'Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.' Benjamin Franklin circa; who cares. He was never more right about anything in his entirely glorious life.
Beer drinkers all over the world often mock American beers because all they know about are Bud, Coors and Millers. Hardly a glowing example of the brewer's art but there are hundreds of beers from every part of the USA. Saranac, Lake Placid, Sierra Nevada, Goose Island, Great Lakes, Sam Adams Lager, Old Thumper, and Eliot Ness Amber Lager are just a few of the almost infinite number of extremely fine beers being made in the United States these days.
Yes they are hard to get if you don't live here but it is almost worth the trip here by itself just to sample a few of them.
But if that weren't enough the range of beers from all over the world is even more amazing. It is in New York city that I was intoduced to Chimay. It is truly one of the finest beers in the world. Brewed by Trappist monks in Belgium. Wherever you are in the world, if you see it on the shelf it is a must buy. It will be expensive but you must treat yourself.
Below are links to some very fine brewery websites. Visit these sites, anticipate and then come and enjoy.
www.greatlakesbrewing.com/
www.cooperstownbrewing.com/
www.saranac.com/
www.brooklynbrewery.com/
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Winter Comes
In Australia the approach of December means warm days, barbeques and swimming at the beach or in the pool. Here in America for most it means that snows and extreme cold are not far away. It means being a whole lot more careful on the road. It means not going outside unless you absolutely have to.
The summer driving season and baseball are far behind us. We have enjoyed the fall, Halloween and the overindulgence of Thanksgiving but the diversions to come in our times of human hibernation are plentiful and varied. For just one there are the televised sports. For the few months there is plenty of professional football, basketball and hockey. Yes that is hockey played on ice. These are the days we are thankful for wide screen, high definition television and centrally heated air. The hardy pioneers of America's past would hardly recognise their modern cousins. The more adventurous will head for the ski slopes at Bristol Mountain and snow mobile tracks in the Adirondacks but most of us will stay at home secured against the deep freeze.
All across the northern plains, the midwest, the north-east and New England we will welcome a White Christmas and yes, it really is a magic time. Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, the only thing white about Christmas was the sand on Cottesloe Beach. I am certainly not knocking the thought of a blisteringly hot Christmas day (I still miss those days) but there is something quite wonderful about snow on the ground, a warm fireplace and being all rugged up. Most Australians would give almost anything to experience just one White Christmas in their life.
Last night there was a little snow on the ground. It has melted now but soon it will be a permanent feature and we will shovel it or use a snow blower to remove it from the sidewalks. Yes, sidewalks. A little concession to our American cousins who get a bit confused when I say footpath. Snowblowers are, of course, something most Australians have little knowledge of, for very good reason, but in this part of the world if you have a driveway of any length you have to have a snowblower.
As an Australian it is a unique experience to live in America and I am so grateful for that opportunity. The winter will be long and by the middle of January the magic will be gone. Apart from the snow there is so much to write about. I will think about it so get back to me in a few days.
The summer driving season and baseball are far behind us. We have enjoyed the fall, Halloween and the overindulgence of Thanksgiving but the diversions to come in our times of human hibernation are plentiful and varied. For just one there are the televised sports. For the few months there is plenty of professional football, basketball and hockey. Yes that is hockey played on ice. These are the days we are thankful for wide screen, high definition television and centrally heated air. The hardy pioneers of America's past would hardly recognise their modern cousins. The more adventurous will head for the ski slopes at Bristol Mountain and snow mobile tracks in the Adirondacks but most of us will stay at home secured against the deep freeze.
All across the northern plains, the midwest, the north-east and New England we will welcome a White Christmas and yes, it really is a magic time. Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, the only thing white about Christmas was the sand on Cottesloe Beach. I am certainly not knocking the thought of a blisteringly hot Christmas day (I still miss those days) but there is something quite wonderful about snow on the ground, a warm fireplace and being all rugged up. Most Australians would give almost anything to experience just one White Christmas in their life.
Last night there was a little snow on the ground. It has melted now but soon it will be a permanent feature and we will shovel it or use a snow blower to remove it from the sidewalks. Yes, sidewalks. A little concession to our American cousins who get a bit confused when I say footpath. Snowblowers are, of course, something most Australians have little knowledge of, for very good reason, but in this part of the world if you have a driveway of any length you have to have a snowblower.
As an Australian it is a unique experience to live in America and I am so grateful for that opportunity. The winter will be long and by the middle of January the magic will be gone. Apart from the snow there is so much to write about. I will think about it so get back to me in a few days.
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