Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Beer Review- Leffe-Biere de Printemps Lentebier


Hello beer friends!  Time for another beer review by me, the amateur beer reviewer and blogger of random things.
Today's beer is Leffe-Biere de Printemps Lentebier (Spring beer) It is one of many varieties of the Leffe brand.  I brought a bottle home from Belgium where I was playing in an international ice hockey tournament.  

Leffe-Biere de Printemps Lentebier. (6.6 ABV)


Visual- Copper color with a thin beige head.  I poured a little too carefully and didn't get the normal thick head.
Aroma-  I detect citrus fruit and malty aromas.
Taste-I can certainly taste the citrus.  It appears to be lemon.  Also just a hint of clove.  Starts off smooth and tasty but finishes kind of tarty.
I'm not sure what I think of this beer yet.  It's playing with my taste buds.  One minute it seems tart but after a few sips, the tartness is less potent.  Then the tartness comes back.  Of all the Leffe varieties, I won't be in a hurry to try this one again.  I'm going to defer a rating for now. I'll never say don't bother.  Your taste buds might be different.  Give it a try if you come across it.  Prost and vive!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Beer Review: Schwaben Brau Volksfest Bier


Greetings!  It's been a little bit since my last review.  I've been busy with work and school work.
Today's beer is Schwaben Brau Volksfest Bier.  They sell this at the shoppette.  It is a seasonal beer that usually comes out around late fall or early winter.  I had a couple left over and it's been kept in my chilly basement over the winter so it should still be good.

Schwaben Brau Volksfest Bier (5.5 ABV)


This is labeled as a Marzen.  However, it tastes a bit like a mild Pilsner.  It has a deep golden color and a bit cloudy.
When poured, it generates a medium head that dissipates quickly.  I detect some wheaty, malty, and a hint of berry fruit aromas.  This beer is medium bodied and tastes a bit doughy and hoppy with a crisp and ever so slightly tart finish.
I like this beer.  To me, it's the best of a lager and a pils.  Overall, I'd give it a B-.  You may be able to find this beer in your country or if you happen to be in Germany during the Volksfest time, pick it up and give it a try.  Prost!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

KMC Eagles (3) Gets Big Win In Friendly Match


9-4 was the final score.  Normally E3 would be on the losing end of that score line but not on this day.  E3 now knows what it feels like to be on the winning end of a blowout. 

KMC Eagles E-3 played the Wiesbaden Viking’s B team in a friendly match in Mainz.  The team arose early on a Sunday morning to make the drive and play some early morning hockey.  The Eagles brought 3 full forward lines and 2 defense lines however, we lost center Steve Cotta early in the first period due to an ankle injury. 

The game didn't start out so well when, early in the game, the first line dominated possession in the zone but couldn't put one in.  Wiesbaden broke out quick, beat the D and scored the first goal of the game.  After that point, the Eagles seemed to find their legs and quickly dominated for the majority of the game. 

It was a great game for the developing Eagles team to practice some much needed game time situations.  The team showed great improvement overall.  It was also a great confidence booster. 
This team could be trouble for DPL Division 4A come playoff time. 
Goals were scored by :

Todd Lutz (2)
Ludwig Schweinfurth (2)
Craig Domko (2)
Shawn Boos (1)
Kirk Brower (1)
Ruediger Schulte (1) on a penalty shot
Heather Cohen scored but the goalie knocked it out and the ref didn't see it cross the line so it didn't count. 

Goalies Mike Kwain and Gabe Bjorkman split the time in the net.  Both goal tenders played solid with each stopping many shots and only letting in 2 goals apiece. 

Thursday, December 27, 2012

New Year's Resolutioners.


The new year is almost upon us and for many people, that means time to make a change and normally that change is with their physical appearance. If you are waiting until January 2nd to get started with your physical goals, my advice to you is to don't even start. If you truly wanted to change, you would have started already. Why wait until a specific date? Only 1% or less of people stick to their new year's resolutions. Let me tell you this. You will NOT see results in the first few weeks you start. That is when most people get discouraged and quit. It takes a lot of time and dedication to see changes in anything you do. Save yourself the money and discouragement.

This may sound a bit insensitive but the people that start the gym on January 2nd and the following weeks are just an massive inconvenience to the people that are there on the regular.  Taking up parking spots and weight stations.  The most frustrating thing about that is that we know that you won't be there for very long. 

If you truly do want to make a change, then you must realize that you have to be in it for the long haul. It is no easy task committing to what you need to do to realize the change you want. So, do yourself a favor. Really think about your goals and be realistic about them. Don't wait until January 2nd. Start right meow!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Hard Day.

Below is something posted by my sister.  I don't know if she came up with it herself or got it from somewhere else.  All I know is that it made me break down and cry.  Today is the 8th anniversary of my mother's death due to cancer.  I don't tend to dwell on it.  I don't actually think about it that much.  Sometimes the fact sneaks up on me.  Maybe pushing it down is my way of coping.  I don't know.  I try not to think about it too much.  I don't take much stock in the afterlife or when people say your loved ones that are no longer with us are still with us in our hearts.  I don't take comfort in that stuff.  My mother is gone and it hurts.  It hurts so bad every time I think about it.  Saying she's still with me in my heart or she's looking down on me doesn't comfort me in the slightest.  My mother is gone and it hurts so bad.  

It hurts the most when I think about how successful I've been in my military career and she hasn't been around to see it.  The same applies to my brother who is in the Navy.  He has been pretty successful himself in his military career.  It also hurts that she's missed the intelligent woman my sister has become.  God, she is so much like her mother.  It hurts so much that our mother has not been able to share our life successes with us.  

Everyone tries to comfort us by saying she's looking down on us or that she's with us in spirit.  I'd like to believe that but it gives me no comfort.  

I look back to the times when our family struggled financially and we had to eat pancakes and french fries for dinner on paper plates off the kitchen floor and now her two sons are serving around the world and her daughter has a bright future in a nursing career.  She gave up a lot so her three kids could have more than she ever dreamed.  The fact that she can't be around to see it kills me the most.  

Another dagger in the heart is that she died on the birthday of her husband, my step father and the father of my brother and sister.  Technically they me be my half-brother and half-sister, but I will never see it that way.  Larry and I may have had our virulent differences in the past but I've moved on.  I don't hold anything against him at all.  I still love him like a father in addition to my biological father whom I have a very close relationship with as well.  

I will always love Larry like a father and think of him often.  Especially on a day like today.  

Anyway, below is what my sister posted and what made me break down on this 8th anniversary of my mother's death.  



You look back on memories you forgot you had,
And at times you'll smile even though it hurts so bad.

Your mother is a special woman and no one can take her place,
You'll find a piece of mind when you remember he smiling face.

Your mother is an angel now she flies high above the rest,
and in your hearts always and forever she will be the best.

She has earned her wings and it's time for her to fly,
I know it hurts no one is ever ready to say good-bye.

She knows you do not understand and that you cry at night,
But as you finally drift of to sleep let her memory hold you tight.

She will be your guardian angel through the rest of your life,
Helping lead you on the path between what' wrong and right.

your mother loves you so very much and her love will always remain true,
Please don't ever think for a second that your mother will forget you.

A mothers love is like no other in the whole world,
d she has the most wonderful memories of a little boy and girl.

She has taken them with her as she's flown away,
Up to Heaven free of pain which is her new home to stay.

So although you can not see her and you wish she could be there,
Your mother can always hear you and your mother will always care.

A mother does not forget the two greatest loves of her life,
And she loved nothing more than being your mommy, and your daddy's wife.

She is so proud of her family and that's in her heart to stay,
Even though she's and angel and has had to fly away.

So as you cry your tears remember your mothers love,
Being sent to you from her, from the beautiful Heaven above.

She will be there through your good times, she will be there through your bad,
She'll be there when you are happy, she'll be there when your sad.

Your mother has become and angel now, it is her time to fly,
And you will never know how bad it hurt me to watch you have to say good-bye.
♥

I miss you with all of my heart mumma!  I wish to hell you could see what beautiful and successful children you've raised!  

I can't be bothered to change the format of this post right now.  I'm drunk and in Morocco so deal with it. 

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Rocking Out!

I like to sing karaoke.  I'm not a great singer.  I'm probably not even a good singer.  However, I like to imbibe a bit of liquid tone enhancer then get up there and have fun with some of my favorite tunes.  I did just that recently and my wife recorded it.  This is good for a laugh.


You can't take karaoke seriously!  

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Beer Review: Unertl Gourmet Weisse

Greetings!  It's been a little bit since my last review.  I've been busy with traveling and school work.
Today's beer is Unertl Gourmet Weisse.  I got this from my beer man.

UNERTL Gourmet Weisse (5.6 ABV)



It is a dark hefeweissen.  It's cloudier and a bit lighter than your typical dunkel weissen.  (Dunkel is German for dark.)
The color is a dark, rich copper color.  It's cloudy with medium carbonation.  When poured, it generates a thin head that dissipates quickly.  I have a feeling that I didn't pour this one quite right.  I detect some wheaty yet sweet and citricy scents.  This beer is medium bodied and tastes a bit doughy and sweet but with a mild bite to it yet finishes with a slight nutty flavor.  I like this beer.  It goes down like a hefeweizen but with all the flavor of a dunkel.  Overall, I'd give it a B.  If your lucky enough to find this beer in your presence, give it a try.  Prost!