Groove Solution

Cindy Shedd (formerly of Delicious and Whitey Deluca) has a new band Groove Solution, which includes drummer Willy Watson Jr, (Derico’s cousin?) and they are playing Lakeshore Tavern Saturday Jan 3.

Anchor Christmas Ale

From www.anchorbrewing.com:

The brewers of Anchor Steam® Beer are proud to announce the release of our thirty-fourth annual Christmas Ale.

Every year since 1975 the brewers at Anchor have brewed a distinctive and unique Christmas Ale, which is available from early November to mid-January. The Ale’s recipe is different every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew.

Each year our Christmas Ale gets a unique label and a unique recipe for the Ale itself. Although our recipes must remain a secret, many enthusiasts save a few bottles from year to year—stored in a cool dark place—to taste later and compare with other vintages. Properly refrigerated, the beer remains intriguing and drinkable for years, with different nuances slowly emerging as the flavor mellows slightly.

Put this in your brownbag: Santa's Private Reserve

From www.rogue.com:

2006 San Francisco POP Show (12oz bottle)—1st

2005 U.S. Beer Tasting Championships—PNW Champ

More Awards...

“The problem with some people is that when they aren’t drunk, they’re sober. ”

- William Butler Yeats

HISTORY

Rogue’s annual holiday offering, Santa’s Private Reserve, is a variation of the classic Saint Rogue Red, but with double the hops--including Chinook, and Centennial, and a mystery hop called Rudolph by head brewer John “more hops” Maier!

Donald Westlake

Just got the news that Donald Westlake had passed away as I was finishing Duane Swierczynski's The Wheelman- There happened to have been a Westlake reference earlier in the novel that had gotten me thinking about him before I heard the news. Westlake's Parker series (written under pseudonym Richard Stark) have been some of my favorite reads of the last couple years. Westlake was also a big influence on Stephen King and his own Bachman novels.

Read Duane’s blog on Westlake here:

http://secretdead.blogspot.com/2009/01/donald-westlake-aka-richard-stark-1933.html

Duane Swierczynski: The Wheelman

I believe this is Duane Swierczynski's 2nd novel, published in 2002, and once again this does not disappoint. I didn't know what to expect after Secret Dead Men, but this is another fast paced action-packed ride with plenty of twists and turns from start to finish.

The Fox Brew Ha-Ha

Comedy and Beer? I don't see anything wrong with that!

Friday, January 16, 3pm-11pm
Saturday, January 17, 1pm-11pm
Deltaplex Conference Center, Grand Rapids Michigan

more details here:

http://www.101thefoxrocks.com/cc-common/mainheadlines2.html?feed=115009&article=4563000

New Year's Beer (and Mead!)

My friends and I toasted in the new year with some Cyser (Apple and Honey Wine) from the Bardic Wells meadery in Montague and one of those expensive bottles of Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock. Both the mead and beer were wonderful.