Josie Movin' Up: Lonerider's New Digs

January 9
My dearest Josie:

I trust that this note finds you well.  I have been on the trail for some time now, thinking of you while lying under the stars at night...wondering why I've chosen this outlaw life that has kept me from you.  I dream of our time together in the Hideout - small and a bit cold in the wintertime, but cozy and familiar - back when we first met and I fell in love with your full, brown beauty, prettier than a Tombstone sunset.  Alas, the frontier has made me her mistress, and I cannot help but heed her call.  

February 12
My dearest Josie:

Today we crossed into Montana territory, and its big skies remind me of how hard it must be for you in our Hideout this winter.  I wish I could build you a suitable house large enough to entertain friends and family and be safe from the harsh Southeast winters and sweltering summers.  The outlaw life to this point, however, has not provided me with the gold with which to satisfy my wishes for you.  Tomorrow we should cross a stage that may help in that matter....if you no longer hear from me remember that I ride to one day bring the world back to you. Please write if your freezing fingers can manage the task.

March 3
My dearest Josie:

Imagine my surprise today upon visiting Western Union to send a few pieces of acquired gold to you to find a letter from a business associate in Carolina.  After much bellyaching about the five dollars I supposedly owe him (he cheats at poker), he mentioned that he happened to see you in a shiny new hifallutin' hacienda partyin' - right on the same property that you and I shared in our early time together.  I know he is jealous of you and I, but he said that folks was drinkin' and laughin' all around you while sheltered from the cold by a huge, fancy shelter and a long, polished bar.  He even said that he thinks that folks were visitin' all hours - much more than they did when I was home.  He said that you seemed to be "available" more now than before.  Though I know he's just pushin' me, I wish you would write to let me know that nothing has changed.  Tomorrow we ride south to Nevada Territory, so please post to the fort there.


March 21
My Josie:

I have not heard from you since before Christmas - I cannot bear the thought of you wasting your time in that shiny new saloon while I am out here bedding down with critters and their like...old Zeke was in a parlor in Carson City today and heard tell from a showgirl who was just off the stage from St. Louis about a new barroom in Raleigh that offered six or seven taps of homemade beer and even reserved one for a customer's brew.  She said that there were plenty of places to rest yourself and there must be room for at least 100 folks.  She said that a bartender goes by the name of Jackie was famous in those parts and that the new place was the talk of the town.  I know in my heart that this is our beloved Hideout - but someone has plied you with riches, rebuilt our home and stolen your heart.  I ache to think of it - please write and let me know that I am just delirious from thirst.

April 7
Josie:

I have reached California and found no gold.  My dearest in Carolina has found a new love who has lavished his wealth on you and crushed my dreams.  I wish you the best in your new palace and wish only that you would acknowledge receipt of my letters with a short note.  

April 30
Miss:

I have heard wonderful things about your sister - please speak of me well to the beautiful Betty.          



 

2012 Wrap-up

I have never understood why folks publish "Best of the Year" lists before the year is actually over - what if something amazing happens on Dec. 31?  Years from now readers may think that you weren't paying attention that year or were just lazy (because your "Best of" list didn't include the obvious event of Dec. 31).  Shrewd blogger that I am, I have avoided that problem by publishing the 2012 Carolina Pints wrap-up on Jan. 2.  (Well, nothing big happened Dec. 31, but it COULD have...)

Circumstances did not allow as many posts during the year as I would have liked, but that will be remedied in 2013 - beginning with full coverage of the first beer tasting hosted by Carolina Pints the weekend of January 26-27 in Pinehurst as part of the Leigh Frazier birthday celebration.  Check back for reviews of new NC breweries and updates to previously visited and thriving favorites.  Meanwhile, here are a few highlights from 2012 (Note: all beers listed were brewed in 2012, but not necessarily for the first time)

 

• Natty Greene's in Raleigh continues to offer an astounding number of house-made brews at all times - at last visit, more than 10 were on tap, including four different seasonals.
• Fullsteam's Forager series still sets the pace for unique, locally-sourced brews, with offerings that contained (or are inspired by) persimmons, fruitcake and paw-paws.  Paw-paws!
• Mystery Brewing (Hillsborough) proprietor Erik Lars Myers published North Carolina Craft Beer & Breweries, a fantastic look at more than 45 NC breweries.  Purchasing this book (which you should) does not, however, absolve you from reading Carolina Pints).
• Lonerider (Raleigh) expanded their capacity with a new enclosed tasting room - definitely a spot to be seen in 2013.
• Mother Earth (Kinston) took home a bronze medal from the Great American Beer Festival in Denver for its Munich Dunkel and Carolina Brewery's (Chapel Hill) Sky Blue Golden Ale also won bronze. NoDa (Charlotte) received a silver for its Coco Loco Porter.
• Beers of the Year: Sweet Josie (Lonerider), Peacemaker (Lonerider), Peanut Butter Porter (BCBB), Oktoberfest (Carolina Brewery), First Frost (Fullsteam), Triangle White (Triangle), Cold Mountain Winter Ale (Highland) 
• Dogfish shout-out:  No, it's not in NC, but Carolina Pints has a secret direct supplier from the Delaware brewery, and in honor of that, please go buy a My Antonia Imperial Pilsner and drink it.  Now.  It will make you a better person.

See you in 2013 with (I promise) more reviews and discussion.  Happy New Year!