Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: MightyGiants on March 05, 2024, 05:29:24 PMRich Eisen doesn't really have a track record as an insider, he does not break stories.


That said, it wouldn't surprise me one way or the other in terms of acquiring a new QB.

I don't believe any reports this time of year; however, Rich Eisen isn't a Colleen Cowart type who makes statements just to garner attention.  His content is typically fairly measured.  I believe if the draft presents an opportunity, the Giants will select a QB; however, I completely disagree this is some type of ploy to illicit a trade from a QB desperate team, as picking 6 will not afford said team an opportunity to do so.  It's a terrible position to be in, if you need a QB.

Quote from: TDToomer on March 05, 2024, 02:34:48 PMMy tastes have evolved with beer to the point I cannot drink any of these water downed mass produced lagers anymore. I call them college beers of the past. Give me Barrell aged Baltic Porters, Milk Stouts and NEIPAs. There is so much great craft beer in the USA now. Please tell me I am not the only one who visits Tree House who are arguably the most successful craft/independent/destination brewery the USA. 

@TDToomer I would agree, most of the mass produced lagers and pilsners in the US are pretty poor. The difference between the more common American lagers/pilsners vs. a Czech pilsner or German lager are like night and day. Luckily for us there are some US brewers who are knowledgeable and dedicated enough in their craft to brew them the right way.

I have a garage fridge full of beer, and the style I have the most of is bourbon barrel aged stouts, most between 10-15%abv, with some brewed 10 years ago or more. I'm also a homebrewer, and currently have 5 beers kegged and drinking - A Milk Stout with coconut, a Scottish Ale, an Irish Red Ale, an American Pale Ale hopped with homegrown hops, and a British Style Best Bitter. Additionally I have a ~10% Imperial Stout currently fermenting that I'll "cellar" until fall/winter time.

I also enjoy a well made neipa, although there are an awful lot out there that aren't made well. Tree House Brewing is certainly among the best when it comes to neipa's. I've never been to the brewery, but I have had quite a few of their beers. Top notch.

Speaking of neipa's, they are a very challenging beer to make, even for professional brewers, but especially so with my setup. I'm planning on using what I've learned over the past year or so and brew one later this spring. I'm hoping for the best.

Here's a picture of a neipa I brewed back in 2020. Certainly not in the same league as Tree House or other top examples, but it was still as good or better than some of the commercial neipa's I've had. I used copious amounts of Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado, and Strata hops in it. 

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on March 05, 2024, 03:31:37 PMYeah...a lot of taverns, pubs, and nightclubs have a short shelf life. I don't know if you ever got over to the North 40 in Ithaca, but that was a fun place to go like the OP. They brought in big name bands back in the 60's and early 70's...I remember seeing Tommy James and the Shondells there, playing as if they were a local band at a local watering hole. The place burned down, but was rebuilt and changed into "Lakewatch Inn", a wedding venue without the electric checkerboard dance floor. Place was crazy fun

The Esprit/Eclipse (locally known as the clit because of the abundance of women) in Binghamton was also a place where crazy stuff went down...but it's gone. As is Flashbacks with the lighted checkerboard dance floor and music from the 60s-80's. Also gone, The Blue Moon on Old Vestal Road, West Side Cheers, Edigans, Shenanigans, even the Number 5, and Country Bobs no longer exist. Party on the Patio every Saturday night was a blast...it's gone. Such is the life of taverns and bars. Some are still around, like Rathskellers (we always called the "Rat Cellar"), an underground nightclub beside the Grand Royale Hotel on State Street. But it's no longer packed like the old days...the fun days no longer exist in this town

Wow, I remember a lot of those bars you mentioned, Ric. Not surprised they're all gone now. I was probably in all or most of them, at least once or twice. But I didn't hang out at bars around the Binghamton area too much for the most part, as I lived on the west end of Broome County. Although back in those days I was heavily into the city softball leagues and we would usually stop in at the closest bar following a game or tournament for a beer or two, but then head closer to home for a majority of our post game celebrations. The one bar I do remember spending some time in was The Little Jewel, just south of Binghamton on Rt.7 But mostly because I was able to get served there as early as age 17, and also because they always had Bob Seger's Live Bullet album playing on their sound system. It was my first introduction to that classic album.

Thrilled to see that beer has hijacked this thread.  I went to Syracuse from 1969-1973.

While I'm a wine drinker now, back then I was a big Genny Cream fan.  Utica Club was regarded, um, unfavorably.  Think my personal fave back then was Molsons.  You know, b/c Canada was close.

Anyway, I (vaguely) remember that Utica Club rolled out a malt liquor product called Maximus at some big event on campus.  Next day, half the campus was hung over.  The other half was sick.

Quote from: AZGiantFan on March 05, 2024, 02:49:39 PMI'm thinking it must be a pretty different place with an age 21 drinking age then my day when it was 18, the Pub was downstairs in the Student Union and the OP was across the street.  Some places I remember are Kelly's Bar with decent pizza and $2 pitchers of Bud or Schlitz, Lee's subs (first subs I ever had), Pancho's Pit. And a steak place across Vestal Parkway that put discount coupons in the school newspaper for a steak dinner for something like 3 buck that included unlimited salad and bread bar and beer.  First place I ever worshipped at the porcelain god Ralph.

Good times.  Class of '77.

Missed this post earlier. We have a lot of common memories, but I don't remember a sub shop called Lee's. Where was that? Somewhere in the back regions of my memory it seems like you and I may have had this discussion before regarding sub shops, though I could be wrong about that. But Pancho's Pit? - OH YEAH!! One on Riverside Drive in Johnson City, and one on Main St. in Endicott. Their lamb spiedies were quite a treat late, after a night of drinking.

*That steak place, across from SUNY B, I'm thinking that was probably The Vestal Steakhouse, with the big 10ft steer in front?

Quote from: Ed Vette on March 05, 2024, 10:33:33 AMAnd Rolling Rock, but on par with Schlitz.

Ed: Careful there.

No household in PA would be caught dead w/out Rolling Rock (and Yuengling) on hand.

If we go for a visit and the host says, "I've got [insert name of an imported beer here]" on hand, that means he has Yuengling, Rolling Rock and [whatever beer he named]. The word "imported" means beer from anywhere outside of Pennsylvania. lol

Bob

PS. Same goes for scrapple. If you don't know what that is, look it up.

Quote from: Sem on March 05, 2024, 05:53:29 PM@TDToomer I would agree, most of the mass produced lagers and pilsners in the US are pretty poor. The difference between the more common American lagers/pilsners vs. a Czech pilsner or German lager are like night and day. Luckily for us there are some US brewers who are knowledgeable and dedicated enough in their craft to brew them the right way.

I have a garage fridge full of beer, and the style I have the most of is bourbon barrel aged stouts, most between 10-15%abv, with some brewed 10 years ago or more. I'm also a homebrewer, and currently have 5 beers kegged and drinking - A Milk Stout with coconut, a Scottish Ale, an Irish Red Ale, an American Pale Ale hopped with homegrown hops, and a British Style Best Bitter. Additionally I have a ~10% Imperial Stout currently fermenting that I'll "cellar" until fall/winter time.

I also enjoy a well made neipa, although there are an awful lot out there that aren't made well. Tree House Brewing is certainly among the best when it comes to neipa's. I've never been to the brewery, but I have had quite a few of their beers. Top notch.

Speaking of neipa's, they are a very challenging beer to make, even for professional brewers, but especially so with my setup. I'm planning on using what I've learned over the past year or so and brew one later this spring. I'm hoping for the best.

Here's a picture of a neipa I brewed back in 2020. Certainly not in the same league as Tree House or other top examples, but it was still as good or better than some of the commercial neipa's I've had. I used copious amounts of Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado, and Strata hops in it. 

Awesome! But that beer should be in a Tulip shaped glass so you get the full aroma of the hops. I have pint glasses in my house that I use for everything but beer now.

Quote from: Sem on March 06, 2024, 12:43:52 AMMissed this post earlier. We have a lot of common memories, but I don't remember a sub shop called Lee's. Where was that? Somewhere in the back regions of my memory it seems like you and I may have had this discussion before regarding sub shops, though I could be wrong about that. But Pancho's Pit? - OH YEAH!! One on Riverside Drive in Johnson City, and one on Main St. in Endicott. Their lamb spiedies were quite a treat late, after a night of drinking.

*That steak place, across from SUNY B, I'm thinking that was probably The Vestal Steakhouse, with the big 10ft steer in front?

I couldn't begin to tell you where Lee's was.  I didn't have a car so I went with friends plus, to this day, I'm geographically illiterate.  It's only real distinction was that I had my first subs there.  I don't remember going there much after freshman year - I lived on campus for 3 years and my place for subs was the Hoagy Hut.

Interesting about the Pub being turned into a bowling alley because there was already a bowling alley in the SU when the Pub was the Pub.  I was a pretty big bowler back then, coming off of being the top guy on the 1972 Martin Van Buren HS NYC Champions (the height of my athletic career).  I participated in some of the ladders and was a member of the unofficial traveling team.

SUNY-B was a great place to be in the mid 70's (73 to 76, albeit class of 77 since I finished my degree in 76).  We got great concerts from people who were or would become big time for a 2 or 3 dollar pittance.  Best example is Billy Joes right after the Piano Man album was released.  We were a little long in our pre-concert (ahem) preparation, if you know what I mean, so the seats were packed out when we got there but there was empty floor space between the front row and the stage and went up there and sat on the floor, so I saw the concert from about 15 feet away from Billy and his piano.

Good times.  And talking about it is far better than YET ANOTHER whinging Daniel Jones thread where some folks seem compelled to say the same thing they've said literally (in its true meaning) a hundred or more times before.

P.S.  If you ever get a chance try Zywiec beer.  It's a Polish brewery and while their Lager is excellent their Baltic Porter is something special.  You can sometimes find it at Total Wine.

Quote from: Bob In PA on March 06, 2024, 08:38:53 AMEd: Careful there.

No household in PA would be caught dead w/out Rolling Rock (and Yuengling) on hand.

If we go for a visit and the host says, "I've got [insert name of an imported beer here]" on hand, that means he has Yuengling, Rolling Rock and [whatever beer he named]. The word "imported" means beer from anywhere outside of Pennsylvania. lol

Bob

PS. Same goes for scrapple. If you don't know what that is, look it up.

I love Scrapple. Linda won't touch it or smell it.

Quote from: Ed Vette on March 06, 2024, 09:47:25 AMI love Scrapple. Linda won't touch it or smell it.

Ed: It's the perfect breakfast food for those who love black pepper. That's how they disguise it. lol

Glad there's a few B.U. (formerly known as SUNY B) alumni on this board. BTW, SUNY B now means the old Broome Tech College, turned into Broome Community College by Nelson Rockefeller, and is now officially SUNY Broome. So if you say SUNY B around here, they think you're talking about the "other" college...but I digress. I have two friends in my life who also graduated from B.U., so it's nice to hear from others who went to the same school as me...but it's called Binghamton University now and has been for over a decade

You guys mention Poncho's Pit (which has been closed for years), but was my regular eating place when they had 2.00 spaghetti night, so maybe we've been in the same room together and didn't even know it. I remember when Roy Clark (world renown guitarist and host of the old TV show, Hee Haw) was in Poncho's Pit. Not sure why he was in town, but it thrilled the workers. Seems odd because it was just a hole in the wall restaurant

Bob's comments were spot on about Pennsylvanians and their beer. I have a brother and a sister who live in PA. However, Yuengling outsells RR about 10:1...at least "on tap". Even in Binghamton, everyone drinks Yuengling. Never had "scrapple", but after Googling it, I don't think I'll try it

Quote from: Bob In PA on March 06, 2024, 10:26:21 AMEd: It's the perfect breakfast food for those who love black pepper. That's how they disguise it. lol

She won't even eat Corned Beef Hash. Although she does eat Grits. However, she will eat instant grits but doesn't get excited when I soak my Anson Mills overnight and put love into them for an hour.

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on March 06, 2024, 10:29:14 AMBTW, SUNY B now means the old Broome Tech College, turned into Broome Community College by Nelson Rockefeller, and is now officially SUNY Broome. So if you say SUNY B around here, they think you're talking about the "other" college...but I digress.

You're right of course, old habits die hard. And of course BU used to be called Harpur College, and we used to jokingly refer to Broome Tech as Front Street High.

I've enjoyed how this thread has evolved.

Quote from: AZGiantFan on March 06, 2024, 09:37:59 AMGood times.  And talking about it is far better than YET ANOTHER whinging Daniel Jones thread where some folks seem compelled to say the same thing they've said literally (in its true meaning) a hundred or more times before.

If you could be so kind, could you please highlight a single negative comment relating to DJ in this thread?  I just went through all 4 pages and honestly could not find a single "anti-Jones" post.  A few of you are being incredibly unfair to the OP, who is guilty of posting a story from multiple reputable personalities, one of whom is an industry leader that's been in the business for four decades. If you note, no commentary was added...just a link to the story. So, where is the negativity?

While I love talking about beer (Westvleterne Brewery is my pick), I feel it's completely unfair to highjack a ligament thread, simply because a few posters are displeased with the narrative.  The irony is, if the OP reported the Giants were happy with DJ, @Jolly Blue Giant would be happy to regurgitate the same talking points about the terrible OL, offensive schemes and other rationale explaining DJ's poor performance. I'm generally interested in how this thread is fundamentally different than the thread he started last week(Schoen answers fan who hates DJ): https://giantsfans.net/message_board/index.php?topic=69200.0.  They both include links to reports about DJ without commentary.  The only difference is the link he provided is a positive assessment of DJ, while the link included in this thread is less so.  They directly contradict each other, which should be fertile ground for fruitful discussions; at a minimum, it provides a good balance as both reports cannot be true.  Yet, for some reason, he took offense and explicitly started a topic more appropriate for the front porch.  I will be hypocritical myself by acknowledging it's a good topic. and worthy of discussion in the appropriate forum.
 
IMO, making abrasive statements fairly opens you to criticism.  To that end, how many times have you 'literally' made whining statements about posters complaining about DJ? How is this different from your actions/statements? Fundamentally, they both can be viewed as repetitive whining....right?

I recognize my post is also abrasive; thus, I'm equally open to criticism, which I accept. However, I view hypocrisy as a massive pet-peeve, and this thread is ripe with it, especially the rationale for high-jacking it. 

Quote from: TDToomer on March 06, 2024, 08:44:30 AMAwesome! But that beer should be in a Tulip shaped glass so you get the full aroma of the hops. I have pint glasses in my house that I use for everything but beer now.

Yes, I have all the requisite glasses. In this case the pic was taken four years ago and the intent was to highlight the glass as much as the beer for friends of ours who had just bought a summer home up in the Thousand Islands.