Pump-King of all Seasonals

Have you ever wondered why Pumpkin beers are the most anticipated and sought out seasonal beers? I recently thought about this as I was tasting Harpoon's UFO Pumpkin and the people at the brewery, including myself, were jumping over the bar for a taste. This could be that this is a limited release beer and the only way to get it is at the brewery. But it got me thinking, why does everyone, even the less than occasional beer drinker swarm around pumpkin beers?

I thought first that the other seasonal beers don't have as much notoriety, like Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale, and therefore wouldn't be so popular. But look at Sam Adams and their strong following for their Summer Ale. It could just be that Sam Adams has a huge lemming like groupies and just love anything from Sam Adams. I'm still upset with them for subbing in the Nobel Pills for their Spring beer.

I think that the over all difference from the other seasonal dranks and pumpkin seasonal beers is that everyone brews a pumpkin beer. The other seasonal brews are all different. The spring ales all are light and hoppy but run the gamut of different taste and styles; but pumpkin beers all have the basic flavors of pumpkin and spice and don't stray to far from each other. Also since they are normally lagers or ales they are lighter and fruitier which makes them easier to drink.

I'm still going to down a bunch of them this Fall!

That being said... Here is my pumpkin beer conditioning for a Nov. 2nd release date!

Sharing is Carring!

I've lived with roommates and a large family my whole life so the notion of having to share everything with Sparkie did not seem to be something that I couldn't handle. But I found myself getting aggravated every now and then with sharing somethings. Things from food and the bed, to chores and the bills...

I'm the cook, most nights, of the house.  It's partly out of a passion and a necessity but I'm normally the one in the kitchen with the apron. So here lies the problem; how do you cook for two different appetites with enough for everyone to be happy. I've spent a couple nights pushing out uniform dishes during my time as a chef and can orgistrate five burners, a microwave, and a oven to where everything is cooked perfectly and finished at the same time but this was a stumbling block for me. My first ideas was to do a ratio of individual size and weight to the amount of food provided. At first this seemed like a good idea but even though I out weigh Sparkie by a good 60-70 lbs, we are nearly the same height (I'm taller); depending what's for dinner, we take down about the same amount.  Other thought was to make it family style and let Sparkie get first dibs and the rest would be all mine! MINE O' MINE!!! Unfortunately my years in the service industry have made be a stickler for presentation; I can still hear Chef O'Grady yelling to wipe the plates before serving. Also, I really like the idea of us sitting down together as a family and not the whole "help yourself" mentality. So the solution you ask? Well, this tested well, until Sparkie figures it out, but I've just started giving equal portions and then finishing what's left from Sparkie's plate if I'm still hungry. It seems to be working and since I have no problems helping her clear her plate, we have zero waste and everyone's happy.

Here's an article that got me thinking.

Now for the real battle zone. Many a relationship has died on this hallow ground. I'm, of course, talking about the BED!!!

Now, as you can see, we don't have a small bed, and have room on either side for overflow. In fact we shared my old smaller bed before and didn't have any problems but for some reason we've started bumping into each other now. It's come to the point where we draw our lines in the sand before we say goodnight. Now, I may be bias, but I'm not the main offender. I am a very light but straight sleeper. Meaning I take a position and stay in that position all night. Sparkie, on the other hand, is a mover. It fit's her personality so I can't act surprised but I often wake up at night to her invasion force jumping over my lines. Most of the times, I can repel her advances and get back to sleep pretty easily but other nights the battle rages for the whole night. I hear all these couples saying that buying two twin beds saved their marrage but I really don't want to go down that road. Maybe a king bed? Any suggestions?

What are some ways that you've had to deal with sharing?

Simple Fettuccine Alfredo

 

Sparkie and I love pasta but sometimes the monotony of spaghetti and red sauce get's to you.This simple and seemingly delicious of an old classic is surely going to spice some things up!

It's a New YEAR!

Well, for the Government that is. And that will explain the large gap between posts.

But a lot of things have happened since then! First, Sparkie and I survived our first 365 days together! We had our bumps and bruises but we have made it through! We all have those relationships throughout our lives in which you really love someone but there is something completely different about the loving the "one". No matter what Sparkie does or says I never loose that love... even when she makes fun of the Phillies!

Speaking of which... IT'S THE MLB POSTSEASON!

And the Phillies are taking on the cardinals. Great pitching VS. good hitting. In my unbiased opinion, I think the Phills will take the series in 4 games.

 

 And now that it's October, it's time to 

I don't know if you're like me but I love pumpkin spiced things. Pumpkin bread; pumpkin beer, pumpkin spice lattes! EVERYTHING!!!!

Enjoy the FALL!!!!

Frosen Burritos!

Seems like a simple easy way to make some lunches up for work! YUMMMM

Busy weekend!!!

I finally understand why they call it Labor Day, that's basically all we did all weekend.

It's M-Day + 21, 3 weeks in! The boxes are gone. 85% of the rooms are set up. We have a fully functioning kitchen, TV room, and bedroom! The to-do list is becoming a to-done list!  Pictures to come!

In other news... We are T-Day + 2! A little earlier than planned but the West Coast Pale Ale, or as we've been calling it Hurricane Pale Ale, has arrived. Initial comments show it needs some more time conditioning so another couple of days and it will be at it's prime! With the HPA finishing, I went ahead and started the next beer, Nut Brown Ale. Name and review to come later! We also named the brewery Edge Brewery. Of Course!

Did you just feel that?...

I think you just shook my world.

So I'm sure you've heard or felt by now that we had a nice little earthquake here in DC. We surived.

The main thing is that the days events did NOT interrupt TACO NIGHT! YUMM! After dinner I made Sparkie jump in the car as I took her off to she her celbcrush Ryan Gosling in Crazy Stupid Love. It was a pretty good movie and mixed both funny and drama very well. Sparkie was happy because Ryan took off his shirt.