Jay About Queen City Brewery

This weekend I met up w/ pals LB and DG to continue my recent tour of the 193759475 new breweries in Vermont. This week's entry was the Queen City Brewery on Pine Street in Burlington. This one has been percolating for some time... the sign popped up months ago and it has been in the news for awhile but they finally opened a couple weeks ago. I can see why the delay, this was one of the biggest operations I have seen. They are much bigger than the other start ups I have recently visited and are much bigger even than Switchback was when I visited the early 00's and even Hill Farmstead before the recent renovations. Interesting it is such a large operation for a brewery with no retail bar and a tough road against all of the other competitors out there? The space itself is nice. Housed in an industrial building behind an old dry cleaning business they have that rustic industrial look down, complete w/ a old Ford (I think) hauled up on a platform 20 feet above the bar. The horseshoe shape bar is a pretty good size to accommodate the tasting crowd. They have about 20 taps for their 4 beers. Seriously. But the presentation is nice, they are nice cleanly branded glasses in homemade wood blocks. The beer itself is pretty good. We tried two Belgians, an amber and traditional that were a little thin but pretty solid. There was an ESB that was not my favorite but the style in general is not my favorite. They also had a porter I liked and brought a mini growler back to the homestead. Overall, it was a friendly and clean scene but lacking much character. The beer was similar. I liked it fine but not as much as 4 Qtrs. in the 'Noosk. Check it out but manage your expectations. If you like the Old World type beers like for instance, an ESB you might dig it, if you like hoppy delights... well, you may like it because new things are fun and they have a good attitude. I'll be curious to see how they do getting it out there in the crowded space? 1 thumb up.

We stopped at Frannie O's and watched a bit of soccer afterwards. It was excellent in a hilarious way.

World War Z... well, the parts I stayed awake for were a giant pile of useless poop. Shitty movie. 1 thumb down.

Jay About X-Men... Days of blah blah blah

So I gave myself a pre-father's day gift the other day and went to the movies. It was pretty pleasant. I had no one to look after, chase, entertain... my kids were not there either (just kidding). So I only had a limited window and the one movie I wanted to see that fit the window was X-Men. Sorry Gojira. Generally, I like super hero movies, the X-Men, and I quite enjoyed the last one and the recent reboot. That unfortunately led me into this movie w/ lofty expectations. Well, the movie was fine and entertaining enough but it was not great. There were too many characters, the villain situation was not compelling, and it was just convoluted as a story. I doubt I would watch it again. I liked Superman better. So, suck it Marvel nerds. I would still give it a thumb up, it was fine and enjoyable as a big theater movie. Good gift to myself I guess.

Father's Day itself? Well, mine are young. It is all work everyday. They fussed all morning to the point a lunch out was off the table. We got sandwiches for a picnic on a delightful summer day. My son and daughter grabbed the pickles and gummed the shit out of them while running around the yard splashing in a bucket of old water or tossing around dirt in the herb garden. I deconstructed a sandwich for them to eat. Instead, they sauntered over to my lady and I and tore into ours making a giant mess and just chowing on the bread. My wife had to pound her wine so they would not steal it and I was playing constant defense on my beer. The coup de grace was when my little girl brought over a bucket of dirt and tossed the last decent half sandwich in it. I love my kids, they are real pissers. I think my mother likes this little bit of karma. The day improved as it wore on. They cheered up and we played a bit.

Another quick review... the "Toot" book by Leslie Patricelli. My kids love it and so do I. My wife thinks it is slightly uncouth. 2 thumbs up... toot toot!

Jay About Citizen Cider... and Switchback

It's a two-fer! Why the f*** not?!?! So anywho, it was a sunny day last Friday and we decided to check out the new Citizen Cider tasting room on Pine Street. I would be the first to admit that while I like some cider products ok, and some very much, it is never my go to drink. When I was in college we went to England, you ordered cider at the end of the night because it cost half as much as beer so it was a good way to extend your pound and your buzz. Next was the Woodchuck cider movement. I think that stuff is pretty gross. But then farmers up here realized it was more profitable to sell booze than to host apple picking and we started to get some nice drier, more nuanced offerings. Still, I am a beer guy.

So how about Citizen Cider? Their flagship the Unified Press is fine, a little sweet. I have had a couple of the other ones and they were also too sweet. So why go to the recently opened bar/tasting room? Because I am willing to keep an open mind and I love a tasting room!  The space looks suspect from the outside but inside it is a beautiful light and airy retro industrial space. Nice long bar and open areas to mingle, or chill and sip cider. Of course besides the 8 or so ciders on tap they also have a decent booze selection with some very nice high end choices and a few beers on tap. And food. We started w/ a flight of 5. You get to choose your mix which is nice. I passed on ones I knew were not for me and went w/ the more esoteric and and drier options. I thought the Stan was really nice... dry, not very sweet, and almost champagne like w/ a more bready thing going on. I also thought the Northern Spy and the Dirty Mayor were very solid. The Dirty Mayor was a little sweeter but the ginger really kept it on the up and up. We shared a hot pretzel, it was pretty good. The coup de grace was the cider w/ the bourbon back. The key was mixing the bourbon right in with the cider, in my case the Stan. It made for an exceptional cocktail. A little sweet, boozy, a little old man-esque, slightly fizzy. Just a nice summertime drink. Makes me want one right now! Fun time, I will be back.

I stopped by quickly to check out the new Switchback storefront. While still under construction it also was a nice clean wood, steel, and glass space that makes for a nice tasting experience. I nice young woman was pouring beers behind the temporary bar space and was quite knowledgeable about the beers and process. A buddy's sister G was working and she stopped by to give me the straight poop on the new space and how the brewery was doing in general, great additional color. I had sort of gotten over the whole Switchback phenomena a couple years ago. The unfiltered ale was good but I always got pretty banged up and then my stomach was a mess. Going to the brewery though the fresh from the tap Brown was subtle and really quite nice. The pale ale was refreshing on the hot day and also pretty darn good. I even enjoyed the red ale which I don't always love (red ales in general). Overall, I enjoyed the beers and the experience. I can get back in that mix from time to time. Another spot I will return to without a doubt.

Is it a problem that I liked both places and they are on my way home? I suppose that depends who you ask!

Just trying to get a f*ing haircut?!

So I don't have a ton of hair... it is pretty easy to get it done. I get my head shaved w/a #2 attachment and it should take about 15 minutes. My wife won't do it and I can't quite do it myself but out and about it is usually pretty cheap. So I am pretty shaggy and decided to try and get it done Wed., around 1:30. Middle of the week, a workday, should be pretty easy to get it done. I cruised by Main Street Barbers. Packed. Like 4-5 people waiting for 3 barbers. Shit. I walked away. I called over to check in on Bugatti on Battery St. The woman put me on perma hold. I went back to the office and after half an hour or so I tried again. Still packed at Main Street. I mean, I was skipping out on work... didn't the rest of these people have jobs?! So I tried Bugs again. They said it was the grand opening and they were doing walk ins, very short wait. First off, grand opening? They have been open for like a year. I have been there several times over the last few months. Whatever, I go over and I am the only one waiting while two ya-yos are getting cuts. One guy is getting his pompadour cut and won't shut the f*** up about his various jobs at local bars or whatever. The other guy is also getting a fancy cut and seems like he has never gotten his hair cut before. Anyway, I read mags and wait forever while the chatting and cuts get done. I finally get in the chair and some tall skinny fat guy w/ a terrible mustache and a bow tie asks me how I heard about them? I said in an annoyed voice... "I have gotten my hair cut here a bunch of times." He says well, he has never seen me. Well, I guess you don't work during the lunch hour, probably too busy trimming and waxing your dirt stache? I ask how they can have a grand opening a year after they actually opened. Apparently they now have everything just how they want it and are celebrating. The only difference between now and the actual opening that I could see was a couple pieces of art, dirt stache, and higher prices. Needless to say our conversation pretty much ended there. Good. It was a good cut but they then jammed me for $20. Used to be $15. Is going up to $25 next week. So long Bugatti... you just opened for the second time and I will not be going back.

So here is a weird thing. Apparently Jonah Hill got harassed by paparazzi until he snapped and hurled a homophobic slur at the photog. I am no stranger to such comments. I am trying to get better about all types of degrading comments like that because they are not fair but I have used such a slur before. So here is the question... I work closely w/ 2 men and a woman and was thinking about inappropriate joking. Has there ever been a case in bro culture or otherwise where you thought about using a derogatory homophobic term directed at a woman? So you say to a guy... "don't be gay", or in Jonah Hill's case, "suck my dick faggot". Would you ever say to a woman, "don't be gay"? Would a woman say to a woman... well, I am not going to write it so you can fill in the blanks but think of the equivalent to Jonah's taunt. I am not saying homosexual women do not get their share of abuse, but is the use of these kinds of digs beyond a sex thing and almost a gender role question? Is it more acceptable for a woman to bend gender roles than it is for a man in the current society parameters? Then again, there are dudes who are convinced women are gay and tell them such if their advances are spurned so maybe women in general are more advanced than men... well, at least when it comes to how they denigrate other people. And a better question, is this all too deep for this blog which generally just shits on barber shops and discusses my great love for Reubens?

When we return on JAT, Existential humor... everybody is a little funny, now you you funny too. Don't go away.

Jay About Worthy Burger... and More!!!

Big weekend for the Bird's! My folks graciously offered to take the kids for a night so my special lady and I could go on a date. Boy did we take advantage!  First stop was lunch at Worthy Burger in South Royalton. These guys have been getting a ton of press lately and are considered by some to produce the best burger in VT.  High praise. Well, S.R. is a little off the run. The Vermont law school is there and we used to go up and routinely beat up on them in high school sports. Otherwise there is really no reason to stop. Until now. The place itself is just off the main square in what looks like an old warehouse. It is a cool industrial space with screened in deck and interior seating. You order at the bar and when your buzzer rings you pick up your food. They have a nice selection of high quality beers including some harder to find local stuff like the Hill Farmstead What is Enlightenment. We ordered Parmesan truffle fries, my wife got a veggie burger and I went w/ the standard burger w/ caramelized onions, cheddar, and bacon. Hey, it was really good. The burger was nicely cooked medium rare and quite juicy. Well cooked bacon, chunk of cheddar, great soft bun. It was really good. The veggie burger was also quite nice, well, according to my lady... she did not give me a bite. The fries were pretty good and not overly truffley or fake tasting. Decent price point and lots of pretty solid condiment choices. We walked out with the only complaint being there were too MANY fries. Is that really a complaint? She suggested 2 thumbs up as there was almost all right and no wrong. I reserve that for the perfect cheer so I will say 1 8/9th thumbs up! Best burger in VT? I will have to think about that one but it was pretty darn good and is certainly in the running.

Next stop was a quick beer at the Three Penney Taproom in Montpelier. Good beer, fun scene, solid service. I think it is a great place for a beer, never had a bad time there. My favorite moments were the skinny guy w. the suitcase walk and the all white outfit. He was a pretty good character. Not as good as the older gentleman in all denim w/ the cowboy hat and boots. This is VT and it was 70 degrees outside (denim jacket?). What really made it though was when he did not get in the pickup truck but instead squeezed into the prius to slowly drift off w/out a sound over yonder!

Last but not least was an evening w/ friends at Duino Duende. It was a last minute decision on food but a good one. We started off just grabbing a drink in the attached Radio Bean and watching a great 3 piece band. It is Jazzfest this week in Burlington. The little band; Miriam Bernardo, Michael Chorney, Rob Morse Trio was very cool and super sexy. I also really enjoyed the vibe and my Sazerac. I had not been in Radio Bean in awhile but it is still very cool, in a older hip kind of gets it VT way. Too cool for me on a regular basis. We then popped over next door for the "International Street Food" experience. This place has been around for years and I have never ventured in, my mistake. Also a very hip scene. We ordered a few beers and settled in for more jazz and pleasant conversation. It was a happening scene but not too loud to chat. We started with pretty tasty fried tomatillos and a Puerto Rican chicken skewer. I then had the spicy Korean Beef tacos. I agreed w/ my pal JG they were a little sweet but the tortilla was nice, the beef was pretty well cooked and the had nice mellow heat. Overall it was pretty cheap and pretty tasty. 1 1/2 thumbs up, maybe 3/4 for the additional scene Saturday night. The second band C Local was also very cool.

We finished up ad Red Square. There was this band that looked like a bunch of college nerds who were having way too much fun. The short sax player was hilarious. If he tried to look like he was having a better time his little head might have exploded. Then there was the guitar/singer who looked like a 15yr old version of Russel from Almost Famous. I kept wondering when he and his striped pants and scruffy mustache would ditch the rest of his uncool band for a solo "career". Whatever, they were entertaining enough... except for that "this is the 90s" song... don't ever play that steaming pile of shit again. Seriously.

Big night out... until 11:30PM!  2 thumbs way up!!!!

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