Commodore Perry IPA

This is a special and unique IPA with a nice balance of malt sweetness and citrus aromas from hops. I also posted this picture to a group I belong to called "Pursuing Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches". Members there share pictures of favorites and get into deep discussions about why this or that one is the best Pork Tenderloin Sandwich you can get in America. After having read quite of few of their entries, I'm beginning to think that, when it comes right down to it, all pork tenderloins are about the same. Seen one, seen 'em all.

Burning River

Election Day, 2014 has finally arrived and we can breathe a sigh of relief: the obnoxious political ads will now stop. We civil people are compelled to “give respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:7). But this negative political campaigning leads one to despise the whole lot of them, and with disgust for the current status quo, long for some better utopia where there is very little or no government.

This excellent, wonderfully drinkable pale ale from Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland has a colorful label depicting one of my favorite history lessons. The Cuyahoga River of the late 1960s was so polluted it caught fire and burned out of control. Now, thanks to laws and government control, it flows fresh and clean. The lesson of that burning river is this: no one else in Ohio last century was motivated enough to care for pure water and a healthy environment. It took an active, honorable government to regulate corporations and punish wrong doers (1 Peter 2:14).

It’s maddening how our government is so flawed by corruption and inefficiency, overreaching into our lives in one area, abandoning judicial responsibilities in other areas. It’s horrible government. . . . It’s the best government history has produced. So cheers, even to the Democrats. And special cheers to the winners of today’s elections.

Our Congressman Steve King addresses his constituency.

Eliot Ness

Here’s a souvenir from my trip to Ohio two weeks ago. Eliot Ness is a smooth amber lager with hints of nuts and spice.  This is the second beer I’ve enjoyed from Great Lakes Brewing Co. of Cleveland OH. Finally there’s a reason to appreciate something about Cleveland.

Edmund Fitzgerald

At the Red Pig Inn, in Ottawa, Ohio, I had an Edmund Fitgerald. They had it on their beer list but with no explanation. The day-shift waitress was clueless about this or any other beer. It turned out to be a porter with roasted grains that are dark and robust, giving it a strong and bittersweet flavor. Come to find out, it gets deserved high marks on BeerAdvocate.com and has received many awards.