SODZ Beer for [Women] Beer Judging

Today started out rather poorly. A certain unnamed someone (Jake Browning) offered to drive. Since I normally drive, I was quick to take advantage of his offer. Sadly, Jake forgot to heed Sarah’s advice and fill the tank with gas. I know, I know. That’s what a gas gauge is for, right? But said gauge is broken: as we coasted to a stop on the side of the freeway, it still read a quarter tank. Classy. You what is pretty low on my list of fun Saturday morning activities? Walking down I-70 at 8 a.m. in mid-40° F temperatures.

So after walking to the next exit, finding a gas can and walking back to the car (oh yes, the first gas station didn’t carry gas cans—classy touch, no?), we filled up the car, got some McDonald’s for breakfast, and rolled on to Zanesville. Surprisingly, we arrived right as judging started. I’m not sure how with an hour delay we still made it on time. It probably has something to do with the 100+ mph driving to make up lost time. I just imagined we were re-living a scene from Cannonball Run—the original film, not the hack Cannonball Run II. And yes, I expect you all to know the difference. Although in terms of rugged manly looks, Jake Browning is no Burt Reynolds—he’s more a Bizarro Thomas Magnum doppelganger (check out the shot of Magnum hosing himself off; that’s my man Browning’s style). But I digress.

In the morning I judged Belgian and French, followed by Dark Lagers in the afternoon. Easy flights, and a well run competition. After the competition, we sampled a couple of the fine products at Weasel Boy, and then Nate Cornett joined us for the ride home, which included stops at Buckeye Lake and Seventh Son.

And to reiterate: I stand by my complaint from 2011 regarding the title of the competition. Hence my modification of the name. Casual sexism. Results are posted here.

(11/9/2013)