I choose to wake every morning by the mellow tunes of NPR's Morning Addition. I, like my wife, get almost 85% of my discussable news from the two to three hours of repetitive snippets that flows into my brain as I mindlessly stir myself awake to face the day. The side affect is my last few dreaming moments are mutated with actual events that leave me wandering if I was involved in the train wreck in India or was this just something that I heard. Needless to say, it can provide for some pretty intense, colorful, and scary dreams.
The same was true today as they discussed a group working for B.P. skimming for oil in the marshes of Louisiana. They, unfortunately, were doing in incorrectly which only results in more damage, maybe irrevocable, to the marshlands. By the time I was brushing my teeth the story had long passed, but the memory of my dreams had not. I was there at the marsh, with the tools, the heat, working with the smell of salt and oil chemicals burning my noise.
Makes for a pretty confusing time as I try to decipher if this is a real memory, a manifested dream, or something I had just heard in passing. My face stays contorted, trying to decide, until the top of the hour saves me when the story replays itself. A deep sigh of relief followed by a wondering of what horrid news will warp my dreams tomorrow...
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Abita Is Stepping up to the Plate
Louisiana has many things it can call it's own. Many things to be proud of. These call-signs usually involve food, or culture, or bitching parties (mardi gras). But, one great institution that is solely Louisiana is the Abita Brewing Company. They have been producing quality beer since 1986. That's 24 years of brewing genius. They have recently moved beyond the bounds of a microbrewery and are a mainstream staple amongst beer connoisseurs. And their quality speaks for itself.
Whether it is the always impressive and crisp Abita Amber, to the ever so refreshing, summer Abita Satsuma, your taste buds bounce and leap with an over 21 joy. But the beer is only one part that makes them great.
Its' not the free tour...which is pretty awesome with all you can drink beer. It's not the post consumer grade, recycled materials used in both the bottles and the six-pack packaging...which is virtually unheard of in your big 3 companies of mass produced rice beer. But, it's their dedication to the community that shows a commitment to the consumer as a person and not a dollar sign.
After Hurricane Katrina, which needs no introduction or explanation, they came out with and produced a Restoration Ale. Quite possibly one of the best ales on the market. A portion of the sale of these went to efforts for restoring the area after Hurricane Katrina. Awesome!
Now, they have responded to the disaster in the gulf. They have just come out with a SOS Pilsner. Which, I drink as I write this...and I admit is very good. I have taken this description from the Abita Website:
Working with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board (LSPMB), Abita Beer announced that it has established ‘SOS – A Charitable Fund’ that will assist with the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill.
The fund has pledged that 100% of all money raised will go to charity. In addition, the Louisiana Seafood Marketing Board will play an important role in advising where the money can do the most good. An advisory committee is being established as the donation process and grant procedures are finalized.
The centerpiece of the fundraising effort is a new charitable beer created by Abita. The brew, called SOS – A Charitable Pilsner, will generate 75¢ for every bottle sold. This Abita Beer is a message in a bottle...a distress signal for the troubled waters of our Gulf Coast. For every bottle sold Abita will donate 75¢ to the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill. This unfiltered Weizen Pils is made with Pilsner and Wheat malts. It is hopped and dry hopped with Sterling and German Perle hops. It has a brilliant gold color, a sweet malt flavor, and a pleasant bitterness and aroma.
In addition, related retail merchandise (hat, tee shirt, lapel pin, decal and car magnet) will be sold and 100% of the net proceeds will also go to the SOS Fund.
I write this to inform and encourage. You can always donate directly to the fund or to another related organization, but this is just another, fun way to contribute. Bottoms Up!
Picture I took from the tour. All free, fill it up yourself
Whether it is the always impressive and crisp Abita Amber, to the ever so refreshing, summer Abita Satsuma, your taste buds bounce and leap with an over 21 joy. But the beer is only one part that makes them great.
Its' not the free tour...which is pretty awesome with all you can drink beer. It's not the post consumer grade, recycled materials used in both the bottles and the six-pack packaging...which is virtually unheard of in your big 3 companies of mass produced rice beer. But, it's their dedication to the community that shows a commitment to the consumer as a person and not a dollar sign.
After Hurricane Katrina, which needs no introduction or explanation, they came out with and produced a Restoration Ale. Quite possibly one of the best ales on the market. A portion of the sale of these went to efforts for restoring the area after Hurricane Katrina. Awesome!
Now, they have responded to the disaster in the gulf. They have just come out with a SOS Pilsner. Which, I drink as I write this...and I admit is very good. I have taken this description from the Abita Website:
Working with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board (LSPMB), Abita Beer announced that it has established ‘SOS – A Charitable Fund’ that will assist with the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill.
The fund has pledged that 100% of all money raised will go to charity. In addition, the Louisiana Seafood Marketing Board will play an important role in advising where the money can do the most good. An advisory committee is being established as the donation process and grant procedures are finalized.
The centerpiece of the fundraising effort is a new charitable beer created by Abita. The brew, called SOS – A Charitable Pilsner, will generate 75¢ for every bottle sold. This Abita Beer is a message in a bottle...a distress signal for the troubled waters of our Gulf Coast. For every bottle sold Abita will donate 75¢ to the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill. This unfiltered Weizen Pils is made with Pilsner and Wheat malts. It is hopped and dry hopped with Sterling and German Perle hops. It has a brilliant gold color, a sweet malt flavor, and a pleasant bitterness and aroma.
In addition, related retail merchandise (hat, tee shirt, lapel pin, decal and car magnet) will be sold and 100% of the net proceeds will also go to the SOS Fund.
I write this to inform and encourage. You can always donate directly to the fund or to another related organization, but this is just another, fun way to contribute. Bottoms Up!
You, Me, and Jack Johnson
Last weekend, Eliz and I zipped off to D.C. for some fun and revelry. Our two fold mission had a singular theme. Have fun with our friends and have fun at the Jack Johnson Concert! Overall, the weekend was a success.
We flew in late on Friday night and flew out mid morning on Sunday, so it was basically a day in D.C. (truth be told the concert was outside of Baltimore, we just stayed in D.C.). Saturday morning was spent at Great Falls National Park. It was a pretty neat little place. We had the opportunity to watch a couple of kayakers shoot the rapids and an osprey soar over head. We spent too much time there and had to race back to shower up for the concert.
For those of you who are not familiar with Jack Johnson, let me show you a video of his from his new record:
So, he's pretty cool, and one of two or three people I have always really, really wanted to see in concert. It was a good time, but has been a long time since I have been to concert with so many damn people. Eliz and I have been able to stay off the mainstream long enough that the concerts we attend are roughly a tenth that size. I think there were something like 30,000 peeps. That was kinda a nightmare, but worth it to relax in some great music. We were able to pack a bag with fruit, hummus, a baguette, and some bottle water which made it all the easier, and cheaper. I, unfortunately, didn't get too many pics, but I did manage a bootleg video...which won't load up for some reason. But, here is what I do have:
People at the Concert
Jack on the Big Screen
One cool thing that did happen to us was getting bumped to First Class on our flight home. Eliz and I have never had the pleasure to fly first class, where the air is crisp. It was quite possibly the best flying experience I have ever had. We didn't get just three measly options of snacks...no relegated to pretzels, cookies, or peanuts, no sir. We had those options, plus fruit, candy, and candy bars, and we had multiple opportunities to have them. Our drinks were served in real glasses and there was bottled water waiting for us as we sat down (we didn't drink it as we don't support bottle water). It was the coolest part of the day, I must admit. I am all about the free upgrade!
Eliz enjoying the first class
Lastly, I wanted to post a short video of Eliz who was super excited to get there Friday night. I will probably get in trouble for this, but she was standing at the airport, waiting for our ride and doing a little happy dance. I managed to get just a glimpse before she noticed I was filming...
We flew in late on Friday night and flew out mid morning on Sunday, so it was basically a day in D.C. (truth be told the concert was outside of Baltimore, we just stayed in D.C.). Saturday morning was spent at Great Falls National Park. It was a pretty neat little place. We had the opportunity to watch a couple of kayakers shoot the rapids and an osprey soar over head. We spent too much time there and had to race back to shower up for the concert.
For those of you who are not familiar with Jack Johnson, let me show you a video of his from his new record:
So, he's pretty cool, and one of two or three people I have always really, really wanted to see in concert. It was a good time, but has been a long time since I have been to concert with so many damn people. Eliz and I have been able to stay off the mainstream long enough that the concerts we attend are roughly a tenth that size. I think there were something like 30,000 peeps. That was kinda a nightmare, but worth it to relax in some great music. We were able to pack a bag with fruit, hummus, a baguette, and some bottle water which made it all the easier, and cheaper. I, unfortunately, didn't get too many pics, but I did manage a bootleg video...which won't load up for some reason. But, here is what I do have:
One cool thing that did happen to us was getting bumped to First Class on our flight home. Eliz and I have never had the pleasure to fly first class, where the air is crisp. It was quite possibly the best flying experience I have ever had. We didn't get just three measly options of snacks...no relegated to pretzels, cookies, or peanuts, no sir. We had those options, plus fruit, candy, and candy bars, and we had multiple opportunities to have them. Our drinks were served in real glasses and there was bottled water waiting for us as we sat down (we didn't drink it as we don't support bottle water). It was the coolest part of the day, I must admit. I am all about the free upgrade!
Lastly, I wanted to post a short video of Eliz who was super excited to get there Friday night. I will probably get in trouble for this, but she was standing at the airport, waiting for our ride and doing a little happy dance. I managed to get just a glimpse before she noticed I was filming...
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