A Mild Voice of Reason

Beer Review: Éphémère (Apple)

August 30, 2010 No Comments

BEER REVIEW: Éphémère (Apple) Ale

BeerAdvocate overall review: B (797 reviews to date).

This Canadian ale (brewed by Unibroue with apple juice, coriander and curacao peels) tastes like green apples. The scent reminds me of green apples, and the ale is definitely tinged with the flavor. What makes this ale unique, however, is the aftertaste — which is eerily reminiscent of a sour apple Jolly Rancher. The beer (5.5 percent ABV) went down smoothly and felt light and crisp on the tongue, without any distracting bitterness. It may be an average fruit ale, however, except for that aftertaste — which, admittedly, is a matter of preference to which many beer connoisseurs may render a frown.

This ale, if served cold, may make for a refreshing pick-me-up on a warmer late-autumn day. In any case, I’d happily enjoy another.

Personal verdict: A-.

Vices

Cigar Review: Macanudo Cafe Crystal

August 29, 2010 No Comments

Few things are as enjoyable in life as a quiet evening on the back porch, with a delicious adult beverage in one hand and a fine cigar in the other. This evening, I reveled in a quiet sunset through the pine trees, with a gentle breeze cooling the low-90s air and the German Shepherd stretched […]

Vices

Beer Review: Samuel Smith’s, The Famous Taddy Porter

August 29, 2010 1 Comment

As part of the ever-increasing portfolio that my dear readers have come to expect from A Mild Voice of Reason, today I inaugurate a new feature to this humble blog: Vice reviews. Yes. At long last, and by pseudo-popular demand, you now may revel in knowing my opinion about various beers, wines, liquors and cigars. […]

Vices

Beer Review: Samuel Smith's, The Famous Taddy Porter

August 29, 2010 1 Comment

Personal

A Not-So-Bad August

August 29, 2010 No Comments

August hasn’t been half-bad: This weekend was fairly pleasant. Today was spent in the office, preparing catch-up reports and working down my personal queue of Service Desk tickets, and now I sit at Biggby drinking mocha and writing. Yesterday, I got a haircut, got a massage from the Chinese people, bought some specialty craft beer, […]

Philosophy

The Final Four Pages

August 24, 2010 No Comments

Yesterday I finally finished the regrettably too-short A Short History of Ethics by Alasdair MacIntyre. The book served as a delightful survey of the major points in Western ethical thought from the pre-Socratics through Moore and Sartre. For readers interested in a solid, not-too-technical overview of how moral theory has developed over the centuries, MacIntyre’s […]

Politics & Culture, Religion

On Mosques and Religious Tolerance

August 15, 2010 4 Comments

“As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country … That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances … This is […]

Politics & Culture

Michigan Politics: Post-Primary Edition

August 8, 2010 No Comments

The results of Michigan’s August primary are in, and the situation is … interesting. Governor The results from the AP: Republican primary 5,715 of 5,732 precincts – 99 percent Rick Snyder 379,245 – 36 percent ¶ Pete Hoekstra 278,584 – 27 percent ¶ Mike Cox 238,858 – 23 percent ¶ Mike Bouchard 126,807 – 12 […]

Personal, Writing, Editing & Journalism

Update: Early August Edition

August 8, 2010 No Comments

The last few weeks have been more interesting than usual. Last weekend, I purchased a Ford Ranger XLT from a guy in Grandville. The truck runs great and is in excellent condition (although it could use a new paint job). I am quite pleased with it, and since I paid cash I now own it […]

Computers & Technology, Personal, Politics & Culture, Writing, Editing & Journalism

Dog Days

July 24, 2010 1 Comment

‘Tis the dog days of summer. The heat and humidity have been consistently, oppressively high in Grand Rapids this month, punctuated only by the occasional thunderstorm. This has led to a wonderful case of the blahs. A few reflections and updates, in no particular order: Technology. I continue to be frustrated by my lack of […]

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