News From Beyond the Grave

I no longer am employed at Harper Corner Liquor store.

My former boss is telling people that I wanted to pursue other avenues of employment, and that I was doing very well. Needless to say, that is his story, not mine. Mine is that in the month of September, we lost our cat to infection, I got fired, and Joni's back went out. Frankly, I don't care what the guy wants to tell people. I don't work there any more, and (thankfully) whatever is going on there is none of my business. I found work at Riverridge Grill (a cafe out by K-Mart distributing, behind Hallmark) in early October, where I make a babysitter's wage, plus tips. In the meantime, I have applied for a Douglas County 9-1-1 Dispatch position as an operator. This may be the right kind of challenge I need, I think. I went through a testing and an interview throughout the month of October, and into early November. Now, pending a thorough background check, I may be seeing a career change in my future that doesn't involve slinging booze and handling very dirty money. You think regular money is dirty? You should look at Harper Corner's cash. Nasty...

Then, on October 31st, this year, Daniel Wolf Valentine passed away.

The man was blessed with the gift of artful conversation, and a dear friend of mine. I didn't even know that he was sick, and he was gone less than two weeks later. He was a compatriot of Auntie Mae's parlor in Manhattan, KS. Auntie Mae's, I feel, is the greatest bar I've ever been to, and Dan worked there. In turn, Mae's hosted an event to benefit Dan's surviving daughter, Alexis, raising over $10,000 for her to go to college. People got together from all over for this event, and I was one of them. I felt -- and still feel -- that I am privileged to have known Dan for who he was and what he means to the world he left behind.

I turned 32 on November 2.

That's right, I had a frickin' birthday. You want to fight about it?

And I drank some beer... On to new business...

We took off in early September for Colorado Springs, CO (Manitou Springs, to be more precise), drinking a number of various ales and lagers on tap from the likes of Phantom Canyon, Ska Brewery, and Bristol. Looking back, Hoptober was still available from New Belgium in Ft. Collins. Copper and malty, this cornucopia of five kinds of malt and five hop varietals, Hoptober stands up to the best of microbrews as a shining example of a well-balanced Oktoberfest. I also got a chance to try the Modus Hoperandi on tap from Ska Brewing Company. But really, my favorite was at...

Bristol Brewing Company

Colorado Springs, CO

This place just oozes love for the universe. Only positive vibes allowed at this brewery. I find the most familiarity with their Mass Transit Ale, the 6-pack of which features a VW Bus. They also, of course, make their own IPA they call Compass, which is pretty impressive as it stands, but dig this, they also pour the same beer, but with a nitro-charge. It was my first nitro-charged IPA, true, but as I sat and drank, I would have sworn it had turned an India Pale Ale into an Extra Special Bitter. It was quite memorable: rich sharp citrus and baseball-bat-pine tar with a deep chocolate malt brick wall in the back. This is a must if you are in the area.

Then I experimented at home...

I spent some time out of the box. I tried some He'brew Lenny's R.I.P.A. and was very impressed with what I tried. It cashes in at a pretty high price, but will not disappoint. I also discovered Avery Lane Riesling, a tasty mild Willamette Valley Riesling that rings up for about 8 bucks. Oh, and I noticed that the 4-packs of Boulevard Smokestack Series have hit the shelf, which is a very good deal. And I tried that new 21st Anniversary Pale Ale from Boulevard, as well. Wow. If you thought that you already had experienced their flagship Pale Ale, you must try this. As for myself, I did not know that Boulevard could take their Pale and turn it into a refined, even distinguished beverage worthy of a $12.00 price tag. Well, they have.

So please reset you tray tables and seat backs to their full and upright positions, friends.

I don't think that the upcoming ride is getting any more bumpy, but it definitely is coming up. Everything, as we should expect, is still moving forward. It is now my task to try and redirect all of my future correspondence from my new blog, The J-Train. I hope you're all doing well, and if you see me on Facebook, gimme a poke or something.

And, as always...

Stay thirsty, my friends.

More IPA News

Let's Call it a Draw...

When it comes to India Pale Ales, there are obviously a lot of choices out there. Today, after taking a closer look at my blog, I've noticed that I have presented a very glossed-over explanation of the IPA in all of its greatness, but haven't yet presented a comparative list to give better reference points from which to decide which beer best matches your palette. Today, I offer a better background explanation of the subtle differences between common India Pale Ale, Imperial variants, and hop/malt content. So, without further ado, I present to you all I have to offer in the world of IPAs. My next entry will focus on IPA alternatives (aka "lighter" beers, fruit beers, pilsners, and lagers). BUT FIRST...

IPA's You Should Try

Single Wide IPA, Boulevard Brewery

Kansas City, MO

This was the first IPA that I truly enjoyed purely for what it was. Granted, I've had the opportunity to try it on tap (at the Replay, of course), this IPA is super-clean and super-bright. The malt used doesn't have as dark of a complexion as many others I've seen on the shelf, but that doesn't keep this ale from packing a punch (59 IBU's). If you haven't tried many IPA's, this may be the one you should start with. Big grapefruit flavor right up front contrasts nicely with the huge hop undertones; to me, this is the essence of the American IPA.

Bridgeport IPA, Bridgeport Brewery

Portland, OR

Bridgeport Brewery is Oregon's first craft brewery, founded in 1985. Their India Pale Ale was one of the first to be made and mass distributed, making it a beer that many have had the opportunity to try. Most bars in Lawrence carry this beer in a bottle. At only 50 IBU's, this ale has won several awards from as far back as 1997, but doesn't carry with it the pretension of adherence to European or Belgian standards. A rich golden hue, this beer pours with a great white head, plenty of hop aroma, and a pleasant bitterness that doesn't overpower the sweet malt undertone.

Racer 5 IPA, Bear Republic Brewery

Healdsburg, CA

This IPA has a heavy malt sweetness, but the top notes of Cascade hops don't cut through the thickness like the Single-Wide IPA. A very deep flavor of malted hops permeates throughout the ale with heavy caramel and maple syrup aromas. A dark amber caramel color, this beer is a pleasant alternative to Single-Wide, and I would recommend it as a second step to take after the Single-Wide. Where Single-Wide offers sharp crisp top notes, the Racer 5 counters with a carefully balanced malted sweetness coupled with clean Cascade and Centennial flavor.

Modus Hoperandi, Ska Brewery

Durango, CO

This brand new IPA variant offers a happy medium of hops and malt that falls somewhere in between the Single-Wide and the Bridgeport IPA's. Not overly malted, the Modus Hoperandi has taken Emporia, Topeka, and Kansas City by storm, and is quickly becoming a local favorite. The way they put it themselves, Ska brewery claims that this ale is like that time you went on a vision quest with your native American friend and woke up in a pine forest full of grapefruit trees. My favorite conceptual idea of the brewery lies in the package design: it's sold in 6-packs of 12-oz. cans. Highly efficient, this snappy ale spins and swivels on one's palette like a skankin' pickle. Bright grapefruit up front like Single-Wide, yet sweet and sassy notes of pine resin from Pale malt, I could see this as being a proper third step in your journey down the IPA path (65 IBU's).

O'Fallon 5-Day IPA, O'Fallon Brewery

O'Fallon, MO

Okay, okay, okay... Months ago, I promised I would figure out what the 5-Day IPA was all about, and I have to admit that at first, I was quite dismayed by the customer response. Some people found the beer downright awful while some found it to be pleasant, sweet, and crisp (all my favorite qualities of a good IPA). They dry-hop this ale with 7 grains, 4 domestic hop variants, and a touch of class. The 5-Day time frame starts when they add dry whole hops to the top of the finishing tank, permitting it to add more hop flavor for an additional 5 days. This process ensures the proper top notes of Cascade and Glacier hops balances perfectly with the honest but direct malty sweetness up front. Let me put it this way: Give this 66 IBU IPA a try when you're ready to discover why this beer was selected as the Best Beer of St. Louis, 2008.

Hop Czar, Bridgeport Brewery

Portland, OR

Okay, now we're talking... This amazingly well-built beer is the next step in brewing perfection. Start with a deep caramel-copper color similar to the Racer 5, malted heavily. Next, triple hop each barrel with around 2 lbs of Cascade, Centennial, Nugget, and Chinook hops. Finish with an Imperial malt that takes the malt flavor just over the top, and you've got the Czar. The most bitter IPA of all I've tried (85 IBU's), I expected this beer to be less appealing than it truly is. The Imperial malt sweetness stands up to the citrus and grapefruit flavored hops nicely, making this ale (sorry to say, Single-Wide) my new favorite IPA. It's just well-built, and I don't know how else to put it. If you enjoy IPA's of various kinds, you must give this one a try. I dare you to find a better balance of bitter and sweet.

And I'm spent...

I hope that you find this information entertaining, enjoyable, and helpful (at times). Please, as always, enjoy your alcohol responsibly. All of these beers are available at Harper Corner, so feel free to swing by and take your pick. Until then...

Stay thirsty, my friends...

Springtime in Lawrence

Ah, Spring...

...that lovely time of year when one's thoughts turn to fresh produce at the Farmer's Market, the return of cargo shorts, sandals, and smoked St. Louis style ribs glistening with sauce. What's missing? Let's explore that, shall we?

First, let's catch up on old business...

Easter!

Honestly, if you're all about getting hammered on Easter while struggling to remember the lyrics to The Old Rugged Cross, then you've got more problems than I can address in this blog. The trick, though, is to sneak in a half-pint: they fit right in the inside pocket of that suit that you've worn every Easter for 15 years. All jokes aside, let's regard the drinking holidays for what they are. Easter, I have to declare, is the exact opposite of a "drinker's" holiday. After all, every real drinker knows that there are 2 real drinking holidays, which brings us to new business.

St. Patty's Day

Now we're talking, eh? St. Patty's Day offered the same kind of standard fare as always. We celebrated by playing the Pogues, Flogging Molly, and Dropkick Murphy's in random orders throughout the entire day. Hope you all woke up safe and in your own bed (or at least a safe one). For the time being, however, we still have some Boulevard Irish Ale in stock, and we have to make room for their newest seasonal addition, Boss Tom's Golden Bock. That means that we have no choice but to sell the Irish Ale at a ridiculous $5.99 while supply lasts. Last I checked, we only had a couple cases left, so get them while they're cheap.

But remember, there is one more drinker's holiday... And it's coming up... VERY SOON... Ladies and gentlemen, please brace yourself for my personal favorite drinker's holiday on the books...

Cinco de Mayo

Ay, ay, ay, ay!!! Arriba, baby!!! Holy crap, we're talking about Cinco de Mayo, we're talking about margaritas and mojitos and saannnnnngria. Cinco de Mayo is like the Fourth of July plus St. Patty's Day plus Mardis Gras divided by Easter. It is awesome. It's not too late in the season to be uncomfortably hot (like the 4th can be), but very rarely ends up a rainy day (like St. Patty's), it's the perfect excuse to take the day off to experiment with tequila (or mezcal), and it's my favorite holiday to go out. Henry's, a coffeehouse/bar downtown, makes a mad sangria for the 5th of May, and I strongly recommend trying one of the very one-of-a-kind margaritas from La Parilla, just down the street. If going out isn't your style, feel free to swing by and pick up some Landshark, Corona Light, or grab a cheap 12-pack of Tecate for just $9.99.

But wait, there's more...

For example, we picked up some Ginger Bee from Crabtree Brewery in Greeley, CO. Francis Ford Coppola's Diamond series reds are on the shelf for that special grilled steak dinner. Of course, if you're looking for a bright crisp white, we offer the Bianco pinot grigio as the perfect Coppola wine for the pedestrian connoisseur (that's right, Janet, I'm talking about you). Also, we have incredible sales on Bauer Haus Rieslings and Parrot Bay Mango and Pineapple Rum. All in all, I'd say that it's beginning to look a lot like Cinco de Mayo around the store, folks, and I think it's about time you swing on by. I'll see you around... Until then...

...stay thirsty, my friends.

IPA Panic

Now, I don't know about y'all, but I've been hearing a lot about the India Pale Ale, so I've done a little bit of research. If you've ever been curious about what made the IPA such a sought-after beverage, then this month has some interesting news in store for you...

New Beers

Ranger IPA

New Belgium Brewery

Ft. Collins, CO

Holy living crap. The New Belgium Brewery, which has astounded us silly with seasonal selections of spectacular splendor (like their spring selection in stock, the Mighty Arrow Pale Ale), brought forth a bounty of bouquets both bold and bubbly (like Blue Paddle), and flaunted funky flavors fastidiously refined (like Fat Tire and 1554), has never given us an India Pale Ale.

A Brief History Lesson

India Pale Ale was not created by Indians, but for them. Let me splain. England already had a huge domestic demand for their claim to fame, Pale Ale. However, they discovered that their ales sold better overseas (in India, most particularly) when catered to a more bitter flavor palette. In response, the English took lessons from Belgium, threw them out the window, and made rules of their own. They added more and more hops to the brew at key intervals, greatly increasing the hop (and alcohol) content of the final product, thus creating a more bitter product, thus increasing sales. However, even today, there is still some debate as to whether the hop additions were intended to turn profits overseas, or if the increased hop and alcohol content allowed the beer to survive the long trip to India. I like to think that, necessity being the mother of invention, the English needed enough ale to keep their trusty sailors drunk for pretty much the entire trip through the Atlantic -- and the Indian Ocean, to India -- from fricking England -- and still make a profit in sales. Traditional British Pale Ales would get skunky after a few days, and molded after a week. This would make sea travel harder on the guys who did all the work, namely, the hardcore alcoholics. If an army moves on its belly, a navy moves on its buzz. Either way you look at it, the India Pale Ale was created, and we all are better people for it.

Now, what was I talking about?

Oh, yeah, the New Belgium Brewery's newest creation is the Ranger IPA, which I am enjoying tonight. I, being a HUGE IPA fan, have to immediately think of my first favorite IPA: Single Wide IPA, from Boulevard Brewery in Kansas City, MO. I would recommend putting them side-by-side, just to see what would happen. I imagine it would be magical. The Boulevard IPA is bright, crisp, and even citrussy (if even such a word exists). The Ranger IPA adds a whopping 3 lbs. of hops per barrel, sporting sassy snippets of Simcoe, colossal colonies of Cascade, and a shower of shimmering Chinook hops. Ranger clocks in at an industry standard 6.5% alcohol, by volume (70 IBUs, if you're keeping score, at home), and claims a more caramel colored clad than its Kansas City cousin. The Ranger IPA starts off bright, but develops into a rich nutty snap that you have to try and try again. Knowing that this beer was made in Ft. Collins, CO, living in Lawrence, (fricking) Kansas, I have to say: drinking this beer, you can't help but feel like you're number one (go Hawks!).

Bearing this in mind...

There is a beer from O'Fallon Brewery in St. Louis, MO, coming in tomorrow, that is a 5 Day IPA. I have no idea what this means. To me, what it means is that I'll wind up spending my Valentine's Day swooning over hop variants instead of appreciating my wonderful and unbelievable First Mate and life long love (Joni, I love you!). Rest assured that when I find out what this 5-day time frame means, you, my faithful readers, will be among the first to know. From what I've gathered, hops are added at a number of different times when brewing an IPA, and it's an industry secret as to when they add the respective hops to create the right flavor balance, thus the system of IBUs (click here to read more on the IBU).

In addition...

We have a number of new wines that will be featured soon. Keep reading friends, and remember what Oscar Wilde said. "Everything in moderation, especially moderation." Of course, Mr. Wilde also said, "Nothing succeeds like excess."

Stay thirsty, my friends...

News From the Edge

Big Changes

Things are happening around the store, lately, kids. Big things. In case you haven't heard, Mandy, our very own tattoo-clad pirate princess has accepted a position at another Lawrence business as manager. This means that her unbelievable 10 years of slinging booze and 3 years of managing at Harper Corner are coming to an end. It is not without some sadness that I wish Mandy only the best of luck as she continues her way towards her personal and professional goals. Thank you, Mandy, for being a great boss, an efficient coworker, and a good friend.

New Products!!

IRON CITY BEER

Pittsburgh, PA

If you've been hanging around the Lawrence bar scene for as long as I have, you'll remember this beer that flourished in the downtown district around 5 years ago. Served originally in 16-oz. aluminum bottles, this lager is Pittsburgh's answer to PBR. This is a working man's beer, crafted for the Pittsburgh nation: a people raised on girders, grinders, and grog. While the aluminum bottles have given way to old fashioned glass, the six pack still sells at an affordable $4.99 for a limited time. Get some before Marc drinks it all!

Boulevard Smokestack

IMPERIAL PILSNER

Kansas City, MO

If you know what a Trappist beer is, then you know the Orval Trappist brewers of Belgium. For those who don't already know, let me break it down:

About a month ago, I had a customer (that's right, Matt, I'm talking about you) come in and discuss a beer that he tried this holiday season from a brewery called Chimay. I asked my O'Malley's rep about it, and was given a brief history/geography lesson concerning a series of 6 to 8 breweries that have a class, quite literally, of their own. For centuries, he explained, Cistercian Trappist monks have been brewing the same remarkably well-built beers with their own ingredients in the oldest traditions of their monastic lifestyle. Chimay and Orval are both Trappist breweries, along with maybe 5 others. Click here to learn more.

**** I have recently received word that this philosophy used by the Trappists extends beyond a simple dedication to beer, bread, and God. See, the way they saw things, God gave us grains to use to their ultimate end. Grains, only growing in the warmer months, could be converted into bread which would sustain them throughout the spring and summer. During this same time, the Trappists would brew and cask their beers, which would then age throughout the fall and winter, creating, "bread in a bottle." This combination of bread and bread in a bottle comprised the entirety of the Trappist monk's diet. ****

Jean-Marie Rock, a brewer from Orval brewery in Belgium, crafted a beer 30 years ago that signified his arrival in the beer-building world. He crafted a beer so complex, so contradictory, and so delicate that it was decided that it could only be released for very special occasions. This was 30 years ago. Let's flash-forward to today, more precisely, mid-January, at the Oread Hotel, the new monster resort/restaurant/high society hob nobbing hub on the hill. Boulevard makes their announcement and officially releases their newest collaborative effort: Jean-Marie Rock's Imperial Pilsner. At the Oread, you can purchase a bottle for $18.00. We've got 'em for $11.49. If you can at all afford it, please taste this piece of world brewing history.

TEMPRA TANTRUM

Spanish Wines

If you've been paying attention to our wines, you may have noticed that there has been a rather obvious trend of Spanish wines starting to build a larger canon in our collection. While it may be true that Spanish wines are trendy, there are a number of them that have made important statements with regards to complementing a meal. The Tempra Tantrum brand has a unique approach to building their wines, as they have taken their classic tempranillo and blended it with four different tasty reds that each satisfy different flavor palettes. For the dry red fans, they have tempranillo merlot and tempranillo cabernet (both perfect with steak or roast). For the sweeter red sippers, the tempranillo garnacha or tempranillo shiraz goes well with dark chocolate or rasperry dessert dishes. Keep in mind, you don't always have to pair your wine with food. One thing I like to pair Spanish wine with: tequila... WHAT??!! Yeah... That's right...

Stay thirsty, kids.

Welcome to the Future

It's 2010

...and I'd say that Stanley Kubrick was full of crap, dude. No Space Odyssey here, man! WTF?

Awesome Deals, Yo

So, you didn't hear it here, but I heard on the street that there's awesome deals down at Harper Corner. Seriously, didn't you hear? They've got, like, 18 packs of Coors Light 16-oz beers on sale, for like, $14.99! I'm not lying, man. Listen to this. I heard that tomorrow, like January 8th, right? Well, they're supposed to be getting some of that Lost Coast Winterbraun that has been cellared for a year at the warehouse, but they're selling it for cheap... Seriously, like... Really... Cheap... Also, they've got wicked sales on Buttershots, Jagermeister, Weller's Special Reserve, and a brand new cordial from right here in the states that calls itself a Nordic Libation. Let me put it this way, if Goldschlager and Rumple Minze were to have a baby, the lovechild would called ULLR (you-ler) and woul sell for around $2.29 for a 50 mL bottle. It's delicious. Let me tell you something, here, friends. If you mix all of these things together in equal protions, you may have the perfect way to forget that it's 6 frickin' degrees outside.

Tonight

I'm drinking the Leinenkugel's 1888 Bock, and let me tell you, I dig it. Leinenkugel's Brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI, reminds me of Goose Island: a good fan base, a wizened heritage, and a fine product line. The 1888 bock pours as a brown filtered beer, similar to Newcastle, maybe just a tint lighter. The mouth-feel of this simply-crafted beer is caramely, light, and slightly sweet; very distinct. This beer seems to be a hybrid beer,like a beer from the future, moreso than one from the past. If you've been drinking Budweiser and Busch for mostof your life, then this may be the beer that starts your journey off the beaten path. For my girlfriend, Joni, I bought a Lawrence favorite, Relax Riesling. This is a light, crisp, apple-y wine that screams for a cheese plate loaded with brie and gouda. Tonight, I've paired the Riesling with Yummy's Sun Dried Tomato Lebaneh and a Wheatfield's baguette sliced into wafer-thin crustini. Schmitt-Sohnne winery has a number of wines, such as Superstition, Kuhl (and also the "Way" Kuhl), and their hottest creation, Anything Goes (which, allegedly, goes with -- you guessed it -- anything), but the Relax series certainly has earned its place in the Book of Most Enjoyable Wines, if such a book exists.

Keep On Keepin' On

It's cold out there, friends. Really cold. In fact, I heard a customer tell me that it was going to be cold tomorrow, and I asked him how he would know what really cold was, you know what he said? He said, "I live in Alaska." I didn't really have anything to say after that. The man knows what cold is. I guess what I'm really trying to tell you is stay warm, out there, friends. And, of course...

Stay thirsty, my friends.

Customer Request

Seasons greetings, out there, friends!

We are now at that time of the year when things are getting very tight, particularly in the pocketbook-area. In addition, I have noted that there have been several requests for more knowledge on beer crafting and how one might even -- gasp! -- brew up a batch of one's own hand crafted beverage. To satisfy both of these customer requests, I have included here some helpful information that can get you on your way to brewing your own beer, no matter what level of brewer you may be.

Where do I go??

In Lawrence, there are, regrettably, no stores that cater to the home brewer. This leaves only the online market with which one may acquire the proper equipment and ingredients. However, there are a few places nearby (in Olathe and Shawnee), where you should be able to talk to someone face-to-face and get some hands-on help with home brewing:

Homebrew Pro Shoppe

2061 E Santa Fe

Olathe, KS

Bacchus & Barleycorn

6633 Nieman Rd

Shawnee, KS

What about online??

Of course, living in Lawrence, that are no home brew shops, which leaves only the ability to use the wonders of technology to get things. Listed here are some of the best websites you can use to learn more about how to brew beer at home:

www.howtobrew.com This website teaches you how to... BREW... Convenient like that, eh?

www.northernbrewer.com may be the best website to use, according to my resources. This website has a wide variety of products, from the advanced high-end home brewers all the way down to starter kits made for people who just want to give it a try. This website also has a pretty good deal for shipping, as $7.99 ships anything you want, no matter whether you're looking for a bottle-capper or a 20-gallon kettle.

www.williamsbrewing.com and www.morebeer.com are other websites website that cater to the home brewer, offering cutting edge recipes, new product info, and methods for brewing in your bathrobe.

How is that possible?

That Lawrence doesn't have any home brew stores? I don't have an answer to that one, chief. Maybe someone right now sees this blog and realizes that we really need one. The market for home brewers is growing just like the craft beer market has for the last 20 years, and it's no surprise. America was founded on hooch, kids. In the cramped basement speakeasy whiskey stills was where the first American revolutionaries met to overthrow British Rule. After all, even Sam Adams made beer. He also lit the tower lanterns when Paul Revere rode to inform the American revolutionary army: one if by land, two if by sea. If that's not some founding father folklore, I don't know what is. Lawrence does not have a home brew store, but, as all revolutionaries may already know, there is a guild. Click on the link to pay them a visit. Home brew is a lot closer to home than you might think.

Now, whether you're a hard-core seasoned veteran or a 21-year-old rookie, home brewing is a great way to test your mettle, to celebrate your freedom, and to actively participate in American history. As always, please be safe out there this holiday season, and stay thirsty, my friends.