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.

Beering in Pittsburgh: Go Local

So it turns out they let me back at another NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) Conference, this time in sunny Pittsburgh. I know why NSBE insists on having these conferences in March in the midwest, but this is killing me. Last year we were snowed up in St. Louis. This year it's frigid Pittsburgh. Next year in balmy Indianapolis, and then Nashville. Whatever happened to New Orleans. Anyway moving on.

In between working at the conference, we do like to check out the local flavor of the city, and of course that means we go local with the beer. So let's begin...

Beer Log: March 28, 2012

State: At Six Penn Kitchen

East End Nut Brown Ale

Right on the corner of 6th and Penn (creative eh?), this place was very hip. Lot's of beautiful people all over the place, drinking it up on a Wednesday afternoon. Anyway, they only had two locals ... hold up

Beer log: Right now

State: watching Drinking made Easy with the wife

Widmer Dark Saison

Just picked this up from Specs. It is in fact a dark brown color but is rather clear. Light white head. The wife was drinking it but she wasn't feeling it, so she gave me the rest of her beer. Light estery with caramel malt nose. The taste has that classic sour saisonness that we like, with a light grittiness to the body, which I like in my saisons. I get a very faint caramel malt (for all that color especially) and the beer finishes with a funky sour bitterness. I think it should be a little colder, but I'm not digging this one too much. I fear this beer has fallen into the category of beer that I used to love but just can't get into these days, Dunkels. Beers that are typically light that they darken up with more malt. Anyway, the more you drink it you a very nice soft banana and passion fruit, but it is fleeting. I'm sure I'll still find a home for it, but give me High 2 stars.

Ok back to Pittsburgh

I am very much looking forward to this Nut Brown ale, as apparantly it's kind of a big deal in these parts. I get a beer that's deep brown in color with a very thin white head. Nose has hints of chocolate, moderate nuttiness and something like dark cherries. Beer is very English to me. Low malt and all. The more I drink it I get something that reminds me of bitter chocolate powder. Not quite the cinnamon challenge or anything. The beer is rather dry and a bit sour. Not digging this one. Low 2 Stars. Not going to lie, I got with the Victory Hop Devil (which was also everywhere) the rest of the night. Also, I've never been a Nut Brown guy (no homo).

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.

Lazy Magnolia

A few days ago I was logged this review. I'm glad Mississippi is finally doing some microbrewing. But I must say they stumbled out of the gate.

I did enjoy my time when I lived in Miss right after college. Everyone was very nice and the community took us in. Too bad we did not get into beer until a couple years ago. All that wasted time.

Beer Log: A few days ago

State: Watching The Tudors, damn this show kicks ass.

Southern Pecan Nut Brown

I picked up this and a few other Lazy Mags when I was last in New Orleans.

Smells a little fruity and malty. A touch of nutiness. Taste is roasty and whatnot, and a little sour. A nice bread in the aftertaste. A light hops to boot. Got a nice cloudy brown color with a nice liht brown head. Second draught gives me some more tang. There is something missing here, and I'm thinking this beer just needs some backbone, particularly a malt backbone. The wife just said it's an English Brown Ale, and that seems to make sense. Low 3 Star.

I really and truly hope Lazy Mag keeps the party going. I don't plan on getting any closer to Mississippi than New Orleans any time soon, but I may try to take a quick trip one of these days. Keep it going.