Beer Review - Palmetto Amber Ale

B-Daddy here. I was on travel this week to Charleston, SC. We had an after work social at California Dreaming and I asked about the local beer. The barkeep only had one suggestion, the amber ale pictured at right. I was surprised, and he added he add one more, a Pale Ale from Palmetto Brewing, but the delivery hadn't come in. To be honest, I thought a restaurant with pretensions to be Californian out to have more than Miller, Bud Light, Blue Moon, and Widmer Hefeweizen on draft. In fact, other than the one local beer, even the bottled line up was rather ordinary, as Mrs. Daddy's Aussie cousins would say (translation, pretty poor.) The only thing the restaurant really had going for it was a great view of Charleston harbor.

Regardless, I always try to sample the local beer, and this was going to be my one shot. Palmetto Amber Ale pour a dark copper with not much head. The barley is roasted a little darker than a standard amber. took my frist sip and was a little surprised. Fred one of our local hosts had warned me the beer would be bitter; but while it was definitely more hoppy than your average amber, it was not near as hoppy as expected. The beer also had a nice rich malty taste to it, that went down well. Alcohol content seemed about average. This beer was tasty enough to order a second one to go with the overcooked wings and soggy nachos. (The croissants, however, were delicious.)

My final gripe was that they kept the ale ice cold and served it in ice cold pint glasses. I had to let the beer set a while so I could taste it.

Overall, considering that I sampled Palmetto Amber Ale from the bottle, I was very pleased with this local beer. I give it a solid B. Given the richness, they could have easily balanced with more hops.


FTC Disclaimer: I may or may not have received valuable consideration in the form of swag, jack and/or coin to endorse these products. I am not saying and have the right not to do so.

Product Review - Samsung Epic Smartphone

B-Daddy here. Tigerlily's phone has been eligible for an upgrade since 2006 (she had a Motorola i90c), so today we went shopping at the Sprint store today and picked up a handsome Samsung Epic. No points for guessing which phone pictured is newer.

This is a great phone that costs only $150 with a two year contract. You can read other reviews of the technology whiz bang, I wanted to focus a little on the operational aspects of having this phone linked with Google.

This is our first try at linking a smart phone to calendar, email, facebook, etc. We went with Google's Android OS rather than the iPhone because it seemed to make the integration with Gmail and Google calendar easier. My wife had been using our Roadrunner account for her main email and Entourage as her software client, but I was having a difficult time figuring out how we were going to synch that with the new phone. It was easier just to start over with a new Google account. We also linked Apple's mail program and iCal to the Google account. This will make keeping the synchronization much easier. This is what is meant by the cloud.

Of course, Mrs. Daddy isn't all that interested in that mundane stuff, she is busy using the camera, downloading "Angry Birds" and testing out the GPS enabled navigation. Which begs the question, why did my GPS device cost as much as this Samsung phone, but does only one application? But it points out the larger issue, that these smart phones are a replacement for multiple devices, maybe even a computer. Except for screen size, most of what we really want to do on our computer we can do on the phone.

Exit question: When will someone build a monitor that connects to a smart phone to overcome its only disadvantage?

The only drawback this phone is that the battery drains quickly when your having fun.


FTC Disclaimer: I may or may not have received valuable consideration in the form of swag, jack and/or coin to endorse these products. I am not saying and have the right not to do so.

This Music Is A Companion To My Previous Post

Put the kids to bed and ROCK! What a lovely way to burn.

Sex, The Importance Of Being Sexual, Not Earnest

I appeal to married men and women at this time. Sex is an important part of your life, it's a plain fact. Keep it alive and going strong from day one. Sex is more than an act, it bonds you together physically and spiritually. You may say, hey no problem, if you are newlyweds. Alas, as time goes by and babies come and grow, things definitely change. Most couples who stay for the long haul, (and that is what marriage SHOULD be about), have some dry spells. DO NOT let these dry spells sabotage your marriage. Stay the course and work on your sex life. Women most likely have the biggest struggle. I know women are sick of the books espousing, putting on the sexy negligees and seducing their husbands but there is some meat, (excuse the expression), to this. You have to be dedicated in keeping your sex life alive.  

Women, I realize we go through different phases in our lives, babies, menopause, alien metamorphoses or whatever. This aside, giving our men what they want and crave is not only good for a marriage, it fulfills a deep spiritual alliance. Men often times express their love sexually. We are sexual creatures by nature and we can not let a lethargic attitude upset the balance in marriage. I guess in plain words, don't say no to him even if you aren't in the mood. If your man is any good, a few maneuvers will have you squirming like a snake.

Men, you have a great part in this as well. Don't be a jerk. She is not going to look like a twenty-one year old after having two babies. Don't be critical, be encouraging. Even if she doesn't look that hot at the moment, she can again with your help. Remember, you are in this for the LONG HAUL. Women are capable of incredible feats. We can turn things around quite well if we put our minds to it. We just need a loving partner that spurs us on, not a overgrown teenager, looking at every good looking woman that passes by. That kind of behavior erodes your partner's desires toward you as well as her confidence in herself.

Make a decision to have sex twice a week or whatever number you BOTH agree on. Stick to this even if this idea offends your spontaneous nature. Believe me your man will not worry about this because he will be happy. You can bloody well put red marks on the calendar and he won't give a rats ass, as long as you follow through. The important thing is that you both connect in this way on a regular basis.

Beer Review - Alesmith Anvil ESB

B-Daddy here. Today's beer review is one of my favorite beers, that I continue to savor with a variety of meaty dishes. As you can see from the picture, I am talking about Alesmith's Anvil ESB. For the uninitiated, ESB means extra special bitter, from the days in England when most beers tended to be sweeter stouts and porters. An ESB was a lighter beer with light carbonation, and certainly more bitter than a stout. By today's California standards for IBUs, an ESB is not especially bitter.

Alesmith's entry into this category is its flagship beer. It has a nice dark copper tone, with a bit of head and not too much carbonation. It has a very nice nutty taste that always tempts me to drink it too quickly. I like to drink this ale out of a pint dimple mug, the traditional English drinking glass for bitters. Even tough it is a bitter, my palette has become so used to west coast IPAs that I find this to be a little sweet, mainly due to its maltiness. (Kids, that's probably not a word.) However, I would also say that this entry has more hops than its English cousins. For me, that makes the almost perfect beer, sweet, malty but with just enough bite from the hops.

Available, at Keil's and your fine local liquor stores.

Johnny Depp, This Song Is For You

Love you Johnny. Although you did a great mad hatter, Ive got to say, Jack Sparrow is my favorite character.

Nurses Station - Brown Rice

Eating more brown rice is good advice for improving overall health. It is full of good vitamins and also good for your complexion. To ward off pimples and other facial blemishes, eat brown rice and drink eight glasses of water a day.

Tip - Lose the Fat When Baking

In MOST recipes applesauce can be used to replace fat almost on a one to one substitution basis. If the recipes calls for 1 cup of oil, you can use 1 cup of applesauce especially in baked goods.

Product Review - Geoffrey Bean Shirts

Don't settle for less, get Goffrey Beene dress shirts. They have lasting power and you'll look like a stud in them. More importantly, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO IRON THEM. There are some laundering rules you need to follow for these shirts as well as for other dress, non-wrinkle shirts.

Always sort similar colored dress shirts together and wash them in cold or warm water. Don't put them in with a bunch of other clothing, do them separately. Be gentle about the amount of detergent you use, you don't need much.
Put no more than four shirts in the dryer, at a medium heating cycle. Include two bounce sheets. Have hangers standing by when the buzzer goes off. Get off your butt as soon as the ten minutes have gone by. Take the shirts out and shake them away from any hard surfaces, avoiding the breakage of buttons. Hang them on good hangers, Joy Mangano hangers are the best. Button up the first two buttons and make sure your shirts are well hung, ( excuse the expression, please).Give them half an hour hanging on a doorway before putting them in the closest so the wrinkles will all fall out. Now, hang them away and you can be assured that you will look good at your next meeting, you handsome guy.

Feeling Good And Recommending Two Blogs

Tiger Lily is feeling quite nice tonight. Ain't nothing wrong with imbibing some choice brew, partying with family and having a great time at home. Life is good in this country. We are blessed, and lest we forget this, just turn on the news. You will be transported into the stone age with violence and misery flashing before your eyes.

I believe in personal responsibility and character. A man should stand by his word and be willing to take on the good fight. Unfortunately, entitlements, not innovation seem to be the style of the day.

Although I have concerns, I believe in the resilience of the American people. I would like to recommend the following blogs to the few readers I have. Please check out Beers with Demo and The Liberator Today for a fair perspective on what is happening in this misguided world. Keep an open mind and always investigate both sides of the issues that incite you.

As I turn from my computer and head for bed, I bid you adieu. We Americans have, and always shall, prevail.

Song For David

This song is for a talented artist in my family. He is fun to be with and brings a smile to me face. I love you Daaaviid!

Restaurant Review - Offshore

Offshore Tavern & Grill is a great place to go for food and Grog as well as for watching sports. They have have a full bar and a decent selection of beer and wine. High definition televisions dot every wall. The energy from the crowd is palpable when a big game is on so go a little early on those days to get your spot. It might be a bit noisy but some fans don't mind this. Located at 2253 Morena Boulevard it's off interstate 5. In the large outside patio you can watch the cars and trains go by feeling good about being out of the rat race for a spell.

Product Review - Tend Skin

Do you suffer from ingrown hairs or occasional break outs. It's no fun to have red rash-like bumps from shaving when you want to look good for the girl you just got up the courage to ask out. Tend Skin can help you. This product is great, it noticeably reduces the appearance of razor bumps, ingrown hairs and pimples. Ladies can also use this item after shaving their legs. The feedback given by men who use this product is that it is worth the price.

Nurses Station

Summer is coming and the hot days are ahead. Stay hydrated especially when working out. Drink Gatorade to replenish the electrolytes your body loses. If you cramp up after exercise or later in bed after an active day, always have some bananas on hand. They will deliver potassium to your bloodstream and most likely help with the cramping.

Tip - Dusty Computer And TV Screens

A used dryer sheet can be used to clean computer and television screens. The screens will attract less dust.

Share Your Man

Rick and Jay are going hiking and decide to call Andy. They haven't seen much of Andy since he met Ashley. Rick whips out the old cell phone and goes for it. Andy answers and starts to hem and haw when asked to join the jolly hikers. Well I guess we could go although Ash doesn't really like hiking. Rick suggests that Andy come alone. Andy is reluctant to even suggest this to Ashley. The whole thing is a mess as far as Rick and Jay are concerned. They make some comment about Andy being on a tight leash and laugh as they decide to blow Andy off.

Many men know the signs of the overbearing babe. She does not like to share her man with anyone, no with friends, parents or anyone else who might occupy his time. She tags along inappropriately at guy type functions. She gets pissy when he goes out with his friends. She seems insecure and demanding.

Women, do you want your man to turn out like the Paul Rudd character in I Love You, Man, kind of wimpy and effeminate because he never hangs with other guys.  Eventually, you will kill the man that excited you in the first place and you'll be looking for Fabio. You want the dude who slays the giant bug, the one who hunts down and eliminates the rat. You do not want him standing on the chair next to you screaming when the rat darts out at you. 

Guys, you need to explain to your woman that you love her and she has nothing to fear. Tell her it is healthy to spend some time with your bros doing the masculine stuff that makes you the man you are. Be reasonable about the amount of time spent without her. If she fights you about it and still won't share, you might think about your decision to be with her in the first place.

Beer Review - Highway 78 Scotch Ale - MAX Update

This is an update to a previous beer review. I am adding a brief take on one of my favorite beers from Max, Official Beer Reviewer at Beers With Demo.

Oh, almost forgot...Last week Big Brother Brian asked my opinion of Stone’s collaboration with Green Flash and Pizza Port Carlsbad, Highway 78, a big boozy Scotch Ale. I think it’s one of the best collaborations that Stone has had in awhile. Big, boozy, sweet, but very well balanced and not too over the top… ok maybe a little over the top, but it is a Stone beer. Would you expect anything less?

B-Daddy here. I was at the High Dive today with Dean, letting San Diego State give me a heart attack by allowing a second overtime against Temple, in March Madness action. Looking for a second ale to fortify me, and help me resist the temptation to order more food, I noticed Highway 78 Scotch Ale on the board, indicating it was on tap. (We previously discussed why we always go for the beer on tap.) The wait staff helpfully explained that this beer was the result of collaboration between local brewers Green Flash, Pizza Port and Stone. I have always been a big fan of Belhaven Scottish Ale, so I was curious to see what our local award winners had cooked up.

They didn't disappoint. The beer had a nice dark amber pour, with an average amount of head. (I am not a big fan of a lot of head.) As one would expect for a scotch ale, it had plenty of malty sweetness and I had to struggle to slow down and enjoy it. As one would expect from our local brewers, it also had more hoppiness than a traditional scotch ale. However, the hops were balanced well with the malt, making for a very nice beer. I was a little surprised that they chose to pour the beer into a tulip glass, maybe Max can explain, as I normally would enjoy this ale in a standard pint glass. Maybe it was the alcohol content, which pushes 9%, and the tulip glass delivered less volume. Regardless, this was a highly enjoyable beer, a longtime import favorite improved by our local brewers. Overall grade: A-.

Good Grooming Counts

Sara showers, perfumes up and spends forty minutes applying her makeup until it is just right. Clothes are strewn on the bed as she tries on several outfits before deciding on one. She looks into the mirror and nods as the doorbell rings. When she opens the door Paul is standing there, smiling in his tee shirt, jeans and ratty looking sneakers. She is not very impressed but likes him enough to try to overcome the frustration. When she steps out the door he leans into her and says, I know you will love the place I'm taking you to. She is aware of his body odor and is too shocked to say anything about it.

When they arrive at the restaurant, Sara is impressed and lets Paul know he made a great choice. After they are seated, the waitress approaches to take their drink orders. The waitress wrinkles her nose as she turns to go. Sara finally speaks up, Paul, it would have been nice if you had showered and dressed up a little. Paul instantly bristles and feels insulted. She should like him just the way he is. If she doesn't, then she has the problem.

This scenario is not unusual and Paul is wrong. Women should accept the personalities traits of the men they date, bad grooming not being one of them. Neither body odor nor greasy hair are attractive. Showering, shaving and looking nice is a sign of respect towards the woman you are with. It is also part of being a gentlemen, which seems to be a vanishing breed in our society.

Tip - Pancakes

Do you like your pancakes nice and light. Try replacing the milk with apple cider. Also for crispy french toast add a pinch of cornstarch to the egg mixture. Don't throw leftover pancakes or french toast away, freeze them and a few days later pop them into the toaster for a nice breakfast.       

Product Review - Coleman Latern

Be ready for the Zombie Apocalypse. You want to be sure to see them when they come. Use the Coleman LED Quad lantern. It is a wonderful product for indoor or outdoor use. It has four removable panels with 24 LED lights total. You can distribute a panel to four people or keep all the panels on the lantern and produce 190 lumens of light. My husband loves this lantern and uses it camping. It will scare off zombies, werewolves or any other monster as it looks like a UFO landing when you turn it on.