I’ve started training for my next marathon. I’m scheduled to run a half-marathon during week 9 (I think that might be the last week in September?) and during week 14 (The LA Half-Marathon on Halloween weekend) before the big day, Sunday December 2nd in Las Vegas. For some reason I’m really excited to start training this year. Last year I was mortified pretty much the entire time I was training. I’d never run further than twelve miles before in my life, and I’d certainly never dreamed of completing a 26.2 mile race before. Now that I’ve accomplished it, I want to challenge myself to do better.
How am I training differently? Well, last year I was burning tons of calories running and replacing them with burgers, pizza, beer and snack foods. I figured calories were just calories. If I burned a thousand or more, I could just eat more to make up for it. This year I’m focusing on putting the right kinds of foods into my body to keep myself fueled and capable of reaching a higher level of performance. My goal is to finish this race in a noticeably better time than my last marathon. I think my adherence to a healthy diet will help me achieve that goal.
Perhaps more importantly, though, I’m not going to be drinking for the next few months. Last year during marathon training I was still boozing. Sometimes I was boozing really hard. And it wasn’t just on nights when I was “off” the next day. More than a handful of training runs were hindered by hangovers. Hell, the week before the marathon — during my Thanksgiving break — I partook in one of the booziest, druggiest party weekends ever. And then I ran a marathon the next week. This year I’m cutting all that out of my life. I want each training run to be meaningful. I don’t want to be hindered by any morning after effects. I don’t want anything bad in my system. I’m going to run clean for the next four months.
It’s not the lack of partying that I’m going to miss between now and December. It’s the beer. I’m a huge beer nerd. Trying new beers, going out to tastings and meeting friends at little pubs is one of my favorite hobbies. It’s going to be really frustrating when I can’t call a friend to meet me at Golden Road or Surly Goat or Blue Palms for a few rounds. My regular trips to BevMo or Cap ‘N Cork for new bottles I can enjoy at home will have to cease for a while. My goal to try five new beers each month is temporarily suspended. It sucks. I’m going to miss beer.
But I can still write about beer! Like, for example, a list of ten really good beers I’ve tried lately. Ones I hadn’t tried before. New ones. Then maybe you’ll read this, and you’ll go out and you’ll drink these beers, and then you’ll thank me, and I’ll be able to live vicariously through you. Right? Guys?
Guys…?
Ten Really Good Beers (July 2012)
10. Marin Brewing Company Orange & Black Congrats Ale – ABV 6%, ??? IBU. Commercial description: To honor our World Champions at the Cove, we have created a smooth, American black ale brewed with orange zest. A hearty brew for the bleacher bums, gardeners of turf, and patient fans who have endured 54 years of pine-grabbing torture. An adult beverage to salute the bat, the Stick, the rally thong., the crab, the seal, the chickens, the Thrill, the bowties in the office, the golden voices in the booth, and all of the San Francisco legends that helped them get there. We at Moylan’s never stopped believing and we plan to bust this rookie out on opening day for the Ortange and black faithful. WARNING: Do not fear this beer for it will freakishly offer two Cy’s of relief without putting any hair on your face. ARE YOU READY? WELL THEN GRAB A BEER, MEAT!
09. Firestone Walker Brewing Company Wookey Jack – ABV 8.3%, 60 IBU. Commercial description: Wookey Jack is our first foray into the dark outer world of black IPAs. Rich dark malts and spicy rye careen into bold citrus laden hops creating a new dimension in IPA flavor. This brew has been left unfiltered and unfined to retain all of its texture and character. At 60 IBUs, Wookey Jack is gnarly on the outside yet complex and refined on the inside.
08. Great Divide Brewing Company Oak Aged Old Ruffian Barley Wine – ABV 10.27%, ??? IBU. An opaque amber beer with a fluffy, tan-colored head that has good retention and leaves tons of lacing on the inside of your glass. It is a fantastic-looking beer. The aroma is rich with oak, vanilla, cherries, caramel and maybe a hint of alcohol/brandy. The taste mimics that flavor, perhaps with the addition of a piney, resinous flavor. It’s equally sweet and bitter with a bitter note lingering after the finish. Delicious.
07. Abita 25th Anniversary Vanilla Doubledog – ABV 7%, ??? IBU. Commercial description: Turbodog is the inspiration for this robust dark ale. It is brewed with generous amounts of pale, caramel, and chocolate malts and Willamette hops. Whole natural vanilla beans are added during the aging process.This combination provides a rich body and color with chocolate, vanilla and toffee-like flavor. 25 years ago Abita Brewing was founded on a pristine artesian aquifer north of New Orleans. For a quarter of a century, Abita has proudly brewed full-flavored ales and lagers. We thank our loyal customers for their support and pledge to continue the tradition of brewing excellence.
06. Cismontane Brewing Co. 2nd Anniversary Belgian IPA – ABV 6.5%, ??? IBU. A light orange beer with a fluffy beige head that has good retention and leaves foamy lacing on the inside of your glass. Lots of citrus fruit and zest in the aroma, with maybe a hint of grains. The taste mimics the aroma with a hint of bitterness that lingers after each sip. It’s crisp, and the moderate alcohol content makes it a good session beer.
05. Great Divide Brewing Company 18th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA – ABV 10%, ??? IBU. Commercial description: Based on our most award-winning beer, Denver Pale Ale, this copper-hued treat is a celebration of everything Great Divide does best. Plenty of malty sweetness provides a backdrop for earthy, floral English and American hops, while French and American oak round off the edges and provide a touch of vanilla. Thanks to everyone who’s supported us for the last 15 years – here’s to 15 more!
04. Deschutes Brewery Hop In The Dark C.D.A. – ABV 6.9%, 70 IBU. Commercial description: Can an IPA be black? Semantics aside, this noir version has subtle coffee undertones born of a blend of oats with dark, Munich and crystal malts. What emerges is something deeper, less orthodox, and all its own. After 22 trial runs in our Bend and Portland pubs, we got it right. Malt: Pale, Crystal, Chocolate, Chocolate Wheat, Black Barley, Flaked Oats, Toasted Oats. Hops: Northern Brewer, Nugget, Centennial, Amarillo, Cascade, Citra
03. Firestone Walker Brewing Company Parabola – ABV 12%, 82 IBU. Commercial description: Parabola has been a major component of past anniversary blends and is one of our most aggressive offerings. This beer features bold bourbon and tobacco aromas and a rich dark chocolate, charred oak flavor. Parabola is best enjoyed in moderation and is a perfect beer to pair with those chocolate dessert favs. An extension of Quercus Alba —the Firestone Walker Barrel aged program. Russian Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels.
02. Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck Bacchus – ABV 4.5%, ??? IBU. Commercial description: A typical Flemish beer with a pleasant wine-like taste and a rich past. This dark brown beer, which is matured in oak casks, has a slightly acid aftertaste.
01. Drake’s Brewing Company Bourbon, Scotch, Oh Dear – ABV 10.5%, ??? IBU. Commercial description: Blend of a barley wine, strong ale and scotch ale all aged in bourbon barrels. They had this on tap for a short while at Golden State. I might not call it the best beer to wash down a burger with, but it was phenomenal.
Paul Chambers – Whims Of Chambers [MP3]
