Jerry_L

I thought the following news was fascinating. From io9 (link): Over at Quanta Magazine, Natalie Wolchover has authored a stunning feature on the "amplituhedron" – a jewel-shaped, geometric object that could give scientists a new perspective on the quantum world, while "[challenging] the notion that space and time are fundamental constituents of nature." Yes, that is fascinating!

The Light at the Edge of the Universe Paperback by Michael D. Lemonick (Author) Will the universe expand forever? Or will it collapse in a Big Crunch within the next few billion years? If the Big Bang theory is correct in presenting the origins of the universe as a smooth fireball, how did the universe come to contain structures as large as the recently discovered "Great Wall" of galaxies, which stretches hundreds of millions of light years? Such are the compelling questions that face cosmologists today, and it is the excitement and wonder of their research that Michael Lemonick shares in this lively tour of the current state of astrophysics and cosmology.Here we visit observatories and universities where leading scientists describe how they envision the very early stages, the history, and the future of the universe. Not the best book on the subject, and a bit dated, but I've had it on the shelf for about 15 years and wanted to finally get through it. I got some enjoyment and knowledge from it, though there's almost as much about the personalities and social lives of scientists as there is about their theories. Which is o.k., makes it a fairly breezy read for a science book.

I must get a few more of this year's Old Stock to cellar.... (Fort Bragg, CA) – North Coast Brewing has announced the much anticipated release of its 2013 vintage Old Stock Ale. Since it sprang onto the beer scene in 2000 with the award of a Platinum medal at the World Beer Championships, Old Stock has won two Great American Beer Fest medals as well as additional WBC medals. Brewed in the classic English old ale tradition, the Old Stock recipe includes Maris-Otter malts, Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops and delivers a very friendly 11.9% ABV. The brew’s loyal fan base has learned that the beer cellars beautifully and can be laid down, literally for years, with the rich, winey flavors becoming softer and even more seductive with age. “I think this is one of the finest beers we produce,” said Mark Ruedrich, North Coast’s Brewmaster. “It has an elegance that transcends the usual expectations of beer. We’re quite proud of it.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgImzFEw0Q4

North Coast Old Stock Ale 2013 - 11.9 % ABV - I like this even more than the Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron. Old Ale is my favorite style. What a flavor! The alcohol is far less present than you might expect at this strength. I'll look for those, BT. I ought to be able to find them here in Delaware. I've also got a Storm King chilling, but I won't get to it tonight. Since they're limited release beers it should be a lot easier to find them in Delaware. Try to find any bottles that were bottled from previous years if possible. They're brewed to improve with age. The sweet spot so to speak for the WWS is @ 18% ABV. Also, like the 60 and 90 minute....the 120 also represents the IBU amount as well as the time it was boiled/hopped. Though the high ABV keeps it from being that bitter. I thought those numbers were just boil times. That is rather high IBU for my palate, but I'll give them a try.

I'll look for those, BT. I ought to be able to find them here in Delaware. I've also got a Storm King chilling, but I won't get to it tonight.

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron - Can't drink this too often, but at 12%, if this doesn't blow your hair back, nothing will!

Why Beer Bottles are Green, Brown or Clear http://brokensecrets.com/2010/03/23/why-beer-bottles-are-green-brown-or-clear/ Brown bottles filter out visible and ultraviolet light that causes this reaction. Clear and green bottles don’t do much for filtering out the harmful light, clear and green bottles are often a marketing decision more than a practical one. Clear bottles look great, showing off the color and texture of the beer while green bottles were once a status symbol for beer. After World War II, there was a shortage of brown glass, so European brewers exported their beer in green bottles. Because many of those beers were extremely high quality and others were just priced to seem that way, the green bottle became a status symbol for great beer. Beers with little or no hops aren’t as susceptible to damage from light, so clear and green bottles are widely accepted for those beers. BeerSci: Why You Should Never Drink Beer From A Clear Glass Bottle In the end, if you want to avoid the skunk entirely, just buy a beer that has been packaged in a keg, cask or can. Those beers can (and do) develop bad flavors, but you'll never get one that has been skunked.

Beer shipped in a keg should not deteriorate from light exposure, so it could taste the same as in Germany. However, I have not yet sampled any of the German brews on draft. U.S. Lowenbrau, which I haven't seen here in many years, was a Miller product mass produced here. It wasn't bad, but certainly not the same as the imported German product. No bottled beer is exactly the same as a draft experience, but the other Germans I've tried were brewed and bottled in Germany and imported here. It is unfortunate that brews like Hofbrau are in green glass, which is more prone to deterioration from light exposure than brown glass or cans. Physics and Green Beer Bottles: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/03/physics-and-green-beer-bottles/ Despite the glass, Hofbrau doesn't compare well to other Oktoberfests, at least to my taste. It may be quite popular in Germany, but to me it tastes like a typical German lager, not a true Marzen recipe. But it is true that the bottled domestics are usually fresher than bottled imports, so judgement is somewhat biased by proximity. As long as I enjoy what I am drinking, I won't worry too much about it.

Even though Hofbrau is one of the Munich six, it wouldn't make my top ten. Neither would the Leinenkugel. Nothing Leinenkugel makes is outstanding. Their O'fest beer is good, but there are many better choices. The Ayinger, Hacker-Pschorr, and Paulaner easily belong in the top ten, and maybe the Widmer Bros Okto. The rest I have yet to sample, and may not be available in my area. But thanks for sharing, GA. I will look for the Weihenstephaner and Flying Dog, which i should be able to find here.

I don't think this is as bad as many reviewers say. Pumpkin Ale is tricky

Rubbing two sticks together might work eventually, but I think it would be a lot easier to build a fire if you start with a butane cigarette lighter. I always carry one to light my pipe anyway. Wind-proof, of course.

This is good.

I have selected Harpoon as my primary Octoberfest this year. There are other good choices, imported and domestic, and I've tried just about all that are available in my area. Get it while you can, they'll likely be stocking little more than Winter & Xmas seasonals by the time October is actually here.

The Bridge at Remagen: A Story of World War II (Presidio War Classic; World War II) by Ken Hechler (Author)

Hofbrau is the most mediocre of the original Munich Oktoberfest beers. It's quite drinkable, but it does leave the door open for outside contention.

Matt Brewing delivers a good Octoberfest, though there are better American examples.

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale - One of the best pumpkin ales, but not a style of which I can drink much.

Maybe I'll register and start a jazz thread at politicalforum.com. Don't seem to be too many jazz fans there, though.

Harvest ale is the best thing I've had from Long Trail, also a mild 4.4%.

New Hampshire is clearly over-rated due to out-of-state sales. They have a billboard on I95 encouraging you to stop at their state store as you pass through on a short stretch of highway. It is hard to resist. Smuttynose is a great brewery, though.

Stone Levitation is my favorite of their brews. I like it better than the Arrogant Bastard. At 4.4% ABV, it is a better session ale and it is also well balanced between hops and malt.

Yes, many great discussions, as long as they are not about anything political!

Though his playing was less mature, his funky fusion from the late '70's is actually better in some ways than his '90's smooth jazz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9_mkBoRhLs

I like Pedicin's playing, though some of his earlier recorded output (such as Because of Love from 1996) leaned towards a smooth commercial groove. Sounds like he's more raw jazz-oriented these days and this new set could be one of his better efforts.