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.

While I was talking to my sister’s boyfriend last night at dinner he mentioned that I should have more Top 5 lists.  He is right.  Who doesn’t love a good Top 5 list.  When I started TheDailyMuddle I wanted these to be a staple and for some reason they’ve been absent.  So let’s get it started again.

A Top 5 list that I’ve wanted to do for a long time is favorite Seinfeld episodes.  We’ve all seen them a million times and we all have our favorites.  After reviewing the full episode list I realized that the list needed some parameters because there are just so many.  I decided picking a favorite episode from each season was appropriate.  That equals 9 episodes – this is obviously not a Top 5, but same premise right?  It works.

Season 1: The Stock Tip – There are only 5 episodes in Season 1, but this The Stock Tip takes the cake for me.

Season 2: The Deal – Again, this was not a full season with only 11 episodes, but The Deal is a great episode.  The main plot is Jerry and Elaine trying to strike up a “friends with benefits” relationship.  They believe by setting some ground rules they can successfully accomplish this.  They don’t.

Season 3: The Red Dot – This is the first full season.  The Red Dot is an amazing episode that contains one of my favorite scenes with George being confronted by his boss about his sexual encounter with the office janitor on his desk.  His response is, “Was that wrong?  Should I not have done that?  I tell you, I gotta plead ignorance on this thing, because if anyone had said anything to me at all when I first started here that that sort of thing was frowned upon…you know, ’cause I’ve worked at a lot of offices, and I tell you, people do that all the time.”  Other favorites are The Cafe, The Tape, The Boyfriend (Keith Hernandez and the “second spitter” theory), and The Good Samaritan.

Season 4: The Contest – Season 4 is chalk full of great episodes including: The Virgin, The Pick, The Shoes, and The Junior Mint.  The Contest is a classic episode though and I couldn’t not (nice double negative there) pick it.

Season 5: The Marine Biologist – This was really tough for me because I love The Mango as well, along with several other episodes from this season (The Sniffing Accountant, The Hamptons, and The Opposite).  George’s recollection of saving a beached whale including, “The sea was angry that day my friends – like an old man trying to send back soup at a deli”, puts The Marine Biologist ahead of the rest though.

Season 6: The Gymnast – I love this episode and all of it’s intertwined stories.  Jerry “The Comedian” courting “The Gymnast”, George and Mr. Pitts fascination with 3D art, and Kramer’s passing of a kidney stone.  A great episode.

Season 7: The Pool Guy – This season is a little ridiculous.  It includes these classic episodes: The Soup Nazi, The Rye, The Caddy,  The Seven, The Wig Master, and The Calzone.  The Pool Guy probably isn’t the best overall episode in this season, but includes Kramer imitating Moviefone.  Those scenes are some of my favorite of any episode.  It also includes “relationship George” vs. “independent George” when Elaine befriends Susan.

Season 8: The Abstinence – This episode is where both George and Elaine abstain from sex.  George becomes a genius, while Elaine becomes an idiot.  It’s hilarious.  This season also has several other great episodes including: The Bizarro Jerry (almost beat out The Abstienence), The Comeback, The Yada, Yada, Yada, and The Millenium.

Season 9: The Voice – The final season of Seinfeld.  The Voice might be my favorite Seinfeld episode (not committing to anything though).  It has the plotlines of Kramerica Industries (with Kramer’s intern Darin, “Kramer says what’s up buddy.”), Jerry’s girlfriend’s talking stomach (hhheeellllooooo), Elaine unable to quit Putty, and George arguing with Play It Now once they find out he isn’t handicap.  It’s an amazing episode.  Other Season 9 greats are: The Serenity Now, The Blood, The Strike (Festivus!), The Strong Box, and The Frogger.

This rounds it out.  It isn’t a classic Top 5 list, but it’s definitely a list.  What are your favorites?  Any episodes I clearly missed?

From almost being in the NIT to the Sweet 16

So the first and second rounds of the Men’s NCAA Tournament have come to a conclusion and I know many who would argue that most of the fun is now over.  I would certainly be in that boat.  If you can remember, awhile back one of my first posts was on the Top 5 Sporting Events people look forward to each year.  The Men’s NCAA Tournament was a staple of many people’s lists – more specifically the 1st and 2nd rounds.  So I thought it appropriate to write a little follow-up post.  Overall, the first and second rounds were a lot of fun – Thursday was a little on the blah side, but Friday through Sunday were great.  Both Friday (Ohio St. vs. Siena & Wisconsin vs. Florida St) and Saturday night (Gonzaga vs. W. Kentucky & Duke vs. Texas) were great games that capped off great days of basketball.  Last night was a little less exciting, but the Marquette vs. Missouri & Michigan St. vs. USC games provided some nice Sunday afternoon drama.  It seems that over the past several years a 13 seed has managed its way into the 2nd round and Cleveland St. did just that by beating Wake Forest pretty handily.  I’d have to say that the Ohio St. vs. Siena game Friday night was my favorite of the weekend, but you could make an argument for numerous others.

After doing pretty horrendous in the first round with my picks I made a second round comeback by getting all 16 second round games correct (I think this is the first time ever I have had the entire Sweet 16 correct).  The funny thing is – I didn’t watch any college basketball or do any pre-tournament research before making my picks.  I usually get a little crazy between the time the bracket comes out and Thursday morning, but due to my school schedule and the much more important fantasy baseball draft that occured on Saturday I just didn’t have the time to put effort into the bracket.  I probably filled it out in less than 15 minutes hoping for the best….and what has transpired?  I’m doing much better than when I actually think I know something about it all.

Just a couple other musings from the weekend – if you’re into golf, how amazing were the Master’s commercials this weekend?  Every time I hear the music and Jim Nance saying, “A tradition unlike any other” I get goosebumps and entirely too giddy.  I cannot wait for April 8th.  How annoying are truck commercials – especially these ones with Howie Long.  Why don’t they just come out and say what they’re basically saying, “my manhood is bigger than yours because I drive a Chevy” or whatever truck he is promoting.  Seriously – does driving a horrendously big pickup truck make you more of man?!?  These commercials are driving me crazy!  Let’s see…what else – I had my fantasy baseball draft this weekend and I really wanted to write a post about it, but I can’t think of an angle that anyone would care about (do you care that I drafted Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder in the 1st and 2nd rounds?  No, you don’t, so I’m not going to write about it).  All in all I think it went well though and I thoroughly look forward to the beginning of the baseball season.

That’s it – a little housecleaning post.  How is everyone doing in their brackets….anything particular happen over the 1st and 2nd rounds that you’re extremely excited/disgusted about?  Which team looked the best to you?  Thoughts on the Masters….stupid truck commercials?  We all saw the same 14 commercials over and over this weekend….any other ones extremely annoying or good?

While I was back in Maine over the holidays my family and I went out to dinner……..a lot.  It is one of my favorite things to do.  Well, one evening after the New Year we were out to eat at the Frog and Turtle and the Australian Open was on television.  Side tangent, if you live in Maine and haven’t visited Frog and Turtle you’re missing out – great food, one of the best wait staffs around, good live music, and my personal favorite – a large clientele age range (early twenties to seventies I’d say).   Anyways, back to the Australian Open.  My sister brought up how we never really pay attention to the it, but all the other tennis majors.  Since it was just after the New Year I had recently completed a few Top 5 lists for 2008 and the following popped into my head, “what Top 5 sporting events do I look forward to each year?”  I of course blurted this out to the table and we had a lively discussion each coming up with our Top 5.  To be clear (and I must thank my sister’s boyfriend, Josh, for bringing this up) the lists are comprised of sporting events that we look forward to watching each year.  This is not a list of which sporting events we would attend (if attending any event were possible) each year.  So without further adieu, here were the table’s lists:

Ana Ivanovic at Wimbledon

1.  Wimbledon

2.  First Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

3.  Masters

4.  U.S. Open Tennis

5.  College Cheerleading Championships

Josh’s (sister’s bf) Top 5

1.  UEFA Champions League Finals (Home & Home)

I think he's nervous he just messed up his hair

2.  NBA Finals

3.  New York Jets at Miami Dolphins

4.  British Open

5.  NCAA Men’s Basketball Finals

Dad’s Top 5

1.  Masters

2.  First Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

3.  U.S Open Golf

4.  Wimbledon

5.  U.S Open Tennis Round 1

Simply put - he's the man

1.  Masters

2.  MLB Opening Day

3.  U.S Open Golf

4.  Wimbledon

5.  First Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

My family’s lists are pretty homogeneous, but thanks to Josh there is some variety sprinkled in.  So what are yours?