The Travel Channel is many things, but first and foremost it is a source of entertainment, not the know-it-all authority on travel. While it exposes the idea of travel and the world to many who would otherwise be content to sit in their La-Z-Boy recliner it will only give you the inspiration to get there, not the resources to explore. Alas, that will be reserved for the likes of Lonely Planet and Frommers or a host of some experiences shared on your favorite travel blog.

However there are a few shows that seem to embody what travel is all about, while other shows are more of a vacation exploration and more even still I have yet to figure out why they are on the Travel Channel. Cable, being what it is, I’m sure some of these shows are validated by the ratings they bring in and not for sticking to the main topic of travel. Let us look at the good, the bad and the ugly side of travel as shown on the Travel Channel.

(more…)

Type: Beer – Double IPA
Name: Victory Brewing Company – Hop Wallop
Price: $2.09
Made: Downington, Pennsylvania
Alc/Vol: 8.5%

The Legend of ‘Hop’ Wallop

“So Horace ‘Hop’ Wallop headed west a broken man. For in the city of Blues a Miss LuLu Bell Lager had left him thirty for more. Drawn by wild tales of riches to be had in the gold mines, Hop pressed on westward. His last nickle spent on a prospecting pan Hop’s hunger got the best of him. Two fist fulls of barely and three of some wild and Wayward hops tossed in a pan with some clear water was to be his meal but sleep overcame him and he later awoke to a bubbling cacophonous concoction overjoyed with the beautiful ale he had made, Hop realized the secret of the green gold he had discovered in those fresh hops. Celebrated far and wide Hop Wallop lives on this vivid ale with his words, ‘Hoppyness is Happiness’. Enjoy!”

(more…)

Type: Wine – Concord
Name: Matus Winery – Martin’s American Concord
Price: I got it for free
Made: Wakeman, Ohio
Alc/Vol: 12%

“A sweet red wine made from Concord grapes picked from Uncle Marty’s 50 year old vines.”

This wine was given to me while I was out camping for Memorial Day weekend, while moving between a Pinot Grigio and some Boones Farm – yeah we spare no alcohol on a camping weekend. If you saw the list of beers we were drinking the wine mix wouldn’t surprise you. While chit chatting over our love for alcohol and sampling the drinks for the night I was offered a bottle of Concord wine from Matus Winery. Yes, ladies and gentlemen this is a Monkey Brewster first – a freebie just because I’m a blogging drunken monkey.

(more…)

Type: Beer – Belgian Dark Ale
Name: Rinkuškiai Werewolf
Price: $1.99
Made: Birzai Region Lithuania
Alc/Vol: 8.2%

This big bottle o’ beer knew how to get a drunken monkey’s attention – a big red tag that says, ‘Hey look at me I’m full of alcohol, good and strong not like that sissy crap that might as well be a Zima.’  OK so it actually just says 8.2% alc/vol however on the bottle it does say, “You must be sure you want to taste it.” Which I like because if the she-wolf wasn’t sassy enough that statement makes sure it is.  Truth be told the only thing out of Lithuania that I can name, other than this beer now, is Žydrūnas Ilgauskas who plays for the great Cleveland Cavaliers and I can’t even say his name I just say ‘Z’. Although,this could explain the giant bottle because if the average Lithuanian is 7′ 3″ tall then this wouldn’t seem like that big of a bottle.  So did this beer have me howling at the moon….

(more…)

I feel pretty oh so pretty and witty and bright...

Type: Beer – Pilsner
Name: Stiegl Pils
Price: $1.59
Made: Austria
Alc/Vol: ?%

“World Classic Beer – since 1492″

“Imported beer brewed since 1492 by the Stiegl brewery brewed from malt, hops, yeast mountain spring water according to the ‘Purity Law of 1516′”
Now this is a beer that I thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of setting my paws on. I mean when Columbus was off getting lost and discovering inhabited lands by accident Austrians were stumbling onto a real discovery, beer. Golden delicious pilzen beer, sure beer has been around before 1492 but do you know of too many other beers still around from that time? I didn’t think so, which tells me one of two things either the Austrians know how to stick with a good thing that or they’ve been too drunk since then to create anything new.

(more…)