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. 

Restaurant Review - Cafe Coyote

Cafe Coyote is a wonderful restaurant with traditional Mexican food in Old Town, San Diego, California. This restaurant sits in the midst of Old Town with all the historical sites nearby. The food is good and they have over one hundred different Tequila's. The Margarita's are large and delicious. Of the many fine dishes offered, I recommend the fish taco's as I believe they might be the best in town. The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is somewhat busy but nice. You have many choices of where to sit, outside, inside, near the bar or upstairs overlooking the many shops of Old Town. They have a fried ice cream dessert that makes your mouth water. The staff is attentive and friendly and there are Mariachis cruising around if you care for that sort of music. After you dine I recommend walking around Old Town to enjoy the historical places scattered in between the colorful shops.

Product Review - Aqua Velva

My dad was and still is my hero. He was in the Navy for many years. I remember him coming home in his khaki uniform he wore so proudly. He was clean shaven and always smelled faintly of Aqua Velva. I thought this brand was long gone until my husband started bringing it home and using it frequently. I have given him many expensive colognes but he always goes back to the Aqua Velva. This made me decide to poll several men and see why this inexpensive after shave is popular. The results are this, it has a clean, unoffensive scent that other men accept, it cools the skin after a close shave and it leaves the face feeling soft and smooth. I recommend this product for men everywhere as it is a tried-and-true after shave.

Song For My Brother

I dedicate this to Dean. Love you dear man.

Nurses Station

Try to avoid the flu or colds everyone spreads. Get yourself a plastic container of Lysol disinfectant wipes. Wipe down door handles, stair railings, refrigerator handles, toilet and bathroom sink handles as well as kitchen handles. Wash your hands when you get home from work or school and especially after shopping. It is amazing how this cuts down on the exposure to germs.

Tip - Grease Fires

Baking soda is one of the best fire extinguishers. It cuts off the oxygen supply and the flame goes right out. Always keep an open box next to the stove to dump onto grease fires - and NEVER use water!

Batman, My Dark Knight

You see a silhouette atop a massive building. Gargoyles stare coldly down at the city. The cloud obscuring the full moon passes and the figure becomes more visible. You notice the pointed ears, the cape, the muscular physique. He studies Gotham city with a brooding intensity. Your heart soars as he jumps off the building and glides down to fight crime. It is Batman, the dark knight of Gotham city.

Batman has no special powers like Superman, just cool gadgets that aide him in kicking butt on the villains. He earns our respect because without super powers he must be proficient in every kind of fighting style possible. Acrobatic skills are also important as he swoops down from the massive skyscrapers in Gotham City.  The most important aspect of Batman's character is his dedication to right the wrongs inflicted on those who can not defend themselves. He is a moody, tortured human being with a tragic story. We sympathize with him, excusing his vigilante attitude because we want justice to prevail at all costs. There is an admirable quality about a man who has everything but is willing to take great risks to protect the citizens of Gotham.

I have always loved Batman and always will. My two boys were wearing capes and masks from the time they could barely toddle. I sat next to them as they watched the animated series just as enthralled as they were. Then there were the Tim Burton Batman movies. They were dark and romantic, I enjoyed them all. Christopher Nolan's Batman movies are my favorite. Christian Bale does a magnificent job of portraying this iconic hero. Heath Ledger is fabulous as the crazy, lethal Joker. I love Heath Ledger so very much but THAT is a different story.

 

Beer Review - Highway 78 Scotch Ale

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-.

Product Review - Good Knife

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to cut up vegetables or meat with a dull crappy knife. Knives come in all sizes and shapes. The price of a good knife can be amazingly high. A good recommendation is a knife made by Rachel Ray. It is the 8 inch Chef's Rocker Knife with harp and Store Sheath. It is reasonably priced, has a nice heft to it and a comfortable handle. The best feature is the holder or sheath it comes with. Every time you pull the knife out or put it back into the sheath the diamond coated fingers inside the sheath sharpen the blade. You will always have a sharp blade to use in the kitchen.

Nurses Station

Have a headache and the aspirin or Tylenol just isn't working well enough? Try drinking a cup or two of black coffee. This will help.

Sir Winston Churchill, A Man Of Honor

Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

Sir Winston Churchill, Speech, 1941, Harrow School
British politician (1874 - 1965)

Sir Winston Churchill was a great and heroic man. He was a man who stood by his word, who faced great evil and vowed to fight it with tenacious determination. These qualities are diminished in today's culture. When the going gets tough many men decide to give up or make the decision to take the lesser road, the one without honor and sacrifice.

It is time for men to take a stand against unethical practices whether it is in the workplace or within their personal relationships. Acquiescing to unsavory business practices so as to keep or advance one's career is not what a man of honor does. He does not sabotage a colleague to make himself look good. An honorable man keeps promises and commitments to his friends and family. If there is a rough patch in his marriage he makes sacrifices and does everything possible to save it because he vowed to. This is a guy who comes through when people need him, even if it is difficult or inconvenient. He defends the downtrodden, fights for freedom and loves his country.

One needs only to pick up a newspaper or watch the news to know that there is great evil in this world. That is why we need great men to come together and stand bravely against it.

Song For A Special Man

A song for someone special I will see soon. Love you guy.

Tip - Non Stick Roast

Roasts will never stick to the bottom of the pan if you just place a few stalks of fresh celery under the meat. This also works well with poultry.

Complain, Complain, Complain

Sitting with a group of women at a retreat I was shocked to hear them complain endlessly about their husbands. Trying to redirect the conversation was not successful. This kind of behavior is all too common at family functions as well as other gatherings. One woman will start to criticize her husband, then another will launch on how her husband is even more of a jerk. It seems to set off a game of who's husband is the most annoying. Why do women, (and some men) talk smack about their spouse?

Most of these women love their men but have fallen into a bad pattern. They have been together with their man for a while and somehow the courtesies they afford acquaintances do not reach their spouse. It is time for dwelling on what is praiseworthy about the one we chose to share our lives with. Talking positively about your spouse is good for the relationship. It has a spiritual aspect that is overlooked.

My husband is handsome, smart, romantic and yes sometimes annoying. I find it nice to bring up his good qualities every chance I get. I am sure I have let out an occasional gripe but not very often. It is easy to slip into a bad pattern of bitching about the husband. It takes practice and effort to change this cycle. I say it is a venture well worth it. The benefits that come from praising your love are many. Take that first step and you will see for yourselves.

Pancake Recipe for Dads

B-Daddy here. This morning I started to make some weekend pancakes, and was bored and unenthusiastic about the effort. I'm a firm believer that in my role as Dad, I should have a breakfast specialty. It's important to be able to do a few things in the kitchen and builds relationships. Pancakes fit the bill. Today, I decided to pull together a number of ideas I have had or tried over the years, this is the result.

First, this recipe can start with whatever your base recipe might be. I realize that most of us don't make pancakes totally from scratch, so this recipe is intended to supplement whatever recipe is your base. I will use a store brand mix recipe for illustration.

Base recipe for 12 pancakes:

Dry mix - 2 cups
Milk - 1-1/2 cups but we are reducing this to 1-1/4 cups due to the extra liquid in our supplement below.
Eggs - 2
Oil - 2 Tbsp

B-Daddy's supplement:

Lemon Juice - 2 tbsp
Baking powder - 2 tsp
Granular Sugar - 3 Tbsp
Vanilla - 2 Tbsp
Beer - 1/2 cup (I recommend a bock or dark lager like Longboard Lager.)
Quaker Oats Instant Oatmeal (Maple & Brown Sugar) - 2 packs

Mixing the batter:

In mixing bowl, lightly beat eggs, and add the liquid ingredients (milk, oil, lemon juice, vanilla) but not the beer, also add the sugar. Stir to an even consistency. Add the beer.

Separately mix the dry pancake mix, oatmeal and baking powder.

Add the dry mix to the liquid and blend with a fork until at an even consistency, but small lumps can remain. (Do not over blend.)

Using 1/4 cup portions, pour the batter on a lightly buttered griddle. Flip when the bubbles have mostly formed (a little sooner than with your traditional recipe.)

I may experiment in the future with increasing the beer and decreasing the other main liquid, whether it be milk or water.

Some notes on the theories behind this recipe.
The carbonation from the beer helps lighten the pancakes, as does the combination of the lemon juice and baking powder. The sugar makes the pancakes sweeter, but also causes the edges to carmelize more quickly, hence the need to flip the cakes sooner than otherwise. The oatmeal makes for a heartier consistency. Cooking with butter? Well that should be obvious.

Cross posted to B-Daddy's Other Blog.

Japan and Wisconsin

Tiger Lily's Island pauses today to pray for Japan. There are many people who had no chance to flee from the oncoming disaster. We pray for those who lost their lives and for those who lost loved ones. Contrast their loss to what the public employees claim to have lost in Wisconsin. I do not usually talk about political issues but I am disgusted by the thugs in Wisconsin. They wear black because they can not accept our democratic system. The vote has been cast. Get OVER IT! Go back to work and stop acting like out-dated hippies. The Japanese people will rise above this disaster with class and strength. You will not hear stories of looting and vandalism. Public employees in Wisconsin, you might want to take a lesson from the wonderful people of Japan.

Product Review - Green Bags

It is frustrating to throw fruit and vegetables away because they go rotten so fast. A good way to preserve them is Debbie Meyer Green Bags. You will notice they are not top rated on Amazon. I believe this is due to the fact that the length of food preservation is exaggerated. Nothing is going to keep produce fresh for months. I still think this product is worth the small investment you are making because it certainly does prolong the life of your fruits and vegetables.

Selecting a Beer for Your Date

B-Daddy here. Has this ever happened to you? You're on a date. Your sweetheart, wife, or girlfriend, who normally orders wine, surprises you with, "I'd like to try a beer with my meal tonight, what do you recommend?" Your heart races, she has put forward the ultimate trust in your judgment, asking you to select her beer. But will you prove worthy? How will you balance your treasured "guy-knowledge" of the the ancient tradition, with the need to ease the fairer sex into this experience with all the gentleness you can muster? Never fear, B-Daddy is here to guide you through the process.

Your first and most important question is for your wait staff, "What do you have on draft?" Why? Because the draft beer has a number of important qualities that contribute to its superior quality. First, it is likely to be fresher than the beer sitting in the cooler of the restaurant, for who knows how long. Freshness matters with most beers, and certainly with the kind that you will be ordering for your date. Second, the draft beer is in a sealed metal keg. So what? Light is the enemy of beer flavor, as well. Beer exposed to light eventually obtains a putrid taste known as "skunk beer" which is the result of the hop oils spoiling. (Source: BeerAdvocate) If draught, or draft, beer is unavailable, then you want beers in the darkest bottles for similar reasons.

But, we are little closer to selecting a beer. If your date has little exposure to drinking beer, then what little she has sampled is probably an American lager such as Coors or Budweiser. If so, and you might want to discuss this, you might suggest a more full-bodied lager. You want to expand the reach of her palette without frightening her off. You might want to look for some quality lagers. A lager may be described just as a lager or some other style such as bock (somewhat darker), Märzen, or Pilsner. I have found that Mrs. Daddy also likes the Hefeweizen style of beer, which is neither a lager nor an ale; Widmer Hefeweizen on tap is great and often available. (For a discussion of the difference between lagers and ales see beer-faq.) I suggest the lemon or orange slice if you go with the hefeweizen, because your lady friend might not be ready for all the yeast taste. I know they might be a little pedestrian, but Shiner Bock, Stella Artois, and Sapporo have been successful selections for me. ( The Sapporo 22 oz can seems to do a good job of preserving freshness. Cans are actually better than bottles because they don't let in light.) What ever you do, stay away from this guy's top ten for your uninitiated date (but not for yourself, those are some great ales.)

If your relationship is of a long term nature, you also have another opportunity. The beer you order for yourself can be the introduction to more flavorful ales for your date. Always offer to let her have a sip of your beer so that she can develop a taste and you can see what she likes. This means you might limit your own selection in the long term interests of the relationship. I recommend pale ales to start; heavily hopped beers like IPAs take some getting used to. If you live in San Diego, Stone Pale Ale or Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale Ale make excellent introductions.

That's it, I strongly recommend you do some research yourself and be ready to impress your date.

A Song For Men

This song is dedicated to all the he-men out there.

Women Love A He-Man

Pam and Michael walk into a bar for drinks on the way home from their date. Michael scans the room and stares down a guy giving Pam a hard up and down. He puts his hand on her back possessively and guides her onto a bar stool. Earlier, in the car she had said she felt like having a margarita. When the bartender walks over Michael says, the lady wants a margarita and I'll have a martini. He takes a twenty out of his wallet, puts it on the bar and turns to Pam, winking at her. Is Michael a controlling jerk or a he-man?

To truly answer this question we need more information on Michael, but even given this limited scene some women will say he is a macho jerk. Women can take care of themselves and might bristle at Michael's actions saying he is overprotective. I say these women secretly love a he-man. What defines a he-man? A he-man is protective of his woman without being controlling. He takes control of situations without disregarding her desires. He is well mannered and confident without being cocky. He is not threatened by other men in normal circumstances. A he-man does not use women, he appreciates them. He does not whine or worry about what everyone thinks about him. He is considerate to those around him.

John Wayne comes to mind. He was tough with a rugged gentleness about him. John Wayne said what he felt and stood by it. He took criticism with a sense of humor. When John Wayne knew he was dying, he accepted it with dignity and said he had no complaints because he had been given a great life. In his last interview he laughed and said he was always surprised that an ugly guy like himself made it big in Hollywood. He was a true he-man.

Product Review - Minoxidil

Hey guys, you do not need to feel bad about premature balding. Many of the sexiest men have been and are bald. If, however, you are losing some hair and want to hang in there for a while, do not shun Minoxidil. There is a 15% Minoxidil for Men that is very effective. It is not hard to use and can be helpful to some of the young guys that want to keep their hair as long as possible.

Tip - Prevent Moldy Cheese

To keep mold from forming on your cheese, wrap a few cubes of sugar in with the cheese.

Feelings, Nothing More Than Feelings

Women feel, men act. Men don't seem to understand this about their wives and girlfriends. While the woman is expounding about her issue, the man is analyzing, offering solutions and becoming frustrated at the woman's negative response. She does not want a solution, she wants to express her feelings. Many times she knows the answer to her problem, she just has a different agenda.

The men who do not understand this are in for a miserable ride. They pull their hair out as they listen to the dramatic stories weaved by their women. They know the answer to her problem and are ready to act. Maybe, they are even ready to kick someone's a_s to right an injustice done to the fair maiden. Meanwhile, their lady has expended all her energy and is shocked at his testosterone laden response. She does not know that she is on one planet and he is on another.

Men and women, realize this difference and accept it. Let her vent, offer your solutions but don't get frustrated when she continues to spew. Women, let your man be a man. He will want to ride in to right any wrongs inflicted upon you. Be clear about your femininity and about the fact that we women sometimes just want our men to hear our feelings.

Older Song I Like

Just wanted to share this song by Young Rascals. I've Been Lonely Too Long

Men, Sports And Balance

The jogger, the basketball player, the swimmer, the biker. I could go on and on with what guys do in their spare time. The fact is that most guys like participating in some kind of physical activity. Some guys head for the gym and get business done then go home to the little lady or meet the current girlfriend somewhere.

Men not only need physical challenges, they need to bond and compete with other men. It is a manly thing they do and women should encourage and support this. It is vital to their makeup and personalities. They need healthy outlets for the aggression and stress that cannot be expressed in our tame, politically correct society. Sports provide this and men need to take advantage of physical activity so they are well balanced.

Unfortunately, there are the men who go overboard with sports. Like anything, too much can have a negative impact. Guys with kids and a wife cannot take off for two weeks on the road to play baseball unless they are professionals. Guys with serious relationships also have a responsibility to the women they are involved with. They need to acquire the right balance between their choice of physical activity and their choice to be a man of character with the women in their lives.