Archives for the ‘Blog Entries.Local’ Category

Stormy Afternoon Smoke and Beer

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Dec 13th, 2021
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

The weather last Saturday a bit out of the ordinary, especially for a mid-December day. But, this is Virginia, so no weather pattern can really be classified as unexpected. The day was cloudy and windy, though the temperature rose to 70° by mid-afternoon. After hanging Christmas lights in the morning, I headed to the porch with a cigar and a beer. 

My beverage selection was the 2021 Anchor "Our Special Ale." The Winter Warmer style ale pours a deep brown shade with a stiff and long lasting beige head. I was surprised by the thick head during the first pour and nearly overflowed the glass. The aroma has notes of dark bread, nutmeg, and ginger, all with a faint rum-like undertone. 

Sipping brings forth a pleasing combination of roasted notes, molasses, mild holiday spice, and citrus. The profile is balanced with no one flavor dominating. A lingering sweet malt and coffee comes out in the finish. Overall, a very tasty winter libation and one I'll enjoy frequently while it's available.


For the accompanying smoke, I decided to revisit the Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary I sampled last month. As expected, I got the same sweet, wood, and earth notes. Previously, my pairing featured an Oktoberfest beer, a combination that I found to be less than ideal. The Anchor Ale I opted for this time proved much more satisfactory. The richer notes of the beer provided a pleasing contrast to the cigar, and also seemed bring out a bit of toasted flavor in the smoke.

In keeping with the "dark" aspects of the pairing, the darkness of the weather increased as well. About halfway through my smoke the rains began in earnest. Due to the high winds, I could feel the rain coming through the screens of the porch. Relocating to the center of the deck, I escaped the moisture, but the dampness soon had me reaching for my sweatshirt. The thermometer still read 70°, which was actually up a degree from when I started the smoke, though it felt much cooler. The loud rainfall did force me to turn the volume up on my music, but it was still an enjoyable afternoon. 

Returning inside, Colleen informed me the pot of bison chili she'd been working on was ready to serve. The meal provided a fine finish and perfect warm up from the time spent outside.


Five O’Clock Friday: Beer Magic

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Dec 10th, 2021
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

 If only . . .

Andrew Flusche Scholarship Winner, Asjia RobersonAsjia is from Redondo Beach, CA. She will be attending the University of Southern California where she will be an Architecture major.

Asjia plans to work on building sustainable structures and to help the fight to end homelessness.

Thank you to all our applicants, and good luck with school!

Be sure to check out our scholarship page for the Spring 2022 prompt and deadline.

The post Winner of Fall 2021 Andrew Flusche Scholarship appeared first on Andrew Flusche.



A Better Black Friday

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Nov 27th, 2021
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

The day after Thanksgiving, while the family binged on football and computer games, I headed over to the cigar lounge for a relaxing smoke and beer. The newly expanded humidor and lounge at Olde Town Tobacconist (at the farm) was open and I was anxious to peruse the selection. (More on this in a future post.) 

I selected an Oliva Serie V Special V Figurado. The extensive Serie V line is one I've enjoyed frequently, but this doubly-named variety is one I've not had previously. The 6 x 60 figurado features a nipple foot and tapered head. The Habano Sun Grown wrapper is oily and smooth, with a rich chocolate color. The binder and fillers are Nicaraguan with Jalapa Valley Ligero tobacco in the mix. The tiny foot lit quickly and the burn evenly took hold. The flavor profile quickly progressed to a full-bodied blend of coffee, chocolate, and cedar. The smoke was thick and flavorful.


The accompanying beverage was 1781 Brewing Wilderness Porter. This is a new (I believe) porter version from the brewery. It's a full flavored beer with a dark chocolate, caramel, and nutty profile. I detected a hint of roasted mail and smoke. I'm a fan of the 1781 Washington's Hare Porter but this one takes the flavors up a notch and is quite tasty. It's truly a fitting cigar-pairing libation.

The Oliva cigar gave about a 90 minute smoke and offered the opportunity for a second mug of the porter. It was a satisfying pairing and made for an exceptionally enjoyable afternoon. 



A Better Black Friday

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Nov 27th, 2021
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

The day after Thanksgiving, while the family binged on football and computer games, I headed over to the cigar lounge for a relaxing smoke and beer. The newly expanded humidor and lounge at Olde Town Tobacconist (at the farm) was open and I was anxious to peruse the selection. (More on this in a future post.) 

I selected an Oliva Serie V Special V Figurado. The extensive Serie V line is one I've enjoyed frequently, but this doubly-named variety is one I've not had previously. The 6 x 60 figurado features a nipple foot and tapered head. The Habano Sun Grown wrapper is oily and smooth, with a rich chocolate color. The binder and fillers are Nicaraguan with Jalapa Valley Ligero tobacco in the mix. The tiny foot lit quickly and the burn evenly took hold. The flavor profile quickly progressed to a full-bodied blend of coffee, chocolate, and cedar. The smoke was thick and flavorful.


The accompanying beverage was 1781 Brewing Wilderness Porter. This is a new (I believe) porter version from the brewery. It's a full flavored beer with a dark chocolate, caramel, and nutty profile. I detected a hint of roasted mail and smoke. I'm a fan of the 1781 Washington's Hare Porter but this one takes the flavors up a notch and is quite tasty. It's truly a fitting cigar-pairing libation.

The Oliva cigar gave about a 90 minute smoke and offered the opportunity for a second mug of the porter. It was a satisfying pairing and made for an exceptionally enjoyable afternoon. 



Five O’Clock Friday: How Much Longer Until Summer?

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Nov 26th, 2021
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
To regular readers this will come as no surprise.





Five O’Clock Friday: How Much Longer Until Summer?

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Nov 26th, 2021
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
To regular readers this will come as no surprise.





George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Nov 25th, 2021
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

George Washington said it best . . .


By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. 
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go. Washington

 

Although President Washington proclaimed this day of thanksgiving and prayer in 1789, the Thanksgiving Day we celebrate today didn't become a national holiday until 1863 when President Lincoln established the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving.

Have A Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you a day filled with family, friends, and fond memories. May God bless your life with His gifts today and everyday.


George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Nov 25th, 2021
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

George Washington said it best . . .


By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. 
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go. Washington

 

Although President Washington proclaimed this day of thanksgiving and prayer in 1789, the Thanksgiving Day we celebrate today didn't become a national holiday until 1863 when President Lincoln established the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving.

Have A Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you a day filled with family, friends, and fond memories. May God bless your life with His gifts today and everyday.