Hogs and hops hit the road.
First ride of the season is always something special. Fingers crossed that the battery will crank over that 28 year old V-twin. After a couple of nerve shaking backfires taking it down the road, hoping it won’t stall at the first stop light. Easy on the corners, watch out for some of that unswept Sahara sand. Then there are the late signal Larry’s and the no signal Nellies and all the other offensive (rather than defensive) drivers. On the road doing some mental math, adding up the insurance costs, the new battery cost, the new tires cost and dividing it all by the number of rides you expect to take this season. Yep, something special all right. If you don’t ride than no explanation will suffice, if you do ride than no explanation is required.
After another successful first ride (made it home with out calling a tow truck or an ambulance) I’m perusing the COM beer fridge of frost and fable for a first ride celebration libation. Lo and behold, it’s time for the second ride of the season already. A Hop Side ride with an IPA on the Perth Brewery Heritage highway. No helmet or chaps required for this one, and no no-look lane changers to look out for either.
A muted dark orange pour, a bit hazy, with some froth topside as we shift into drive. The aroma is a hoppy and juicy malt funk, a lot going on and a lot to take in. A taste of middlin’ citrus, smooth, with mild hops and a bit of malt funk. It’s a bit busy but nicely balanced. Despite the complex nature of this brew, because everything is easy and balanced, it is a Bonafide, certified, cut and dried big swigger. About half way through the pine bitters get kick started, and they take the wheel or the handlebars as the case may be. From balanced to bitters all works well, it turns out to be an enjoyable sequence of events.
This second ride of the day was far less risky, and almost as enjoyable as the first.
Editor’s Comment: Perth Brewery’s Mocha Stout was not only a COMDB super suds star, but was also a six thumbs up for one of our Crownsmen thirsty Thursday specials.
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