Now Drinking...

Mt. Carmel Blonde Ale.

My first introduction to Mt. Carmel was just 3 weeks ago, thanks to one of my coworkers. That beer was their Winter Ale, which by the way is the best winter beer that I have had this year. So after the Winter Ale, I moved on to their IPA, another fantastic choice. Very reminiscent of Sierra Nevada's Torpedo IPA. Anyway, tonight brought me the Blonde Ale. This is a very smooth beer, just like their other offerings. It seems like this is what Budweiser or Miller would taste like if they really wanted to make "good" beer. It starts off smooth, with a lager cleanness, then a taste of hops hits the palate, which finishes off this beer perfectly. I think this beer will be my go to beer in warmer times.

Another cool aspect of Mt. Carmel is that they are a local brewery here in the Cincinnati area. Started in 2005 in the basement of their house, they have now expanded and are producing more and more beer, which you are able to find a little easier nowadays. Here is a quick video from YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVINuoWRLRk

To find their products check out their website:
http://mtcarmelbrewingcompany.com

Next time you are strolling through your local grocery store and Mt. Carmel catches your eye, definitely pick some up and support your local brewery.

Tis the season...

So Christmas has come and gone, New Year's is in a few days, it's snowing here in SW Ohio... unfortunately it's indoor trainer season. For any cyclist, this is one of the hardest times of the year. Most roads during this time are not worth the effort or salt damage to your bike or drive train, so a road ride is out. For a mountain bike ride, you need to make sure the ground is still frozen so you don't destroy the trail. That's where the trainer comes in. Clamp your rear wheel in, and spin away.


Indoor trainers come in various models and prices, anywhere from $90 up to quite a few hundred. More often than not, you can pick one up on your local craigslist (www.craigslist.org) for quite the discount. I found mine online for $90, with a few extras. Think going to a spin class is cheaper? Factor in the driving, gym membership, pain in the ass... and buying one for your home is not such a bad idea.

I have been using a trainer for a couple years now, and it definitely has helped my cycling in the off season. And since the Winter Solstice has just passed, days are getting longer and the weather will turn for the better soon...

Blogging.... weird.

So there are many things in the world to write about in life. Music, movies, wife, child, cars, environment, etc. Without dabbling into writing about family life, which I could blog about as well, I needed a creative writing outlet that would not get all mushy. That's where bikes, beer, and birds come in. And when I say "bikes" I mean bicycles. And when I say "beer" I don't mean Bud Light. I when I say "birds" I mean exactly that. Why those three? Apart from my family, those are the biggest parts of my being. Bikes keep me healthy, beer keeps me sane and the birds pay for it all. Sure, other topics might come up, but these three are the core. Hopefully, it will all make sense... if not, there is always a delete button.