Two Great Things that Go Great Together

For many of us, this is a big weekend. Notre Dame is playing their home opener as we speak (vs. San Diego State- I'm giving M grief since he has degrees from both), and my beloved Colts open tomorrow night against my other favorite team, da Bears.

On top of all THAT, today is our first "game day" in Ann Arbor. We can hear the PA announcer from our house and many of our neighbors have lawns covered with parked cars. Driving to the Kerrytown Farmer's Market this morning, we got to observe UM students at their finest. If by finest you mean jaywalking, playing beer pong, and funneling beer down from the roofs of their porches. :-)

It also means an excuse for us to break out the beer a bit earlier in the day than usual, so we're trying beer #2 of our Bello Vino haul: Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale, from Southern Tier Brewing Company. It's an American Pale Ale, and while it smells nice, it's missing something. I'm wondering if it's the artesian water, as to me it tastes almost "too pure". M thinks it's like a bunny rabbit with one leg: no hop. Don't get me wrong, I'll finish my beer, but I don't think we'll be buying this one again. Sorry, guys.

Super Bowl Sunday

The Super Bowl wouldn't be the Super Bowl without beer. And beer ads. Lots of beer ads. Mostly for (yawn) Budweiser or Miller beers.

I was thinking perhaps I should try to do something clever, like a New York vs. a Boston beer, but unfortunately, I can't think of any New York beers. I know, I'm sure there are plenty out there, but living on the opposite coast, I just can't think of any! And of course the only Boston beer I can think of is Sam Adams (my husband loves the Sam Adams Black Lager). So sorry, no "beer bowl" at our house.

Instead, we're planning to take a "hodgepodge" of beers to a friend's bowl viewing party, some of which we have yet to try: Sacramento Brewing's Red Horse Ale, Lagunitas' The Hairy Eyeball Ale, and Mendocino Brewing's Imperial IPA winter seasonal. I'll have to report in on the latter two after the game... what are YOU drinking today?

P.S. Being a Colts fan, it is in my DNA to cheer against the Patriots today. Having Little Bro Eli QB against them gives me something to cheer FOR!