That would be Brooks Orpik showing America how you play defense. Just in case you missed it he did it 3 more times in a total span of 15 seconds. Tomorrow night is going to be a slugfest and I’ll be loving every minute of it from F balcony. Up first though is softball practice tomorrow for Yinz Team. Should be a beautiful day for a drive to Churchill.
Well I had every intention of keeping the blog up to date over the extended holiday but as a sign from above, my machine died. It had ceased to be. I spent 4 whole days on a very slow P2-366 I still had in my basement. All is well now but man I got so much done not being online 
Drew came in from Delaware for the holiday. We spent Monday at Nick & Tara’s for a cookout and watched the Pens game back at my place. Tuesday was supposed to be a golf day but I didn’t feel like being electrocuted in a lightning storm. Drew and I got in a great 2 hour workout at the gym and I was ready top tear something up. That “something” ended up being a Primantis Roast Beef. So yeah, it was a nice relaxing weekend.
Wanna feel old? For all of you who have known me for awhile, my brother’s oldest kid graduated high school last week. Yeah, let that one settle in a bit. When I moved here she was 8. Talk about a fast 10 years.
Didn’t think I’d get it in did ya? What do you expect when the Pens are playing in the Stanley Cup Finals? *SHEESH* They won tonight btw, 3-2
Great Lakes has always been a favorite brewery of mine since I started into craft beer. Yeah i know, it’s close to where I’m from but that’s not why I enjoy them. Trust me there has been plenty of junk beer brewed in the Great Lakes area of PA/OH/NY. Honestly I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad beer from them.
My first experience with the IPA came a couple weeks ago when I went Cornholing. Since we had some leftovers I decided to throw a couple in my fridge for later so I could revisit when my taste wasn’t tainted with Yuengling.
The Commodore Perry pours a light to medium golden body (which is uniquie for IPA’s I usually drink) with a healthy head. For the lacing addicts I’m currently half way done with my glass and it’s keeping a hold with strength and grace. The nose on this threw me off. Under a blind smell test I would have sworn this was a Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. A floral of hops and malt. The taste was very interesting which kept me investigating. Most of the time I have a lingering taste of hops in my mouth but this one has a nice malt finish to take away from the bite of the hops.
final verdict: If you’re a fan of IPA’s and you like the mild sweetness of malt then you should waste no time in picking up a 6 pack.
Great Lakes website: www.greatlakesbrewing.com
cheers!
I’ve taken my fair share of shots at Danny Onorato for the blatantly idiotic drink tax that he rushed into service so it shocked me, no wait, it amazed me that certain city council members had a fit about proposed banners that were to be hung downtown on Fifth Avenue Place in support of the Pens. (*the Pens have since nixed this idea*).
Pittsburgh political powers started firing emails back and forth debating if this should be allowed because, out of fear that the Burgh will turn into NYC and the bright neon lights would create a soft glow of electric sex, is in a battle with Lamar over it’s desire to put a sign on the new Grant Street Transportation mecca.
In a matter of one business day our favorite political media whores were out defending or refusing the Pens signage… which wasn’t even ordered. With the city being caught in Stanley Cup Fever it was time to jump on the bandwagon and get on the news. Doug Shields, City Coucil King of the Rivers, came out with the best comment of forever. “Get a bedsheet and hang it off your front porch.” Classy Doug… real classy. And people wonder why we’re called Pennsyltucky.
Btw, if you haven’t heard, our mayor doesn’t know if he should pay to go to the Stanley Cup Finals in Detroit. Realizing that our mayor MUST be strapped for cash, beloved F1 resident and Ian Moran for President supporter, Jesse White, offered up one of his seats to the mayor as a sign of patriotism. Can Luke hang with our gang in F Balcony? Probably not but we would make him say “move forward” repeatedly so we can drink with pittgirl. On his tab of course.
cheers!
I love 3 Sons Dogs & Suds and spend a lot of time there. If your first thought is “man you’re just tieing one on!”, stop reading now because you’re a tool. The store has become a second home for me because of the people who work there and patrons I hang out with. OK, and the craft beer selection is the best in the city. It’s like a club without the pesky monthly fees and better food.
I have to admit that they do treat myself and others very well. If there is a beer I need and they don’t have it in (and it’s available in PA) they’ll get it. If I have a question, they answer it. If I can’t figure out what to buy, Bill Jr. hits me with something hard and fills my basket with bombers. They have also been very gracious with allowing us to pretty much do anything we need to for our podcast. Within the bounds of good taste of course It’s rare to find an establishment which really believes in making the customer feel at home. I can say that 3 Sons is that business.
If you’re in the area tonight, their 3rd anniversary bash will have FREE BEER samples of Chimay (Chimay Red, Chimay Blue, Chimay Trippel). As with every Thursday, samples run from 6p-8p and will remain open until 9pm. Stop on out and say hi! I’ll even show you the playoff hair first hand.
3 Sons info – website | google maps
Shows SIDT recorded at 3 Sons - Beer Nuts | SIDT Commercial | EP36
Review from my first trip there - I had lunch in heaven today
It’s been a few weeks so what do I do on my first day back… happy hour of course! Lushie and I actually went to dinner at Mad Mex tonight and since it was during happy hour I had to take advantage of the specials. Honestly the $7 for a pint (16oz) seems VERY high since I can buy a bomber bottle (22oz) from 3 Sons Dogs and Suds for $8 but this WAS happy hour so I partaked in 32oz for $7.
Moylan’s is the most hyped beer in recent memory to come into the Commonwealth of PA. A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to get the hopsickle on cask at Fat Heads. A day later 3 Sons announced they had a well stocked supply of all available in PA. I was geeked and when I arrived last Thursday found myself engulfed in the Pens game plus many bottles of Shipwrecked Porter.
The scottish ale comes in at 8% which is around average for a scottish ale/wee heavy. Since this was brought from the server the head had pretty much dissipated. This craft beverage could very well be the best draft I have ever had at a Mad Mex. The perfect mix of hints of malt, hops and fruit with a creamy finish ranks this as a gold medal winner in my book. No lingering overkill taste on the palette makes this a must buy on tap. I’ve been told that this is a must buy also in the bomber bottle so that may be this week.
My opinion, go buy it NOW! Seriously… stop now and buy it. I have a feeling that after a few of these you could live up to it’s aptly titled name.
cheers!
(complete gallery of pics from my phone)
That sums up my Saturday night. For those not native to SWPA’s game of cornholing I’m sure you have a nice perverted image in your heard right now. It’s a game similar to horseshoes where you have 2 teams of 2 (one from each on the ends) and you toss a bean bag at a wooden box with a hole. The contents of the bag has corn, hence cornholing. To find out more go to http://www.americancornhole.org/
The reason for this gathering was to participate in a wake for Flavor Magazine and GO Magazine. That’s right, my writing for Flavor magazine has come to an end. A glorious inferno of beer richness in the flames of past issues. The contributing staff of both magazines joined in the torching of all issues remaining (that we could find) on a night of sports, great beer, good friends and delicious food.
I had just finished up our latest article before the axe fell so maybe I’ll shop that around so it sees the light of day somewhere. I have been talking to my friend Phil about writing more on my developing passion for food and craft beer so we’ll see where that takes me… or just click that link in the nav bar for Food & Drink.
I won’t go into the specifics of the chain of events on how this happened (we’ll cover this on a future SIDT episode) but I do want to thank Laura, Jeanette, Scott and Mike for a fun experience. I add Mike in there because he likes to torment rookies (which we were) and taunted us during the photoshoot. He’s also been the Ask Jeeves of how to write beer articles without boring the shit out of the reader. A core group of us want to keep this thing going so who knows what might spawn from that night.
Up next for SIDT is an appearance in a national magazine (I can’t tell you which one just yet) and there is interest from a few online companies who want to work with us. Either way I’ll always be waiting for that “we’re putting the band back together.” message.
The craft beer guys are ready!
From my seasonal perch in F balcony yesterday I was a part of history as the Pens destroyed (humiliated and any other word you can come up with for complete destruction) the Philadelphia Flyers 6-0 to win the series ending game of the Eastern Conference Finals and finishing with a 12-2 record thus far in the playoffs. 12 and freaking 2! It’s unheard of! those 2 losses came after going up 3 games on the Rangers and Flyers. That’s like in 3 Amigos where Ned and Lucky are parched and out of water meanwhile Dusty has a canteen filled, chugs it down and tosses what’s left aside.
I will give the Flyers fans credit, as much crying and whining they did about the refs/NHL/God/yo momma/Moses/Jesse Jackson/Hillary Clinton/all of Canada being against them, they took the defeat in great stride. Then again when you haven’t won a title since 1975 I guess you’re used to disappointment.
You can search the web all day for reviews of the game. Personally it was gratifying to see finally see this happen in person. I was still a highschool student in Erie when the last Cup finals run was here in the early 90′s so I had no idea what this would be like. 16 years later I’m finally going to see the Finals on home ice. Now I’m understanding what the hardcore yinzers went through before Super Bowl 40. Pittsburgh is regaining it’s title as City of Champions.
What would I like to see? The Detroit/Dallas series go 7 games and multiple overtimes so the Pens could have a good week off before the finals. Since that is a longshot (though I’m pulling for you Dallas) if Dallas wins I’ll be at roughly 2 games. If Detroit wins I have a ticket for one game since the Red Wings would have home ice. A fast internet connection and credit card will be on standby. Regardless, I’ll be on the edge of my seat wherever I am and in 2 weeks the cup will return to Pittsburgh.
LETS GO PENS!
WHAT: Pittsburgh Blogfest 14
WHEN: FRIDAY, May 16th, 2008, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM and beyond!
WHERE: Finnegan’s Wake (near PNC Park, 20 General Robinson St., North Shore, 412-325-2601), in the Pub Room
WHO: All local bloggers/podcasters (and their friends… feel free to bring some even if they don’t blog!)
AND: Ephemera Ephemerae , Inner Bitch, My Brilliant Mistakes, and Have a Good Sandwich.
I’m still debating if I’m going. I always have a good time but last night at 3 Sons was exhausting. Drinking beer and watching hockey is an tedious activity that takes professionalism, stamina and ummmm some other stuff.
bah screw it. I’ll be there. Come out and buy me a beer.
This kinda ties in with the post on the guide to the playoffs. As in most sports it’s thought of as good luck to put down the razor and let the scruff grow in. The NHL has one of the longest playoff seasons (The NBA is longer but that’s not a real sport) so it’s no wonder that these guys have the best looking scruff in pro sports. Well, the exception might be that thing Sidney Crosby is growing. They look like warriors… vikings… hell, they’re metal!
I’ve had a shaved melon for the last 2 years and grew quite fond of it.There have been a couple times when I tried to grow it back and what sprouted was a white boy chia-fro. Yeah, wasn’t a pretty site. This year I decided to nix the playoff beard (since it did SO well last year) and grow playoff hair. Some might think that’s no big deal but I have to admit, I love my shaved head and so does my wife. It’s low maintenance, I save a ton of money on haircuts every month and in the summer it makes my head hella cool. Plus the ladies like to rub it.
The problem is I’m kinda enjoying having a semi-mophead. I’m not crazy about the fact that I have to brush my hair or use product to keep the fro tamed but it IS lookin kinda spiffy. Yup, spiffy. You can’t tell from that pic I wore a hat today but I have to admit it’s growing in nicely. We’ll have to wait for the results of the playoffs but if the hair does come off you know I’m gonna have fun with it. Maybe carve in some designs and give myself a mo hawk.
If anyone is looking for a place to watch the game tonight and can’t make it to the arena, join myself & sickpuppy for free beer sampling at 3 Sons Dogs & Suds in Wexford. They’re staying open until the game is over so come feast on fine craft beers and hotdogs. Stop out and say hi!
cheers!
Today would have been my dad’s 74th birthday and I’ve made a habit of driving to Erie and have a cigar with him at the cemetery. Today though it’s pouring down rain and the motor on my wipers is just about shot so I’m staying home and taking a day for myself. Yeah, and I’m still online. Even when I’m off I’m still on. Happy Birthday dad. Stop the rain and I’ll go outside and have that cigar.
I was sent an invite to join Bright Kite last week and it’s starting to get addicting like Twitter. The jist of BK is that it’s location-based social networking. What I dig is that I can post pics from my cell phone and BK will publish it to my Twitter account. I’m not very kosher on the whole “here is my exact location” idea but you can have that limited to the state you’re in. The plus side though is I can see if anyone else is in my general area when I want to hang out. It’s like a GPS of others.
Pens won 4-2 last night and are 2 games away from the Stanley Cup Finals. Midway through the 2nd period I already had calls from Flyers fans saying the series was over. Nice eh? I’m still sticking with my prediction of Pens in 7 only because Philadelphia fans are insane and can give that team of thugs enough spirit to pull out wins… or Geno will just blast more goals past his biatch Biron and this is over in 4. I have tickets to game 5 so part of me is also hoping that I get to see the clinching game here.
(photos from the google. photoshopped by me)
It can’t go unnoticed that Penguins mania is all over Pittsburgh. As a lifelong Pens fan it’s refreshing to see people wearing something other than a Steelers jersey. If you’re not from the Pittsburgh area, a Steelers jersey is considered by many as acceptable form of clothing for ANY occasion even if it’s at a different sport’s event. After a recent walk through downtown I saw the trend start to shift as people in Pens jerseys were everywhere. Granted it is the Stanley Cup playoffs season but in the past that didn’t matter to yinzers.
Seeing this lead me to think, how is Yinzer Nation dealing with Steeler pre-pre-pre training camp news not leading broadcasts? Maybe some have seen the light that there is life outside the walls of Heinz Field. For those fans confused as to what Penguins hockey is about I’ve made this list to get you ready for the Flyers series and eventually the Stanley Cup Finals.
- Kenny the COTTON CANDY HERE guy and TC the Beer Guy have jobs outside Steeler games. Do not get confused when you see them.
- Pens Station is the main store for Pens swag. There is never enough room to walk around so do NOT go in after you bought that tray of nachos with double cheese.
- Those hotties in Pens clothes are The Pens Patrol They’re the crowd motivators… we think. Honestly besides throwing t-shirts and smiling we don’t really don’t see them.
- While you may enjoy ripping your shirt off and pouring beer over yourself while in a cheering frenzy at Steelers games, please stay dressed here.
- Face fainting, body painting and wearing loud obnoxious clothes are perfectly acceptable. Just ask the Penguin Lady.
- Don’t try to open the roof.
- Average price for a beer at the arena is $8.25. A 30 back of Beast Ice at the local distributor is $14.50. Do the math for the same quality of beer. (*hopefully at the new arena they have craft beers. Pens, call me. we’ll talk*)
- Eat like a champion – If you want loaded nachos and fries there is a stand behind the walking ramp on the South End. Want a burrito the size of your head? C level of the B32 steps i think… don’t quote me.
- Stay in your seat or in the entrance to your section until there is a stoppage in play. If you walk while game is in play you will be hauled up to F Balcony by fans and tossed off. Frankly this should be a rule in all sports. ESPECIALLY Pirates games.
- We have a mascot who is a Penguin, We love Iceburgh and will defend him to the end. Plus he’s no where near as freaky as that Steely guy.
- Cleveland to you is Philadelphia to us.
- If you don’t know what is going on that is perfectly fine but don’t compensate by yelling “SHOOT THE PUCK!”, “HIT HIM!” or “DO SOMETHING”.
- There are 4 lines in hockey just as you swap players on the field. Sidney Crosby won’t play a full 60 minutes. Don’t worry, you won’t even notice.
- The Stanley Cup is the most celebrated trophy in sports. Each member of the winning team gets to spend a day with it and the stories are legendary. It’s also the most accessible trophy to the public and like hockey fans, knows how to party.
- Gary Roberts strikes fear in death. nuff said.
There you go. Anyone else feel free to add to this list. Most importantly enjoy the game.
GO PENS!
