December 2011
My Most Interesting Discovered Drinky Thing Of 2011
Posted by on Saturday, December 31, 2011 in - 2 comments
This has been a year that I have thought about history a bit more than others. Canadian history for the most part. We make great mistakes in considering our own time on this land. We dismiss the First Nations. We pretend that Canada began when the current constitution was signed in 1867. But … read more »
My New Year's Week Reflections Upon How 2011 Was Great
Posted by on Thursday, December 29, 2011 in - 3 comments
Pos-i-tiv-i-tay. That is really what I am known for, right? The cheery voice for good beer and, let's be honest, the good life. It's a bit like that 1980-90s TV program "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" around here... except for all the riches and, you know, the fame. But that is neither here … read more »
My New Year's Week List Of Beery Confessions
Posted by on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 in - 17 comments
Do I dare? Simon posted his list just now but I am starting to think that Simon is a far braver beer blogger than I will ever be. Sure you might say that I run the wiki thing but I did it out of guilt for a slightly mean spirited post and thought it would disprove my knee jerk reaction to one page …
My New Year's Week Wish List For Things Beery
Posted by on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 in - 9 comments
Had a good couple of hours today talking beer with Jordan who was in town visiting family. I am starting to think that I live in a town where people's people live. When I lived in Truro, NS a pal from neighbouring Pictou, NS said Truro was where grandparents lived. [I got my own people to move …
Boxing Day Guilt, Confessions And Reflection
Posted by on Monday, December 26, 2011 in - 1 comment
I am exhausted. Too tired from too much rich food and drink. Slugging East India sherry as you chew shortbread seems such a good idea at the time. Surprised someone didn't pass me a straw given my monopolization of the bottle. I am going to eat only sardines and oatmeal while sipping green tea … read more »
A Merry Christmas Eve Strikes Good Beer Blog HQ
Posted by on Saturday, December 24, 2011 in - leave a comment
I love when Christmas Eve is Saturday. It creates a whole gentle extra day of laying around, wrapping gifts, watching the Jets and Giants, sipping beer, eating cheese, sampling squares, nibbling on cold beef, consuming tidbits and generally chewing and not shifting. I have chatted on IM with the …
Icelandic Beers Sales Include Shrubs And Sheep Herds
Posted by on Thursday, December 22, 2011 in - 7 comments
Sheep herds? There must be. Yes, I say - yes! And likely a few gulls, too, with this much being sold: • The Icelandic love of specially-made Christmas beers knows no bounds this year…that is until all of it has been sold. Nearly 500,000 litres of Christmas beer have been sold in Iceland so far …
So... Where Was I? Oh, Yes! Beer And Me.
Posted by on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 in - 6 comments
When I began blogging almost nine years ago I remember being asked what blogging was. I replied I was writing a magazine about me. And I suppose that is what I have been doing. Here there have been 2,516 posts and over there another 5,377. Most astoundingly to me are the 38,973 collective comments …
Day 23+8: And, So, We Have A Grand Champion Photo
Posted by on Monday, December 19, 2011 in - 7 comments
This year's photo contest has been a real treat. A great response from prize donors as well as a great response from you the readers. We had 39 entrants email photos in time and then three more try to get their pictures in after the deadline. We have awarded 22 prizes in all and now have just one …
Day 23+7: Which Means The Contest Ended Last Weekend
Posted by on Sunday, December 18, 2011 in - 4 comments
I feel a bit bad as three good beer boys and girls have entered photos for the contest but days after it has closed. I hope I was not unclear in some way. But I have to be firm and, really, it was in the rules - photos had to be in a week ago. So... sorry. • I don't feel really really bad …
Day 23+5: Another Eleven Beer Photo Prizes Announced
Posted by on Friday, December 16, 2011 in - 5 comments
So here we are. The second wave of prizes. Eleven in total today making for 22 all together. Just the Grand Champion to go and I am going to need a couple of days to think about it. There is a photo I have in my mind but I need to consider the options. It is a little unusual but because it tells … read more »
Day 23+4: Ten Prizes Awarded And Four Innis + Gunn
Posted by on Thursday, December 15, 2011 in - 12 comments
Prizes. Better start picking some prizes. But there are samples building up, too. Better opens some samples. Good thing I have tomorrow off. • First the beer. I have reviewed at least three Innis + Gunn beers and I have a sense what to expect: rounded, juicy, well balanced and tasty malt without …
Outdoor Skating Causes Haligonians To Lose Control
Posted by on Thursday, December 15, 2011 in - leave a comment
I had no idea that residents of my former home town of Halifax, Nova Scotia have such a problem with the drink... and ice skating: • Selling beer at the oval was not part of the sponsorship deal or any of the discussions leading up to it, Mayor Peter Kelly said Wednesday. “I wouldn’t think (we …
Lord Goog Has Another New Way To Suck My Time Away
Posted by on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 in - 6 comments
Just a note. I am watching you. I may be the last to know but Google Analytic's beta real time display has enthralled me. I am in its thrall, its slave. The image above does not do this justice. It moves. I can watch you go on the site, what you are looking at, where you are from, how long you are …
Day 23+2: Thirty-Nine Contestants Twenty-One Prizes
Posted by on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 in - 6 comments
I wish I was more diligent. Every year I think I am getting close to a prize for every winner but, again this year, the answer is no. Sadly. But the prizes are sweet. Look at what the winner of winners wins. • ♦ Oxford Companion to Beer, Oxford University Press. • ♦ A subscription to TAPS The …
Shipping Beer May Save US Constitutional Provision!
Posted by on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 in - leave a comment
Change is tough. The toothbrush that is always and ratty blue suddenly is new and green. Throws me off. So much more disruptive is the shock of the new information and communications technologies. And no one knows that better than the US Postal Service - but a bipartisan set of US Senators are to …
Day 23+1: Those Photos Caught In The Spam Filter
Posted by on Monday, December 12, 2011 in - leave a comment
I suppose I should check under the sofa, in the mail box and out in the garden, too. One really never knows where one will find photos does one. Robert Gale sent in these eight entries on Saturday but I missed seeing them as Lord Goog thought he knew better where they ought to go. He lives in …
Day 23: The Final Xmas Photo Contest Entries For 2011
Posted by on Sunday, December 11, 2011 in - 5 comments
There you go. Another year's worth of entries for the Xmas Beer Blog Photo Contest 2012. By my court there are 211 entries this year, up over 10% from last year. Stats. That's the true meaning of Christmas... and Hogmanay for that matter. Let's see who sent what, shall we? • My pal Dan James of …
Day 23: Kristen England Supports Properly Priced Beer
Posted by on Sunday, December 11, 2011 in - 8 comments
Ron has posted a great interview with Minnesota brewer Kristen England brought to us by Northern Brewer, the US home brew supply shop. I don't normally like web video due to production values (or surprisingly squeaky voices) but this is a straight one camera interview that does not pretend to be …
Day 22: As We Wait For Late Entries, Pause For A Shotz
Posted by on Saturday, December 10, 2011 in - leave a comment
Could you do this on TV now? A comedy about brewery workers? Probably not. By the way, I sing a song like that to myself as I am beer shopping. Every time. Don't you? • Under 24 hours to get your photos in. Tom Cizauskas of Yours For Good Fermentables did as did Simon Johnson, the Reluctant …
Day 21: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like A Finish Line
Posted by on Friday, December 9, 2011 in - 1 comment
Seem you just get started and before you know it... it's the time we have to say... man, the 2012 Xmas, Yule, Kwanzaa, Hogmanay and Hanukkah Christmas photo contest has flown by. The entries have to be in by Sunday at noon eastern standard time but so far we are close to where we were last year …
Day 19: More Photos, Too, Including One From Martyn
Posted by on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 in - leave a comment
I lost Martyn's submission of a photo in late November. It's not like I have staff running this thing. Wouldn't that be great? Staff who hits up prize givers all year. Staff to re-size these photos? • Enough daydreaming. Martyn's offering is called "The Traveller's Relief" and was taken at …
Day 19: Oxford University Press Books Added To Prizes
Posted by on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 in - leave a comment
See those books up there? Oxford University Press has confirmed two copies of each that enter into the prize pool for all you good little beer photo nerds. To the left is The Oxford Companion To Beer, review here and considered in greater and greater depth here. To the right is The Economics of …
Day 18: Dear Lord - Save Us From The Portman Group
Posted by on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 in - 9 comments
Hear our prayer. Remember the money lenders and the false prophets? They are back, Lord. The shadowy Portman Group is back. A trade industry organization representing macro brewers pretending they are an independent consumer-protection organization. Lord, hear our prayers. • It's been over three …
How To Write A Good Review Of A Very Bad Thing
Posted by on Monday, December 5, 2011 in - 5 comments
Mr. B noted it the other day. We are indeed "seeing the maturing of the craft brewing industry and those who follow it." And by mature we mean critical. Problem is this - if we have been too nice, too obliging, too lacking of the critical eye - how do we go about being, you know, mature? Here is a …
Day 15: More Photos To Consider And Still A Week To Go
Posted by on Saturday, December 3, 2011 in - leave a comment
Time flies. Except when you have pneumonia. Joe Stange in Costa Rica has it, too, so he has sent in one entry this year as well as a prize that will be added to the list. He writes about the picture over here at his blog Thirsty Pilgrim, of an egg nog he concocted in the southern US heat to make a …
Session 58: Beers Of Christmas Past, Present and Future
Posted by on Friday, December 2, 2011 in - 3 comments
It's session day again. The first Friday of every month for a whopping 58 months now beer bloggers around the world have written on the same topic. This month's edition was chosen by Beersay: • “A Christmas Carol“. The idea for me was based loosely around the visits of three ghosts to Ebenezer …
Day 13: The Day The Beer Photos Attacked
Posted by on Thursday, December 1, 2011 in - 6 comments
OK. Some catching up to do with the entries for the Xmas New Year Hanukkah Hogmanay 2011 Photo Contest. Up there is a photo of the world's greatest beer fridge or at least the best I have seen. It's by Jerry Davison of Oregon who writes: • My wife and I were in Portland... and I stopped in to a …
