My thoughts on Starbucks new Mocha Coconut, with caramel (my special addition), Frappucinno....AMAZING, so delicious!!! They've had all these flavors forever, but give it up to their new marketing campaign to encourage customers to make it their own! Vacation in a cup.
They were also giving away samples of Strawberry-Banana Coconut Frapp's while you wait. Another tasty combo - kudos to who came up with that one.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Brew Review: Commodore Perry
Another one already?
I'm a fun lovin', beer drinkin' gal, what can I say. In all seriousness, as serious as beer reviews go, I tried something new tonight and I want to make sure to get it on the books.
Here goes...
Great Lakes Brewery - Commodore Perry
Commodore Perry is another IPA, an English India Pale Ale (IPA). It's medium bodied with 7.5% ABV.
Ali's Rating: ***1/2 This one is tasty, but with a stronger alcohol % I can only drink one or two. Its a good summer beer, but most IPA's are. I mentioned in previous posts Burning River Pale Ale from Great Lakes is my favorite at the time. Having tried Commodore Perry from Great Lakes, I am intrigued to try some other beers from this brewery. For an IPA, I'll drink Mr. Perry again but it won't be a regular buy for me.
Beer Advocate Rating: B+
Cheers!
Brew Review: New Holland Mad Hatter IPA
Take one.
If you've read below, you understand, a little, what led to this post. Jake and I hit up the local wine and beer shop this weekend (plug: Wine Knows in Grayslake) to pick up some beer and it occurred to me that I've tried all these microbrews lately but I can't recall how I felt about each one. Was it great (hopefully if it was great, I'll remember)? It was ok, I'd pick it up again. Was it gross and I dare take another sip?
Lightbulb! New idea and use of the blog! What a great idea to write about the beers I try and rate them. I am not an expert in this area, so I am going to lean on Beer Advocate for help. But, I will give them a score ala Yelp or Yahoo. Now, you too can try them and see what you think. We're friends, surely you like what I like.
That said, here is the first review!
New Holland Brewery - Mad Hatter IPA
Mad Hatter IPA is a light-medium bodied American IPA 5.25% ABV.
Ali's Rating: **** (out of 5, just to clarify :)) I've had before and I will have again! Great for a sunny day on the deck. Very drinkable as far as IPA's go.
Beer Advocate Rating: B+
At the start, these reviews will be short. Will I or won't I drink again? The only thing I know about hops is that's how bunnies get around. Like a fine wine, I'll get better with age. Or by drinking more beer? I think more beer.
Cheers!
If you've read below, you understand, a little, what led to this post. Jake and I hit up the local wine and beer shop this weekend (plug: Wine Knows in Grayslake) to pick up some beer and it occurred to me that I've tried all these microbrews lately but I can't recall how I felt about each one. Was it great (hopefully if it was great, I'll remember)? It was ok, I'd pick it up again. Was it gross and I dare take another sip?
Lightbulb! New idea and use of the blog! What a great idea to write about the beers I try and rate them. I am not an expert in this area, so I am going to lean on Beer Advocate for help. But, I will give them a score ala Yelp or Yahoo. Now, you too can try them and see what you think. We're friends, surely you like what I like.
That said, here is the first review!
New Holland Brewery - Mad Hatter IPA
Mad Hatter IPA is a light-medium bodied American IPA 5.25% ABV.
Ali's Rating: **** (out of 5, just to clarify :)) I've had before and I will have again! Great for a sunny day on the deck. Very drinkable as far as IPA's go.
Beer Advocate Rating: B+
At the start, these reviews will be short. Will I or won't I drink again? The only thing I know about hops is that's how bunnies get around. Like a fine wine, I'll get better with age. Or by drinking more beer? I think more beer.
Cheers!
Picky, picky.
Eight years ago I turned my nose at most foods. Very, very, verrrry picky. Calamari was gross; eat squid, you can't be serious? Spinach, no thank you. Turkey burger, who would eat anything other than a 'real' beef burger? Well, me. You could call me sheltered, but that's not it. Mom cooked all kinds of great meals, I just thought if it looked funny or had a weird texture than I just won't like it.
Same goes for beverages. Ok, adult beverages. College days hit, it was necessary to acquire a taste for beer. I do like to fit in. But, just light beer, Bud or Miller. Guiness, weird sounding beer, IP what?, from some brewery in a small town in Vermont, ewww. My theory was, if I can't see through it, I don't want it. Same applied for wine. White only. Red, let's not get crazy.
Then, I met Jake. Maybe I just grew up, but I will give him some credit. A lot of credit. Thanks to him, the foods above are some of my favorites. Whoa. Who ordered calamari for an app last week? This girl! What's my current beer of choice? Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale. Pale Ale?! That's right.
We are both beer snobs now. I love it. Sure, we'll still drink Bud Light. But, its way more fun to try microbrews from all over the country. Enter new recurring post, the Brew Review! Keep reading....
Same goes for beverages. Ok, adult beverages. College days hit, it was necessary to acquire a taste for beer. I do like to fit in. But, just light beer, Bud or Miller. Guiness, weird sounding beer, IP what?, from some brewery in a small town in Vermont, ewww. My theory was, if I can't see through it, I don't want it. Same applied for wine. White only. Red, let's not get crazy.
Then, I met Jake. Maybe I just grew up, but I will give him some credit. A lot of credit. Thanks to him, the foods above are some of my favorites. Whoa. Who ordered calamari for an app last week? This girl! What's my current beer of choice? Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale. Pale Ale?! That's right.
We are both beer snobs now. I love it. Sure, we'll still drink Bud Light. But, its way more fun to try microbrews from all over the country. Enter new recurring post, the Brew Review! Keep reading....
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Sounds of Summer
Music is such a huge part of who I am and I love all genres. Usually, you can tell a lot about a person by the type of music they listen too. Seriously, put my iPod of shuffle, you'll get a little bit of everything. Celia Cruz (who?! yep, Latin artist, Zumba influence), Britney, Enya, Glee, Jason Aldean, Journey, Police, Good Charlotte, RHCP, Ting Tings, and the Biebs just to name a few. Good luck figuring me out :)
There is nothing better than sitting outside in the summer, sipping a cool beverage and enjoying your favorite tunes. I recently discovered Ravinia, an outdoor theater in Highland Park. Aaaaamazing place for a concert. Nosh on cheese and crackers from your picnic basket, throw back a couple of bottles of wine, and relax outdoors with a few hundred of your closest friends. I'll be going back this year to see Maroon 5 July 1st. Cannot wait! Love you, Adam Levine!
Here are a few other concerts on my wishlist this summer:
~ 311 ~ With a new single, aptly named 'Sunset in July' and a new album dropping in July, 311 is on my must-see list this year. They'll be playing Summerfest and in Chicago, both in July.
~ Jason Aldean ~ Kelli, thanks for bringing me over to the country side. This guy is awesome and I'm sure he puts on a pretty good show! He'll also be at Summerfest and Chicago later this summer.
~ Blink 182 ~ Love these guys, they always put on a good show. Travis Barker is awesome. Say no more. Coming to Chicago late-August.
~ Lolla ~ So many I'd love to see here. Christina Perri, Eminem, Foo Fighers, Muse, the list goes on. Another hot one for August.
Not quite on my hitlist but who would have thought?!
~ Debbie Gibson and Tiffany ~ Talk about a blast from the past! I think we're in love now.
That said, who's coming with me!?!
There is nothing better than sitting outside in the summer, sipping a cool beverage and enjoying your favorite tunes. I recently discovered Ravinia, an outdoor theater in Highland Park. Aaaaamazing place for a concert. Nosh on cheese and crackers from your picnic basket, throw back a couple of bottles of wine, and relax outdoors with a few hundred of your closest friends. I'll be going back this year to see Maroon 5 July 1st. Cannot wait! Love you, Adam Levine!
Here are a few other concerts on my wishlist this summer:
~ 311 ~ With a new single, aptly named 'Sunset in July' and a new album dropping in July, 311 is on my must-see list this year. They'll be playing Summerfest and in Chicago, both in July.
~ Jason Aldean ~ Kelli, thanks for bringing me over to the country side. This guy is awesome and I'm sure he puts on a pretty good show! He'll also be at Summerfest and Chicago later this summer.
~ Blink 182 ~ Love these guys, they always put on a good show. Travis Barker is awesome. Say no more. Coming to Chicago late-August.
~ Lolla ~ So many I'd love to see here. Christina Perri, Eminem, Foo Fighers, Muse, the list goes on. Another hot one for August.
Not quite on my hitlist but who would have thought?!
~ Debbie Gibson and Tiffany ~ Talk about a blast from the past! I think we're in love now.
That said, who's coming with me!?!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Are you there 5 o'clock?
It's me, Ali and I'm ready to go home!
Ever have those days that just seem to go on forever? Today is one of those days. It's beautiful outside and I am stuck in this cubicle for what seems like hours.
My work for the day is done. Maybe I'll research vacations to pass the time. Disney, a cruise, New Orleans, St. Lucia, anywhere that serves a margarita?
Jimmy Buffet says 'It's 5 o'clock somehere'. In the midwest, Jimmy, I'm still waiting.
Ever have those days that just seem to go on forever? Today is one of those days. It's beautiful outside and I am stuck in this cubicle for what seems like hours.
My work for the day is done. Maybe I'll research vacations to pass the time. Disney, a cruise, New Orleans, St. Lucia, anywhere that serves a margarita?
Jimmy Buffet says 'It's 5 o'clock somehere'. In the midwest, Jimmy, I'm still waiting.
Another day, another dentist.
Couple months ago it was just a cleaning, few weeks after that some fillings and yesterday a root canal!! A root canal! WTF! Cue anxiety.
Everyone told me it won't be as bad as I think and for the most part they were right. The procedure itself was painless. The worst part was holding my mouth open for an hour an 15 minutes. After I left, I was invincible...pain-free! That lasted for all of 30 minutes and then the pain kicked into high gear! Mostly, just uber-sensitive and sore from all the poking and proding of my poor little upper molar. Today, things are looking up! I think I'll make it.
That said, here are just a few tips for surviving the next one or your first one (but, let's hope I won't need to refer to this post ever again).
1) iPod. Music is my savior. Thank you Adele for your healing words. And, thank you Sennheiser for earbud volume control and being able to crack it up at seconds notice when the dental tools got a little too loud.
2) Painkillers. In my case, Ibuprofen. 3 an hour before appointment. And, 3 there after.
3) PTO. Take the day off. Nobody, except my husband and animals needs to see me the day of a root canal. Plus, the three hour nap after I got home was the ticket to masking the post-canal soreness.
Let's hope that the final dental visits in the next couple weeks for the crown are the last for a loooong time. Or, the next time I need a crown it isn't because of a trip to the dentist. :)
Everyone told me it won't be as bad as I think and for the most part they were right. The procedure itself was painless. The worst part was holding my mouth open for an hour an 15 minutes. After I left, I was invincible...pain-free! That lasted for all of 30 minutes and then the pain kicked into high gear! Mostly, just uber-sensitive and sore from all the poking and proding of my poor little upper molar. Today, things are looking up! I think I'll make it.
That said, here are just a few tips for surviving the next one or your first one (but, let's hope I won't need to refer to this post ever again).
1) iPod. Music is my savior. Thank you Adele for your healing words. And, thank you Sennheiser for earbud volume control and being able to crack it up at seconds notice when the dental tools got a little too loud.
2) Painkillers. In my case, Ibuprofen. 3 an hour before appointment. And, 3 there after.
3) PTO. Take the day off. Nobody, except my husband and animals needs to see me the day of a root canal. Plus, the three hour nap after I got home was the ticket to masking the post-canal soreness.
Let's hope that the final dental visits in the next couple weeks for the crown are the last for a loooong time. Or, the next time I need a crown it isn't because of a trip to the dentist. :)
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