Beer of the Week

The beer: 8 Days A Week Blonde Ale

Brewed by: Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, New York

Description (from the website): The only way to describe this beer is Infinitely Drinkable. This is smooth liquid refreshment with a hint of Centennial hops for fruity notes and low bitterness for an easy finish. Available on draught and in 8 packs of 12oz cans, yep that’s right 8 cans, because when a beer is Infinitely Drinkable, six just isn’t enough!

Would I buy it again?: That's a tricky question. This really is an infinitely drinkable beer, it's pleasant in every single way. I liked it a lot. But in matters of drinkability, beers like this have to compete with Yuengling, and I'm just not sure I'd be willing to spend the premium for this when I can get Yuengling for less. Sure, that's a lager and this is an ale, so they are different in that way. And they do taste different, of course. I wouldn't say no to more of these, let's leave it at that.

Apollo 11 And Its Balky Computer

Many, many words have been written about Apollo 11. It is, after all, one of the crowning achievements of the human race. Adding a few thousand more isn't going to add appreciably to the literature, but I doubt so much has been devoted to the guidance computer on board the lunar module. If you know your history, you'll know that Neil Armstrong had to take manual control of the landing procedure as the computer wasn't doing its job. Not surprising, it was 1969, computers weren't exactly powerful at that point.

Anyway, this is the story of that balky computer. Obviously, everyone wants to hear about the human triumph aspect, so I thought it was interesting to hear the tale of the first moon landing from a different perspective, and just how close it came to failure. And while the computer comes out looking pretty bad, Neil Armstrong comes out great. Seriously, he has to be the calmest, most collected human being to have ever lived. I'm not sure anyone else could have done what he did.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Space Monkey Raspberry Saison

Brewed by: Fegley's Brew Works, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "Space Monkey is formulated to rocket around your palate with a 21st century complexity in flavor and aroma. Hints of lemon and pepper orbit around a raspberry tartness to guarantee a successful flight. Brewed with 480 lbs of raspberries!"

Would I buy it again?: As much as it pains me to dislike a beer called Space Monkey, I'm afraid that this just isn't my kind of beer. I don't think it's necessarily the beer's fault, I think I'm just not a big fan of raspberries, and this beer has quite a noticeable raspberry flavor to it. Considering how it's made, that doesn't seem surprising.

Review: Range End Golf Club (Part 2)

We're back for part 2 of our exciting Range End adventure. Go here if you haven't seen the front nine.

The tenth hole is a long par 3 at nearly 230 yards, and it plays slightly downhill to a green flanked by bunkers. A pond lurks short left, not quite in play, but close enough to make the golfer uncomfortable. I actually have a bit of a story about this hole from that high school postseason tournament I mentioned last week. It was a shotgun start that day, and this was my seventeenth hole of the day. My coach had told me before the tournament that the cut to move to the next tournament was always in the low 80s, and as the round was coming to an end, the rumor at the clubhouse was that 81 would be in, and 82 would playoff for the remaining spot or two. Coming into 9, I was nine over and thinking birdie would give me a good cushion. Not an unreasonable idea, 9 is a short par 4 and in a practice round I'd driven the green. Unfortunately, my play that day had been scrappy; while I'd gotten away with things several times, my luck ran out on the tee shot. I went wide right and I couldn't even get a par. Instead of being 8 over, I was 10 over. I had to finish with two pars to avoid the playoff. I was steaming as I stepped onto this tee, I knew I had to hit this green. Chipping has never been my strong point, so getting up and down was iffy at best. In retrospect, a 3 iron to 40 feet isn't the greatest shot I've ever hit, but under the pressure, it was exactly what I needed. I got my par, and with a par on the next hole, I had my 81, and my place in the next tournament was secured.

The tenth hole.

The eleventh hole is the longest hole at Range End at 535 yards, and while it's only a few yards longer than the first hole, it plays a whole lot longer. The tee shot is pretty straightforward, as is the second. This is a true three-shot hole, so the goal should be to lay up about 80-100 yards from the green, leaving a wedge up the hill. The green is small and very well guarded by bunkers.

The eleventh hole.

Heading up the hill toward the eleventh green.

The third shot is semiblind.

The twelfth hole is, by virtue of the fact that it's the only hole at Range End to feature any sort of side slope, the best hole on the golf course. It's a 370-yard par 4, so it's definitely on the shorter side, but that side slope makes the second shot so much more complicated. Especially since it's the only time the golfer is confronted with such a shot during the round. To be honest, this hole doesn't even feel like the rest of the course, which in this case isn't a bad thing. It's surrounded by forest, it's pointing in a completely different direction, so it's a nice change of pace. Anyway, the hole can play very short if you cut the dogleg, but that will leave you with an awkward half-wedge from a hanging lie to a green that you absolutely cannot go long on. Sure, you'll have a hanging lie pretty much anywhere, but a full shot is often preferable to a half shot. The green is reasonably sized for once, but like I said, long is dead. It's tough to be aggressive when the flag is in the back. Also, I think this is just a good looking hole. The sideslope and the mountain backdrop work well together.

The twelfth hole. Forgot to take any more pictures. Oops.

The thirteenth hole is the shortest hole at Range End, playing just under 180 yards. It's slightly downhill too, and is situated on the same bit of hill as the previous hole and the last hundred yards of the eleventh. The little pot bunker to the left of the green is definitely something to avoid, but missing right is no picnic either. The area just right is maintained as fairway, and there's a small swale running parallel to the green. Any chip from the right has to negotiate that swale, and if hit in the wrong place, the shot can either stop dead or be kicked past. This is also a pretty decent hole.

The thirteenth hole.

The thirteenth green.

The fourteenth hole is sadly a return to Range End  routing standards. Yes, it's back to parallel holes. At least there's a bit of elevation change here still. Much like the previous par 5s, there's no issue off the tee, so get as far as possible, because at 480 yards, this hole is easily reachable in two. If you're doing that, then the second is a tough long iron or wood to a green guarded by three bunkers. If you lay up, obviously those bunkers are less of an issue. The green is fairly large and inviting, so if you are in range, I say go for it in two. I think it's worth the risk.

The fourteenth hole.

Not a bad position to go for the green.

From behind the fourteenth hole.

The fifteenth hole is a straightforward mid-length par 3 with a fairly small green surrounded by three bunkers. It plays over basically level ground and there isn't anything particularly interesting about it. Moving on.

The fifteenth hole.

The sixteenth hole is a 425 yard par 4 playing slightly downhill. The hole looks almost wide open at first, but the big tree to the left of the fairway really does dominate the flow of the hole. To be honest, the effective amount of room to work with on the tee shot is actually pretty small. So you'll need to be pretty accurate. The second shot is over a small creek to a long, narrow green flanked by two bunkers. There are only three par 4s on the back nine, and this is by far the longest of the three, and the toughest par.

The sixteenth hole. Definitely steer clear of that tree on the left.

The sixteenth green.

The seventeenth hole is the third of three par 5s on the back nine, and is in the middle in terms of length and difficulty. This hole is notable for actually having some sort of hazard come into play on the tee shot. It's been a while, and in this case, it's not even a silly hazard. The same stream cutting across the last hole crosses the fairway 240 yards out from the back tee. It shouldn't be a problem to clear, but it's definitely on your mind. If you're successful, you can have a go at the green in two, which is defended in the typical Range End standard.

The seventeenth hole.

The seventeenth green.

The eighteenth hole is a short par 4, not driveable, but at 335 yards it's little more than a drive and pitch. Range End isn't on a particularly big piece of land, and considering the tee shot is hit over a road, you kind of get the impression that this hole was squeezed in to get back to the clubhouse, rather than routed naturally. It's a pretty simple hole, avoid the trees left and leave yourself a little wedge into one final tiny green. It's a great opportunity to finish with a birdie.

The eighteenth hole.

The eighteenth green.

To be perfectly honest, Range End is not a good golf course. While the back nine does a little better than the front, the routing consists mostly of straight, flat holes in parallel. That is not a recipe for exciting golf. And Range End doesn't even have the courtesy to at least be difficult. Sure, the greens are tiny and well defended, but there is almost no trouble at all off the tee. You can pretty much drive it anywhere and still have a reasonable chance at hitting the green in regulation. The greens had some slope to them, but they were pretty slow in general, which surprised me. I've said many times that I'm not a fan of super-fast greens, but I'd have preferred a bit more speed.

However, the same flatness that makes the course a bit dull does make it a pretty easy walk. Tees are generally pretty close to greens as well. And the course was in pretty good shape, though it was early May, which is when courses in the mid-Atlantic are at their best. The price was a little high ($33 to walk just after noon on a Saturday), but from what I can tell, the course can be walked at any time, so the most you'd ever have to pay is $42. During the week, walking prices max at $27, which is more reasonable.

Would I play here again? Well, I wouldn't go out of my way to do so, but I wouldn't say no. It's just under an hour away, but it's easy to get to. I could see myself going here if I ever want a fairly cheap, low stress round.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Red Mo Ale

Brewed by: Otto's Pub and Brewery, State College, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "American red ale. Very malty and crisp. It has all the fun without the AMD (Acid Mine Drainage)! Brewed with Nugget hops for the bittering and late hopped with Liberty."

Would I buy it again?: This is the last beer I got from Otto's, and we saved the best for last. I haven't exactly been kind to red ales in the past, but this beer definitely stood above the others I've had. It had a nice bit of flavor, not overly strong by any means, but enough to be noticeable. The beer stood out a bit, and I appreciated that. I'd definitely get this again.

Review: Range End Golf Club (Part 1)

Most of the golf courses that I review here are completely new to me. However, Range End Golf Club, located just south of Harrisburg, Pa., is an exception. I've played the course four times now, including for this review, but not for 10 years. I've certainly played courses more often than that, but Range End will forever occupy a fairly fond place in my memory. Back when I was in high school, I was on the varsity golf team (options were thin), and after the regular season, the first postseason tournament for those who did well enough was held here. I made it to that postseason tournament twice, and in my senior year, I actually managed to get through to the next tournament, which was probably the biggest success of my junior golf career. That next tournament was a disaster, but that's a story for another course review.

Anyway, 10 years later, I came back to Range End on a grim and humid May afternoon for another round. I remember the course being more difficult than it actually was, but maybe that's because I only ever approached as the host of an important tournament.

The first hole is a dead straight par 5 playing over essentially level ground. The drive is simple, with only one bunker (which probably started its life a bit closer to the fairway) threatening wayward slices. There's plenty of room to make a comfortable, confident swing. The second shot, if you're going for the green in two, is trickier. Range End is definitely a second-shot golf course, the greens are very small (again, I'm guessing they were bigger when originally built) and often well guarded. In this case, the second or third shot is hit to a green pinched by two bunkers left and one right. Even so, this is a great opportunity to start the round with a birdie.

The first hole. Notice the lack of elevation change. And the mist in the air. Not a great day for golf.

Approaching the first green.

The first green.

The second hole is, by a considerably margin, the longest par 4 at Range End, with the scorecard listing it at 466 yards. However, the back tees had been moved up, so it was playing a more reasonable 420 or 430. O.B. runs along the entire right side of the hole, and it is very much in play. So if you want to miss, go left on the drive. The second shot is to another very small green, with a pond left of some mounding.

The second hole.

Approaching the second green.

The very small second green.

The third hole is a fairly long par 3, playing a slightly uphill 205 yards. The green is guarded by bunkers left and right, but you'd have to hit quite a snap hook to get around the tree in front of the left bunker.

The third hole.

The third green. Despite all appearances, it never did actually rain on us during the round.

The fourth hole is one of the worst holes I've ever played. After 10 years, my memory of most of the holes here had faded, but I doubt I could ever forget about this. The green is fine, it's the drive that's the issue. An island green is one thing, overplayed but tolerable in very small quantities. An island fairway? No. And it's an island fairway that you have to lay up on, unless you're comfortable carrying a drive at least 270 yards. And that lone tree on the right side is definitely an issue too. So, after laying up, you're left with a mid iron to the green. Get your par if you can and get out.

The fourth hole, with its island fairway in full glory.

Approaching the fourth green.

There's no trouble around the fourth green, but the damage has been done.

The fifth hole is a shorter par 4 at 380 yards, and much more reasonable than the previous hole. A small ditch cuts across the fairway at roughly the 300 yard mark, so a 3 wood might be the better option off the tee. It's not a long hole. The second shot is to a well-defended green with a significant back to front slope. You definitely don't want to be above the hole here. All in all, one of the better holes at Range End.

The fifth hole.

The fifth green.

The sixth hole is a fairly long par 4 that is a bit narrower than any of the other holes the golfer has come across. A fairway bunker on the left side also comes into play if you're a longer driver. The green is very well guarded, with four bunkers in total both left and right of the green. A pretty tough hole, but not a particularly interesting one.

The sixth hole.

The sixth green.

The seventh hole is a par 3 that's pretty much the same length as the third, but it plays significantly more uphill. That makes the hole quite difficult, as the elevated green means tee shots will be coming in extra low. The front right bunker is deep as well, and is definitely something to be avoided.

The seventh hole.

The eighth hole is a fairly short par 4, playing downhill to a green with two bunkers right and one left. While the eye is naturally drawn straight to the hole, and the absence of hazards makes blasting away very tempting, the drive is actually best hit down the left side. This gives a better angle for the second shot. Not an earth-shattering hole, but the elevation change is nice.

The eighth hole.

The eighth green.

The ninth hole is a very short par 4, playing only 310 yards. And not only is it driveable, a driver is probably the best play, as an iron could easily catch the ditch that winds its way through the fairway. The hole does narrow as you get closer to the green, but not by a huge amount. The stream to the right shouldn't come into play, unless you hit a monstrous slice (guess what I did). The green is narrow and wedged between flanking bunkers. Really, this is an excellent birdie opportunity.

The ninth hole.

My drive on nine was a little wayward.

That's it for now, next week we'll check out the back nine.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Slab Cabin IPA

Brewed by: Otto's Pub & Brewery, State College, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "A classic American IPA with lots of floral punch and assertive hop presence. Brewed with Nugget and Amarillo hops. Reddish in color thanks to Munich and Aromatic malts.

Would I buy it again?: The description says that it's a classic American IPA, and that's a very apt description. I'm not a huge fan of bitterness, though I have been slowly acquiring the taste for it. Basically, this tastes like an IPA, and if I'm ever in the mood for one, I'd consider buying this again.

We Can Save Schrodinger's Cat

Now nothing can keep Schrodinger's cat out of the box.

It's perhaps the most well-known thought experiment in the world. You stick a cat in a box beyond direct observation with a bit of poison that will kill the cat should the radioactive isotope on the trigger decay. Until you open the box, you don't know if the cat is alive or dead, and so it's both at the same time. This is the basic extent of the average person's knowledge of quantum mechanics, even though Schrodinger was intentionally being ridiculous, setting up an absurd thought experiment to criticize the idea of quantum blurriness.

Anyway, the whole issue is now a moot point, because scientists have found a way to predict whether or not that radioactive atom will decay. And that's not all; they can stop it too. Their process involves observing a superconducting atom through doubly indirect means, giving them a view with unprecedented accuracy. Using microwave radiation, the atom can be monitored in real time, and the scientists noticed that, when the atom stopped emitting detection photons, it made a quantum jump. This quantum jump is what would cause the atom to decay. And not only can we detect the jump, we can reverse it, so the atom would not decay. This prediction isn't possible in the long term, but we can catch the atom just before it decays, thus saving our cat. Which is good, I quite like cats, and this thought experiment always made me feel a bit sad.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Apricot Wheat

Brewed by: Otto's Pub and Brewery, State College, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "American wheat ale. Light to medium body. Refreshing. Golden amber with the delicate aroma and flavor of apricot. Perfect any time of year.

Would I buy it again?: I recently made a trip to State College, and I made sure to pick up a few different beers from the main brewery in town. So be prepared for a few weeks of beer from Otto's. We're starting off with a wheat beer, which I'm normally a fan of. However, I don't think apricot is the best fruit to stick into a wheat beer. The initial taste was okay, but the aftertaste wasn't great. I wouldn't be opposed to getting it if I was at the brewpub, but I'm not going out of my way to get some more.