Monday Rant (On a Sunday): Feeling Super

I rarely write a post on this blog on the day of, but I feel that a Monday Rant about Super Bowl Sunday is probably best written and read on the day of. Even though my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers fell miserably short for a second year in a row, I actually feel at ease this year for the big game.

Remember, the last two NFL playoffs have been miserable for a Steelers fan. I mean come on. Take into account San Francisco on the verge of tying them in Super Bowls, New England is always knocking on the door and with Baltimore last year. Don't even get me started. To make a long story short, I can watch the game in actual relaxation this year.

I've been working on a pork shoulder since this morning. It's rubbed, roasted, pulled and simmering in the slow cooker. I'm also going to start work on some form of a nacho dish momentarily. I went to Blue Dust just down the road and bought a mixed six pack. I've just opened a bomber bottle of red ale and have on some led Zeppelin as I type this up. Heaven, folks. 

The point is that I don't have a rant. I just hope the Seahawks win this one so that the complaining from Super Bowl XL ends. Also, to the fans of teams that came up a lot closer than my Steelers - Don't worry. The depression sets in about half-way through the fourth quarter. Cheers.

Monday Rant (On a Tuesday): Mixing and Matching

A few friends of mine had been planning a massive North Shore extravaganza for this past Sunday for almost two months. The Pirates and Steelers both played on Sunday and one of said friends had someone he knew flying in for the weekend. Else we probably wouldn't have forced ourselves to witness such a horrid football game in person.

Aside from both teams getting blow torched in their respective games, the day was still a success barring a few occurrences that didn't go our way. The person that flew in was hopeful that I could find some form of a funky beer for him to try. Thus, I decided to stop at the recently-opened The Beer Market across from PNC Park.

I hadn't visited the establishment prior and wasn't sure if the place even let you mix and match a six pack of craft beer. The only info I could dig up was a tip on the place's Foursquare page that said so.

I stopped in after the Pirates game on my way to the tailgate we had set up in the West End. A long hike. I know. It was loud when I asked my question to the bartender, and it sounded like the answer I received was something in the form of yes, but we aren't doing it right now.

Luckily, (you're going to hate this) someone had a keg of Miller Lite to hold us down. Obvious not my beer of choice, but I've always believed that if a beer is being provided free of charge I wouldn't complain. So, I didn't and enjoyed our tailgate.

Now, back on the subject of the six pack of beer I wanted to procure. All of the coolers in the place were behind the bar. So, if you wanted a mixed six pack of beer, are you telling the bartenders which ones you want? If what the bartender told me is true there might be some odd Pennsylvania law that prohibits sale of six packs in or around sports arenas/stadiums. Maybe it could just be policy of the Beer Market. Hell, it could even be that they don't sell them and I misheard what was said. Still, I want to frequent the place again a few more times to see what it's like. I visited BZ's Bar and Grill next door and loved it.

Monday Rant: Feels Like Progress

It wasn't that long ago in Pennsylvania that I couldn't have solved my predicament on Sunday prior to heading downtown for the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers game. There were times that some local beer distributors weren't open at all nor could you get beer at a place that wasn't a six pack shop or a distributor.

I know this state isn't yet at where we all wish it was in terms of liquor laws, but it certainly feels like progress. It was my responsibility to grab a small pack of beer to enable our tailgate to have a beer or two each before heading into the stadium.

My predicament was that I was planning on being on my way downtown by around 9:30 a.m. This would be before most distributors and six pack shops are open in the morning. At least, the ones to my knowledge wouldn't have been open for business by that time. Thankfully, we now sell an assortment of beers in select Giant Eagles throughout state.

I'm not sure Pennsylvania will ever me on par with many other states in the union in the distant future, but this is certainly a few steps forward from what it used to be.

Monday Rant: Heinz Field - Where's the Good Beer?

Where's the good beer? (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I'm sure many of you have spent a Sunday afternoon/evening tailgating around Heinz Field for a Steelers game. If you're geeky about craft beer, as I am, then you've most likely noticed the lack of craft beer selections inside and out of Heinz Field.

Let me fill you in on my North Shore journey yesterday. I stopped at the new Pittsburgh Grille and Sports Bar. There was a pretty decent selection of craft beer. After paying $9 for a  Raging Bitch IPA, I decided to move along and see if I could get something a bit cheaper.

My venture's brought me to Stage AE, right down the street. I knew there was at least beer taps there. I was highly disappointed in the beer selection as it is mostly Coors offerings on draft (Blue Moon, Killians Irish Red and Coors Light). I decided to buy myself a Coors Banquet, which I haven't had in a while. It's nothing to be thrilled about, but at least it didn't cost me another Alexander Hamilton.

Places like the bar I visited previously and Rivertowne right next door get the job done in terms of a beer selection, but outside and in Heinz Field is somewhat disappointing. Not sure if it has something to do with money, contracts or what not but it's still sad. Even sadder is the fact that the majority of football fans everywhere will still buy it. It's almost like a monopoly in NFL stadiums.

Rooney Family Debuts New Beer

Unfortunately I found my way into Heinz Field last for Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Browns. Now, part of me wishes I hadn't and went to Jerome Bettis' Grille 36 to try the new Rooney's Old Irish Style Ale which debuted at the establishment last night, according to both WTAE and KDKA.

According to the report, the beer is a hybrid of both an English red ale and an American brown ale. To me, the thought of drinking a hybrid beer sparks much interest as I don't recall ever having one.

I think it's kind of ironic that this beer debuted the night the Steelers hosted the Browns, the team that hails from the land of Great Lakes Brewing. The very same brewery that has a concoction called Conway's Irish Ale.

I also didn't know the family that is the majority owner of my favorite football team had a history in the brewing industry. After Prohibition, the McGinley family (minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers) owned a brewery based in nearby Braddock. it was from this brewery that the family put Rooney Pilsner on the market.

Yet another reason to get closer to my favorite team. After all, two of my favorite things in life are both good beer and football.