T Minus 2

Greetings all,

I had a lot of fun when I celebrated my 500th beer last summer. For those of you that were there, I hope you did, too!

That said, my 600th beer is on the horizon! The timer has been added on the right side! While I have at least 6 different bottles of beer in my fridge at home to add to my list, I will be pacing myself so I can have #600 with friends. So, here is the plan -

Who - You
What - My 600th beer
When - Thursday, August 6th, 2009 at 6:30pm
Where - The Oak Cafe in Wyandotte, Michigan
Why - Why not?

A few things to note:
- There is construction in Wyandotte in front of the Oak Cafe. If you approach the place on Oak Street the west (from Fort Street) you will be fine. Don't come over on Oak from downtown Wyandotte; it is a disaster.
- There is no telling when I will actually drink this thing. I plan on arriving at 6:30 and eating.
- Some of you will also be getting emails before too long.

I hope to see you all there!

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Okay, the countdown function is junk. Nevermind!

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Okay, I am now using a different clock. I don't like it as much as the other one, but it will do.....

#598

Live blogging here. After a lazy morning of short hikes and dinking around at some local parks, I opted for lunch at the FSB. #598 down the hatch, and a fine one it was!

The Piston Pale Ale is really quite good! In a pint glass, it had a slightl y tan head with a nice amber body. The hops aroma you would expect? Barely perceptible, but I don't really think that is a bad thing. But ohhhhhh, the body. Wonderful. Simply wonderful. Creamy and smooth. On the tongue, the hops comes on strong followed quickly with a citrus twang. The finish was right were it should be - smooth and moderately hoppy. A supurb balance with nothing compromised. A superior beer! 5 out of 5!

An Open Letter To The President

Dear Sir,

In these troubled times of economic crises, wars on multiple fronts, health care woes, and environmental doom, it is very frustrating that now, in 2009, we still have to deal with racial issues. The arrest of a black Harvard professor in his own home by a white police officer has, once again, put race at the head of the newscast and become the topic of discussions across the country.

I can't describe my delight when I heard a few days ago that the parties involved would be meeting you, the leader of the free world, at a picnic table on the White House lawn while having a beer. Multiple sources suggest this may be first case of beer diplomacy at the White House. As I understand it, the session will not have a formal agenda, but rather, it will offer the opportunity to "step back a bit" and have a dialogue.

"This is about having a beer," according to Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

Not if it is a Budweiser, sir.

While the staff required to run the United States is no doubt massive, I'm sure there is a glaring omission. That is why I would like to offer my services. If there is room for a White House Pastry Chef, who serves superior desserts instead of Twinkies, there must be room for a White House Beer Consultant, who can advise and serve extraordinary appetizer, main course, or dessert beverages, not swill.

According to press releases, you enjoyed a Budweiser at the All-Star Game. Sgt. James Crowley, the lead officer involved in the previously stated arrest, enjoys Blue Moon while Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. enjoys Red Stripe and Becks. With the understanding that the White House does not stock foreign beers, please know your options are not limited. There are hundreds of excellent beers available right here in the good old U.S. of A. Craft beers from microbreweries and brewpubs, Mr. President. That is the ticket.

Yes, sir - you need me.

My credentials are solid. Beginning in the mid-1990's, I have had officially 597 different beers of all styles from all over the world. Whether it is ales in the thin air at 10,152 feet in Colorado, stouts with The Sleeping Lady in Alaska, lagers along the lazy Outer Banks of North Carolina, or great drinks right here in Detroit, I have had my share. My knowledge is yours and I'm prepared to do what I need to do for my fellow Americans.

While I never served, sir, I can serve now.

I'll be waiting for your call.

Little Blue Heron on July 28, 2009

So yesterday, Walt Pawloski reported to me a Little Blue Heron in Monroe County just outside of South Rockwood. I went to the site after work but missed it. What a drag, right? That could have been Monroe County bird #205.

I managed to swing by the same location this morning. No luck. Walt checked back later in the afternoon to say he had it last night! At least we know the bird is still in the area, right?

Sure enough, shortly after dinner tonight, Walt called me at home. He just saw the bird tucked away in a difficult-to-view little corner of the wetland. I mentioned that I was going to head back there immediately. In an awesome demonstration of birding goodwill, not only did he tell where it was, but said he would meet me on site and show it to me. Fortunately, by the time I arrived, the bird had moved into the open (thus the clear but distant photo on the left).

The heron body plan (long legs with a long dagger-like bill and slender neck) where obvious in the field. The dark body with the purplish head and neck, dark legs, and the two-toned bill make the call pretty easy. Little Blue Heron.

County bird #205. A hat-tip and beer Walt! Thanks!

#596 and #597

Friday night. The day after payday. Ohhh, what to do!

Sure I could have hustled out to the Ypsilanti for the Michigan Brewers Guild 12th Annual Summer Beer Festival. But, truth be told, I was not really up for it. I would have gotten there late, rain was possible and thousands of people on a Friday night was not really something I was up for.

So, looking for a change a pace, we shot out to Ferndale for a night at the Woodward Avenue Brewers (WAB for short). (They don't appear to have their own website(!), but you can read a bit here.)

All in all, the place is quite...well, different. Near 9 Mile and Woodward in Ferndale, there are two levels in the same building, but it might as well be two different planets in the same universe. It is hard to believe they belong to the same establishment. Imagine an old style garage on a corner. Those roll-up doors? Yup. They have them. So, when they are up you are eating outside. What a great way to spend a nice Friday night - outside for the feel, but under cover in the event of rain. The overall feel of the place was light and lively. By the way, the menu sandwiched between license plates. Really.

The upstairs? TOTALLY different. Beat-up wood floors. Ancient bricks on the wall. Dim lighting. Very cool. Much more the "ancient pub" sort of look. The modern 1950's barstools were a bit odd given everything else, but not too crazy.

I had two beers with my dinner. The Custom Blonde (#596) was certainly a beginner's ale. Pale yellow in color a white foamy one-finger head, it was pretty blah. Nothing tasted bad, because there wasn't much taste to it. In the nose, on the palate, down the hatch. - it didn't matter. Just not much to work with. 2 out 5.

The Green Bullet Organic IPA (#597) was very different and, simply put, much better. They claim it as "...a celebration of earth, water, malt and hops." Okay. Whatever. Beautiful copper color with a crazy foamy head is a great place to start. A sharp carbonated bite gives way to the hops on the tongue and finish. A few seconds later, the dryness really kicked in. A pretty good beer, I think. 4 out of 5.

According to the menu, they have a few other beers I will need to try. I will certainly get back there in the coming days. I'll sit upstairs for sure.