Voltron

Speaking of DLD 2014, it falls on the same weekend as Axpona, I believe. Anybody up for a ticket-buying blitz when they go up for sale? I think it could be the right year for HC/DLD. What say you?

Nice piggies and chockies tonight!

Babe on the Traeger! How could you?! Mmmm, Babecon. Have fun Mike and FedEx some leftovers.

I'd say your last two posts have been full of fun, but this recent one is full of funny too. What do people think about the Music Matters Jazz people issuing 33 RPM versions of some of the same records they did in 45 RPM? Crass grab for the cash? Recognition that turning over records every 1-2 songs has its drawbacks? Crass grab for the cash?

I'll get straight to the point. Nobody here thinks anything about them. Sorry.

I'm not sure how thick that neck is, but it sure ain't a No. 2. The Brews Bros. were not quite middle aged, and I would guess mid-30s. The Hurley shirt is a deputy sheriff and the bro in the purple shirt (called him Barney) said that he always has to punch people because his brother gets worked up but cannot get into fights himself because he is in law enforcement. They weren't so bad at all until they started jeering the guy in the shirt who works for 50-50's distributor. Still, there is no question whatsoever -- as I actually thought that evening -- that Naaman would have gotten fed up with these guys and would have clocked them both before they knew what was happening.

Those hippies can make some pretty bad-ass looking burgers and fries and sprinkle bacon everywhere so they can't be all bad.

RIP Chico and Jim. Sad indeed. Very glad I got to see Jim a year or two ago.

Wreck away Steve! I know you can put it all back together again better than ever!

Cute little dude! You said it wouldn't take long, but wow, that was remarkably fast!

This guy Nick who made it to both the Vertical Tasting and the Release Party gave his own party shirt a thumbs up and then ramped up the bottle sharing in our corner with some Hill Farmstead and Jacki-O’s goodness (among others) Amazingly, we were still able to find our balance for this shot Mikey checked to see if my bottle of Framboise for a Cure smelled as divine as it did on tap – and it did! I wish I had taken more pics of the Epic bottle sharing going on, but the evening got away from me, as they say. I also wish I took pics of the outdoor patio in sub-zero weather where people kept warm by huddling around a few heat lamps, smoking, and of course drinking. Mikey and I took home a lot of beer for ourselves and some lucky folks around here.

Pics from the Eclipse Release Party – December 5, 2013 Circling the wagons for pre-game and bottle-sharing Breakfast in the hotel Brunch at Squeeze In on the main drag of Old Truckee. I had Spanish Eggs Benedict with tons of chorizo and a pile of potatoes with cheese and grilled onions on them. It was fantastic food – and a good base for the party – but man were we stuffed! Mikey left one of several d-_-b marks at the Squeeze In Definitely the thing to do at this particular spot Here is how the main bar looked with the Eclipse rainbow, some large format Jeroboams looming, and bottles of the spirits whose barrels provide a good home for the base beer The Eclipse Elves were very busy all night – filling bottle orders and pouring drafts like crazy! A few glamour shots of the reason for the gathering The side bar added for the party was a hot spot for sure – vintage Eclipse kegs, rarities, one-offs, and new barrel aging projects with Old Curmudgeon and others, were flowing all night Here is what the scene looked like as the party raged on These two brothers kept us entertained much of the evening and shared several great bottles, including Goose Island Gillian and Halia. They didn’t like this shirt, however, because the beer on it looked weak! Mikey was sure that there was going to some punches thrown because they were mocking this guy loudly but he just ignored them.

Mikey and I attended the 2007 - 2012 Eclipse Vertical Tasting on December 4 and the Eclipse Release Party on December 5, and I have lots of pics and so does Mikey. I thought it would be easier to put them in an impressions thread, and after all "when two or more gather in Head-Case's name, it shall be a meet." First up is the Vertical Tasting 2007-2012. Seeing as the event was beer and desserts, we stopped next door for sushi and Japanese beer, at a spot Dinny might have inspired Our host Todd and his protege Alyssa The good stuff The snacks Getting under way with the beverages "Palate cleansers" were Nellie and Me So Hoppy at two junctures along the way Some stand-outs among to awesomeness: 2012 Elijah Craig 12 Reserve (single cask chosen to be set aside). Mikey likey. 2012 Java Coffee Eclipse with the Purple Pearl Swirl wax 2012 Gourmet Haus Staudt Eclipse Damn, I cannot remember what was in the unmarked bottle -- was it Iced BART? -- and we lost our list due to being buzzed at the end of the evening! Mixing it up with some amazing Annularity And both brewmasters signed the bottle for me Anticipation Satisfaction The Closer: 2008 Pappy van Winkle This was a fantastic event that cannot be repeated because we drank up most of the remaining stocks of some early and rare Eclipse variants. Next up will be the morning after and the Release Party.

Hope it was a great day Todd! Many happy returns. Cheers!

Happy birthday Tom! I hope you're having a great one and have time to enjoy some good music. Cheers!

Sorry to hear about Ozzy. RIP good boy.

That's a shame Jeff, but I predict the Ginger Avenger will suggest putting it into the Sous Vide for a few days.

Sorry about the Traeger disaster. I have also experienced lack of feeding into the auger. I usually dig down and mix the pellets around before starting and occasionally while smoking, and I also do the same as Naaman and pile toward the middle. Still looks like you are going to have great food and much gas!

Have a happy birthday, Gene Mon. Just sorry I can't be there to knock back a few Red Stripes and some rum to celebrate with you! Cheers!

Happy birthday Haj, I just made it under the wire West Coast time! Hope it was a good one in your time zone. Cheers!

Nice cookies and nice butcher briskets. The Traeger will make those magical.

Nice going Chris!

I gave the wimmenfolk a break to clean up and look purty for later.

Claire makes the best pecan pie ever. She needs to make into bars like you did so I can eat them more often.

Claire and Sophie are making Tarte Tatin, and Claire already made a pecan pie and a couple of cranberry compotes/sauces. Alden and I aren't doing squat. As Grahame the religious oppressor says, Win!