Vodka 101a

Quick lesson on storage of vodkas.

Best super cold. I'm going to need a separate freezer for storage of all my potato goodness.

This rule does NOT apply to Ku Soju. I dragged it out of my freezer, and it's a semi solid frozen slush. But I can't pour it out of the bottle. If I had a long, narrow, spoon it might make a good treat for the summer heat (which is lacking today).

Don't forget

I was surprised that the arrest of the POSSIBLE Baseline Killer is making national news. We're still waiting for confirmation since he was arrested for one attack linked to the Baseline Killer, but the name "Baseline Killer" hasn't been used. The press conference in about 45 minutes should be interesting.

But 10 years ago, at a Tucson resort, the parking lot was rocked by a massive car bomb. I remember when it happened since I was here as a student. The unfortunate person inside, Gary Triano, did not survive. A year after the bombing, the police still had no arrest in the case. The case went cold. I was perplexed since the materials to make the car go "boom" should be traceable, even if it was traced to a chemistry lab that was robbed.

Was this a mob hit? How could someone get away with this? Would we see more of these bombings?

Ten years went by, and no other bombings. So this was specific for wacking Triano. Who would want him dead?

Apparently, his wife. So this was a dramatic way to get his $2,000,000 life insurance money. Granted, she apparently didn't put the bombs in his car. But she apparently asked someone to do it for her.

There's a "fark" lesson to be learned here. Don't hire an ex-lover to blow up your spouse - it makes it easier to trace back to you. Not that hiring a stranger worked for Dr. Schwartz when he wanted to get his business partner out of the way. Just don't hire someone to do your dirty work I guess is the moral of the story here. Probably should be "don't dramatically wack someone you want dead".

Beer 101

This doesn't have as much information as the vodka lesson. But after I pestered the local liquor store to try and get me gluten-free beer, he asked if I was collaborating with someone.

"No, why do you ask?"

"This guy here just asked me about gluten-free beer ten seconds before you walked in."

So I chatted with him for a few seconds. He had no clue what kinds were out there, so I gave both of them the 101 lesson. So here it is (again).

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Domestic beer:
New Grist. Made by Lakefront Brewery. Sold in the midwest, but they will ship it to me in AZ. Unfortunately, I have other big expenses coming up, so such indulgences are going to have to wait.
Honey Passover. Made by Ramapo Valley Brewery in New York. Very expensive when it is available at BevMo ($12/6 pack). This was the first gluten-free beer that I tried. Boyfriend thought it to be a bit sweet and low on carbonation. But I liked it just fine. It had been a few years since I had a real beer, and this was a good "Welcome to the beer world again".
Dragon's Gold. Made by Bard's Tale Beer in California. Perhaps because it's made in CA, it's a bit cheaper than the Honey Passover beer (boyfriend said it was $10/6 pack). Boyfriend got a 6 pack, tried it, decided he liked it so much he went back and bought a case and half. And I hadn't even tried it yet!! He was so sure I'd like it that I should have a good inventory. And he'd take it and drink it himself if I didn't like it. My first impression was it was so much like "real beer" that it had the things in real beer that I didn't like. But the taste quickly grew on me, and I really liked it. The case and half lasted about a week (granted it was a vacation and camping week).

Boyfriend had a 6 pack of the Dragon's Gold and the Honey Passover when I showed up Friday. Quickly drank the Dragon's Gold, and then switched to the Honey Passover. Not a good idea - I could barely finish the Honey Passover - too sweet. I took the rest of the Honey Passover home with me, and think after I forget the taste of the Dragon's Gold, the Honey Passover will be fine.

Went to BevMo to get some of the Dragon's Gold to take home with me. Completely sold out. Expected to have more in a week, which doesn't help me. But BevMo had the same problem when they first started to stock the Honey Passover. They were sold out Easter weekend (understandable considering the holiday). Memorial weekend, they had some in. June, sold out. Now, they had plenty of the Honey Passover in stock. So hopefully by November I'll be able to get lots of the Dragon's Gold.

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International:
Please note that most of this can't be sent to the US. Just putting the info out there....
O'Brien Brewing. Austrailian Company. Makes several types of beer - all gluten free!
Green's Brewing. All versions are gluten free for those in the UK.
Hambleton Ale. Makes a gluten free beer in the UK.
More listings. Rated by the Gluten Free Beer Festival in the UK. If only I was a jet setter......