by Tomm “Christtmass” Carroll
The Pacific Gravity Holiday Party Carol
Sing along (to the tune of “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow”):
Oh the weather outside was pouring,
But the beer was so alluring,
And since we’ve got kegs to drain,
Let It Rain, Let It Rain, Let It Rain!
The brew club threw one good meeting,
And cooked up a feast for eating,
The homebrew was just insane!
Let It Rain, Let It Rain, Let It Rain!
So they thoughtfully tarped Neil’s yard
(How we hate drinkin’ out in the storm!),
And the guests came from near and far,
For Mulled Mead and Winter Warm(er).
The turnout was never baffling,
‘Cause Santa was there for raffling,
And as long as we’re feelin’ no pain,
Let It Rain, Let It Rain, Let It Rain
Perhaps jealous that she wasn’t invited, Mother Nature dealt Pacific Gravity a meteorological lump of coal, heaping wind and rain aplenty on our annual Holiday Party Saturday, December 12.
But despite the storm, the party at Neil Saund’s Mar Vista duplex (site of the annual celebration since 2007) came off without a hitch, thanks to the busy PG elves, who erected tarps and E-Z Ups in the outside area, which housed the all-important kegs of homebrew and kept the partiers – but not their thirsts – dry.
Some 175 club members, guests and friends braved the elements to participate in the bacchanal – and to see whose photos and what beer cans and coasters bedecked the fully trimmed Xmas tree this year. A few warmed by the roaring fireplace, although the outside temperatures were rather mild, thanks to the tropical origin of the storm.
Nearly three-dozen homebrewed wassail (or wasslager) offerings were on hand, arguably offering a tipple for every taste. See the full list, below.
Whether you wanted warm (Dan Hakes’ Mulled Mead), spicy (Carl Townsend’s, Matthew Rick’s and Nels Brown’s Spiced Holiday Ales), or sweet (Jonathan Fischer’s Cookies n’ Milk Stout); something to pick you up (Reed Wilson’s Coffee Cocoa Robust Porter), or knock you out (Larry Caldwell’s Madeira Oak-Aged Barleywine); something traditional (Terry Molloy’s English Mild, Neil Saund’s ESB), experimental (Chris Simental’s Oak Tripel), or inspirational (Tim Bardet and Ian Fraser’s Sticke Fred; a Düsseldorf Alt-style beer dedicated to founding club member Fred Waltman as a thank-you for arranging the “Sticke Warriors” beer tour of Germany and beyond this past October), there was a tap for you.
Many bottled beers, mostly of the aged holiday variety, also made appearances for the partiers’ drinking pleasure.
But it was the bodacious banquet that kept bellies full and prepped for further drinking. Club Master Chef Ian Fraser once again topped himself (does the man know no limits?). Not only overseeing most of the preparation and presentation for the holiday feast, he also contributed: Read more →
