Law Librarian Blog

Brewing With Stina: What to drink while setting those New Year’s Resolutions into motion

This year, I have resolved to do only one thing more often:  floss.  Every year, I write a long list of resolutions (seriously, last year’s list was somewhere around 52 items, of which I accomplished…7) that just mock me.  So, this year I am taking the advice of my dentist and will put more effort into flossing.  This may in turn mean less time in the dental chair, thus resulting in fewer dollars being spent on dental work, meaning saving more…See?  Flossing can lead to great things.

With resolutions in mind…

For those of you resolving to lose a few pounds around the middle:

Light Import Lagers- I don’t think I can actually offer up brands, but they have done great things with light beer.  Just DO NOT buy any beer that advertises using a gym as a backdrop.

For those of you thinking about saving more money this year:

Happy Hour- Most happy hours offer at least one well-known beer at a good price.  If you are curious as to what happy hour’s are available in your area, you can always go online and check to see if anyone has compiled a list of wallet-friendly bar times in your area. Check out http://www.drunkafterwork.com/

For those of you looking to “get out and do more this year”:

Beer Festivals- Believe me, nothing is more socially involved then fighting through throngs of people to get to beer in an outdoor (or indoor) setting.  And with all that jostling of crowds and spilling of beer, conversation is bound to happen.  For a list of local festivals in your area, check out http://www.beerfestivals.org/.

Happy New Year everyone!

Stina McClintock, Library Technician, King County Law Library (Seattle) and Beer Judge (BJCP)

Brewing With Stina: An Apple a Day

Last weekend I took time off from work to go to Spokane to see my parents and help my sister (Siv) and her husband (Dave) press cider.  While I was away, I dreamt my filing backlog mysteriously disappeared, it did not. I did have some spare time to read this book. I know many people think that making a cider means pitching some yeast in some juice.  And you are right.  But since I want to make it sound much more interesting, I am including the style guidelines along with my favorite cider picks (courtesy the BJCP).

So, for those of you who are staying in this weekend, or going out, I recommend:

Eating a bratwurst but not in a beer mood: Dry English Cider.

Skipping dessert but still want something sweet: Raspberry Cider.

Wanting to impress your friend by serving smelly cheese: A French Cider.

PS: I want to thank Rita K. for guest authoring last Monday's "A View from the Stacks" for me.

Stina McClintock, Library Technician, King County Law Library (Seattle) and Beer Judge (BJCP)

This Week in Brewing With Stina

What to drink while training for a fall beer festival: Scotch Ale.  Why?  Because gone are those long summer days and those wheaty, light beers.  It is getting cold out there, folks.  And with cold weather comes caramel flavored, creamy beers. 

What to drink while re-reading the Da Vinci Code and wondering how the movie got is so wrong: Pale Ale.  Why?  Because the hoppy notes are bitter, but not as strong as an IPA, while the fruity notes are pronounced, but not cloying.

And what to drink while watching the Seahawks beat the Cardinals: A nice ESB.  Why?  Because this smooth drinking, bitter beer couples nicely with nachos, corndogs and pretzels (with cheese cups).

Stina McClintock, Library Technician, King County Law Library (Seattle) and Beer Judge (BJCP)

Editor's Note: Brewing With Stina is a new feature that will appear on Fridays whenever Stina feels like posting one. TGIF, Cheers! Of course the best way to drink beer, almost any beer, is in a "I (heart) my law library" stein. And I just happen to know where you can buy one! [JH]