2015

New Beer Blog Anchor Brewery Christmas Ale (2015)

image

In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Anchor Brewery.  It is this year’s version of their Christmas Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this West Coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this California craft brewery.  Let us get into this Winter Ale.

It has a black color with constant tan color head. The smell has a sweet malty to light alcohol with a hint of chocolate to coffee notes. The taste of this medium body beer has a dry malty to slight coffee notes. The aftertaste has a dry malty with a hint of alcohol notes. It is a sipping beer

Here is a description from their website (www.anchorbrewing.com):

This is the forty-first annual Christmas Ale from the brewers at Anchor. It is sold only from early November to mid–January. The Ale’s recipe is different every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew.

Our tree for 2015 is the Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara), better known as the California Christmas Tree. Native of the Himalayas, it takes its name from the ancient Sanskrit devadaru, meaning timber of the gods. This coniferous evergreen, with its gracefully droopy branches and blue-green needles, has been a San Francisco favorite for over 150 years.

The annual search for the perfect tree for our Christmas Ale label usually takes us far afield. This one began and ended with the search for a parking space near the Brewery! Getting out of the car, we couldn’t help but notice the way the late-afternoon sun danced amid the branches of two lovely Deodars just half a block from Anchor’s front door.

Our longtime label artist Jim Stitt—who has been drawing trees for us since 1975—loved “our” Deodars and, like us, was amused that they were about as local as local gets! His charming illustration evokes the radiant beauty of our arboreal neighbors as well as the spirit of the season. Cheers from the Anchor brewers!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.anchorbrewing.com

Twitter:  @anchorbrewing

In the end, this beer is like a tradition of going home for the holiday.  I always pick up a six pack of this beer every year.  I will be honest right now.  I was not a fan of the last few years.  I love this years. This year’s just blew me out of my mind.  It is very well balance.  I love the how it is pretty dry.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Sports Thought Thursday Blog Jon Lester And Cubs Playoff Team

In this Sports Thought Thursday blog, we are going to dig into the exciting offseason from my Chicago Cubs.  This MLB throughout the league has been really exciting offseason.  I am pretty excited because Chicago Cubs are getting ready to start winning in two years.  What does the Joe Madden and Jon Lester move means for this upcoming seasons in 2015?

The Chicago Cubs are not winning the World Series in 2015.  They are going to make the playoffs but some of their kids might take a few steps back.  Baez came up and started hitting some nice home runs. The excitement shot through Cubs nation. MLB took notice to the kid. He stroke a ton.  His Minor League numbers show it.  He had in last season 388 At Bats and stroke out 133 times.  He had 23 home runs.  He played 52 games with 213 At Bats and stroke out 95 times.  The league will caught up with these kids on their weakest and strength.  Soler when he came up he was pretty hot and then cool down.  He batted .143 in the last seven games.  I am not saying this doom.  These kids will need to make some changes just like the league had too.  I love our farm system and the upcoming kids on the roster.  Jon Lester will give us that Ace they needed to fill out the rotation.  He puts rest of our starters in line.

Here is the Rotation:

  1. Jon Lester
  2. Jake Arrieta
  3. Jason Hammel
  4. Kyle Hendricks
  5. Jacob Turner
  6. Travis Wood (Bullpin)
  7. Edrwin Jackson (Bullpin)

I believe they will spit up that Lefty to Righty at the top of the rotation.  It is pretty strong and I know Travis Wood had a rough year.  I can see him bouncing back but I would not be shocked to see him traded to have one of other young pitchers come up in his spot.  He might start the season in the bullpen because of the resigning of Jason Hammel.  I know Edwin Jackson will be in the bullpen.  I cannot see him starting and I would not be shocked to see him traded.  He is owned a ton of money so maybe a bounce back year and traded before the trade deadline. He will start if there is some injuries. The Cubs has something they did not have in 2014.  They have depth in the starting rotation.  They will have some more kids ready half way through the year or September call ups.  The lineup has some interesting looks.  I know Joe Madden will have some fun here. Let take a look at that now.

Here is the Lineup:

  1. C. Coghan LF
  2. J. Baez 2B
  3. S. Castro SS
  4. A. Rizzo 1B
  5. J. Soler RF
  6. M. Montero C
  7. L. Valbuena 3B
  8. A. Alcanara CF
  9. Pitcher

There is a ton of things can be moved around.  You know Castillo will be traded because I cannot see team carrying three catchers.  I also love pick up of Tommy Le Stella to back up Baez.  If Baez starts out slow or just struggle, he can step in at second.  We know Ross will be behind the plate when Lester is pitching so he will be in the 7th or 8th part of the line up.  There is some choices and I know they are not done trading and signing players.  I am not getting into the bullpen because I want to see what other moves they make. Joe might have a different way of looking at this line up.

Closing, I am liking what I am seeing from my Chicago Cubs.  They will make the playoffs next season or just miss it.  I can see them come out with a strong start or finish to the season.  I can see a few more moves before spring training.  I can see them doing some kind of moves before the trade deadline to add for the push to the playoffs or moves for 2016.  Either way, Cubs fans are excited this season as they should be for this team.  The last few years teams around the league believe they had a win playing us. This is not the case anymore.  2015 is a promising season and I am excited.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13