Beerambassador

If you have a smart phone there's a ton of free apps that do that.

I just read they're pulling out of Wisconsin. Not cool.

I bought the Groupon for there last week. Looking forward to checking it out. Have heard mixed things, but it seems mostly good things in the last few months. They must've had some difficulties when they first opened, because it was all bad at first. I'm in Illinois for the next two days tagging along with my wife who's doing some training here. I'm looking to get a decent haul of beer that's not available or hard to find in Wisconsin. Definitely want to try some Half Acre...outside of that I'm not sure what I'll get.

Drinking a Bells Hopslam right now. I got a sixer from a friend as a gift, and wow! what a gift. I've had it before, but this is one tremendous beer. I've cooled on hops to a degree lately, but this is pulling me back. Major aromas of citrus and non-citrus fruits and pine. Very smooth bitterness with a fruity, dry finish. A very hearty recommendation on this one.

I know I mentioned it before in this thread, but try Runkeeper. My wife tried MapMyRun, she really didn't like it. RunkeeperPro is free right now for a week or so. I'd at least try it, it's kind of the gold standard, but if MapMyRun works better for you then stick with it.

I got to try a couple of new (to me) beers last weekend, varying from alright to awesome. Alright was Captain Sig's Northwestern Ale from Rogue. It was a hoppy amber ale I bought to share with my wife. It had a nice, rich malty taste with a real clean bitterness. The hops were not as prominent in the aroma as I would've liked. Might have been a freshness issue. Never know with west coast beer. Not a bad beer, but probably not worth seeking out. Better was Hinterland's Winterland. This was a pretty fantastic winter ale, a really rich porter with juniper. Would definitely suggest picking this up. Even better - and unusual - was Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Wild. I guess it was a little deceiving that they use the term "wild" since it isn't a wild ale. It's a golden ale, very firmly bittered, and fermented with Westmalle's Belgian yeast strain. I guess I'd use the word "bright" to describe it. Again, cleanly bittered with a nice body. It seemed to be lacking that characteristic Belgian aroma from the yeast...it was there, but very subtle. Similar to the Belgian IPA that is sort of all the rage lately, but not quite. I paid $3.99 for a bomber, which makes it a pretty good bargain. Finally, I loved Goose Island's Sofie, a delicious Saison. Ommegang's Hennepin is one of my all-time favorite beers and this was very similar in overall profile. Very, very drinkable, but not the least bit boring. Lots going on from barrel aging and spices. It's wild fermented, but I thought that was subdued to the point of almost unnoticeable. My beer was bottled in July per the label, so I suspect that would really start to come forward once the beer is a bit older. $6.99 for a bomber, so not cheap, but definitely worth a shot.

I took it up last spring at the recommendation of my doctor to help me lose some stubborn weight. I couldn't believe the effect it had on my weight....excess pounds just melted away. The first few weeks SUCKED, but I kept telling myself I was doing it for my wife and kids and that got me through it. Now I do it for me because I love it. My running's really fallen off in the winter, I usually only get out 2-3 times a week in the winter and only for a half-hour at a time. My leg muscles just get too cold, it's slippery, lungs get tired easy from all that cold air...I just hate winter running. But by early fall I was running 4-5 times a week for up to an hour at a time. I was thinking of doing a half-marathon this spring, but just don't see myself getting out enough in the winter to really be ready for it come May. But that kind of gives you an idea of how quickly I got into it. I haven't done any races yet, but I'm excited to do the Crazy Legs this spring (especially after hearing you guys say how cool it is). I'm also planning on doing the Bellin 10K in Green Bay and I'm genuinely torn on the Cellcom Half Marathon also in GB. I've been lucky injury-wise so far. I've had some stiffness in my hamstring and that's really about it. Still kind of dealing with it, and I don't run if it's bothering me. I have some Nike Lunarglide shoes that I really like. They're light and kind of a neutral shoe that Nike says works for most kinds of feet. I also love Runkeeper, which is an app for Iphone/Android. It uses GPS to track your run and continually updates your distance/speed/pace/calories burned. It was IMMENSELY helpful especially early on when it helped me set a target pace and keep it. I kind of feel lost running without it.

Well, I've pretty much made my decision. I've already got a part time job lined up delivering pizzas a few nights a week, and I'm going to look into doing some free lance writing on the side (I'm a reporter). I've long wanted to change fields, but couldn't afford school - financially or time commitment - so I think I'll take the opportunity to go back to school when my older son starts kindergarten. I've also read several times that stay-at-home parents trying to get back into the workforce can and should highlight that time at home as work experience. I mean, how can it not be? Educating, time management, multi-tasking, etc. Would most HR people think that's B.S. putting it on a resume? Because even though I'll have free lance work to put on my resume, anyone who thinks full time parenting isn't a job is delusional.

Any stay-at-home dads/moms here? I was an English major in college, so when people asked me what I wanted to do for a living, I was always said "Be a stay-at-home dad." I was only partially kidding. I've got two boys, 2 years and 5 months, and I always felt like my whole check was going towards daycare. Well, I sat down with my wife, crunched the numbers and low and behold, it IS all going to daycare. We're at a point where it would make financial sense for me to do this, and if I worked part time a few evenings a week, we'd be better off financially than we are now. So I have to weigh the pluses and negatives and make a decision. Basically, I don't dislike my job - but I'm getting bored with it and would like to do something different. I do feel like my kids (especially my two-year old) get a lot out of daycare. My 5 month old is very fussy, which makes him tough to handle, but my past experience says that should start improving in the coming months. But I guess I'm wondering, is anyone here a stay-at-home parent? What do you like about it? What do you dislike? Any tips? Encouragement? Am I nuts for leaving a stable job in a down economy?

Riley's in Madison has an iffy-quality PDF of the 2011 New Glarus beer schedule. Not much to see that hasn't been already discussed here. The big thing for me is that Two Women will not be a seasonal - it'll be year-round starting in February. Yay! Black Top Black "IPA" (what's with the quotes around IPA?) is their fourth quarter seasonal, along with Laughing Fox Crystal Weizen. The four Thumbprint's announced are Smoked Rye, Imperial Weizen, Cran-Bic and Apple Ale. There are also two unannounced Thumbprint beers. I don't see a lot to be excited about. I'll probably buy a lot of Two Women and I'll give the two new seasonals a shot. It's good to see Staghorn will be back. And I kind of like Back Forty for a session bock. And apparently Moon Man is here to stay - which is fine by me since I never much cared for Hop Hearty. Finally, I'm bummed about no more Crack'd Wheat, which I really enjoy.

Definitely need to include those mini ears of corn. Those are my favorite.

I had two interviews in Oct./Nov. for a professional position with a Fortune 500 company. At the second interview, I asked and was told to expect to hear something back around the end of November, start of December. They were unsure of when they would make an offer, since they said there was still a final approval needed from corporate headquarters. But they had told me they HOPED to have the person start in mid-December. I've heard nothing from them since my second interview. At this point, I would have expected to have either gotten an offer or a letter telling me they hired another candidate. I know there was some uncertainty about when they would be able to actually make offers, so it's a possibility they just haven't gotten an okay to make an offer. I felt I really nailed both interviews and made good connections with both people I interviewed with, sent them thank you notes, etc. In essence, I think I did everything right, and now I'm kind of bewildered with the extended silence. My question is this: I have email contacts for both people I interviewed with. Would it be appropriate to contact one or both of them to ask what the status of the position is? If so, would I contact the higher up who initially interviewed me, or the second person, who would be the direct manager of the position I interviewed for? How would I go about following up?

I pick up the Sam Adams holiday sampler every year. I think it's usually pretty solid stuff with at least one stinker in there. In past seasons it was always the cranberry lambic - which I see they mercifully removed this year. I love the Fezziwig and the Holiday Porter. I've had the chocolate bock in the past, they used to only sell it in big bottles for pretty decent money. I thought it was a very good chocolate beer. No artificial chocolate flavors like you often get in chocolate beers. I think Sam Adams is just a good brewery. I think I've mentioned it before, but a lot of people assume that since they're so big that they can't be good. They do make some awful beer, but Boston Lager is a craft "standard" for good reason. It's a damn good beer. Their Noble Pills is freaking outstanding as well, ditto for their Cream Stout. I don't buy a lot of Sam Adams - why would I when so many Wisconsin brewers make excellent products? But I do buy it on occasion and I mostly enjoy their beer. Also, Ommegang Hennepin is one of my favorite beers ever. For some reason that I can't figure out, Festival Foods, at least in Green Bay, sells it for $4.99 or so a bottle. I've never seen it for less than $7 anywhere else. So I try to stock up when I'm in the area.

Their "released" schedule kinda blows. Cabin Fever was a stinker - at least by NG standards - Back 40 is pretty average. Three bocks is overkill. I'm the only person in the world that doesn't like their apple ale. I found the BA thread, and if it's accurate (I suspect it is) there is some hope. Two Women as a seasonal would be fantastic. I'd prefer they make it a year round. What a great pilsner. I'm in love with pilsners right now, and there aren't many American breweries making good ones. And what you get import-wise is suspect in the freshness department. NG making a pilsner has me downright giddy. *Pilsner detour* I used to think pilsners were boring. Then I had Sam Adams Noble Pils. Then I had Victory Prima Pils. And Two Women. When they're fresh, it's the ultimate in refreshing. Balanced, crisp, malty, hoppy. I'm drooling. And it's 8 in the morning. *Pilsner detour done* I'm not wild about Black IPA, but if Dan Carey makes it, I'll try it and I'll probably like it. I'm also kind of bummed about all the repeats in the Unplugged series. To me those should be something new and unique. I'm still unclear about what these "Thumbprint" beers are about, but I'm intrigued. Deb said something on their facebook page about a Neil Young inspired beer. Maybe that'll be one of them. During the beer vote, somebody requested a Neil Young inspired beer, and she said "Harvest Moon" is her and Dan's song, so he'd be working on that. Wouldn't be surprised at all to see a "harvest beer" in the fall with that theme. I also think there will be at least one more yet-to-be-named year round. Could be wrong about that. I kind believe how bad I geek out about New Glarus. I pretty much only drink my homebrew and New Glarus at this point.

Since I abandoned it: Marty McFly. Go to thrift store and get a jean jacket, some old high tops and red puffy vest.

I was at the MG/Sussex game last night. That Clinton-Earl kid on Sussex is an amazing running back. The wind wasn't actually a very big deal since MG attempted 22 passes and completed about half of them (their receivers must have dropped five perfect passes). The SW bracket has some outstanding matchups Saturday with MG/DeForest and Waunakee/Milton. Waunakee destroyed Milton early in the season, but Milton's got a pretty good football team. The D2 Northwest bracket also has some games to watch with Ashwaubenon/Cedarburg and Menasha/Kimberly.

I'd say it's game on, unless there are thunderstorms at game time. The field conditions are going to be brutal in a lot of cases. We got a lot of rain overnight in the Madison area. Maybe the wind will help dry out the fields, but I would expect some muddy games tonight.

Not really, to be honest. I've had it in Ireland and this is not Guinness Draught by any stretch. There's nothing session-able about this beer, but damn if it isn't good.

Guinness Foreign Extra Stout is now available in the U.S. It was only available in foreign markets (I know in the Caribbean and south/central America, maybe Africa). It was sort of a "holy grail" for beer nerds and after picking up a four-pack I can tell why. It tastes like Guinness - only more. More roasted malt, more hops, more alcohol. In short - this is an outstanding beer and a must try for beer enthusiasts.

Ditto for LaCrosse Logan in the the D2 Northwest. MG should've been bumped into the northwest to "make up" for them being the smallest school in D2.

It IS based on enrollments, that's why it's not set in stone. Lets just say - for example - there are 60 teams and 6 divisions. The 10 with the highest enrollments would be DI, the next 10 DII, and so on. The field still isn't set and won't be until Friday morning. A few .500 teams get in to fill out the field (and some say a lot of political decisions play out right there to ensure some teams end up being in a certain division). Franklin, for instance, may darn well be the best team in the state, but because of enrollment numbers they will likely be DII. That said, they are right on the bubble numbers wise and could be DI. Divisions - at least in theory- have nothing to do with how good you are. Just for instance here: MG has been DII almost every year but is always one of the two or three lowest enrollments in the division. This year they're on the bubble and some people I've talked to have said the WIAA will ensure they stay in DII to keep the usual DIII schools happy and to make sure the "annual" MG/Waunakee game happens. They can fudge the field a bit to ensure MG's enrollment keeps them at DII. It's a cynical view, but the WIAA deserves to be viewed cynically.

Right after she had some Ambergeddon, I had her sample my New Glarus Staghorn and she said it was bland, but admitted that was as much due to her palette being tainted by the massive hops in the Ambergeddon. To me, an Oktoberfest is almost 180 degrees from what I'm looking for. An Oktoberfest is all about smooth maltiness and and a nice (but light) hop aroma. Ambergeddon was almost like an Amber IPA, only with more emphasis on hop aroma and flavor than hop bitterness. Also, sgtcluels...do you have a Minnesota connection that you're drinking all this Surly, or can it be had in southern Wisconsin now? I've heard a lot of good things about their beer.

A couple days early, but the last week of the high school football season is upon us and the tournament brackets come out Friday. Anyone got any favorites or match ups they can't wait to see? WisSportsNet has their preliminary division fields out here, with some interesting implications, especially for D2. If they're correct, the Monona Grove/Waunakee showdown will not happen this year, with MG being dropped down to D3. I follow MG closely and they're on the verge of their second straight undefeated season. They're darn good, but it seems the consensus is they're not on Waunakee's level, so them not having to face Waunakee in the playoffs would make their path to state a lot easier this year.

Since the thread got bumped I figured I'd see if anyone can help with a beer recommendation. My wife LOVES Amber beer. A few weeks back I picked up a sixer of Ale Asylum Ambergeddon. I loved it. It was really nice and hoppy with a big citrus aroma from what I am assuming was some big additions of Cascade hops. So I'm thinking, "Damn, this is great. But my wife will hate it." She grabs one for herself and she's like "This smells like grapefruit juice! I love it!" So, fellow beer nerds. Who can suggest a similar Amber Ale? To me, Amber Ales always meant malty, maybe kinda bitter. This just totally changed my perception of the style AND double bonus, my wife loved it.

That's kinda fun. I can see myself wasting a lot of time there.