Pens home opener is tomorrow! Pens home opener is tomorrow! Pens home opener is tomorrow! Pens home opener is tomorrow! Pens home opener is tomorrow! Pens home opener is tomorrow! Pens home opener is tomorrow! Pens home opener is tomorrow! Pens home opener is tomorrow! Pens home opener is tomorrow! Pens home opener is tomorrow! Pens home opener is tomorrow!

Did you hear? Pens home opener is tomorrow! This is my Christmas.

Be ready.

Since word first broke of this special brew from Dogfish Head was coming out earlier this year I knew it would be a must buy at any price. Apparently I spoke too soon. This champagne size rarity came in at $15 a bottle which for a 10% ABV beer is a bit steep but this is Pennsylvania after all and we’re use to our wallets feeling a bit light after a purchase

From the Dogfish Head website:
This beer is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras which revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilizations to toast special occasions.  The discovery of this beverage pushed back the earliest use of cocoa for human consumption more than 500 years to 1200 BC.  As per the analysis, Dogfish Head’s Theobroma (translated into ‘food of the gods’) is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs (from our friends at Askinosie Chocolate), honey, chilies, and annatto (fragrant tree seeds).

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. Samples I saw poured at 3 Sons last week made me think they were mistaken but sure enough when I poured at home it indeed had a golden hue as you see in the picture above. No way this was going to be a chocolate. As always DFH teaches us to expect the unexpected and the Theobroma lives up to it.

Using my always trustworthy Dogfish Head glass the Theo poured a hazy orange with a solid white head which didn’t stay around for long so thankfully I snapped the picture in time. I was expecting more chocolate/cocoa  *umph* to the taste but found it boring for a DFH beer. Someone had to say it, I thought it was boring, dull, the opposite of thought provoking… you get the idea. I thought this was mediocre at best. I had a faint hint of cocoa on the nose so I’m thinking that after my overall experience this needs to be aged more and that’s exactly what’s happening. Sickpuppy is saving a bottle in the SIDT Beer Cellar for us to drink at a future date.

Spoon’s rating: C- (that’s only because it has potential)

I first read about this earlier in the week on A Hamburger Today. What you see here is a hamburger between 2 grilled cheese sammiches. The general reaction from friends when I told them about this was “ewwww” but when you think about it, it’s meat, cheese and bread. Well and some butter of course.

I didn’t stick exactly to what the website suggested and went with what I had in the house. The results weren’t as picture perfect as the AHT website showed but sweet Jesus it was delicious! There was a pleasant saltiness to it from the grilled cheese and now I’m thinking about how I can change this up to make it a spoon’s touch.

If you want to impress at the next cookout or have the guys over for a game this is the low cost meal to serve up.

Now to find a beer to go with it…

Having fun with Photoshop and listening to Pearl Jam bootlegs on a Friday while I wait for hockey season to start tomorrow.

go pens!

No doubt that “Välkommen” (Welcome) is what the Pens saw as they landed in Sweden this past week for a special season opener along with the Ottawa Senators in Stockholm. Since pictures of the Pens trip are well documented I thought I’d share my pics from when I was in Stockholm. I fell in love with the city when I was there in 2006 and honestly would move there if it was an option. Then again, they do get worse winters than Erie but it was an incredible experience.

I was never a fan of the architecture in European countries until I experienced it first hand. I was also blown away by the culture of the residents. Everyone was polite, well groomed and spoke English very well. Their dependence on public transportation was impressive as most rode the subway system or rode bicycles.

If you’re going to make the trip though, the only way to go is first class but avoid the Philly airport of you can. Place is a mess to get around and go through customs

Photo album from Stockholm 2006

Skal! (cheers!)

This is one of the gems I brought back from my trip to Oswego for Silent Bob’s wedding (i know I still haven’t posted pictures) When I select beers for HDH I try to make it something that I haven’t already had on the show. I have drank Avery products before but being a huge fan of the IPA style it was a dream to see the wide availability of this in NY state (since it’s NEVER in Pittsburgh).

First off, I hate foil. It serves no purpose to me on beer besides to get into my beer and mess with my fillings. Yeah you know the feeling!  Fortunately for this beverage i was able to look past that as the label is one of the most well designed ones I’ve seen. The nose is that of a citrus/grapefruit with a hint of pine and hops. My first thought for an Imperial was high alcohol aroma but that wasn’t the case.

The head was fantastic. Fluffy cloud or pillow would be the best explanation. If serving at a bar, a hop leaf would be a killer addition. The whole way down it left beautiful lacing on my glass. The taste… well, OHMY FREAKINGLORD.  Yeah, that’s right. It had a full body of balanced heavy malt and hops and didn’t make me pucker. The finish was smooth and no lingering aftertaste which is always a concern for me when drinking Imperial IPA’s. Oh yeah, this gem is an A in my book.

Official spoon rating: A

On a final note, due to a considerable amount of time recording audio and video for SIDT I have been unable to keep up with HDH. Never fear as we have wrapped up recordings for now and you should see this back as a weekly feature. Plus I’m making a run to 3 Sons to see what all i can do for the fall/Oktoberfest season.

prost!

I don’t know why this irritates me so much but last night while watching pre-game coverage of the Steelers game I finally had enough and Lushie said I should blog about it.

Sports fans of this country, when you attend a sporting event that is televised, please STOP going behind the on air talent while talking on your cell phone and…

• waving - we see you and yes you’re on the phone.  Do i see you now? yes because you’re the only one doing it. Along with that guy, that guy and oh THAT guy. If you do it for more than 10 seconds you deserve to be sacked. Even more annoying are the people behind home plate at baseball games who do this ALL GAME LONG. Subcategory would be the people at events that call someone else and say “Can you see me now? I’m over here! over here! no, over HERE!” all freaking game.
• tugging your jersey - We get you’re proud of your team but if you’re at a home game and the channel you’re on is local YOU’RE NOT ALONE! You’re not making a message besides possibly you smell and need to air out. Same thing with the guy who holds up a terrible towel. You’re in Pittsburgh, we are all given one at birth. Go do that to a Baltimore guy.
• drive by screamer - Usually some drunk guy walks past the TV and starts a chant or a train WOOOO WOOOOOOOOO! YEAAAAAAAH!  Happened a few times last night

Look, I’m all for having a good time at a game but this has been something that’s been building up over time (mostly from watching Pirates games) so please, keep that in mind when the studio lights come on. Hey maybe this is the only chance you’ll ever get to be on TV so why not make it a good one besides calling up Johnny’s brother Buddy down at the VFW to check if he sees you… talking on the phone… to him.

This should be a rant for SIDT…

I’m not into writing the whole Friday 5 thing but I do enjoy reading those of my friends. Dawn suggested a brief 3 question one for the upcoming Podcamp Pittsburgh 3 and since I can’t resist anything podcamp related (and love when The Papuga pushes me around)  here is my PCPGH3 List:

1. What brought you to Social Media and what keeps you hanging around?
   I’ve been involved with social media (who remembers Text America when it was free and fun!) as a fan for years but it wasn’t until 2006 when “Should I Drink That?” started up and I was sucked into becoming a steady media creator. I have been making media since high school but nothing on a regular basis until SIDT took shape. I stick around because I love creating content which people all over the world are downloading and it allows me to develop my creative side without any restrictions besides what I put on myself. The ability for instant feedback has been a huge plus also for me when it comes to writing and recording new shows. I have to give props to the new/social media community in Pittsburgh which has become a great group of friends to me. We’re one big dysfunctional, sexy and usually intoxicated family. I wouldn’t expect Yinz Team to be any other gloriuos way

2. Which social networking tool gives you the shakes when it’s not updated or is experiencing down time? (Podcasts, Blogs, Micro-blogging, etc)
   I’ve grown away from Twitter but still use it and Plurk is just there to give everyone OCD who doesn’t already have it. The one thing I couldn’t live without is my gmail. I’m checking email constantly on my phone. Gmail is my crack. I could probably live without blogging for awhile… like a weekend.

3. What kind of insight could you offer to others on a topic at PCPGH3? If none, then what do you most want to hear more about?
   Want to start a vid/podcast on a very limited budget and worried about the rimjob state of our economy? Join me at the 2pm session in the Hub with the Wrestling Mayhem Show and Should I Drink That guys. We’ll show you how to make a good show for dirt cheap. Bring us free beer though. We get thirsty by 2.

   Stay for the afterparty. It’s where legends are made!

Want to know more about Podcamp Pittsburgh 3, the schedule and what to expect? Go to the Official Podcamp Pittsburgh website!

PodCamp Pittsburgh is a FREE community UnConference, run by and for people who create, enjoy or are interested in learning more about:

* blogs
* vlogs (video podcasts)
* audio podcasts
* web video
* social and content networks
* new media monetization
* more!

PodCamp Pittsburgh 3 will take place on October 18 and 19, 2008, with a meet-and-greet the evening of October 17.  SIDT will be providing and serving the craft beer :)  Make sure you attend the after party Saturday Night. It’s where legends are made!

Register today!

See the PodCamp Pittsburgh 3 schedule. Add a session you’d like to give, or request one you’d like to attend.

I like to consider Pittsburgh a “big city” when it comes to sports. We have professional teams in 3 of the big 4 sports (Please stay away NBA) and multiple nationally recognized sports programs amongst our universities. Why is it that with 2 newspapers we can’t read decent coverage of hockey? Not since Dejan Kovacevic have hockey fans had someone reliable to turn to for news that truly cared about the sport and it’s fan base.

In today’s editions of The Post Gazette and the Tribune Review we have 2 writers who cover hockey. Rob Rossi, who gets thrown under the Free Candy van on a regular basis, and Dave Molinari who writes as much as he needs to get by to collect a check. The story was on Ryan Malone playing for Tampa this season after spending his career in Pittsburgh.

Trib: Malone says Penguins showed ‘no love’
Post Gazette: Malone has no harsh feelings

Dave: “He doesn’t hold it against the Penguins that they didn’t offer him a contract rivaling the seven-year, $31.5 million deal he signed with Tampa Bay in late June, but he also doesn’t have any misgivings about the chain of events that led him to the Lightning.”

Rob: “I’m sure a deal could have been done a long time ago,” said Malone, who in late June sent a two-word text message to the Tribune-Review that read “no love.”

“To me, that’s what I think,” Malone said yesterday. “Being from (Pittsburgh), you have a lot of pride pulling that jersey on. To not get a serious offer was kind of weird. I just figured they had other plans. It was easier to move on then than if something was closer … to happening.”

WTF? Are you freaking kidding me? Either Ryan has a severe personality disorder or someone wasn’t doing their job and my money is on Dave for that one. We have 2 articles on the same topic telling 2 completely different stories. Dave’s piece reads as a quick blurb thrown together of all quotes while trying to catch a plane. Rob’s article is packed full with Malone stats and quotes from various members of the Penguins. In other words, Rob put in an effort and Dave, a graduate of the Bob Smizik School of Bullshit, half assed it. I probably wouldn’t be so critical if this wasn’t a common occurrence between the 2 papers.

I get that Pittsburgh is a “football town” and WPXI can’t start a broadcast without an update on Hines Ward’s emotional state but people we have the greatest hockey market in the NHL! The Pens sold out every home game last season and yet local print media doesn’t seem to care as long as a picture of Sid appears with a Steeler close by. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Steelers, but there needs to be balance to the insanity of Yinzer Nation.

Sites such as The Pens Blog and Faceoff-Factor are engaging hockey fans who are fed up with bush league reporting and are ready to call you on it. The days of just showing up for a period or 2 and catching the rest on TV are gone. The groups who write for these sites are passionate and knowledgeable about the sport. They don’t care what Sid is looking for in a woman, they want to know why Max may be walking with a limp and who’s going to man the 3rd line.

There is absolutely no reason Pittsburgh can’t produce a national authority on hockey. It’s time our local bloggers get respect for doing the jobs that print is failing at.