Be Still! The Pharaoh Speaks...

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

Last night was the SF Homebrewers Guild meeting at Anchor Brewing and we had our annual elections. I threw my hat into the ring despite my relative inexperience… but honestly, they’re just looking for a bit of an organized body to help spearhead the guild and help with its exponential growth… and I’m more than happy to lend my expertise & make some great connections in the meantime. I originally applied for Vice President because it was one of the few positions that wasn’t already earmarked for somebody else… but basically, I got an email a few days later saying “So… this guy is also running for VP & he’s been with the guild from the beginning… and is a semi-pro brewer so… how about we just make a position for you instead?” Yeah, they basically just made a position for me (Communications Chair) because even though I’m new to the world of brewing in general, I have that marketing degree & a can do attitude. My duties are I think primarily handling a lot of the email & social media communications for the guild… working with all the other leadership members & all the breweries that we work with (and there are a LOT & more on the way honestly) and whatever else I can do in support. I may even be taking lead on a few upcoming events… but we shall see with the details later. I’ll keep you posted.

So yeah, Izzy, Jackie D & I went, we had our “elections” last night, everybody was elected (as they ran unopposed) & now we start setting things up for the next year. Some highlights in the coming year:

• LOTS of Homebrew competitions

• Beer Judge Certification Program classes & training

• Collaborations with professional brewers

• Participation in some great festivals

• Brewery Tours

• Charity Events

• LOTS of sharing Homebrews

• Hosting an SF Beer Week 2015 event

• Anything else we come up with along the way

It should be pretty intense, but as I said, I’ll keep you posted. As for our next batch… and what would be our first to be kegged & placed in the kegerator… I think that we’ve decided on doing a ChocoNut Stout. What’s that? Chocolate & Coconut Stout… or maybe adjust it to a Porter. We’ve also got a few ideas involving everything from a jalapeno pale ale to a Scotch barrel aged Scotch ale… so you’ll just have to read to find out. In the meantime, here is some news from some old staples… since I’ve been slacking in that department the past few months…

Colbert Update - It's official. The CBS Television Network has announced that fellow great Steve and host of "The Colbert Report" Stephen Colbert will succeed David Letterman as the host of "The Late Show" effective when Mr. Letterman retires from the broadcast. CBS and Colbert have come to a five-year agreement with the premiere date of Colbert's show to be announced after Lettermen determines a timetable for his final broadcasts in 2015. Specific creative elements, including producers and location, will be determined and announced at a later date. CBS' Leslie Moonves says: "Stephen Colbert is one of the most inventive and respected forces on television. David Letterman's legacy and accomplishments are an incredible source of pride for all of us here, and today's announcement speaks to our commitment of upholding what he established for CBS in late night." Congrats!!!

Fox Update - Megan Fox has long claimed to be a self-described “nerd” but has unexpectedly upped the ante when it comes to her fan-girl obsession with her role in the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. “I was really in love with them,” confesses Fox, who stars as reporter April O’Neil in the live-action reboot of the ‘80s cartoon which hits theaters August 8. “I have an older sister that’s 12 years older than me, so part of it initially was because I wanted to be like my big sister. But, it’s a really cool project for me because it was a huge part of my childhood, and it’s always been.” Her die-hard love of the characters – she even made husband Brian Austin Green watch the cheesy Turtle movies with her when they were dating – eliminated any hesitation about her decision to sign up for the film executive produced by… sigh… Michael Bay. “He was one of the most lovely people that I dealt with in making this movie,” says Fox of the Transformers director, with whom she had once publicly feuded. “I’ve always loved Michael. We’ve had our battles in the past but even when I’ve been really outspoken about difficulties we’ve had, I’ve always followed up by saying that I have a particular affinity to him. He can be very vulnerable, and he’s very likeable and loveable. I’ve always been very vocal about that as well. But, sometimes we clash because we both have very willful, powerful personalities.” Whatever. Bay and director Jonathan Liebesman had an edgy vision for the film that included a dramatic makeover for the four mutant turtles, now animated in CG. There are also plenty of dramatic action sequences and a few surprising contemporary details such as a complete makeover of Fox’s character, April. All of which, for the record, suit Fox just fine. Here it comes…

Fox: “She’s more of a leader when she explores her relationship with the turtles instead of just the human companion that gets dragged along on the adventure. It’s more representative of a modern woman.” Fox’s April also swaps her trademark yellow jumpsuit for a yellow leather jacket and skinny jeans but “I’m completely clothed for the entire movie,” says Fox, noting that may disappoint some fans… and she’s right. “There’s no gratuitous skin or sexual anything. Jonathan was really insistent on not wanting her to be sexualized or to take that sort of typical role we’ve seen women take in movies thus far, and that I’ve taken in particular.” Really? Megan Fox is in your movie… and you don’t want to sexualize her? I don’t think you really have a choice… but don’t expect Fox to trade hot pants for head-to-toe gear from here on out. “I don’t really mind,” says Fox of her trademark pin-up appeal. “It’s actually a large part of my personality. I think you can be that and you can also be intelligent and strong. I don’t think they’re in opposition to one another – at least in my life.” And that life now includes her two sons with Green, 15-month-old Noah and new arrival Bodhi Ransom (UGH!!!!!!!!! STUPID BABY NAME UPDATE!!!). Being a mother, says Fox, definitely influences the types of film she takes on. “I had just had Noah when I started taking meetings to see if this would work out for me,” explains Fox. “How cool is it to have a mom that plays either a superhero or plays the part of this iconic franchise that spans so many generations? I mean, hopefully they’ll both think I’m cool.” With cartoon reboots Transformers and Turtles behind her, Fox says she’s looking forward to future projects. A third cartoon remake of her choice? “Gundam Wing,” responds Fox, adding she’d love to see a Jurassic Park remake in the works. “Pacific Rim was sort of a Gundam Wing situation, but they should do it. What about Thundercats?” Or maybe, she says, Sailor Moon.“That could feasibly be made into a live action movie,” mulls Fox. “I don’t know how many Americans were into that. I was into that, but I don’t know how huge it was here. That’s not actually a bad idea.” Yup… no need for Wonder Woman when it’s more likely that a Thundercats movie will be made, right?

Anyway, hopefully you liked a little dip back into some of my running updates… stay tuned… there may be some more Panda, Bacon, Batman, or Apocalypse updates in the near future… in the meantime, I’m going to try to drink away the memory of Megan Fox & BAG having a child together named Bodhi Ransom Green or whatever… f**kin’ serious? Have a great day everybody!!!

Adventures in Sactown

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

 

Wednesday “morning” we woke up before the dawn & helped with another brew at Elevation 66 Brewery with Super Dave & Big Ben. It was a pretty standard brewday… we were making Ramble Tamble Red, one of my favorites… Super Dave even trusted us enough to leave just the three of us (to catch some sleep)… oh and ugh… WE GOT TO MASH!!! WE GOT TO MOOOOONSTER MASH!!!

 

We also entered our first homebrews for competition at the Oak Barrel. We’re still a few weeks away until the judging (which is great because we just bottled four day earlier so they need at least another week to carbonate) but we’ve officially entered the San Mateo County Fair & Napa Homebrewers Classic with our Honey Amber Ale & Oktoberfest brews. This is great because we’ll not only get a chance to win fabulous prizes… but we’ll at the very least get some great feedback from certified judges on how to improve our beermaking and/or recipes. We’re really excited… and will actually also be entering the Alameda County Fair later this week… the SF Homebrewers Guild’s Tribute to America competition within the next month… and even the great California State Fair in blistering Sacramento by month’s end. So yeah… lots of feedback… and hopefully our beer turns out pretty good so we have a chance.

 

In two of the competitions (San Mateo & State Fair), they also have Labeling competitions… which is where the lovely Miss Izzy can show off some of her talents. Here’s a working version of our Honey Amber Ale label right now… Wish us luck!!!

 

Saturday morning, we woke up, had a little breakfast, and then bottled our Blood Orange Hefeweizen, which looks beautiful…

 

Afterwards, we headed to Sacramento for adventures… first, a stop at Heretic Brewing to replenish our growler with CHP (Chocolate Hazelnut Porter) and then to meet up with one of Izzy’s best friends Flea for some dinner at Red Robin & to pickup a fish. Yup… drove over 100 miles each way to pick up a fish… why? Because he’s a badass mutha lovin’ fish…

 

That night we stopped by Final Gravity which was a nice taproom where we sampled some selections from Loomis Basin Brewery… and found one of my favorite new little beers. It’s Ballast Point Brewery’s Navigator and it’s a doppelbock aged in Brandy barrels… and the taste is just magnificent. It’s obviously not your typical beer with the bitterness at the backend, just very smooth & flavorful… not unlike a sifter of brandy… but yeah, it was pretty f**king delicious. I highly recommend it. Loomis Basin’s selection was pretty good too. We tried their Alohawk (their top selling golden ale), Avenger (Double IPA) & Red Robin (kind of an amber English ale).

 

Monday night, after receiving my last shipments over the weekend, it was time to set up the new kegerator (despite not really having kegs filled yet) and get everything somewhat as situated for Steve-toberfest in less than two weeks. No, I won’t have anything on tap… but it’ll still be good to show off for future parties… and it’s a good solid fridge for keeping some of the selections righteously chilled. BEHOLD!!!

 

Tuesday (tomorrow nights) is the SF Homebrewers Guild meeting & it’ll actually be annual elections… and despite only being in the Guild for a few months, because I’ve shown that I really want to help out… they’ve actually made up for a position for me, so hopefully I can win over my constituents & be elected to the leadership group… but we shall see. Geez… competitions… elections… Steve-toberfest… empty carboys to fill… so much going on right now… wish us luck!!! Have a great weekend everybody!!!

 

 

Listen All Y'all, It's ______

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

 

Over the last few days, I’ve been going over some different options for utilizing kegs & bringing them into our homebrewing system. Bottles are cool & all… but they’re fairly bulky… bottle conditioning takes about two weeks… and for parties & gatherings, it’s just pretty cool to come walking in with a big keg of homebrew, set up the tap & let everybody try it at their leisure… and you don’t have to chase down bottles… or explain to them every time what they’re drinking. “This isn’t Bud Light?” You’re welcome. We’re in no rush obviously… but in about five months, we are planning on going to my mom’s big family reunion & we figure that’d be a great place to really let a bunch of avid beer enthusiasts try out some of our brews… and a keg may just be easier for transportation & just the driving around with a bunch of empty bottles on the way back. Some of the options are:

 

·     Keg with a tap – Simple enough, you have a keg or two filled with good stuff, a “cobra” faucet, tap it, CO2 tank hooked up pushes out the liquid gold

·     Picnic Cooler Kegerator – Essentially same setup but you run the liquid gold through a modified picnic cooler with coiled stainless steel tubing under ice to cool it down before drinking. Not a huge fan of this method as I’d just keep the keg in the cooler or something but… it’s an option.

·     True Kegerator – Basically you modify a fridge (or cooler that I’m trying to figure out) that will store the keg in inside, keep it cool, and then you have a tap hooked up on the door or top of the unit to easily dispense your chilled beverage of choice.

 

There are obviously pros & cons with each device ranging from cost of the setup… to whether you need to constantly ice or plug into an outlet to keep it cool… to ease of transportation… to overall esthetic… but like I said, we’re not in a major rush so we may just start with the kegs & a “cobra” faucet for now… and then advance our setup down the road… but yeah, if you have any suggestions, I’m all ears & quite adventurous with building my own units. I’ve looked at a bunch of websites & forums and have some ideas… but also have three roommates and a Jeep, not my own place with a Ford 350 out front to move it around. We’ll definitely keep you posted though.

 

Tuesday night, we took in a screening of “Sabotage” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington, Terrence Howard, Olivia Williams & a great ensemble cast really. It’s from director David Ayer (“End of Watch”, “Street Kings” and writer on a bunch of great flicks like “Training Day”). An elite DEA task force led by John ‘Breacher’ Wharton (Schwarzenegger) takes down a Mexican drug cartel stronghold… and secretly stashes away $10 million for their services… but when they go to grab the money, it’s gone… and the rest of the DEA wants answers with them as the prime suspects. After six months, the investigation is called off & the team is reunited to get back to work… but now they’re being killed one-by-one. At first, they suspect it’s retaliation from the cartel… but they soon find out that it very well may be one of them looking to settle a score… or tie up some loose ends. The movie was actually VERY well done. Like most of the movies from David Ayer, it’s very gritty, pretty true to life (okay, about ¾ really good & ¼ Hollywood fluffery) but it’s definitely R-rated for language and extreme gore & intensity. I thoroughly enjoyed it & would recommend it anybody looking for a good, solid guy movie. There’s occasional nudity, adult humor & situations, big guns, plenty of gun butter, even some chicks kicking ass too. Go check it out… but yeah, it’s not your usual fluffy Schwarzenegger popcorn flick… he’s actually acting in this one. You’ve been warned.

 

Sidebar on Schwarzenegger: Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Arnold. You all know this. He IS the American dream. Came to the U.S. of A. in the 70’s with a $20 bill in his pocket, just worked hard, kept himself fairly clean, and he’s gone from Mr. Olympia… to the biggest movie star in the world & cultural icon… to Guinness of World Records for “Most Perfect Body”… to marrying a Kennedy… to starting a chain of restaurants… to Governor of Cali-for-ni-a… to the failed business that was the chain of restaurants… to scandal when he knocked up his cleaning lady… and now back as STILL one of the biggest action stars in the world, even though he’s technically a senior citizen… all the while, he really hasn’t lost that famous accent. Why? Why the hell should he? I predicted a while back that Arnold would be President by 2016 (back before he decided to act again where his every indiscretion isn’t put under a microscope) but there’s really still time… and frankly, taking a look around… he might have a good shot. Regardless, I’m in constant awe of this guy… and I wish him the best of luck with whatever he does, whether more action movies, directing, politicks, brewing, fashion design, computer studies, whatever. I hope to be HALF the man that he is when I’m twice the age that I am now. Kudos sir!

 

Thursday night, I met up with Jackie D to get some drinks at Cellarmaker Brewing and try out their unique selections. They have a lot of the great west coast staples like various IPAs, session pale ales, etc… but one of their more unique offerings was their Coffee & Cigarettes Porter which… well, is exactly what it sounds like. Thanks to the combination of various roasted malts & brewing methods… it basically tastes like you spilled your cold coffee into an ashtray & then drank it. Now, it’s not quite as harsh & disagreeable as that would sound… like, there’s no filters stuck in your teeth or anything… but yeah, taste achieved. They had other porters to try as well that I preferred& frankly the even C&C wasn’t that bad, just not my particular taste when it comes to beer. I’d recommend their IPA & their regular porter. Great atmosphere, we watched a little basketball (Stanford lost) & then we headed over to Extreme Pizza to complete our “beer sandwich” in our stomachs of a good solid beer base, pizza & then beer on top (pitcher of Fat Tire).

 

Also, our hop rhizomes came in the mail...

So we're going to start growing some hops...

but it takes a few years... coming soon...

Well, Jackie D is officially here as a San Francisco resident… and my family is coming to visit on Friday for the weekend, so it’ll be a bundle of fun. We have plans to check out the Zoo & the Exploratorium… but you never know how things will turn out with weather, kids being kids & just deciding to do something else on a whim. We tend to do that from time to time too… but I’ll certainly keep you posted. Until then, have a great weekend everybody!!!