The Daily Beer and Bike Logs: Jan 3 - Red Bull Rampage 2014 and a new Stout

Although I woke to pouring rain, which fucked any chance I may have had to squeeze a short ride in this morning. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Red Bull Rampage competition On Television. The downhill insanity was just terrific. Watching the riders dropping in and making lines that were not even there, and if the lines were there, they would create magic down the cliffs and jump over canyons (yes Canyons) there were stories in between rides about the injuries these guys suffer as well as great GoPro shots of the rides.

 Now the downside to this excitement was I wanted more than ever to get back on the bike. Was I going to go out and drop 50 feet off of anything I could find here in Missouri? No! But I wanted to get on the bike again and leave the real world if only for a short period of time. Well since the weather was not cooperating I had to settle for jumping on the exercise bike to start building toward that lag strength and stamina I will need once I get back out there.

© Duncan Philpott

On the fun front I did try another new beer from Stone Brewing (yes I am running the gamut lately from the Stone Collection)  Xocoveza Mocha Stout

 

 

From the description on their website it is a Chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, chile pepper and coffee infused milk stout, and was built to mimic the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate. Now I can say not my favorite beer lately. Initially I enjoyed the first sip It was as if each flavor above hit your mouth finished off by the Chocolaty taste at the very end. I finished my glass and as I drank more the Chile peppers came to the forefront. As a Stout I gave it a 4 out of 10 against my go to (Sam Adams Octoberfest) not even a contest 2 out of 10 it was alright just not my cup of Stout. Hey Stone has had a nice run, this is the first I will say I would have to pass on if offered again.

Disclaimer: I am no expert in anything on this blog as it states it is a Beginners journey into Mountain Biking and Beer Brewing. These are just opinion and observation pieces through my eyes as things happen. It is my personal journal for the world to see, that is all. Anything technical I would always refer you to some sort of expert, be it a brewer, or bike shop.