Babble

In the last 24 hours I’ve learned a lot about beer and been given the opportunity to sample about 500 varieties. Note that I am still able to type. The festivities started Friday night with a hops-harvesting/grill out at Stiers’ place. We filled half a grocery bag with Cascade hop cones from Stiers’ yard, which look like little soft green pinecones and give beer it’s bitterness, taste and aroma once they’re dried and added to the brew. The big beer event was Saturday though – The 18th Annual Great Taste of the Midwest. We arrived an hour early to stand in line (note in the photo the line goes back to the bus way off in the distance) and soon were ready to go with tasting glass in one hand, the other sporting a bright orange bracelet prominently displaying the phone number of Union Cab. (Excellent targeted marketing.) Once inside the fenced-in area the beer was flowing freely, new friends were made, and a good time was had by all 5,000 participants. The generous and newly-wed Mrs. Lyra then invited us back to her nearby home on Monona Bay for a bonfire, food and much-needed water. I also met her pets, Barley and Hops. It was a beautiful evening and a great way to end the day.

Just to allay my mother’s concerns of alcoholism, I will add that I also ran the Depot to Depot 5 Miler Race from Black Earth to Mazomanie early Saturday morning. Great course on back-county highways and the last half mile is forest trail. Got my best time yet. Still slow, but improving.