Month: April 2010

Odonata Saison Release Party

Odonata's beautiful new saison
Sacramento’s newest brewery, Odonata Beer Company, is making the big leap towards wider distribution and bigger sales. Sure, a handful of us have had their fantastic Rorie’s Ale, Beersel and Rosa and their name has gotten a bit more well known through their Water Witch, but their new Saison is intended to put them on the map as a larger player in the regional beer scene. Taps will be scattered throughout the area and bottles will soon be available at most places you buy beer.

Odonata is a boutique brewery owned and operated by Peter Hoey and Rick Sellers. Peter is the former brewmaster at SacBrew, while Rick is a well known beer journalist. Their focus is European-style beers, many of which are aged in the wine barrels from Odonata Wines, made by Peter’s brother Denis. While their other beers have been bold and adventurous, the saison is food friendly and approachable yet with deeply nuanced malt flavors. A few years back, Hoey’s saison won the gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival, so expect the best from this beer.
Continue reading “Odonata Saison Release Party”

Spring Sun brings Garden Fun!

Backyard Farmer GreenBeet & her 45 lb. watermelon from last summer's bounty.

I have someone I’d like you to meet.
It’s me. Myself. Good ol’ GreenBeet.

Did you know that I like to garden?
Not roses or pansies, I’ll beg your pardon!

I mean backyard farming with veggies and stuff
Not tulips and lilies and pansy girl fluff

I mean heirloom tomatoes—yes, hornworms and all
Watermelon in summer and spinach in fall

If there’s a veggie to grow, I’ll plant it and pray
That the aphids don’t kill it before it sees light of day

But I’m a serious gardener—I only eat what I grow
Well, I make exceptions for beer—I’m no ninny, you know

Now, I’d like to recruit you. Come e-farm with me!
We’ll each tend our own gardens, then meet here for e-tea Continue reading “Spring Sun brings Garden Fun!”

Saturday is Free Comic Book Day!

Heads’ up, geeks: Saturday is Free Comic Book Day, which is a perfect day to head on down to your local comic book shop and see what’s new in paneled graphic entertainment. This year features a slew of interesting titles:

  • a mini issue of “Mouse Guard,” a spectacular book about a society of mice
  • “Iron Man/Thor” written by Matt Fraction and drawn by John Romita, Jr. which leads into the next chapter in the Marvel Universe
  • a “Green Hornet” issue written by Kevin Smith and tying into the upcoming feature film
  • an issue of “Atomic Robo“, an entertaining book about a WWII era robotic man
  • the first issue of “Irredeemable,” about a superhero who flips the switch and becomes a super villain

Continue reading “Saturday is Free Comic Book Day!”

Sacramento demands water

On this rainy Tuesday, the Sacramento Business Journal reports that Sacramento is the “eighth-thirstiest city with at least 750,000 residents, worse than the fast-growing desert communities of Las Vegas and Tucson, Ariz., at Nos. 9 and 10, respectively.” By the way, Sacramento ranks 12th (just behind Las Vegas and well ahead of Tucson) on the top 100 fastest growing cities in America list (couldn’t find the year, but haven’t these cities slowed down quite a bit? You know, in these tough economic times and all).

Sacramento-area’s average resident uses 250 gallons of water per day, and the annual rainfall is about 20 inches of rain per season. And much of the water from the two rivers is promised outside the Sacramento region.

I don’t know if I am more shocked by the 250 gallons a day statistic or irritated that the water from our two rivers is “promised” away.

Confusing Headline

On cbs13.com this morning, I noticed a headline that read, “Dad Arrested After Drunk Driving Lesson” and I had to stop and read it again. Someone was busted for taking a lesson on how to drive drunk? Stick with vodka, and be sure to carry lots of minty fresh chewing gum? Drive the speed limit, but not under it?

Sacramento Police have arrested a man for teaching his 12-year-old daughter how to drive while he was intoxicated.

Ah, I see.

Police say Gorman was drunk when he was teaching his daughter how to drive by pulling in and out of the driveway.

Man, it’s Sunday afternoon, you’ve had a few pops hanging out in your yard and your soon to be teen-aged daughter asks if you can teach her how to drive. You tell her sure, but only by pulling in and out of the driveway. She says, “Great!” and you grab the keys…

WHO hasn’t been in this situation before? Tough times I tell you, tough times.

So scary: “Sneeze causes stroke for Natomas woman”

This is not a cause for snark, just a quick Monday morning post to get the week started with the freakiest health news article that has a local angle that I have seen in a while: “Sneeze causes stroke for Natomas woman“:

The sneeze had caused a massive stroke, and [Suzanne] Aymeric spent the next five weeks in Mercy General Hospital, paralyzed on her right side and unable to speak.

When Aymeric sneezed, the sudden movement tore the major artery in her neck, the carotid.

So scary! I wish Ms Aymeric well.

HGTV Design Star Appears in Sac. You Can Win Tickets!

Kitchen design by Matt Locke.

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of those reality TV interior design shows? The fast flash of a bedroom makeover sketch usually plays second-fiddle to the high drama that ensues to complete the project on budget and on time. Well, here’s your chance to take an up-close look at those design sketches, and even meet one of the designers who appeared on HGTV’s “Design Star,” Matt Locke.

Locke will be keynote speaker for an event this Thursday, April 29 at 6:00 P.M. to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California. Located at the California Auto Museum, the event is hosted by TV star power Branden Rickman, winner of Bravo Network’s “Make Me a Supermodel,”and is presented by the International Academy of Design & Technology. The night features design plans from the academy’s top interior design students, fashion designers, and graphic designers. These are your future TV designers in the making.

If you can’t tear yourself away from the HGTV network, here’s your chance to get a real-life taste of the action. One lucky winner will get a set of two tickets here! Continue reading “HGTV Design Star Appears in Sac. You Can Win Tickets!”

Great beer, great causes on Saturday

Sacramento area beer folks are constantly donating product and raising money for local charities. Two great events on Saturday invite you to enjoy great craft beer while giving back to your community.

Rubicon hosts the 4th annual celebration of Women in Brewing all day Saturday, starting at 11AM. This year, they feature 13 beers from 7 breweries, all brewed by women. Selections will include a nitro choco-mint, a red IPA and a double IPA from Rubicon, Summerfest and a scotch ale from Sierra Nevada, Scarlet Harlot Red IPA from Auburn Alehouse, scotch ale from Lost Coast, Hell’s Export Lager from Moylan’s, a ginger/meyer lemon beer from Blue Frog, Witches Wit from Santa Cruz Mountain, Red Rocket from Bear Republic and two Belgian imports from Urthel, their Samaranth and Hop-It. Local businesses have donated prizes for a silent auction. This event benefits WEAVE.
Continue reading “Great beer, great causes on Saturday”

Sudwerk Imperial Pilsner Release

Spring is the beginning of beer season, warming us up for May and the weekly regional beer festivals. There are several great local events before May to wet your whistle. Here’s the next.

Tonight, The Davis Graduate hosts Sudwerk Brewery for the release of their Signature Series Imperial Pilsner. This is the second of several Sudwerk beers released to celebrate their 20th Anniversary. Their standard pilsner is one of the best on the market, so I am really looking forward to trying a mega version of it.

The Grad has been throwing great parties on almost a weekly basis (Last week was a giant tasting of Lost Abbey and Port Brewing), make sure you check them out if you are a craft beer fan.