DerekRx

Originally tonight I was going to head to Union Jacks with some coworkers, but they must have been scared of good beers, so they opted out. Not wanting to drive home after a potentially awesome night with some tasty beers, I decided to just stay home and drink some good stuff I happened to have laying around. So thick and loaded with coffee and chocolate flavors with super high alcohol content, there's no wonder this stuff is the second fallen angel. Pure sinful greatness and to blow the rest of the night out of the water, Mephistopheles' Stout, weighing in at 16.03%ABV Super sweet with a spiceyness to it Next up, some Leffe Blonde, a Belgian ale With nice citrusy hop taste and some light malt sweetness, it's definitely a great summer brew Next up the new Troegs Scratch Ale #1, a California Common/steam beer

Thanks for the update Jahan. Do you know if the Justice League Feast serves breakfast too, or is it only lunch (or do they serve the lunch and dinner foods for breakfast!?) Seeing the improvements throughout the park makes me almost want to go back, but my desk chair is just so comfy right now. ^And thanks for the info about the single rider line on X, I hope that stays around for a while!

"Well Enough Alone"- Chevelle

I decided to start off the weekend with a double IPA Great grapefruit and piney hop taste with a good sweet maltiness to balance and hide the 10.5% ABV Double Dog from Flying Dog

Another hot and humid May day in Pa (hey that rhymed!) but it was well worth it. After cutting the grass once again this week, I felt like taking a vacation for the weekend. But since that's out of the question, I instead settled for a little San Diego at home. Nothing awe-inspiring, but still a great nutbrown loaded with nuts, toffee, caramel, cocoa, and hops. Switching up the style but not the location is the Nut Brown Ale from Green Flash Brewing yup, as the bottle says "It's Pretty Awesome" and if you have no friends over, a bomber means two for you! Oh yeah, this is what San Diego is all about. Citrus, pine, and grassy hops all rolled into one fine drink, and none of the hops are too overpowering Up first, Alesmith's IPA, one of the finest IPAs out there

I'll say I loved Voyage at night, but my first ride on it during the day I was pretty bored with it. It got to a point where it was too aggressive and lasted for too long for me to really "enjoy" it. At night I liked it more, but that was because for some bizarre reason I like the feeling of being shoved in a sack where you cannot see anything and thrown around for several minutes. I've never ridden El Toro at night, but I'm more content with the first ride I had on it and since compared to my rides on Voyage during daylight. The only downside I find to El Toro is that it seems incomplete, going from airtime express out-n-back to random speed session twister section. If it had returned for more airtime filled hills or a helix or something for its finale I'd be happier with it. It just doesn't seem complete to me (Of course, having a top 5 woodie and saying it needs something else to be better is pretty amazing for only Intamin's 3rd woodie), but at the same time Voyage seems too complete, like it tried to be the suck up in class and go for the extra credit where extra credit wasn't being offered. I will say that both rides are really awesome and I'm glad I had the opportunity to ride them. I'll also say that I won't be returning to ride Voyage until I know there will be night time rides available, whereas I will eagerly ride El Toro any chance I get. (and no, it's not just because it's in nearby New Jersey, as I hate that state and all that a visit to it entails.)

He's not heckling you, he just feels the need to post as often as possible to as many threads as possible. Of course, I find it pretty hard to imagine that his young mind can even fathom the whole math lesson we just had on the physics of the first drop of Millennium Force. Of course, most of us are also saying "who cares?"

^If you take some many pictures of breweries and restaurants, why don't you post them? Is it because you keep losing your camera, or forget to put batteries in it?

^^Glad you enjoyed your first "top 10" beer. I've had all but 1 of BAs American Top 10 and really enjoyed them all. Found them all to be extremely complex with awesome flavors. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding Alesmith's Speedway Stout in California, though as far up as you are, it may be more difficult. And it should be a fun little trip for you to get up to Russian River at some point and enjoy the Plinys on tap, though if I were you I would wait until your palate likes IPAs. Try going for some IPAs like HopDevil if you can find it, as it's more balanced(usually BevMo has it) or even go with Stone IPA, Bear Republic Racer 5, or Ballast Point Big Eye. Those are some pretty good IPAs. Until then, keep on enjoying what you like but still challenging yourself with some stouts and such.

Tonight's goodness: Not an overload of hops, just a nice solid presence with a nice malty balance. Of course, I'd return to one heck of a nicely balanced IPA, my HopDevil A very satisfying Belgian ale, really tasty in this humid weather we're having lately I'd start out the night with Hennepin, the farmhouse saison from Brewery Ommegang

^Wildcat wasn't a bad ride in 1999. The trains did jostle a bit in an axle seat, but the ride didn't really go downhill IMO until like 2000-2001, or maybe it was just because Lightning Racer opened then and you could really feel the difference in the trains. Wildcat isn't like El Toro smooth by any means, but it's definitely more tolerable in the back rows these days with the new trains.

^I'm with you on that, Larry. I rode MF many times over its short life, and I hardly come off of it with the impression of "airtime". El Toro, on the other hand, is airtime loaded, like being kicked off a cliff, being pulled back up with a cord and kicked off again and again. I've had farts that produced me to lift off my seat more than my rides on Millennium Force.

In all my years of going to Knoebels, I don't think I've ever had a "meal" there, just constant snacking throughout the day. I'm sure meals do exist there, but I just like going from stand to stand as I'm going to my next ride for something to hold me over until I get to the next stand. Chicken fries, perogies, tritaters, ribbq, Cesari's pizza, apple chips, fudge cone, ice cream, and cheese on a stick are among the items I try to eat each time I'm there.

I would base the trip off of exactly when you would be going (and since you're talking about NEXT year, maybe you should hold out on this poll until next year's attractions are announced, you may change your mind). If the only day you could take a trip somewhere is on a Saturday in the summer, I'd stay far away from Six Flags. Dorney is a park that is really easy to accomplish in a short amount of time if you get there at opening, and both that and Hershey are more family oriented than Six Flags is. However, Six Flags has the better coasters. It's all a matter of how many people are in your family, what they're into, and exactly when you'd be going.

Yup, unfiltered chunks can happen. Pour half of the bottle and then give it a good swirl and that should break up the chunks. (or just do the smart thing and stay away from Coors products!) Tonight was more good stuff that my guest brought with for me to try. Nicole has a 1 beer limit, but was easily talked into enjoying a mudslide My Belgian Dip Next up I went all international with some Duvel Belgian Golden Ale My guest is Nicole (YAY!) Hey Matt, this one actually did taste like blueberries! Blue Berry Wheat from Ellicottville Brewing in New York, which can only mean one thing...

I'm not too keen on the new song, but I'm still willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and I'll buy the new cd. I just hope they make it a little bit longer, for as long as it takes for them to come out with a new album, the songs sure are short.

A lovely Spring afternoon, perfect time for some a nice refreshing brew. mmmm, pure orange goodness, not a hint of the blueberries though 2 glasses of Sunset Wheat, one must be for a guest

This was about as shocking as the constantly raising gas prices. Looks like I'll have to find something else to do on Memorial Day weekend now. (starts checking airline prices to San Diego).

The bunny hill at the end kind of scares me, especially with the OTSRs. Looks like a cool little coaster though.

It's been a while since I've enjoyed one of these, so I picked some up when I had the chance. Still a good IPA with a different flavor than a lot of them. I've had a lot of IPAs since this one, but I still dig it. Not overly hoppy and with a nice taste that's more than just citrus Thunderhead, it's not just a roller coaster, it's also an IPA made by Pyramid

To end our day at Hersheypark, we decided to ride some stuff again, and take in the neighboring zoo, free with park admission! and you thought the 5lb Hershey bar was big! And I shall leave you with one final shot of Great Bear's looping goodness OMG, it's Bucky Covington and his brother!! He was playing at the ampitheater inside the park, and wanted to ride the rollie coasters during his break This porcupine was all "um, please call the fire department, I seem to be stuck!" Hey Nicole, how's it going awwww, even the baby prairie dog came out to see what was going on It was pretty cool to arrive when all the prairie dogs were out getting some grub, usually they're sleeping, or at least in their burrows This guy was all like "yo, wuz happenin!" and some Elissa friendly Prairie Dogs and Road Runners beating up dead mice! Where we can see tortoises Onward to Zoo America! Um, it looks like a crucial piece of Storm Runner fell off Everyone but Ellie got their Sidewinder credit, and now I've ridden it twice this year, ouch Still not warm enough for us to want to ride Tidal Force, but some people were dumb enough! Everyone loves seeing if they'll be the winners in a Lightning Racer race Hooray for Intamin Immelmanns Way better than Kingda Ka, proving that size doesn't matter Can't get enough pics of Storm Runner, can we?

Sunday would have me returning to Hershey yet again, but this time to show Justin, Sandi, and the kids around the park. They've never been to the East Coast before, and chose Hershey as the first park they'd hit; mainly because of the 11 coasters they have, their 7 year old son can actually ride 9 of them! I don't know why, but this was one of the best day's I've ever had at the park, perfect weather (after the wind died down), no clouds, and yet, no people...meaning no waits! Throughout the day everything from Great Bear to Lightning Racer to Storm Runner had pretty much a 1 train wait, or like 3-4 trains if you wanted the front row. Even being their first time here, the 5 of us devoured the park, and I think they really enjoyed themselves at Hershey. The only wait for Great Bear was the front row, and even that wasn't bad This PTR has gone too long without a pure unadulterated vertical loop shot The Great Beer's final inversion. mmmm, great beer. Great Bear may have an odd ending, but its setting is pretty nice Comet may not be the most thrilling wooden coaster in this era, but it's still fun and smooth and off in the distance, Lightning Racer and the new Boardwalk Comet Hallow, from above From the Kissing Tower you can get a great view of most of the park, like the entire layout of Storm Runner Even Sandi rode the Flying Falcon, as much as she hates spinning rides ah! That Reese's Cup keeps haunting me! I'd say they enjoyed their ride finally tall enough, Ellie enjoys her first inverted coaster with her mom, in the only place to experience an invert for the first time, the front row Great Bear, between the trees! with lots of coasters to add to his memory, Chad is pretty happy with Hersheypark They all were pretty shocked by a barely braked Wild Mouse Wildcat was really rideable everywhere, but Ellie didn't seem to like it too much, although she loves Tremors The Oregoners enjoy their ride on the Trailblazer, not just for the cha-ching, but also because it has no line Always fun for the whole family, Lightning Racer does what racing coasters are supposed to do, run both sides, and actually RACE! Justin is a big GCI fan. Of course he loved Lightning Racer, who doesn't!? One final day for the opening weekend at Hershey, this time with Justin, Sandi, and the kids

Saturday would see us returning to the park after seeing Spiderman 3 in IMAX and taking in some tasty beers at Selins Grove. Heath was celebrating 5 years of riding coasters, and seeing how he's ridden over 500 in 5 years, we figured stopping off to ride wouldn't be a bad thing. The park was a more typical crowd for a Spring Saturday evening, but even then the crowds weren't unbearable, and the waits were hardly bad. Best of all, we finally got to ride Wildcat. It's definitely rideable now in more than just the front row thanks to the Millennium Flyer trains. Still some rough spots, but nothing coma inducing. The trains make the ride feel more classic too! Even the Kissing Tower advertises the 100th anniversary Heath and Kim enjoy a ride on Pennsylvania's best mine train, the Trailblazer on Heath's 5th year anniversary as a coaster enthusiast Hello Snake Drive Stout Dive, or whatever you're called time for some more Storm Runner goodness the Millennium Flyer trains articulate very well and can really handle the GCI curves Still a really good wood coaster, but now you don't have to ride just in the front to save yourself from a headache but hooray! Wildcat was running! Today would see the other GCI broke, Lightning Racer went down shortly before our arrival, and would be down for the rest of the night. They even had to walk people off! (CRISIS!!) Old boring wet/dry slides. Hershey, please replace these with a Balder. Thank you! Ahhhh! These things just keep getting bigger and bigger!! First stop was for Smores, a fairly new thing at Hershey that is a fantastic idea! Back at the park again on Saturday, this time bringing Kim with to share our fun

Friday saw the official opening of Hersheypark for it's 100th Anniversary season. While the new Boardwalk area won't be opening until Memorial Day weekend, I decided to go check out the park on Friday after work, since my last visit there it was cold, snowing, and most of the better coasters were closed. With Heath now working in nearby Harrisburg, it didn't take too much coaxing to get him to accompany me. Our main goal was to try the Wildcat with it's new Millennium Flyer trains. Unfortunately, the ride broke down for the evening just as we approached the station. Luckily the crowds weren't too bad in the park, so we managed to ride lots of other rides. Onto the pics from Friday. and multiply! Ahhhhh! But beware! They can grow!! Wait, he doesn't look that big close up Oh no! It's the giant Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, ready to kick me if I stop Hershey lets you know it's their 100th Anniversary; it's on every trashcan (although they don't have nearly as many trashcans throughout the park as any Cedar Fair park has in it's entrance midway) An Immelmann at dusk, so pretty Even Great Bear didn't have that bad of a wait, even less during the last 30 minutes the park was opened Heath does his best Nicole impression of demonstrating what ride motions we'll be experiencing on the Flying Falcon, a Huss Condor The kiddiest coaster in Hersheypark, Trailblazer Even thru the trees! Storm Runner is a very photogenic coaster... Such a great element. All coasters should have a tophat Unlike last time, Storm Runner is running today. Not a bad wait either, considering it was only running 1 train on Friday The Boardwalk is even themed with sand. Hopefully it won't get too windy and blow the sand into people's eyes like on El Toro Hooray for funnel slides! A pretty cool looking slide in the play area The world's largest water play area will be ready to soak in a few more weeks (when it'll be warmer in PA) It would be in this position for most of the remainder of the evening The new trains look sweet. Too bad we can't ride it yet, as it broke down just as we arrived As nice as PTCs may be, Wildcat was brutally rough anywhere but the front row with them. Bring on the GCI Millennium Flyers! One of the best additions for 2007 was new trains for the Wildcat Cute little Hershey Kiss dude flies the plane One of the entrances to the Boardwalk is located right next to the Canyon River Rapids The weather is way different this time. Sunny and 70, that's like 40 degrees warmer than the last time I was here a month ago! Heath has his map and is all ready to celebrate the 100th and the first rocket coaster on the East Coast (and still the best one on this side of the country) Pennsylvania's first B&M invert A Joe friendly ride, the first on the East Coast The first roller coaster, Joyride (later renamed Wildcat) Lots of banners line the park entrance plaza with significant events in Hersheypark's history, like the opening of the park

A grand weekend indeed, hitting lots of stuff, and hitting it hard. Heath will have to update the world of the beer thread with Friday and Saturday's fun since the photos are on his camera, but I can do my Sunday. Today Justin, Sandi, and the kids were in for a visit from Portland, Oregon. So after a funfilled day at Hersheypark (photos to come later) I decided to take them to a local microbrewery, Appalachian Brewing. Troegs would have been included, but thems ain't opened on a Sunday. And what's up with this? They can get their names on napkin holders, but can't get drink coasters? Oh, and they have the Lancaster location listed, I guess it is being built after all! and Justin was digging the Maibock so much he got one for himself. I'd say they enjoyed their visit and are looking forward to a return Round two saw me enjoying the Hoppy Trails IPA Justin took my recommendation of the Water Gap Wheat, and Sandi went with the Purist Pale Ale I started out with the newly released Anniversary Maibock Sunday dinner, what better place than ABC