Dry Tortugas National Park Coral Problems

Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease is impacting hard coral species and damaging entire reefs in Dry Tortugas National Park. The park’s Coral Response Team observed it on May 29th, 2021 while conducting a routine disease survey. Dry Tortugas National Park was the only remaining section of Florida’s Coral Reef to not show signs of the

Honey Please and Jai Alai

Getting ready for Memorial Day weekend in the United States I was standing in our local supermarket beer section looking for beers for the weekend. I was intrigued by these two brews, Honey Please from Armadillo Ale Works and Jai Alai from Cigar City Brewing. Honey Please The Pour of Honey Please Poured into a

The Natchez Trace Parkway

Winding its way North from Natchez Mississippi to Nashville Tennesse the Natchez Trace Parkway tells the stories of Native Americans and “Kaintuck” boatmen. The parkway will take you on a journey through 10,000 years of history. The Natchez Trace Parkway is a unit of the National Park Service. Began in 1938 to commemorate the historic

National Park News in May 2021

National Park News in May 2021. This month only two news stories jumped out at me that will affect travelers over the next several months. 2021 Star Parties Fort Union National Monument is resuming its star parties. Beginning Saturday, May 22, 2021. The solitude, remoteness, and arid landscapes of Fort Union National Monument make it

The New Fresh Family from Deschutes Brewery

First, let me say a big thank you to Deschutes Brewing for inviting me to a virtual tasting of its new “Fresh Family” of beers and sending me a variety pack of the Fresh Family for the tasting. Over the last pandemic year, I have really begun to enjoy IPA much more than I did

National Parks News for April

This week I am starting a new feature that I plan on being a monthly post. Here I will bring you a round up of the new from the National Parks. National Parks Week Celebrating Nation’s Parks and American Heritage The Department of the Interior announced that National Park Week. This is an annual weeklong

A Pinterest Pin of a bottle of French Toast Tempteres, from Lakewood Brewing, is next to a pint glass filled with a Dark beer with a dark almond head floating on top.

French Toast Temptress

Once again I was in my local supermarket beer section and a new bottle caught my eye. I was shocked to see a french toast flavored beer. Beer for breakfast anyone? The Pour French Toast Temptress pours a deep dark maple syrup color. A dark tan head forms as the pint glass is filled. As

Spring Bock from Saint Arnold

After the winter storm we had, I went looking for some beers to get me ready for Spring. I realized that I had never tried Spring Bock from Saint Arnold. The Pour of Spring Bock Poured from a 12 ounce can into a pint glass. The beer pours an orange-amber color with a billowy head

The welcome to Daytona Beach Bridge Sign

Daytona Beach Motorsports and Ale Trails

A racecar driver is something that almost every young boy and a growing number of young girls want to grow up to be at one point in their childhood. Since very few of us ever get to race more than the occasional go-kart. A trip to Daytona Beach can let you experience some of the

Great Hall Hefe

As I was preparing for last week’s one-two punch of winter storms I found Great hall Hefe from Pegasus City Brewery. The Pour Poured from a twelve once can into a pint glass. Great hall Hefe is a dark straw color. One finger of head formed on the top and dissipated quickly with very little

Chief Justice Stout

Continuing my journey through the beer from beers from Legal Draft Beer Company, this week we review Chief Justice Stout. The Pour Poured very very cold from a 12 ounce can into a pint glass. Chief Justice Stout is a very dark brown almost black. It has the appearance of a really good root beer.

Accused Amber Lager

This weekend in Texas we are expecting a big winter storm, so I headed out to stock up on “research material”. The first of that supply is Accused Amber Larger from Legal Draft Beer Company. The Pour Poured into a pint glass from a twelve-ounce can, Accused pours a beautiful amber in color with a

A Pinterest Pin of a can of Brewsanity from Karbach Brewing Company is next to a pint glass filled with a dark golden beer with a thick head floating on top.

Brewsanity Golden Strong Ale

This week I look at Brewsanity Golden Strong Ale from Karbach Brewing Company. This is a seasonal beer available after the holiday season. The Pour I poured from a twelve ounce can into a pint glass. The beer pours a clear golden color with a one-finger head of white-colored foam. The head has a good

Legal Grounds

I was looking for the next beer to write about I came across Legal Grounds. This is a seasonal coffee lager brew from Legal Draft Beer company. The Pour Legal Grounds pours a dark reddish gold. This was much different than I was expecting. The beer formed head about a half-inch thick. The head is

Salted Caramel Temptress from Lakewood Brewing

This week I review Salted Caramel Temptress from Lakewood Brewing. A few weeks ago I reviewed another of the Temptress series from Lakewood Peanut Butter Temptress. That one was great. The Pour Poured into a pint glass from a twelve-ounce bottle. Salted Caramel Temptress pours a deep brown color with a one-finger head of tan-colored

Crawford Bock from Karbach Brewing Company

This week I take a taste of Crawford Bock from Karbach Brewing Company in Houston Texas. The Pour Crawford Bock pours a clear amber color with a finger width foamy head. Head retention is good. The lacing is very good. The beer has a toasted grain aroma with some bready maltiness. The Taste This bock

Blonde Ale from Trinity Forest Brewing Company

For my first review after the holiday season, I tasted Blonde Ale from Trinity Forest Brewing Company. The Pour Poured from a twelve ounce can into a pint glass. Blonde Ale from Trinity Forest pours a dark golden amber color. A slightly off white head forms that are about a quarter-inch thick. On the nose,

National Standard from Tupps Brewery

As I was looking for the next beer to write about, I came across a 12 pack from Tupps Brewery. This twelve-pack had three cans of four different beers from Tupps. National Standard is the first of those I tried. The Pour Poured from a twelve-ounce can into a large beer mug. National Standard pours

A Pinterest Pin of a can of Juice Pack from Tupps Brewery is next to a pint glass filled with a clear golden beer with a thick head floating on top.

Juice Pack Double-Dry Hopped Pale Ale

Juice Pack is the second of my reviews from the twelve-pack from Tupps. I found this sampler pack with three cans or four different beers from Tupps Brewing. The Pour Poured from a 12 ounce can, Juice Pack is a pale yellow-orange color, very turbid, looks more watery than creamy. Nice and thick white head

A Pinterest Pin of a can of Backyard Bee, from Revolver Brewing, is next to a pint glass filled with a clear golden beer with a thick head floating on top.

Backyard Bee from Revelor Brewing Company

This week I taste and review Backyard Bee from Revelor Brewing Company. This is a Kolsch style beer. The Pour Poured into a pint glass from a 12-ounce can. Backyard Bee Pours mostly clear gold with a decent white head almost two fingers thick. . The aroma of malts, grains, and fruit hit the nose

A Pinterest Pin of a bottle of Peanutbutter Tempterest, from Lakewood Brewing, is next to a pint glass filled with a Dark beer with almost no head floating on top.

Peanut Butter Temptress Lakewood Brewing

I am standing in the supermarket beer section looking for something unique to write about this week. I am literally standing there staring into the cooler when I see a familiar orange and yellow color scheme. Looking closer I see the name Peanut Butter Temptress. I start thinking NO WAY! I love peanut butter and

A Pinterest pin of a can of Texas Porter, from Lakewood Brewing, is next to a pint glass filled with a Dark beer with a thick cream head floating on top.

Texas Porter Lakewood Brewing Company

In this week’s installment, I taste Texas Porter from Lakewood Brewing Company. I discovered this beer by googling craft beers from DFW. I learned I had not tried any of their beers so I set out to find one. The Pour This Porter pours a dark brown. I poured from a 12ounce can into a

Shiner Oktoberfest

In this week’s forte into the beers of Texas, I report on Shiner Oktoberfest from Spoetzl Brewery. This is a seasonal beer available from late summer into the fall. This Okteberfest was first brewed in 1996. The Pour Poured out of a bottle into a pint glass, beautiful deep amber color with no lace. It

A pinterest pin of A can of Hefe, a hefeweizen beer from Altstadt Brewery is next to a pint glass filled with a clear golden beer with small white head floating on top.

Altstadt Hefe A Hefeweizen Beer

Standing in the supermarket looking at all of the beers to choose from my eyes were drawn to the purple box of Altstadt Hefe. Then I got excited to find new hefeweizen in the cooler. During my time in Germany, I really developed a love fo all forms of hefeweizen. This is another offering from

A pinterest pin imange of A can of Kolsch beer from Altstadt Brewery is next to a pint glass filled with a clear golden beer with small white head floating on top.

Altstadt Kolsch

This week our beer trip through the Lone Star States continues in the Hill Country. Altstadt Brewing Kolsch is the subject of this week’s review. The Pour Poured from a 12 ounce can into a pint glass. This Kolsch pours a clear golden/yellow color. A two-finger white head forms with good retention and plenty of

A Pnterst image of A can of Necessary Evil Pilsner from Manhattan Project Beer Company is next to a pint glass filled with a clear golden yellow beer with one-inch of the white head floating on top.

Necessary Evil Pilsner, Manhattan the Project

In this installment of my Beers of Texas series, we taste and review Necessary Evil from Manhattan Project Beer company. The Pour Poured from a 12 ounce can into a pint glass. A once inch white head formed and slowly reduced with good lacing to a full cap on top of the beer. Necessary Evil

A 12 oz can of Texas blond from Wild Acre Brewing Company sits next to a pint glass full of a brassy golden beer with a one finger head.

Texas Blonde Wild Acre Brewing Company

The latest in my beers of Texas series Texas Blonde from Wild Acre Brewing is a blond with more character than most of the beers in this style have. The Pour Texas Blond Poured from a 12 ounce can into a pint glass. Texas Blonde is a golden color and slightly hazy. The color is

A can of Wise Monkeys from Manhattan Project Beer company is next to a pint glass filled with a clear golden beer with a thick white head.

Wise Monkeys Belgian Golden Strong

Wise Monkeys Belgian Golden Strong is the latest in my reviews of the craft beers brewed in Texas. The Pour Poured from a 12 ounce can into a pint glass Wise Monkeys produced a thick white head on a bright, crystal clear golden ale. The head retains at a cap and leaves behind some lacing.

A can of Hoppenhimer IPA from Manhattan Project Beer company is next to a pint glass filled with the golden hazy beer.

Hoppenheimer IPA, A West Coast Style IPA

Hoppenheimer “West Coast IPA” surprised me. I am not normally a fan of IPA beers but this one I liked. The Pour I Poured from a 12 oz can into a pint glass. Pours a very clear golden copper color with almost no head. As you drink nice lacing remains on the side of the

Oktoberfest from Saint Arnold

The big Oktoberfest celebration in Munich has been canceled this year. However, we still get celebrate with all of the special fall seasonal craft brews we get her in the United States. The Pour Oktoberfest pours a clear orange-amber color with a one-finger head of off-white foam. Poured from a 12 ounce can into a

A 12oz can sits next to a pint glass filled with a reddish brown beer. the beer is Billy Jenkins Bock from Wild Acre brewing Company.

Billy Jenkins Bock Wild Acre Brewing

Looking for my next beer to review I stood in front of the cooler at my local supermarket wanting something screaming Texas. That had to be a bock. The bock style is famous in the United States from the Shiner Brewery and Shiner Bock. This is the style of beer most associated with Texas. I

A white 10oz can with Fresh Kicks printed on it sitting next to a 12 oz pint glass of the Fresh kicks Hazy IPA

Fresh Kicks Hazy IPA from Real Ale Brewing Company

Fresh Kicks Hazy PA is inspired by the IPA brewed in the Northeast U.S. the key is inspired by. It is not trying to be a New England IPA. If you have been reading for a while you know I am not the biggest fan of IPAs. Lately, I have found a couple that I

Black Matter Coffee Stout

After trying two other beers from Manhattan Project Beer company, I decided to try Black Matter Coffee Stout. I was not disappointed with Black Matter. Brewers Description “Our passion for coffee runs deep. So deep that if we weren’t in the beer business, we would be in the coffee business. And when an opportunity to

Half-Life Hazy IPA

I first had Half-Life Hazy IPA on tap at the Firehouse Gastro Park in Grand Prairie Texas. I am usually not an IPA guy, but Half-Life surprised me. This was a happy accident that I ordered. I did not know at the time it was an IPA. I heard good things about it and since

Save Space Camp

The Bottom Line up Front on this post. I am asking you to donate to the Save Space Camp Campain! Donate Here My Space Camp Story Why do I want you to save Space Camp? In June of 1982, I spent a week at Space Camp. About 6 months earlier, the camp had been announced

The number 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Driven by Bubba Wallace for Richard Petty Motorsports sits on the front stretch at Texas Motor Speedway while the race was red flagged for a wreck.

Top Tips for Attending a NASCAR Race

These are the Top Tips for Attending a NASCAR Race in a Pandemic The O’Riley Auto Parts 500 My wife, children and I braved the heat and put aside our COVID fears today and ventures to Texas Motor Speedway for the O’riley Auto Parts 500. The speedway and NASCAR did a great job keeping everyone

An image for Pinterest.com. A dark coconut porter beer sitting next to teh can it was poured from. The can is dark grey labeled Plutonium 239

Manhattan Project Beer Company Plutonium 239

I poured Plutonium 239 from Manhattan Project Beer Company into a pint glass. A thick, brown-tinted head that lingers with noticeable lacing. Deep black color in the glass. Feel is lighter and creamier than expected but still had a strong presence of chocolate and coffee with background hints of coconut. Finished with coconut and a

Rahr & Sons Adios Pantalones beer in a pint glass with a pink can showing a lemon and a lime..

Rahr & Sons Adiós Pantalones

Rahr & Sons Adios Pantalones (AKA Goodbye pants) poured from a 12oz can is slightly hazy but mostly see-through and the color of a wheat ale, a golden straw yellow hue. The head is white and leaves a decent film with a few thick horizontal squiggly lines of lacing that dissipate quickly. The aroma is

Agave Americana from Wild Acre Brewing

After seven weeks of shelter in place, I finally going to the store to find a new beer to try. Standing here looking in the beer case in my favorite supermarket I must admit I was kinda overwhelmed. After lots of debate in my mind, I chose Agave Americana from Wild Acre Brewing Company. Wild

Vintage Recipes

The vintage recipes in this series I discovered in cookbooks and recipe files that my wife inherited from her mother. We lost her mother just over a year ago. This past Christmas her Dad came to spend the holidays with us. One of the things he brought with him was Sandra’s cookbooks and recipe files.

Planning for Travel after the Coronavirus

After the Coronavirus crisis ends, we will all want to get back out and travel again. Here are some simple steps everyone can use to get back in the travel groove after the Coronavirus. Step 1 – Choose Your Destination. Sometimes this is the most difficult part of the planning process. I know it is

Weather Aware while Traveling

Being weather aware while traveling is something most people do not think about. March 1st is the beginning of the metrological Spring. In the United States, this means the chance of severe weather increases. This shows the importance of staying water aware while we travel. Let’s take a recent example of why this is

COVID-19 and Impacts on the Travel Industry

At this point, unless you have been living in a cave completely off the grid you have heard of the COVID-19 virus. This virus is impacting travelers and the travel industry like nothing else in history except possibly the World Wars. People’s vacations are being impacted or canceled, airlines are canceling flights and even the

Globe Life Field Texas Rangers Baseball

A few weeks ago my son and I got the chance to attend the public preview event at Globe Life Field. This is the new indoor ballpark that will be the home of the Texas Rangers. This new 1.7 million square foot facility will have a retractable roof and many fan amenities. Construction The Rangers

Jubelale Winter Beer

Jubelale winter beer is from Deschutes in Bend Oregon. This beer is available from October to December each year. This is an original brew from the start of Deschutes Brewery in 1988. Jubelale winter beer pours really nice from a 12-ounce bottle. The head comes in two colors: a frothier, lighter-colored ashy beige swirl amid

George W. Bush Presidential Library

Located on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas Texas, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum display a permanent exhibition that uses artifacts and interactive experiences to relate the decisions and key events of the Presidency of George W. Bush. The 14,000 square foot main gallery is framed around the principles that

Winter Warmer

Winter Warmer is an English Dark Ale from Rahr and Sons Brewing Company. This seasonal beer released in October. The flavors of roasted malt, toffee, chocolate, and caramel come forward first. The beer finishes with notes of dark fruits. Poured from a 12 ounce can, Winter Warmer pours deep brown, opaque. Good carbonation leads to

NASCAR Racing in Texas

When my oldest son was three or four years old when he took an interest in NASCAR racing. He would sit still for hours watching racing on television. This obsession of his slowly turned all of us into race fans (except my daughter, but that is a story for another day). It does not matter

Texas Rangers say Goodbye to Globe Life Park

At the end of the 2019 baseball season, the Texas Rangers say goodbye to Globe Life Park. Globe Life Park has been the Rangers home since it’s opened for 1994 season. Next season the team will move into Globe Life Field. This brand new baseball stadium will be complete with a retractable roof. The Texas

Taco Mama

What college student does not like a good taco? In Tuscaloosa, the place is Taco Mama. In college, we really had only two choices for “Mexican” food, Del Taco and Taco Bell. Having these 2 in town was a good thing. Especially when ey got into a price war on Taco Tuesdays. At one point

Air Travel Tips so You can Traveling like a Pro

Sumner has arrived, the weather is warm, kids are out of school and vacation season is here. If your plans include catching a plane here are some air travel tips for a more enjoyable trip no matter if the flights are domestic or international. Find cheap flights with these apps: Skiplagged shows you hidden-city

The Salty Lady Beer. A Texas Goose.

I am continuing my beers of Texas series with this post on The Salty lady. The Review of The Salty Lady. The Salty Lady is Martin House Brewing Company’s interpretation of a Gose – a rather obscure, tart, salty German style beer. The tartness is tempered by salt additions from around the world and finished with

Saying Good Bye to my Mother in Law

You may have noticed I have been quiet on the blog for a while. We have had some significant upheaval in family life and honestly, I have just been too busy holding it all together to write much. Thanks to all who have offered up thoughts and prayers to our family as we have soldiered

Arlington Music Hall and Atlanta Rythm Section

Something a little different this time. A few weeks ago I got to reconnect with a friend from my days in Cub Scouts. His band was playing at the Arlington Music Hall. Music hall Opening in 1950 as a movie theatre, the feature film ‘Sea Biscuit’ starring Shirley Temple. Today the marquee sign of the

Atlanta Braves Baseball and the Battery

As we neared the end of our summer college road trip, we decided literally at the last minute to stop in the Atlanta area and take see an Atlanta Braves Baseball game. A few years ago, the Braves announced they were moving from Turner Field in Atlanta proper to a new stadium just outside of

NASCAR Hall of Fame Charlotte North Carolina

The NASAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte North Carolina is home to the history of stock car racing in the United States. The NASCAR Hall of Fame honors drivers who have shown exceptional skill at NASCAR driving, all-time great crew chiefs and owners, broadcasters and other major contributors to competition within the sanctioning body. ” (Wikipedia)

New River Gorge – A Quick Stop

The New River Gorge in West Virginia is a National River, a part of the U.S. National Park System. Established in 1978, New River Gorge National River encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along 53 miles of the New River from Bluestone Dam to Hawk’s Nest Lake. A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep

Triple XXX a Review

Have you ever had peanut butter on a burger? If not take a trip to West Lafayette Indiana and eat at Tripple XXX. The Duane Purvis All American is a 1/4lb. chop steak, thick, creamy peanut butter (I think it is JIF), American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle & onion on a toasty sesame bun. This is

A Great Wolf Lodge Birthday

What do you do when you are on a college road trip for your oldest son and your youngest son has a birthday right in the middle of the trip? We faced this problem on the trip this summer. My wife and I tackled this head-on with a stay at the Great Wolf lodge in

Metro Diner Review

When we were visiting my mother in Huntsville Alabama as a part of our college road trip, she was excited to take us to the Metro Diner. My mom discovered the location on Airport Road by accident one afternoon when they were in their pre-opening and serving free food. She was so impressed, this was

U.S. Space and Rocket Center – The Place to Celebrate Space

The city of Huntsville has used the moniker “The Rocket City” for as long as I can remember. This little city in North Alabama has led the way in the United States space program since before the launch of Explorer 1 on January 31, 1958. That rocket the Jupiter “C” was developed at Redstone

Huntsville Botanical Garden, and Butterflies in the Shadow of Rockets

The Huntsville Botantical Garden is simply amazing. As we continued our college road trip we had to stop in Huntsville Alabama to visit my mother. One of our favorite things to do when we are in my hometown is to visit the botanical gardens. The people responsible for creating the gardens in Huntsville have worked over

Dreamland BBQ – An Alabama Original

In 1958 two legends began growing in Tuscaloosa Alabama. That year Coach Paul William”Bear” Bryant came to the football program at UA. The other legend that started that year is Dreamland BBQ. Tuscaloosa was the first stop on our College Roadtrip for the summer. My son wanted to tour the University of Alabama. This gave

A family day at Six Flags Over Texas

As we started our family road trip this summer we made our way to Dallas Texas. Since we had time, we spent a checking a few rollercoasters off of my oldest sons to do list at Six Flags Over Texas. Six Flags over Texas is the first park in the Six Flags family. Opened in 1961, Six themed sections,

Lake Breeze Blond, Seguin Brewing Company

Lake Breeze Blond from Seguin Brewing Company has gotten mixed reviews from others. I liked this light bodied beer. While it is close to a pale ale, it is not as bitter. Poured from the can, this is a cloudy beer. This is what you expect from an unfiltered beer. A creamy white head holds on

Planning the College Road Trip

Planning the College Road Trip. We are at the point when our oldest son must choose a college to attend. Since it has become a rite of passage for parents and children in America to take a tour of Colleges that students want to attend. My family is no different. This summer we are heading off

Happy 4th of July – Independence Day in the United States

Today is the 4th of July. In the United States we celebrate our Independence. If you have never read the Declaration of Independence, please read it. It really is a brilliant document.

Love Street Beer from Karbach Brewing

Love Street from Karbach Brewing company pours out a medium golden color. Head is white and somewhat dense. Retention of the head is moderate and leaves no lacing. The nose has honey, wheat, lemongrass and hints of bread. The taste has honey up front with the grains come in through the middle. The finish again

Fire Ant Funeral Amber Ale

Fire Ant Funeral is a traditional ale. I thought this is a really solid beer. The distinctive red amber color that is topped by a beige head that leaves some decent lacing. This color comes from the seven American grown hops. I tasted this ale poured from a twelve once can poured into a chilled

Southern Star Spring Pils

Southern Star Spring Pils pours a clear golden color with almost no head. Just a thin skin of white foam that keeps a tight collar and quarter skin. Nothing sticks to the glass, so no lacing. The aromas of grain give Spring Pils a very bread smell with hints of fruity esters. As it warms

Anthony Bourdain and asking for help

Anthony Bourdain was one of the the travelers I have really enjoyed watching over the years. The way he could blend travel, food and culture always made for great story telling. He also had the amazing ability to show not only the good parts of a destination but bring awareness to the not so good

Southern Star Humidity

Humidity by Southern Star Brewing pours a murky gold and there might be a hint of amber in it. The beer is 100% opaque. A white foam head forms when poured. The head has almost no stick or lace. The head dissipates almost as fast as it pours. I poured Humidity from a 12 once

Midnight Cab a Unique Beer

Midnight Cab for Rahr and Sons Brewing Company is a unique Black Saison beer. It is aged in red wine barrels, a nice clever recipe that’s pretty well put together. Deep chocolate brown and some nice body out of the can, with a nose of oak tannins and roasted barley. Lots of bitter dark grain

Iron Thistle Scottish Ale

Iron Thistle Scottish Ale pours slightly hazy dark ruby red/brown color with a single finger fairly dense head. This dense head is light khaki with good retention. This reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big caramel, brown

Orange Show from Saint Arnold

Continuing my beers of Texas series this week I am trying Orange Show from Saint Arnold Brewing Company in Houston Texas. Orange Show is a blonde ale brewed with almost 2,300 pounds of blood oranges. These are puréed and for each batch. This works out to about half-pound of purée per gallon of beer. A strong

Texas Shade a Wheat Beer

Texas Shade is a strange one. It pours golden and slightly cloudy as you would expect a witbier to do. The head is fizzy and short-lived. After that, the aromas of wheat and yeast flow out first followed by a blast of citrus. The taste packs a tart sour punch. Texas Shade is brewed by

Heart O’Texas Red Ale

Heart O’Texas is very dark red-brown color with a thick cream-colored head. This beer wears its 6.3 abv very well with just a nice warmth dancing in the mix. Aromas are all malt up front, with the barest smidge of fruity hops. A hint of sweet, citrus flavor appears up front with a spicy bitterness following,

The Fort Worth Stockyards

The Fort Worth Stockyards is one of the coolest places in the Dallas Fort Worth area. The premiere experience at the stockyards is watching the cattle drive. Great activity for an authentic Texas experience. In the Dallas area, this was one of my favorite activities that had a true Texas feel. You can watch the

5 O’Clock Pils

5 O’Clock Pils Pils is described as this “The pils malt is light yet with a pleasant bready character, emphasized by the decoction mash wherein a portion of the mash is removed, boiled and added back. Saaz hops, the only hop that has never been hybridized dating back to when it was first cultivated from a

Saint Arnold Brewing Summer Pils

Saint Arnold Brewing Summer Pils has so much more taste and “depth” to its taste compared to the other pilsners I’ve tried,. I thought it was just another one of those hipster beers, but I’m glad I tried it; it goes down smooth and is pretty tasty. Definitely worth trying out. I love most Saint Arnold beers,

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park has two sites: One is several blocks in Johnson City that include a visitor center/museum and historic buildings; and the LBJ Ranch 11 miles outside of town. Both are worth a visit, and I want to especially note how awesome the park rangers and park volunteers were when we visited:

White Noise Whitbeir from Saint Arnold

This is another installment in my beers of Texas series. White Noise is a crisp Belgian style wheat beer (Whitbeir). This brew is based on the Witbier produced as a part of Saint Arnolds 2015 Icon series. That beer was based on a recipe from Celis White that added some oats added for a little

F5 IPA from COOP Ale Works

This IPA is assertively hoppy, delivering ample hop pungency and flavor without shying away from bitterness yet still keeping it in balance with pale malt sweetness. Grapefruit, pith, floral hop flavors, sharp citrus. Mouthfeel is a little over-carbonated but it’s forgivable. Slightly coarse, wet, medium-bodied, refreshing. Not gushed, hot, boozy, astringent, harsh, rough, or scratchy.

The Beers of Texas Part 13

This is another installment of my series describing beers of Texas. I am looking at beers brewed and born here in the Lone Star State. Brewed at HopFusion Ale works in Fort Worth, TX Feisty Blonde is a bronze golden ale. This beer has deeply aromatic orange blossom honey and the flavor of pure Mexican

What are You Plans for Summer?

This post is sponsored by Simply Scuba. That being said the opinions here are my own. When I was in college, that was always a question about this time of year. We were all looking forward to Spring Break and Summer. Most of us that meant at least one trip to the beach and

Mosaic IPA, Beers of Texas Part 12

Brewed in Dallas, Mosaic IPA is very dark for an IPA compared to the norm. Color is similar to tea. Head is also a little darker than normal. The nose is THICK of hops as is the taste. The follow-up taste is bitter but it finishes quickly with a white pepper taste. Mosaic gets its

Art Car IPA,The Beers of Texas Part 11

The Art Car IPA name is inspired by the fleet of Art Cars. These cars are created by local artists for Saint Arnold. The label artwork is designed by renowned Houston graffiti artist GONZO247. He painted four Saint Arnold Art Cars. Art Car IPA is an American IPA that was created in a contest between

The Beers of Texas part 10 Saint Arnold Endeavor Double IPA

This is a very good beer. Double-IPA, very hoppy but tasty. The color is so beautiful, “coppery gold” like another person described. I feel like this is the definition of a very good beer (at least for me): “bold and hoppy” (like its label says), very tasty (malty/hoppy IPA), beautiful color and aroma and, last

Saint Arnold Pub Crawl Pale Ale

This is another installment of my beers from Texas series. This Pale Ale is brewed with a selection of hops (Centennial, Amarillo, and Centennial). The Centennial hops at the beginning of the boil for bitterness and Amarillo and Galaxy hop at the end of the bulk to bring in flavor and aroma. Pub Crawl Ale

Deschutes Brewery – Much Better than the Fire Tower

You might know the name Deschutes by the river in Oregon which is famous for fishing, hiking and float trips. Or, if you were ever in the U.S. Army and had to learn map reading, you know of the “Deschutes Fire Tower” on the Tenino Map Sheet. Well, there is another Deschutes, this one is

A Quick stop at the State Fair of Texas.

With the old saying, everything is bigger in Texas in mind I tried to do the State Fair of Texas in an afternoon. First let me say this is easily the biggest fair I have ever been to. Second, this was the most crowded fair I have ever been to. Both of those having been

i-USB Storer Review

USB Direct (www.usbdirectcanada.ca) Sent me one of their new i-USB-Storer devices. This is a flash drive with a standard USB 3.0 plug at one end and on the other of mine has a lightening connector on the other end. They are also available for Android devices. This is a device that is really nice for

The Beers of Texas Part 7 – Saint Arnold Amber Ale

Saint Arnold Brewery’s Amber Ale is a crisp refreshing beer. It is a full-flavored ale with a pleasant caramel character that is derived from brewing with a specialty Caravienne malt. The rich body is evident when you pour the beer and it forms a nice medium head in the mug. A complex aroma of hops

The Beers of Texas Part 6 – Shoofly Coconut Lime Ale

This is a seriously funky beer. If Jimmy Buffet was not making Land Shark Larger, he would be brewing this. This is a really tropically flavored beer. Shoofly Coconut Lime Ale is a refreshing golden ale blended with natural flavors of coconut and lime. Floral notes complement the mellow coconut and understated lime flavors. The

The Beers of Texas Part 5 – The Fort Worth

This is an American Session Ale brewed to honor the crew of U.S.S. Fort Worth. U.S.S. Fort Worth is a Freedom Class littoral combat ship named after the city of Fort Worth, Texas, the home town of Rahr and Sons Brewing Company. This was my first American Session Ale and I must say it is

The Beers of Texas, Part 4 Franconia Lager

I know it has been a while since the last installment of this series, but you can look forward to more of the beers of Texas over the next few weeks. This lager is a full bodied southern German style lager. It has a deep golden in color and contains a malty sweetness throughout the

A Family Day out in Gruene.

In our quest to get out and see more of Texas, we headed for the former town of Gruene. Located about 25 miles Northeast of San Antonio, Tx. Gruene is no longer its own town, it is a historic district with ion the city of new Bruanfels, Tx. Listed on the National Register of Historic

A Visit to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library

When your 80-year-old mother comes to town, what do you do on a hot humid Texas weekend? We decided to head to College Station and visit the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library. History of Presidential Libraries In 1939 President Franklin Roosevelt began looking for a solution to the problem of Presidential records. Up until that

The Basement of Texas, Natural Bridge Caverns

A few weeks ago I posted about my attempt to reach the roof of Texas. This time we take a trip closer to home as we head the other direction, down that is to the basement of Texas. Since we were all off for President’s Day this year we decided to explore our little corner of

Four Beers from Boulevard Brewing Company

A couple weeks ago I tasted four beers I got in a sampler pack at our local mega mart (if you follow me on Instagram @chuck006 you know this already). This pack from Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City. The four beer are the 80-Acre Hoppy Wheat, Milk Stout, Pale Ale and Rosemary IPA. This

My attempt to get to the Roof of Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Leaving early on a Saturday morning from our homes in South Texas, we headed West on Interstate 10 in the fog that seems to show up every third day or so here. Our destination in about 9 hours is Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The park is in and named for the Guadalupe Mountains of West

Why are we traveling to India?

Almost everyone I know that loves to travel has India on the list of places they must visit. I count myself among that group. I would love to photograph the Taj Mahl, run the Mumbi Marathon or visit Jaisalmer Fort, the walled city. After watching an episode of Globe Trekker where the host (Zay Harding

My 12 days as a Cuban – An Essay

The essay below was written by my college friend Patrick. He is just back from 12 days in Cuba. Their are lots of Photos from Patrick’s trip at the bottom of the story. By: Patrick Biederman The People. Cuba is a wealthy country in the sense that they have immense resources. They have oil, fish

Road trip to Magnolia Market

If you have watched any HGTV you will know the names of Chip and Joanna Gains. they are the builder and designer behind the show Fixer Upper. My wife and I are huge fans of the show. So being just about 3 hours away we had to head to Waco to check out the Magnolia

Norton Barrel Select Malbec

I was walking through the wine section at H.E.B, our local supermarket looking at the selection of wines from South America and making selections to have over the New Years weekend when I noticed this “Barrel Select” with a very reasonable $10 and some change. I had to bring it home and give it a

Waco Mammoth National Monument our #NPS 100 Road Trip

Imagine it is a spring day in 1978, you are a teenager out looking for arrow head in creek in South Texas. You are walking down a creek and instead of an arrowhead you find a large bone. Luckily Paul Barron and Eddie Bufkin Recognizing the unusual nature of the find, they removed the bone

Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

This is a departure from my Malbec fascination. Today I am tasting the Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon 2013. Grown in the Casablanca Valley is located about 17 away from the coast and west from Santiago, Chile. I will be adding this to my list of favorite wine from South America. This Cabernet Sauvignon is

Trapiche Malbec 2015

If you have read this blog for any length of time you know I have a real addiction for the wines of South America especially the Malbecs. This group of wines tends to be a good value for the price. Malbecs are produced in Argentina, Chile and Peru (which I recently discovered for the first

The San Antonio Mission Trail

In San Antonio don’t just do the Alamo but also its four sister missions! You don’t need a car, you can do by Bus, Bike or even foot. It is only a few miles from one end to the other. You can start at the most famous, The Alamo, of at the furthest from Downtown,

Happy New Year!!

We hope you have a 2017 full of great food, great drink and great travel!!

Fly Navy

Getting out of your car you can smell jet fuel and see a crowd gathered near the back of the building. Suddenly, with a thunderous roar, four jets zoom overhead painted in the famous blue and yellow livery of The Blue Angels! Pensacola, FL and Pensacola Naval Air Station are the home of the Navy’s

My First trip Down Ocean Boulevard

Being in Miami for a few days on business, I had to take the opportunity to get out and see this art deco landmark. After work on Friday afternoon the group of us decided since we were in Miami and had never been before we needed to mark off another of the 1000 places to

Dry Comal Creek Winery and the San Antonio Road Runners Labor Day Whine Run

On Labor Day (1st Monday in September) in the US, a unique wine event takes place. This is a cooperation between a High end subdivision’s Home owners association, a Real-estate Developer and Winery and a Running club. The San Antonio Road Runners Labor Day Whine Run. This 5 mile race through the Vintage Oaks subdivision

Provident Doral at The Blue Miami

I got to spend a few days in Miami on a business trip, lucky for me the Provident Doral at The Blue met the Per Diem rate I am allowed to spend for hotels. This turn out to be a great choice. The hotel property reminds me more of a residential property than a hotel.

La Rubia Blonde Ale from Wynwood Brewing Company

Wynwood uses only premium products in all of their beers. They procure the best malts from the US and use them as the base malt and mobile them with British and German Malts to create their caramel malts. They seek the finest hops from the US, England, Germany, New Zealand and Czech Republic. Wynwood puts

Intipalka Malbec – Unique Complex Flavors

This Malbec is different. It is produced at vineyards located in the desert coast of Peru along the right margin of Cañete River, 3.5 km from the coastline. Sandy loan soils, alluvial subsoil with gravel and boulder. Desert, seashore weather with sunny summers tempered by the proximity of the sea. Sea breeze provides mineral notes

Why should you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel?

So there you are, you left home at some weird hour and have been driving for what seems like days. Or maybe you fought through the check-in line and security line at your local airport and have spent a few hours on a plane with two kids both wanting to sleep on you to ensure

Themed Vacations – Not just for tour companies anymore

I have been thinking about our family travel plans for next summer. Next summer may be our last time to travel as a whole family of 5 since one will be heading off into the world and then we are moving back East. I stumbled onto the idea of building a trip around a theme.

Indpendence Day in the United States

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which

Brennan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

The Brennan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 is a medium bodied red wine with intense notes of ripe black berries, black currants, and simple light notes on the finish of fresh picked blue berries; followed by a classic tannic grip that lends Cabernet Sauvignon to pair perfectly with rib-eye steak and hearty stews. The Cabernet Sauvignon

Portillo Malbec 2014

This Malbec is a deep ruby red wine produced from hand-harvested grapes in the Mendoza Region of Argentina. The Portillo Malbec presents a bouquet rich with the fruit tones of blackberries and plums. The flavors of red current, black cherry are backed up by round tannins with a finish of long notes of cinnamon, cloves

Impressions of Frontier Airlines

Recently my family headed for Cincinnati Ohio to surprise my in-laws for their 50th Wedding anniversary. Since it was too far to drive for the short trip, we decided to fly. Since this would be my youngest child’s first flight and coupled with his autism we decided to drive to Houston from San Antonio and

Blue Apron and Hello Fresh

A few weeks ago we received a coupon for two free meals from Blue Apron and Hello Fresh. We decided to give it a try starting with Blue Apron. My wife and I were impressed with the first meals that showed up on our porch from Blue Apron. Their refrigerated boxes are packed with ice

Memorial Day in the United States.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization

Duck Commander 500

You have moved your family half way across the country and time has come for you 14 year old son to turn 15. He is a big sports fan, but not really in to any of the local teams that are in season. Has not really developed any close friends he wants to invite to

Very Cool Containers

These containers are wonderful. I replaced a number of worn out plastic containers with this set. Over the past weeks I have used them for everything from storing leftover canned tomatoes to moving my son’s fish across town. The set comes with 4 sizes of containers. Each container seals nicely and air can be removed

Really Stylish Glasses

When these glasses arrived in my house, my daughter took an instant like to them. She is preparing to head off on her own she quickly confiscated them for herself. She is a hot tea person and these glasses have become her tea cups of choice. These glasses by Ozeri are stylish and the double

a bunch of foodies and winos got together and 5k race broke out – 2016 Culinaria's 5K Wine and Beer Run

A couple of Saturdays ago (ok March 18th, more than a couple now) a bunch of foodies and winos got together and 5k race broke out. Ok, that’s not quite what happened, but it was a lot of fun. I have run many 5k races over the years, and written about a few of them

What is it that Gives us Pleaser in Wine? #MWWC24

At a TED Talk “The origins of pleasure” psychologist Paul Bloom talk s about our biological need for pleasure. “called “essentialism,” which is a particularly clever and important adaptation that drives us to focus on the deeper aspect of things. For instance, it matters, when you look at people, not to be entirely moved by what

Big Changes coming to Sea World Parks

I woke up this morning to this news. It was the very first thing our local TV news station was reporting on as I woke up at 5:30 today. Sea World announced that as of today they would stop their Orca breading program and the killer whales currently living at the Sea World Parks would

What a way to boost Breakfast – Lori’s Salt Caramel Syrup

Lori’s Salt Caramel Syrup boasts rich vanilla flavor with a hint of maple and a dash of salt for a versatile syrup that complements any breakfast dish. With only four all-natural ingredients, all you get is pure flavor in this beautiful golden syrup. It starts with a base of caramelized cane sugar then gets rounded

Frontera Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is a medium bodied dry Cabernet Sauvignon from the central valley of Chile. This Cabernet a fruity and complex nose of cherries and blackberries. On the palate, it’s refreshing acidity, fleshy tannin, and broad texture precede a short finish. The color of the wine is a deep, garnet-red at the center which fades

Rosatello Rosso Sweet Red from Italy

I have had many sweet reds and to me most of them have come across tasting something like the cough syrup my mother gave me as a child, very sweet and sticky. I was very pleasantly surprised by this Rosso. This Rosatello Rosso is sweet (but not too sweet) and easy to drink, it is

Las Rocas Garnacha

Las Rocas Garnacha is a vibrant red wine with aromas of rich dark red cherry and blackberry. The flavors blackberries, cherries and a hint of chocolate. This is a Spanish wine produced in the tiny town of Miedes about 55 miles North of Madrid in the Zaragozn providence. Founded in 1962 as a grower’s co-op,

Saturday Suprise

Saturday night my wife says she saw a recipe on TV and is going to try it on us for dinner. This really excited me. She is a very good cook and quite creative. So using the left overs from taco night on Friday, she created this. Crescent rolls laid out in a circle and

Inspired by the Theme Second Chance- Monthly Wine Writing Challenge #22

I have been trying to figure out a way to store my wine that is out of the way and out of view. In thinking about this month’s theme for the Monthly Wine Writing contest, I had a light bulb idea. We have this in expensive cabinet we have used to store many items over

Sweet Potato Casserole – Another Family Tradition

In addition to the dressing I wrote about earlier, our other traditional food for holiday meals I sweet potato casserole. This is so good it might even be a desert. Sweet potatoes, marshmallows, butter brown sugar and cinnamon are all that is required to put this completely Southern dish on your table. To serve four

4 Generations of Dressing

Growing up my mom always made cornbread dressing to go with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. After my wife and I were married and got to the point we really could not get home for those holidays with a large family, I got the recipe from my mother I began making it with my daughter helping

Hippos, Giraffes and Snakes….Oh My, The San Antonio Zoo

It is Christmas break, the kids are out of school and thanks to El Nino the weather in Texas is near 80 in December. Right you go to the zoo. We packed up the car and headed off, I must say that for a change traffic was not bad on a Saturday afternoon for once.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Food, Wine, Beer, Travel

2014 Passaggio Barbern Rose’

I will start by saying that this may be my favorite rose’ ever. While Rose’ is not my go to style of wine, the Barbern Rose’ is clean, crisp. . The scents of rose petals and tropical flowers builds expatriation to your nose. Then the flavors of strawberry, rhubarb, cranberry and orange deliver on the

Green Earth Pan by Ozeri …Really Cool Pan!!

I got the 8 inch pan in apple green to match my wife’s other kitchen stuff. In the box you get the pan and a protector to use when storing to prevent the non-stick surface from scratches. You also get a user guide with instruction for seasoning and cleaning the pan to ensure long life.

Alamos Malbec

This Alamos wine is an inky opaque dark red color with ruby red streaks going out to a deep-pink color at the rim. Several pungent notes jump out at you, but mainly black fruit tones of crushed black cherries, warm blueberry cobbler, spices, licorice, pepper, mocha and chocolate. This wine makes an entranc e with

Beers of Texas Part 3

The Southern Star Brewing Company is not just any old brewery. For one thing, they are not some huge mid‑western beer empire out of Milwaukee, or the like. The Conroe brewers are Astros fans. They got started in 2007—four Texas families and six generations strong. Like many local brewers, Southern Star started out to make

Thoughts on Events in Paris

Last Friday a group of young men acted to end the lives of over 120inocent people and bring terror to a city. Reportedly members of the group known as ISIS who conducted this attack in response to the French government attacking them in Syria. Of course the French we responding to an attack on a

Menage a Trois Malbeb

This is another Malbec from the Mendoza Region of Argentina. I have been fascinated with these Malbecs for over a year now. The Malbec presents tones of fresh blackberries and cherries to the nose. Menage a Trois Malbeb has the tones of black berries, blueberries, dark cherries and spices to build a complex dance of

The Ozeri Prestige Electric Wine Opener

The Ozeri Prestige Electric Wine Opener makes opening wine bottles easy while entertaining your guests at the same time. This is an American made product. Designed for home and restaurant use, its latest generation battery now opens up to 80 wine bottles with the gentle push of a button, all on a single charge. The

Beers of Texas Part 2

This is the second installment of the Beers of Texas series I am working on. Texas produces some of the most unique beers in the country. We start off this addition with Independence Brewing Company which is all about Austin. The world is quickly figuring out how pleasantly different Austin, Texas is. The city motto

Beers of Texas Part 1

When we have visitors come from out of town, we always want to give them give them a true taste of what our local community’s food and drink is like. We introduce them to the nicest folks around; obviously feed them real beef barbecue; and of course you’d hand them an ice cold Texas beer.

The Geographic Pedigree of American Wine – American Viticultural Areas

Lately in a number of wine publications I have seen the AVA talked about and discussed at great length. What I was reading talked about how one area produced one kind of grape, or how this are produced a more acidic grape. As I have a background in geography this discussion got me curious, so

Casa Rio – First on the Riverwalk

Have you ever seen a picture of the San Antonio Rivewalk? The one of the restaurant with all the colorful umbrellas down by the water? That is Casa Rio. Casa Rio was the first San Antonio business to open its doors to the River and take advantage of the River’s setting. The restaurant sits on

Orcas, Sharks and Steel Eels…Oh My! Sea World San Antonio

High on my families list of things to do after we arrived in the San Antonio area was a trip to Sea World. My children love the animals and for the older two hit the thrill rides. Sea World really is a place where there is something for our entire family. Even though we went

The Little Museum That Could, The Texas Transportation Museum.

Opened in 1964 to help preserve artifacts and information about the varied elements of San Antonio’s fascinating transportation history. In 1967 the museum moved to is present location on 40 acres in McAllister Park, just north of the International Airport on Wetmore Road. The museum’s mission statement is “Texas Transportation Museum is a volunteer lead

San Antonio Missions – The United States newest UNESCO World Heritage site

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and by sure luck the day before our visit the park became the newest USESCO world Heritage site in the United States. The group of former missions includes not just active churches, but also farmlands, living quarters, granaries,

Full Moon Rye IPA from Real Ale Brewing Company

This is a retake on the original beer from Real Ale Brewing. I never tasted that original beer and I am not the biggest IPA fan. That being said I like this, it is not something I would drink everyday but with a good hearty meal this would be a fine choice. I think I

Firemans #4 from Real Ale Brewing

Firemans #4 is a blond ale brewed by the Real Ale Brewing Company. This beer gets it’s name from being the fourth year round beer from Real Ale and is named in honor of Firemans Texas Cruzer Bikes. Located in Blanco Texas, Real ale only distributes their products in Texas. The Real ale brewing philosophy

Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio, Texas

Six Flags Fiesta Texas has been open since 1992. It is a traditional Six Flags park with an attached water park. The park has 15 attractions listed as “Thrill Rides” excluding the water park. All of the thrill rides are well done. Some like Pandemonium are showing their age, not that they are not fun

Rancho Alto Malbec 2013

This was a $9.00 bottle at Walgreens and I am quite leased with it. This is another Argentinean Malbec, which is becoming a theme in my wine writing. It has an inky deep red color in the glass there are heavy fruit notes of blackberry and raspberry being the foremost. Their might also be just

Devil’s Backbone from Real Ale Brewing Company

This Belgian style beer has a light golden color but do not let that fool you, with an 8.10% alcohol content it packs a kick. This ale uses spicy hops and Belgian yeast to create and distinct and unique aroma and taste. Despite the alcohol content this beer is not heavy. Real Ale is obviously

Pascual Toso Malbec 2013

This is another Malbec from the Mendoza Region of Argentina. The aromas of plums and oak hint at the flavors of this wine. To the pallet this Malbec presents the flavors of Black Berries and, licorice are primary with traces of smoky vanilla and oak linger through the finish.

Carmel Road Unoaked Chardonnay

This Monterrey Chardonnay presents a crisp tangy balance of rich flavors. Peaches, nectarines, mango and hints of guava and bread fruit are the flavors that make up the complexity of this wine. This chardonnay is rich and smooth, very drinkable. It has a sweet start with all the fruit flavors however it has a dry

Sum’R Sumer Ale

This ale from Unita Brewing Company in Salt Lake City Utah. This beer leads with the citrus flavors of oranges and lemons. This combination of flavors come from the unique hops used in the brewing process. The Sorachr Hops come from Japan and are balanced with light malts to produce a fresh crisp beer.

A Wine Crisis – Monthly Wine Writing Challenge #MWWC18 CRISIS

A crisis is defined as a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger, a time when a difficult or important decision must be made. My wine first crisis came way back when I was in college. A young lady offered to make Lasagna for me if I would bring the

Amateur Traveler – Episode 464 Travel to the Tennessee Valley (Tennessee, Alabama)

Recently I was a guest for the second time on The Amateur Traveler Podcast hosted by Chris Christensen. I talked about where I grew up and the great things to see,do and experience in the Tennessee Valley. You can listen to that episode or read the transcript at the link below. http://usa.amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-tennessee-valley-episode-464-transcript/

Lost Cove American Pale Ale and Lowes Food’s Beer Den.

Our local Lowes Food Store just completed a major remodel. In this new remodel store is a Lowes food Beer Den where you can get advice on beer and sample several selections on tap. Last Saturday was the first chance I had to give it a try. This is the first grocery store in our

Candoni Pinot Noir

This is a light and fruity Pinot Noir. The fruit is forward in this wine. That fruit is followed up by earthy tones that highlight the fruit to the palate. Candoni Pinot Noir is a dry elegant wine with good balance and structure. Red and black currents highlight the bouquet with undertones of vanilla. Hidden

Bodega Norton Coleccion Malbec 2014

This Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina has a deep ruby red color. Aromas of black berries, newly ripened plums and fresh strawberries are predominant to the nose. This wine has a good balance and is not overly acidic. This is a smooth full flavored Malbec. Pair this Malbec paring well with grilled meats

K-nom 2012 Clos Troteligotte Cahors Malbec from France

According the tasting notes for K-nom 2012 Clos Troteligotte Cahors Malbeb from France “Enticing red cherry aromas lead you into a sip of this well-made Malbec blend. Your palate is immediately filled with fresh berries, but there is underlying complexity as the earthy notes become apparent. Silky-smooth tannins and pleasant minerality allow this French Malbec

Weather and Vintage

The vintage of a wine is about the last thing that most casual wine drinkers look for when choosing a bottle to bring home to go with dinner. However that bit of information can provide huge insights to the taste, aroma and body of the wine inside. A vintage wine is one made from grapes

Wine Trends So Far in 2015

As we approach the half way point of 2015 I thought I would look at the trends I see in wine this year. I started this look at trends by taking a look at what some of the Big Boys (the one that show up of the top page of a google search) said what

Trip Planing

When I am at home running around NC I tend to do things on the spur of the moment. A trip to a new museum or to the pottery shops when the relatives visit are easy are to do quickly and do not need a real plan, but if we are traveling on more than

2011 Homefront Red

Created by Murphy-Goode wineries, this is a California Red blend that is food friendly and fruit forward. The blend is 34% Zinfandel, 27% Merlot, 16% petite Sirah, 13% Petite Verdot, 6% Syrah and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. The aroma of blueberries and black cherries lead the taste of raspberries and cherries to the pallet. This blend

So I was ask “How do I taste wine?

I started to explain it then I told him, I will wright about it and that way could get all the thoughts on what I do in one place. Tasting wine is different from just drinking with dinner or at a party with friends. I see this as a process to investigate the wine and

Copper Hill Pinot Noir

You see a clear garnet color throughout the glass of this organic certified pinot noir. This wine provides power and elegance to the pallet. It presents the aroma of sweet and spicy cherries backed up by earthy tones of talc. The flavors of red fruits with a healthy well balanced acidity flow through the wine

Jed Steels Shooting Star Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir is grown in the unique soils of Lake County California. This is a late ripening fruit which allows the grapes to develop longer on the vine. The rich volcanic soil of Lake County and the wide range of temperatures swings you would expect to see grapes such as Syrah and Grenache to

195 American Fusion

The best non resort restaurant in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines area may be 195 American Fusion. Located in an out of the way building, 195 presents inspired cocktails, great atmosphere, creative entrees that feature local ingredients, and wonderful desserts. The dining room is a pleasing elegant design that complements the food and adds to the

Black Mocha Stout

Highland Brewing Company’s Black Mocha Stout has a very malty body which bring out the big flavors of roasted chocolate. This flavor profile is developed by the use of roasted barley in the brewing process. This stout has a deep black color and forms a firm light brown head when poured. All of this combines

Cypress Bend Vineyards Autumn, North Carolina Table Wine

An intense aromatic red muscadine wine that has a warm body and deep complexity. The intense fruitiness of this interesting wine creates a lasting impression on the palate and the mind. The colors of a crimson autumn evening sky really hint at the fruitiness and sweetness of the wine. I am not sweet wine kind

2012 Casa Castillo Monstrell Jumilla

This Spanish wine comes from old vines of 100% Mourvedre and aged for six months is neutral French Oak barrels. Casa Castillo Monstrell Jumilla is a medium bodied wine with a rich mouthfeel that hold in on the pallet. The wine has the aroma and flavors of black raspberries, flowers, blueberries, a hint of cherry

Sur De Los Andes Malbec

This 100% malbec from the Mendoza Region of Argentina has a deep purple color in the glass. This is a very drinkable wine with the flavors sweet vanilla, black berries and some pepper. At the finish there are earthy mineral tones that put an exclamation point on the drying tannins. Sur De Los Andes is

Southwest Airlines From Raleigh (RDU) to Tampa (TPA)

This is a first for me in a long time. I am flew Southwest for the first time since 1991. I must admit I was concerned. I knew they had some crazy boarding system and no assigned seats on the plane. The experience far exceeded my expectations. Everyone was helpful and nice and to my

Terminal 1 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

Usually when I fly out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport I am leaving from terminal 2, which is the newest. Only one airline currently has gates in terminal 1, Southwest. In terminal 1 there are three places to eat and 2 of the typical airport magazine/book and snack shops along with the shop with the overprices tech

Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

This version of the “King of Reds” is a full bodied wine with bold flavors. This is really a blend of 75% Cabernet, 15% Syrah and 10% Merlot). To the nose Carnivor presents deep aromas of blackberries and coffees. Across the pallet flavors of berries, roasted coffee beans caramel and charred oak provide a full

Keegan’s Seafood Grill

When I travel I always try to find unique places to visit or to eat. Over the years I have found the food network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives(or at least their web site) to be a valuable resource to find unique places to eat. As soon as I knew I was visiting the Tampa

What is Your Wine Type?

Understanding the characteristics of different types of wines is essential to fully appreciating a wine. I am not an expert on wines, I just write about what I like and what I do not like. This is a chart I use to help me as I think about what a type of wine should be

Alligator Drool American Pale Ale

Alligator Drool is brewed and bottled exclusively for the Rosen Hotel and Resorts. This American style pale ale is certified 100% USDA Organic. Alligator Drool is very hoppy and has a smooth mouthfeel and a dark amber to copper color. Aromas of floral hops and sweet malt. This ale presents a light bitter taste at

Gnarly Head Pinot Grigio 2014

Gnarly head Pinot Grigio is full of fruit flavors and has a feisty acidity. This is a bold white wine. The nose detects floral tones of honeysuckle and some tropical flowers. The flavors of this Pinot Grigio include lemon, honeydew melon, nectarine and a hint of apricot. This is a refreshing white wine that would

Decopas Sauvignon Blanc 2014

A few weeks ago I wrote about the Decopas Malbec. I really liked that wine so when I had the chance to try their Sauvignon Blanc I jumped at the opportunity. The first thing I noticed about the Sauvignon Blanc is how clear the wine is in the glass. While it has the golden color

Natty Greens Red Nose Winter Ale

The third week of October is a much anticipated time for beer lover’s ale in North Carolina. That is the week Natty Green Brewing Company releases their winter seasonal beer “Red Nose Winter Ale”. Red Nose is really all about the season. This the classic American ale only sweeter than an amber. Lots of caramel

Cigar Box Malbec 2013

From the Mendoza region of Argentina, this Malbec is created with handpicked grapes from a single vineyard. The wine has an aroma of plums and flowers like violets with just a slight hint of vanilla bean. The flavors of plums and raspberries followed by hints of white oak make this a fine wine to serve

Product Review: Mission Endura Cool Large Blue Instant Cooling Towel

After seeing these advertised on TV all summer, on impulse, I decided to get on and see if it would work as advertised. I picked one up, on clearance the day I was going to spend on a ladder cleaning gutters. I followed the instructions, soaked it in water, rung out the excess and snapped

Firesteed Pinot Noir 2012

This Pinot Noir from the Rickreall Oregon area is fermented is stainless steel tanks, and then pressed in the last days of the fermentation process. As soon as the malolactic fermentation process is complete the wine is racked. A small amount of barrel aged wine is blended in to add complexity to the aroma and

The California Grill —

A full-service dining restaurant located at the top (15th floor) of the Contemporary Resort’s tower, formerly the Top of the World restaurant. The California Grill offers views of the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort. In addition, it offers a view of the Magic Kingdom’s

Greg Norman Estates Shark Red 2011

The Shark Red shows a deer reddish purple color that reminds me of the garnet in the colors of Florida State University. To the nose the Shark Red brings vanilla, figs and the aroma of crushed blackberries. Shark Red presents the taste of vanilla, blueberries, blackberries and woody oak to you. This is a smooth

Diseño old vine Malbec 2013

Two of Argentina’s most highly respected vignerons supply Diseño Malbec from old growth vineyards in Mendoza. Vines grow in fertile soil; rich with old mineral deposits, irrigated by heavy winter snow melt from the Andes glaciers. Diseño is the example from the Mendoza region, the Uco Valley and Lujan do Cuyo areas, of Argentina. The

Lunch at Betsy’s Crepes in Southern Pines, NC

Betsy’s Crepes is the place to meet and eat! Betsy’s food is amazing cooked to order with quality ingredients. Her coffee is outstanding! Her smoothies and dessert crepes are a cannot miss. I love the atmosphere as it is energetic, yet cozy and comfortable – Betsy did an amazing job in creating the atmosphere

Campo Viejo Tempranillo 20123

This is a single variety red wine from Spain. To the eye this wine presents a cherry color that starts bright and clear on the edges and depends to a black cherry color with great depth at the center of the glass. To the nose this Tempranillo cast aromas of wild cherry fading to notes

Noble Vines 446 Chardonnay 2013

This is another offering from Noble Vines. This chardonnay is crisp and clean with an oak or maple woody flavor on the front end that fades to the taste of light citrus such as such as lime and other tropical fruits. The aroma is one of almonds and pears. I found the 446 to be

Happy New Year !!!!!!

From all of us at foodwinebeertravel.com , we wish you and your family a Happy New Year!!

Something New for Dessert

Fonduing Krispy Kreme Doughnut holes in chocolate for a New Year’s Eve dessert.

I almost missed this!! Woodman’s of Essex turns 100!

This place is one of my favorite places to eat in Massachusetts. I first discovered Woodman’s in 2006 as I prepared to move to the Boston area. I read about it in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz. As soon as we survived our first winter in Concord

Five Tips for Planning a Cruise

The experts will tell you whether you are planning you first your hundredth cruise there are some tip that make the whole trip the experience of a lifetime. Tip #1. Use a certified CLA Travel Agent to help you choses the correct itinerary and the ship that best suits your needs. Think about where you

Red Guitar Old Vine Tempranillo Granacha 2010

This is an easy going everyday red wine blend from the Navarra region of Spain. The blend is 52% Tempranillo grape and 48% Granacha. This blend presents a deep red color filling into a deep black core in the center of the glass. To the nose, the Red Guitar has crushed raspberries, black pepper, strawberries,

Middle Sister Merlot

This wine is a blend of Merlot and malbec grapes. The aroma of vanilla and raspberries are the first things you notice about the wine as you swirl it in the glass. As for the taste this blended Merlot starts with fresh berries, raspberries and strawberries. Those lead into a finish of coco crossing the

Gnarly Head Authentic Red 2012

Gnarly Head Authentic Red is a blended red wine with zinfandel, Syrah and merlot grapes and a simple splash of malbec. The main thrust of this blended wine is black cherry with raspberry playing a major supporting role. These bold flavors are backed up by layers of spices like vanilla and sage. This is a

Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014

This wine is sweet. The aroma has loads of tropical fruits . The fragrances of grapefruit, pineapple, kiwi and a hint of newly mowed grass are the first indication of just how sweet Monkey Bay is. This Sauvignon Blanc is very crisp, but I would not call it clean. The wine has all of the

Mark West Pinot Noir 2012

This is a dry red with aroma and flavors of black and red cherry. Complex hints of spices and oak are apparent deep in this Pinot Noir. This is a very approachable and drinkable wine that will pair well with all manner of dishes from Cheeseburgers and grilled salmon to a turkey dinner with all

Noble Vines 242 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

This is a nice crisp, clean and Sauvignon Blanc. Presenting fruity aromas of peach, melon, lemon grass give this mid palate wine a bright acidity. Hints of lemon and passion fruit with a touch of guava give this medium bodied Sauvignon Blanc it’s crisp taste and clean mouth feel. This wine would pair well with

Stone Cellars California Merlot

This Merlot is just OK. There is really no aroma to the wine other than the smell of wine. The Merlot has a balanced taste that is neither sweet nor dry. I got this bottle as an arrival gift for checking in to a hotel, so for free it isn’t bad. This is a Beringer

Nobel Vines Pinot Noir 667

$15 to $18 dollars a bottle for 750ml This 2012 vintage from the Monterey California area has an appealing aroma of black cherry and vanilla. The 667 is a smooth full bodied red wine that would pair well salmon, beef stews or soft cheeses. Deep tannins and even acidity bring out the core flavors of

Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival Presented by Chase®

I know many people that say EPCOT can be boring and very little every changes in the World Showcase. I think this could not be further from the truth. The landscape and gardens change with the seasons and World Showcase host one of the best events of the Disney year, the Epcot® International Food &

Railhouse Brewery FCA IPA

Continuing on my Railhouse Brewery theme this week, today I report on their FCA IPA. This is an English style India Pale Ale. The FCA IPA is 7.5% alcohol by volume and has an International Bittering Units score of 73. The IPA has a deep hoppy flavor and builds a good head when poured. It

Be Our Guest A Dinning Fantasy of Beauty and the Beast

We all remember the song from the movie sung by dancing dishes and candle sticks…… Be our guest! Be our guest! Put our service to the test Tie your napkin ’round your neck, cherie And we’ll provide the rest Soup du jour Hot hors d’oeuvres Why, we only live to serve Try the grey stuff

Mastiff Oatmeal Stout

This is the second time I discovered one of our local beers in a local Super Market. This oatmeal stout is 6.5% ABV and an IBU of 32.5. It pours from the bottle with a good, dark, cola-brown color, but there is next to no foam. The aroma is subtly sweet and coffee smelling. The

McManis Merlot 2012

The grapes for this 2012 Merlot were harvested between August 24 – Oct.1, 2012, this Youthful bright purple hues highlight the medium ruby color of the 2012 McManis Family Vineyards Merlot. Fruit forward with pretty Blackberry aromas surround a bouquet of cream and a hint of baking spices. Juicy and concentrated, the lively mix of

Decopas Malbec 2013

A vibrant red with violet tones. Ripe red fruit enhanced by a spicy bit of black pepper in the aroma and onto the palate of this willowy medium-bodied red. Soft tannins support the palate on its way to delivering a smooth and complete finish. Harvested in March, the grapes are cold macerated prior to fermentation

Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow

The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (E.P.C.O.T) was a concept developed by Walt Disney near the end of his lifetime that went as far as elaborate visions and plans and the purchase of property near Orlando, Florida that eventually became the Walt Disney World resort, including Epcot (formerly known as EPCOT Center), a related concept

Red Rock Merlot 2012

Hints of oak and cherry are the highlights of this dry Merlot. While some have tasted other berries such as boysenberry, I mainly got Cherry and oak flavors. This wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and juicy. The flavor profile is a ripe black cherry with some integrated oak. The finish is dry and its

The Park that Started it All – The Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World “The Happiest Place on Earth”. Walt Disney created a place where he children and their parents could have fun together and everyone enjoy themselves. I wonder what Walt would think of it today? I have read many about Walt and his style of leadership and I think there

A Visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The forth of the major parks to open at the Walt Disney World Resort was Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There are many things as a family we like about this park. It has a good mix of thrill rides and shows, but it is still hard for us to make a full day out of

KA-BAR Brown Ale – Railhouse Brewery, Aberdeen NC

KA-BAR Brown Ale won First Place: English Brown Ale, North Carolina Brewer’s Cup 2013 I was in the grocery store tonight, and saying I wish they would carry the local brew from Railhouse and I looked up in beer isle and there it was. The brewery was founded December 1, 2010 by military veterans with

Lowes Royal Pacific Resort

In a previous post I talked about my families high expectations of theme parks, which extends to the hotels on park property. The Royal Pacific puts on a good show in the lobby, we were greeted by several very enthusiastic valets and bellmen all wanting to help with our bags and put a lei

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, Orlando Florida

This was our first trip to Universal Studios for our family of five. After several trip to Walt Disney world, we have very high expectations for theme parks. The entertainment at both Universal Studios and islands of Adventure is outstanding. The attractions for people tween age to adult are fabulous and the technology used in

Highland Gaelic Ale

Gaelic Ale from the Highland Brewing company in Asheville, NC has a beer with a malty and toasty aroma , there is no citrus to it at all. The ale is a copper color (14-17 SRM), not cloudy. the carbonation produces a firm head with small bubbles that dissipates quickly. This is a medium body ale, not to heave in

Red Banshee Ale

This is a dark brown (22-30 SRM) with a firm head of medium bubbles. the foam of the head is a rich tan color and last for a while. Red Banshee has a spicy and floral aroma, which leads to a slightly sweet taste with hints of malt. There is a clean after taste that

Chocolate Stout

This is a black stout (SRM 43) with a dark tan foam head with medium bubbles that disappears quickly. There is just a hint of the chocolate in the aroma it is a very subtle but it is there. No hint of bitterness in the aroma at all. For taste, there is a subtle hoppy

Can't wait to write about this trip

Huntsville, Alabama, the brain of the "Heart of Dixie"

Have you ever wanted to go to the Moon or Mars? If so Huntsville is a place you need to visit. Known as the “The Rocket City” Huntsville Alabama is now one of the “High Tech” centers of the world. The city is on several fastest growing and best places to live list. The

Road Tripping and Racing with my Son

My oldest son is a huge NASCAR Fan. His favorite driver is the Six Time Champion Jimmie Johnson. So when we heard that the Jimmie Johnson Foundation was holding a 5k race in Huntersville, NC as a part of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Wellness Challenge we knew we had to go run. This was my

Thoughts on Gluten

Several years ago when our youngest son was first diagnosed with autism, we read all the ideas people had about what causes it and how to cure it. So we started going gluten free. The gluten free products available five years ago were, well just plain bad. Fast forward to today as we are working

Dessert in El Salvador

It is called Budin (pronounced boo-deen) It is a bread pudding except this version is made with banana bread. It is sweet but not overly so, it has cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and star of anise spices as additional flavors. It was just sweet enough for my taste. Some El Salvadorians add raisins to it. Ours

Eating in El Salvador

While we were in El Salvador working on the house, the church had local ladies that cooked for us. Honestly we did not have a bad meal. The church made sure the cooks washed everything in water that was safe for us drink there by removing the threat of parasites. Our first meal was grilled

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