Reading Goals – 1 Month In

Posted by Jim on Jan 31st, 2012
2012
Jan 31

2012 is one month old, and I have read 11 books.  This represents some great progress towards my goal of reading 15 novels-length works and 15 graphic novels and/or children’s books.  Here is the breakdown so far:

Novel-length

  • Zombie by J. R. Angelella
  • Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
  • The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg et al
  • Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
  • 11/22/63 by Stephen King

Graphic Novels & Children’s Books

  • The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik
  • The Homeland Directive by Robert Venditti
  • The Death-Ray by Daniel Clowes
  • Every Thing On It by Shel Silverstien
  • Lost Trail: Nine Days Alone in the Wilderness by Donn Fendler
  • The Bipollo Seed and Other Lost Stories by Dr. Seuss

My current reading selection is Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell, which will end up being book number one for February.  I also checked Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem out from the library; I will read it once I’m finished with Ms. Vowell.

The Allies Win the War!

Posted by Jim on Jan 27th, 2012
2012
Jan 27

21rst Amendment Allies Win the War!
4.43/5
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A cellar temperature can is poured into a pint glass. A big creamy tan head rests atop a clear, dark ruby liquid. Lots of carbonation can be seen within.

A very pleasing aroma can be smelled from this beer. I picked up on it as soon as I began pouring. There’s the aroma of caramelized sugar and toffee. Some light grassy hops round it out.

The beer has a fine toffee flavor. It is slightly sweet, but also has a good level of hops to balance things out.

The beer is full bodied, but isn’t overly sticky or too strongly carbonated.

I really like this beer. I find it to be a great example of the style. I didn’t even know this beer existed a few days ago! It’s another great beer from 21rst Amendment! Recommended.

A Happy, Hoppy Discovery

Posted by Jim on Jan 12th, 2012
2012
Jan 12

Cottrell Brewing Mystic Bridge IPA

4.43/5
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I received this bottle as part of a mystery 6 pick my wife picked up at a local Whole Foods; included were some Brooklyn, Dogfish and Mission Street beers, plus this one, the only one in the pack I had never tried. The bottle has been chilling in my cellar. It is marked best by April (I’ll assume in 2012).

The beer is translucent and colored dark copper. A large off white foam head fills the top portion of my pint glass. As it settles, lots of lacing is left behind. There is some visible carbonation within the glass, but it is hard to see.

The beer has a big, earthy hop aroma. I could smell the hops as soon as I opened the bottle; it only became more strong as I poured. The hops come across as somewhat oily. The are notes of grass and forests, but there isn’t a strong pine presence.

This is a tasty IPA. Hops are strong and present throughout each sip, but they aren’t overpowering. This is a hoppy IPA, but nowhere near DIPA levels. Some sweetness is also present, but it works well with the hops. Lots of earthy flavors are present, mirroring the aroma.

The beer isn’t very sticky. The hops are a little oily and provide a lot of tingling sensations. Coating is small, but does have some good hop flavors.

I like this IPA. Since it was a beer I was unfamiliar with, I will say that I am both surprised and impressed. I will have to drink this one again.