.

First up, from Lithuania, we have the Werewolf. An unknown to my beer scene, weighing in at 5.2% alcohol by volume. While listed as a lager, it had a very pilsner-esk taste to it. Combined with it's light body and lack of bitterness, this one went down smooth and was quite refreshing. While not as full bodied as I usually like my beers to be, it was still very enjoyable. One possible reason for this may have been that the beer had not been fully chilled at the time of testing. Further research is required.

All together I give it a 7.5 out of 10.

Next up we have a newcomer form the north. Canada's pride brewery of Unibroue has put out yet another beer called Raftman. weighing in at a mere 5.5% alcohol by volume, this beer is brewed from whisky malt" Now I say a mere 5.5% because I have become accustom the products from Unibroue weighing in at 8-9% on average. Let's see how this younger brother measures up.
I must say that despiter the rugged looking individuals on the label, I thnk this beer would get sand kicked in it's face at the beach everywhere except America. The lable boast "full-bodied" but it just does not measure up to it's heavy weight brothers. Now this beer was neither unpleasent, nor distasteful. But it did not seem to stand out as significant. This ruling may have been skewed by false expectations on my part and I am willing to schedule a remach.
Still coming in more potent than most American beers, I give it a 7 out of 10. Better luck next time.

Third we have an old classic stepping up to the plate, "Old Speckled Hen" from the island known as England. Weighing in at 5.5% alcohol by volume, this one has been known in the beer comunity for many years. It has only recienty come to my attention, despite fathering several spinoffs. Which I will have to review later.

This beer has a very distinct flavor and color to it. A shade of red-amber that I have yet to find anywhere else. The flavor had that familiar bite that one would expect from a proper English ale. Not a smooth as a pale ale, but very enjoyable. I look forward to sampeling the other products from their brewery.

I rate this beer as a solid 8.

Last, and by no means least, we come to Germany. Weighing in at 5.3% alcohol by volume whe have a Hefe-Weizen from the Erdinger brewery. Hefe-Weizen is a style of beer that I really enjoy. Especially when served with a slice of lemon in it. Now I know what you're saying, "Fruit in beer?". But trust me, it is worth the leap of faith. This was no exception and should be noted in case you sample it without a slice.

This stuff was absolutely wonderful. The intense flavor mixed with the bite of the citrus was simply delightful. The carbonation and the light color keep this one from setting too heavy. While best enjoyed in warmer climates than our present New England Winter, I would recomend this one to anyone who enjoys a good Hefe-Weizen.

Erdinger's Hefe-Weizen scores a 9 with me.

Well, that's all for now. Be sure to check back next time for more reviews and insight into the beers of the world.

Cheers!

Wine night

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:13:52 GMT

I plan on hosting another one of my fabled wine nights sometime in November. If at all interested, please let me know what weekend works for you so I can plan accordingly.

Oh boy!

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:59:17 GMT

I am definately step up my game on this one. So far she's met me "strike" for "strike". This is gonna be one hell of a ride!

This friday

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:52:17 GMT

I want to know what people are doing this friday. I want to have a night out where I don't have to keep track of anybody, corral drunks, have to check I.D. or drive myself home. Anybody wanna help me out?

thoughts

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:30:04 GMT

I feel the need to start some kind of reoccurring theme night as most of my current ones are fizzling. I'm thinking a get together to watch a few episodes of a show, or a weekly movie night. Or...I have the BBC broadcast of the Lord of the Rin...gs radio play. It's frakkin awesome. 13 episodes, one hour a piece, one or two episodes a week? Sound remotely interesting to anyone?Read More

schedule

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:23:09 GMT

Here's what I'm up too. If you can read this, chances are you should come along.
4/22: Grand Truino at Stage 2 in Amesbury.
2/23: Beerworks in Salem.
4/24:Rocky Horror has officaily been take off the schedule due to needs of sleep. Yes it's really me and yes, I did say that. Want to do something els that does not run to 3AM.
4/25: Darq in Salem.
4/26:Dead Pool at Flat Top Johnny's
4/27: Sleeppppppppzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
4/28: Club Hell in Providence, RI
5/2: Fighting the Cylons deck by deck aboard the Galactia.

Darkside walkers ball

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 05:31:54 GMT

I've just had a short but enjoyable night out at the darkside walkers ball. Met up with some friends, regular and occasional. A good vibe was felt by all in attendance. I needed a night out, and while this one was not nearly as long as it needed to be, it was a good experiance. Thank you to any who are reading this.

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:47:49 GMT

SAKE!!!!

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 06:24:46 GMT

This weekend has made me realize something. I've just spent the better part of 2 days doing nothing of any great consequence. The reason for this is that it's Valentines day, and I'm single, and 85% of my friends are not. Now the only reason this would have any bearing on why I'd have nothing to do is that most of the things I like to do need other people. Is it good or bad that I've geared my life so much around interacting with other people that I don't do anything on my own? Yes, it is. Even my passion for movies seems dull without another observer. I never realized it was to this degree before. Isupose it's in compensation for not interacting with anyone when I was a kid. No psychobabble this time though. No whining either. Just saying that I need to start doing things taht aren't baised around hanging out with other people. Not just for hobbies, but for life in general. I mean, I'm not an ididot, but I really haven't made much of myself other than becoming socially savy. I've taken myself from being the wallflower dork to being the one that people look for and folow around at parties. I guess that is an accomplihment in itself. I just started my life behind schedule. Yeah, that could be it. It would explain so many things. Most of my friends are younger than I am, I guess because we're at the same point in our lives. I physically look a lot younger than I am. Most of my dreams inolve imortality of some sort, escaping the passage of time. Heh. I am Grendel MacMoses of the clan MacMoses, and I am imortal. I'm not going to stab myself to test the theory. Much to think about.

KHAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:25:35 GMT

I can't believe he's dead. This is the end of an era my friends.

R.I.P. Ricardo Montalban

for those of you who remember how

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:18:21 GMT

GPQG IAKU QWQM
ALGP DUYB LGOT
CKCP OHXT GUWC
RPDR JTDZ FZOD
PEKZ CNQV IXZO
QBSD MGSH JFXM
BZNB QNUS EHJZ
RUMB CZRZ MUHZ
WGXN ECWN UDCQ
HJIV LNDS UFQN
FYWK CREI JAMUZ
ARYF TPKN MCQN
ANQP YHIY JFEG
TPWW XMKY MFRL
FRJT HPGN UMAU

Fancy Feast!

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:22:56 GMT

I am having a gathering which will be following in the tradition of my esteemed "Wine Nights". The focus of this night however will not be on the fermented fruits, but upon the food which it will complement. As usual formal attire is requested but not required. This event is open to anyone you feel would add to the occasion. All I ask is that I get an accurate head count. Feel free to bring a bottle or a dish. Proposed start is 11/14/08 at @ 7:00 pm. Start time is a guess, and the event can even be moved to the 15th if needed. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:28:08 GMT

Dead Pool has taught me something about my billiard prowess. I'm either AWESOME!, or look out the balls are flying across the room! Never a dull moment when I'm at the helm. When I'm literally at the helm either. Vudu got to experience MacMoses's wild ride on the way home. I love my friends!

Darq Rocks!

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:22:34 GMT

Despite the rain and being on a saturday another successful Darq night was had in Salem. I was joined this time by JG, GK and Mj. Many, what are becoming, familiar faces. Massive headache today at work though. Tonight it's off to Dead Pool!

On a side note, asumptive decision making is a lot more effective than I ever would have thought possable.

King Richard's Faire

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:09:00 GMT

Potential date that I'm shooting for ti the weekend of 9/20 or 9/21. As of right now either day works. If you have never been, you should go and join my caravan. The more people the merrier. I can provide garb if needed. let me know who wants to go.

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:32:24 GMT

For those of you who know me well, know I don't mind helping out. This is especially true when I know that my efforts will be appreciated, and they are. Being dependable has it's advantages. Between cleaning out the garage and helping others with projects over the last few weeks, I've been busy. And I love it. A bit of the nomad still clings to me from last years ordeal in that I am setting out just about everyday with a destination and a project, and no definite time of return. I almost always have at least one change of clothes tucked away in my car because I love the feeling that I don't have to go home if I don't want to. Wherever the project leads, I'll be fine. An odd sense of freedom, but freedom no the less.

No PC Blah....

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:14:11 GMT

Not having a computer is seriously pissing me off at this point. I've been ok with the internet cafe at work and the library at home, but neither place is really the place to let me hone my rapid dwindling computer skilz. Not to mention that it has just about put the Spymaster out of business. I need to get one soon. Good bye saved funds...Bah!

on the darker side

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:33:08 GMT

This is something I wrote a few years back when I was loosing my mind from working the night shift. The first paragraph is from Marvin on the hitch hikers guide to the galaxy. Strangely, today I feel very similar to the way i felt back then. I also can't get this out of my head. Well, hope you enjoy:

Now the world has gone to bed,
Darkness won't engulf my head,
I can see by infrared,
How I hate the night.

Silent is the night so deep,
Not a whisper, not a peep,
No one here for me to greet,
How I hate the night.

Rest for me is far away,

I must sleep during the day,

I do not like my life this way,

How I hate the night.

In the shadows I must wait,

All alone without a mate,

Long have I endured this fate,

How I hate the night.

The light is here I must be gone,

Again denied the warmth of dawn,

Weary but I must go on,

How I hate the night.

Good night out there, whatever you are

I'm back

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:57:08 GMT

Well the vacation is over and it's back to the grind. After only one day back to work I'm looking at job postings. For what it is, my job is not that bad, I'm just tired of doing it. After spending more than a week in "Analog Mode" I've done a lot of thinking about what I want to do with life. Sadly I'm not comming up with any great answers. However I am forming a plan to increase posabilities. I know I need more computer and IT training if I want to stay in this industry doing anything more than customer service. At the end of the day tho, I don't really make anything. My labors are currently being used to deflect the growing concern of clients and lul them into a sence of apathy that they feel would require more effort to break than it's worth. The problem is that's I've fallen into this rut too.

MUCH of my fear stems from the knowledge that I have to do everything on my own. I believe that if I fall, there will be no one there to catch me, despite being proven wrong. Having someone in my life to stick with me and share my life with would be a welcome burden at this point. There are people in my life even now that would be willing to enlist for such a duty, but consigning myself to them would leave me wanting, and that's no way to live.

Anyone out there who thinks they may have a solution for either my employment delema or my life station, call me. NOW.

Attention

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:23:43 GMT

Now hear this.

To all clocks:
Please add more hours to the day.
Thank you.

That is all.

Dark Knight

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:16:10 GMT

I just found out that the Dark Knight is gonna be on IMAX!!! If anybody wants to throw in and see it together, let me know!

Give me a ping Vasily......

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:15:52 GMT

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a memory of you and me. It can be anything you want -- good or bad. When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people remember about you.

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:14:09 GMT

I know it's a little early, but damn it I want to stage a massed invasion of everybody I know into one of my favorite places. This years dates are August 30 thru October 19. Start planning on a weekend now!!! Last year I got a lot of "If I had only known sooner". Not this year! I'm sure I'll go at least twice, so just let me know what weekends work for which people and I'll do that Voo Doo that I doo. Also, you can buy tickets online now. If you buy them before the end of the month you get a discount. Who's with me?

King Richard's Faire!

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:53:32 GMT

HA!

Thu, 08 May 2008 18:14:48 GMT

Take that Obi Wan.

Your Slogan Should Be

John. First Man, then Machine

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