"In his domestic administration my father had this system . . . to keep a journal and insert in it all occurrences of any note . . . A record very pleasant to look at when time begins to efface the memory of events, and very well suited to get us out of perplexity: When was such and such a thing begun? When completed? What retinues came? How long did they stay? Our trips, our absences; marriages; deaths; the receipt of happy or unhappy news . . . An ancient custom, which I think it would be good to revive, each man in each man's home. And I think I am a fool to have neglected it." (Montaigne, Book I, Essay 35 (publ. 1580))
PJ, CPG and I drove over to San Diego on Friday 17 August; met up with PJr, NRG, and Romie (who were spending the week in SD); then Michael C joined. From there - drove up to the Stone tasting event - our fifth time (PJr's sixth). Beer, food, weather, company all delightful. This continues to be a fine event. Smaller group nice but we missed some of the energy of the bigger group!
On Saturday morning we three met up with PJr/NRG/Romie at Broadway Pier for coffee and donuts and fun (including scooter test runs). After lunch we went to the Modern Times brewery and found it highly acceptable. Back downtown; met up with Naseem; we eight walk to the D'backs-Padres game (thanks POC for lining up tickets). All good there other than final score.
Easy return drive on Sunday except a little more freon, or whatever automobile A/C systems use these days, would have been a plus.
PJr drove to San Diego with PJ shotgun; CPG 'n me holding down backseat. Nice and early start such that we made it for lunch by noon (despite too many stops enroute for some reason) at some BBQ joint ID'd by CPG. POC (already in town with D'Backs), NOC and EPG (arrived Thursday via driving down from LA together) met us for lunch. We heard that the three of them had an entertaining evening prior.
NOC hoping to be invited into photo.
Transportation up to U Cal San Marcos always requires a bit of planning; PJr and I score with Gaslight district Tahoe rental; PJ as always graciously DDs us back to San Diego after the event.
EPG's patented selfie technique.
The reception was, I think, the best yet for us. Better organized as to food. Better weather (the inland location sometimes can be a little hot). EPG creates spot-on tasting-tracking sheet. Beer is always good; I particularly like trying the casked versions.
Was it really "last call" if a relief-pourer volunteers to fill the breach?Love the "a lot more/big pour" compliments starting around 0:19 of this short (CPG-captured) clip (gratitude from patrons otherwise expecting their night was over):
Just a delightful evening. In addition to our group: Michael Cafiso for his third straight year of this, plus Chris Wagner - who puts up with, or promotes, our group's shenanigans and fits in seamlessly throughout. POC finagles the night off from his D'backs duties to join, unexpectedly. Nice.
NOC's Instagram compilation . . .
After the reception - PJ and I get the Tahoe returned - then join the group at a Gaslight area bar - lots of D'backs folks, a nice finish to a fun day.
NOC had a fine idea for belated PJr b'day observance - cupcakes from a fancy cupcake-vendor - but the evidence suggests the cupcakes didn't quite survive Wednesday night.
Saturday: PJ and I (joined by EPG) go for coffee/breakfast. Our entire group then gathers for lunch; we lose POC to work; lunch is followed by a Cafiso-sponsored afternoon of games/sipping/food at some Gaslamp place that worked quite nicely. Back to hotel for game prep, where we do a little in-house tailgate (NC-style) courtesy of Chris W. Petco Park - across the street - is quite lovely - we arrive in the 5th inning of a fast-moving game. The stadium is its own beer-heaven. D'backs win; we are able to make a bit of strategic racket at key late moments. Fun. Then we get a very late dinner - that's it for most of us, EPG/NOC/POC continue.
Sunday: coffee/breakfast for PJ 'n me (joined by PJr). Meet with the group and recap recent doings; then we go to lunch (a Greek place, really good); EPG napping in Audi as we hit the road for Phoenix. NOC joins us rather than waiting for team plane, which we like! Fun ride back, fun weekend . . .
We spent hours here on Saturday afternoon. Pleasant hours.
Thanks for the tix, POC (per usual). Lovely Saturday evening, fun game, D'backs win.
A holiday beer-tasting event was held at our place on December 27. Lots of work by all involved in the planning and execution, with N taking the arranging-lead and PJ taking the hostessing-cooking lead. And K coming through with some spiffy tasting glassware (complete with a few professional-looking taster “paddles”).
K-supplied tasting hardware. ("Duck with boots" just eluded the photographer at far right.)
Results - click to enlarge. Left column lists participants in order of finish. CPG and me were the most generous graders. EPG was the toughest grader, becoming noticeably more discriminating as he went along.
It all really turned out well.
Remarkably good logistics handled by three supposedly impartial non-beer-drinkers – this involved handling two beers per person for a dozen tasters, maintaining scoring, keeping things moving, preserving beer-secrecy, etc. Not a simple process, though they made it feel that way. Participants were tasked with bringing two beers and an appetizer – yes, this worked very well. Folks clearly were diligent about their beer shopping, and also were thoughtful about app choices.
Instagram #1 (borrowed from N). Medal stand honorees in bottom right photo (gold-silver-bronze top to bottom).
Each participant ranked the beers, and the beer-submitter with highest aggregate score was declared the victor. Our administrators reported on lots of interesting and occasionally on-target commentary as the participants worked through the list.
Pretty sure we’ll do this again in the future. I’d be happy if we use pretty much the same approach again, though we likely will do some sort of beer-by-category ranking at least for scoring purposes – we noticed that lighter/cleaner tasting beers suffered in the comparisons, as did the porter/stout submissions.
N Instagram #2.
The path to victory in this first tasting: focus your two beer submissions in the realm of fine-tasting IPAs or the like (this strategy worked for #1 winner: PJr, #2 runner-up: Mike Barbeau; #3: me (yes, on the medal stand, if barely!)).
While the cooking team (PJ, CPG, Pat H) was assembling a pretty excellent pork roast with a+ trimmings. And a bourbon glaze or sauce.
Bought the bottle during our recent trip to Flagstaff; I was intrigued by the label, the unpromising pairing of "chipotle" and beer, plus the Rogue folks do some nice beers (such as "Dead Guy"). (Plus I buy lots of iffy things when I'm traveling, typically t-shirts.) (Maybe I took it as some sort of challenge when the clerk up in Flag told us "people say it's 'interesting', but not something they would 'drink all the time'.")
It was ok but not awesome. My tasting panel agreed. The clerk's info was accurate.
PJ and I (armed with coupon) tried Roka Akor on Friday. A few thoughts:
1. Not normally the type of restaurant we/especially me prefer - everything is overdone. Corporate place, carefully and perfectly designed interior, showy valet parking, overly attentive and cheerful staff, please leave me alone.
2. That being said, everyone was quite cheerful, plus PJ looked very nice for herself. It was a pleasant evening.
3. Japanese beers just aren't that great (based on a sample of about three over these many years). But the labels look really cool. See picture of bottle of the "microbrew" rice lager that I had - 500ml bottle - Koshihikari Echigo.
4. We were sitting in the area that immediately surrounds the kitchen. Struck up a conversation with one of the folks back there, and he comp'd us an appetizer - grilled shishito peppers "with ponzu and bonito flakes". Never heard of this, though I think respectable foodies would be in the know. Lots of flavor, not too hot at all, I have no idea what ponzu or bonito flakes might be. But it looked great, and we really enjoyed.
5. The shishito peppers, and our entrees, were robata-grilled. Whatever the technique, it worked.
Here's a photo of the label from one of my Father's Day (2010) gifts from PJ. A very unusual Scotch (at least by my experience), much enjoyed.
The Wikipedia article about the distillery provides a bit of background. It indicates that the whiskey tastes "peaty" - which I think might be a bit of an understatement. I typically am unable to describe the flavors that others can so boldly attribute to wines (and even beers these days), but this stuff absolutely had a smoky cast to it.
I found it interesting that the wikipedia article mentions that this whiskey is used quite often in Johnny Walker blends.
I liked the Caol Ila straight, not even a splash, with some parmigiana reggiano and a few plain crackers - a wonderful way to get ready for dinner.
Below is the map showing distillery location - I think this might be a fun tour someday.
Here's a photo of the label from one of my Father's Day (2010) gifts from PJ. A very unusual Scotch (at least by my experience), much enjoyed.
