Some 
recent out-of-town guests allowed me to spend some time being a tourist in my home city, something I love doing. Our adventures included a tour of awesome beer spots spread across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
It all started just before dusk on July 4th. In need of a quick pre-fireworks snack, we hit up Pioneers Bar. The atmosphere was laid back (the joint was almost empty) and the beer selection was decent. Everyone who went into the restroom pooped.
Like Miami, Key West has a bad reputation when it comes to beer. However, we found it to be quite good in variety, selection, pricing, and overall enthusiasm.
It must first be said that there is no shortage of interesting, fun bars in Key West, but they do vary widely in terms of their beer esteem. Traditaional on-Duval spots like Fat Tuesday and Cheeseburger in Paradise don’t offer much at all in the way of beer, but are nonetheless worth checking out (it is Key West, after all). Continue reading
We recently went on vacation to Miami and Key West. Miami especially has a reputation for not being a great beer town, but we found a few winning spots that deserve to be mentioned.
The Abbey Brewing Company was a nice little brewpub in South Beach. It’s a little bit off the beaten path (a.k.a. it’s more than a block from the beach) but well worth the trip. (have dinner at Yardbird on the same block and you’ve got yourself a pretty fantastic evening. Make a reservation). They Abbey has about a dozen house beers, made at a production brewery Continue reading
I recently had my tapwater analyzed by the good folks at Ward Labs. To quote Kris Kros, it’s “wiggida wiggida wack.” (yes, that just happened).
Details:
Somebody bet on the bay
This is the only website on the internet featuring a picture of a horse that does not contain a discussion of Transylvanian horsemeat. You’re welcome.
Once again, I have gone for an extended time without blogging. However, this time I have also gone for a long time without brewing, a sorry state of affairs, to be sure. Things have gone so far that I have nothing planned or near readiness for the National Homebrew Competition, which starts accepting entries today. Bummer. Continue reading
Forgive me readers, for I have sinned. It has been several months since my last post. I have many excuses. Some of them are even good. But never mind. All I can do is promise to be better.
I also have not been brewing very much over the last few months. I do have a few “active” beers that I am excited about: Continue reading
I’ve finally completed our Great Britain Travelogue:
http://www.ripleyaudiopost.com/GB/Greg_and_Olivia_in_England_and_Scotland/Saturday,_5_5.html
In this chapter, we visit the birthplaces of Harry Potter (not Godrick’s Hollow), pay our respects to a centuries-dead dog, and spit on the Heart of Midlothian.
After passing both chambers of the legislature, Assembly Bill 1277/ Senate Bill 641 moved to Governor Chris Christie, who signed it into law on Friday, September 21.
This bill permits craft brewers to sell their beer directly to consumers on the premises of their brewery as part of a brewery tour, for on-site sampling, and for limited take-away. Mister NJ Beer Lover, meet Madame Growler Hour! Continue reading
This past summer, I brewed a concept beer known as a SMaSH: Single Malt and Single Hop. Turned out pretty well. I called it Pale Ale #2. Won 3rd place in a local SMaSH competition.
A few brews later, I have an assortment of bits of leftover hops, a few ounces of miscellaneous malts. I decided to make a “potluck” beer to get rid of these odds and ends. I stumbled on the name “Many Malts and Hops I Have At Home” or “MmHhah!”
If you don’t understand the significance of the expression “Mmm Hah,” I say “Yoi! Double Yoi!” Please educate yourself. Continue reading
I just posted Day 6 of our Great Britain Travelogue: http://www.ripleyaudiopost.com/GB/Greg_and_Olivia_in_England_and_Scotland/Friday,_May_4th.html
In this chapter, a Scottish lass crawls into bed with us, and we drink beer in the underground city of the dead.