My new reality

It was suggested I blog a bit about the breweries we visit. Apparently we drink more than the average person which gives us alcohol credibility. I’m happy to share my Brew Views but keep in mind I am no beer afficianado. Full disclosure: I’d be happy with a Corona with a dash of grenadine and a lime wedge (try it!). In fact, I kinda like red wine better, so I will rely on Greg’s expertise to report beer quality. His credentials: Greg’s a PhD organic synthetic chemist with 35 years in pharma research working on metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. He also brews his own beer. That combination may result in a slight bias towards the medicinal qualities of alcohol (in moderation). Historically, beer has been used as a treatment for lice, chest pains, sleep problems, improving milk production in women (mommie wenches?), and as an alternative to drinking contaminated water (cholera substitute!). It was also used as a ‘solvent’ for dissolving other medicinal agents such as willow bark, a source of salicylic acid (aka aspirin). More recently than medieval times, humulones in beer are being studied for utility in treating diabetes and osteoporosis as well as cancer. We just like the taste.

Our most recent brewery visit was Raquette River Brewing in Tupper Lake, NY. Greg and I have ‘dump dates’, first stopping at the dump to discard waste and hand separate our recycling then on to Raquette River as a reward. RRB started a few years back with a small tasting room but has expanded to a sprawling beer hall with a 30 ft long bar, a fireplace, and a foosball table. They also have an outdoor firepit and host many musicians. Greg likes their IPAs whereas I prefer the lighter, slightly fruity Mango Wheat, apparently their most popular beer. They typically have 5 to 8 beers on tap although they were running a little dry this past winter. RRB also has 2 food trucks: the Markeplace deli and a wood fired pizza truck. I recommend both. The Marketplace reuben sandwich is very good. The pizzas are also tasty, but with toppings costing $1.00 additional each a 10″ pizza can easily run you $13 – $15. Our last visit we met up with a work colleague from my pre-Wyeth days in Pearl River, NY. Darren and his wife Jeanette recently purchased a vacation cabin on nearby Lake Simond and it was really nice catching up after nearly 20 years.

Another nearby brewery, Big Tupper, recently closed. When we first retired we visited frequently but Greg has since found better beers. (See blog post “Day 2”.) They did serve a delicious hamburger although service was slow. We are enjoying watching the resurgence of businesses on Tupper Lake’s Main St so hopefully they will reopen with new owners.

Next post: we’ll be heading east towards the Saranac Lake breweries, Blue Line and Raybrook, unless we stop somewhere new between now and then (which is highly likely!)