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Build a Better Offseason: Recommendations for the Week of April 15

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Have You Watched Ready for Love on NBC? If Not, Feel Free to Avoid it Like the Plague

Have You Watched Ready for Love on NBC? If Not, Feel Free to Avoid it Like the Plague

College football’s offseason is about three months old already, but that means there’s still nearly five months until the 2013 season. It’s an eternity for any college football fan, and while many of us indulge in watching other sports, it just can’t compare to Fall Saturdays.

With that in mind, we bring you the latest installment of our weekly feature, “Build a Better Offseason.” Every seven days or so, we’ll provide recommendations on what to do with all your free time now that you’re not all-consumed by college football, specifically focusing on beers, books, movies and other, non-college football sporting events. There’s also “this week in shame,” which you can view at the bottom of each piece.

Beer

Hop Henge Experimental IPA, by Deschutes Brewery in Bend, OR (Imperial/Double IPA, 10.6% ABV)

Looking at the ABV on this one, you’d assume it’s an extremely powerful and bitter double iPA. And yet instead, it’s probably the smoothest double I’ve ever had, with a mix of citrus and caramel notes that completely mask those traditional attributes. On the bottle (it comes primarily in the 22-oz. variety), it explains that the hops have not even been named yet, and based on the unique flavor, I wouldn’t doubt it. Trying to avoid hyperbole as much as possible, this is among my favorite DIPAs, and if you’re west of the Mississippi River (where its distribution is concentrated), you need to find yourself a bottle. For those in Oregon, you may also be able to find it on tap at select locales.

Book

“The Accidental Billionaires,” by Ben Mezrich (2009)

For those who’ve seen the critically-acclaimed 2010 film The Social Network, this is the book that movie is based off of. And not just loosely. While it’s obvious why films cannot always adapt every element of a book when preparing a screenplay, this one manages to do so with some impressive accuracy, yet you can still experience both stories independently of each other as well. The book is written in the same timeline-focused format as the film, following the relationship between Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin from before the site’s establishment through the damaging lawsuit between the two ex-friends later on. It’s not a simple read, but a quick one nonetheless, for those inclined to get a bit more of the backstory on a site they likely use every day.

Movie

Synecdoche, New York (2008)

This one’s a bit “artsy,” so turn back now if that’s not your cup of tea. In short, main character Caden Cotard (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is in the middle of a life crisis when his wife leaves him and as a result, he dives into what becomes a lengthy and all-consuming theater project. As the film goes on, the concepts of reality and fantasy continue to blur, calling into question everything both Hoffman’s character and the audience believes to be true. Rather than a twist ending, it’s an interesting character study that keeps you engaged, and ultimately wondering how the whole thing plays out. Continue reading →

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Build a Better Offseason: Recommendations for the Week of April 8

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This Week's Recommendations Lead Off With New Belgium's Rampant Imperial IPA

This Week’s Recommendations Lead Off With New Belgium’s Rampant Imperial IPA

College football’s offseason is about three months old already, but that means there’s still nearly five months until the 2013 season. It’s an eternity for any college football fan, and while many of us indulge in watching other sports, it just can’t compare to Fall Saturdays.

With that in mind, we bring you the latest installment of our weekly feature, “Build a Better Offseason.” Every seven days or so, we’ll provide recommendations on what to do with all your free time now that you’re not all-consumed by college football, specifically focusing on beers, books, movies and other, non-college football sporting events. There’s also “this week in shame,” which you can view at the bottom of each piece.

Beer

Rampant Imperial IPA, by New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, CO (Imperial/Double IPA, 8.5% ABV)

While watching the Syracuse-Michigan game at the Long Beach Yard House on Saturday, I was obviously disappointed. However, drinking this beer at least brightened my spirits a bit. It pours as a light IPA and drinks like one too, but you can surely taste quite a bit of hops with each gulp — plus that rewarding, stinging kick that stems from having a slightly higher alcohol content. Rampant is one of New Belgium’s most recent varieties, so it’s possible that its distribution area could grow over time. But right now, it’s mostly available in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming, with limited availability (draft or bottle) on the entire Pacific Coast, Midwest, plus parts of the Southeast.

Book

“Primary Colors,” by Joe Klein (1996)

This thinly-veiled commentary on the Clinton presidency was originally attributed to an anonymous author; no doubt adding to the intrigue. But what really hooked readers into Klein’s “Primary Colors” was how incredibly accurate his portrayals of our country’s key political figures were (while still maintaining the fun air of “fiction”). This, of course, in turn fueled speculation and accusations that an insider (such as Klein) was the author, which he eventually revealed later that year. Beyond the back story though, it’s a great (and easy) read that gives you a full view of the time period’s various policy-making parts, while supplying some laughs along the way, too.

Movie

Beerfest (2006)

Yes, it is a Broken Lizard film, so right off the bat, you’ll find all the usual suspects and tropes of such a product. But nonetheless, getting past all that, this movie is a love note to beer, drinking games and (perversely) the German culture. Without giving too much away, the Wolfhouse brothers (Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske) end up at a diehard’s alternative to the touristy Oktoberfest, called Beerfest. After being thoroughly embarrassed by the competition’s competitive drinkers, they create an American team to compete in the following year’s contest. Obviously, hilarity ensues all along the way, especially from the inappropriate Gam Gam (Cloris Leachman) and Barry Badrinath (Jay Chandrasekar). When I first saw this movie freshman year of college, my friends and I tried to make it a drinking game: a shot of beer for every time someone on-screen drank. I would not recommend this to anyone.

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Build a Better Offseason: Recommendations for the Week of March 4

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Among This Week's Recommendations: AleSmith's Horny Devil, "When the Garden Was Eden" and Syracuse v. Georgetown

Among This Week’s Recommendations: AleSmith’s Horny Devil, “When the Garden Was Eden” and Syracuse v. Georgetown

College football’s offseason is nearly two months old already, but that means there’s still a little under six months until the 2013 season. It’s an eternity for any college football fan, and while many of us indulge in watching other sports, it just can’t compare to fall Saturdays.

With that in mind, we bring you the first installment of a weekly feature here: “Build a Better Offseason.” Every seven days or so, we’ll provide recommendations on what to do with all your free time now that you’re not all-consumed by college football, specifically focusing on beers, books, movies and sporting events. There’s also “this week in shame,” which you can view at the bottom of each piece.

Beer

Horny Devil, by AleSmith Brewing Company in San Diego, CA (Belgian Strong Ale, 11% ABV)

Horny Devil is a delicious, citrusy brew that any Belgian ale lover is sure to enjoy. Like Duvels or Saisons? This is a great choice as almost a best of both worlds, while still giving you a taste that’s not overly fruity or heavy. I’ve only seen it in 750ml bottles, and distribution is currently limited to the state of California, minus the San Francisco Bay Area. So if you can get a hold of this, it’s a must-have.

Book

“When the Garden Was Eden,” by Harvey Araton (2011)

The definitive narration of the cultural phenomenon that was the late-60s, early -70s New York Knicks basketball team. Sure, it helps to already be a fan of the Knickerbockers when first opening this book, but trust me, if you didn’t think this was the world’s most interesting basketball team beforehand, you’ll certainly believe it after reading. Araton’s perspective, as both a long-time fan and a beat writer for the team, also provides the exact tone you’d want from this oral retelling; honest to a fault and deeply caring about the subject matter.

Movie

Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

Yeah, you may be able to call this a kid’s movie, but it’s a lot more than that – as you soon figure out due to the character depth provided by John C. Reilly and the other talented (voice) actors. Without giving too much away, Reilly’s character, the titular Ralph, dives into a lot of the issues today’s adult faces in terms of dealing with careers and life while still finding joy in it all. And yet manages to avoid overdoing any of that. For those who missed it in theaters last year, it’s out on DVD tomorrow, and comes highly recommended from yours truly.

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