Does true love exist or is this something found only on the Hallmark Channel? If you aren’t familiar with this network, it usually involves a baker, country music singer, hockey player, or a prince who finds true love and lives a life filled with passion, romance, and zero relationship issues or money problems. It’s not real life. I haven’t had a relationship in my years of dating with a man who can hold a tune, never mind fix a leaky sink. Now that I think about it, I have only spent time with men who break things in my house and never fix them. This includes my heart. That’s really okay. You see, I am healed and living a life full of wonder and adventures. There are ups and downs of course. I have learned from every experience and it has helped me grow and become a better version of me. I even get to write about it. Let’s face it. Everyone needs to be and should be heard. No one truly wants to hear about heartbreak, however. It sucks. It’s painful. And, if you are going to bring out the salty tears and cry me a river can that river be full of beer? I will sit in a float, grab a pint glass and be all ears. Is it your fault you can’t find anyone you are compatible with or is it the mentality of this generational change when it comes to love? Options are limited in the dating pool. Date, have fun and hook up every month with a different one. I mean a different beer, of course – no STD protection required unless you are sharing pints with someone who has a cold sore.
How many couples do you know that have been together for a while? The average time that a couple stays together before separation or divorce is eight years. Everything is bliss until this octennial union ends. This makes me believe that there is some truth to the term “7 year itch.” Did you know this term was originally used to describe a bacterial skin infection similar to scabies? Both seem equally painful but an antiparastic at least cures the medical condition. Either way, anyone surviving a decade together has a reason to celebrate.
Long Live Beerworks observed their tenth anniversary. Is there any better way to celebrate than to sip on their 10th Anniversary Triple IPA. This milestone beauty is made with ten hops; Citra, Elani, Enigma, Galaxy, Michigan Copper, Moteuka, Mosaic, Rakau, Simcoe, and Strata. It has a pale orange, hazy pour with Mandarin orange and citrus on the nose. There is a light touch of tropical fruit on the front end sip with notes of Orange Crush. These flavors remain dominant and become more pronounced on the end palate with a lingering taste of citrus peel and just the slightest bitter bite rounding this off perfectly. There is a deceiving 10% ABV in this celebratory pint and because of this proof it will age well. This is much like true lasting love.
Have you ever been on a date where you need a wingman or wingwoman for a quick exit? If you feel you need one maybe you already knew this was not the person for you. That’s exactly how I feel about seltzers. I have yet to meet one I can get through the entire 12 ounces of. They are like that person you swipe left for on a dating app. Their appearance seems to meet all of your standards but in reality they are full of sugary syrup and artificial ingredients. Thank you for your service, fake emergency call person! I will remain seltzer-single!
I identify as a heterosexual. I have only dated the opposite sex. Some may say that this has been done unsuccessfully on my part. What they don’t know is that I am also in love with the shipmaster’s daughter. This relationship is strictly platonic although I would like to believe that the fondness is mutual. At the very least, I know that she appreciates the devotion I have. She has an old soul but also is up on trends. There is no one quite like her and trust me I have done my research. Every weekend I am either reintroduced to her when I am out or we hang out at my home. She has been called “the girl” but her official name is the Captain’s Daughter. She was born in Westerly at Grey Sail Brewing in 2014. This 8.5% ABV DIPA beauty is hazy with a golden glow and white lacing. Her scent is a mix of grapefruit, citrus and a touch of tropical fruit. She is made with heavy amounts of Citra and Mosaic hops, allowing a bitter front with grapefruit, pine, and resin into her body, leaving you with more of that piney bitterness that lingers on your tongue. You are bound to be drawn in. Is this love or infatuation? I believe both. Try finding someone better than her. I challenge you. I certainly can’t.
Everyone wants to meet the latest in town. You haven’t seen or met anyone quite like them. The unknown is exciting. I am a curious individual who loves to get together and socialize, especially when we talk about pints. Meeting up with like-minded people is sort of like a camp for craft beer lovers. Camp Ragged from Ragged Island Brewing may not be new to them but the style may be to you. It is a Rachbier. (German term for smoked beer). This dark amber Lager is brewed with house-smoked beechwood. Derek Nance, beertender at Ragged, described it as, “A beer you haven’t met yet but keep looking at. It is dark in color but light in taste. It has hints of caramel chocolate with smoky notes. Think fire pit pints with your besties or beloved.” Well, hello. I will have a tall dark and handsome pour please.
Red flags are something I didn’t notice in my earlier years of dating. I also had a type that I always gravitated to. That type held every red flag and wore them like medals of honor on a boy scout. Despite the love bombing, gaslighting, and jealousy, I saw them as if they were movie stars. I really needed someone dependable and trustworthy. Someone with a clean taste and a light body, an American Icon. I think I found one. Narragansett Lager has a clear golden pour with a thick foamy head. There are notes of corn and biscuit on the nose thru to the palate. At 5% ABV, you can hang out for a while. This Lager was “made on honor” for “five generations.” There are no disappointments, only that you can’t find it on draft at the Providence brewery due to legal restrictions. You see this Jaws movie pint celebrity was actually from New York and because it is not made on location it can not be served. This situationship, however, allows you to try one of the other attractive Lagers available in the tap room at Narragansett Brewery.
In this month of acknowledging St. Valentine, write yourself a letter of adoration and create your own love story. Cheers and please support local craft. I love you, but I love hops more.