New Year's Eve 2010

To stay at home with the Bandersnatches or go to a low key party at the Colonel's house.  Decisions...decisions.  The ball still drops and the year still changes either way.  The introvert side lost.  So did the Colonel once I showed up.  I was the first to arrive (quite unusual) and noticed the walkway still had snow and ice on it.  I figured I'd help by clearing it off.  The Colonel felt guilty and came out as well.  We had it cleared in no time.  I'm still surprised I get invited anywhere.

I already had one of my special bottles of Champagne chilled for the evening.  Some traditions simply must be kept.  Jekyll upped the ante with a special beer he's stored for 5 years.  It was a 3 liter bottle of Victory's Ten Year Alt.  That's a Jeroboam in the Champagne world.  The difficulty was getting it open because the cork had solidified in the neck.  And it smelled great as we dug it out.  What we discovered was an amazing treat. (details at the end if you are interested)

I ended up sharing my fine bubbly.  Some received it well.  For those that didn't.... theirs went into my glass.

I don't make resolutions.  Resolutions are for the weak willed.  If you really want to change something, do it now.  January 1st is no different than any other day.  Now if you feel the need to make a list go ahead.  Make it something you can actually get behind and accomplish.  Not just lip service.  You'll be much happier during the process as well as satisfied with your accomplishment.  And have a Happy New Year 2011!

Ten Years Alt - This beer was made to celebrate Victory's 10 year anniversary.  The bottle is dated 02-Feb-2006.  I now proudly display it in my bar.  Inside it was cloudy, dark brown ale.  As I said above, it smelled great once we got it open.  The taste was not for the Bud drinker.  It had hints of maple, nuts and a nice roast.  The hops hit me in the middle and the malt finished it.  The beer was flat so even the carbonation turned into alcohol.  Got a buzz after half a glass.  We drank about a third of the bottle.  I got it down to half the bottle over the next few days before it started to go downhill.  Keeping it chilled was easy in this weather but I had no way properly close it.