Posts by Jeff Rogers
Hello Manchester! Welcome back to a recurring column about navigating our lovely city on foot, scooter, bicycle, etc. This time of year it feels so wonderful to be out in the sun with a breeze in your hair. For most of us, the exercise is a welcome bonus. So let’s get into it!
If you’ve got more than enough Bob Ross moments — happy little accidents — in your life, then I envy you. Most of us could use far more of those than the world provides. And when they happen, or when we stumble upon them, they should be enjoyed, cherished, and even celebrated.
In this edition, let’s talk about some recent improvements to Manchester’s cycling infrastructure, plus an upcoming event.
This article sprang from a social media post by Aaron Share of To Share Brewing, wherein he asked for help finding a home for about 6 barrels of spent grain per week. This is no small thing — Aaron estimated it would take about 3 able-bodied people to lift each barrel into the back of a truck. Imagine six barrels filled with soggy oatmeal.
Every year about this time, mid-March, a wonderful local charity holds the most amazing fundraising event at a great local bar & restaurant. Seriously, until I attended one of these events, I never knew a fundraiser could be so much fun.
After visiting Daydreaming Brewing in downtown Derry, trying each of their eight available beers (small pours shared with my wife, and accompanied by food, don’t worry) and spelunking through the website of the mini-conglomerate of which it is a part (more on that below), I now have so many bits of info about Daydreaming swirling through my head (see what I did there?) that I don’t know where to begin.
BREWERY SCENE by Jeff Rogers I would not expect a brewery visit to conjure up a scene from The Wizard
Sometimes you just need to strike out into new territory. Most of all when life seems gray, the sky is cloudy and chilly and raining. Often these ventures will not pay off — it’s good to be prepared for that going in. But occasionally you’ll discover something delightful and wonderful. (“Every once-in-a-while even a blind squirrel finds a nut.”) And on those occasions, you will swear the clouds parted and the sun came out.
I’ve had 603 Brewing’s Winni Amber many times and it’s always been a favorite. But I had never visited their brewery until last week – and I’m so glad I finally made it. As you can see from the included images, our arrival coincided with one of the most glorious sunsets in quite a while. I could’ve stood there, mesmerized, for much longer. Prioritization has always been a challenge for me! But my wife was not so easily hypnotized, so we entered the brewery. Teamwork!
Another sunny Saturday in November with a clear calendar calls for a good old-fashioned coddiwomple. Wait now, say what? On their website Canterbury Aleworks defines coddiwomple like so: “Wandering intently, going no where in particular.” So already I have misused the word, for on this past glorious Saturday I was going somewhere quite specific — to Canterbury Aleworks to try several of their beers, including one which they call Coddiwomple. (Spoiler alert – it was pretty good!)