Mississippi makes it to Houston

It was late August 2005. I was driving my still new convertible on highways with down trees, leaves everywhere, and down power lines. My wife of 2 months was in her car following me. Our lovely condo on a golf course on the water could not possibly have stood a chance right? Hurricane Katrina was as huge as the Gulf itself, and all we had was some little sandbags. I listened to classical music on my XM radio as the local stations were all down. The wife was unemployed and I had just started out of college, and the only big valuable I could think of was my 10" piece of the goal post from the game where Georgia Tech beat Auburn the year before.

Much to our surprise, we had no damage at all at our condo. Down trees everywhere but nothing was wrong, just spoiled food in the fridge. Fortunately our place which was completely submerged was saved by the double paned windows due to the extra protection they had for golf courses. We lived on the first tee. We packed up about two weeks worth of stuff and high tailed it to Houston. I was transferring to Houston anyway in a couple weeks and the job let me leave early.

First off we didn't know we were the first set in a HUGE number of evacuees to come to Houston, and second, who the hell puts a damn microbrewery in coastal Mississippi just after we leave? I know I was just getting into craft beer in those days, as I had just discovered Shiner Bock on a training trip to Houston, but whatever.

Anyway, Lazy Mag has finally made it Houston and I cannot wait to start slamming some of that Indian Wheat during the oppressive heat of the Gulf Coast summers.

Beer Log: Right now

State: Just got back from Petrol Station, chilling out with the baby awaiting a crazy week at the job

Lazy Magnolia Deep South Pale Ale

First off, you cannot imagine how tempting it is for me to mix in dixieland and slavery references all throughout this beer review, but that was would just be wrong and mean spirited. Huge white poofy head on a light very clear amber beer. The nose is a little malt, a little veggie, and some slight funky hops (seems like noble hops here). Taste has a light hops and malt, followed up by some noticeable metallic flavor. That melds away to sourdough bread and lastly some very bitter hop finish. Hmmmm. Just a wash of different flavors as it goes across my tongue (no homo). The metal flavor mixed with the lemony/grassy hops may not be the best for a Pale Ale, but I fricken LOVE IT in my Czech Pilsners. If they backed off the malt and used some bottom fermenting yeast, you could have just injected it in my veins. The more I drink it, the more I enjoy the flavor but that metal is throwing things off. Low 3 Stars.

May be a little off on the trip to Houston, but I know the next time we hit the Beau Rivage, I'm going to ordering a lot of this one at the craps table.

Lazy Mag Southern Pecan

Much appreciation for the deep south ingredients in the beer. Coastal Mississippi was a great place on the map. Everybody was very nice, we got involved with the local high school football team, and New Orleans was a quick trip away. Anyway, here we go... Clear beer again but ruby amber. Big offwhite head this time yielding a slight nutty malt (no homo). Everyone that knows me knows that me and nut brown ales do not mix. And sadly this is still the same here. I get a nuttiness and some light malt and chocolate. Still getting some of that metal as well. Anyway, no rating as this is one of my least favorite styles.

Great first start overall, still waiting for boys from coastal Mississippi. And to commemorate, a little tune from Coastal Mississippi's finest joining up with Houston Rap Legends. If you are at work, you may want to put on the headphones for this one.

Shiner ALE?

Looks like our friends at Spoetzl got a hair up their you know what and made a fricken pale ale! Shiner has always been that ice cold lager of Texas, but I cannot wait to blog this one up.

Beer Log: Right now

State: Watching UFC 143 Pre-fight press conference on youtube, pretty sleepy.

Shiner Wild Hare Pale Ale

Man I hung out with the boys last Saturday night very late, and I don't think I have recovered, and it's THURSDAY. Dammit I must be getting old. Moving on. Beer pours with the hugest head I've ever seen on a Shiner beer. Lasting power with an amber color. The beer has a very nice oatmeal cookie and English muffin thing. I'm getting something like the cinnamon toast the baby likes so much. The beer has a light english muffin and toast flavor. The hops are moderate and it's very balanced with the moderate caramel malt. Extremely clean with no butter flavor that I get from so many craft pale ales. I think the Southern Star Pine Belt has it beat in intensity, but this one is very sessionable. I could see me slamming a lot of this at a tailgate in the summer time. High 3 stars.

BeerBrotha Sports Review: Beatdowns all Around

So last weekend I hit the mean streets of Houston to see some mixed martial arts at Legacy Fights out in the Sharpestown area of the Houston at Arena Theatre. It's a little hood over there, and when you get close you will hear this music...



The place was so Sharpestown I loved it! Super loud music, tons of security, the place looks like it was designed in the 70s, and even guys throwing up hand signs for what part of town their from.

Anyway, it works out well for me, b/c I saw some great local guys go at it in the ring (no homo), and then made it a B-Line to one of my friends' house for a midnight brunch, pretty cool. And then the next night Jon Jones blasts this dude and is ready to take on the best in the UFC. And even better, tomorrow night we've got my favorite fighter Anderson Silva taking on Chael "the Mouth" Sonnen. Loving life.

Anyway, the other day I finally was able to drink the Deathly Pale Ale by Reaper Ale , who wins the award for the scariest craft beer website. This is kinda freaking me out. Pretty hardcore name. It had a nice set up with huge head, light amber color and cloudy. Nose is a good strong citrus hops, light on the malt. Nice and strong on the hops, taking over that low caramel malt. Very smooth as well. High 3 Stars. I can only imagine how good it would be if I didn't leave it in the back of my cabinet for like 3 years.

Philadelphia's getting Nut Browned...

Sitting here watching some Backyardigans. Was supposed to be at Yardhouse and then a house party, but the baby is sick. No big deal. At least after this I can watch the Iggles-Cowgirls game.

Beer Log: Right now
State: Slight headache, just polished off 4 slices of stuffed crust pizza

Warm Welcome Nut Browned Ale
Clear and golden colored. Nose is a touch malty sweet and veggie like. The taste is a touch malty sweet and veggie like. Crisp with a sweet brown sugar after taste. Goes down kinda easy. A touch of sourness as it warms up, like a lemon thing. I'll take it for an english style brown ale. Not much in the way of nuts. Just a pinch of hops in the aftertaste. Nice. 3 Stars for the gentlemen at Ridgeway.

Well, we're over hear hoping Philly beats the Boys.

Beer Log: And a half hour later
State: Headache, need more beer.

Well Dallas is about to go up 21-7 and this will really suck. We're still high on the Texans showing up and getting 'er done against Nengland. So to help channel some energy to the Eagles...

Mad Anthony APA from Erie Brewing in Erie, Pennsylvania
Ok this is really eerie. As soon as I pour the beer Romo throws two incomplete passes and now Dallas will have to kick the field goal. Clear with tinged gold and big head. Nose is kinda hoppy and malty, but not much. The beer has a strong citrus hop without much malt to balance. Also, it seemed a little watery. Second draught gets rid of the wateriness, but doesn't help with the malt.

Mike Vick just turned the ball over while I was reading up on this beer on Erie's website. Should have known something was going to happen when this beer claimed a balance of hops and malt. Now Dallas is first and goal. Dammit all.