Ramsayings

Founders Maple Mountain Brown, originally uploaded by J T. Ramsay.

This year I invited our friends out to my old stomping grounds for our annual fall apple and pumpkin picking trip. We’ve been to Bucks County several times, where we’ve often found the orchards picked over. When I recently learned that Frecon Farms offered pick your own I knew that had to be our destination. I grew up right down the street from their orchard!

It was a great trip. The apples were plentiful. So plentiful, in fact, that we bought 15 pounds! I can’t wait for all the autumn deliciousness.

The real surprise of the trip, however, was a jaunt down memory lane. My friend and old TLA comrade Matt recommended we try Union Jack’s for lunch. When I searched it, I thought the Tiki Bar had been renamed. Not so, it turns out.

Union Jacks at the Inn at Manatawny is a lovely spot that once was a nasty biker bar across from the Pheasantland Roller Rink. This place was a gem. The beer list was gargantuan and our friends love to drink interesting beers. Everything on tap was aged in barrels or casks, going with a wooden theme I can definitely appreciate on a lovely fall afternoon.

I tried four beers, ranging from Left Hand Oak Aged Imperial stout (delicious!) to the Founders Maple Mountain Brown (interesting!) As we enjoyed our lunch, I couldn’t believe that such a wonderful little restaurant could succeed amid the rampant suburbanization Boyertown’s undergone since my childhood. I mean, these are beers you’d struggle to find in bars in Philly!

I’d say that the Left Hand brew was my favorite of the day, although the Pennichuck Pozharnik was a delight as well. I drank two tasters of the Founders Maple (very pronounced maple flavor; a bit too much for me, actually.)

More interesting was the St. Somewhere Lectio du Chene. That one through a real curve at me. It’s like nothing I’ve ever tasted. It’s blended wine barrel aged & young Lectio Divina, which is one of St. Somewhere’s well-regarded Belgian Pale Ales. Be careful — it packs a wallop!

The food and service at Union Jack’s were great and I’d definitely stop in there again. Sometimes it’s great to rediscover the place you grew up, huh?

Bøgedal 146, originally uploaded by J T. Ramsay.

My friend Tommy told me that Bøgedal and Mikkeller were the two must-have Danish beers. I managed to tuck a bottle of the former into my luggage on the trip home and I can assure you that this dark Christmas beer didn’t disappoint.

I need to find a way to get more of this stuff!

Memphis Taproom Flight, originally uploaded by J T. Ramsay.

Memphis Taproom introduced flights during their Mystery Beer Weekend and never stopped. For just $10 it’s a great way to sample several different beers without denting your wallet…or your head. I went home happy after tasting these three beauties.

From left to right: Schlenkerla Urbock; Weissenohe Monk’s Fest; Russian River Damnation.

Latest iPhone Homescreen, originally uploaded by J T. Ramsay.

What a mess!

I started following First & 20 during our trip to Outer Banks this year. Their iPhone home screen series has been very interesting. As I’ve mentioned before, my iPhone became something of a lifeline while I was in the hospital with Helen when Charlie was born. I scoured the app store in a sleep-deprived haze for anything to keep me alert and occupied during those 3 a.m. feedings. Let me put it to you straight: there are a ton of apps and most of them are garbage. First & 20′s series then seemed like the answer to my prayers. I will finally completely optimize my iPhone home screen! How positively geeky! (more…)

The Thermals were kind enough to stop by the Comcast Center when they were in town to play a few songs and talk to me about their new album, Now We Can See. The Thermals are the sort of band who do everything right, but I’m not sure they’ll ever get the mainstream recognition they deserve.

I have to say I’m extremely proud of everyone who participated in making this look so great. I wish it were possible to do more, but we simply couldn’t get enough traction to support it. Tell me how you think it came out!