Books read in 2022: No. 17 -- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

by Ken Kesey

Started: June 3

Finished: Jun 15

Notes: To tell it like it is, I've had this book on my to-be-read pile for some while now, but today I was packing to hit the road for a mountain trip this weekend and I wanted a small paperback for ease of carrying. This book was the choice. No, I've not seen the famous 1970s movie based upon this novel, but it's been such a part of culture that I at least know a little about it. Hopefully the novel will be as good.

Mini review: It's a strong novel. The writing isn't the best I've ever read, a little slow in places, but it makes up for it in characterization and to some extent in plot. Even though I've not seen the movie, I am familiar with the actors in the movie, and this book seems as if it was written with those very actors in mind (which is not the case since the novel came first, but somebody did some great casting). The ending was not quite sad for me, mainly because it seemed so inevitable, and in a way showed a spark of hope. It also begs the question of why society/culture has to destroy parts of itself from time to time.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Saranac Winter Wassail

Beer score: 5.0

I didn't have the opportunity to try any new beers this past week, but here are some of my old notes about a beer I tried probably more than two decades ago.

This one was another holiday brew with nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, etc. This one also included orange.

The flavor was not too sweet or overpowering, the way many special holiday beers are. Still, as readers of this blog are aware, I've never cared for the taste of this holiday drinks ... if I want all that spice flavoring, I'll go drink a warm cider.

Still, this was far from the worst of this holiday beers.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: SLO Brewing Co. Extra Pale Ale

Beer score: 7.9

This brewing company is still around though I believe it's changed ownership a couple of times over the decades. Unfortunately, they no longer make this award-winning pale ale, though I suppose it's not impossible they could start making it again some day, and they do make other pale ales.

This one scared me when I first tried it a couple of decades ago because it had a bit of a sour, malt liquor smell. However, the taste was good with a little froth. It went down bitter and left a mixed taste of sweeet and bitter in the mouth.

Overall, a pretty good beer. I hope they bring it back, even if just on a nostalgic temporary basis.

Books Read in 2022: No. 16 -- Revival

by Stephen King

Started: May 27

Finished: June 2

Notes: After some heavy readings, I'm needing some fiction, so I turn to King.

Mini review: A pastor with interests in electrical studies loses his family to a tragedy, then years later he experiments with electricity in order to unravel some of the mysteries of the universe. I'm making this sound rather bland, but I'm trying not to give anything away. This is actually a pretty good book, though not quite King at his best. That being said, I did feel this was one of King's darker books, philosophically speaking. Ultimately shades of Lovecraft are to be found here.

Beer of the Week: Leinenkugel's Northwood Amber

Beer score: 4.3

Company: Leinenkugel's
ABV: 4.9
IBU: 18

This beer has been around more than 30 years and was originally called Leinenkugel's Northwood Lager, though it's not impossible the recipe has changed in all that time.

Regardless, when pouring there are scents of honey and grass and lemon. When drinking, it has a wet, sweet basic lager flavor with a bit of a fruity taste along with more of that honey. Kind of plain except for the sweetness, because even those hints of scents are just that, hints, and barely that.

Not an overly exciting beer, but it doesn't suck. I could spend an afternoon with a few of these.

Books read in 2022: No. 15 -- On Not Being Able to Paint

by Joanna Field

Started: May 16

Finished: May 27

Notes: Until I ran across this book in a used book store, it had never occurred to me that artists could suffer something similar to writer's block. That peaked my interest, and being an occasional painter myself, I thought I'd look into this. Also, this book is apparently a serious look into the psychology of artist.

Mini review: This one wasn't quite what I was expecting. It's basically a professional psychoanalyst discussing the ideas behind her creative experiments, mostly drawing and painting. I found the information here too much like navel gazing for my own interests, but it did give me some things to think about. From my perspective, it did not help that the author is a Freudian, which I find mostly immature drivel. I suppose this book could prove helpful to beginning artists in that it would help them to think about their own work.

Beer of the Week: Foothills Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout

Beer score: 7.8

Company: Foothills Brewing
ABV: 9.6
IBU: 75

This beer is usually only available early in any given year, but for stout fans it's worth looking for.

Rich and dark and frothy as it pours, giving off scents of molasses and maybe a little chocolate and licorice. Sits or rolls around the glass quite dark, reminding me of Guinness.

The flavoring is strong, but not so strong you won't be able to drink it. A dark espresso flavor along with that molasses hits right away without too much of an alcohol flavor. Quite frothy on the lips.

Worth trying.