Beer of the Week

The beer: Jacques Au Lantern

The brewery: Evolution Brewing Company, Salisbury, Maryland

Description (from the website): "Our fall seasonal is an unfiltered amber ale brewed with pumpkin and spices, and fermented with a Belgian yeast strain. Roasted pumpkin is added to the mash along with traditional pumpkin pie spices creating a classic fall beer."

Would I buy it again? For our official Halloween beer, of course I was going to review a pumpkin beer. And fortunately, we've got ourselves a good one here. The pumpkin and beer flavors are extremely well balanced, it's fairly light and easy to drink, this beer is just straight-up enjoyable. Not complicated, but sometimes you don't need complicated. I would absolutely buy this beer again. Also, I like the name. Who doesn't like a good pun?

Climate Change: Bad News For Beer Lovers

Red alert, everyone, this is not a drill. Climate change is affecting the taste of beer. Shut down every oil drill, scrap all the cars, stop breathing out, this is now officially not a joke.

Okay, maybe you can keep breathing, but our rapidly changing climate is affecting both the quantity and quality of European hops. From 1971 to 2018, many hop-producing areas have seen a reduction in yield of 20%, and the alpha bitter acids that give the hops their flavor have also been reduced, meaning that the hops we are getting don't have quite the same kick they once did. By 2050 hops could have 30% less alpha acids than they're supposed to have.

Specifically, hop yields are going down because Europe as a whole is getting drier, and hotter, drier, more volatile summers aren't good for hops. They need mild summers, like those traditionally found in Europe and the Pacific Northwest. Hot, humid summers like we have here in Maryland are rough for hop plants, unless you're the Monocacy hop, that is. Maybe we'll have to introduce the Germans to our own specialized hop variation. It's either that, or we suffer through blander, more expensive beer. And that's truly a nightmare scenario.

Beer of the Week

The beer: How 'Bout Them Apples

Brewed by: Idiom Brewing Company, Frederick, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "The ladies at Idiom got together to craft another female brewed beer! Loaded with Apple, vanilla, and cinnamon this Apple Cider Donut brew is the perfect way to bring in the fall season."

Would I buy it again? Even if this beer wasn't very good, it's just nice to see a fall-themed beer that isn't an Oktoberfest or pumpkin beer. Happily, this beer was very good. It's got apple, it's got cinnamon, and it's even got a bit of breadiness to evoke the donut part of the apple cider donut. It's definitely better and more interesting than the apple cider donut cider from a couple weeks ago, mostly because of the beer part of the beer. It provides contrast for the apple taste. I hope Idiom brings this back in the future, because I'd absolutely buy this again.

Review: Rich Valley Golf Course (Part 2)

It's to take a look at Rich Valley's back nine, go here to see the front.

The tenth hole is a 180-yard par 3 that plays over a native area to a dome-shaped green with a bunker left. If this green shape seems familiar, that's because it's quite similar to the fifth. This course struggles slightly when it comes to par 3 variety.

The tenth hole.

The tenth green.

The eleventh hole is a mid-length par 4 playing sort of close to a line of trees left. There's actually a tiny amount of strategy involved here, as the green is best approached from the left side, closer to the tree line. If you bail out more to the right, you'll have to more directly confront a bunker short-right of the green on the second shot. It's about as basic as strategy gets, but something's better than nothing.

The eleventh hole.

Approaching the eleventh green.

The eleventh green.

The twelfth hole is the final par 3 on the course, and it's pretty similar to the fifth. Same length, similar sort of ever so slightly elevated green falling away on all sides from the center. This one only has one bunker, but otherwise, it plays the same tricks as the fifth and the tenth too, if we're being honest. 

The twelfth hole.

The thirteenth hole is the final par 5 at Rich Valley, and this is where the yardages at Rich Valley get a little iffy. The scorecard says this hole is 525 yards. Now, I hit a very good drive on this hole and it was playing downwind, but I only had 150 yards on my second shot. I did not hit a 375-yard drive. I'd say this hole is, at most, 475 yards. Maybe shorter. Anyway, the hole. It's got trees close in along the fairway the whole way down the left side, but beyond that it's pretty open. And unlike the eleventh, you'll want to stay out to the right at least a little bit; you can easily get blocked out from the green if you're too far left. The green has a bunker right, but so long as you don't end up with a severely uphill stance on a random small rise in the middle of the fairway, you can easily get to this green in two.

The thirteenth hole.

Approaching the thirteenth green.

The thirteenth green.

The fourteenth hole is the first of a stretch of five par 4s to end the round, and this one is a little perplexing. The hole itself is fine; it's a short 330-yard hole that doglegs hard left about 200 yards out, so you'll want to use a wood or long iron off the tee, skirting along the left tree line. Doing that will leave just a half-wedge into the green. The confusion lies in the fairway bunker on the right side, which appears to be on the outside of the dogleg from the tee, but in reality is about 50 yards away from the fairway in the middle of nowhere. Seriously, it's not in play on any hole, yet it's clearly maintained regularly. Why is it there? I have no answers.

The fourteenth hole.

The fourteenth green.

The fifteenth hole is 380 yards and plays significantly uphill the whole way. It's also right next to I-81, which runs down the left side for the first 150 yards, but you'd be surprised how a few trees and a bit of elevation muffle the traffic noises. This hole isn't nearly as bad as the ones on the front nine. Then again, I hit my drive wide right, so I never got close to the road. So long as you avoid the line of tall grass left and the cluster of trees right on the drive, the second shot is a wedge or short iron to a green protected by a single bunker right.

The fifteenth hole.

Approaching the fifteenth green.

The fifteenth green.

Rich Valley is ridiculously easy for the first 15 holes. For whatever reason though, the course ends with three long par 4s. The sixteenth is the first of this tough closing stretch at 455 yards. The hole bends left at around 250 yards, and with trees close beyond the fairway, you can't really use driver unless you're confident you can draw it. A typical drive will leave you a mid iron over a marshy area to a slightly elevated and shallow green. 

The sixteenth hole.

Approaching the sixteenth green.

The sixteenth green.

The seventeenth hole claims to be 495 yards, but in reality it's maybe 450. Still long, but not stupidly long. While the large pond directly in front of the tee isn't really an issue, two bunkers flank the landing area. Thread between them (or utilize the nearly infinite space around them) and you'll be left with a mid to long iron second shot to a bunkerless green. Okay, beyond length, this hole isn't very tough.

The seventeenth hole.

Approaching the seventeenth green.

The seventeenth green.

The eighteenth hole is pretty simple for the first 300 yards. No bunkers, wide fairway, the usual story for Rich Valley. But then things get interesting. After crossing the pond from the previous hole, the eighteenth green is the one actually challenging green on the entire course. It's small, it's got two tiers and a noticeable right-to-left tilt, and it's got a deep bunker just right guarding the straight line from the tee. Not to mention you're approaching it with a fairly long iron, as the hole is supposedly 460 yards. It's not that long, I don't think, but we're not talking as huge a difference as 13 or 17. Maybe 430 or 440 yards. It's such a weirdly tough hole after 17 holes of basically mild golf.

The eighteenth hole.

Approaching the eighteenth green.

The eighteenth green.

Rich Valley is not what the experts would call an interesting golf course. It's pretty flat, and you can pretty much hit it wherever. But you know what? Not every course needs to be tough. Sometimes it's nice to play a course that flatters your ego, and Rich Valley does that very well. Except for that last hole, of course. And 16 to a slightly lesser extent. And the price isn't terrible. $30 to walk 18 holes isn't a steal, but it's reasonable. Though perhaps they could plant a few more trees between the interstate and the front nine. Something to muffle the noise. Please.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Carnival of Horrors

The brewery: Lone Pine Brewing Company, Portland, Maine

Description (from the can): "'There are three things that I've learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and pumpkin beers,' Linus.

"Carnival of Horrors is a menacing imperial stout brewed with pumpkin pie filling, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and vanilla, and is definitely worth of a straight jacket."

Would I buy it again? You know, I was really expecting an imperial pumpkin stout to really smack me in the face with pumpkin flavor, but the pumpkin is surprisingly subtle. I'm actually not sure I'd be able to identify the pumpkin if you offered me a glass of this beer blind. Don't misunderstand, this beer is good – with that list of additional ingredients, it's tough to go wrong – but I don't know how much of a pumpkin beer this is. I'd probably buy this again, because it is good, but not if I'm specifically looking for a fall-themed pumpkin beer. It fits the thick, hearty winter beer stereotype much better.

Review: Rich Valley Golf Course (Part 1)

If you've ever driven down Interstate 81 in central Pennsylvania, you'll know Rich Valley. It's a telling indictment of the general quality of the course that the most interesting thing I can say about Rich Valley is "you can see it from a major highway." The second-most interesting thing I can tell you about this course is that the front nine is about as easy and forgiving as golf can possibly get. If you can't turn in a good score after nine here, then that's entirely on you. And believe or not, it used to be easier. I played a few high school matches here 15 years ago (oh god, it's really been that long), so all those small trees along the fairways you'll see in the pictures below? They were a lot smaller in my high school days. In another 15 years, who knows? This course might even be almost threatening. 

The first hole is routed a bit oddly, necessitated by the limited space in this corner of the property. It's just 330 yards and doglegs nearly 90 degrees about 225-250 yards out. If you're a longer hitter and want to go straight at the green, you absolutely could do that. It's not that far, and there's not a huge amount of trouble in the way. For most of us, this hole is a long iron or fairway wood, followed by a wedge up to an elevated green with a single bunker front left.

The first hole.

The first green.

The second hole has technically changed from the last time I played the course. The pond in front of the green, which from the picture you can see is undergoing construction, is actually completely new. It used to be a native area filled with brush. Not a massive change in the grand scheme of things, either way you don't want to end up short, but it's interesting that they changed it. Beyond the pond, this is a straightforward 175-yard par 3. No other hazards beyond the water short and the greens not complicated, so as long you don't chunk your tee shot, this is a pretty easy par.

The second hole.

Having walked completely around the clubhouse, the third hole plays alongside the first, with the tees for the two holes essentially on top of each other. At 340 yards, it's also not a very long hole, with the ideal line off the tee partially obscured by a tree. You can of course bail out with a wood or long iron left and still leave yourself a wedge or short iron for the second shot, so if that tree continues to grow and completely blocks off driver as an option, the hole won't be unplayable. The green is slightly elevated and protected by one small bunker front right. 

The third hole.

The third green.

The fourth hole is the one exception to the front nine's general rule of "hit it literally anywhere and you're fine." The hole is 365 yards and plays between trees right and internal O.B. left, which is something you really don't see very often. Frankly I have no idea why they have it here, it's not like going left gives you an advantage. It certainly didn't stop me from hooking a 3 iron onto the third green. If you're more competent off of the tee, the second shot is a short iron over a large bunker to a semiblind green that runs from front to back. Because of that front-to-back tilt, the bunker behind the green does come into play. 

The fourth hole.

The fourth green.

The fifth hole is how to do a tough par 3 in a not annoying fashion. It's 220 yards and slightly downhill. There are four small bunkers around the green, which is notably domed, falling away from the center on all sides. It's a tough par, but you shouldn't make more than a bogey or double if you mess it up, since there's no severe hazards or opportunity for penalties. Not a revolutionary hole by any means, but it's solid enough.

The fifth hole.

The fifth green.

The sixth hole is 330 yards and is nearly drivable if the wind is favorable. Aside from O.B. right and a tiny fairway bunker left (which can be cleared easily if you use a driver), there's really not much to worry about on the tee shot. The green is slightly elevated and has four small bunkers around it, two on each side. This is the start of a four-hole stretch alongside Interstate 81, and yes, you are very aware of that when you're putting on this green. Trucks whizzing by at 60 MPH about 200 feet away are quite loud.

The sixth hole.

The sixth green.

The seventh hole is 540 yards, making it the longest hole at Rich Valley, something you are acutely aware of when the hole is playing into a generous breeze. This hole is literally as simple as they come. There are no hazards on the tee shot. Just hit it as far as you can. Same for the second shot too. There are two bunkers about 20 yards short of the green, but into the wind most golfers won't reach them, and they're too far away to really worry golfers on their third shot. The green's also pretty simple. 

The seventh hole.

Approaching the seventh green.

The seventh green.

Rich Valley has only three par 5s, and it's interesting that two of them come back to back. This one's 50 yards shorter and actually requires a modicum of thought. Well, on the drive anyway, as the landing area is pinched by bunkers on each side of the fairway. Avoid them and you'll have a wide-open shot at going for the green in two. It's completely undefended aside from the rather deafening traffic noises. If there's a hole here to make birdie on, it's this one. 

The eighth hole.

Approaching the eighth green.

Look out, Pebble Beach, there's a new competitor for most scenic eighth hole.

The ninth hole is a 400-yard par 4 with an odd sort of almost dogleg; the fairway initially bends left around a bunker than turns hard right further up toward the green. Like the third hole, there's an oddly placed tree in play; this one's about 100 yards from the green and can block out shots from certain parts of the fairway. Provided you don't have to worry about that, the second shot is a wedge or short iron to a fairly large green with a long, narrow bunker right.

The ninth hole.

Approaching the ninth green.

The ninth green.

That's it for this week, next week we'll take a look at the slightly more compelling back nine. And you wouldn't want to miss that.

Cider of the Week

The cider: Baker's Dozen

The cidery: Citizen Cider, Burlington, Vermont

Description (from the can): "Sometimes the best part about visiting an orchard isn't the apples ... it's the cider donuts. In fact, we love them so much that a dozen just isn't quite enough. We want a Baker's Dozen! This delicious cider, inspired by our own house cider donuts, combines a fresh, fruity nose with aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, and allspice. It's so good, we think you'll agree and want just one more."

Would I buy it again? That's right, we have a hard cider inspired by a donut which is made using cider. Cider has truly come full circle. Now, I like a good cider, and I like a good cider donut. That made buying this a no-brainer. As for taste ... well, what do you think it tastes like? It tastes like cider. This is what happens when you make a hard cider inspired by something made from cider. And you know what? That works for me. I'd buy this again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Pumpkin Ale

The brewery: Blockhouse Brewing Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Description (from the bottle): "Everything you love about beer disguised as everything you love about homemade pumpkin pie. Take tomorrow off."

Would I buy it again? It's that time of year. As surely as the leaves change colors, breweries will flood the market with pumpkin beers. This particular pumpkin beer is pretty straightforward in terms of style and it's pretty solid, if maybe a bit too sweet for my taste. This is one of those beers that I wouldn't say no to, but I wouldn't want to drink more than one in a night. It's surprisingly heavy and dense for a pumpkin ale.