Father's Day this weekend

Father's Day is this weekend here in the U.S., so I write about that over at the Rogue Blades site.

Beer of the Week: World Court Mocha Blonde Stout

Beer score: 8.1

Company: Legal Remedy Brewing Co.

ABV: 6.0
IBU: 24

Yesterday was my birthday, and boy did I get to enjoy a good beer on my birthday. Coming to us from South Carolina, this Mocha Blonde Stout might sound as if it is a mixture of things that don't go together, but they do.

Pours a somewhat foggy golden color while bringing hints of chocolate and flours to your nose.

Then the taste. Oh, man, the taste. It starts off with some bitterness reminiscent of coffee, then a smooth beer flavor kicks in, followed up by chocolate. And it all works. It might sound complicated and it might sound like something you might not enjoy, but trust me, all of these textures and flavors work well together here. Also, wet with a touch of carbonation, so not dry or overly fizzy.

Truly a unique beer. Can't believe this is a stout.

At Black Gate: AD&D Treasure of Tarmin video

This week my Black Gate article takes a look back at 1983's video game for the Intellivision, AD&D: Treasure of Tarmin.

Howard Days is this weekend

Hey, did you know Robert E. Howard Days in Cross Plains, Texas, is this weekend? Well, now you do!

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Wychwood Brewery Fiddler's Elbow

Beer score: 4.1

Wychwood Brewery is still around, but like many breweries they change up what they're making and selling from time to time. This is one of their former brews, one which I still have some notes on.

This pale ale was wet with a flavor not unlike an English bitter mixed with a malt liquor flavor. This wasn't a favorite, but there was a bit of fruity and caramel flavor that wasn't bad.

Books read in 2021: No. 23 -- El Borak and Other Desert Adventures

by Robert E. Howard

Started: May 8

Finished: June 5

Notes: Yesterday I finished an excellent book on the history of sword and sorcery, and that put me in the mood for some Robert E. Howard tales. Also, a few of the tales in this collection are the only prose of Howard's which I've not read, so once I'm done with this I can honestly say I've read all of Howard's stories. I suppose then I'll have to read all of his poetry.

Mini review: Of all the stories presented here, I found the ones actually featuring the El Borak character to be the best. For one thing, El Borak is the most likable character here and the one most like other Howard protagonists. The few other protagonists in other stories here are not bad, but they lack the full individualism and almost philosophical nobility of many Howard characters. That being said, I'm not sure any of these tales are Howard's strongest, though the novella "Three-Bladed Doom" might have been the best here. And now it's kind of sad that I've read all Howard's prose. Not that that means I can't read him again!

Honoring the fallen

This week at the Rogue Blades site, I take a look at Memorial Day here in the U.S.