We decided to tap the second keg of home-brew at our Labor Day barbecue. I invited a couple friends from work to help me drink the stuff, an India Pale Ale kit that’s still a week shy of it’s 7 week sweet spot. I swung by the German butcher in Patchogue and picked up three each of Weisswurst, Smoked Sausage, Bratwurst and Knockwurst as well as a couple of real hotdogs for the kids.
By all accounts, the event was a great success, with weather, wine and women (here I refer to my little ones and not my wife!) cooperating. Sunday was glorious, a beautiful high pressure system out of Canada removing all traces of the awful humidity of Saturday. Fred was the first to arrive, bringing along a surprise visitor named Derek, whom Fred had rescued from a grassy knoll in the Hamptons earlier that morning. A part time Texan, Derek seemed a really nice sort and won Emily over quickly, especially after kindly clearing up some misunderstandings she had regarding the rules of hopscotch. Devin arrived later, but presented us with a kingly gift of a jar of "Uncle Charlie’s Cayenne Pepper Jelly" made from Peppers grown at his place in St. James. "Big Alice" was a no-show, and I felt bad for telling Emily she might come since she doesn’t really understand what "might" means yet, and found out the hard way. Alice cannot say that she was not given an opportunity to sample the keg this time, however! Party goers enjoyed a smooth ale reminiscent of a Blue Point according to Derek, who has some authority as a bar-tender. In fact, I think we all enjoyed at least 8 or 9 of them since the alcohol content seemed a bit low to me (I’m guessing 2%, but perhaps Fred would care to comment?). My overindulgence did NOT induce a hangover, which would have really ruined my ‘no’-Labor Day, so much praise for the vitamin B in home-brew on that account! Cathy was tremendous, getting all the food stuff prepared quietly while the men jawed about rock and roll and blasted Audioslave and Tool on the patio. We moved inside only as the sun started to set and after almost all the bubble stuff ran out (we were making those HUGE bubbles with the "bubble wand") and they forced me to bring out the guitar. I swear, I was coerced! Having not played in so long, I couldn’t remember a thing, even my fingers had trouble remembering (if you know what I mean) but I did manage to get through all of the verses of "No one at the Bridge" (RUSH) at least. All in all a very satisfying evening was had. Next keg will be a blueberry wheat beer!