Brian » New Holland Mad Hatter India Pale Ale
Slightly hazy copper color. Impressive head which really stays around and leaves a bunch of lace on the glass. More than lace really, it’s so thick.
Very hoppy aroma, pine and grapefruit.
Good hoppy bitterness, not overwhelming to the palate though. I probably expected more from an “American” IPA, but it was nice to not have it fall on the extreme end of the bitterness scale.
The hops do hang around, even though I’d say it has a fairly dry and clean finish to it.
Overall rating: 4.3
Brian » Beat the Reaper
Beat the Reaper: A Novel by Josh Bazell
My review
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I think the producers of the Saw movies could take some ideas from this book. Some of the stuff is seriously messed up. Of course, this book is so much better than Saw. At its core, it is very nearly a formulaic mafia novel. Bad guy starts new life in witness protection after the mafia screws him. Mafia catches up to him, chaos ensues. But Josh Bazell manages to pull the novel out of the formula with the awesome Peter Brown/Pietro Brnwa/Bearclaw character alone. He was too much fun, and I’d love to read another Bearclaw novel, no question about it.
Next up is The Strain by Guillermo del Toro (yes, that guy) and Chuck Hogan.
Brian » Thirteen Reasons Why
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
My review
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really didn’t care that much for the storyline of this book, for the most part. We’re supposed to feel for the character who we know has committed suicide and sent out a series of tapes explaining why she did it. And the reasons end up largely being the usual seemingly superficial high school angst type stuff. And yet somehow, over the couple of days since I finished the book, I found my thoughts drifting back to Hannah and Clay, and wondering if I knew people like that back in high school, and whether I would recognize them in my own kids. So for that, the book succeeds.
Next up is Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell.
Brian » New Holland Golden Cap
Light golden color, nice thick head that does a nice job of grabbing the side of the glass.
A grassy aroma, a bit of funk to it as well.
This one is a lot more refreshing than I would have thought. 6.5% saison doesn’t really scream out to be an easy summer drink, but it is. It has a lovely tartness to it, which does a fine job of counteracting the funkiness and that little bit of spice.
In spite of everything, it doesn’t leave much behind, which is a good thing, nice and crisp finish. Very quaffable.
Overall rating: 4.15
Brian » Best New York Deli in DC
I figured I had to specify New York deli as opposed to another kind of deli, but really, is there another kind of deli? I’m talking about the place you go to get a big-ass sandwich filled with more meat than anyone should possibly consume in one sitting. They have to have real bagels, and bonus points for matzo ball soup. In this area, there’s only one place to get all this and more: Chutzpah Deli.
I spent one summer working in New York City, and if there was one thing I missed, it was walking to the corner deli (any corner!) and getting a sandwich overflowing with corned beef or pastrami. On rye bread, with mustard. You want mayo? Gedouttahere!!! In fact, Chutzpah even warns you against mayo on the menu, you can’t get more New York than that. And they’re not going to put a couple of slices of meat on your sandwich like, shudder, Subway. Nope, you’re getting the real deal, the heart attack on a plate, baby.
If you go, I highly recommend the “Fuggedaboudit”: Hot corned beef and pastrami with a schmear of chopped liver on grilled rye with melted swiss, cole slaw and Russian dressing. You won’t be able to finish it, guaranteed. Couple that with an egg cream, and you are good to go. Man, I am making myself hungry over here! You can also get any of their meat and cheese sliced to go, and their awesome bagels come in from New York!
There you go. The best New York deli, heck, the best deli in the DC area. Two locations in Fairfax and Tysons Corner.
KC D's » More From T-Ball
Hat backwards this time, too funny.
on the run
Hitting for power...hehe.
This reminds me of those old Toyota commercials
Not tball, just our little over achiever...where do I get my bumper sticker?
Brian » The Way Home
The Way Home by George P. Pelecanos
My review
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’ve wanted to read some of George Pelecanos’ stuff for a while now. He’s probably now best known for his work on “The Wire,” but he writes a lot of novels set in and around DC. The Way Home is no exception, of course. A large portion of the novel is taken up with setting the framework of Chris Flynn’s troubled youth, to his current situation laying carpet for his dad’s business. It’s not to say that there isn’t any action in the first 250 pages, but the last 75 pages are where the stuff hits the fan. I was a little disappointed in the book. The characters are real, that much I enjoyed. But Pelecanos seemed too intent on spelling out every thought and motivation going through his characters’ heads, and it got distracting sometimes. Even so, this is a fun quick summer read.
Next up is Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.
Brian » Best Pizza in DC
Church Street Pizza. No contest. It’s not even worth listing runners-up. Church Street has the crust, the cheese, everything you want from a real New York pizza. The only downside? Everyone else loves it too, so odds are, they’re going to be busy. Well worth the wait!
OK, I lied, I will list one runner-up: Two Amys Pizza in Woodley/Cleveland Park. Good Neopolitan wood-fired pizza with interesting toppings (real mozzarella, for one).
Brian » Southern Tier Hop Sun
Just on the orange side of golden, with a lovely looking head all the way down.
Definitely citrus aroma, tending toward lemon, maybe a touch of grapefruit.
Flavor follows, but not nearly as bitter as expected, some flowery tones and a smidge of sweetness as well. Creamier than expected, with a lemony tang hanging behind.
Just got back from my 7 mile bike commute home on an 85 degree day, and man, does this ever hit the spot.
Overall rating: 4.15
Brian » Best Burger in DC
By now, many people have seen Obama on CNN stopping by various DC area restaurants for lunch. During the campaign, he went to Ben’s Chili Bowl. In recent weeks, he’s been to Ray’s Hell Burger and Five Guys. Then, I noticed Shane participating in a Twitter discussion on the best burger in KC. This, in addition to my recent post on hating ketchup (sidebar: I recently replaced Evan’s ketchup with BBQ sauce for chicken nuggets, and he didn’t even realize I had switched! Muhahahaha!), inspired me to start a new series of posts on “Brian’s Best of DC.” Well, the DC area at least. First up is obviously the best burger in DC.
There have been many contests and polls on the best burger lately. Ray’s is a name that comes up often. I’ve been there once, and it was a damn good burger, second on my personal list. EatBar won Washingtonian’s poll, but I haven’t been there yet. Five Guys is a chain that started here, and has a big local following, but I like them for their fries more than the little burgers. Elevation gets the organic, grass-fed crowd in a tizzy, but again, their burgers are too small for me to really get into the flavor of the meat.
I prefer a bigger, juicy burger you can order medium rare, and they actually cook it that way. So for my money, I’m going to Big Buns. They lightly season their big angus beef burgers, and have a wide range of toppings, should you be so inclined. But I have found that you can leave it plain, and it is plenty tasty all on its own. They also have killer sweet potato fries and shakes.
There you have it, my vote for best burger in the DC area. Feel free to chime in with your own favorites, or the favorite from your hometown.
In future installments, look for my take on best deli, pizza, and more.
Brian » Wrigleyworld
Wrigleyworld: A Season In Baseball’s Best Neighborhood by Kevin Kaduk
My review
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Look, Kevin Kaduk’s chronicle of his year living in Wrigleyville and going to all the Cubs games he could won’t win any awards. But even though it’s pretty self-indulgent predictable fare (the Cubs didn’t win the World Series, spoiler!), it is still entertaining enough to make it worth the read. The characters inhabiting the neighborhood - Ronnie Woo, the Ballhawks, the scalpers - bring life to this tale of drinking and watching baseball. And he gets a bonus star for saying what needed to be said: Old Style sucks!
I’ve started on The Maine Woods by Henry David Thoreau, but I’m not sure how far I will get before putting it aside for more “summer reading.”
Brian » Troegs Sunshine Pils
Crystal clear bright lemon yellow color. Good sized head leaves some nice lacing but dwindles quickly.
Some good grassy notes and some light hoppiness to the aroma.
Extremely crisp beer perfect for summer drinking. Just light enough to refresh, but not so light that it lacks in flavor. Some lemon flavors, just sweet enough to counteract the fine hop bitter finish and not overwhelm the mouth.
Like I said, a real nice summer beer.
Overall rating: 3.65
Brian » Genesis
Genesis by Bernard Beckett
My review
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is just a fantastic novel, which will probably get overlooked for the reason that someone decided it should be classified as “young adult.” I guess at 35 years of age, I still qualify, because I loved it. A fascinating look at a post-apocalyptic society which isolated itself on an island, the novel takes some interesting twists, which I admit I only half figured out before they were revealed. In the end, the questions Bernard Beckett forces us to face - what makes us human, what makes us different from other animals, or even robots of sufficiently sophisticated programming - are given new spins which force the reader to question their own identity and purpose. A must read.
Back to reading Wrigleyworld now.
Brian » Arbor Brewing Brasserie Blonde Sparkling Ale
Light copper, a bit hazy. Heady, but it fades fast, light lacing.
I get mostly yeasty aromas. The flavor is sweeter than I expected, citrusy sweetness. A tiny bit of tang in there too.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but certainly I had hoped for a little more flavor, more oomph, and so I was a tad disappointed.
Overall rating: 3.05
Brian » B is for Beer
B Is for Beer by Tom Robbins
My review
My rating: 5 of 5 starsIt would have been hard for me to not love this book. Tom Robbins? Check. Beer? Check. A protagonist just like my daughter? Check. So there you have it, I loved it. Robbins’ ode to the wonder of beer through the eyes of a five/six-year-old girl won me over from page one. Throw in hilarious characters like the Beer Fairy and Uncle Moe, and I think you just might like it too. And even if you don’t, it’ll only eat up at most a couple of hours of your time.
I’ve started on Wrigleyworld by Kevin Kaduk, but that may get pushed to the side if and when I get to the library to pick up another book I’ve been waiting for, Genesis by Bernard Beckett.
Brian » Ketchup Is Evil
It has taken me a while to come to this conclusion, but I do not state it lightly: Ketchup is evil.
Maybe it’s because I’ve seen a few too many kids using ketchup in ways it was never intended, such as the most recent this past weekend: my nephew dipping his turkey and cheese quesadilla in ketchup. But looking out on the vast world of food and condiments, I find myself coming to the conclusion that ketchup is simply a completely unnecessary condiment. It has uses as a base ingredient in better sauces, but by itself, I’ve developed a real disdain for ketchup.
Take a little tour with me, won’t you?
First we have the most common ketchup use: burgers and fries. Let’s face it, the only time you really need ketchup on a burger is to cover up the fact that it’s a bad burger. If it is a good burger (see: Ray’s Hell Burger, Big Buns), it has a nice natural juiciness from the meat. You can even get other toppings like cheese or grilled onions to give it some missing flavor. I realize that many people aren’t going to get over dipping their fries in ketchup, but I really enjoy fries just with vinegar drizzled over them. Of course, you can also get fries done much better, like the parmesan truffle fries we had at the Town Tavern in Royal Oak, or served with one of the seven sauces from Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper in Alexandria (all mayo-based and delicious). I admit that I myself am just coming around to this particular point of view, so consider this your impetus to go out and find a decent burger instead of slathering your crappy one in a crappy condiment.
Closely related to the burger is meatloaf. OK, I freely admit to being a ketchup meatloaf guy, not a gravy meatloaf guy, so this may be the exception to my rule. But this weekend I also had a meatloaf sandwich from Zingerman’s deli which featured a “spicy ketchup.” Way better than using the standard ketchup, and I believe it was ketchup in name only, so I get a pass on this one.
Chicken nuggets: So many many alternatives, including the just-as-sweet barbecue sauce, honey dijon, etc.
Eggs: Baby Jesus is crying, you heathen. Again, if you don’t want to actually taste the eggs, order or make yourself something else.
And finally, we have hot dogs. Look people, ketchup on hot dogs is simply an abomination, okay? You can make your dog Chicago-style with a freakin pickle and tomato and crap if you must, but please, don’t put ketchup on it.
The list of things my kids have eaten with ketchup could go on for ages, and it completely grosses me out just thinking about it: mac and cheese, broccoli, the aforementioned quesadilla (once their cousin had it, they had to try it too, ugh), etc. What do you put ketchup on? Could you live without it? I know I could. Feel free to chime in with a comment.
Brian » That Long Weekend
Sigh. Sometimes it just seems worse than usual coming back to work after the weekend. Having a 4 day weekend definitely adds to that malaise. Luckily, it’s rainy today, so it’s not like staying home would have been any fun.
We left DC on Thursday evening, to the usual early holiday traffic, of course. We rolled into bed in Pittsburgh just after 11pm. We then arrived in Michigan the following day, and handed the kids off to the grandparents for the night as we went out to dinner and a hotel for our anniversary. We headed to the lovely and scenic Southfield Westin ($51 on Priceline for a $120+ room, gotta love it), checked in, then headed out to the Town Tavern in Royal Oak. I have to say, we were not disappointed. I had the buttermilk fried chicken with cole slaw and root beer baked beans. The chicken was nice and tender, not overly greasy, and the beans were so awesome. Lisa had the barbeque braised short ribs, which were also very good. Afterward, we found a little cupcake shop in Birmingham for dessert, which hit the spot. After a night with no whiny children sharing the bed with us and kicking us off, we had brunch at the Beverly Hills Grill. I had the lobster cobb omelette, and Lisa had the bananas foster french toast, both very good once again.
Our children and the grandparents somehow survived without us, and we went out to Ann Arbor for more cousin time. It was Sam’s birthday party on Sunday, and everyone had a fun time there. On Monday, we had perfect weather for the Dexter Memorial Day parade, and all the kids filled their bags with candy, as if we didn’t still have vats of it from Halloween and Easter!
The kids did fairly well on the long drive back home too. Thankfully, Target’s $99 dual screen DVD players performed better than the crappy ones we had before, so they were happy watching their movies as we managed to stop only briefly for meals and toilet breaks. Of course, they were sorely disappointed that it was dark when we got home and they couldn’t play outside or go to the pool. Alas, you can’t have everything, and so it’s back to work and school for us today.
Brian » Sag Harbor
Sag Harbor: A Novel by Colson Whitehead
My review
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It’s not every author who can pull off a book about nothing, but Colson Whitehead is one of them. Essentially a nostalgia trip through a summer in Sag Harbor, he pulls us back to the early 80s and Benji’s sometimes painfully awkward experiences with New Wave music, D&D, BB guns, and the ritual summer job scopping ice cream for tourists. A fine book to bring along with you to the beach.
Next up is B is for Beer, “a children’s book for grownups,” by, you guessed it, Tom Robbins.
Brian » Bike to Work Week 2009
We’re halfway through Bike to Work Week 2009, culminating in Bike to Work Day on Friday. In the DC area, WABA organizes pit stops and commuter convoys to help introduce newcomers to the wonders of biking to work. None of the convoys head to where I work (most are directed toward downtown DC from the burbs), but I go out of my way to stop by the Vienna pit stop outside the Whole Foods grocery store. They always have good snacks there, and it’s not too far out of my way.
So far this week, the weather has been fantastic. It’s been a little cool the past two mornings (44 degrees this morning!), but my new rain jacket/windbreaker has done a fine job of keeping me warm but not making me sweat like my old plastic jacket did. Unfortunately, it looks like I may have the chance to see how well it does in the rain, as the forecast for the next couple of morning calls for rain. I’m committed though, so I’ll be riding regardless.
I know there are a lot of people out there who work too far to ride, but for those just don’t have a good idea of how to do it, check out your local Bike to Work events. The people who do this stuff are always willing to help and are excited when new people are out to give it a try. And even if you think you are too far, I started out driving in the morning, biking home in the afternoon, and then biking back the following morning. It’s a good way to get started by only doing half the mileage.
And hey, while you’re here, click on this link to help me win that Madsen bike, will ya?
Brian » Castle
Castle: A Novel by J. Robert Lennon
My review
My rating: 4 of 5 starsI have to say, reading the first 100 pages or so of this book, I thought it would be something more along the lines of a Stephen King novel, a supernatural thriller. But as it turned out, the plot is much more human, and in a way, more interesting. The turns the plot takes may not be for every reader, but I enjoyed the psychological intrigue that played out on the novel’s pages.
Next up is Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead, which happens to be the first selection of the unofficial Twitter Book Club. It pleases me to once again be the first person to check this one out from my local library.
