The Daily Muddle

Last year, I posted my inaugural Beer of the Year Awards on BuzzonBeer.com. It was a lot of fun and a great way to cap the year. It was a little bit of a struggle to remember the beers from 2008 because I had not kept any record of them.  Fortunately, this year I have kept record of most of the beers I have tried over 2009 via BuzzonBeer.  So – here is my 2009 BOY Awards – enjoy!

Hoppin' Frog's Bodacious Black & Tan

5.  Hoppin’ Frog’s Bodacious Black & Tan

I really enjoy black & tan’s and don’t think you see enough of them around.  This beer gave Zach the idea for this little contest and it turned out to be a lot of fun (even if we never came up with a winner).  One of my favorite things about black & tan’s is that they are just enjoyable to drink.  The flavors mix so well (usually!) and balance each other out (again…usually!) for an almost always enjoyable beer.  Anyways – the place I usually buy beer has a large selection and I think this is the only black & tan.  Confuses me a little.  If you stumble upon this guy, definitely give it a try…heck, if you stumble upon any black and tan…give it a try.  As an aside, I had several Hoppin’ Frog brews during 2009 and they are all very good.  I would recommend most – this just happened to be my favorite.

Big Sky's Moose Drool

Big Sky was easily my brewer of the year and Moose Drool (possibly the best name for a beer ever) was my 2nd favorite brew of theirs over the course of 2009.  It is a brown ale, but has a distinct taste that I can’t really put a finger on.  It almost turned me off at first, but after awhile I really started to enjoy it.  A lot.  If you ever stumble upon Moose Drool or any Big Sky brew, I can’t recommend them more.

Southern Tier's Unearthly Imperial IPA

3.  Southern Tier’s Unearthly Imperial IPA

I was really really impressed by this beer.  Sometimes imperial’s can be overpowering with all the alcohol, but not this guy.  It was actually really smooth and had nice balance.  As Zach pointed out (and thanks for the picture), it is a little pricey, but if you can find it on the cheaper side, definitely check it out.

2.  Big Sky’s IPA (far left)

Big Sky's IPA

Big Sky’s second appearance on my 2009 BOY Awards and for good reason.  Big Sky puts a distinct spin on several types of classical brews and this IPA is no exception.  It almost has a fruity taste to it, which doesn’t sound appealing, but it works very well.  Again, as with most Big Sky brews, you may be taken back at first due its unorthodox taste, but give it a chance and I’m sure you will start enjoying.  I am currently living in the midwest, but am hoping to return to the east coast.  To my dismay, Illinois is the furthest east Big Sky distributes.  Can we somehow get them to change this?  Seriously?  I think a letter needs to be written.

Ska Brewing's Modus Hoperandi IPA

1. Ska Brewing’s Modus Hoperandi IPA

At over $11 a 6-pack this is certainly a pricey beer, but it is so darn good it is worth it.  Just so good.  My BOY Awards are a little IPA heavy, but this IPA didn’t really have any competition for the top spot.  This beer appeared at my local liquor store in late October and I was attracted due to it coming in a can.  I picked some up neglecting to look 2 inches down the shelf at the price, but am thrilled I didn’t because I may have never bought any if I did.  It ended up being my BOY.  There is nothing really exotic about it like Big Sky’s IPA, but it is one of the most flavorful and drinkable IPA’s I have ever come across.  Wolaver’s IPA and Bear Republic’s Racer 5 were my top 2 BOY in 2008 and I think Modus takes them both out.  I’ve scoured for more Ska Brewing (sound on this page – ick) brews, but haven’t been able to find any.  Another beer I will desperately miss if my move back to the east coast occurs soon (strangest distribution for a brewer I’ve ever seen by the way: Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, New Mexico).

So that’s it folks.  Another year in the books.  I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful if you’re ever roaming around your local liquor store looking for something new to try!

No introduction is really needed here…I like music…I like top 5 lists…the two go hand-in-hand. So here is my Top 5 Albums of 2009. Enjoy!

5.  Patrick Watson – Wooden Arms

One of the more interesting albums I heard in 2009 and I loved every minute of it.  I am a huge fan of his other band, The Cinematic Orchestra, so when I heard he was doing a solo project I jumped right on it.  I’m unsure how he produces a lot of the sounds on this album, but they are certainly unique and a lot of fun.  Highlights on the album for me include Fireweed, Bejing, and Big Bird in a Small Cage.

4.  Dinosaur Jr. – Farm

These guys have been around for a long time, but this is the first album I purchased by them (due in part to discovering they were on the Jagjaguwar roster).  They are definitely more ‘rock’ oriented than a lot of the stuff I listen to, but this album didn’t leave my car for the last 6 months of the year.  If you’re looking for something a little heavier, but not over the top, look no further than this album.  Highlights included Ocean in the Way, Over It, and See You.

3.  Lightning Dust – Infinite Light
Another product of the Jagjaguwar label, I loved this album from the first listen.  It has a folk feel to it that I really enjoy it and I love Amber Webber’s vocals.  She is joined by Joshua Wells, both of Black Mountain.  This album is certainly softer than that of Black Mountain and from my perspective doesn’t have a poor song on it.  Highlights for me include Antonia June, History, and Honest Man.

2.  Sissy Wish – Beauties Never Die
This album was originally released in Siri Alberg’s native Norway in 2007, but was not released in the states until 2009.  I’m a little hazy on how I stumbled upon this album, but I’m thrilled I did.  This album is full of diverse songs and has a distinct pop feel.  I have not heard her previous 2 albums, but apparently this album is much different.  If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path, definitely check this album out.  Highlights for me include Float, Beauties Never Die, and Milk.

1(B).  New Pornographers – Challengers
Because this album came out all the way back in 2007 I’m adding it as an amendment to the 2009 list because it deserves a place here somewhere.  I lived on this album for the first few months of the year.  I’ve been a New Pornographer’s fan since Mass Romantic and this without question is their best album.  Probably the best 4 opening tracks of any album I own, they set the tone for the remaining 8 tracks which are all excellent.  Even if you are not a New Pornographers fan you should try this album.  Seriously.  Go buy it.  It’s difficult to choose highlights on this album, but if pressed I’d have to go with Challengers, Go Places, and Adventures in Solitude.

1.  Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Up From Below

I came across this album via a side comment made by Carrie Brownstein in a All Songs Considered podcast.  It turned out to be my album of the year.  There are so many things about this album I enjoy.  Some tracks are catchy (40 Day Dream, Janglin, or Home), while others show more grit and soul (Carries On, Desert Song, Simplest Love).  Most importantly, I love the smokiness of Jade Castrinos’ vocals and overall ‘bigness’ of the 10 to 13 member ensemble band.  I only purchased the album in November so album of the year may be premature, but I’m still thoroughly enjoying it and showing no signs of slowing down.

Honorable mentions include: Fanfarlo – Reservoir, Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest, Blitzen Trapper – Furr (not a 2009 release), and Taken by Trees – East of Eden.

First time I saw this, I thought it was fake. It’s not. Completely real and it’s hilarious.

Next couple of days – my top music of 2009. Look for it.

Look at what you’ve done snuggie….look at what you’ve done.

I don’t know what to say about this?  What?  How is this even legal to sell?

Steering Wheel Laptop Desk

I admit, I’m a late-comer to the Amazon MP3 game, but since there is no better way to purchase music I figure the “Bestselling MP3 Albums of 2009″ from Amazon.com is pretty good indication of what the general populace is listening to.  At the very least…it’s interesting.

Really enjoyed this xkcd webcomic.

Going to be tough for an album to derail this one from being my album of the year. It’s amazing through and through. It’s $5 at Amazon right now – well worth the price of lunch.  This is their tiny desk concert at NPR. They preform Janglin, Home (5:10 mark), and 40 Day Dream (10:15 mark). I’m dying to see these guys in concert. Enjoy.

World Cup 2010 and ESPN's Intl Soccer Power Rankings

I visit ESPN.com everyday. I stay pretty current on sports and related news stories…a lot of it has to do with keeping my knowledge up-to-date for fantasy sports….yeah. Anyways, something I really enjoy about ESPN are their power ranking articles. These articles are fluid rankings of professional/college teams against each other. Check out the NFL page, for instance.  As I visited ESPN today I was excited to see that they have added International Soccer to their power rankings roster.  As the 2010 World Cup is approaching, it will be fun to monitor these rankings (although I don’t suspect they will change much).  If you’re into soccer and/or the World Cup, definitely check out this page as they have information and shorts blurbs about all of the teams, along with keeping you up-to-date on who has qualified.

**UPDATE** So as I was perusing the power rankings a couple things jumped out at me.  Chile at #9 and US at #14.  Is Chile really that good?  And if so…really?  As far as the US goes, I think they have been over-ranked for years.  I personally think there are several teams rated below the US that could handle them easily (Cameroon, Croatia, Denmark, Sweden, Czech Republic to name a few).  People agree…disagree with me?

As a devoted HTC customer I was exalted to see a commercial for the company during the World Series tonight – mostly because I have never seen any advertising for HTC (at least not at this level).  They make wonderful products and most people have never heard of them and they really should (hence the ‘Quietly Brilliant’ slogan?). I was even more excited that I liked the commercial….a lot….and have to love Nina Simone as the choice for background music.  Enjoy.