Merry Christmas from the Breakfast Club!

Arrived at Bobby's: Sat, Dec 24, 2016 @7:35 AM.
#SecureThePorch: Accomplished

The holidays just don't get any better than this. The Breakfast Club occupied the entire back porch of the Corner Cafe & Grill on Saturday, Dec 24, 2016. I was the first to arrive as it is my job to secure the tables; shortly thereafter, the others started to show up with the exception of Mike H. Mike - we all agreed to let it slide this time on account that it's your birthday weekend but this can't become a habit. You seem to have a calming influence on the rest of us that is badly needed at times.

Not only did Mike B. show up with his son but also with his grandson. That's three generations of the BK club in attendance. The future of the BK club appears to be in good hands but hopefully the future will not be coming anytime soon. A special thanks to Mike & Laurie B. for the Christmas Egg Nog. It was possibly the best Egg Nog I have ever had. The flavor and aroma were old-school with a little 'holiday strength' to it. As I took my first sip, I closed my eyes and savored all the elements that were sliding across my taste buds. In that moment, I was taken back to my youth, sitting around with all my siblings and parents, enjoying the holidays in the house I grew up in.

For a change, Jim showed up earlier than usual along with Zach, Patrick & Brennan. We are in high season with the College Football pool and Jim & Patrick are in strong contention for a money prize. Hey Widdoss boys, don't get too comfortable. With roughly 15 more bowl games to go, it is way too early to declare 'Widdoss Dominance'. But it does appear that we are the only BK members in the conversation for the money prizes. I believe I already picked up 4 points since the last time the leaderboard was published with Hawaii winning the Hawaii Bowl with a score of 52-35 over Middle Tennessee State.

* * * * * * * * * *

During the holidays, it is not uncommon for the Breakfast Club to share obscure beers with each other and this season was no exception. Brennan M. brought a few beers from the Stable 12 Brewing Company out of Phoenixville, PA. With a motto of "From Barn to Bottle, Beer with a Kick", who wouldn't want to patronize this brewery. The beers from Stable 12:

Name: Bridge Street Kolsch
Style: Kolsch
ABV: 4.9%
Beer Advocate Rating: None
This beer is brewed in the tradition of a German Kolsch beer and is perfect when looking for something on the lighter side.

Name: One Trick Pony Series #3(Mosaic)
Style: Ale
ABV: 5.1%
Beer Advocate Rating: None
IBUs: 39 (IBUs - International Bitterness Units scale)
If you like a Session Beer heavy on the hops, this is the beer for you with a boat load of Mosaic hops.

Name: Wild West Coast IPA
Style: IPA
ABV: 7.8%
Beer Advocate Rating: None
IBUs: 108 (IBUs - International Bitterness Units scale)
If you like a West Coast IPA, then you'll love this beer.

While I was meandering through the local liquor store, I felt myself drawn to the back room where I spotted a 12 pack sitting by itself on the top shelf in the corner. After brushing the dust off the box, I discovered, the beer was called Paterno Legacy Series Lager and I had to share this beer with the Breakfast Club. I purchased this beer for the same reason someone buys a ticket at the carnival to see the half-man, half-reptile show. This is so weird!!! Who in their right mind would name a beer like this? For a moment I assumed this beer must have been created in the pre-Sandusky scandal era, but I later learned this beer was conceived in 2014 and first produced in 2015. I don't even have to go into detail on why this is an example of what tone deaf is. This is why so many people think Penn State fans are arrogant, delusional and stupid. There is no other way to put it. I know it's the Christmas season but that doesn't mean all logic and decency are suspended. This had to be said. Now it's time for PSU to go out to the Rose Bowl and get your butts kicked. Go Trojans!!!!!

Brewery: Duquesne Brewing Company, Pittsburgh, PA
Beer Name: Joe Paterno Legacy Series
Style: Lager
ABV: 4.8%
Beer Advocate Rating: 77
A Vienna style lager characterized by it's rich, red caramel color and subtle hop flavors.

* * * * * * * * * *

As I was waiting to pay for my breakfast, Chris from behind the counter called out to me and said he had a Christmas gift for me. Who would have thought the morning could get even better as he produced the following beers for me to take home. I do love the IPAs.

Brewery: Other Half Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
Beer Name: Fully Frothed
Style: American Double/Emperial IPA
ABV: 8.5%
Beer Advocate Rating: 91
This beer is a collaboration with Half Acre Beer Company & Other Half with a full hop assault.

Brewery: Other Half Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
Beer Name: Responsible Adult
Style: American IPA
ABV: 4.8%
Beer Advocate Rating: None
A Session IPA brewed with massive amount of hops and a low ABV.

Brewery: Kane Brewery, Ocean, NJ
Beer Name: Kane Head HIgh
Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.5%
Beer Advocate Rating: 94
This beer is all about the hops with a variety of five different blends.

* * * * * * * * * *

No one will ever accuse the Breakfast Club of not knowing how to have a good time.

Christmas Card Update - The week before Christmas was very good to me as it delivered a good number of cards. The double doors are almost all filled up and my entranceway no longer looks pathetic. Stand in my doorway and your senses are immersed in the season of Christmas. My faith in Christmas Card giving has been restored.

Mike H. - Happy Birthday on Dec 25. I know I wished you a Happy Birthday on last week's blog but if your birthday falls on Christmas day, you deserve an extra birthday wish.