Tag Archives: City Beverage

Luau Krunkles or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

16 Wednesday Aug 2017

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City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Luau Krunkles “Passion Orange Guava” IPA from Terrapin Beer Company, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.20170816_142759

Terrapin is one of those breweries that can be hit or miss with me. I mean, I guess they all can but I either like their stuff or don’t. Some stuff from them is very solid stuff. Not necessarily my favorite stuff, but it’s solid. That’s what Terrapin does the best. I don’t care for a lot of IPAs and they do a right many of those. I do like their other stuff like their porters and stouts. They step out of the box and that’s a plus. So, this is one of those “oddity” brews that happens to also be an IPA. I like fruity beer and I hope this is good on the fruit. I like the idea of Passionfruit, orange and guava all together in one beer. Let’s see how it goes. The ABV for this beer is 6.5% and its IBUs are 72.

BeerAdvocate rates it at 87 (Very Good) with no Bros Score. Untappd has it at 3.84 caps out of 5. I’m good with those ratings if they’re accurate. We’ll see. Have you had it? What did you think? If you’ve not had it or just have a hankering for more, head down to City Beverage and grab your sixer. Tell them that it’s the Beer of the Week and get 5% off your order. Tune in later this evening or early tomorrow to hear what Caitlin, Danielle, Liz and I think of it. It looks like Groot is already having a hankering.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Tropical aromas of Passion fruit, Orange and Guava dominate the nose while a big juicy hop flavor and smooth bitterness complement the balance of the beer.” – Terrapin Beer Company.

Pink Drink or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

09 Wednesday Aug 2017

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City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Pink Drink from Hi-Wire Brewing, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.20170809_112633

Hi-Wire Brewing is an NC Brewing company out of Asheville, the state’s “beer capital.” They’re known for their balanced brews that don’t assault your palate while still entertaining your taste buds. This brew is a tart wheat ale that is brewed with lemongrass and raspberries. It’s known as a kettle sour. The ABV is only 4.2% so it’s sessionable and you can get away with a few of them before they start to take effect. I have started to get into more sour brews lately and I can’t wait to pop the tab on this quad of tall boy cans.

BeerAdvocate has it at 83 (Good) with no Bros Score and no overall rating because it’s not been rated enough. Untappd has it at 3.76 caps out of 5. Good is all I can hope for. I’m going to be happy if that’s what it is. I like the can and as you can see, Groot wants a bit.

Have you had this beer? If so, what did you think? If not, or if you just have a hankering for more, head down to City Beverage and grab your quad. Tell them that this is the beer of the week and get 5% off your order! Tune in later tonight or early tomorrow to hear what Caitlin, Danielle, Mikey and I think of it!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“A kettle sour with the perfect balance of raspberry fruit sweetness & fresh candied-lemon aroma from lemongrass.” – Hi-Wire Brewing

 

Act of the Apostle or: Which One is Sebastian?

02 Wednesday Aug 2017

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My apologies again for yesterday’s short post. We had a heck of a “weekend plus.” I was exhausted. But, I’m here to tell you why. On Monday, our Engagementversary, we drove to Raliegh to see a band that The BCPF would consider “a fave.” They rarely tour and this was special, so how could we pass on it?

The band is Belle & Sebastian. They’re from Scotland; Glasgow. We heard some of their stuff whilst we were over there gettin’ hitched. I didn’t know what I thought about them when I first heard them a few years back when The BCPF put them on a mixtape for me. The more I listened over time the more and more I got to like them. They’re tongue-in-cheek, clever and very good musicians. 20170802_141746

To me, they have a very retro feel. Definitely an “indie” sound. It’s also a very full sound. That’s not too difficult to pull off when there are seven members actually in the band. Their singers, primarily Stuart Murdoch, have unique voices that I won’t say are great, but they are, well, unique… as I just said. The members are all around my age which is pretty cool. I can relate to life, if not the Scottish aspect, even though I do get some of that, too.

So, The BCPF and I stayed at the Hyatt Place North Raleigh-Midtown and ate dinner at a decent chain restaurant that was on the same property as the hotel before Ubering over to the North Carolina Museum of Art, where the show was being held. We had purchased general admission tix which would have gotten us closer to the stage but would have also required us to stand and I’m just not about that. Luckily, the lovely and awesome wife of Superfan Damien of The Less Desirables works at the NCMA and was able to get us an upgrade to reserved seating. And she really came through. 20170731_213822

The concert’s venue was outside. Not quite the size of one of the “sheds” (Amphitheaters) but still a pretty good venue with plenty of grass seating and bench seats with assigned numbers. We ended up with awesome seats due to our gracious upgrade. We were 8 rows past the general admission folk (row H) and smack-dab in the middle of the row. So we were eye-to-eye with Stuart throughout the show. I think these were better than the GA tix because 1) we had actual seats, 2) we didn’t have to fight anyone for a spot, 3) we didn’t have to get there early, 4) we were looking straight ahead and not “up” like most of them were. Plus, we had the benefit of being out in front of the speakers, not between them. We won the awesome lottery for sure.

Opening the show was Andrew Bird who was the violinist for Squirrel Nut Zippers and is quite the talent. I really enjoyed his stuff, but I have to admit it started to get old after about half way through. I don’t know that it was anything he was doing wrong or I was just ready to see Belle & Sebastian. I think it was the latter. He did good, though.

B&S at one time had 9 people on the stage at the same time, playing instruments or singing. They even had a young trumpet player named Alex that played on about five or six songs. He wasn’t part of the band. He was from Raleigh and hadn’t played with them before. I think I heard Stuart say he hadn’t played with anyone before. He was pretty good, though. I have to admit that I didn’t recognize most of the songs but I’m not the fan that The BCPF is. They did play several of my faves by them, though, including “Sukie in the Graveyard,” “I’m a Cuckoo,” “I Didn’t See It Coming” and “The Blues Are Still Blue.” The latter was the last encore that they did by request from someone they described as “someone with a bullhorn of a voice.”

It was a great show and I’m so glad we got to see them and we thank Mrs. Superfan Damien for the upgrade. We owe you guys some beer. Thanks to The BCPF for introducing me to Belle & Sebastian and wanting to go see them. I think it’s my favorite of “your music.” If you’re not familiar with the band, Dear Reader, you should give them a shot and you should keep an open mind because they’re certainly an acquired taste. But, you’ll see the talent, I’m sure. Enjoy!

Oh, and I didn’t do beer today because I don’t know what it will be. Danielle is surprising us. But, you should still go to City Beverage and say The Less Desirables sent you!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Sukie was the kid, she liked to hang out in the graveyard. She did brass rubbings, she learned you never had to press hard. When she finished hanging out she was all alone. She decided that she better check in at home. There was an awful row between her mum and dad. They said she hadn’t done this, she hadn’t done that. If she wanted to remain inside the family home, she’d have to tow the line, she’d have to give it a go. It didn’t suit Sukie so she took her things and left.” – “Sukie in the Graveyard” (Belle & Sebastian)

The Keeper’s Veil or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

19 Wednesday Jul 2017

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City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents The Keeper’s Veil Honey Saison from Burial Beer, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.20170719_142205

I love Burial Beer’s brews. They’re top-notch. Even their IPAs I’m down with, it’s just good stuff. Also, my last name is Beeman and when I can get stuff with honey, then it’s a bonus for me. This is a Saison which is traditionally a summertime brew. Generally, they’re semi-dry and just hinting of sweetness. I think that’s where the honey is going to come in. No matter what, I look forward to trying this – style, flavor and brewery all considered.

BeerAdvocate has it at 88 (Very Good) with a Bros Score of 89 (Very Good). Untappd has it at 3.78 caps out of 5. Those numbers don’t hurt my feelings any. It’s 5.5% ABV and very low IBU (10). So drink up!

Have you tried it? What did you think? If you’ve not had it or just have a hankering for more, head on to City Beverage and tell them this is the beer of the week and you’ll receive 5% off your order. Tune in late tonight or early tomorrow to hear what Caitlin, Danielle, Adam and myself think of this brew.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“We invite our loyal beer drinkers to partake in experimental beer drinking.” – Burial Beer Company

Second Verse or: Lather, Rinse, Repeat

12 Wednesday Jul 2017

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City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables presents… well, again, I’m not sure. I am having Dannie B, from Bull’s Tavern, bring beer again this week. So, I don’t know what it is. kOihbeR9Scheduling, meetings and a few other factors led to me not getting to City Beverage today, so she’s taking care of me, once again. I dig her the most!

Anywhat! Make sure you listen to The Less Desirables show tonight or tomorrow, find out what the beer is and go to City Beverage and tell Spencer that it’s the beer of the week and get 5% off your order! Tune in just to hear what Caitlin, Danielle, Elusive Groove and I think of it! Sorry for the vague post!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“We like our beers with flavor, our music with feeling, and our whiskeys neat.” – Bull’s Tavern

Surprise or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

05 Wednesday Jul 2017

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Well, my second day in a row of taking it easy on the blog is actually not planned. You see, I forgot that City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, was closed today, so I can’t grab a couple of sixers (or whatever) for the show tonight. But, I have a backup. Actually, she’s half of my main backup. Danielle Bull, owner of Bull’s Tavern, half of my work-wife team, half of my co-host team, fully watching my back, is gonna bring a few brews for us to taste and rate, or heck, just enjoy. She’s awesome like that.

kOihbeR9

We didn’t discuss what she’d bring, I just asked if she could “help a brother out” and she always is right there to help this brother out. So, you’ll have to tune in later tonight or early tomorrow to hear what we had and what we felt about them. But, also remember that City Beverage will be back open tomorrow, just in time for your weekend plans. So, be sure to check them out. Tune in to hear what Caitlin, Danielle, Patrick and I think of what we’re given to imbibe.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
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“We’re a casual downtown bar moonlighting as a music venue. We like our beers with flavor, our music with feeling, and our whiskeys neat. We don’t believe in cover charges, but we do believe in the law: You must be 21 to party with us.” – Bull’s Tavern

Cool Breeze or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

28 Wednesday Jun 2017

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City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Cool Breeze Cucumber Saison from SweetWater Brewing Company, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week. unnamed (10)

SweetWater is a good brewery. They’re also known for a lot of IPAs. This wasn’t one of those and while I’ve been trying to stay in the IPA realm while Caitlin is still here, we found out that she’s gonna be here a little while longer, so I decided to venture out a little from the IPAs and try a summer beer. It’s been kinda hot in the last bit so let’s get a nice summer brew in for a spin. I’m trusting their craftsmanship to be good to us in the flavor game.

The ratings from BeerAdvocate (81 – Good) and Untappd (3.03 out of 5) are not keeping my confidence up, however. Yikes. Oh well, maybe we’ll at least have something drinkable? Here’s hoping. Have you had it? What did you think? If you’ve not had it or just a hankering for more, head to City Bev and pick up your sixer. Tell them we sent you and get 5% off your order when you tell them this is the beer of the week! Tune in later tonight or early tomorrow and see what Caitlin, Danielle, the guys from O’Brien’s Deli and I think of it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Don’t Float the Mainstream!” – SweetWater Brewing

A Little Different or: 31

21 Wednesday Jun 2017

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I’m the one on the left… No, I didn’t work for Foot Locker

 

I know that I usually post The Less Desirables Beer of the Week, presented by our Official Beer Sponsor, City Beverage, on Wednesday, but today is a little different. If I look back on this day 31 years ago, I had been up all night dreading what was going to happen. I had to get up early, along with my bestie, Scotty B. We had been gathering belongings for a few months by then.

I stood outside and watched a dump truck ride up the road in the “holler.” I didn’t understand what it was that was happening. This dump truck was pulling into our driveway and moving through the yard, backing up to the steps of the breezeway of our house. Out pops my Pops and he was swinging the tailgate of the dump truck wide. I realized what was going on. It was typical of my family: Improv. We couldn’t get a moving truck, we used a dump truck. Walking across a narrow improved ramp made of 2x4s and pressboard (at least how I remember it) we carried all of our big things – furniture, fixtures, beds, etc. – onto/into this dump truck bed.

While that happened, Ma Mère and some of her friends were piling stuff into our passenger cars, their passenger vehicles and anywhere else we could. We closed that swing gate, topped off the cars with whatever we could whilst still being able to get into them, locked the door of the “old house” and piled into said vehicles, creating a caravan of stuff that could possibly have rivaled The Beverly Hillbillies. The only thing preventing that was there was no rocking chair and the dump trucks’ sides were too high to really see what was in it.

Scotty and I had piled into a car with a family friend (I wasn’t old enough to drive, yet) in what was one of the worst rides, ever. It had nothing to do with the company, I enjoyed those folks. I didn’t want to be going where we were going. It wasn’t a vacation, this was a permanent situation.

If you’ve not figured it out, June 21, 1986, was one of the most transitional days of my life. It also was one of the biggest and best game changers ever. We moved from “(Little) White Oak Holler,” WV to good old Winston-Salem, NC on that day. I hated it. At least then. I swore I was going back as soon as I could. I was going to go stay with someone and graduate from my high school. I was going to do a lot of things. I knew no one here. I had no friends. I had my stuff, but it was boring by myself.

Then, I had a realization. I was almost 16. I was almost driving age. I was making friends at school. I was within 10 minutes of just about anything that I could want to do. City life was good and while I missed my friends in WV, I was really enjoying access and availability. I would go back “home” as often as I could and loved hanging out with my friends (and girlfriends) but I was realizing that I was missing my new home. It was a weird kind of Stockholm Syndrome – my new home had overtaken my want of being back in WV. As much as I have fond memories of the old homestead, there’s no way I’d move back there. It’s not the same as I look upon it as an adult as it was through the innocent child’s eyes. There’s nothing there for me to do – no one really. Not a lot of industry, not a lot of work, not a lot of entertainment. I’m not putting it down, I’m just stating some of the realities as to why. But, all of that being said, it’s my roots. I have wonderful memories from my time there. I still talk to friends from there, whether they’re still there or not.

As much as I have fond memories of the old homestead, there’s no way I’d move back there. It’s not the same as I look upon it as an adult as it was through the innocent child’s eyes. There’s nothing there for me to do – no one really. Not a lot of industry, not a lot of work, not a lot of entertainment. I’m not putting it down, I’m just stating some of the realities as to why. But, all of that being said, it’s my roots. Like I said, I have wonderful memories from my time there. I still talk to friends from there, whether they’re still there or not. I love my native state, but I love living in my adopted state more. I love my city, which should be obvious from about any post or podcast that I do. And the city seems to like me, which is a plus.

Oh, and something else that happened on this day 31 years ago, it was Mes ‘Rents’ 18th anniversary. So I’d love to wish them a Happy 49th Anniversary today. They’re awesome and I strive to have a family like that. They’re not perfect, but they’re perfectly mine. Happy Anny to you guys and happy Carolinaversary to all four of us (including my sis)!

And, still, go by City Beverage and get some beer or wine. Listen to The Less Desirables tonight to hear what the beer of the week is so you can get your 5% discount from City Bev. We will have Amanda and Mackenzie from Winston-Salem Ambassadors in the studio tonight. And, with the picture, I don’t really have a lot of pics from my childhood, at least digitally. Oh, well.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I love North Carolina.” – Tyler Hilton

Ripper or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

14 Wednesday Jun 2017

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City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Ripper San Diego Pale Ale from Stone Brewing, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.unnamed (6)

So, Stone is one of those breweries that I think is awesome at what they do, I just don’t really care for what they do. What I mean by that is that by not being a huge fan of IPAs and Pales, that’s what their most notable for, therefore I don’t really care much about what they’re doing. Now, I think they’re brilliant brewers, don’t get me wrong. Just not my thing. Because Caitlin is down to her last month (or less than) with us, I’m trying to accommodate her the best I can with the hoppier beers that I know she likes. So, here we have it. This beer is 5.7% ABV.

BeerAdvocate rates this 86 (Very Good) with a Bros score of 84 (Good). Untappd has it at 3.74 caps out of 5. Have you had this beer? What did you think? If you’ve not had it or just have a hankering for more, head to City Bev and grab your sixer! Tell them that it’s the beer of the week and get 5% off your order. Tune in later tonight or early tomorrow to hear what Caitlin, Danielle, Geralyn and I think of it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“While some might think it lingers on an edge far closer to an IPA, with all the dry-hop flavor and aroma, it’s actually right in line with the current-day interpretation of a West Coast pale. Ours just so happens to have an Aussie accent that’s cascading with a juicy amount of grapefruit and passion fruit hoppiness. So veg out or venture out. Either way, rip one open and taste this awesome golden nectar!” – Stone Brewing

 

 

Reviver Red IPA or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

07 Wednesday Jun 2017

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City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Reviver Red IPA from Starr Hill Brewery, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.unnamed (3)

The only experience I have with Starr Hill is from a trip Eugene and I took to Virginia to see Brian Attridge (the original co-host of The Less Desirables) in 2014. The brewery is in Charlottesville and I don’t remember what the beer was. We may have had a few of them whilst pre-gaming/tailgating in the FedEx Field parking lot. I think, whatever the beer was, I liked it okay. So, here’s hoping. Spencer said it was good.

It’s 6.2% ABV. BeerAdvocate has it at 89 (Very Good) with a Bros Score of 87 (Very Good). Untappd has it at 3.6 caps out of 5. I found out today that RateBeer has sold a chunk of itself to ABInBev so I don’t know that I want to use that anymore. Plus, they’ve always been a little wonky on the ratings. So, have you had this beer? What did you think? If you haven’t had it or just have a hankering for more, head to City Bev and grab your sixer. Tell Spencer it’s the beer of the week and you’ll get 5% off your order. Listen later tonight or early tomorrow to see what Caitlin, Danielle, WS Shared Kitchen Project and I thought of it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“A ruby-red India Pale Ale brewed with American hops for a refreshing citrus aroma and flavor balanced by a firm maltiness for Springtime.” – Reviver Red IPA carton.