Phishburgh

Last Thursday the stars aligned, we got tickets, and saw Phish in Pittsburgh. Well, Burgettstown, officially, a wooded hamlet seemingly nowhere near Pittsburgh (sort of like when the Cavs played in Richfield). The forecast called for overcast skies with the threat of rain, but when the gates opened and the happy crowd streamed into the rolling lots at 3:30 pm, the sun came out in all it's June glory and dispelled any fear of rain.

The scene in the lot was not markedly changed in the approximate 5 years since the "retirement" commenced (this following the "hiatus" of two years previous). This is a good thing. Phishlot is a rarity in society, or at least the society I live in. Everyone and anyone is game for a friendly greeting, a quick convo, and a best wishes for a great show. The anticipation builds as the craft beer supply diminishes. Friends reunite from their disparate cities, and we were no exception; C-Note from Columbus, Wolff just off the red-eye from L.A. Talk of shows, years, now over a decade past; of epic Fluffhead's and incendiary I am Hydrogen -> Mike's Song -> Weekapaug Grooves (and you caught them with the Giant Country Horns!?!? Oh my jealousy knows no bounds). But it's all good, because we're all here now...

And then the gates open... The energy is a palpable thing. It's like waking up on Christmas morning at 4:30 as a kid, knowing you have to wait, but so excited that your head might explode at any given moment. The lawn fills, everyone primes their engines to get down. Sandals are stacked neatly with purses and sunglasses in little piles, and the sun begins to turn the sky that shade of orange that only seems possible on wonderful days like this. Quick, anxious banter back and forth: What will they open with? Prayers for a Gamehenge, but not really believing that any of us will ever see it in our lifetime... but; what if???

Then, the PA music stops and the roar starts from the front of the crowd. Kuroda hits the lights, the boys take their places (in the old lineup, which is nice), and the party really gets started.
I love a place where everyone, everyone, can dance as ridiculously as they are moved to, and not a soul bats an eye. Think about it; have you ever been to a place like that?

A little something for everyone tonight; with a first set that includes tunes from ends of the back catalog; Divided Sky into Heavy Things? Who knew? Buzz around the campfire seemed to be that the general consensus was this was looking like a nice retro mid-nineties show. By this, for the uninitiated, they mean something along the lines of the following:
1. Slightly after the small-show age where you could still walk up and buy tickets at the door and they used to interact with the fans (great examples here), but
2. Just entering the extra-funky peanut butter period where Mike (Gordon, our beloved bass player extraordinaire) really started to hammer out some deep lines, and just as
3. They were beginning to really expand the repertoire; abandoning old favorites like Timber Ho and Faht, while introducing us to new favorites like Guyute and Down With Disease.

I guess I'm rambling... So, I'll just say that overall, being back at a show was like (and I mean this with all sincerity) rediscovering something you didn't realize you'd lost. Not a purpose or a way of life, per se, but a reminder that there always exists an alternative, a reprieve, an escape from the grind that so unforgivingly swallows our hours.

So... anyone want to hit Chicago?

PolyCultures DVD Release @ Greenhouse Tavern

The previously acclaimed and locally produced PolyCultures: Food Where We Live DVD release party is taking place at the hot new green-foodie-downtown restaurant The Greenhouse Tavern on June 22nd! See the video below for details (and for some quick & delicious showcasing of GT dishes from Jonathon Sawyer)...


And though my quote wasn't included on the final box copy of the DVD, I stand by it;
"A['n inspiring] production about local food, food economics, food politics, food production, and beer."

Oh My God, Ommegang

Had to relay a story from my Dad about his recent adventure on a Winking Lizard hosted brewery tour. I attended a wonderful trip with him a few years back through France, Belgium, and Holland, and the latest installment sounded just as amazing. The key, is the participation and sway of the Winking Lizard. With 14 locations throughout Ohio, they are rapidly growing. And even more substantially, their customers imbibe insane amounts of beer. For instance, Ommegang, the Cooperstown based brewer famous throughout the land for their inspired variations, is a LARGE brewery, with a significant distribution network. You'd think that a national retailer (i.e. Boneyard) or a grocery store chain would sell the greatest volume. Not so. You guessed it, Winking Lizard, with only their 14 locations outsold every other retailer in the country. This fact leads me back to my original theme.

One of the stops on the latest brewery tour was Ommegang. Arriving a little after 8:00 pm, the tourists were treated immediately to an outdoor picnic feast, with wonderful pairing options beside a roaring campfire. On hand for the event were Ommegang's corporate and brewery leaders, taking time to greet everyone, answer questions, and chat amiably with everyone. The next surprise was the provision of the incredible Obamagang, a chocolate stout mixed with a kriek in honor of the election of the Nation's first black president. As the evening wore on, a guitarist serenaded the crowd. On their way out (and on top of the incredible graciousness already exhibited) Ommegang provided each tourist with a four compartment duck-cloth bag. In it were a specially aged Hennepin, a fluted glass, a Duvel bar towel, and another goodie that escapes me at the moment.

But the best is yet to come...

The next day, the crew was scheduled to leave Cooperstown at noon, leaving about three hours in the morning for sightseeing (of course the Baseball Hall of Fame is in Cooperstown). The hotel, a Holiday Inn four miles outside of town, was to provide a shuttle bus to accomodate everyone. However, the shuttle was out of operation, and a staffer was forced to take tourists in groups of three or four in to town. With forty or so people waiting, this was quite a process. So, my Dad, being the practical guy he is, decided to set out on foot. The walk is through some beautiful, canopied country roads (and would provide some good exercise to counter the beer). So, a small contingent embarked down the road. After some time walking, and not a car to be found along the road, the group heard the sound of multiple cars approaching. Curious, they watched as a number of luxury cars, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, rounded the bend. Coming to a stop next to the walkers, the drivers emerge and to the amazement of everyone, it is found to be the Executives of Ommegang! They heard about the lack of a shuttle and immediately jumped to the rescue, ferrying the tourists into town for some exploring!

Incredible. When was the last time a corporate executive dashed out to pick you up on the side of a country road?