Star Trek & St. Ambroise Scotch ale

You may have heard I'm trying to post something everyday fro the month of March. Today I discovered that Hulu is offering every episode of every season of Star Trek for free for the remainder of the month.

If and when I struggle to pick something to write about, I suppose I can just review an episode or 2 or 693. I rewatched Encounter at Farpoint while making dinner tonight. The narrative was encumbered with the introduction of so many characters and concepts, but it's still a classic and you can see how TNG became a juggernaut.

St. Ambroise Scotch Ale

So far it's my favorite product from McAuslan Brewing. The taste was true to style with stone fruits and some smokiness. It felt lighter than other Scottish ales I've had; I didn't even feel the 7.5% ABV either. I'd definitely get this again.

Stompin' Tom and St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout

I was really struggling on what to write about today, but then I found out Stompin' Tom Connors died. Before today I only knew him from the Good Old Hockey Game Song, but I've enjoyed the songs I found on youtube and this gem from wikipedia I'm quoting in entirety:

Various stories have circulated about the origin of the foot stomping, but it's generally accepted that he did this to keep a strong tempo for his guitar playing — especially in the noisy bars and beer joints where he frequently performed. After numerous complaints about damaged stage floors, Tom began to carry a piece of plywood that he stomped even more vigorously than before. The "stompin' " board has since become one of his trademarks. After stomping a hole in the wood, he would pick it up and show it to the audience (accompanied by a joke about the quality of the local lumber) before calling for a new one. It was reported that when asked about his "stompin' board", Tom replied, "it's just a stage I'm going through". Stompin' Tom periodically auctioned off his "stompin' boards" for charity with the latest board selling for $15,000.

He was 77.



St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout

McAuslan, a Québécois brewery, brings us St Ambroise Oatmeal Stout today. This was probably the best oatmeal stout I've ever had, but I'm not a huge fan of the style. I just don't get the oatmeal flavors. It was roasty without being too pungent; rather refined but still heavy in the mouth for me. The head was full, but not too thick; it lasted through the whole glass. I'd get it again in a sampler pack, but not a whole six-pack.