tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24400852523468770932024-03-12T20:57:04.174-07:00Crinkle TalkCrinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-13328514538791083192018-10-13T09:20:00.000-07:002018-10-13T09:20:13.603-07:00Overcoming<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4KC0nUmY4Y" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4KC0nUmY4Y</a><br />
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A friend of mine shared this story with me earlier this week, and I thought it was too good not to be shared with more people. What this kid has already accomplished is truly amazing. The fact that Nike has recognized it and rewarded him for it is incredible. I know how hard he had to work his entire life for this, how difficult it is to stand up and walk to the other side of the house, to put on your shoes when your muscles spasm, the pain/discomfort/exhaustion of every step he takes, and wanting people to see you for who you are, not for having Cerebral Palsy. His determination and will power are unbelievable. <br />
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I don't talk much about living with Cerebral Palsy, not because it bothers me, but because it just is. I don't know any other way of living. It has shaped who I am throughout my entire life, just as it's shaped who my friends and family are. They also had to work harder and deal with things I may never fully understand all because I was a part of their life. I may not have been aware that it was difficult for them to deal with a son, brother, or friend with Cerebral Palsy when I was younger, but the older I get, the more I understand their patience, sacrifice, and strength they had/have as well. <br />
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I'm not going to lie, I cried when I watched this video. Tears of joy for Justin, tears of pride for what I've been able to accomplish, and tears for my family and friends for supporting me while dealing with their own struggles. I don't write this for you to feel sorry for me, or for Justin. We are all dealing with our own struggles, and mine aren't any harder or worse than anyone else's. To be honest, I'm not really sure why I'm writing this. Maybe it's a bit of therapy for myself? A small way to say thank you to all those in my life that have been there for me? Maybe it's a way to help make us aware of other people's struggles? We all need to try to be more understanding of other people. I know I need to work on this, but I am becoming more aware of it as well. Maybe we just need to celebrate a win?<br />
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I was going to write something short on Facebook and share this story there, but then I realized I have the perfect platform here. Sorry this story isn't about beer, maybe my next post will get back to that, but for now watch these videos about Justin. Think of what he's overcome, think of what you've overcome, and think about the struggles and victories we all have on a daily basis.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv3liaDDtSY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv3liaDDtSY</a><br />
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Congratulations to Justin for all of his hard work, to what he has accomplished, and what he will accomplish in the future, and thank you to Nike for acknowledging and celebrating it. Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-26874120471633930632018-05-20T07:53:00.000-07:002018-05-20T07:53:44.050-07:00Beer School<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J. Wilson prepares the off flavor beer samples under Cory O'Neel's watchful eye</td></tr>
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Have you ever had a beer that tasted "off" but you didn't know why? There are a lot of factors that can cause those off flavors in your beer. Maybe the brewer needed to boil the wort a bit longer? Maybe there was too much oxygen in the beer when they packaged it? Maybe the beer was bottled in clear/green glass and was exposed to sunlight? There are so many things that can make a good beer go bad, and the brewery doesn't always have control of them all.<br />
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The Iowa Brewers Guild held an Off Flavor Beer Class for both professional brewers and beer enthusiasts alike. I was lucky enough to sit in on the brewers class (although I was told they are basically the same class.) The class was taught by Brewing QA/QA Microbiologist Cory O'Neel. Cory has worked in the brewing industry for many years for both small and extremely large breweries. After a quick hello with him before class, it was obvious why J. chose him to teach the class, he know his stuff.<br />
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We all tried 12 different samples that were spiked with off flavors. Some off flavors I didn't taste at all, some were very subtle to me, and were very obvious. As it turns out, I'm more sensitive to the off flavors that come during and after packaging, but I'm also pretty sensitive to different acids. The final sample of the afternoon was butyric acid, and Cory described it as "baby puke" to the class. I heard one brewer ask, "how would anyone even know what that tastes like?" Obviously he's not a dad yet! Of course, that probably was the strongest flavor of the day too. All in all, it was a good class that I would recommend to anyone who's into craft beer, and to everyone that home brews.<br />
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This class was hosted at the Quarter Barrel Arcade and Brewery in Cedar Rapids. <a href="https://www.thequarterbarrel.com/" target="_blank">https://www.thequarterbarrel.com/</a><br />
This was my first time here, but hopefully not my last. It's in an older industrial brick building with classic brewery signs on the wall, and classic arcade games everywhere. Not only did they host the off flavor class, but they made a few pizzas for everyone to enjoy after the class was over. They were top notch. Not to put anyone down, but I ate at a very popular Cedar Rapids pizzeria earlier in the day, and this was better. When you visit, I would plan on taking a taxi or an Uber as parking seems to be an issue around the brewery, but that just means you get to enjoy a few more of their beers responsibly!<br />
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While the beer class was very educational and a great experience, it was just a bonus for me. The main reason I drove nearly two hours was to record a podcast with J. Wilson. J. is the Minister of Iowa Beers for the Iowa Brewers Guild. <a href="http://www.iowabeer.org/#home" target="_blank">http://www.iowabeer.org/#home</a><br />
In the podcast we discussed what the Iowa Brewers Guild does for both Iowa breweries and craft beer fans alike. We talked about the Iowa Beer Army, you can sign up on the Guild's site, and a special event just for the Iowa Beer Army later this summer. He even talks about being named "Beer Drinker of the Year." We also discussed the Iowa Craft Beer Festival, happening in Des Moines on June 16th. I urge everyone that can go to do so, you will be amazed at how much great beer we have in Iowa. <a href="https://app.tikly.co/events/2727" target="_blank">https://app.tikly.co/events/2727</a> Click on the link to get your tickets while you can. The VIP tickets have already sold out (that's OK, there will still be more beer than you can possibly try in a day.)<br />
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You can find my podcast with J. Wilson on iTunes, Google Play Music, SoundCloud, and Patreon. Just search "Crinkltalk" Once you find it, you can click to subscribe so you never have to search for it again.<br />
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Don't forget to check out Uncle Medard Outdoors at <a href="https://unclemedard.com/" target="_blank">https://unclemedard.com/</a> Dan will have up new inventory soon!!Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-53246015020504224252018-05-04T11:57:00.000-07:002018-05-04T11:57:21.221-07:00Pivo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By now everyone's heard of Toppling Goliath and Pulpit Rock breweries in Decorah, IA, but less than 15 minutes south of them in the little town of Calmar, IA there's a new brewery in town called Pivo.<br />
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I recently sat down with Craig, the owner of Pivo Brewery to record a podcast (more on that later) and share a few beers. The first thing I noticed was the warmth in the huge beer hall. It was very open and inviting. I immediately wanted to grab a beer and sit in the courtyard (coming soon) in the sun with friends to relax. After talking with Craig, this seems to be exactly the kind of feel he was shooting for. A gathering place for the town and travelers to come and enjoy each others company while also enjoying a beer from his gigantic tap list. Craig currently has nearly 30 Pivo beers and ciders on tap with another 9 guest beers and even a rootbeer on tap. I've been to a lot of breweries over the years, and this may be one of the largest tap lists I've ever seen.<br />
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During my tour I quickly noticed the planning and attention to detail that went into opening Pivo. Little things like saving old church pews for 10 years, or patches, bottle openers, stickers and other knick knacks that became the bar top under a hefty layer of lacquer. To larger things like space for 6 more tanks (already plumbed) to go into the brewhouse, and even room for an event center.<br />
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Then of course, there is the beer. Even with the large tap list, Craig wants his beer to be approachable by all. Styles ranging from Czech Pilsner, to Saison, IPA to Milk Stout. How about a Chipotle Pumpkin Saison (great chile flavor with a good amount of heat, but not so much that you don't want to keep drinking to,) or a Cucumber Pale Ale? This may have been my favorite of the afternoon. A nice solid Pale Ale with loads of fresh cucumber flavor and aroma. I could see enjoying a few pints of this in their courtyard, or even getting a growler or crowler (yes they do have both if you would like some beer to go) fill to enjoy in my own backyard.<br />
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Craig hasn't gone through the process of starting a brewery on his own, his wife and business partner Sara has been with him the whole time, while creating a business of her own to complement Craig's in the same building. Sara is an artist that uses ceramic tiles to display her talent as well as creating incredible Baltic Eggs. She also do several art classes in her art studio located in the second floor (I'm told there's a free beer for every class.) You can check out more of Craig's and Sara's creations on their website <a href="http://www.pivoblepta.com/" target="_blank">http://www.pivoblepta.com/</a> Or just stop in for a beer and check out their gift shop.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The giant homemade bar with 40 taps behind it</td></tr>
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As always you can find my podcast on your favorite carrier, iTunes, Google Play, SoundCloud, and Patreon, just search "Crinkletalk" and enjoy Episode 4, recorded with Craig from Pivo Brewery.<br />
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Don't forget to check out the great designs from my good buddy Dan on <a href="https://unclemedard.com/" target="_blank">https://unclemedard.com/</a><br />
He'll have new inventory up soon! Dan has been designing since before I knew him (and that's over 20 years now!) I encourage everyone to check out his website. You can take a look at some of his awesome designs on Instagram "unclemedardoutdoor." He even created my awesome new podcast logo.<br />
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This is going to be a big year for the Crinkletalk podcast. I have some exciting guests line up and some things in the works to make the podcast bigger and better than ever. Thanks to all that have given me their support and help along the way. I hope you enjoy listening to the podcast as much as I enjoy creating it. Cheers!Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-67490337885486304952018-03-11T11:59:00.001-07:002018-04-07T07:35:40.904-07:00Fat Joe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the craft beer world, beer releases are the "in" thing at the moment. For those of you that don't know, a beer release is when a brewery makes a special/limited quantity/and highly sought after beer. They set a date and time, and people line up around the block (literally) just for a chance at purchasing a bottle or two. Some times these release are about the prestige of getting said bottle and posting pictures on social media, sometimes it's about sharing a few beers in line with others who share your interest, and sometimes it's all about the beer. Pulpit Rock Brewery in Decorah, Iowa is quickly becoming known for all their beers, and is starting to draw huge crowds for their beer releases. This release was no different. <br />
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Fat Joe, a 13% abv Imperial Barrel Aged Coffee Stout had people lined up overnight, over 12 hours early on a cold, Iowa winter night so they could get their hands on a few bottles. But that wasn't all, why release 1 beer, when you can release 4? Aside from the highly sought after bottles of Fat Joe, they released 3 other beers in crowlers. Barundi Pour Over Porter (6.7% abv coffee porter,) Bu-Bear-ee (7% abv blueberry pastry sour,) and a collaboration with Mikerphone Brewing out of Chicago, Rock the Mikerphone (an 8% abv Double IPA brewed with Fruit Loops.)<br />
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If standing in line for twelve hours in the middle of winter for a bottle of beer isn't your thing, that's alright. I missed the morning release, but stopped by the brewery early afternoon to enjoy their fantastic tap list (same as the morning) and there were still plenty of crowlers available. When I got there the taproom was fairly calm, closer to an average Saturday, although, by the time I left it was standing room only again. With that tap list, I'm not surprised. <br />
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I met with one of the Co-Head Brewers, Bob for several beers, and he was kind enough to record another podcast. The first was recorded in August 2016 and can be found on YouTube at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=crinkletalk+podcast" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=crinkletalk+podcast</a><br />
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Before I add the latest link, I'll just share a few thoughts on some of the beers. Barrel Aged Pudgy (13% abv barrel aged stout with vanilla) is thick, chewy, decadent, and loaded with smooth vanilla. This is an outstanding beer that I could drink all the time. Fat Joe had a little thinner mouth feel, but had a huge coffee flavor. it also drank dangerously smooth. Neither of these beers felt like a 13% abv brew, making them both delicious and dangerous! Also shown below is the Mixed Bear-ee, a 7% Pastry Sour made with blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. One of the things that stuck out about this beer was how you could taste each type of berry in it, but also how well they all blended together. Their Pastry Sours are a good mix of sweet and tart, making them extremely easy to drink them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed Bear-ee, BA Pudgy, and Fat Joe</td></tr>
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It's easy to see why this little brewery in NE Iowa is making a huge name for themselves in the craft beer world. They make world class beer, and are also world class people. A special thanks to Bob for taking time out of a busy day to share a few beers and record a podcast with me. Also, thanks to Justin and Mike for working with Bob at making some of the best beers we can buy, and everyone at Pulpit Rock for hosting another great event. <a href="http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.net/" target="_blank">http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.net/</a><br />
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A few things about my podcast, I will be putting forth more of an effort to make this a regular thing, releasing no less than 1 a month. Soon, you will notice a new logo (Thanks Dan,) a sponsor, Uncle Medard Outdoors <a href="https://unclemedard.com/" target="_blank">https://unclemedard.com/</a>, and I'll be working at having the podcast released on iTunes and Google Play. For now, it is available on Patreon, It's OK if you don't have that app, you can stream it or download it from their website. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Crinkletalk" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/Crinkletalk</a> or click below<br />
<a href="http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:266142226/sounds.rss" target="_blank">http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:266142226/sounds.rss</a><br />
<br />Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-31620866217570303462018-01-20T09:40:00.000-08:002018-01-20T09:40:22.669-08:00Iowa ProudI'm going to take a departure from the norm today and not write about beer. If you'd like to read more on Iowa beer, including my latest review of Single Speed Brewery in Waterloo please check out my friends website <a href="https://www.iowahasgoodbeer.com/" target="_blank">https://www.iowahasgoodbeer.com/</a> Check out the Iowa beer stories page.<br />
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Today I wanted to take a moment to talk about former Iowa Hawkeye basketball player Chris Street. It's been 25 years since his death, and the loss still resonates for the citizens of Iowa and the Hawkeye fans. Obviously losing such a great talent at a young age is awful, yet he was more than that. He was the typical Iowa kid, working hard, being a good person, doing what is right, and he was succeeding. I think losing not only his talent but someone with his character is why we all still remember him. I'm not going to lie and tell you I was his biggest fan, I don't watch much basketball. My dad is the Hawkeye basketball fan of the family. Instead, I thought I'd share a short story of when I met him when I was 12 years old that may help show, why his memory is still with us.<br />
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I used to go to a summer camp for handicapped kids in Iowa City that was hosted by the University of Iowa's Hospital Schools, a place where I spent a lot of time recovering and rehabbing from surgeries. For a few years they had this great idea of getting kids together to help them feel more normal. We'd live in the dorms for 2 weeks with a dedicated counselor that would do fun activities with us, but we'd also have physical therapy and group counseling sessions to help us deal with day to day issues. It really was a big step in becoming independent, and I was very lucky and glad that I was a part of it.<br />
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So what does this have to do with Chris Street? One of the activities we did was go and watch a summer basketball league game. Christ just happened to be one of the players. This was a fun yet competitive league meant to help college players keep up their skills in the off season. Some of the other kids recognized Chris right away. He came over to our group and talked with all of us and signed some autographs. This was pretty cool of him, right? Absolutely, and for most of the other players, that's also what they did. Chris took it a step further. He invited our group to set next to the players on the bench. I ended up right next to him, and I don't remember what we talked about, but I do remember him making jokes, being really friendly, and feeling like he really cared.<br />
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It came time for him to go back into the game, and he asked me what I'd like to see him do, so of course I asked him to dunk the ball. A few minutes later he had the ball around the 3 point line, he charged the basket, I missed what happened next because my roommate asked me a question, but the small crowd in the gym went nuts. Christ runs by with his arms out and asked what I thought. I told him I missed it! I was so embarrassed. He just smiled, turned around, and immediately stole the ball and dunked it again. It was awesome! After the game he came back over to us and gave high fives and said his goodbyes.<br />
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I know this is a small and silly story, but in that hour and a half that I saw him, he gave me and the other kids in the group something to smile about. It's this small act of kindness he gave me and the group that made him special, and why 25 years later he's being honored at an Iowa basketball game. Thank you Chris for being kind, and giving us a good example. This story is something I think about from time to time and smile, a small moment in his life, but a big memory in mine.<br />
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<br />Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-4037246361364601472017-10-21T09:17:00.000-07:002017-10-21T09:17:49.090-07:00Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A busy Summer has already given into Fall that is half way over! We spent much of our Summer running Joseph to and from swim team practice and meets. In his first year, he not only made it to the conference meet, but won a couple of medals while he was there! There was a get together in Des Moines and a podcast with some of the guys from Strange Men Brewing (basically some guys that like to drink good beer and harass each other on the internet.) We did do a 2 part podcast that you can listen to on Patreon, just search Crinkletalk. Now we just wrapped up football season, but more on that later.<br />
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First, let's get to some beer! After missing the last bottle release from Pulpit Rock, I made it a point to get to the latest release. Two kettle sour beers aged on fruit, Peaches and Cream and Pillow Talk (pictured to the right.) <a href="http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.net/" target="_blank">http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.net/</a> There's a reason I've written about them before, and I will continue to do so. They make fantastic beer and they are also wonderful people. I love visiting the brewery as much for the beer as for the conversation with the brewers, Bob, Mike, and Justin.<br />
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1982, their latest DIPA (pictured to the left) shows that these guys are leading the way in NE IPA's (or NE IA IPA's as they like to call them.) I've had a lot of DIPA's from the East Coast to the Midwest, and they consistently make my favorite ones. They can make a beer balanced more than any other brewery I've had that are making this style. Of course they are juicy, and they can be dank, but they still have solid malt profile, and a good amount of bitterness to make them dangerously easy to drink. This is where Bob, Justin, and Mike really shine.<br />
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That being said, their stouts, porters, and sours are all great beers as well. Pillow talk really let the natural raspberries be the star of this brew. The lactose smoothed the beer out so the tartness wasn't overpowering, instead it lent itself nicely to this delicate beer. I'm really looking forward to trying my bottle of Peaches and Cream too.<br />
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Thanks to my friends Lisa and Rick, I have a few beers from Narrow Gauge to enjoy. And a big thanks to my uncle Mike for flying some crowlers of Weldworks beer to Iowa for me. I really can't wait to try those!<br />
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In August I started coaching Joseph's YSF 5th/6th grade Football team. I was the Defensive Coordinator and assistant offensive line coach. We had 12 5th graders and just 6 6th graders making us the youngest, and smallest team we saw all season. Luckily we had a great group of coaches too, Shain, Scott, Jason, Cory, and Jon were all a pleasure to work with, and I feel we gave these kids a good understanding of the fundamentals and what it means to be a team. <br />
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Joseph had a great season at defensive tackle again, recording a few sacks, several tackles for loss, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and numerous other tackles. On offense he was a blocking tight end, sealing the edge for his running backs to rack up the yards. He even caught a 14 yard pass in our last game. His upbeat attitude, and willingness to work hard has really paid off for him this year, and I'm incredibly proud of him.<br />
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I'll leave the offense write up for Shain or Scott, but as for our defense? I couldn't be more proud of this group either. They all worked hard, learned a lot, and really worked as a team. That was especially evident in our last, thrilling game of the season (we won 20-19.) We faced a passing team, the only one we saw all season. Our kids not only adjusted, but many of them really stepped up. From Bob and Kevin shutting down the middle of the line (our two girls that rocked by the way,) to Kallen and Joseph putting pressure on the QB, to Colton stepping up at safety, getting a huge interception and nearly running it in for a TD, to Brady the middle linebacker, who sealed the win with an interception over the middle. All of these kids came a long way since the beginning of the season, and they way they worked together and supported each other was awesome. It was truly and honor coaching this team, and I'm going to miss working with these kids.<br />
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Our family is now on to winter swim league, so lots of travel in in our future. Luckily many of the places we will travel to, has some good local breweries to check out. The Iowa Beer game is strong right now, and we are all spoiled and lucky because of it. Cheers!Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-31541252843444141182017-06-17T09:43:00.000-07:002017-06-17T09:43:08.876-07:00Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This spring has flown by. From selling our house to buying another, busy times at work, Joseph finishing the fifth grade and joining the swim team, a great vacation to Maine, and of course all the wonderful beer along the way. <br />
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The first I'll mention is Narrow Gauge out of the St. Louis area. Thanks to Lisa and Rick (my profession beer mules) for bringing me a few crowlers back with you. <a href="http://www.narrowgaugestl.com/home" target="_blank">http://www.narrowgaugestl.com/home</a><br />
These guys have quickly made a name for themselves in just one year, even being named the best new brewery in Missouri. After having this IPA, I can see why. I know a lot of people are jumping either on or off the NE IPA craze, but I love it (when done correctly.) This is done to perfection. Some haze from the massive amount of hops used, huge citrus aroma and flavor, balanced nicely with the right amount of bitterness to keep it from being too sweet. Honestly, it reminds me of Pulpit Rock IPA, and that is a very good thing. I have another in the fridge that I will be enjoying very soon.<br />
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Sometimes, when life is insane, the best thing to do is get away with the family for a bit, and that's what we did. The three of us took an amazing trip to Maine, spending our time in the Bar Harbor area and exploring Acadia National Park. <br />
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The scenery was absolutely incredible, unlike anything I've seen before. The rocky shores were stunning, and it's always great to be by the ocean. Of course fresh Lobster, crab, and haddock was on the menu daily while we were there. <br />
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However, I wasn't impressed with the local beer scene. These NE breweries are getting a lot of hype, but I'll take our Iowa beers over most of what I could find in the Bar Harbor area. Since I'm a nice guy, I won't list the so so breweries I encountered.<br />
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Instead, I will list a few notables. I have to start with Maine Beer Company. https://www.mainebeercompany.com/ This is a very hyped brewery so I really wanted to try them. While I was there, I had 2 of their beer and brought back a 3rd. The guy at the store told me "Lunch" was the best beer he ever had, so of course I had to try it. Well, it wasn't close to the best beer I've ever had, but it was a very good beer. A nice, clean IPA, that was well balanced and brewed with skill. I would certainly buy this beer again and again, but to say it's even in the realm of best beer I ever had, would be a big stretch. <br />
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Peak Organic Brewery was the other highlight for me, with The Juice and Crush being the beers I'll remember. Both solid IPA's with loads of citrus aroma and flavor, and more bitterness than I expected. That also made them very easy to drink, and the few I brought home will be great to enjoy on a hot Iowa night. http://peakbrewing.com/<br />
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We had a night stay in New Hampshire before flying back, so I made one last stop at a local store to bring back a few more beers. Unfortunately, I only bought single cans, but I sure am glad I at least bought some. Ransack the Universe from Collective Arts Brewing out of Canada was actually the best beer that I bought while I was there (even though I enjoyed it back home.) <a href="http://collectiveartsbrewing.com/home/" target="_blank">http://collectiveartsbrewing.com/home/</a><br />
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This is a brewery that I will seek out whenever I travel. I was immediately hit with loads of citrus, mango, and orange aroma when I opened the can. The flavor matched perfectly with the aroma, and was dare I say "juicy." It was also extremely well balanced both with the malt profile and the perfect amount of bitterness. This beer was fantastic. I also recently drank IPA #2 from them and it was nearly as good.<br />
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I'll even give an honorable mention to Hose Krusher APA from Strange Men Brewing. Unfortunately the bottle I had was flat, but it was another well balanced beer with great aroma. Hopefully I can join these guys in the future to brew (and drink) some beer with them.<br />
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I have a few more random NE beers to try that I've brought back with me and a few crowlers of Pulpit Rock's Loopy Lynn (possibly my favorite DIPA of all time) that I'll be enjoying soon and while they are fresh. I plan on enjoying them even more on my new backyard patio while the dogs run around our big yard. Until next time. Follow me on Twitter: @Crinkletalk<br />
and on Untappd: Crinkletalk<br />
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Cheers!<br />
<br />Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-21586462230612442362017-04-22T09:08:00.000-07:002017-04-22T09:08:44.531-07:00Beer Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Karben4 out of Madison, WI may just have the greatest label of all time with their Fantasy Factory IPA, and the beer's not bad either. <br />
<a href="https://www.karben4.com/" target="_blank">https://www.karben4.com/</a> I've heard a lot about this beer, some true, some not. This beer falls into the hype category. People have been saying it's super juicy and talking like it's a NE IPA. It's not. What it is, is malt heavy, wonderfully balanced with the hop bitterness, and a fantastic citrus aroma. This beer was not at all what I was expecting from all the "juicy" descriptions I've read about it. That being said it is a fantastic IPA that I would buy again and again. Before NE IPA's came around this is exactly what I would search for in an IPA. I'm glad I have family in Madison so I can get fresh Fantasy Factory on a regular basis. Cheers Karben4!! Nice work.<br />
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A few more first time beers for me (also with great can art) come from Chicago's Pipeworks Brewing. Thanks to Rick and Lisa for muling me these great beers. <a href="http://pdubs.net/home-1" target="_blank">http://pdubs.net/home-1</a> The two most hyped beers are Ninja Vs. Unicorn, and the Mosiac hopped Lizard King. This is where I'll start.<br />
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Mosiac hops may just be the greatest smelling aroma hop there is. Citrus fruit explodes your senses when you take that first smell (yes, I'm a nerd that smells my beer.) The great thing about Mosiacs is that they taste like they smell, and there's another citrus fruit explosion when you have that first drink. After the first few drinks however, that's where single hop Mosiac beers loose me. The "juicy," fruity flavors subdue and a musty, earthiness of the hops take over tasting like dirty gym socks. Strange to say that's not necessarily a bad thing, but can get a little overwhemling. So, for me, I like Mosiac hops, but I prefer them to be blended with other hops to help alleviate some of those musty flavors. Don't get me wrong, this is still a great beer, and I know there are a ton of people out there that love single hop Mosiac beers. So, if you're one of those people, you should definitely try this beer.<br />
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Ninja Vs. Unicorn is my clear winner between these two Pipeworks beers. This Double Pal Ale has more citrus flavor and a little less malt and bitterness that Karben4's Fantasy Factory, while still being incredibly well balanced. It doesn't have quite the citrus aroma as the two beers above, but it makes up for it by being a well rounded brew. This is a dangerously "crushable" Pale Ale. The danger being it's a Double Pale Ale weighing in at 9% ABV, but drinks like a 5% ABV beer. <br />
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I love this beer, and will absolutely be buying more whenever I have the chance. It was so good, just writing about it makes me want to have another! This is crazy to me, I've tried beers from two different breweries that actually live up to the hype around them. That really doesn't happen very often. Great work Pipeworks, keep churning out these fantastic beers. And kudos to your can designers on the great labels.<br />
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When you talk about well hyped beers, you can't leave out Goose Island's Bourbon County Brand Stouts (BCBS.) The pinnacle of the BCBS line is their Rare, This version of BCBS is aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels for two years before being released. This is a bottle of 2015 Rare that I've cellared for over a year. So when my good friend Pat came to town, we took it to Decorah to share with some of my favorite brewers at Pulpit Rock.<br />
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First let me say this. It is a fantastic barrel aged stout. It's a thick, syrupy, dark beer with sweetness, roasted flavor, and well balanced with the bourbon. I would buy this beer again, for $10-15 dollars, not for the $60-70 they sell it for. It's not worth that much. Too be honest, there's not much difference from the normal BCBS that you can easily buy for $10. This is a beer that has been hyped up for no reason in my opinion. Yes it's a great beer, and you should try it if you don't pay full price for it, but there are plenty of great barrel aged stouts on the market for a third or even a sixth of the price!<br />
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Luckily I was able to share that beer and several others with Pat, and brewers from Pulpit Rock, Mike, Justin, and Bob. The two things I love about visiting Pulpit Rock is their amazing beer, and getting to see the brewers. These guys are great, and I consider myself lucky to call them my friends. <br />
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I'm also lucky to drink IPA's like Mr. Hoppy Pants (shown to the left.) I would put their Double IPA's (and many of their other beers) against any brewery in the country, and they will hold their own. Pat, whose not a big IPA fan loves coming here for the Double IPA's. Last time it was To Hop and To Hold (let's hope Justin doesn't have to get remarried for them to brew it again,) this time Mr. Hoppy Pants. <br />
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I also want to say congratulations to Pulpit Rock on having Saftig being named one of the best beers in America by Men's Journal. This is a well deserved distinction for them. While I didn't have any Saftig that day, I did bring home a few crowlers to enjoy. <a href="http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.net/" target="_blank">http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.net/</a><br />
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One last thing I want to mention quickly is Des Moines Beer Week starting June 16th.<br />
I went to the beer fest last year (see earlier entry) and had a blast. Check out the website so you don't miss out on the fun! <a href="http://dsmbeerweek.beer/" target="_blank">http://dsmbeerweek.beer/</a><br />
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It looks like spring is here, and I now have some great patio beers to enjoy. What are some of your favorite nice weather beers. Comment below or on Twitter @Crinkletalk<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-27993815438023124502017-03-05T07:48:00.000-08:002017-03-05T07:48:59.156-08:00Pudgy in My Glass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't write many beer reviews anymore. I know there are many people out there that do a better job of that than I (search Twitter for @iabeerbaron) but sometimes you get the opportunity to try a great beer that you feel the need to share your experience. I recently wrote about the good people at Pulpit Rock Brewery in Decorah, IA and their first ever bottle release. Pudgy, an 11.6% abv Imperial Stout aged on 4 different kinds of vanilla beans lived up to the hype. <br />
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It poured dark and thick with little to no head. The smell of vanilla was predominant along with some roasted and chocolate malts. The mouth feel was creamy and velvety smooth with soft carbonation. Marshmallow, vanilla and chocolate danced on my taste buds, not competing with each other, more working and blending together. I had some chilled and allowed some to warm to see how the flavors differed, and honestly I didn't notice a great deal of difference. All the same flavors where there, maybe just in a slightly different balance. <br />
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In short, if you were lucky enough to get a bottle it's worth keeping and drinking. I know the thought of trading is tempting when you can get 3-5 other great beers for this one, but I think you'd be doing a disservice to yourself not to enjoy this brew while you can.<br />
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If I'm going to talk about one beer, I might as well talk about two. My first true attempt at a NE IPA (or NE Iowa IPA) called Hazy Little Thing Called Love was inspired by the IPA's brewed by 515 and Pulpit Rock. I'm quite happy with how it turned out. Don't get me wrong, it's still not in the same league as 515 and PR, but good enough I'm happy to share this beer with others (including the brewers at PR) and not feel ashamed by it.<br />
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I used a pound of home grown hops that I split in the beginning and end of the boil (mixture of Nugget and Mt Hood.) I also mixed several ounces of Mosaic, Galaxy, and Wai-iti hops at the end of the boil, and double dry hopped during and after fermentation. This resulted in a well balanced IPA with enough bitterness to keep from being too sweet, yet loads of passion fruit, peach, and citrus making it very easy to drink. I also used a pound of flaked oats during the mash process for the first time. This added a little haze and smoothed out the mouth feel. This is a beer I will likely brew again. Will I make some minor changes? Sure. I would probably add more dry hops and try to keep the carbonation on the softer side. <br />
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After slowing down on my home brewing the past few years, I've been a bit underwhelmed by my last several brews, and I finally feel like I'm getting back into my brewing groove, if you will. The pursuit of making the perfect beer still eludes me, but I finally feel I'm back on the right track. I'm thinking about brewing smaller batches more often so I can keep experimenting with my recipes and improving my brewing skills. In the meantime, I'm lucky to live in Iowa where there are many fantastic breweries only a short drive from me. Cheers!Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-3407603768843208282017-03-03T14:02:00.001-08:002017-03-03T14:02:36.816-08:00PR/515<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The last few weeks have been incredibly stressful at work, but I was lucky to have a little time on the weekends to spend some time at two of my favorite breweries. 515 in Des Moines and Pulpit Rock in Decorah are straight killing it. The small but mighty breweries are kicking out some fantastic beers made even more enjoyable by the awesome people that brew them and work there.</div>
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I'll start first with Pulpit Rock and their first ever bottle release. Pudgy, an Imperial Stout aged with vanilla beans. They had just 400 bottles of liquid goodness for sale on a cold Iowa morning, the day after a snow/ice storm, and the craft beer community still showed up to sample some incredible beer. 1 bottle of Pudgy may not be be enough so luckily the guys at PR (Pulpit Rock) out did themselves with the on tap line up. A few of the standouts, Stink Juice (Double IPA,) Pillow Talk (fruit beer,) and Sticker Shock (Imperial Stout.) </div>
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The craft beer community has quickly caught wind of the beers these guys are making, and the trading sites are going crazy as everyone tries to secure a bottle from the first release. I've seen people offering up to 5 great beers just to get a hold of one Pudgy. You may ask, is it worth it? Honestly, I can't answer that yet, as I have yet to enjoy my bottle. I can tell you this, if it's as good as their other great beers like Stink Juice, Loopy Lynn, Sticker Shock, or #Gallagher, it most certainly is. I'll post an update after I indulge myself on its vanilla goodness.<br />
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<a href="http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.net/" target="_blank">http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.net/</a><br />
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Check out their Facebook page for more of these great photos from the release courtesy of Erik Dutcher. And don't just check them out online, if you haven't been there, make a point to go, you will not be disappointed. <br />
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When you go to PR, one thing you'll notice is the small space they have. You'll also notice they recently started a barrel aging program and some of the barrels are tucked away in any spare space they had around the taproom. I noticed this little note on a barrel as I walked past and it made me laugh. Please don't touch the barrels when you visit, nobody wants to see Bob cry!!<br />
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Bob, Justin, and Mike are the brewers at Pulpit Rock. They are talented, creative, funny, kind, and just plain good people. This brings me back to a theme from a previous entry when I met with Austin from Single Speed Brewery. Good people make good beer. Much like Austin, these 3 are some of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. They love what they do, and really enjoy great beer. Don't be afraid to say hello, or bring something special to share with them. Also, bring some growlers to fill, or buy their crowlers when available, because you are going to want to take their beer with you. Trust me. <br />
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Speaking of good people and good beer, there's plenty of both at 515. Every time I visit Des Moines I have to stop at 515. I know there are plenty of other great breweries in the area, but this place keeps drawing me back. Partly due to beers like Hopitits, OJ IPA, Dart Dodger, and Castaway Porter, and partly because of the people that work and visit there. They have a little more room that PR, but every time I go it always seems to be packed. There's a good reason for that, the beer is that good.<br />
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You can get their Milk Stout, Brown Ale, Doppelbock, and many other great beers, but I tend to be drawn towards their hoppy selection. That is because Barb makes some of the best Pale ales and IPA's around. <br />
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Not to be outdone by the guys at Single Speed or Pulpit Rock, Barb, from 515 is again, not only a very talented brewer, but an exceptionally good person. After chatting over Twitter with her, I was finally able to meet her on this visit. Again the brewing passion is evident as is her kindness. She let me try some of Unholy Trinity, an IPA brewed in collaboration with Alluvial and Pulpit Rock, straight from the brite tank. The beer wasn't for sale yet, or even kegged, but she knew I was interested in trying it and wouldn't be around Des Moines when it hit the tap room. That is above and beyond what anyone should expect from any brewer or brewery. Yet it is just another example of what makes places like 515 so great! <a href="http://www.515brewing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.515brewing.com/</a><span id="goog_1607700520"></span><span id="goog_1607700521"></span><br />
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Being inspired by all these great IPA's being made in Iowa, I decided to try my own NE IPA, or NE Iowa IPA as we like to call them. It's a simple mix of Maris Otter and 2 Row Pale malts with an abundance of Galaxy, Mosiac, and Wai-iti hops at the end of the brew and double dry hopped. I won't pretend it's as good as those IPA's mentioned above, but I do think it's one of the best beers I've made in a long time. so thanks Pulpit Rock and 515 for the inspiration!<br />
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If you like to know the people that make your beer, follow them on Twitter (Mike and Barb are very entertaining #SexyRespirator.)<br />
@brewbarb515<br />
@ClipperShips<br />
@PRBC_Justin<br />
@PRBC_Bob (fun game, finish a growler every time Bob tweets!)<br />
@1SpeedAustin<br />
You can also follow me @CrinkletalkCrinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-47849734723375730502016-11-09T08:34:00.000-08:002016-11-09T08:34:19.048-08:00Move ForwardI've stayed quiet on social media during the election process because I've learned long ago how polarizing politics can be. I've seen friends, family, co-workers, and even spouses get into huge arguments about their choice for president. I've seen smart people that I respect say dumb things and act in embarrassing manors and I've kept quiet (while silently screaming) hoping I could ride it out. I will, in part, continue to do so. This post is not about what candidate was the better choice, who was wrong or right, who is less evil, who lied more, or who I thought should be president. That truly doesn't matter. Don't try to argue with me about the candidates or bash anyone in the comments either, I will delete all of those types of things. This is about us as a country moving forward and learning from how we got ended up with this years election.<br />
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As I see it,we have a few fundamental flaws in our system, and most of them come back to money. First, I'm disgusted by the amount of money our candidates waste during the election process. We're talking over $6 billion!!!! With a B! Can you think of better ways our country could spend that money? I know I can. How about a few obvious choices? Education, infrastructure, and health care.<br />
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Our roads and bridges are falling apart, and people in Michigan can't even drink their tap water. This seems like an obvious choice.<br />
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How about educating our kids, I don't think you can ever go wrong there. Why are we still teaching kids the way we did a hundred years ago? Are jobs the same? Not even close, so why teach them the same. Our text books are outdated by the time they are printed. Let's move to digital, lets have teachers be more interactive. I know when I was in classes and the teachers just droned on and on while writing on the chalk board, I stopped listening, still do. Find a new approach. Let's invest in our kids and America's future.<br />
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Health care. We should have affordable health care for everyone. Period. Let's stop the lobbyist from determining our prices, and stop the drug companies from advertising. That doesn't help anyone except the drug companies and drives up our health care costs. Let's take away the insurance companies abilities to rule our health decisions and put it back where in belongs in the hands of the doctors and the patients that can make informed decisions. <br />
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The other big problem I have with the election process is our outdated voting system. Why can't people vote online? If American Idol can figure it out, surely our government can. Why do we need electoral votes? Why are votes split up by the state? I get it. The system was put into place when horses and paper ruled our communication. We are far from those days, so lets move on. Just count people's votes as they are, and truly make every vote count. <br />
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Bottom line, let's start working together and stop the hate. What's done is done, bickering won't change anything. We need to come together to push for reform and make this a better country for all that live in it. We have to set a good example for our children, show them whining and name calling won't solve anything, but rather calm and open dialogue and compromise is what will move our country towards progress. Let's move forward.<br />
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I think Americans as a whole were/are fed up the the status quo and wanted a change. We may just have it now. Is it the right change? Only time will tell. As Walt Disney used to say "Keep moving forward."Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-67844862799353482172016-10-29T09:17:00.000-07:002016-10-29T09:17:59.756-07:00Single Speed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently read an article that says the craft beer industry is getting stale. That couldn't be further from the truth for the Iowa craft beer scene. Singlespeed Brewing is proof of that. Not only do they have a great 3 barrel brewery in down town Cedar Falls, but they are embarking on a huge endeavor of opening a 20 barrel brewery in the historic Wonder Bread building in Waterloo. <br />
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What makes a brewery successful? Making money, obviously. Of course there's making great beer, a cool building to hang out in, good food? Yeah, those all help too, but when it comes right down to it, it's the people that work there. We all want to go to a place "where everybody knows your name." OK, so maybe we don't need to go to Cheers, but we do want to feel welcomed. That's more than just good customer service. It's people that are passionate about their craft and care about what they do and want to share it with everyone that walks through the doors. That's Singlespeed.<br />
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I've met Austin (lead brewer) several times at the taproom. He always has a smile on his face, and is constantly watching over the room to make sure everyone has a fresh beer in hand. He also has a steel trap memory, but that's another story. After having the opportunity to sit down and talk with Austin and fellow brewers Zach and Ryan for my latest podcast <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90w5oxpZq5s" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90w5oxpZq5s</a> I saw another side of him. Austin comes across as a super friendly, laid back kind of guy, and he is. He's also protective, analytical, and proud of what he's doing at Singlespeed. The passion for his job is very evident. You can tell he wants every detail in the brewery to be perfect, starting with the people that work there, continuing with the beer, and finishing with the tap room experience. His passion for what he does is infectious, and you can see that in Zach and Ryan with how excited they are about their jobs too. <br />
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Dave Morgan (owner) has a good vision for what Singlespeed can be, and he's got the right people in place to make it a reality. The beer world is starting to take notice. This month, Beer Advocate Magazine did a story on Singlespeed highlighting how they want to keep beer accessible to all.<br />
<a href="https://www.beeradvocate.com/mag/14603/david-morgan-of-singlespeed-brewing/" target="_blank">https://www.beeradvocate.com/mag/14603/david-morgan-of-singlespeed-brewing/</a><br />
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Big things are coming from this now small brewery, and I can't wait to see what's next.<br />
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So what do you do when old friends come to town for a visit? Share some amazing beers, of course. After splitting a Trappist Westvleteren 12 (a truly amazing Belgian Quad) we headed to Decorah for some beers at Pulpit Rock Brewery. <br />
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Pat enjoyed the fresh Kolsch, we both had the porters, but the stand out of the day for us was To Hop and to Hold. A double IPA brewed for Justin's (co-lead brewer) wedding. Luckily for us, they made enough to have at the brewery too. Justin and Bob are quickly becoming a force in the Double IPA field (not to mention their friendly rivalry with Singlespeed over who makes the best coffee beer.)<br />
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Pulpit Rock is another brewery that has an incredible atmosphere. It doesn't hurt that we were greeted by Tyler, who immediately snatched us the last open table, and got us a few beers to start with. It was a great afternoon with great people, finished with a fantastic burger from Good Times (a recommendation from Tyler and Mike.) <br />
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Brewer Bill has been in the Iowa craft beer scene for a while now, but recently he's become a one man show. Kickshaw Barrel Works has become his latest endeavor. You really should check him out on Facebook and Twitter, he's both entertaining and educational. Hopefully someday I'll be able to share a few beers with him and do a podcast. Until then, I'll keep drinking what he's making. By the way, what he's making is damn good beer.<br />
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If there's one take away from today's entry, it's good people and good beer go together. I don't think the craft beer business is going stale, I just think consumers are changing what they're looking for. We don't need the highest ABV beer, or the craziest concoction like something brewed with beard yeast, we just want good beer from people we can relate to in a comfortable atmosphere. <br />
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This is the reason I haven't done a blog or a podcast in a while. Joseph was in 5-6th grade football, and I was lucky enough to be one of the coaches (offensive and defensive line.) Most of our weeknights and Sundays were filled with practice and games. I had a blast working with the kids, and can't tell you how proud I am of the whole team. <br />
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Joseph, who was one of the smallest kids in the league was a DT (defensive tackle.) Not usually a spot reserved for small people, but he really held his own. He took on kids that easily had 30-40 pounds on him, and never complained. I've never seen him work so hard at something before. Even the other kids and coaches took notice earning the nickname Guyer from our head coach. Guyer was a former player of our coach that out worked everyone else to become a solid football player. <br />
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I really loved that these kids were just as excited for the person that made a key block as they were for the person that scored the touchdown. They really became a team, and that is what sports is all about. I was honored to be a part of it. <br />
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Don't forget to check out my podcast with the brewers at Singlespeed. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90w5oxpZq5s" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90w5oxpZq5s</a><br />
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Follow me on Twitter: @Crinkletalk<br />
Until next time. Cheers!<br />
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<br />Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-23514405852665842532016-08-07T09:31:00.000-07:002016-08-07T09:31:08.637-07:00Some days you never forget<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a crazy few weeks here in Eastern Iowa, work has been busy, lots of overtime, the weather has been nice than humid than nice than humid, family gatherings, beer releases, and pushing myself to my physical limits doing my first ever 5K. <br />
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Let's start with the Blasen family's 18th annual golf outing. This was my second year attending, and I took along Joseph who not only drove a golf cart for the first time, but also golfed for the first time. It was a fun day spending time with family that we don't see very often. We watched my dad and his brother hang out together during the round of golf, we spent time with my sisters and brothers in-law, and maybe the highlight was seeing my cousin Rick walk into the club house on his own two feet. You may remember from my earlier entry that Rick was in a terrible car accident a few months ago. In true Rick fashion, he has exceeded everyone's expectation for his recovery. Working hard, and staying positive the whole time. He is truly an inspiration to me.<br />
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This week I was in Decorah and had an hour to kill, so naturally I went to Toppling Goliath for a beer. I lucked out, because they had this barrel aged monster Term Oil 6-B on tap. This was a 12.5% ABV barrel aged stout that was very well balanced. Brewmaster Mike is an expert at barrel aged beers, and it shows in this stout. <br />
It reminded me of a Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout, but I thought is was even better. I loved the silky chocolate notes that hit the palate first, followed up with some subtle roast malt characters, and finished nicely with the bourbon and barrel flavors. One of the biggest problems I've seen with the BA (barrel aged) beers lately is the lack of restraint on the bourbon flavor that dominates the beer making it difficult to enjoy. This was not the case with Term Oil. It was extremely well balanced, and I'm glad I had a chance to enjoy this very limited brew before it was gone. Cheers Mike! Well done. <a href="http://www.tgbrews.com/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.tgbrews.com/index.html</a><br />
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Just down the road from TG is the new kid on the block, Pulpit Rock. <a href="http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.com/</a> Open for nearly one year, this 7 barrel brewery has quickly been making a name for themselves in the Iowa craft beer scene. I had the chance to sit down with General Manager, Tyler, and both Co-Head Brewers, Justin and Bob, share a few beers and record a podcast. After spending some time with the guys it was evident why they are becoming such a popular brewery. Quite simply they love what they do, and they do it well. <br />
Pictured is there flagship beer, Saftig. This is a super "crushable" IPA. A simple grain bill helps highlight the citrus and fruity hop flavor and aroma. It's very easy to see why craft beer lovers are clamoring to drink this IPA. While this IPA is their best known beer, they like to brew a wide varieties of beers, and will be expanding on their beer styles even more in the near future. From Bocks to English Milds, Belgian style brews, and even vanilla aged stouts, Justin and Bob show no style is off limits. They are creative and talented brewers that have found the perfect place to showcase what they have to offer.<br />
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Shorty after we finished our podcast, a black cloud of death moved over the brewery. A fast moving, strong storm blew in sending sideways rain and knocking down trees and the power in the process. Here you see bartender/brewer Keith lighting some candles so we could all have another beer while we waited for the storm to pass. <br />
Saturday, August 20th Pulpit Rock will be celebrating their 1 year anniversary. Bob assured me they will make it worth the trip that weekend. Several new and special releases and a free hog roast will be a few of the highlights of the day. If you haven't been to the brewery yet, this is the weekend to go! Below is a link to the podcast. Thanks again to Tyler, Bob, and Justin for joining me for an awesome podcast! #StinkJuice<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXqGwmaNT20" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXqGwmaNT20</a><br />
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As many of you know I have Cerebral Palsy. It makes my life a little more difficult than the average person. I get tired more easy, my body is always tight, and I have poor balance to name a few things. This spring I was feeling worse than normal, and my blood pressure was sky high. I knew I needed to make a lifestyle change so I could be a part of my families life for many years to come. I started walking, lifting weights, and dieting. <br />
5 months later, my blood pressure is normal, I've lost 27 pounds, and I'm stronger than ever. A month into exercising I set a goal to walk a 5K, something that had previously been unthinkable for me. This weekend I walked in and finished my first 5K, and I surpassed my time goal by nearly 9 minutes. <br />
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We walked for the Fredericksburg Pool as a fundraiser for them. Joseph spends a good portion of his summer at the pool, and we are happy to support the pool in any way we can.<br />
I was lucky to have my family with me there too. My wife Tonya won her age bracket, as did my mom. Joseph finished strong, and even came back to walk the last 100 meters with me. My 78 year old dad walked with me the entire way, helping me keep my pace. <br />
Maybe the most amazing part of the walk for me was the support from the other runners and walkers while I was walking, and the incredible support I received from them and the pool lifeguards as I neared the finish line. Even though I was close to a half hour slower than the last walker, they were all there clapping and cheering me on. I can't express how much this meant to me. I have worked very hard the past 5 months working towards this goal, and really pushed myself yesterday not only to finish, but finish faster than what I was shooting for. Reflecting on it this morning I know this is a moment I will never forget.<br />
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What better way to celebrate a personal accomplishment that having a few amazing beers, eating some local pizza (Pizza Palace), and watching Top Gun and the 2016 Summer Olympics? Thanks to Doug for bringing me a few growlers from 515 brewery in Des Moines. http://www.515brewing.com/<br />
Brewer Barb and the 515 crew make some outstanding brews. Pictured is one of my favorites, Mediocre Pale Ale. I can't say enough good things about this brewery, their beer, and the great people that work there. Thanks to Matt from 515 for helping me get my order together for Doug to bring up north. <br />
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I think I've rambled one enough for one entry, so don't forget to follow me on Twitter: @Crinkletalk<br />
and Untappd: Crinkletalk<br />
Cheers!Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-48871901259883759292016-07-23T08:48:00.000-07:002016-07-23T08:48:53.185-07:00Hype Train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've all heard or seen those people online, that brag about this "amazing" beer they had. Of coarse they like to point out that they've had it and you haven't. It really makes us feel like we're missing out on something truly special. Sometimes we may be, but most of the time we're not.<br />
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This year, I've made it a goal to get a hold of as many of the sought after beers as I can. In most cases, they've been good beers that I'd be glad to drink again. In some cases, they were not good at all. Almost none of them lived up to the hype.<br />
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Daisy Cutter Pale Ale is one such beer. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this beer, and would hoppily (see what I did there?) drink it again. But if you listen to the praises online about this brew, you'd think that you would be transported into this fantastic beer nirvana the moment you had your first sip. That didn't happen, it was just a really solid Pale Ale. One that I would buy again, but there are also several Iowa Pale Ales that I would choose over this one.<br />
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I guess my point is, don't believe the hype. Many people will talk about beers that are supposed to be great because they think that's what they're supposed to say, not because they truly believe it. If you think Busch Light is the best beer you've ever had, own it, if it's Daisy Cutter, more power to you. You should be more concerned with enjoying what you like, than drinking what is currently "cool" or "it" in the beer community. <br />
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My 10 year old son, Joseph is in his first year of 4H. He joined so he could show our dog Arson. For weeks he practiced with Arson on showmanship, obedience, rally, and agility. He also learned more about how to properly take care of a dog (like cleaning ears, brushing, feeding, and vaccinations) and even learned a little history on the dog's breed. <br />
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It all led up to fair day. It was a warm and muggy July day, that started with a 7am check in and went until after 1:00. Joseph did a great job working with Arson and staying upbeat, even when things didn't go so well (like the sit and stay portion of obedience. By the end of the fair, Joseph and Arson came away with 1 first place ribbon for showmanship (helped by the fact that Joseph learned so much about his dog,) and 2 third place ribbons in rally and agility, where he competed against many kids several years older than himself. It was a proud parent moment seeing his hard work pay off, and how he kept his composure throughout the whole process. It's interesting being a parent and watching your child grow and mature. It was also my first experience with 4H. It's nice to see a group help children learn good habits, like work ethic, responsibility, and community outreach. He's already talking about doing it again next year.<br />
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I've said it before, but we finally have a date and time set. Our next podcast will be recorded at Pulpit Rock Brewery in Decorah, IA in less than 2 weeks. I will post the link here when it's up and running, I really think this will be a good one!<br />
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Follow me on Twitter: @Crinkletalk<br />
Untappd: CrinkletalkCrinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-6716537202621307062016-06-30T17:25:00.000-07:002016-06-30T17:25:35.253-07:00ICBF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Overall, I would say my first ever Iowa Craft Beer Fest was a success. I felt the Iowa Brewers Guild put on a very nice brew fest, but there is always room for improvement. First what needs to be improved. Getting inside. We had the VIP tickets, got there 15 minutes before the doors opened, and still had to walk nearly 4 blocks away from the entrance with no direction, and no semblance of order. There were a lot of people upset as there were regular ticket holders as well as VIP ticket holders in line. Luckily the line did move pretty fast and we managed to get through the gates about 10 minutes after they opened. It was a crazy free for all though, and this part really needs to be improved. <br />
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Next, the heat. I know they can't control the weather, and when it's over 90 degrees and humid there's not a lot to be done. Maybe a few tents to stand under for some shade as we sample? They did have a free cold water station, but they were pouring from uncleaned tap lines, so the water tasted like stale beer. This should be a bit embarrassing for them too.<br />
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Now don't get me wrong, other than a few minor things, the fest was well run, and was a very good time. It was great to see all those Iowa breweries showcased in one spot. Some breweries I've never heard of, some I have but haven't previously tried, and some of my old favorites all brought amazing brews to share with all. <br />
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It was also great to see everyone, working or drinking, having a good time. The workers from the breweries were friendly and informative, and the attendees were all enjoying themselves. I talked to many people that day, shared some great beers and laughs too.<br />
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Above, I found a great resting spot when I needed a break. To the right was my crew for the day. My brother in-law Chad, my father in-law Larry, his brother Gary, and his brother in-law Doug. A huge thanks to Doug and Sherri for housing us, and especially to Sherri for driving us, and putting up with all of us! <br />
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Some of my stand out beers from the day came from breweries like Single Speed, 515, Alluvial, Toppling Goliath, Pulpit Rock, Fire Trucker, Millstream, and Lion Bridge. There was so much good beer there, there is no way I could possibly name them all. This day was a ton of fun, and I would absolutely go again. Cheers to the Iowa Brewers Guild and all the fantastic Iowa breweries! Keep up the great work!!<br />
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Jared and I recorded another podcast where I talk more about the fest, vacation beers, the bacon ride, and more. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_JU_mXLnEg" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_JU_mXLnEg</a><br />
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Follow me on Twitter: @Crinkletalk<br />
Untappd: CrinkletalkCrinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-35853042066928443122016-05-14T09:26:00.000-07:002016-05-14T09:26:37.205-07:00Tree Shaker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Odell Brewing has officially hit Iowa, and they came out swinging. Tree Shaker is a 10% ABV IPA brewed with fresh Colorado peaches. While the peach aroma and flavor is subtle, it's there, and a great addition to the solid Imperial IPA. This beer drinks very smooth with just the right amount of bitterness to balance the big malt body and the sweetness from the peaches. If you can be patient and let this beer warm up a little, the peach flavor is more prominent and is well worth the wait. Over the years, I've had several offerings from Odell, and they've all been pretty solid. I can't wait to see what they send Iowa next.<br />
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If you're looking for something to listen too, check out the second Crinkletalk podcast. I think Jared and I felt a little more relaxed with this one. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y4Rf40nvZE" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y4Rf40nvZE</a><br />
We hope to record our 3rd one soon!<br />
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I'd like to take a minute to tell you about my cousin Rick. He was recently in a severe car accident in Dubuque when is car was hit by a semi. He has multiple broken bones, and a very long road of healing ahead of him. Please check out this link below.<br />
<a href="http://www.kwwl.com/story/31929256/2016/05/09/dubuque-man-seriously-injured-in-accident-with-semi-family-asks-for-help" target="_blank">http://www.kwwl.com/story/31929256/2016/05/09/dubuque-man-seriously-injured-in-accident-with-semi-family-asks-for-help</a><br />
If you are able to donate, we would all greatly appreciate it, at the very least, please share his story. I know you hear all the time about what a great person someone is in cases like this, but this time it's very true. I can't ever remember seeing Rick in my entire life where he didn't have a smile on his face. He's a great family man, and an incredibly hard worker. He truly is one of the good guys, and I wish him a speedy recovery. A big thanks to all that have donated so far, and those that continue to donate and share his story. <br />
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Follow me on Twitter: @Crinkletalk<br />
Untappd: CrinkletalkCrinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-3275222928912852842016-04-09T07:49:00.000-07:002016-04-09T07:49:13.425-07:00Spring is Beer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My favorite brewery turned 20 this year, and of course they made a beer to celebrate. Dogfish Head is know for pushing the boundaries of what beer can be, and for making spectacular high alcohol brews. I've hear mixed reviews on this one, but was glad to finally try it. Rumor has it, it was supposed to be a 20% ABV beer, but there were complications during fermentation and it ended up at 17% ABV. <br />
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The brew was thick and sweet, and made a perfect desert beer. I'm not sure I'd want to drink a whole bottle by myself at one time, but was great splitting it. I absolutely would have another. So Cheers, and happy birthday to Dogfish Head! I can't wait to taste what you do over the next 20 years. <a href="http://www.dogfish.com/" target="_blank">http://www.dogfish.com/</a><br />
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My good friend Lisa and her family took a trip to Colorado recently, and was kind enough to bring me back a nice haul of Colorado beers (and a 6 pack of Racer 5, I know it's a California beer, but it's one of the best IPA's out there.) I haven't heard much about Upslope brewing, but this Imperial IPA was outstanding. Crisp, fruity, malty, balanced by the bitterness from loads of hops, this Imperial IPA drank more like a 6% than a 10% ABV. Absolutely fantastic. This is a brewery that I will need to try more from.<br />
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If you live in the Midwest, than you've probably heard of Surly brewing. <a href="http://surlybrewing.com/" target="_blank">http://surlybrewing.com/</a> Todd the Axe Man is one of their most sought after beers, so when I stumbled on a lone 4 pack recently, I had to pick it up. This delicious IPA is loaded with Citra and Mosiac hops that you can smell the moment you pop the top on the can. Luckily this beer tastes as good as it smells. My only problem with this beer is the price point, at $18.99 a 4 pack (at least they are 16oz cans) it's a pricey brew. Because of that, not one I would drink regularly, but definitely one I'd love to have again. Another excellent beer from the crew at Surly.<br />
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Since my last blog, I've decided to give podcasting a try. So, for the next year I will put out at least one podcast per month, hopefully more if I can get some guests to help out. You can find my first one and the upcoming ones on my Crinkletalk YouTube Channel. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGLOMVq8at4" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGLOMVq8at4</a> I promise they will get better!<br />
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Until next time, follow me on<br />
Twitter: @Crinkletalk<br />
Untappd: Crinkletalk<br />
Cheers!Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-39874532247421356702016-02-12T14:40:00.004-08:002016-02-12T14:40:14.345-08:00Super Beer Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's Super Bowl weekend, the biggest sporting event of the year. Lots of people have big parties with family and friends, and as always, there's plenty of junk food and beer to go around. Parties are great and all, but I prefer to spend the evening with my family and actually watch the game (still with junk food and beer, of course.) I watch as many games as I can all season long, and I love watching the final showdown for the title. These are the beers I've enjoyed both the week leading up to the big game, and during the game itself.<br />
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Ballast Point is relatively new to Iowa, and I've only had a handful of their brews so far. Grapefruit Sculpin is an excellent IPA. I came across this bottle of Victory at Sea at HyVee a few weekends ago, and had to try it. This 10% ABV Imperial Stout was fantastic. Big bold flavors, yet surprisingly smooth and easy to drink. I can't wait to try the peppermint version of it!<br />
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With the good, comes the bad. Indra Kunindra Curry Export Stout is what it sounds like. A decent stout with curry, cumin, coconut, and kaffir lime. To me, the curry and cumin were over powering, and I didn't get any coconut or lime flavor. To be honest, I didn't even finish this beer, the curry was just too much. I'm sure there are lots of people who would enjoy this one, but I am not one of them. <br />
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Even though I didn't enjoy this brew, I will still continue to try more of their beers. Not every beer is for everyone, and one bad beer doesn't take away from all the good ones they make. For instance, my favorite brewery Dogfish Head makes a couple that I truly dislike, yet they make up for it by making some of my favorite beers. So, if you haven't given Ballast Point a try yet, please do.... Just maybe not this one. <a href="http://www.ballastpoint.com/" target="_blank">http://www.ballastpoint.com/</a><br />
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While in Des Moines a few weeks ago, I picked up a few offerings from Backpocket and Exile Breweries. It's great to have so many really good craft beer offerings made in the state of Iowa right now. Exile has really been making a name for themselves in the past few years. At the Last Great American Beer Fest, they scored a gold medal with Gigi, a dark lager. With other great brews like Gorilla Press, Beatnik Sour, and Chill Clinton they are showing they are on their way to being a power house in the beer industry. <br />
This time, I picked up some Raspberry Bohemian and Cherry Bohemian. I tried the Cherry last night, and was quite impressed. Tart and sour, and very easy to drink. This would be a great beer to enjoy during the hot summer months, although, I enjoyed in quite a bit during the cold wintry night too. <a href="http://exilebrewing.com/" target="_blank">http://exilebrewing.com/</a><br />
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The latest in Toppling Goliath's X-Hop series, X-Hops Gold, may just be the best. The fruity hop aroma hit me as soon as I popped the top, and the beer poured hazey with the perfect head. This was a great beer. As usual Brew Master Mike loaded this brew with hops, yet kept it super easy to drink and had me wanting more. It also paired well with nachos, buffalo chicken dip, spinach dip, and the Super Bowl. I couldn't have chosen a better beer to enjoy the biggest game of the year. <a href="http://www.tgbrews.com/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.tgbrews.com/index.html</a><br />
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Of course I did follow it up with Blood on the Blade, a Red IPA by Backpocket Brewery. This was a completely different beer from TG Gold, but really just as good. These guys are continuing to impress me, and I have become a big fan of theirs over the last year or two. <a href="http://www.backpocketbrewing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.backpocketbrewing.com/</a><br />
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As for the game itself, I've heard a lot of people say it was boring, and I couldn't disagree more. It was an excellent defensive battle that I found very exciting to watch. I mean, a strip sack with a walk in touchdown? How is that not awesome? The halftime show however, was horrendous. This is the biggest stage in the world, and the NFL keeps laying eggs. Let's try for actual entertainment NFL!!<br />
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Well, that was some of my football weekend. Feel free to tell me what your favorite brews of Super Bowl weekend were below in the comment section. You can also follow me on Twitter: @Crinkletalk<br />
Untappd: Crinkletalk<br />
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Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-91316894046803154442016-02-05T12:59:00.001-08:002016-02-05T12:59:35.525-08:00Beer show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The holidays have long since past, but the cold and snow are here to stay. Sometimes a weekend get a way is just what our family needs. In this case, the Des Moines dog show is a great excuse to get away, see some friends and family, and have some great beer. <br />
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Joseph was all smiles on the ride with two dogs to cuddle with. Arson, and our friends dog Cherry, tried to sit on his lap the entire drive. We had a fun afternoon visiting with friends and watching the dogs strut their stuff. No points this time around for Arson, but he lights up in the ring, and is coming into his own. Give him another 6 months to grow up and fill out, and he'll be a winner!<br />
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Joseph doesn't just enjoy the dog show, but now he enjoys visiting the local breweries too. Thanks to his uncle Chad for introducing him to Peace Tree's rootbeer at their taproom this summer. Luckily, my favorite Des Moines brewery, 515, has Peace Tree rootbeer by the bottle. <br />
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Since Chad and Annie met us for the dog show, I knew they had to visit the 515 tap room with us. The parking lot was packed, and the tap room was just about full on this Saturday afternoon, but luckily for us a table opened up at the perfect time. I would also like to add, that this was my second visit to 515, and both times the staff was extremely friendly helpful even with a busy tap room. Maybe it's a good thing that I don't live in Des Moines, because I'd be visiting this place all the time.<br />
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Chad and I both ordered the 4 beer sample flight and we were ready for take off. <br />
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The beers from left to right, Dart Dodger, OJ IPA, Mediocre Pale Ale, and Castaway Porter.<br />
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The first 3 I tried at my last visit, and knew they were all top notch IPA/Pale Ales. Don't ask me to pick a favorite, because I can't. Which ever one I was drinking was my favorite. <br />
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What really surprised me was the Castaway Coconut Porter. There are several coconut beers on the market now, and this was the first that I've had. I was reluctant since I'm not a huge fan of coconut, but this beer blew me away. Extremely smooth, and well balanced, there are great roasty malt flavors with a very subtle hint of coconut that blends well with the porter. I love IPA's, but this is the beer that I've been craving since I came back home. Great job, once again by the folks at 515! <a href="http://www.515brewing.com/" target="_blank">www.515brewing.com</a>Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-6049016297604252892016-01-09T09:01:00.000-08:002016-01-09T09:01:25.972-08:00Happy New Beer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The holidays are over, it's time to go back to our regular lives, try to lose weight, and get prepared for the worst of what winter has to offer. It's not all bad though, there are usually a few left over goodies from holiday gatherings to enjoy, NFL playoffs are starting (even if my Lions aren't in them....again,) and if you're lucky you may have acquired some good beers throughout the holiday season.<br />
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While this wasn't a beer bought during the holidays, I figured it was the perfect time to enjoy one of my favorite beers of all time, Enigma from New Glarus Brewing. Sweet, tart, sour, and incredibly complex, this beer shows why people outside the cheese state think so highly of this brewery. Enigma is easily one of my top 3 favorite beers of all time.<br />
<a href="http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/index.cfm/beers/ourbeers/beer/enigma" target="_blank">http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/index.cfm/beers/ourbeers/beer/enigma</a><br />
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The holidays are a great time to eat too much food, drink some great beer (or whiskey,) and catch up with friends and family. When ever my friend Pat comes to town, you know there is going to be some drinking, and inappropriate things said, that make you laugh and shake your head at the same time. Pat made a beer run to Chicago and came back with some Bourbon County variants, and some Zombie Dust. He also picked up a 15 year old bottle of Pappy Van Winkle, and was kind enough to share a glass. Last year, he brought a sample of the 20 year old Pappy (the holy grail for whiskey drinkers,) the 15 year old Pappy is the slightly more attainable, more in your face little brother. The taste is very similar, but with a a bit more of that whiskey burn. <br />
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Not to be outdone, I shared a bottle of the elusive 120 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head. This 18% behemoth was surprisingly drinkable, and showed an incredible balance of hops and malt. This was the perfect beer to follow up such a fantastic whiskey with. It was a short visit, but as always, great to see Pat, Jenn, and Zoe again, and of course be able to share some amazing drinks.<br />
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The other night, I had the opportunity to meet up with my friend Dan. He was back in Iowa visiting family, and we decided to meet for a few beers, and do an Iowa/Deleware beer exchange. We met a Single Speed Brewing in Cedar Falls, where we had the chance to meet and talk with a few of their brewers. It was great to finally meet Austin after talking with him on social media for several months, and also nice to meet Matt, their new Head Brewer. <br />
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All 3 of these guys know how to brew great beer, and are all a lot of fun to hang out with. I really enjoyed "Tip the Cow" Expresso Milk Stout. It was smooth, creamy, and roasty. I thought it was exceptionally balanced. I would also highly recommend their Cocoa Mint Stout, Brewed x 2, and Ambidextrous IPA, and really everything else they have to offer, you just can't go wrong there. <a href="http://www.singlespeedbrewing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.singlespeedbrewing.com/</a><br />
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When we left the brewery, I gave Dan his goody bag of Toppling Goliath beers, some home brew and a few other local brews. I wasn't ready for what he put in my car in exchange. I guess it pays to be friends with a brewer, but this was a bit over the top! Thanks Dan for your generosity, I will try to even things out next time around. Cheers!<br />
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Follow me on Twitter: @Crinkletalk<br />
Untappd: CrinkletalkCrinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-17129081159272526302015-12-13T09:35:00.001-08:002015-12-13T09:35:10.426-08:00Hopsimus Overdrive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Is there anything better than 1980's action movies? Rambo, Tango and Cash, Die Hard, and Tremers where all fantastically big, in your face movies from the past. Like those, Maximum Overdrive was one of those big budget, over the top, cheesy, yet highly entertaining movies that I loved to watch growing up and still thoroughly enjoy today. So when I brewed a 12.5% Double IPA, I was reminded of these big, crazy movies, so I named the beer Hopsimus Overdrive.<br />
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Here is my first glass of this behemoth. It needs a bit more time to increase the carbonation level, but overall I was thrilled with what I tasted. The sweetness of the malt was well balanced by the loads of fresh hops, and the honey and grape juice shined through without overpowering or being cloyingly sweet. This beer may actually have been better with more hops, maybe even some time aging on some oak, but that's more just nitpicking. I'm very happy with how it turned out, and expect it to get even better with a little time.<br />
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A good way to follow up such a powerful beer is with something completely different. Toppling Goliath's Rover Truck is full of roasty and chocolatey goodness. Very smooth, this brew is perfect to enjoy with some desert, and actually paired quite nicely with some peanut M&M's. Yet another quality TG beer that probably gets overshadowed by all their fantastic IPA's.<br />
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This oddly named Barrel Aged Barley Wine brewed by Backpocket is one of the best beers I've had all year. Old Bufflehead is exactly what I want in a great Barley wine. Thick, perfectly balanced sweetness and bitterness, and aged to absolute perfection in Cedar Ridge bourbon barrels, this was a great beer to enjoy while watching the Iowa Haweyes play for the Big 10 title. The higher ABV of the beer also helped ease the loss.<br />
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I hope everyone enjoys the holidays, and Santa brings you lots of great beer! Cheers!<br />
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Follow me on Twitter: @Crinkletalk<br />
Untappd: CrinkletalkCrinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-58624425479617915982015-11-14T09:08:00.000-08:002015-11-14T09:08:36.346-08:00Save the Ales!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After many moths away, it was time to brew again. This time I brewed a partial mash Double IPA. I had 7 pounds of home grown hops (mostly Nugget) to create this monster brew with (with another pound of Mt Hood reserved for dry hopping.) Jared provided me with 3 pounds of honey and 128 oz of white grape juice to make this the biggest beer that I've ever brewed before. This bad boy should end up right around 12% ABV! <br />
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Of course every brew has it's own set of problems. This one my yeast didn't take off. Luckily, I have a guy for that. Jerry at Bluff Street Brew Haus in Dubuque always has me covered for all of my brewing needs. <a href="http://www.bluffbrewhaus.com/" target="_blank">http://www.bluffbrewhaus.com/</a> This beer is now happily bubbling away in the fermenter thanks to the extra yeast from Jerry.<br />
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Did you know there's another brewery in Decorah, that's not called Toppling Goliath? On a chilly Halloween afternoon I took a road trip with Jared, Chad, and Larry to grab some "to go" beer from TG, and to check out Pulpit Brock Brewing. <br />
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We sampled several of the beers they had available, some good, some not so much. The best of the day was The Pour Over Porter, a 6.5% ABV Porter brewed with coffee. The taproom was cramped, but I was with good company and the Iowa game was on the TV, so I didn't care. This place is worth checking out, and I look forward to trying more of their brews. <a href="http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.pulpitrockbrewing.com/</a><br />
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Unita Anniversary Barley Wine was not what I was hoping for. Big, bold Barley Wine's are some of my favorite beers, but I ended up being very disappointed with this one. Maybe the bottle I had was mishandled some how, and the beer wasn't as good as a result, but this is not even a beer I would take another chance on when there are so many delicious Barley Wines available like Killer Penguin or Olde School Barleywine.<br />
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This was the last of my vacation beers that I brought back from Deleware. It's too bad I didn't have room for more beers like this. Morning Glory Expresso Stout is a 9% AVB stout that's thick and roasty, with a nice balanced coffee flavor, and it drank surprisingly smooth. This one is a definite must buy if you see it.<br />
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There are tons of great beers coming out soon that I hope to get my hands on. TG Sosus and King Sue, and of course, with Black Friday coming Bourbon County Stout will be released too. It's time to start collecting brews to share with the family and friends over the holidays so keep your eyes out! Don't forget the great local breweries too. A growler from Single Speed, 515, or Millstream is the perfect thing to share at holiday parties.<br />
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or on Untappd: CrinkletalkCrinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-90654205528054940852015-10-24T08:58:00.002-07:002015-10-24T09:05:22.641-07:00Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How can you not love this time of year? The leaves are changing, the heat and humidity is gone, pumpkin beer are everywhere, and of course, football is back! I admit, I enjoy putting on a comfortable hoodie and sipping a nice imperial stout this time of year, but can you ever go wrong with a good IPA? I don't think so. Toppling Goliath does it again with another fantastic Double IPA, Hopsmack. <a href="http://www.tgbrews.com/beer.html#smack" target="_blank">http://www.tgbrews.com/beer.html#smack</a><br />
This brew falls in line with every other Double IPA from TG. Great aroma, well balanced between the sweet malts, and the bitter hops, and a load of citrus flavor from what I can only imagine as the ton of hops Brew Master Mike put in this batch. Keep your eye on TG, they are hinting at big things to come on their social media accounts. I just hope I can try whatever it is, before it's gone!<br />
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There is my friend Dee walking Arson around the show ring at the Mason City Dog show a few weeks ago. Arson was super excited to back at a dog show, but pranced around the ring like a champ. Still no points for him, but he won his group and took Winners Reserve. Not bad for a 9 month old. The best part of the day for me was spending time with Joseph and Arson, and seeing the bond between boy and dog grow every day.<br />
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Also, congratulations to Pam and Duane along with Aldo for taking Best of Breed on Saturday and Best of Show on Sunday making Aldo a Grand Champion!<br />
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My little guy turned 10 this week, and it's been amazing to watch him grow. He's smart and funny, and turning into a wonderful young man. <br />
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This was his second year in football (3rd and 4th graders.) A lot has changed since last year, he tried harder, payed closer attention in practice, and has become more confident. The little Cougars went 4-0 on the season!<br />
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Thanks to couch Mike for another great season, you always do a fantastic job with the kids. Also, thanks for letting me help out on the sidelines during the games, I had a blast doing it. <br />
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So this entry is a bit more family centered, but it's still a beer blog. So here's a must try beer for everyone. The Kimmie, The Yink, and the Holy Gose, it's more than just a great name. You can read more info on the beer on the link. <a href="https://avbc.com/the-kimmie-the-yink-the-holy-gose/" target="_blank">https://avbc.com/the-kimmie-the-yink-the-holy-gose/</a><br />
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Gose is a fairly new style of beer to me, but so far, I've really enjoyed the few I've had, and I think this one would be great on hot summer day. I could definitely envision enjoying some on Pat's boat on the Rock River fishing for catfish.<br />
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How do you celebrate your son's 10th birthday, and your In-Laws 40th Wedding Anniversary? I think everyone know playing rotten vegetable baseball, drinking good beer, eating too much food, and going to a giant pumpkin patch is the answer! Above is Joseph taking a swing at a zucchini. Pictured to the right is Joseph with his two uncles, Chad and Jared. <a href="http://www.pintersgardensandpumpkins.com/" target="_blank">http://www.pintersgardensandpumpkins.com/</a> Apparently Pinter's is the place to be during the fall. With activities like giant chess and checkers, tether ball, a corn maze, giant tire obstacle coarse, and tons more, we kept the family busy for nearly 5 hours. By the way, I had Chad and Jared on the ropes before I made a stupid move and they capitalized on it. Nice win guys, I'll get you next time! Also a big congratulations for 40 year of marriage to Larry and Ruth!!<br />
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Don't forget to follow me on Twitter: @Crinkletalk<br />
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<br />Crinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-88729049163505697852015-09-10T13:50:00.002-07:002015-09-10T13:50:19.637-07:00515 Show Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Arson, our 7 month old Welsh Springer Spaniel, was old enough for his first dog show. We took him to Des Moines the day before the show to leave him with his breeder and co-owners Dee and Peggy. When he wasn't at the show, he was able to play with his sister, two other Welsh Springer Spaniels, and a whole litter of adorable Clumber Spaniels. <br />
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After we dropped him off, we went to Jethro's BBQ and had a fantastic dinner. We shared a basket of fried pickles, and I feasted on a brisket sandwich and tater tot casserole. Extremely filling, and probably the best meal of he weekend. After some swimming to wear off the meal, we called it a day, and went to be early so we could get up for the dog show the next morning.<br />
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Although he didn't win his first show, he stood great for the judge, and pranced around the ring like he's been there before. His next show will be in October. As you can see from above, Joseph was very excited and proud to see him in the ring.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arson in the ring with Dee</td></tr>
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What do you do after a dog show? You get some beer, of course! A quick drive to Ankeney to visit the best HyVee there is, and it also an amazing Craft Beer selection. If you're visiting the area, this is a must visit. I picked up an 8 pack sampler (some listed below,) and after a few more stops, we made the best stop of the day. 515 brewing. <a href="http://www.515brewing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.515brewing.com/</a> <br />
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After hearing about their OJ IPA and Mediocre Pale Ale for months, I needed to try them for myself. The staff behind the bar was excellent. Friendly, and very knowledgeable, they gave me some great recommendations to fill up the remainder of my beer flight. I won't go into the wonderful hoppy flavors, or great malt backbones, or even the spicey rye in the Reaper, because I think this is something everyone needs to experience for themselves. I'm so glad I stopped to try a few of their beers, and really wished I would have filled up a growler before I left, because some Dart Dodger sounds perfect about now. In short, this place is the real deal. They have amazing beers, that are as good or better than advertised, and I can't wait to go back to try more. Cheers to everyone at 515!!<br />
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New to Iowa, and to me, is Six Point Brewing. <a href="http://sixpoint.com/" target="_blank">http://sixpoint.com/</a> The Iowa beer groups seemed very excited by the arrival of the New York brewery, and after my first beer, I can see why. Resin is a 9.1% ABV Double IPA, and it's deceptively smooth. This is exactly what I look for an a Double IPA. Big, sweet, not too bitter, but still a ton of hop flavor. This is a brew that I will be drinking again. <br />
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Also fairly new to Iowa is Funkwerks. Raspberry Provincial was a nice way to end my evening after a few IPA's. Sweet and tart, this Berliner Wiesse beer is loaded with raspberries. It reminded me of some of the Belgian style raspberry and cherry beers from New Glarus. A perfect beer for a humid Iowa day. This seems to be the theme of this entry, but again, I need to try more of their brews, because this one was delicious. <a href="http://www.funkwerks.com/content/OurBeer/RaspberryProvincial.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.funkwerks.com/content/OurBeer/RaspberryProvincial.aspx</a><br />
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Another great beer weekend in Des Moines, and I didn't even get to some of my favorite places like Court Avenue Brewing or El Bait shop. Of course, with 515's beer being so good, I'll be hard pressed not to spend my visits with them every time I visit the area.<br />
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Follow me on Twitter: @Crinkletalk.com<br />
Untappd: CrinkletalkCrinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440085252346877093.post-40728968437997247312015-09-03T14:44:00.001-07:002015-10-24T09:22:10.317-07:00Hops and Ska<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe it's that time of year to pick hops already. I went out back to check on my plants to see how soon they'd be ready, and they were ready. It was an odd growing season, and I wasn't expecting much, but to my surprise, they actually grew pretty well again this year. Now, in years passed, I've picked anywhere from 5-7 pounds, and that wasn't the case this year, but I'm still pretty pleased with the 3 pounds that I ended up with. Thanks to Tonya (my wife,) and Larry (my father in-law) for helping me pick this year.<br />
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This is my end result, 3 pounds bagged up, and into the freezer. These will come out of the freezer shortly so I can brew an Imperial IPA with them and the other 3 pounds that's still frozen from last year. I'm told that I will also have 3 pounds of honey and some white grape juice to add to it, so it will be an interesting beer to brew. As long as I can keep it in the fermenting bucket and not on the floor, it should be good!<br />
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My brother in-law Jared has been telling me to try this Woot Stout, another Stone Brewery collaboration. He said, it may be his favorite beer of all time. At $8.99 this 20oz bomber of 13% ABV goodness was a steal. I can see why Jared likes it so much. There is so much complexity in every sip. Rich, thick, roasty and sweet all come into play with this very smooth full bodied stout. This is a must have beer, and if I see it again, I may have to get another bottle or two<br />
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The past few years, I've had an annual work trip to Kansas City for some Continuing Education classes. I also meet up with an old friend of mine from my time in the Quad Cities. This year was no different, except when we get ready to leave the bar after some food and a few beers, he mentions there is a band playing about a block away for free, called Reel Big Fish. <a href="http://www.reel-big-fish.com/" target="_blank">http://www.reel-big-fish.com/</a><br />
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I've been a fan of them since the mid nineties, and loved them the first time I saw them over 7 years ago. So how could I pass up seeing Reel Big Fish again? The answer, is I didn't. They put on an amazing outdoor show in the rain. This is the kind of music that makes you want to get up and dance, but since I don't/can't dance, I just bobbed my head enthusiastically and sang along to all of their songs. As a former trombone player, it's always been a dream of mine to play a few songs on stage with them. Being about 4 feet from the stage was good enough for me that night. As luck would have it, we met Derek (bass guitar) and John (trumpet) a few bars later in the evening. They were both extremely friendly, and as much as I wanted to talk music with them, after a few minutes, we left them alone so they could enjoy the rest of their evening.<br />
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So I know this is mainly a beer blog, but other than a few of Boulevard's Tank 7's, the downtown beer scene was pretty forgettable. Seeing one of my favorite band of all times, now that was truly amazing!<br />
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Untappd: CrinkletalkCrinklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765759505484885157noreply@blogger.com0