Blue Moon and Dune

Blue Moon

To be sure, I am behind the curve when when it comes to knowing good beer. So you will have to bare with me when I discover what’s already a well known fact. Blue Moon is good beer. If any of you haven’t yet had a chance to try it then you are missing out. I am a fan of blondes both the ladies and the beers. I like brunettes and redheads too, when it comes to women I’m not really picky. As for the beer though I only really like it when it’s light in color and easy on the palate. That’s exactly what Blue Moon is, and lately I have been having a hankering for it. Something about the smooth flavor with a slice of orange squeezed over the top is perfect on a hot summer day. This is a reasonably priced beer and you won’t look like either a snob or a dunce when you order one (something I’m in sore need of). All the varieties are great but the old standard Belgium White is what I usually order.


Dune

What is there to say about this masterpiece, that hasn’t already been said? This is hands down the greatest work of science fiction written in the english language (I don’t read russian or chinese, so who knows if they have better? I doubt it though). If you have seen the movie directed by David Lynch, before reading the book, don’t be put off. Personally I liked the movie, but to most it’s an incomprehensible mess. It only really rings true if you have read the book. Even then Lynch made a strange movie that’s not quite in sync with the book.

The story: young Paul Atreides is the ducal heir. His father and whole household has moved to Arrakis... Dune, desert planet. There Paul encounters the geriatric spice, or melange. The spice is the most prized resource in the universe. Used by powerful factions both to expand their minds and chart safe courses through space. There are many powerful factions fighting for control of Dune and the spice. Soon though they will come to loggerheads with Paul and the mysterious Fremen.  I won’t say more as I have no desire to ruin this book for anyone. I will say this though, If you haven’t yet read Dune you are missing out.

I feel like I should have more to say about Dune. All that really needs to be said is this: READ IT.

Back from LA

I'm back in bla... well to be honest a wife beater and some swimming trunks. The trunks are black though!

Taking the kids to the water slides and then back to business. I've got a nice little brew waiting for me in the fridge and finished a tale while on vacation. The two should make a nice pairing.

I also have gotten a ton of character sketches and scenes over the last few days. I got an artist working on maps, and of course a boat load of editing has been done!

The Color of Summer

The Color of Magic and Modello Especial!

Napa is cooking right now. I spent the day in the sun arguing with a contractor at my house, swimming with the kids and running at soccer practice. Let me sum it up: I was right, white men can't dive, and yes I can still out dribble five year olds.



Blah, blah, who cares? Talk about the beer and books! Well, since it was so hot I decided to go with a little Modelo Especial. Yes, it is that hot. No, I'm not joking. There is a time and place for everything, and today was the day for some Especial!



The head was weak and reminded me of Budwiser. Me staring at Modello analyzing the head like a fifteenth level wizard (out of 100 total levels!) making a first level shield spell (3.5). The wizard sits back, studies the intensity of color, wafts the aroma, swirls it while checking viscosity, and then goes back to making his flesh golem!



So the head lacked a certain robustness, and the smell seemed a little underwhelming. What the freak do you expect? They sell it in a can and call it especial! The taste, as I sat back in my recliner and made my kids do chores, was amazing. Thin, watery and refreshing. You think I'm mocking, but this beer is my go to mexican cheap beer. When I'm on my boat at the lake, or when I'm mowing the lawn this is a great beer. Time and place... time and place.



Okay now onto books and I think it best if we stick to the theme. Time and place. Terry Prachett. I'm a huge fan, but I've never had a heated argument about Rincewind's parentage and whether or not Carrot Ironfoundersson's mother was raped by the mad king! Pratchett writes a light hearted series that I love to pick up now and again. I'm not ashamed to say I haven't read the entire 38, soon to be 39 book series. I have however read a bunch and will continue to read a bunch on days where I have to explain to a contractor what an O-ring is. Pratchett has moments of pure brilliance in his writing and obviously I would do a white whale belly flop on youtube to have a career like his.



So where to start? How about The Color of Magic? 1983!! 1983 humor may not be what tickles your fancy, but I am down with the likes of National Lampoon's Vacation and Monte Python's The Meaning of Life, both comedy flicks produced the same year!



The Color of Magic follows Rincewind, a wizard who can't cast spells, around the world on an epic adventure to save the Disc World. The humor is two parts brilliant to one part thready and goes perfect on a warm day with a glass of Modelo! If you are ever in doubt play soccer with my kids for an hour in the august heat, crack a cold one and bend a binding... that's what life is all about.

The Walking Drum and Barrel Trolley Belgium White

Barrel Trolley & The Walking Drum

I just started a new book tonight which I will probably have a review of by the end of the week. That being the case I thought I’d crack a pint of the good stuff and stroll down memory lane for a review. First the beer then the book.

 

Tonight I popped the top on a Belgium White from Barrel Trolley.

I was a little disappointed by the pour right off the bat. It lacked effervescence . So I poured another just to see if it was me. Better but not great. White head with a very nice unfiltered murkiness, think gold dragon piss! I’m a big fan of unfiltered beer so dragon piss is a plus. The beer had a slight citrus taste to it and a mild hint of spice. I would have liked a heavier dose of spice and hops, but it still tasted better than a lot of beers I’ve had the pleasure of quaffing. The finish dropped off pretty hard and was about as interesting as a political debate… by that I mean not very. Overall I wouldn’t tell people to avoid the beer nor would I send an email chain out telling people that they have to try it and forward this email to three friends or suffer the curse of the hag covey. You certainly could do worse, but it isn’t going to generate a ringing endorsement from me either.

Great, now onto the book review. A slightly above average book review to go with the slightly above average beer? I’ll do better than that for you. My buddy Brondan O’Connar gave me The Walking Drum, by Louis L’Amour for my birthday last year. Brendin gives really good gifts so be sure to friend him on facebook and tell him when your birthday is!

The Walking Drum is 1984’s version of an action flick novel. Kerbouchard (what an amazing name) goes on an epic journey of non stop adventure. There is no need for L’Amour to waste time pontificating on social idiocies, instead he takes you through 12^th century Europe and the Middle east. The journey gives you an insight into the 12^th century as well as an amazing tale. I wish the story of Kerbouchard was finished. Sadly Louis L’Amour died four years after the novel was published. Despite the lack of sequels the novel is fantastic.

Do yourself a favor, grab a pint of the good stuff and crack a copy of The Walking Drum. You’ll be glad you did.

Buy the book here: The Walking Drum

Wiki Site: The Walking Drum Wiki

Leffe Blond

Leffe Blond


Nothing better than sitting down with a good book and a freshly poured pint of the good stuff. I've been meaning to incorporate the public house aspect of the fantasy public house but frankly I have been drinking too much to remember.

So for our first Beer review on Fantasy Public House I'm rolling out the Leffe Blond. Why Leffe? Well truth be told it is what I had in the fridge, but don't let that stop you from grabbing a pack of this beer. It is really good.

Its a Belgian Blond Ale produced by Abby de Laffe S.A
So far as Belgian beers goes it is a bit commercial and a bit clean, but the flavors pop very nice. It has a beautiful honey gold pour with plenty of carbonation. It smells rich with yeast and has a hint of banana and ripe fruit.

The mouth is viscous with a caramelized malty sweetness and secondary flavors consisting of banana and clove spices. The thick heavy feel surprised me considering how clean it looked. I was very impressed with this beer.

It is by no means the best Belgian Ale I have ever had but it is a very well made beer that will go with many dishes.

Art Plug!!!!

Art Plug!!!


Wanted to give a shot out to some of the artist that we've been working with:

Julia Krase: @juliakrase has been rocking the Fall of Rienbect character portrates. Julia is also working on a graphic novel style short story that looks to be between five and six pages. Julia did the portrait of the Baron Von Creme, as well as Kymburli, Monkrat and Saefin.


As you can see she is very talented!

Also like to give a shot out to Rougemie for his work on the Larceny project. Rougmie has done Blake as well as Sean, and he is working on Spiro, Milikin, and Wiggly.

You can check out his work here: Rougemie

The last artist that we have is another local talent by John Patrick Evans. John did our first piece of Rienbect art with a picture of Rudolpho Dezerante Esq



Shadows Linger

Shadows Linger
By Glen Cook
(2nd novel in the Black Company series)



Plowed through this one in about two days. May indeed be one of my favorite books I read this summer. I love the notion that you can write a fantasy novel without having to have this epic quest be the center of the drama. The characters in this novel fight for their right to survive, while murdering each other and backstabbing anyone who gets in their way. Rarely do I champion crazy murderers but this book really crossed my wires. I found my self rooting for an evil criminal half the time and rooting against him half the time.

Love hearing more about Croacker and Raven too. Very, very good tale.


Buy it here: Amazon