The Long Standard

 And by that I mean, this walk was our "long" version of the "standard" walk for us.  I thought I would take picture "mile markers", a) since I haven't done that in a while, and b) because the course has been changed since then by our use of the disc course trails.  Ready?  Bundle up, it's a tad cold today...

His eminence greets us entering the course

Quarter mile mark, just before the new soccer fields

Half mile, the ridge above those fields

Odd place for a play ball

Thought this was an odd place for a "doggie bag" too- until I saw it was a "flag" for a damaged tree

3/4 Mile- just past where we found the deer carcass

Coming back slowly for a sip, after breaking through the ice and panicking earlier

The first mile- just back inside the woods after the back trail

Mile and 1/4, overlooking the Ravine

Mile and 1/2, heading towards the river

"River?  I'm getting another drink!"

Mile and 3/4, back into the Plex

2 mile mark, north end of the PFW pitch

2 1/4 mark, just on the other side of that trail only Misty can find.  She wants to slog through that back way I took her a while back.  This cold, water, and 6-inch deep mud?  I think not.

2 1/2 mile mark, along the river just before we cross the pitch to make our bridge over the canal.

2 1/2 mile mark, just before home

And home, approximately the 2 2/3 mark.  Time elapsed?  I'm guessing one hour 15-20 minutes.

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Oh, and I did say I'd let you know how those beers went.  Here's the first review, for the Ommegang Collaboration 2016:

" Look: Big head, even poured slow ("so as not to disturb the yeast sediment"). Deep amber, very cloudy, lots of the mentioned sediment. Smell: On the pour, a sweet, fruity, bready smell. Bready comes out with a little stir. Taste: I'm thinking, most doppels I've tried with a cider-y, fruit touch. Not overly sweet. Feel: Hey, I'm a stout guy, but this is okay, not watery. Overall, darn good. If they still brewed it, I'd have another!" My score 4.28, 28th of 79 I've reviewed.

 

Night #2 was the Kentucky Winter Golden Stout:

  "Gotta say, the reviews so far are pretty accurate. On opening I got zero aroma, with slightly buttery thereafter. Color an unimpressive muddy amber. Almost no head. After it sat a bit, you pick up the buttery notes along with a "tinny" taste that does it no favors. When we were kids, I had some ten-year old warm Buckhorn that had a more metallic taste, but still not real pleasing. Kinda sticky on the lips without redeeming sweetness. Not a drain pour by any means, but def a one and done for me." I scored it at 3.39, 75th out of 80 on my list.

 

So one winner, one loser.  Later tonight (as I type) will be the New Belgium Oakspire.  My intent is to drop back before this posts and add that review.  See you in a couple of hours! 

 

UPDATE:  Here's the review on the Oakspire: " Once again, sadly, I must agree with the majority here.  Very little aroma, not much more taste.  A hazy dark amber pour without head (mind you, I bought this in 2021).  The alcohol starts to hit as it warms.  It's not unpleasant by any means, just not flavor-forward."  Hopefully that 9.0% abv kicks in quick! I rated it 3.53, #71 out of 81 on my list- or five notches higher than last night's beer.