On a hot Sunday, we decided to go for a drive. This was an excuse to try out our brand new, electric vehicle, a Chevy Bolt. It provides about 240 miles on a fully charged battery – sweet!
My 17 tomatoes are loving this hot weather. Right now, they are pumping out massive amounts of delicious fruit. We are devouring Cherokee Purples, Brandywines, Sungolds, Better Boys, Early Girls, Green Zebras and Ground Cherries in many forms – sliced, in BLTs, in gazpacho, tomato sauce – but it’s difficult to keep up with the flow. Our neighbors and friends are “helping out” with the overflow.
I picked a heatwave to harvest potatoes – big mistake. I kind of overdid it. As a result, I canceled all the rest of my outdoor activities this weekend, stayed inside and vegged in the A/C. But I did find a few cool, refreshing craft beer reads to mull over.
No, it’s not a tomato beer that can read. Yesterday, I brought in from my garden the first slicing tomato of the year, a Cherokee Purple. It was ugly and gnarly but oh so delicious with a sweet, rich taste.
Also, as planned, I tempted a volunteer in helping to label Devil’s Dad with poppers – grilled jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped with bacon – yum. We now have 2 labeled cases busy carbonating. I’ll be tasting a bottle or two next weekend, comparing it to a procured bottle of Saison Dupont.
Beer Reads
UPROXX, The Best Hazy Beers To Drink This Summer, According To Brewers. After a couple of steamy, hot weeks, it’s safe to say summer has arrived. I’m a huge fan of Trillium and Sierra’s Hazy Little Thing. On the other hand, my one experience with Bissel Brother’s was a big disappointment but I’m willing to give them a second look (or in this case, taste).
Men’s Journal, 15 Lagers That Should Be in Your Cooler This Summer. It is good to see lagers making a comeback in the craft world. Of this list, I’ve only tried the Brooklyn Lager. I’m always looking for a good pilsner especially on a hot and muggy day.
DC Beer, Brew at the Zoo…for less!Thursday, July 18th, 6-9 PM. $50 Fonz members, $65 non-members. This looks like a fun time at the National Zoo featuring nearly 70 breweries.
VinePair, Hop Take: White Claw Rips Into Craft Beer Sales. I’ve never tried this new craze, spiked seltzer, but I have heard the rumor that it is taking over craft beer. It’s good to read that the sky is not falling.
Village Green/Town², Dueling Brews. I love Brian Seel’s Brews and Bus Tour. I would have gone today but I’m doing another walk to Sapwood Cellars.
Brewed in Maryland, Before the Banner. A little history about early Baltimore brewer, Thomas Peters.
In 2 weeks, the family has brewed a saison on Father’s Day, racked it to a secondary, and bottled it on the 4th of July weekend; mixing a crab feast with the bottling. And, oh yeah, I was forced to do a little research at Hudson Street Stackhouse, ordering a Saison Dupont – the beer we were striving for.
This long 2019 Fourth of July weekend has been hot and muggy…but busy and fun. The family saw the Baltimore fireworks from the Four Seasons Hotel. And they served Brewers Art Resurrection! On the 5th, we saw private fireworks in Virginia, courtesy of Brian and Tim – up close and personal! Despite the heat, I’ve made frequent visits to the garden – the harvests just keep on coming!
For this very hot weekend, I’ve found a few interesting craft beer reads – the links are listed below. Also, here’s some important local news (at least to me); Sapwood Cellars is now open on Wednesdays, 2:00-10:00.
Summer has finally arrived! This Saturday morning is beautiful – cool and sunny. So get out and enjoy the day. But…when you find a quiet moment, check out the following craft beer articles. Continue reading Summer Solstice Beer Reads→
Mrs. Adventures and I just returned from a couple of days camping in rural and beautiful Southern Maryland. We camped at the tip of Southern Maryland in Point Lookout State Park. It was a nice getaway.