more beer

Oh, and boyfriend and I found a nice surprise while shopping at Henry's (CA's version of Wild Oats). We were in the back by the fridge section looking at soups to get something for a light lunch while I was here.

"Honey look, New Grist."

"And it does say gluten-free."

So we picked up a 6 pack. They were charging $9/six pack (not including CA liquor deposit). The AZ Wild Oats charges $12 for a 6 pack of Bard's Tale if you're looking for a yardstick to measure costs. Though I can buy the same Bard's Tale at AJ's for $10.

Since it was in the fridge section, I didn't have to wait long to try it. It was a fairly rough flavor, and the finish was terrible. Pouring into a glass first mellowed out the rough flavors. But it was very much like a Bard's Tale that was missing something.

So I don't understand why people rave about it. However, I will not write off New Grist completely yet. After finishing my first bottle, I noticed that there was a "created on" date. According to it, it was made in the first week in May. That's kind of a long time for a "craft beer" to sit around. Bard's Tale is available about five or six weeks after it's "born on" date.

Hopefully it'll make it to AZ soon. Since it is cheaper, I might have to settle for it until I have a paying job again.

Yes, I am well aware of the Anheiser-Bush version of gluten free beer called Redbridge. I haven't seen it on the shelf yet, and it won't say "gluten-free" on the label because the FDA doesn't have a defination of "gluten-free". I'm personally worried about cross contamination since it isn't made in a dedicated facility. I will probably try it once because the prospect of having something other than a pale beer that I can in theory drink is very exciting.

almost done

Got lucky this morning in my last minute scrambling to get Christmas presents for my wonderful boyfriend. Since we've spent so much time together since Thanksgiving, it's been impossible to separte from his hip and shop.

Almost didn't happen because the GPS my folks got couldn't find a Target or Wal-Mart to save its life. The location it thought there was a Target was a shopping mall, but no Target to be found. On the highway to where it was pointing me to a Wal-Mart, I pass a Wal-Mart.

Not only a Wal-Mart, but a Target.

Sweet.

Got my mom's birthday present, and the presents boyfriend wanted. Just need a couple things from the hardware store which I can get after tomorrow when we get back to Fountain Hills.

Now to keep boyfriend out of the trunk of my car until I can wrap said gifts.

Then just need one thing for my mom to give to her for Christmas. Might luck out and find that at the hardware store too.

Not too bad - but I already have presents to take back. So I feel a bit guilty about that. Last night, boyfriend and I went out to a very nice waterfront restaurant with his dad and his friend. Very knowledable waiter, and the scotch we had before the restaurant was very nice. We also opened the presents we had gotten for each other over the scotch. I got a flash card for my phone (which will also fit in the GPS), a chenille throw and hand crafted tapers (what else would you expect from a gay guy?).