It runs in the family.

I met Mr. Wino's grandfather when we were still in college. I was wearing an oversized camo jacket and had green hair, so when I reappeared several years later marrying his grandson, it took him a few minutes to place the young woman he had clearly assumed was a lesbian. Despite his surprise, he and Grandma Wino immediately welcomed me into their family as if I had been born into it.

One of my most memorable times with Grandpa Wino was actually right after the funeral of his wife two years ago, when he shuffled all of us grandkids into his living room and poured all of us glasses of straight tequila. Of course, not being a connoisseur of that sort, my husband immediately gulped his down. That was when we learned to sip tequila, not just shoot it. Within 30 minutes we were all uncomfortably sloshed, except for Grandpa Wino, who just smiled and sipped his tequila, like the drinking pro he was.

I think Grandpa Wino would have approved of how we spent the weekend - laughing with family, and drinking lots of alcohol.

Rest in peace, EzPa.

Sorry for the late update

Tonight's Wine: Terra Barossa 2008 Shiraz Cabernet Petit Verdot, 4/5 stars

It's been a while since we've updated. Apologies, loyal reader(s). Let's catch up!
I ran the Army Ten Miler in 80 minutes, and the Baltimore Marathon in 4:23:19. Soon I'll be training for the HAT 50k Trail Run, up yonder Susquehanna Trail. A friend of mine signed up for the Run for Your Life, a race I had hoped to run in December 2012, but was unable to run it due to extremely poor race coordination.

Aaaaand by now all you non-runners are bored, so lets shift gears. My grandfather, possibly one of the greatest winos of all, sadly passed away last Thursday night. We all miss him very much, but more importantly, you should all know that I am the man you read before you largely because of his influence. He enjoyed life to the fullest, and was adored by so many. He was charitable, loving, and passionate, and the world is better for his mark on it. We here at the Wino household raise our glasses to him tonight.

On a brighter note, my oatmeal stout is ready to bottle! It came out a little smooth for a stout, so I'm debating making it a coffee stout, but I think I'd rather not fix what isn't broken.

In other news, my mead has more or less cleared, but I'll leave it in the fermenter for another couple of weeks, since it won't hurt it. After that it's in the bottles, corking, and we'll see how it tastes next zombie jeezus birfday.

And to conclude, I have a non wine recommendation. To celebrate completing my marathon, Winette gifted me with a fine bottle of scotch. Try Macallan's 10 year single malt. It's triple casked in sherry seasoned oak, giving you a medium flavored, smooth scotch with sweet undertones. Drink it neat. Or else.

Prost!

Zombies and cardio

Today was a pretty busy day. I went to the Baltimore Running Festival race expo and picked up some cool stuff. I had originally intended to frame the race shirt, since this will be my first full marathon but its actually a pretty cool shirt, so maybe not.

To me race expos are kind of like christmas. You walk in the door and right off the bat someone hands you a bag with free stuff in it. Then you go pick up your number, and then you get a t-shirt. After that you walk around and maybe score some more free stuff or find a good deal on something you've wanted. Fun all around.

Oooh and funny story about us winos. Those of you that know my secret identity may be aware that my phone was possesed by the spirit of a rabid squirrel. Well, after almost a month of fighting the phone company we finally got them to order a replacement, but they shipped it to the middle of nowhere.

The missus and I saddled up and started our long journey when she notices a school.
Her: "Oh look at all the kids, so eager to learn... inside their... barbed wire fence... what's the world coming...oh nevermind there's a laboratory next door"
Me: "That's not better. That's how the zombie apocalypse starts. All you need is a foggy day... like today... Honey, drive faster."
Her: *locks doors*

Maybe you had to be there.

Liquid Jolly

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking "Dang, the seasons are changing, and I need a good beer to get me through the winter." Ok, you probably weren't really thinking that, but I felt like writing about beer, so just play along.

Some of my favorite beers are the dark, malty beers that are traditionally served in winter. I'm mixing up some high ABV Oatmeal Stout in my fermenter right now, but in the meantime, here's some suggestions you may not have heard about:

Troeg's Troegenator Double Bock

Coming in at 8.2%, this Doppelbock tastes great and will get you where you want to go

Victory Storm King Stout

I love pretty much any beer by Victory brewery, but this one is dark, broody, and a personal favorite.

Killian's Irish Red

I like this beer all year long. It's pretty much a staple in my diet.

and finally, Yuengling. It's easy to find, a little lighter, and tastes great.

What are your winter beers?

Tonight's Brew.

Shock Top Belgian White Unfiltered Beer



This beer is another staple of our household, although Mr. Wino does enjoy making his own. (Mr. Beer is his kit of choice, though he's getting into trying his hand at meads and ciders with just a recipe. He loves to tinker.) It's light, and extremely drinkable; after a crazy day like today, I come home and pour myself a beer... or two.

They also make a Raspberry beer, which I love, but Mr. Wino thinks is a little sweet. Then again, he likes his beers a bit more hoppy/bitter than I do, which is okay.