Mellody Brewing

Get Free From The Middle Man

It's the end of another year, and as I am in a state of limbo during this milestone time we face each year , it really could not be more poingant for me to stop and reflect.  I'm living in a place that isn't my home, with my life split between two states, both of mind and of geography.  While I work to connect these two I look back at the year and realize how great it's been.  Still, I don't seem to be where I wanted to be 364 days ago.  The journey is part of the process, and I will for sure continue but I hope that 2009 brings me closer to where I want to be.  I'm not one for resolutions but I'm going to be different, act different and well - get back to myself.  The slide show above showcases what a great year it's been, in both beer and in life.  The song, from Spoon is my latest favorite and seemed fitting.  Listen to the lyrics, maybe you'll see why.

Happy New Year to you all and here's to more of the above in 2009!

Merry Christmas!

It's time to sit back with family and friends, relax and reflect on the importance of things like family, health, love and friendship.  It's also time to try new beers if you asked me.  I'll be celebrating the holiday with my family over the next few days, sharing some of the beers I bottled from St. Somewhere as well as some big beers from Iron Hill Brewery.  I'm sure there will be more too.  To you and yours, have a blessed Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

Scatter Brained Ideas

Being that my brain never seems to want to shut off, and I'm constantly working every angle of a situation this last week has been extremely tiring.  I'm balancing a new job, looking for a place to live in Philadelphia, renting my condo in Florida and hopefully beginning a new life in brewing here.  I've been thinking about everything from, can I brew here (when I'm looking at potential units) to how close is this to a brewery (for volunteering) and even what bar is close by for me to enjoy my favorite craft beers.  I also find myself thinking, hmmm this would be a great location for a bar/brewery.  The last thought mostly happens in Lansdale - the suburb where my family lives.

I'm all over the place and despite it I'm excited.  I'm glad to be home, albeit for a few weeks at the moment until the final move north between Christmas and New Years.  I feel at home, at peace and ready for what's next.  That's even without having a place to live, a job that's fully understood and beer that has yet to be drank at my parent's house for the holidays.  Ah, the stress of the holidays...and to think I haven't even started shopping yet.

I'm Back, Baby!

I came running back for forgiveness.

Maybe This Christmas

Years ago my family started what they don't even realize was a tradition, at least it is in my mind.  We spend Christmas Eve alone, just us sharing a home cooked meal.  Afterward we light the Christmas tree and open presents together.  We sit and exchange gifts on the floor like we did when we were children, except now the gift giving involves a few adult beverages.  Years ago my father turned me onto Port and thus we usually get a fun bottle of Port or spiced wine to share during the unwrapping.  Then when I was working on the Main Line I found a beer distributor that sold, GASP, craft beer.  This was about 8 years ago, when finding a case of Sierra Nevada in the Philadelphia area was rare, and expensive.  I usually got a sample pack from a local brewery, be it: Victory, Yards, Flying Fish, Pocono Brewing, Dog Fish Head..I'll never forget having Golden Monkey and 60 Minute IPA for the first time while sharing the holiday with my family.

I'm excited to do this again this year, and will be searching out a few select bottles to have for the family again this year.  I'm sure we'll have bottles of St. Somewhere, as I'm trucking home a case and a half worth, but I'm wondering what else I should get.  I have two weeks to figure it out and will be searching while I do my on-line shopping.  Any suggestions?

Hell Yeah!

 

This is hard to read, so I'll recap.  I contacted Yards Brewery about volunteering with them once I'm back in Philadelphia.  Their response is very hopeful.  I'm excited...

Have I finally found something worth living for?

Library of Congress via AFP/Getty Images - USA TODAY

Today marks the 75th Anniversary of the end to Prohibition.  Now traditionally the 75th wedding anniversary is not anything special, since most marriages I guess don't really get that far...sad.  But like the diamond, gold or paper years the 70th is platinum according to wikipedia.  So what is the 75th? Anyway, I digress.  I am excited to have never had to experience the dry life, except those weird days during Senior Week when we were in a "Dry" country in NJ.  I guess at the University of Scranton too, which was/is a "Dry" campus, achem...yeah...right?!

This is the only ammendment to the Constitution to be repealed, yet there still remains some archeic laws around alcohol in various states.  Like Sunday sales being prohibited, or the sales of only cases of beer in Pennslyvania, or lower alcohol amounts in Utah.  It's a interesting legacy of the church vs. state relationship if you ask me.  I mean, can you really say those laws and prohibition didn't have a religious aspect to it, even if only underlying.

Anyways, raise a pint tonight, crack a Bud, pour a wine cooler, share some wine and of course DO SOME SHOTS!!!  It's your right and thankfully we live in a society where you're free to drink as much or as little as you please.  I, sir - thank you and will have another.

In honor of this historic anniversary, we bring back the Hootenanny as well.

Mellody Brewing Top 20 List

Over the last year or so I've had the opportunity to have some of the best rated beers of the world.  This is based on ratings from either Beer Advocate or Rate Beer.  I've written about the lists before and my feelings on rankings.  That's why I feel it's time for a real list...my list.  Now. This means I need to sample each of the top 10 beers on each sites list.  I will then re-rank them.  So, we're going to be keeping the top 20 list in order by BA Top Ten then Rate Beer Top Ten on the side bar.  The goal is to try them all in the next year.  We'll be on the hunt for the beers from here on out.  Looks for reviews on What's Pouring and stories here about the hunt as well.  Once we get them all, we'll begin ranking.

This shall be fun.  If you disagree with the list, let me know...maybe we'll have to add a readers Top 10 and make the list from that.

Let the games begin.

A Good Beer Day

Today was one of the days where I was happy at work.  Weird? Not really.  In general, with exception of lots of the last year I have always loved my job.  I work with some of the smartest people and companies that are huge players in the US and abroad.  Today, I got a small taste of my new job, and I'm siked.  That's right, I said siked.  In my new role I will be working directly with clients and assessing how to best service them, and working with my team to make an impact in how they do business.   I am already seeing how this job will help me someday in the beer industry.

So, what makes this a perfect beer day? Well, what a better way to celebrate feeling good about a decision then to some home and crack a good beer in reverence of the day.  Today's choice?  A left over St. Arnold Summer Pils.  It was time to drink this beer as it won't age as well as the few Dogfish 120 Minute beers I have and other rare treats.  It was a refreshing way to reflect on a decision that I've been stressing about as I go through the throws of preparing to move.  Packing and organizing is made so much easier with a cold beer by your side.

10 Things I'm Excited About in Philadelphia

1. Yards ESB
2. Philadelphia Brewing Company
3. Philly Craft Beer Week
4. Monk's Cafe
5. Brewing on a cold winter day
6. Finding a local bar to call my own
7. Standard Tap
8. Memphis Tap Room
9. Seven breweries with in 30 minute drive
10. Homebrew with the family