Beer (updated)

I have been meaning to test the local brews for some time now, so I started the other day by buying a variety pack of bottled beers from Erie Brewing Company. You get 6 each of Railbender Ale, Presque Isle Pilsner, Misery Bay IPA and Mad Anthony's APA.

First, I tried the IPA (India Pale Ale) to see if it compared to one of my favourites (Deuchars IPA). It was pretty good; quite strong (6.5%) but with the distinctive grapefruity IPA aftertaste. I tried the APA (American Pale Ale) next and it was very good. The bitterness is toned down slightly in favour of more malt. But not too much. And at 4.2%, very drinkable.

Railbender Ale has been brewed in a Scottish style; it is the darkest and strongest beer (6.8%). The high malt content gives it a big flavour, so I'd recommend drinking this with curry rather than, say, fish. The final beer, Presque Isle Pilsner, is the lightest in colour and not too strong (4.2%). Crisp and refreshing, it reminds me of a local brew I had in Munich, when I went to Germany to install software on the grinding machines in the Ford factory. The hotel had the best tomato soup ever.

2010

Yes, this is the new number that you have to get used to writing on your checks/cheques. It is also the name of a sci-fi film that people will be curious to watch to see if the predictions are accurate. My advice: watch the superior original (if you didn't already, nine years ago). Or read the book it's based. It's not that the film is badly made (though Kubrick is a very hard act to follow). It's just a major plot point was changed that severely dates the film back to the 80s, and it wasn't the hair styles. Let this be a lesson to producers who try to make a futuristic film 'more relevant' - you end up looking silly on the actual date when you could have appeared visionary. Leave predictions to the professionals. Happy new year.