What's The Dill?

Remember when I told you about the blue hearse full of stray dogs? If you missed it you can find it here. Anyway, the thing is following me… I left work the other night and it was parked in the lot behind my office. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to snap a few pictures as evidence that it exists. I even captured an image of one of the dogs (see below)!

In this photo: Hearse Dog #1

There’s a difference between crows and ravens but I won’t bore you with the technicalities. If you’re truly interested, this is one of the better explanations that popped up in the Google search results. Basically, ravens are much bigger than crows and they speak a different language. Crows say, “caw-caw” and Ravens say, “gronk-gronk” (according to Dr. Kevin J. McGowan). At any rate, for the sake of this review we’ll focus on the raven, though I’ll likely use the terms interchangeably like most of us do (my apologies to the National Audobon Society and to bird fanatics worldwide).

Side note: Both my mother and step-mother owned bird identification handbooks from the Audobon Society when I was a child. Needless to say, I can identify my fair share of birds. Big dork, I know. But every once in awhile it comes in handy and on occasion I sound impressive. Moving on...

A trip to Black Raven for the first time evokes skepticism. It’s a brand new establishment (opened April 2009) hidden within a business park making it easy to miss by the casual passerby. The signage on the front is unassuming and the brewery is housed in an off grey office building which looks identical to the half dozen that surround it. Fortunately, the corporate vibe is quickly alleviated upon entering the front door. The smell of hops and yeast awakens your senses and it is immediately apparent that this place is all about the beer. It’s important to note that Black Raven is a taproom, not a restaurant, so don’t arrive expecting to order food. However, they do provide nuts and pretzels to munch on and if you’re really hungry you can have food delivered from a local pizza and pasta joint.

From a design standpoint the tasting room is unique, clever, and subtle. The owners have successfully developed around the image of the raven, offering a dimly lit space with natural wood accents and a rustic feel. It’s a quiet and casual environment which is a welcomed relief from the hustle and bustle of your everyday restaurants and bars.

If you’ve read any of the previous editions of What’s on Tap you’d know that my palate is quite IPA-centric. I’ve tasted dozens of them over the years and Black Raven’s Trickster IPA is easily within my top five. It offers a “tricky” blend of a variety of hops which includes; Chinook, Magnum, Simcoe, Amarillo, and Cascade with an ABV of 6.8%. Yeah, it’s pretty much a party in your mouth. I asked the server how it’s selling and she replied that they’re barely able to keep up with the demand. Glancing around the room I noticed that nearly everyone had a pint of it in front of them. Apparently she was telling the truth…

Aside from the IPA they brew a small but diverse selection. All of their beers have clever names derived from a variety of mythologies. Each comes accompanied with an interesting story that coincides with the name and the beer’s characteristics. You can check them out here. Overall, the beer is outstanding and the atmosphere is cozy. If you're looking for a typical bar scene this isn't the place for you. If you're in search of a quaint neighborhood brewery and enjoy IPA's, it's a must.

Okay. Writing about their IPA is making me incredibly thirsty so I’m going to wrap this up. Lucky for me, Black Raven Brewing Company is only about two miles from my house as the crow flies. The plan is to fill up the growler and indulge this evening, my friends. TGIF.


Here’s my final assessment:
Atmosphere = 3.5 hops
Food = NA (given that Black Raven is a tasting room)
Beer = 4.5 hops
Service = 3.5 hops
Final Tally= 3.5 hops(Scale of 1-5 hops, 5 being the highest mark)

The Raven's Nest Taproom @
Black Raven Brewing Company
14679 NE 95th ST
Redmond, WA 98052
blackravenbrewing.com


Out of curiosity… What’s your favorite raven? I rank my top three as follows:
1) The Raven – Edgar Allen Poe
2) Black Raven IPA
3) Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens (totally dominating for my fantasy football team)

To the Counting Crows, so close.

I saw a commercial for the Freedom Tray the other night (see below) and found it kind of disturbing. Check out the website to get the full effect: http://www.freedomtray.com



Seriously? It’s just wrong on so many levels. Obesity is an epidemic in this country and we respond by creating portable food troughs in the name of freedom? Shouldn’t we be a little more selective about the things that we promote with patriotism? It doesn't even make sense...

The World Series kicks off tonight and for the 22nd consecutive year my beloved Seattle Mariners will not be participating. Winning championships just isn’t something that we do here in Seattle. We only have three under our belt: 1917 Seattle Metropolitans (Stanley Cup), 1978 Seattle SuperSonics (NBA Finals), and the 2004 Seattle Storm (WNBA Championship). Yes, I included the Storm, we need what we can get. Aside from that, nothing… The 1996 SuperSonics ran into Michael Jordan and the 2006 Seahawks ran into one sided officiating and Jerome Bettis propaganda. I could rant about the latter for hours but it’s not good for my blood pressure or my sanity. The NFL wanted the Steelers to win and that’s all that needs to be said. Cheaters. Okay, I’m getting depressed and need to move on…

Since the Series hasn’t started and the NBA is dead to me (OKC Thunder), I’m going to focus on NFL action this week. Here’s a few things that we learned last weekend: Adrian Peterson is a Purple Man Beast (see video), JaMarcus Russell did not get the memo that he is being paid to play football, Drew Brees doesn’t need his mole to shred a defense, and Larry Johnson is a douche bag (which we already knew but he proved it yet again following KC’s loss).

My Captain Obvious observation of the day is that the Colts and the Saints are really good. I mean, really good. They’re both undefeated and look like they can put up 40 on just about anyone. As for the other unbeaten team, the Denver Broncos, I hope you enjoyed it while it lasted. I have a feeling you’re going to end up with a little hoof in mouth after rumbling with the Ravens in Baltimore. Undefeated? Quoth the Raven, nevermore! Will the Colts and Saints remain perfect? My guess is that both the Colts (home against the Niners) and the Saints (home against the Falcons on MNF) improve to 7-0. The questions now becomes, who loses first? As much as it pains me to say, I think Tom Brady and the Patriots roll into Lucas Oil Stadium and deliver the Colts their first loss in Week 10. If the Saints defeat the Falcons this week their next three games are: Carolina, @St. Louis, @Tampa. I smell 10-0. After that, the Patriots come to town…

I can’t wrap up this post without commenting on the game of the week. Find a TV and make sure you watch the impressive display of football put on by the St. Louis Rams (0-7) at the Detroit Lions (1-5). I’m kidding. If you haven’t heard, Brett Favre is heading back to Lambeau to take on his former team. I’ll refrain from contributing too much to the excessive barrage of coverage surrounding this game and simply make my prediction. The ol’ man’s still got it. Vikes 27 Packers 24.

Go Hawks!

I went to Costco the other day to pick up some popcorn and noticed that the Christmas decorations have already made an appearance. Seriously? What about Halloween and Thanksgiving? Okay, I’m sure we all say this every year, but still… The fact of the matter is that the holiday season is right around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about preparing. Preparation for me means one thing… The Christmas Game.

So I have the post prepared for the first edition of Let Me See Your Grill (cedar planked pepper-lime salmon) but there are more pressing issues at this time. Yesterday I encountered something quite strange and I'm not really sure what to think about it. I mean, people are nuts and there is plenty to scratch your head about on a daily basis but this was extremely peculiar.

I’ll preface this edition of What’s on Tap by divulging the fact that I am the proud owner of a growler and a few pint pot mugs stamped with the Diamond Knot logo. For those of you that are not well versed on the beer scene, a growler is a 1/2 gallon glass jug that offers easy transport of beer from your favorite brewery to your home, or any other number of offsite locations. Their Industrial IPA ranks among my favorites therefore I am entirely biased, but I'll try to offer a fair assessment of DK without interjecting too much of my inner passion for their work.

The Diamond Knot Brewery and Alehouse is located in Mukliteo, Washington directly across the street from the Mukilteo/Kingston ferry. In an ongoing quest for delicious beers I’ve quickly learned that excellent pints can be discovered and enjoyed near ferry terminals. Unique establishments capitalize on the waterfront views, relaxing sea breeze, and the traffic of ferry patrons.

The outside of Diamond Knot is rustic and somewhat uninviting. On the inside it’s a former ice cream parlor that has been transformed into bar with character. From the peanut shells on the floor to an Anheuser Busch keg cut into a urinal in the bathroom there’s little not to like. If you’re feeling adventurous grab one of the red leather swiveling stools that line the bar, order a beer, and prepare to cook your meal on a 750 degree stone.

On the beer front I highly recommend the Diamond Knot IPA. As their flagship beer it offers a bold 6.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) with a rich burst of hops accompanied by a subtle hint of grapefruit and cedar. It's aggressive but gentle, intense but comforting, and slightly bitter yet welcoming to the palate. Again, what's not to like? If you're a fan of strong beers the Industrial IPA is a beast. It has the same flavor as the standard IPA with an extra helping of hops and grains which boost the ABV to 8.1%. Basically, it’s the regular IPA on steroids. If IPA's aren't your thing, they also offer a diverse selection of other delicious brews ranging from the Lighthouse Ale to the Icebreaker Barley Wine. I'd be surprised if you couldn’t find something that you like.













Food = 3.5 hops

Service = 4.0 hops

I spotted this gem wandering the streets of Edmonds on Labor Day. The picture doesn’t quite depict the specimen in its entirety (not shown are bare feet and very short homemade jean shorts) but it does capture the essence of the mullet. It wasn’t even that warm out but this guy headed straight for the beach to catch some rays. Nice work, barefoot bleach blonde Edmonds mullet dude. Way to represent…

I have more stories and photos from our trip to the OP but right now I’m consumed by pigskin fever and can’t focus on anything else. I daydream about the roars of Qwest field and Husky stadium and can’t believe the season has finally arrived!

Several years back I began playing fantasy football in a casual work league. Now it has reached the point where I have three drafts within the next few days and am starting to wonder if I might have a problem. I knew last season that my habit was pretty intense when I found myself hollering at my laptop and cursing at my fantasy players for their lack of talent. By the time Sunday Night Football rolled around I hadn’t showered and was still wearing sweat pants or a pair of mesh shorts. On some occasions I hadn’t even left the couch (except to go to the fridge of course).

Everyone knows that Sundays during football season are basically a write off therefore I had convinced myself that my behavior was acceptable. The other day while trying to join another league I encountered error #211 on Yahoo!... “You have already created the maximum allowed number of teams.” Let’s just say that when you catch yourself registering for a second Yahoo! ID so you can manage another team you begin to worry.

But for now, I don’t care. My teams need me and I need them. If nothing else, at least I’m past the denial stage. Being a good fantasy football manager takes passion and dedication to your players and as my high school football coach used to say, “You have to put the work in.” I plan on writing about football from time to time as the season progresses so you’ll slowly develop an understanding of my obsession for the game. It all begins next Thursday folks! To my fellow footballaholics, we made it!!!

Go Seahawks! Go Dawgs! Nebraska, I hate you.

First and foremost I apologize for failing to drop a line prior to leaving on vacation. I said I would and failed to deliver and for that I am sorry. The important thing is that we didn’t get lost in the rainforest, the bear canister did its job, and we escaped with our lives after a dramatic row boating debacle... Furthermore, I have A LOT to blog about! I’m still working on downloading pictures from the trip and will soon be preparing a full post documenting The Great OP Adventure so come back in the next few days to check it out.

As for now, it’s off to opening day of the softball season. I’m nervous, excited, and a little concerned. I filled in on a team as a sub last year for two games and struck out my first at bat… in slow pitch. Seriously. Three pitches, three whiffs, and an awkward lonely walk back to the dugout. Wish me luck!

People in Seattle have a love/hate relationship with the giant orange flaming ball in the sky. For most of the year it remains hidden by a dense layer of grey clouds. I am willing to argue that it does not rain in Seattle as much as people think though it does rain a lot. Weather reporting in the Emerald City is the art of figuring out different ways to declare that it will be in the 40’s, most likely rain, and cloudy. For example: cloudy with a chance of showers, rain at times, rain, scattered showers, chance of sprinkles, soggy paws (the pet walk forecast on Q13 Fox), etc.

When there is speculation that the flaming orange ball might make an appearance an instant buzz flows from the Pacific to the Cascades. People clamor at the water cooler and talk about what they are going to do on the weekend. When it actually happens the humans flow out onto the streets like zombies, shielding their eyes. Shorts and t-shirts reveal pasty legs and arms that haven’t seen the sun for many moons. Everyone goes outside.

The excitement diminishes as the temperature rises and slapped with nasty tan lines and painful burns the people of Seattle cry out in unison, “It’s too hot!” We damn the flaming ball and beg for it to leave. When it disappears we miss it and beg for its return. As I mentioned, the relationship is volatile.

Yesterday was like nothing anyone had ever seen. The previous record temperature recorded at Sea-Tac airport was 100 degrees in 1994. Yesterday it hit 102 and officially became the hottest day in Seattle history. Wait lists for air conditioners at hardware stores are hundreds of people deep and fan sections of stores have been ravaged and only dusty shelves remain.

The temperature peaked at 104 in the town where I live and our condo feels like the Earth’s core. It’s hot, miserable, and I’m worried that the people of Seattle’s brains will soon melt. It's quite possible that those with AC will be the target of a heat-stroke induced blitzkrieg of AC-less Seattleites wielding umbrellas with tips carved into shanks.

If I don’t write another post by Sunday it’s safe to assume that I didn’t survive. Make sure to come back to figure out if I’m alive and blogging or if I have incinerated and am a pile of ashes!

(Image source: http://z.about.com/d/space/1/5/Y/Q/sun_tour.jpg)

I suppose I should get started by introducing myself.

I have no clue where my parents got my name. I recall asking them at one time but am unable to think of the result of that conversation. I considered asking them before writing this but ultimately decided it would detract from the purpose. So, we’ll go no more a roving. Well, perhaps I’ll Google it.

Lord Byron. By far the most prevalent in the search results. My father doesn’t strike me as one for British Romanticism. Must have been my mother.

Byron Wine. Estate bottled and produced. Their site has an “Inside Byron” link which could be helpful. Apparently Santa Barbara was once considered too cold and too windy for grapes but on the Byron Estate they persevered! Their Pinots and Chardonnays are praised for their character, depth, and honesty.

Byron Fuels. If you’re in need of Rotor Rage advanced competition helicopter fuel they’ve got it. According to their website if swallowed one should contact the Poison Control Center. Apparently enough people have consumed Rotor Rage that it is necessary to put the disclaimer on the home page. Concerning.

Byron L. Dorgan. United States Senator, North Dakota. Not terribly impressive but at least there’s another “famous” Byron to add to the list. There’s also Byron Nelson the golfer and
Byron Scott, a former NBA player and current coach of the New Orleans Hornets whom I’ve met. I was working at a golf course and wearing a name tag when I met him and he smiled and shook my hand.

Byronmn.com. The official website for the city of Byron, Minnesota. I know someone who is a General Manager at a country club in Byron, MN. Oddly enough, I worked with him at the golf course where I once met Byron Scott. There are also cities of Byron in Michigan, Illinois, Wyoming, and New York.

Byron Proper Hamburgers. 100% grass fed Aberdeen Angus beef from Scotland which is ground daily from select cuts of rump, chuck, and brisket. Yum.

So as you can see, it is entirely possible my name came from a variety of things. Or perhaps my parents thought Jordan (my brother) and Byron went well together. At any rate, I’d like to someday have a Byron Proper Hamburger and a glass of Byron Pinot in the city of Byron somewhere. In such a case the phrase “you are what you eat” could not be any more applicable. I’ll be sure to stay away from the Byron Fuels Rotor Rage though.

Welcome to What's the Dill? This is my first venture into the realm of blogging so we'll see what happens... Thanks for visiting!

"There's no earthly way of knowing
Which direction we are going
There's no knowing where we're rowing
Or which way the river's flowing..."

The Rowing Song
By: Roald Dahl