Molly Goatwax

The Art of Lying

Several years ago, I was enjoying a cold beer with a pal one evening at the notorious Mount Royal Tavern, when a newbie pushed between us trying to get the bartender's attention. Impatient, he asked me for the barkeep's name so he could call it out "Thomas Jefferson", I said. "No what's his name?", he replied. So I answered " George Washington", snickering. Even more impatient, the newbie said "c'mon! What's his REAL name?" "Ben Franklin!" By this time it was quite clear to him he wasn't going to get a reliable answer from me, I was laughing so hard. He motioned our server over and demanded his name. "Ben Franklin.", Ben answered with congeniality... But by this time the stranger was quite fed up, convinced Ben and I were in collusion, so he took his beer to a far corner and gulped it down before leaving. Sorry, Ben.

Earthquake

I was in a large retail beverage store in Hamden thinking that it was a bit early to be trotting out Autumn festbiers, much like the retailers put out Christmas products around Halloween when I heard the jingling of thousands of glass bottles vibrating against each other, like bells. Then I felt a bit loose in the knees and had to steady myself. Everyone in the store rushed to the large open area in the center and started discussing what turned out to have been a 5.8 magnitude earthquake. Hubby rang me up to say that he and the teen rushed outside because our wood frame house had shaken pictures off the walls. Concerned about aftershocks, I hurried home but first paid for the six of Shiner Oktoberfest that had jumped into my basket during the confusion. Now I have to go find my scaredy-cat, Homer.

Some news

I will be meeting with a firm's talent manager next week to discuss a position processing mortgage loans...

It Shines

Once again , the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas has hit it out of the ballpark. I am a big fan of their seasonal offerings. Just as my source has run out of Shiner 101, a Czech style pilsner with a true pitch, Shiner delivers Dortmunder style Spring ale. It's crisp and clear with a mild bite and so fresh. Hints of honey and lawn do not make it sweet or green but anticipate the welcome air of spring. Watch out, though. At 5.5 ABV it may sneak up on you. And no. It's not too early "Renew with a Spring Brew"! Yummy. Oh! The best part is that it costs about the same as The National Swill. A no-brainer. Visualize me hypnotizing you over the internet and go get some.

The Penny Pinching Gourmand

I took off from work on a short errand this afternoon, to the cigar store close by with cash to buy their empties. Only one of the pile suited my particular needs, which differ from other collectors of empty cigar boxes. I don't want the fancy finished wooden treasure chests. So! The clerk whose son is undergoing the art school experience and therefore took the time to ideate my requirements promised to keep the smaller wooden square ones covered in paper behind the counter for me to check on weekly. He gave me his card. This shop is conveniently next to one run by a connoisseur of odd wines and craft beers. The proprietor of this shop sold me a bomber of Hex Marzen from Magic Hat for three dollars. Everyone felt special, me more so now that I've enjoyed it. A big beer, round in the malt but not too sweet. Good carbonation and a lasting head. Robust and celebratory but not aggressive. Very drinkable. I'll have another.

The Best Thing since Sliced Bread

Is bottled. Or in this case, canned. The Baltimore Sun reports that Resurrection Ale by The Brewer's Art is coming in cans! By Memorial Day! If you've never had it, this brew is a golden brown Belgian Abbey style ale that's slightly spicy, not too bitter, not too fruity and not too heavy. It's easy to fall in love with. At 7%, it will knock you on your butt if you don't know what you're doing, so share that six-pack when you get it!

Goat beer

It makes me happy to celebrate the arrival of Spring by planting pansies in the planters near the hair studio's door and drinking Anchor Bock.