I almost missed this. I was getting ready to enjoy my first Oktoberfest beer of the season, when the reminder of IPA Day crossed my social media feeds. The social media “holiday” is celebrated on the first Thursday of August. Figuring I might as well j…

Warm evenings on the deck are the norm for the summer. For one recent after-dinner repast, I faced the warm air with a favorite cigar from Rocky Patel and a tasty rye whiskey in my glass. Redemption High Rye Bourbon is a easy sipping whiskey. The …

Not too long ago, I found a lone can of Bell’s Brewing Hopslam Ale hiding in the back of the beer fridge. I was excited as I thought I had consumed the last of the supply I acquired in Spring 2019. Those cans were some of the last available after Bell’…

How to wind down the weekend? That was the question after dinner last Sunday. It had been a full weekend of good smokes, drinks, and shooting. It was still warm (I’m sounding like a broken record.) but bearable, with proper refreshments. I went back to…

Sometimes one has to ease in to the weekend, rather than jumping too quickly. Once I finished last week’s work, I opted to chill a bit before dinner with an espresso and a smoke. At the very least, the coffee would give me the the boost to begin the we…

Another hot Saturday, and another hot IDPA match. That’s the pattern for the summer in Virginia. This past weekend the event was the monthly IPDA match at Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club. Five very fun courses of fire awaited the 41 shooters who br…

After that warm IDPA match last Saturday, I was recovered enough after a dinner out with the family to face the heat once again. This time on the back porch for a drink and a smoke. Remember that delicious Bishops Blend cigar I lamented not buying…

On Saturday morning I headed off to Charlottesville to shoot the monthly IDPA match at the Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club. Of late, this is one of two matches I get to most months, and my only range time, so I was looking forward to it.The crowd that ga…

I keep reading there’s an oppressive heat wave coming to Virginia. Really? It’s July. In Virginia. I guess it does qualify as a heat wave, but it’s hardly unusual or even unexpected.More importantly, it was Friday. Despite the reading on the thermomete…

Recently I met up with a cigar smoking friend for beers and smokes at the Olde Town Tobacconist outpost at 1781 Brewing. I started my evening with one of my favorite 1781 beers, and one that makes an excellent cigar pairing, the König Fruhling Dop…