Tap Handle With Different Beer?

Ran into a scenario last night where the beer shown on the tap handle was something completely different. No worries since in this case the beer was delicious, but I do like the handle to at least signify the brewery. It worked out well in the end, but no entry went into Untappd because I wasn’t truly sure which beer I was having. Oh well, end the end at least it was a great pint!

Warm Glass?

I like my beer to roll out in a room temperature glass, but the other day I was handed a pint in a hot glass just out of a dishwasher. Luckily the glass was plastic so it did not hold as much heat, but I still prefer my glass to be no more than room temp. At one time I would actually complain about a frozen glass, now I tend to just shake it off and go with the flow although it isn’t the way I want my beer to arrive. I must say the screaming hot out of the dishwasher glass is a new thing and I’m surprised the bartender was able to keep the beer from foaming over the top.

No, Shock Top Is NOT Made In Belgium

Last night I overheard a concessions cashier say Shock Top was imported from Belgium and it decidedly is not. I hate it when someone tries to spout facts which are untrue, better to just say I don’t know where it is made than to make something up. I am sure they would like you to believe the beer is imported from far and wide, but it is made in the US to compete with Blue Moon. Of course now they really don’t compete anymore do they – wink wink nudge nudge.

Kirkland Signature 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whiskey

Not long ago I bought some Kirkland Signature no age statement Blended Scotch Whiskey for a song and it wasn’t stellar for the first few glasses, but as it out-gassed it became much better. Someone posted on a forum the 12 Year Old was much better and so my next trip through a Costco with a liquor store I decided to give it a whirl. At $38 it was not expensive for a handle of Blended Scotch and I must say it is quite tasty indeed. I can see this becoming the new house Blended Scotch and believe most people would enjoy a glass of it. I prefer it neat and the alcohol is restrained. I have heard there is some variability from handle to handle in different blends, but if they approach this quality in most it should not be a concern. So if you are near a Costco with a liquor store run out and snag a handle for yourself. I believe you will be glad you did!

NRA Facebook Change

I received a notification of change for the National Rifle Association Facebook page. It is now the NRA Institute for Legislative Action and I must say I despise the change. I hated it when I would get all sorts of political notifications from the NRA before I opted out and in the American Rifleman magazine I skip all the political articles to read about firearms, ammo, etc. I’m not sure why the NRA has decided to make their Facebook presence all or nothing, but if I’m someone looking for Refuse To Be A Victim I would be turned off when I get directed to a Legislative Action page instead. Bad move NRA, don’t make everything political when so much good comes from training and programs.

Bullet Resistant Window Inserts?

I came across an article which indicated the NYPD plans to install bulletproof windows in all patrol cars. According to the article the inserts do not allow the window to be rolled down. Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea? Now the police must exit the vehicle to even speak with anyone and will not be able to see out the window. The move was a reaction to officer deaths in 2014, but this is not a good solution. Now a criminal truly can sneak up on a blind-spot for the officer where the side mirror would miss them, shift forward, and still fire rounds unencumbered into the vehicle. This looks to be more of a problem than anything and while we do not want to see officers being harmed, this is not the solution! Take the money and spent it elsewhere and don’t cut off the field of vision for officers and make it more difficult for them to interact with the public. Perhaps when they are not on a call or driving the policy should be they exit the vehicle. Sometimes the simplest solutions truly are the best.

Sam Adams Hopscape PSA

So here’s you PSA for today, skip Sam Adams Hopscape unless you want a beer with little to no hop character and something which is akin to drinking water. I didn’t hate it, it wasn’t awful, but it was as boring as boring can be and I won’t have it again unless it is on sale for less than PBR and I can get PBR for $7 a 12-pack. It is nearly flavorless and while it does have some slight aspects of fruit using the word hop in the beer name does it a disservice. Had it been called Wheatscape or some other term it might be passable, but I’d truly be surprised if the IBUs on this bad boy charted above 20. The website touts 30 IBU and use of Zeus, Centennial, Citra, and Chinook hops, but I’m not buying that bridge. So skip it unless you truly want to see how boring beer can be for yourself!

Don’t Be Scared Of The Alcohol In Beer!

Ran into a couple last night who were scared of an 8% beer as if it was spawn from the devil. They were drinking something 5.5 or 6% abv and seemed afraid of the slightly bigger brother. I went on to explain the 12% average alcohol content of wine or 40% alcohol content of Scotch and Bourbon, but they were not convinced. Then I went on to speak of the wonders of a glass of water at keeping you hydrated and also how eating greasy foods were a great idea before a night of indulgence. In the end I think they understood the error in their thought process, but they still didn’t stray from their path. Even when I warned a particular IPA was so watery it was mistaken for colored Dasani they ordered it and paid the price. That just goes to show you cannot convince some people no matter how hard you try!

Sierra Nevada 12 oz Bottle Recall

Sierra Nevada has issued a recall for certain 12 oz bottles packaged between 12/5/16 and 1/13/17. The impacted beers packaged at Mills River include Pale Ale, Beer Camp Golden IPA, Sidecar Orange Pale Ale, Torpedo Extra IPA, Tropical Torpedo, Nooner, Hop Hunter IPA, and Otra Vez. According to the website the beer was distributed to the following  Midwest, Southern and East Coast states: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI and WV. Visit their website for additional information.

C codes are not included in the recall, only M codes.

Taurus Spectrum

Shot Show 2017 introduced the Taurus Spectrum and I must admit I kinda dig the style of their new pocket pistol. Black doesn’t quite speak to me, but the colors do. I’ll keep my eye on this one!