One Hop This Time: Simcoe IPA

I went down to the lake today on #NationaBeerDay with two cans of 6% ABV single hop IPA from Everett, MA's Night Shift Brewery. It's called One Hop This Time: Simcoe (from a series of beers I imagine), because it is made with only Simcoe hops. The beer didn't have an overwhelmingly strong scent to it, but once I had my nose in the pint glass, I could smell the hops. And the taste was fantastic, exactly what I was expecting from this particular type of hop. I enjoyed the beer while reading and listening to music (Tiny Fireflies and Slowdive) on the lakefront, and the time passed in a pleasant (and delicious) springtime haze...

Beer Review - Tangerine Soul Style IPA

Today down at the lake I had a bottle of Tangerine Soul Style IPA from San Diego's Green Flash Brewing Company.

The beer poured into the pint glass with a fresh hoppy nose, and ended with a ¼" head. There was the barest hint of citrus. The flavor of the beer was bright and incredibly refreshing. The hops were nice and even, bold, yet not too strong nor too weak. There was a mild citrus note, but the fact that it was tangerine barely registered at first. However, as I got deeper into the glass, the tangerine became more pronounced, and blended well with the hops. What a fantastic and fresh IPA. 4/5

I need to get my hands on a full six pack, as this has shot right to the top of my list of favorites, alongside beers such as Ballast Point Brewing's Sculpin IPA, Backyard Berner from Otter Creek Brewing, and Wormtown Brewery's Be Hoppy IPA.

Beer Review - Two I Missed

Fantastic beer - 4/5 stars

Nostalgia from my 6 years in the Portsmouth, NH area.
Great beer, even better on tap.

Beer Review - Sculpin IPA

22 ounce bottle.

IPA's are my beer style of choice. On a whim today I picked up this offering from San Diego's Ballast Point Brewing Company, their Sculpin India Pale Ale. I found out that even after finishing a 22 ounce bottle, I could probably still drink it all day. It's flavor is in the sweet spot between a good 'typical' IPA and Magic Hat's #9 Not Quite Pale Ale.

Bonus: the sunset after imbibing!

Beer Review - Pied Piper IPA

No big words today. It was so good,
that it disappeared within an hour,
as I floated in the middle of the lake...

Beer Review - Wachusett Summer

As far as summer beers go, to me the standard is Sam Adams Summer. The offering from the Wachusett Brewery in Westminster, MA is nearly as good.

Wachusett Summer is a full-bodied wheat ale with a wisp of lemon flavor. I would recommend a lemon slice in the glass or bottle, for that particular flavor is more faint than in Sam Adams. Either way, it is quite refreshing, and goes well with sunshine and friends.

Grade 4 stars (out of 5).

Another Beer, Another Boat

Kayaking with a Magic Hat #9 at the base of Mt. Wachusett!

 

 

WPMF IV

And Year 4 begins...

I sent out musician invites to several alumni, including 'lifers' Elizabeth Lorrey and Almanac Mountain. Barely 3 hours in, and Elizabeth has signed on for her fourth year playing my little music festival by the lake, the annual Wyman's Pond Music Fest.

I am going to try something a bit different this year, by both beginning and ending the day later than usual. I want to have an electronic act perform after dark, so there will be something new for everyone to experience. You know, aside from all of the new music everyone has put out in the last year! Check out the performer links for great sounds, both new and classic.

:::Cricket Noises:::

It's been a pretty quiet month here at Not Lame Minus.

I had posted a music survey, but life being what it is (folks just getting through the winter, hunkering down with family, the economy), there was very little interest, so I deleted it. Money has been tight all around, so there were no NLM group adventures (though not for lack of trying). Thus there really hasn't been much to write about.

That being said, here are a few notes:

• Rob has opened up a "solo shop" of his own over at "The Amazing Adventures of Mediocre Man!". Check him (and his writing) out, but be warned: his musings are usually rated PG-13, and sometimes veer beyond R (haha). he has a sharp wit, and a keen eye for the absurd.
  
• There have been some cool musician additions for the music festival I am producing this summer. Keep an eye on them at "Wyman's Pond Music Fest". And save the date of Saturday July 31st for an amazing day of local musicians and fun in the sun.
• Speaking of "solo shops", I have been keeping a more personal blog since last October at "Kendar Keep" for when I feel like babbling about non-NLM stuff. Feel free to poke around and comment. There are more photos than there usually are here, and I end each entry with a playable song from whatever cd I am spinning as I write (thanks Lala).
  
• Spring is nearly upon us! When it's warm enough to sit around outdoors for a few hours at a time, the LakeFest season for 2010 will launch.
• And as always, keep an eye on the top of our page for local live music dates (updated weekly) and outdoor activity links sections for fun stuff to do.

In-Blog Play:

10 Mile Stereo - Beach House

July 5th Wind-Down

A few days ago, I sent out an e-vite for a small gathering down at the lake today, just in case people hadn't had enough Independence Day fun, and might be interested in sitting around in the sun.

I arrived at 2:30, and the two closest lakefronts to mine were both jumping! The next-door neighbors had seven or eight cars parked near the trees that mark our boundary, with a bunch of their young kids playing in the water, and one of the dads at the lot to the left of them was racing a huge motorboat full of teens around the lake in circles, with 4 kids pulled behind it on a float hanging on for dear life. Since no one else had arrived yet, I sunscreened up, opened a bottle of Magic Hat #9, and read the latest National Geographic in the sun until Brian arrived around three.

Keith arrived soon after, and we spent a few hours talking about old island trips, and the potential one for this coming weekend (Martha's Vineyard, and a 4-man cabin at the island's campground). Old high school chum Spencer stopped by for an hour, and introduced us to his cool ladyfriend Susan, leaving with a promise to spend a day some other time. Later, Brian & Keith ran uptown for more beer and a pizza, and I floated around the lake for a half-hour, enjoying the sun in my face, the feel of the waves, and the view of Mount Wachusett off in the distance.

After we devoured the pizza, Keith took off, Brain & I hung out for another half hour or so, and then we drove up the hill, through the trees, and back to our separate 'real worlds'... It was an amazing sunny day after two weeks of rain.