This weekend I got to visit with my good friend Lauren while we worked a junior high retreat at Johnsonburg, the camp that I worked at for five summers in various facets. Lauren and I were roommates in a tiny awesome cabin in the middle of the woods during my third summer on staff. She's super awesome and we've been good friends since then.

One of our mutual interests is good beer. Surely you see where this is going...

New beer! Sam Adams Double Bock from the Imperial Series. This is pretty clearly a pretty good beer. It was very smooth and malty, but almost too malty for me, with a sort of oversweet caramelly flavor lurking in each sip. I didn't dislike it by any means, but the doppelbock is not a style I tend to go out of my way for. I tend to be attracted to things that say stout on the label, which is why my contribution to our joyful reunion was Rogue's Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout... stay tuned for when I see her next, which should be this coming weekend!

In other related news, I have taken a position at said camp for this coming summer as a prep cook. I am really excited! I loved working in the kitchen in the past up there and this will give me a little bit of free time to finish up my thesis and prepare for an early fall defense, so I can get that masters degree and move on to the next exciting part in life. Here's how this news relates to the blog: by signing my contract, I promise not to consume alcohol for the duration of said contract. Some people think this is bogus, but I think it's fine-- makes it easy for the higher ups to draw a line and stick to it. No arguments about "well, I wasn't drunk" or "well, the drinking age is 16 in my home country"... just no drinking. I'm sure I will accumulate a few new beers on my list between now and my start date in late June, but that'll give Paul a chance to catch up, if he doesn't soon anyway!

However, as of now: Paul 202, Colleen 206.