Merry Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Seth

To all those celebrating have a Merry Christmas.  To those who don’t enjoy some Christmas Beers.

Santa and Reindeer Beer

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Contract Brewing, Good or Bad?

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Seth

Last night, I was having some beers with folks at City Swiggers and one of the guys is in the process of starting a new brewery. This got us started about contract brewing which seems to be a growing trend as of late.

The overall consensus is that breweries that focus on the beer and refuse to contract brew usually put out a better product.  We all seemed to agree that there is nothing wrong with a brewery choosing to stay small and local, ie: New Glarus.  I feel New Glarus makes amazing beer and yes I wish I could get it regularly here in NYC but the fact that I can’t makes it more special when I manage to have some.

The other reason contract brewing is bad, especially in my opinion, is that when a beer is contract brewed it is not usually brewed with the same love and passion as it would be brewed with at the brewery itself.

Anyways, in fairness I didn’t call out any breweries for now.  Share your thoughts in the comments as I am curious to hear what others think.

And that’s … From My Mellin!

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Norfolk Curling Club Fire

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Seth

Those who know me well are aware that besides beer my other passion is Curling. Yes, I said curling the sport where people slide large rocks down the ice and then sweep.

This past weekend a heinous crime was committed in Norfolk, CT when two teenagers went on a crime spree that included burning down the Norfolk Curling Club for no apparent reason. Luckily, they were not to smart and have already been caught, here is a link to the story, click here.

Since word got out around the curling community early Sunday morning I have been trying to come to gripes with the fact that the Norfolk Curling Club is no longer standing.  The Norfolk Curling Club holds many great memories in my 19 years of curling from the many bonspiels I attended there.  It was such a warm and friendly place where everyone was made to feel welcome (all curling clubs are like this).  My first away curling tournament that I recall as a junior was at Norfolk and my first Men’s Bonspiel was there in 1998, the famed blackout/blizzard spiel.  That men’s bonspiel was also one that one of my mentors took me too and fought for them to allow in a young kid.

The Norfolk Curling Club will be greatly missed but I have faith that they will soon begin rebuilding efforts and it will be just as great as it was before.  I look forward to hearing about the rebuild and to doing my part to help.

Good Curling!

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