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Take a walk

For once, the wind wasn’t howling and the snow was still. It was time to take a walk.

There are times when a liability (snow/ice) can become an asset (snow/ice).  We Northerners know winter can be challenging, but we also realize winter possess an inherent beauty that can’t be denied –the snow/wind/ice can be a big pain in our bottoms but that same snow/wind/ice can be a source of indefinable awe and its beauty can bring us to a standstill.

I looked out the window — the wind wasn’t blowing the snow, the sun was shining and the snow beckoned me with its glistening smile. Using the excuse that I needed to pick up fallen sticks and branches from the lawn, I threw on my winter duds and entered snow land.

Initially, I didn’t notice it because I was so intent on my work of cleaning the landscape of branches and sticks. Suddenly, and without realizing what was happening, I stopped walking and just stood still. Being in that place and at that time felt…good!

I wasn’t cold. It felt comfortable standing in the sunshine and taking a very deep breath, I could feel the somehow soothing coldness of the air enter my lungs. It felt good. I began to walk and listened to the crunch of the snow with each footfall. I looked at the various tracks left in the snow by the wildlife and I began to realize that the fallen branches and sticks were just an excuse to be in this winter wonderland.

At that moment in time, I fully understood why we Northerners joke about the “awful” winters but how many of us wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. But, reality set in and I needed something to drink after all my walking, listening, seeing and, of course, work. A good cup of coffee or a good beer — hmmm, which would be more satisfying?

Then another “it” hit my brain — it doesn’t have to be either/or but both! How about a coffee beer!!

If you’ve had the opportunity to smell roasting barley, you’d think you’re standing beside a coffee bean roaster — the smell is so coffee-like and roasted barley is one of the basic ingredients in making good coffee beer. I had the good fortune to be visiting Luverne’s Take 16 Brewing when we could sample its Stormy Jack Irish Dry Stout. It was dark and intense with very noticeable scents of toasted malt and barley — if warmed, you might think you had a cup of coffee in your hands. A good stout.

If you enjoy a sweet cup of joe, Brau Brothers Brewing Company has you covered. Its Cherry Bean Coffee Stout brings a nice blending of roasted malt (coffee taste) and warm beer together and it’s delicious.

When we were visiting Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago, we were given a sample of their Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout. Arguably one of the best coffee beers in the country, it was pure pleasure to drink this stout. Chicago pioneered craft coffee and craft beers and, when these two endeavors were combined at Goose Island, perfection became a very close reality.

Among the many coffee beers on the market, one can’t bypass Surly Brewing Co.’s Coffee Bender. This Twin Cities brewing enterprise has produced a beer that is like drinking ice coffee and it’s smoothly delicious. Its aroma takes you to the coffee shop and its taste takes you to the brewery — a richly rewarding experience.

After taking my walk in the snow, I searched for a coffee beer in the fridge and found…none. Disappointing? Yes, but I still had my coffee beans and while drinking my freshly ground coffee, I looked out the window at winter’s magic and I felt a sense of deep relaxation and enjoyment knowing that when I next visited the liquor store, a six-pack of coffee beer would be the first item to be placed in my basket.

Next week, let me count the ways…

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon.

Cheers!

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