Baseball Opening Day is Here!

Today marks the true start to the 2012 Major League Baseball Season, with a full slate of games.  There were two games played in Japan last week in MLB's continued efforts to expand the game globally (don't get me started), but today is the first day of baseball... all day.

For me, it's really marks the start of the summer.  In my mind, nothing says summer more than sitting out on a sunny day, watching a ballgame, drinking a beer and eating a hot dog (even though it may cost an arm and a leg at a Major League Stadium).  Now that I think about it, it may be the only time during the year that I eat a hot dog.

Unfortunately, it's not quite sunny out yet.  There's still a chill in the air.  But I'm ready.

I do think the first game of the season should be a bigger deal though.  The Cardinals and Marlins played the true opening game of the regular season last night... along with the final spring training games.  It doesn't make a lot of sense.  The opening game should be the only game that day, all the spring training games should be done by that point so everyone's focus can be on the actual game.  But I suppose the real event is today.

What event marks the real start of your summer?

The LEGO Beer Song

So I'm at my grandparents' house for dinner last night, and my 9-year-old cousin is on his itouch killing time.  He calls me over and shows me this video, which he finds hilarious.  It is funny, but I was a little taken aback by how funny he thought a song about beer was, especially the "schlitz" joke.  I suppose I shouldn't be that surprised... I was probably the same way at that age.  It just seems a little young for beer shit jokes.  But who knows what goes on in public schools these days.

In any case, here's the video in question, which is older than the hills.

Friday Night Beer: Anchor Steam

New tradition, every Friday Night I will highlight a favorite beer of mine.  Tonight it is Anchor Steam Original.  Now, Anchor Steam Brewery may have been in San Francisco since 1896, but its revival in the '70's behind Fritz Maytag was actually one of the early successes that gave strengh to the craft beer movement.  It, along with Sierra Nevada were among the earliest craft "microbrews" that gained popularity around the country.  As such, Anchor Steam retains an esteemed position among breweries today.

The beer itself is very malty with a slightly fruity aftertaste.  It is golden amber in color with a thick head and dense bubbles.  It has a distinct hoppiness, but is not overpowering.  Easy to drink and doesn't sit heavy for a somewhat darker beer.  A great overall beer for almost any occasion.

Honestly, Anchor Steam is one of my favorite beers.  They had it on tap at my college pub, and whenever I could afford it, that's where my money went.  It's just a great all-around beer.  Easy to drink, I could put away quite a few of these before I switched to the cheap stuff.  The bottle itself is oddly shaped.  I'm not sure if any other beer has the same shaped bottle.  So it is unique in many aspects, its excellent taste notwithstanding. 

I'll have more next week, but this one, a favorite of the Chem department, seemed a good place to start.  And please excuse any typos, it is Friday night, and I have been drinking.

Cheers!