Life Goes On

This newest sample from Buna Mobile Roasting Company is coffee blending done right. This Three Country Blend features Vietnamese, Honduran and Nicaraguan beans. Buna Mobile Roasting Company Three Country Blend  Roast:  Full City + Brewing method:  Pour-over Sometimes when you crack open a bag of coffee you just know from the aroma that radiates it's gonna be good. Well cracking open this Three Country Blend wasn't disappointing. Instantly a sweet, fruity, cocoa aroma jumped from the bag to waken my senses. I thought the aroma was fantastic.  After hand-grinding the beans, blueberries took over as the main aroma, but the cocoa was still there, reminding me of chocolate covered blueberries.  As water was introduced to the ground coffee, it created a nice bloom, with notes of earth, cocoa and blueberries radiating several feet.  From the cup, the first well balanced sips were clean with a medium mouthfeel, a clean palate wash and a lightly fruity lingering

I've been told more than once that beer reviews should be added to this blog. While I don't consider myself an expert on beer, I have consumed more than my fair share over the years.  With that, I'm not going to rate them other than a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" and pass along what I find. With any luck you will find this information useful.  Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA   Alcohol content: 6.3% IBU: 52 Color: Amber This was a very nice beer. It poured out a nearly transparent amber color with a thin, white head and a big, slightly hoppy, citrus aroma that really pops. The mouthfeel was a well balanced light and bright with a sweetness underneath that nearly cancels out the bitterness. Flavor wise, you can actually taste the sweet grapefruit and there's a nice slightly bitter grapefruit aftertaste that hangs around until the next sip.  Overall I found the Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA to be clean and refreshing, nea

On Sunday, Cigar Train  in Spokane WA had their 3rd anniversary and customer appreciation event.  As a big side note, I wasn't feeling well on Sunday so consequently Paula and I had to leave early. Along with that I didn't get any photos, head-counts or any of the other normal details. With no details I did Brian Coerver--owner of Cigar Train--a bit of injustice, but regardless the event really deserves a post.  OK, on to the event!  The event itself featured a vast array of fine cigars, some great food (hamburgers, hot dogs and salads) and cold drinks (beer--Cigar Train beer--water and sodas).  The highlight of the event was taking the new  Caldwell Cigars Eastern Standard Maduro Midnight Express for a spin and trying two great Cigar Train beers. Yes, I said Cigar Train Beer. I haven't been told officially, and I'm not sure why, but Cigar Train now is now brewing it's own beer. Both beers, one a hearty coffee based stout, the other a lighter sum

Right now I'm feeling pretty fortunate that after posting the press release ,  Screwpop® Tools asked me to review the newest addition to their line of cool, personal tools, the   Screwpop® Ashtray . I've been using the ashtray for several days now, infact I'm using it right now as I type this review, and it works like a champ.  Since the ashtray is geared for a single smoker, measuring just 1.25″ x 4” x 5″, it fits my needs most of the time and takes up far less table space than my other ashtrays. It's compact and light weight -- it's made from high grade melamine. The size and weight make ashtray easy to move around as I chase the shade on the deck all day long.  Looking inside the ashtray you'll see it even has a nifty little ash knocker that I didn't think I would, but do find myself using all the time.  At the end of the day a quick wash and dry will get the  Screwpop® Ashtray looking like it's brand new again.  To sum thing