Steve Altimari took some time out of his über-busy schedule to talk with ÜÜ about his new brews, getting them out on the street, and an umlaut that turns out to be very, very necessary.
“Actually the Ümlaut story is somewhat interesting… See the rest »
Tomorrow (3.1.11) will see the fifth album from 21-year-old Ryan Thomas Schmale‘s project, That Ghost. You’ll remember the lonely wandering tune “To Like You” from a Friday Five many moons back.
That Ghost “To Like You” from Songs Out Here
Here’s another from the new LP. Still ambling. More wintery and wanting. Partially recorded in the estate of fellow Valley of The Moon resident, Jack London. If you’ve ever been there, this really reflects the feel of the place. Especially London’s Wolf House ruins. In such a good way. Look for it in stores or snag it straight from Two Syllable Records.
That Ghost “Calls” from Songs Out Here
Starting things off with a wandering winter diddy from Santa Rosa’s That Ghost (Ryan Schmale). Then Sharon Van Etten gives you yet another reason to order the new Air Waves. A taste of the new Minks LP is more Smiths-y than Cure-y but nonetheless tasty. Acoustic Radio Dept. shows off Johan Duncanson breathy pipes. And while there’s a new Yuck LP coming soon, this early track still fits the bill for a cold, winter day. Enjoy thoroughly.
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That Ghost “To Like You” from Songs Out Here
Air Waves “Waters” (feat. Sharon Van Etten) from Dungeon Dots
Minks “Cemetery Rain” from By the Hedge
The Radio Dept. “Heaven’s On Fire” (acoustic) from KEXP live
Yuck “Automatic” from Aaaa
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Rock out with the Ümlaut every Friday. [Follow ÜÜ]
Just a scant 12 miles north of the Lagunitas Beer Sanctuary is another must-visit brew spot, Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa. If you’re in the Bay Area it’s well worth the trek. Since it’s a restaurant, you can bring your kids if you got ’em (witness the Lego’s above). Plus, Sunday’s have HAPPY HOUR ALL DAY.
Obstructing Lego’s view above is a frothy glass of Hopfather. If you go, order this for sure. Like a crisper, less oily, but much hoppier Pliny the Elder. So hoppy it prompted my friend Shawn to pose the question, “Can a beer be too hoppy?”. An awkward silence followed.
The Belgian Beer Sampler was all-around tasty with two particular stand-outs:
Salvation 8.60 ABV
Nice, strong dark ale with hints of birch, pepper, dark fruits, and licorice.
Consecration 10.0 ABV
A dark, sour-aged belgian that may be the first of the sour beers (which are oh-so-hot right now for some reason) I actually appreciate. To the un-sour initiated, it tastes like dark-cherry kombucha. So if that’s your thang you’ll dig this.
Here’s what else was on tap: See the rest »