I lived in Cohoes, NY for a few months during the two year purgatory stint I did for a health insurance company. It was closer to work,
got to move out of mom’s house, etc. I was nineteen. I probably wouldn’t do it again if I had the option. No regrets or anything, just poorly conceived. Cohoes was home to Vliet Mart, a mom & pop convenience store up the street from my grungy bachelor pad. It sold what you’d normally come to find at one of these. Continue reading
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Stone Levitation Ale: Gravity Rides Everything
30 Oct
At the rate I’ve decided to do beer reviews, Evan is going to have to change the name of this blog to “the self hating hopster.” (See what I did there?) I’ve been reviewing so much beer I feel there could be a Joanie Loves Chachi-like spin off to this Happy Days of a blog somewhere down the line. For now, I remain your faithful servant in amateur beer reviews.
To that point, I’ve noticed that Continue reading
Ironic Pro Wrestling T-Shirt of the Week!
25 OctThe ironic t-shirt phase has taken a down turn as of late, no? The last post I made took me to a head shop, where while making my purchase I noticed the novelty shirts for sale along the wall. These said things like “NO. SERIOUSLY. FUCK YOU DUDE,” and “FUCK YOU YOU FUCKING FUCK,” or my personal favorite “GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME.” Reminds me of my dear twin sister. They had trademarks on them from 1996. 1996! Are they the same ones? 1996, Pavement hadn’t even Continue reading
Fall Beer Guide 2011: Pumking Down!
19 OctThe fall is undoubtedly the best season for craft brewing in the country. The Great American Beer Fest kicks things off in Denver, and countless beer gardens and taprooms celebrate Oktoberfest across the country. As we approach the holiday season, another shift in seasonal beer availability is not too far off. (In fact, Magic Hat has already been shipping it’s holiday sampler pack.) So to honor the now fading harvest moon, here is a list of the top ten pumpkin beers I have had this season.
10. St-Ambroise Pumpkin Ale (Citrouille) (Montreal, QB) – Labeled “The Great Pumpkin” in the US, this Canadian offering doesn’t leave much room for interpretation. Bland, but not at the risk of saying it was bad. Drink it if you’re curious about Canadian ideas regarding pumpkin.
Requiem for a Center
19 OctA news bulletin caught my eye earlier today regarding the sudden passing of former Buffalo Bills center, Kent Hull. Hull played during what can only be described as the golden age of Buffalo Bills football. I am a Buffalo native, born a year after Hull joined the team. Growing up the Bills were not a football team, they were a religion. In the front foyer of my old elementary school huge signs hung showing the Bills entire schedule, as well as win/loss information. This was an elementary school. During this time, the Bills were a powerhouse in the NFL. The oft-mentioned factoid of losing four straight Super Bowls notwithstanding; Hull was the anchor of the offensive line for over a decade. At one point he played in 121 consecutive games. Hull played a key role in establishing the “K-Gun” offense Buffalo used to reach all four of those Super Bowls. Between 1989 and 1993, the Bills ranked no lower than sixth in total rushing yards, not to mention leading the entire league in 1991 and 1992. His blocking certainly contributed. Hull retired in 1996, and was inducted into Buffalo’s “Ring of Honor” in 2002.
Hull played a non-glamorous position on a team with lots of star power. He didn’t score touchdowns. He wasn’t on the magazine covers. He wasn’t the player you picked the Bills for in Techmo Super Bowl. (Thurman Thomas was a BEAST.) He was simply the man who snapped the ball to Jim Kelly before he threw to Andre Reed. Before I wrote this, I wondered to myself if there was anyone else on the past Bills teams that would prompt me to wax nostalgic. I don’t think there are. Kent Hull represented the workman-like qualities a city like Buffalo can appreciate. He showed up. He played hard. His passing is made even more tragic by its sudden nature. Kent Hull was 50 years old.
Long Trail Brewing Co. – Triple Bag Ale
17 Oct
Forgive me for not following the guidelines to a traditional beer review. Websites like Beer Advocate and others have a formulaic process with lots of things I don’t know what has to do with beer. I’ve had a lot of craft beer over the last year attempting to sound even remotely like I know what I am talking about. Most extended trips I’ve taken have involved trying to find local brews and bombers exclusive to the given area. I’ve bartered with friends from across the country for seasonal selections and other microbrews. I still feel I have no idea what I am doing. Be that as I may, I am here to give it a try. If you know me well enough, you’d know I am a card carrying supporter of the Long Trail brewery located in Northern Vermont, about 120 miles from Albany. Their flagship Long Trail ale is my favorite everyday beer. Their strong ale Double Bag is a darker, nuttier brew that was once only reserved for those who came to visit the brewery as a token of appreciation. It’s popularity led the brewery to brew Double Bag throughout the year. Occasionally they up the ante to their version of an American Strong ale, the subsequent Triple Bag. It’s a lot like Double Bag of course, but just with the volume turned up. The chocolate aroma and malty flavor are ever present, with enough hops to balance things out. The alcohol content increases from 7.2% to 8.2% providing a warm finish like most higher alcohol beers. This isn’t your average Sunday afternoon beer. This will put you on your ass. If you’re interested in trying it, I’d start with a Double Bag. If you’re not impressed, I can’t say this will do much more for you. On the contrary if you’re into it, be sure to pick up a four pack at your local beverage center.
Chicago Hope: Saving the Cubs
14 Oct
103 years ago today marks the last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. Try as they might, they have not been able to get to the top in over a century. Bad luck, bad players, and more recently bad contracts have been among the myriad reasons why this franchise has been unable to capture it all. So what to think of the recent acquisition of Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein? The media-appointed boy wonder GM is the one who put together the hallowed 2004 squad that stunned the Yankees in seven games to win the Pennant and ended the so-called “Curse of the Bambino.” He shook the team up again in 2007 (Julio Lugo!), and won their second title in four years.
Now, at a robust 37 years old Theo Epstein has taken on the biggest challenge left in baseball, and quite possibly all of sports: build a winner for the north side’s long-suffering fan base. He’ll have work to do. Carlos Zambrano’s faux-retirement meltdown has been overshadowed by a thrilling post season. He has a great young center infield nucleus with Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro. He has to decide if he wants to keep Aramis Ramirez (or Carlos Pena, or Alfonso Soriano, or…you get the idea.)
Now, keep in mind that there is no vacancy for the Cubs manager, and that Joe Girardi is still gainfully employed for the Yankees. Joe Girardi’s been under increasing pressure here in New York. He seems to be struggling with the finer points of managing in the post season. Radio and newspaper pundits questioned whether his job was truly safe this off-season. While he has a world title to his credit, he was out managed by Jim Leyland in the ALDS, and his line up couldn’t solve Justin Verlander. To his credit, Girardi could strike first. Girardi has always maintained he would one day like to manage for the Cubs. With Epstein’s departure from Boston, it’s not outrageous to think he could lure Girardi away.
Now comes the biggest piece of the potential puzzle; can they sign Albert Pujols. Pujols has already become one of the greatest players to ever play the game. At 31 years old, he could potentially play for another 12 years. He was unable to reach an extension deal with the St. Louis Cardinals before the beginning of the season, and had already declared he would test the free agent market if that was to happen. Plainly put, he wants to be the highest paid player in the game. Currently, that would put him in the $300,000,000 million dollar ranger, possibly over 10 years. If its money he’s truly after, then Epstein will drive an eighteen wheeler full of money up to Albert’s front door.
Cubs fans will have sky-high expectations no matter what. Getting Theo was a great move, but his biggest challenge will be finding the right guy to lead on and off the field. It’s either that, or wonder what to write about next year for 104 years.
the self-hating hipster 