SITREP 05APR2019 This Time with BEER!!!!

Hello all,

After some alpine climbing a brother can become very hungry and thirsty. Sean drove me over to Mountain Sun brewing for a burger, as it is a classic Boulder establishment, since 1993. They have several locations throughout Colorado, and I went to the Southern Sun location next to Neptune Mountaineering, where there is a climbing museum. I sat at the bar and ordered the Helles, which was excellent, and a burger with a side of chili and fries; also excellent. My neighbors had a huge order of nachos that made me a bit jealous, but I soldiered on.

Southern Sun Boulder, CO

Burger and Big Krane Kolsch

The service is friendly, and they clearly have adopted a system to running the front of the house that works well, is structured enough, but not rigid. They were training a new staff member, and I watched as they used the "Learn one, Do one, Teach one" philosophy that is pretty effective in getting people confident in their tasking. 

I wanted to get a quick look at the brewery, but they were wrapping up when I got there. They have a 10BBL system, similar to our rig, but much older. 

My second beer was the Colorado Kind Ale, and Amber Ale, which is a super popular style here, likely due to New Belgium and their famous Fat Tire Ale. Another well-brewed, well balanced beer that I absolutely recommend. I was pretty tired at this point, and though I was tempted to have another beer, I headed over to get some Ice Cream, and to the climbing museum. I will spare you the details there. This is the night I went to Domo, and gorged on Japan's version of Homestyle food. It is a good thing I am walking and running and climbing, otherwise I would be as big as a house!

Everyone here is friendly, and not pretentious, which is a bit un-nerving coming from the 305. I asked my guide to give me the finger and insult me in a foreign language so I would feel more at home. He obliged me.

On the bus ride back home I blissed out for a bit thinking of how lucky I am to be alive, and how excited I am to brew some beer and create a community space in Miami.

Stinky and happy

Tomorrow, Beer in Aurora!

Denver SITREP 05APR2019 Part 1

Today, honestly, was one of my best days. It started early, and I am a bit stuffed up. A little free advice when y'all get here, DRINK LOTS OF WATER! your mouth will feel dry, and it will help with altitude acclimatization. I have been drinking more than 3 Liters a day + a decent amount of beer and booze. Rant over. Onward to ADVENTURE!

 Got up at the ass-crack of dawn to go climbing with Sean, my guide, where we set out to tackle the First Flatiron direct.

The big boi up there in the front. 1000 feet elevation gain on the hike in, with over 1000 feet of climbing. After slogging up a muddy trail we arrived to find the start still had some snow pile, so we decided to call it an alpine climb.

A few dicey, unprotected moves, then some easier unprotected moves until Sean clipped the eyebolt (OLDE SCHOOL) about 75 feet up the pitch. Dude makes it look easy...It kind of is.... Kind of...

We moved fast...well Sean did. I moved fast for a dude that had not been on rock in over a decade. The climb lends itself to letting go. There are so many movement options that one has to simply climb and not think. I see why so many people free solo this route.

Looking down from the top of the first pitch.

Second pitch. 

Third or fourth, they all start to blend together, as we were finding a groove. Note the slung horn as a belay.

 Her I am, rock you like a torrential downpour...or something like that.

Sean moving swiftly up pitch 4?

Sean, having a moment of reflection, wondering how he got into this mess with a Native Floridian.

 We ran into an injured soloist, with her boyfriend, she broke her ankle. We both offered to lower her so that the Mountain rescue team could get her out of there faster, but they refused. It was odd, and we waited for about 30 minutes until the unit arrived before casting off again. We could have had her on the ground and she could have been halfway to the ambulance had they not refused. People are strange.

Pitch 5, the last full rope stretcher.

 After this, we short-roped the rest of the climbing. It was easy, and safer to move faster as it looked like some weather was headed in.

Obligatory summit shot with Longs Peak in the background.

We made it 4 hours car to car. The trail down was super icy, so we moved slowly. Between that, and the injured climber, we could have gotten nearly an hour off that time. By the way, the rescue squad was still getting her off the ledge. Sometimes having all the gear and personnel makes things worse...Sometimes.

Denver SITREP 04APR2019

This is a more fun SITREP, as I have little beer news, just a few reviews. Landed in CO in the AM and was surprised to find that the USWNT (Our 3 time World Cup winning Women's soccer team) was in town to play Australia. Tickets were way too much money and were nearly sold out. The staff at the hotel suggested I call the Box Office, and they hooked me up with an SRO ticket for a reasonable price. First stop: Buckhorn Exchange:

Here is Martin, my bartender, and an Amber lager made with all Colorado ingredients.

 Well brewed, well balanced, but not fabulous. Would have again, but second choice over anything new. Martin was awesome. Open, funny, remembered everyone's names, and was super casually professional.
 8 Second Kolsch was my second beer. This is a good Kolsch...tart, but not sour, refreshing, this is a good style for Miami, especially in the summer.

 It also pairs well with Rocky mountain oysters. According to Martin, I need to eat them two at a time...because that's how they come. *rimshot* I could crush these beers.

 Final Beer was the Tivoli Bock ale, which wasn't a Bock (As a Bock is a lager) but was certainly a very good final beer, as it was malty and complex, and I would certainly drink another of these at the end of a meal. Not crushable though.

Took a Lyft to the match and got my ticket. The Lyft driver was telling me all about the cocaine and swingers scene in Denver. He has a foot fetish, and cannot deal with FL, because "feet stay sweaty".


 The stadium is small and cozy, so every seat is a good seat. They have a pub there, and several spaces to simply hang out away from any inclement weather. This is where the USMNT played Costa Rica in the infamous Snow Bowl game. People here are super open and warm, and I had a number of beers that I forgot to take notes on. Hopefully, I can jog my own memory.

So far, so good. The rest of my posts will be to this blog, as it is easier to deal with.

Blur
Honcho, FN Beer