Why I Live in the Northeast
It's May 1st and parts of the Philadelphia suburbs are some of the most beautiful around. All over the northeast spring bloom is taking place. I happen to take a number of back roads to work every morning and am fortunate to travel through the horse country of Malvern which is made up of open green spaces dotted with ridiculous estates. Ridiculousness aside, these estates are beautifully landscaped with a variety of trees, flowers, and bushes that all seem to bloom different color flowers but somehow the colors perfectly compliment each other. The ride that used to take forever in January now flies by.
How great is that first morning when you wake up, go out to the car, and realize that you don't need a jacket for the first time in 5 months? For me that day was a couple weeks ago and now I shudder at the thought of trudging to work in my wool overcoat while dealing with sub-freezing temperatures inside my car until the heater comes alive. Ugh.
But, I still wouldn't trade the seasons for the year-round warm temperatures of the Southeast and Southwest. Spring and fall are too precious to give up.
Another great thing about warm spring temps: going to watch the Phils play. Chris and I went down to Citizens Bank Park on Sunday to enjoy a fine game in even finer weather - low 70s and sunny. I can tell you that nothing is more fun that going to that ballpark. Even those out there who can't stand baseball (ie, my wife) enjoy seeing a game there. The sight lines are outstanding from any seat, even those in the upper deck, and there is enough to do besides baseball to keep most people entertained.
For my money, Wrigley field is the best pure baseball experience in the land, but Citizens Bank Park is my favorite park for all thoese intangibles that baseball purists hate.
Saturday is another brew day. Actually it's not just another brew day - it's National Home Brew day so we are under obligation to brew (it is also Cinco de Mayo but you will not find us celebrating with Coronas and limes).
Mike and I have taken some time off from brewing recently due to the birth of Teddy, Mike and Jill's new baby. But a lot of technical developments have taken place in the past month that I won't bore you with. I only mention it because we are putting systems and techniques into place that will eliminate most of the issues we were having before. Specifically, we took a month to study how Belgians create their complexity of flavor and we now understand the basics of it. We also realize how the mistakes we made in the past were reflected in the quality of the brew. The end result will be beer that is just as good as what you can get in the store (except for Struise Pannepot. I think they put magic dust or something in that).
How great is that first morning when you wake up, go out to the car, and realize that you don't need a jacket for the first time in 5 months? For me that day was a couple weeks ago and now I shudder at the thought of trudging to work in my wool overcoat while dealing with sub-freezing temperatures inside my car until the heater comes alive. Ugh.
But, I still wouldn't trade the seasons for the year-round warm temperatures of the Southeast and Southwest. Spring and fall are too precious to give up.
Another great thing about warm spring temps: going to watch the Phils play. Chris and I went down to Citizens Bank Park on Sunday to enjoy a fine game in even finer weather - low 70s and sunny. I can tell you that nothing is more fun that going to that ballpark. Even those out there who can't stand baseball (ie, my wife) enjoy seeing a game there. The sight lines are outstanding from any seat, even those in the upper deck, and there is enough to do besides baseball to keep most people entertained.
For my money, Wrigley field is the best pure baseball experience in the land, but Citizens Bank Park is my favorite park for all thoese intangibles that baseball purists hate.
Saturday is another brew day. Actually it's not just another brew day - it's National Home Brew day so we are under obligation to brew (it is also Cinco de Mayo but you will not find us celebrating with Coronas and limes).
Mike and I have taken some time off from brewing recently due to the birth of Teddy, Mike and Jill's new baby. But a lot of technical developments have taken place in the past month that I won't bore you with. I only mention it because we are putting systems and techniques into place that will eliminate most of the issues we were having before. Specifically, we took a month to study how Belgians create their complexity of flavor and we now understand the basics of it. We also realize how the mistakes we made in the past were reflected in the quality of the brew. The end result will be beer that is just as good as what you can get in the store (except for Struise Pannepot. I think they put magic dust or something in that).
posted by JP at 10:36 AM
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