A Laundry List

It seems like quite a while since I've posted anything and a lot has happened since last post so here we go:

VLOG

Mike and I successfully recorded the first beer vlog on Saturday after we brewed what will surely be an amazing batch of Belgian Strong. How fortunate we were to be able to use Westvleteren 12 as the first beer reviewed for the vlog. The only problem was that neither of us had any idea of what to expect and therefore were kinda dumbfounded as to how to fully describe the beer's attributes. So, rule #1 in beer vlogging is 'always try the beer before you review it.' We weren't creative enough to give Westy the credit it deserves. Rule #2 is 'include notes during the taping'. I seem to forget all the things I want to say once the camera is rolling.

I'm done with all the video editing and have added a sweet intro and some cut-ins. The total running time is going to be close to 10 minutes (after editing) which is 5 minutes longer than I expected. We ended up comparing Westvleteren 12 and Rochefort 10, which I found to be interesting. Of course, it added 3 minutes but I feel it's worth it. Future posts will not have a 10 minute run time. The final production is gonna be awesome in a ghetto way. I decided the Westvleteren vlog will not be the first vlog posted. Instead, I'm planning a basic 5 minute intro to Trappist beers. Then, I'll post Westvleteren 12, Rochefort 8, Chimay Blue, Orval, Westmalle Dubbel, and Achel Extra. I can't find La Trappe anywhere. Suggestions?

THOUGHTS ON THE EAGLES GAME

BREWING

Mike and I brewed a 5 gallon batch of Dema-Goddess Ale at Mike's house last Saturday (recipe from Sam Calagione's Extreme Brewing). The beer is definitely the most complex beer my brother has ever brewed. Basically two sugars are used throughout primary and secondary fermentation - pure cane sugar and demara sugar. A 1/2 pound of each is added to the boil alone! Original gravity was 1.100 so we could expect a 14%-16% beer if we don't add additional sugar and yeast. But hold on. Primary fermentation lasts 8 days. Then, Mike is going to alternate adding 1 oz of each sugar each day for 9 more days. Secondary fermentation lasts another 5 days at which time he pitches more yeast (Rochefort's strain so it'll resemble an abbey ale's spiciness) and alternates the sugars again for 5 more days. Once it's ready for bottling we need to add to some priming sugar and let it rest until June-ish. I'm guessing we're going to achieve a 120-minute-type combination of maltiness, high alcohol , and smooth finish. Mike sent me the picture below.

The yeast is going crazy after only one day in the carboy as you can tell with the healthy white foam head - good sign. We're excited. Our next batch will probably be brewed in March and we're considering doing a Port-Barrel Aged Ale or try to clone a nice Grand Cru to be ready for Christmastime.

Wii

Is Wii the best video game system ever? Chris made sure I would find out as he brought over his brother's Wii to play before and after the Eagles game. The Wii is so fun, in fact, that we missed portions of the game after halftime because we couldn't stop playing. Most of the games we played are comprised of very basic graphics - almost Nintendo 64 quality. But you don't need HD graphics to have a great time playing the Wii.

The game system is less about what you see on the screen and more about how your motions dictate the characters on the screen. So, it can get a little out of control depending on how into it you are. We played the sports games that come with the system - tennis, golf, bowling, and boxing (we didn't get to baseball. Chris said it was lame). Almost everyone who has the Wii loves the tennis. It was fun, but my least favorite. I liked boxing the best, partly because neither of us knew what we were doing so we weren't landing that many punches. Therefore, we weren't getting knocked out often. I can imagine that playing with someone who is really good takes some of the fun out of it. We were panting like dogs after the end of the first round-it really works you out. Sweat was pouring down our faces after the third round. It was intense. My lats were still sore Monday which illustrates how out of shape I am.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

What is the statute of limitations on Christmas decorations? I know that many Italians and Irish celebrate 'little Christmas' on January 6th (the Gregorian traditional date of Christmas) and take the decorations down then. Ok. That's a little too late for me, but I can deal with it. What is up with the people that still have the inflatable snow-globes in their front yard? Is it laziness? Do they think the snow-globes add some unique winter flair to their landscape? Listen, we're finished with being merry and bright. Quit embarrassing yourself and take the Christmas decorations down. Fear not! Only a couple months until you can use that never-tacky giant inflatable Easter bunny.

24

Christina and I watched the first season of 24 a few years ago. It was enthralling. We couldn't stop watching. I deserves all the praise it musters. But is there really a need for Fox to broadcast over twenty 24 commercials during their football games? I equate this waste of advertising dollars to the NFL's Don Cheadle commercials for the playoffs. Are there really people out there who see Don Cheadle spouting off about the NFL's rich playoff history and suddenly say, 'Yes! I am now a football fan. I'm going to change my weekend plans just to watch the playoffs.'? Of course not. 24 is in the same boat. And Kiefer Sutherland just erks me.

del.ic.ious

I'm naming names. Ever since two people got 'real jobs' the del.ic.ious network is dying. As of this morning the last post (aside from mine) was 3 days ago! Listen, I know you're all busy now but you need to realize what you signed up for. Sacrifice is part of the game! I don't want to hear the 'I have a 2-hour train ride' excuse or 'I have too many ice cream parties with Swedish people' excuse. I expected more out of you two. For shame, Bhuta. For shame, Hohorst.

AMERICAN IDOL

When will this fad end? If ratings are any sort of barometer, I guess the answer is 'not anytime soon.' Christina flipped it on for the last 15 minutes of Tuesday's 2-hour show. A guy with bad skin and zero talent was waxing poetic about his 'destiny' of becoming the next American Idol. Of course, his audition was embarrassing and ended with the guy running out of the room, head in his hands, tears streaming down his face. His parents were waiting for him and his mom, clearly upset, said, 'Don't worry, you'll be famous someday.' This type of parenting should be an executionable offense. These parents are guilty of treason as they are clearly destroying the future of this country.

THINGS I SPOTTED TODAY

A 'Dukakis '88' bumper sticker on the back of a Volvo in the parking lot of Whole Foods-Devon.

A Beret-wearing man, also at Whole Foods.