Beer of the Week: Highland Brewing Gaelic Ale

Beer score: 7.7

Company: Highland Brewing
ABV: 5.8
IBU: 32

A pretty sturdy amber ale. Nice, clean, smooth with a touch of sweetness early on that gives away quickly to a strong burnt bitterness that is not overpowering (though it does come close to crossing that line). Very wet. Perhaps a little orange or lemon in the scent and flavor.

Visually, I've heard this one described as looking like bourbon when you pour it into a clear glass, and I can't say I disagree with that assessment.

Books read in 2024: No. 50 -- The Faithful Executioner

by Joel F. Harrington

Started: Dec. 7

Finished: Dec. 15

Notes: As the year is winding to a close and I've been reading a fair number of biographies these past 12 months, I thought I'd delve into another one. This one is based upon a journal of a Renaissance-era executioner. Sounds interesting to me.

Mini review: This turned out to not only be a well written book, but quite the intriguing one as well. The Nuremberg executioner who left behind his journal, plus other historical documents, reveal that at least this executioner was not the cruel, evil, unthinking creature such figures are often personified as. Also, this book suggests that the supposed cruelty of earlier eras isn't perhaps as cruel as our modern minds might think, and that our modern day might prove quite cruel and even evil to those of earlier generations. Worth a read.

Beer of the Week: Moosehead Lager

Beer score: 4.0

Company: Moosehead
ABV: 5.0
IBU: 13

Back in the day, this was just called "Moosehead," but nowadays we have all kinds of varieties and flavors, etc. It is what it is.

For what it's worth, this is a very American tasting beer. Take that however you want.

The flavor is weak and there is more carbonation than is needed. Still, this Canadian brew goes down pretty easy and makes a good thirst quencher.

Not a great beer, but there are plenty of worse options.

Books read in 2024: No. 49 -- Country Hardball: The Autobiography of Enos "Country" Slaughter

by Enos Slaughter with Kevin Reid

Started: Dec. 1

Finished: Dec. 7

Notes: I've been on something of a biography kick this year, so I thought I'd wind down the year with some more biographies. This one is about a Hall-of-Fame baseball player who is from the region I have called home for nearly two decades now, so it should be interesting to see local and historical connections. Also, I actually met Mr. Slaughter at his house years and years ago before he passed.

Mini review: If you enjoy reading about baseball from about 1938 to 1960, this book could be for you. Seasons are mostly broken down into chapters with Enos Slaughter telling of plenty of games he played with the Cardinals, the Yankees, and other teams. Most of this book is just that, about the games, with some minor talk of personalities. Towards the end the book gets a little grumpy, but at this point Slaughter was an older man, and he had his opinions like anyone else.

Beer of the Week: Olde English 800 Malt Liquor

Beer score: 2.4

Company: Miller Brewing Co.
ABV: 7.5
IBU: NA

Pours a pale yellow color while giving off a slightly bready smell.

This monstrosity goes down wet, but it has lots of fizz. The flavor is sweet with a little malt. Some bitterness stays on the tongue after you swallow. Also, there's some kind of strange taste in the background here, maybe metal or medicine.

Not the worst beer in the world (and yes, malt liquors are beer), but also not far from it.

Books read in 2024: No. 48 -- Blood Meridian

by Cormac McCarthy

Started: Nov. 19

Finished: Dec. 1

Notes: I've been in the mood to read Westerns of late, and since this is a Western and it's by the late, oft highly-regarded McCarthy, I thought I'd give it a go. Also, I've had more than one individual express to me that this is their favorite of McCarthy's works, so that also intrigues me. Personally, I have something of a love-hate relationship with this author's writing. Some of his work I've found to be near masterpieces, while others I've found dreadful. I'm hoping this will be one of the masterpieces.

Mini review: In the mid-19th Century, a teen boy hires on with a group of mercenaries (of a sort) who are hired to kill Apaches. There is some beautiful prose here, and some interesting dialogue, plus a number of great characters, but over all ... I didn't care for it, which might seem blasphemy to some because this is supposed to be McCarthy's magnum opus. Why didn't I care for it? For a few reasons. One, it's supposed to be dark and violent, and I didn't find it to be either. Oh, sure, there is some extreme violence that occurs, but much of it happens off screen (so to speak) or is mentioned with little to no description, which I felt was strange considering this is a novel with lengthy descriptions of just about everything else. Secondly, I felt this novel was overly literary, that it was just literary for its own sake, which felt fake to me, it felt false. And then there is the ending, or at least the protagonist's ending; it's left unexplained, obviously intentionally so, and this also felt fake to me, like a trick the author was doing simply to be performing a trick.

Beer of the Week: OMB Copper Altbier

Beer score: 6.8

Company: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
ABV: 4.9
IBU: 29

First off, you'll notice the bottle version of this beer has a rather unusual but handy pull top for opening. Neat.

Into a clear glass, it pours a smooth brown color, basically an amber not uncommon to German-style amber ales. While being poured, it gives off scents of bread and malt with perhaps a touch of sweetness and caramel.

There's not any of that sweetness in the tasting however, though you're left with a fairly smooth nutty bitterness with some hints of burnt toffee.

This is a quality beer. If you enjoy German ales, you should love this one. The only reason this beer did not score higher for me is that this isn't one of my favorites type of beer. Maybe that's petty, but I feel it's telling the truth. Though believe me, I wouldn't turn one of these down.

Books read in 2024: No. 47 -- Deadwood

by Pete Dexter

Started: Nov. 6

Finished: Nov. 19

Notes: To be clear, no, this novel has nothing to do with the television show of the same name, though obviously it is based upon the same time period, region, and probably some of the events and real-life characters. That being said, I know that history fairly well, so I'm looking forward to this author's take on it.

Mini review: An interesting novel, almost literary but not quite. There's not a lot of action here, in case you might be expecting some Old West shoot-em-outs, but there is some little violence from time to time, though much of it happens "off screen." Most of the notable historical figures of the time and place are present, as well as some minor figures. The main character is Charlie Utter, and though the murder of Bill Hickock is a main part of this tale, it's not the culmination but almost a beginning. The last half of this book is mostly Charlie's experiences with other people and how the death of Hickock affected them, and how the man's death affected the town of Deadwood. However, Hickock's murder isn't the only event that brings about conflict and story. Ultimately, I got the impression this novel was supposed to be somewhat humorous, but the truth is, I find it mostly sad, many of the characters seeming to have sad or sometimes even awful fates. I wouldn't call this a great novel, but it's not a bad one, and it's definitely an interesting one, probably more for writers than for historical buffs of the Old West.

Beer of the Week: Blue Moon Light Citrus Wheat

Beer score: 7.2

Company: Blue Moon Brewing
ABV: 4.0
IBU: 10

One of the best light beers I've had the pleasure to taste.

Pours a slightly cloudy, pale yellow color with a foamy head. Gives off scents of citrus and what.

Perhaps a little carbonation here, but far less than most light beers.

The texture in your mouth is smooth and not harsh, like some light beers, but also perhaps a little thin. The flavor is mostly a light orange with a touch of wheat, but there's not a lot of sweetness here, nor is there an abundance of bitterness.

Those seeking a solid drinking experience might not appreciate this beer, but for those who are counting calories, I'm telling you this is one of the best light beers on the market. It really does come off as a lighter version of the Blue Moon Belgian White, and that's not a bad thing.

Beer of the Week: Keystone Premium

Beer score: 2.0

Company: Coors
ABV: 4.4
IBU: NA

There are those who will say Keystone beer and Keystone Premium beer are the exact same beer. Maybe they are, but I know over the decades I've seen both labels, and I've tried both, and at least to my taste buds they are slightly different from one another. Though I suppose it's also possible the Keystone people have changed their recipe from time to time. So, there might be some confusion. Are Keystone and Keystone Premium the same beer? I don't know for sure. But I know I tasted a drink out of a can labeled "Keystone Premium" this past week, and here are my thoughts.

First off, the word "premium" in beer language must mean "chape and tasteless" because so many mediocre and bad brews have that word on their label. This beer is no different.

It's wet and easy on the throat, I'll give it that, and it's vaguely reminiscent of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Mostly it tastes like the aluminum can it comes out of, with vague hints of grain and maybe corn. The smell is about the same.

There are plenty of better beers out there.

Books read in 2024: No. 46 -- Son of A Wanted Man

by Louis L'Amour

Started: Oct. 27

Finished: Nov. 6

Notes: I was traveling recently, and while I brought a book with me for reading, I didn't plan on finishing that book so soon. So, on the road without a read, I had to drop into the Back Again Bookshop in Myrtle Beach, SC, my favorite little used book store in that region. And since I was in the mood to read westerns and had just finished one L'Amour novel, I thought I'd snag another one. This one is about a young man who has been groomed by a powerful crime boss to take over the business, but the young man has to decide whether he wants to become a criminal in the Old West or to become a law-abiding citizen. Guess I'll find out.

Mini review: I didn't enjoy this one as much as the last L'Amour novel I read. The plot was good, about a young man raised to be an outlaw though he didn't really want to be one, and the characters were interesting enough. But the story was a bit slow, in my opinion, and the action lacking at least until the end, and even then some of the action was off screen, not something I prefer.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Wychwood Brewery Old Devil Beer

Beer score: 7.3

It having just been Halloween, I thought I'd hunt up a brew from the Wychwood Brewery folks of Oxfordshire. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any where I live, so I pulled out some notes from one of the Wychwood beers that's no longer with us.

This one had an amber ale quality with a touch of sweetness. Not an overly strong beer, so it could be enjoyed in large quantities. Had a bit of lemon and tea in the smell and taste, but not enough to destroy the beer flavor. Somewhat thin in the texture, but there are worse things.

Had an interesting label of a devil in a cemetery using a pitchfork to stab and angel.

Books read in 2024: No. 45 -- Showdown at Yellow Butte

by Louis L'Amour

Started: Oct. 23

Finished: Oct. 26

Notes: Having just finished a non-fiction book about Spaghetti Westerns, I find myself in the mood for some Western fiction. Thus I turn to the master, Louis L'Amour. Actually, though I've read a half dozen or so of his Westerns and a handful of this other fiction, I've never been all that big a fan of L'Amours, though I do consider his autobiographical Education of A Wandering Man to be among my favorite books. In fairness to L'Amour, I've never been much of a fan of Western fiction, though I do love the movie genre. Something about Western fiction often feels fake to me, full of a machismo and bravado that just doesn't ring true. But that's just me. Still, every so often I give L'Amour another chance to win me over.

Mini review: A former army officer who has become a mercenary is hired by a company to drive some squatters off land in New Mexico, but the mercenary begins to wonder if he is on the wrong side. There's plenty of action here and not a lot of depth, so that made this novel a fun and easy read, making me somewhat re-evaluate my earlier thoughts on L'Amour's fiction. Also, this book definitely made me think of Gunsmoke and other older Western TV shows from the '50s and '60s. I only had two problems with this book: 1.) There were too many characters to keep track of, in my opinion, and 2.) There were potential actions scenes which were not portrayed but told to the reader "off screen," though this might have been because of limitations the original publisher set for this book and might not be the author's fault. Either way, this was still a pretty good read, and Western fans could do worse.

Beer of the Week: Czechvar Original

Beer score: 8.0

Company: Czechvar
ABV: 5.0
IBU: 22

Sometimes sold under the name "Budvar" this is one of three beers in the world that at one place or another had had the name of "Budweiser." Yes, for those of you who might not know, the beer in the U.S. known as Budweiser is not the only, for the original, brew with that name. In fact, the name was taken from two other beers in Europe. This particular beer is sold under the name "Czechvar" in North America for legal purposes, but uses different names in the rest of the world.

And this particular beer is what premium American beers only dream they could be.

Very refreshing and light looking, pours with a golden sheen with a big, white head while giving off scents of grains and maybe a little butter.

Goes down silky smooth with more of those grains in the taste, along with hints of citrus and perhaps caramel.

If you see it, purchase it. It's worth having.

Books read in 2024: No. 44 -- 10,000 Ways to Die

by Alex Cox

Started: Oct. 4

Finished: Oct. 23

Notes: Written by a film director, this book is apparently an extensive look into the Spaghetti Western movie genre, a genre which happens to be one of my favorites (at least when done well). There have been several editions of this book over the last few decades, but I believe the copy I have is the most recent edition from a decade or so back.

Mini review: I've been in the middle of a move, so I've not had a lot of decent reading time of late. That being said, this book was perfect for such a situation. The author covers the Spaghetti Westerns pretty well, in my opinion, providing posts for a few dozen (or thereabouts) movies of the genre, mainly the better known films and a handful of others. Extensive? Exhaustive? Maybe, maybe not, depending on what one is seeking from such a book. I felt this one did a nice balance, and besides, there were thousands of Spaghetti Westerns back in the day, honestly many of them not very good, so it would be practically impossible for one book to cover every single one of them. Major actors and directors were covered well, in my opinion, but there is also plenty of information about other crew members, from the musicians to producers and more. This book reminded me of a number of films I have not seen in years, and happily so, while also bringing to my attention a few films of which I was not familiar. For instance, did you know there was a Spaghetti Western musical back in the '60s? Me neither. This one is worth checking out for fans of the genre. I would like to add, however, that I did disagree with the author's opinions on a number of points, especially his seeming distaste for Eastwood as an actor and director.

Beer of the Week: Yuengling Flight

Beer score: 3.0

Company: Yuengling
ABV: 4.2
IBU: 7

Pours a very light golden color, which is what you might expect from most light beers, which this is. Has plenty of head, which is not unusual for a light beer, yet there's not a lot of carbonation in the drinking here. In fact, this beer is almost flat.

The smell is weak. Maybe a little grassy, maybe a little yeasty, but not much.

The taste is also pretty weak, though not awful. Somewhat very and fairly smooth, but any flavor is almost nonexistent. Perhaps a little bread-like taste, but otherwise it tastes like a cheap light beer but without the usual carbonation.

Meh, nothing here excites me, but if you're looking for a smooth light beer, you could do worse.

Beer of the Week: Fraoch Heather Ale

Beer score: 5.5

Company: Williams Bros. Brewing Co.
ABV: 5.0
IBU: 12

Heather ale is a Scottish brew made from heather flowers and Scottish malts.

This brew had a slight vinegar scent when I poured it, but there's not much of that in the tasting. Over all, the smell is very faint, slightly sweet with perhaps hints of honey.

Has an interesting mixed flavor of sweet and bitter with a flowery taste. There's more of that honey along with some herbal and flowery flavoring.

Not a superb brew, but not a bad one. Non beer snobs will probably find this most unusual.

Worth tasting for its uniqueness, but I don't think it's worth being a regular drinking beer.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Dixie Crimson Voodoo Ale

Beer score: 4.1

Another beer that's no longer with us, mainly because the Dixie Brewery which made this drink went out of business due to a hurricane. Fortunately another brewery took Dixie's recipes, so some of the Dixie beers live on. Unfortunately, this wasn't one that made the cut.

Anyway, I had this one a few times back in the day. It wasn't great, but it wasn't awful, and I always hate to see a beer go away.

This beer had a decent bitterness with a little too much of a burnt sourness. The bottle called this a red ale, but it didn't taste much like one.

Books read in 2024: No. 43 -- Player's Handbook (2024): Dungeons & Dragons

by Wizards of the Coast

Started: Oct. 1

Finished: Oct. 4

Notes: This is the latest edition of the Player's Handbook for D&D. The publisher has been adamant that this is not a new edition, that it is fully compatible with 5e, though fans often refer to this particular version as 5.5e. I'll check it out and see what I think. Funny enough, I didn't care for the original 5e Player's Handbook a decade ago, but I've been playing the game for 10 years now and mostly enjoy it, though I do have my quibbles.

Mini review: Many of the changes are relatively minor, such as the Vicious Mockery cantrip doing d6 instead of d4 damage, but probably the biggest changes are in how the classes work, though I will agree this version of D&D is compatible to 5e. Do I think this is an approvement? Over all, only slightly so, for some things are done better but others feel like change was done simply for the sake of change. Will I transition to this latest version of the game? Possibly, but it'll depend on my gaming companions. My guess will be we will mix 5e and this 5.5e to accomplish what we want. I will say I feel most of the changes here were done to give players' characters a power boost, and not really for any improvement to story telling or role play, but that's just my opinion.

Books read in 2024: No. 42 -- No One Here Gets Out Alive

by Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugerman

Started: Sept. 10

Finished: Oct. 1

Notes: For years I've had an idea for a short story which would feature Jim Morrison, the late singer of The Doors, but I've never felt I knew enough about the man to attempt my tale. I'm not sure I'll actually ever write the story, but this biography should at least provide me with the info to make the attempt.

Mini review: I wouldn't say Morrison was necessarily a tortured soul, but I would say he was a troubled soul. And could be a bit of an asshole. This book covered his early life to the appropriate degree, giving the right amount of information without going overboard on unimportant details, and it covered Jim's years with The Doors to an excellent degree, but I felt it flew through Jim's death rather quickly and without a lot of detail. In some fairness, the way this book reads, there weren't a lot of details, and Jim's death is something of a mystery even to this day, with some folks at the time suggesting Morrison had faked his own death. Personally, I think it unlikely he faked his death, though I wouldn't say it's necessarily impossible. A decent enough book, and fans of The Doors would likely find this one interesting.

Beer of the Week: Holsten pils

Beer score: 3.3

Company: Holsten
ABV: 5.0
IBU: 28

Come from Hamburg, Germany, and proves not all German beers are excellent.

The color is a shade of weak piss and the smell isn't much better, that scent giving off some faint hints of corn and chemicals.

The taste is a little better, with a touch of carbonation. Has a very smooth bitter flavor with a touch of cheap sweetness.

This one reminds of typical mass-marketed beers for an American audience.

Beer of the Week: Murphy's Irish Red

Beer score: 6.4

Company: Murphy's
ABV: 5.0
IBU: 12

Coming to us from Ireland, this tasty brew has gone by a number of different names over the years. I first tasted it a couple of decades back when it was labeled "Murphy's Irish Amber," but according to my research online, that's the same beer as "Murphy's Irish Red," which I recently had the pleasure of tasting.

Pours a light copper color with red hints. Smells malty and bready with perhaps a little caramel sweetness.

To the taste, sweet with a touch of carbonation. That caramel is a little stronger in the taste, maybe with a little toffee.

Smooth enough you could drink this stuff all day long.

Beer of the Week: Curmudgeon

Beer score: 7.4

Company: Founders Brewing Company
ABV: 9.8
IBU: 50

This one had been retired in the past, but I found it back on the market recently, which is awesome.

And it's definitely something different after I've been sipping pale ales and amber ales the last few days.

The bitterness hits you right up front, but it's not too much to handle. The strong, burnt molasses smell quickly translates into a strong, burnt molasses flavor that takes a sip or two to become familiar with, but it's quite enjoyable once you know what to expect.

A touch of caramel is in the flavoring, with lots of malty sweetness.

Yes, I can recommend this beer, but it's not for novices, and I'm not sure it's something I'd want to drink regularly. Still, it's different, and it would be great for special occasions or when you want to serve something unusual to a beer-snob friend.

Books read in 2024: No. 41 -- Flavius Josephus: Eyewitness to Rome's First-Century Conquest of Judea

by Mireille Hadas-Lebel

Started: August 29

Finished: Sept. 10

Notes: Earlier this year I was reading biographies, and I've got the bug again. Here, I've read some of the works of the first-century Josephus, but I don't know much about him personally other than a bare sketch of an idea. So, I felt it time I learned more.

Mini review: Josephus turns out to be an interesting, and somewhat controversial, character of history. A Jewish priest and general in the generation after that of Jesus, Josephus had firsthand views of the Jewish war with the Romans and even the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the Second Temple. Eventually captured by the Romans, he remained in chains for a few years but eventually became a favorite of a general who soon became emperor. Josephus then spent the rest of his life in Rome sort of as a guest of one emperor or another while working as a writer and historian. Unfortunately not all his works have survived, and we do not even know when or how he died, though he would have been an older man.

Beer of the Week: Leinenkugel's Original Beer

Beer score: 5.9

Company: Leinenkugel's
ABV: 4.7
IBU: 17

In the past I've seen this beer marketed as "Leinenkugel's Original Lager," but it's the same beer.

Over the years (okay, okay ... decades ... yeah, I'm old), I've found Leinenkugel's to have some of the better mass-marketed beers in the U.S.

This one is a good drinking brew for snobs and non-snobs alike.

Pours a nice golden color with hints of orange in the coloring. Gives off faint scents of honey and caramel.

Not sweet, but the bitterness isn't overpowering. Just a tad too much carbonation for my liking, but not enough to hurt the overall quality. There's maybe a little corn or honey in the flavoring.

Beer of the Week Blast From the Past: Coopers Black Crow

Beer score: 7.7

The Coopers Brewery from South Australia is still around, but they stopped making this beer a couple of decades ago. Too bad, because I remember liking it, as my few notes remind me.

Anyway, this one was very wet and drinkable, but it left a little of a soapy texture on my lips but not a soapy flavor (if that makes sense). It did have too much carbonation for me, but was a pretty decent beer.

Not awful. They should bring this one back. Or maybe they have but under a different name ... I shall have to investigate with my taste buds.

Books read in 2024: No. 40 -- The Revelation of Saint John the Divine

published by Zondervan

Started: August 25
Finished: August 29

Notes: I was traveling recently and didn't have with me the novel I had been reading, but I did have access to a Holy Bible. So, at a point where I was seeking something to read, I decided it was time I got to this last book of the Bible, one of the most interesting books but also one that is probably often misunderstood (not that I'm claiming to understand it myself).

Mini review: As interesting as I've always found this book, and I do enjoy studying it, I have to admit I feel the words here are so cryptic and steeped in imagery that there's little to truth to be found for most individuals. Oh, of course there are those who will say they know the truth, and I suppose it's not impossible some few do, but I'll admit to being a skeptic towards anyone who proclaims they understand the word of God while the rest of us are simply left out in the cold. For instance, while I realize there are people today who will say we are living in the last days, the truth is people have been saying that for thousands of years. What is the truth? I don't have an answer, not a good one. Yes, I have my own thoughts, but they change from time to time. Anyway, I'm glad to have read this book again, and I'm glad to finally have read every word of the Bible and not just portions I've studied over the years.

Books read in 2024: No. 39 -- The City & The City

by China Mieville

Started: August 20

Finished: August 27

Notes: I've heard good things about this speculative author for some years now and I've been meaning to check out his work. I've also had this novel recommended to me, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Mini review: This was an interesting one. In another version of our world, two cities exist in the exact same place and time, separated by a sort of invisible dimensional wall. Unfortunately for the citizens of each city, to look into or hear into the other city is something of a crime punishable by a sort-of overpolice known as the Breach. Yet each city also has its local cops to deal with more mundane crimes. In this novel, a detective in one of the cities finds himself pulled into a conspiracy that involves both cities, Breach, and ... well, to tell the truth, it gets complicated. It's complicated further by no small part of the words used here (especially for locales) are quite fantastic and foreign. That doesn't mean this is a difficult read, but that most readers will have to pause every so often to get their bearings. Is this a good book? Yes. Is it a great book? Not quite, but it's also not far from being one. Readers who enjoy detective fiction with a speculative twist will find much here to enjoy.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Brewery Hill Caramel Porter

Beer score: 8.1

I've not had much of a chance this summer to drink many good beers, but at least I have my memories and some old notes.

Such as for this beer from Pennsylvania. No longer with us, but it was a fine drink.

For those who wanted to taste the classic flavor of a burnt, caramel porter, you couldn't have done much better. This porter was strong without crossing over into a stout.

Books read in 2024: No. 38 -- Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

by Ransom Riggs

Started: August 9

Finished: August 20

Notes: As weird as it might sound, certain books seem to call out to me. I run into them time and time again in unusual places. I'm not talking about bestsellers I see on shelves in bookstores, not at all. I'm talking about books that seem to appear before me time and time again in someone's home or in thrift stores. This is one of those books. I didn't seek it out. It sought me out. I know this sounds odd, but it's how I feel. So, after running across this book time and time again, I finally snagged a copy and decided to read it. I know very little about this book, just that it's some kind of modern fantasy, that it's told in part with old photographs, and that there was a movie a few years back (and no, I've not seen the movie). Hopefully I'll enjoy this, or at the least maybe I'll learn a thing or two.

Mini review: A teen boy discovers his grandfather has a secret past, which leads the lad to an orphanage of sorts for children with special powers. One reviewer mentioned the Harry Potter series, and I could see how fans of those books might also enjoy this one. The vintage photos that were used throughout the book were interesting visually, but I didn't really feel they added anything to the story. However, the prose here is decent enough and the story moved at a decent pace, though there were a few places where my interest began to wane. The ending isn't a cliffhanger, but it definitely sets things up for further tales.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Celis Pale Ale

Beer score: 7.0

Over the years there has been more than one Celis Brewery, and more than one Celis Pale Ale, but the beer I write about here was originally brewed in Austin, Texas, but later bought out by the Michigan Brewing Company, which is also now out of business.

So, this particular Celis Pale Ale was supposed to be a Belgian-style pale ale. It tasted a bit like a regular pale ale and an IP mixed because it had just a touch of the fruity sourness common to many an IPA. Too much carbonation, in my opinion, but just barely.

Light enough so those with good taste in beer could enjoy regularly, but probably too strong for non-beer snobs.

It is a shame this beer and its brewery are no longer in business, because this was a fine beer and the Celis Brewery of Austin turned out more quality drinks

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Dixie Jazz Amber Light

Beer score: 6.1

Originally brewed by the Dixie Brewing Company of New Orleans, it's possible this beer is still being produced but under a different name since that brewing company was bought out by a different group. Still, I've not been able to find any evidence of this beer still being made, so most likely it is long gone.

But I have some of my old notes from the last time I had this beer more than a decade ago.

It had a slightly fruity and tangy taste. Wet and refreshing with less carbonation that most light beers.

If you had to drink a light beer, this would have been a good choice. Too bad it no longer seems to be with us, especially as there aren't a lot of great light beers out there.

A new Kron Darkbow Trilogy

It's been a while since I've published anything, and it's been 10 years (man, that's hard to believe) since I've published anything involving my epic fantasy Kron Darkbow character (and his crew of friends and foes), but the time has finally come.

Allow me to introduce ...

The Unwilling God Trilogy

Book I: The Broken Swordsman
Kron Darkbow is a warrior shattered by grief. With the love of his life trapped in an eternal sleep, Kron teeters on the brink of despair. As he struggles to find a reason to continue, dark forces converge on the city of Bond, threatening everything and everyone he holds dear. Can Kron rise above his sorrow to defend his home, or will he be consumed by it?

Book II: The Reluctant Witch
Althurna, a witch with immense power, embarks on a perilous journey to save the man she loves, with Kron steadfastly by her side. Together, they venture into treacherous mountains where an ancient enemy lies in wait. This malevolent force thrives on inflicting pain, and Althurna must summon every ounce of her courage and strength to confront it. Will love and determination be enough to triumph over such evil?

Book III: The Unwilling God
Randall Tendbones harbors a profound secret—he is the living god Ashal, concealed among mortals for years. Now, Randall and Kron find themselves in the heart of a despotic nation that worships Ashal without knowing his true identity. As conspiracies unfold and danger looms, Randall's divine secret threatens to unravel. When the truth comes to light, the repercussions will be earth-shattering. Can Randall and Kron survive the chaos that ensues?

Books read in 2024: No. 37 -- The Epistle of Jude

published by Zondervan

Started: August 8
Finished: August 8

Notes: One of the shortest books in the Bible, I thought I'd read it since I just finished reading several other of the shorter books.

Mini review: In this letter, Jude warns against members of the Christian church who are Christian only in name, but not true Christians.

Books read in 2024: No. 36 -- The Third Epistle of John

published by Zondervan

Started: August 8
Finished: August 8

Notes: Having just finished the first two of John's letters, I thought I'd read this last one.

Mini review: This letter I find to be one of most unusual of the New Testament. For one thing, it really doesn't talk about any Christian doctrine, but is a personal letter to a fellow named Gaius, praising him for his Christian charity. Also, this book warns against someone named Diotrephes, that he is not doing right by the church. To me, this is an interesting change of pace, and honestly, I wish the Bible had more personal letters such as this so we could better study the writers.

Books read in 2024: No. 35 -- The Second Epistle of John

published by Zondervan

Started: August 8
Finished: August 8

Notes: I just read the first of John's letters, so I thought I'd go ahead and read his others.

Mini review: This short letter seems to be sent to an individual, a woman, instead of a church as a whole, which is uncommon for biblical letters. Here John commends the unnamed woman for her faith while also warning against false teachers.

Books read in 2024: No. 34 -- The First Epistle of John

published by Zondervan

Started: August 7
Finished: August 8

Notes: I'm nearing the end of the Bible now, but I'm looking forward to reading these last few letters, some of the shortest books in the Bible, because I've studied them so little over the years.

Mini review: Mainly a testament to Christians on basic attitudes to have and some beliefs, especially concerning love and faith in Jesus. Interestingly, though the word "Trinity" is never used, this book is the one that comes closest to espousing the notion of a holy trinity.

Books read in 2024: No. 33 -- Cloud Atlas

by David Mitchell

Started: July 19

Finished: August 7

Notes: I was drawn to this novel because I had heard good things about it and because my understanding is it a mix of speculative genres, from science fiction to pseudo-historical fiction, apocalyptic fiction, and more. So, I'm interested in seeing how the author handles this mixture. I have not seen the movie which was released more than a decade ago, but I do recall their being some grumblings from the Christian right about the movie and the book, though I don't remember the details and this does not deter me. Maybe I'll find joy with a new book and an author who is new to me.

Mini review: The prose here is strong and the overall structure of this book is interesting, but in the end I was left feeling this was a book that is supposed to be intellectually deep while I actually found it rather facile. This is not so much a novel as it is a collection of vaguely-connected vignettes. Part of the point is that some of the characters (or at least one of the characters) in these vignettes are actually the same individual reincarnated over time, the vignettes covering a period from the 19th Century to some future time periods. Again, the prose is strong enough, plus the characters are interesting as are the plots of each vignette, but just when I would become interested in one character or plot, then that section of the book would end and make the jump to the next tale. Rather infuriating for me, actually. Also, I'm not really sure why a group of Christians would find offense here. Yes, this book does not promote a Christian point of view, and it does question somewhat the use of religion in the growth of imperialism during the 19th Century, but after all, this is a work of fiction. Besides, this book also paints some Christians in a good light, in my opinion.

Beer of the Week: Milwaukee's Best

Beer score: 3.1

Company: Molson Coors
ABV: 4.8
IBU: 16

I have to say, I was surprised this beer didn't taste as bad as I had thought it would. Still, there's not much here except a slightly sweet and mass-marketed flavor.

Probably makes a decent working-man's beer for winding down at the end of the day, but not much else.

On rare occasions, I've seen this beer packaged as "Milwaukee's Best Premium" or "Milwaukee's Best Lager."

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Pyramid Audacious Apricot Ale

Beer score: 5.7

The Pyramid Brewery gave it a good run, but apparently they were bought out and most of their beers discontinued. This is one such beer, but I've still some old notes about it.

Anyway, this one was light and fruity with a touch of frothiness. The apricot flavor added a little zing that was unique and worth trying.

Too bad. This wasn't a favorite beer of mine, but it was definitely different and worth a taste or two.

Beer of the Week: Stone Imperial Stout

Beer score: 6.5

Company: Stone Brewing
ABV: 10.5
IBU: 45

Formerly known as "Stone Imperial Russian Stout," this is a really sweet stout. Has the strong, burnt caramel taste of a decent stout. Pours a really dark color, so much so you can't really see through it. Gives off a smokey scent when poured.

The recipe for this one probably changes every so often, perhaps even every year or so, but I'm not sure. I've had this beer a half dozen times over the last couple of decades and it's taste, smell, and texture are pretty similar each time I've had it, but there are subtle differences. Maybe the brewer makes a new limited batch each year.

A pretty high alcohol content for a beer means this one can get you loopy rather quickly, so I suggest sipping and not guzzling. I mean, unless your main goal is to get drunk. In that case, have at it!

Books read in 2024: No. 32 -- The Witcher: The Time of Contempt

by Andrzej Sapkowski

Started: July 7

Finished: July 19

Notes: I've not read enough fantasy this years, so now I turn to this. Also, yes, I've seen The Witcher television program and generally enjoyed it, so I'm interested and somewhat excited to enter these pages.

Mini review: This was an interesting read, an somewhat unusual, at least for an English reader. When this novel was good, it was really good, but there were also a few somewhat long stretches that seemed bogged down with long conversations that had little point. Also, in a few places it was obvious this work had been translated from another language, in this case Polish. The plot seemed to ramble about and jump time and space with little reason, but this wasn't all bad. There really wasn't a climax here, making this book seem more like the middle of a series, which I suppose it is being the second of The Witcher books. Compared to the television show, I felt the TV show cut back on many of the less adventurous parts but still kept with the overall story. Would I read more from this series and this author? Possibly. I can't say I'll be jumping at the chance, but I might consider it at some point.

I don't have a credit score

Yet one more thing screwed up about this country (the U.S.) ...

Looking into building a house, and found out today I don't have a credit score. My vehicles are paid for. I don't have a bankruptcy. Haven't had a credit card in 20 years. All my bills have been paid on time for years and years. I don't owe anyone money except the occasional medical bill which I almost always pay in full at the time.

So, without a credit score, I can't get a loan ... even though I have no debt and have regular income.

Oh, there are options. I can get some credit cards, drive up some debt, then pay into them. I can report my utility bills to the credit reporting agencies. I can get some small loans and then pay them monthly, but not pay them off because that would defeat the purpose.

Basically, as far as I'm concerned, I'm being told I have to be bonded to the master. Credit is basically another (not-so) micro transaction on life.

Frankly, in my opinion. this is bull. I'm tired of corporations trying to own us ... indefinitely.

And I don't want to hear about how the Republicans or the Democrats or whomever politically are to blame. We are to blame for allowing this to happen to us.

Beer of the Week: Celebrator

Beer score: 7.9

Company: Ayinger
ABV: 6.7
IBU: 24

Pours a really dark brown with hints of crimson around the edges while giving off scents of molasses and perhaps dark fruit.

Has a cute little white plastic ram hanging off a red string tied around the bottle's top, almost like a Christmas ornament.

This drink is strong, but not as thick as most stout. Too much carbonation, in my opinion. A little sweetness here mixed with some sour and bitter. Dark and heavy.

Only truly experienced beer tasters need apply. This one will be too dark, too heavy, and too darkly sweet for many a beer drinker.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Michael Shea's Black and Tan

Beer score: 6.0

I don't like it when I go a week without trying another beer, but the good thing is I at least have some old notes on beers I tried long ago that no longer are being produced.

Such as this beer.

This black and tan was a mix of a porter and lager.

The porter taste was nice and smooth but there was way too much fizz for my liking.

The Genessee Brewing Co. of Rochester, New York, made this beer, which was a surprise because I usually don't care much for that company's beer and this one wasn't bad.

Books read in 2024: No. 31 -- The Second Epistle of Peter

published by Zondervan

Started: July 7
Finished: July 7

Notes: I just finished the first of Peter's letters, so thought I'd go ahead and read the second.

Mini review: The main parts of this letter consist of Peter warning against false prophets and exhorting his fellow Christians to remain ready for the return of Jesus.

Books read in 2024: No. 30 -- The First Epistle of Peter

published by Zondervan

Started: July 6
Finished: July 7

Notes: Getting back to my Bible readings, I'm interested to study Peter's writings as compared to those of Paul

Mini review: Most of what is here are recommendations from Peter on how Christians should act and how they should treat one another.

Books read in 2024: No. 29 -- Allan Quatermain

by H. Rider Haggard

Started: June 23

Finished: July 6

Notes: I've not read a lot of Haggard, but what little I have read has been fun and adventurous. Also, though I'm familiar with the Allan Quatermain character, I've never read any of Haggard's novels about his fictional hero. So, here goes.

Mini review: So my first Quatermain novel turns out to be the last one in a series, but that's okay as I had no problem following along with the story. The writing here reminded me more than a little of Robert E. Howard's tales of Africa, though Howard tends to be darker and to have more action than this particular novel did. The plot? An older Quatermain, in his 60s, sets out from England with some friends to enter the depths of Africa in search of a race of people. Why are the adventurers doing this? For something to do. While they appreciate returning to England for rest between their adventures, they long to return to wilds. During their journey their is a fair amount of action, though personally I would have liked more. The only parts of the novel for which I did not care were the occasional lengthy descriptions of a discovered region, these descriptions lacking in descriptive details but full of emotional details, a trend not uncommon to many a 19th-Century novel. Will I read more of Quatermain? Perhaps. I won't be jumping out to find all the other books in the series, but if I ran across some in a used bookstore I would probably snag them.