My Gratefulness Journal

Earlier today on FB, I shared the importance of gratitude in our lives. I vowed to practice thankfulness faithfully until it becomes habitual.

This evening, I remembered that my friend, B'Lynn, gave me a gratitude journal for my birthday many, many years ago. It was published in 1996 and I'm thinking I received it shortly after that date. I made daily entries regularly for a few months, but, unfortunately, I didn't keep it up, only writing in it occasionally. I'm so glad that I kept it and was able to locate it a few minutes ago.

Now it's time to get to work again. I'm looking forward to changing my life through gratefulness. Look at all the lines open for me to make note of my blessings.

Beer Journal #87: Patron Saint, Tumbler, 80-Acre, Harvest Patch Shandy, Original Sin Elderberry Cider, Workingman's Pilsner & More

Workingman's Pilsner
Bohemian Style Pilsner
Fountain Square Brewery LLC.
Indianapolis, IN

Label small print:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ.
Serve at 37 degrees
A Bohemian style Pilsner with a subtle malty sweetness delicately balanced with German Noble Hops. This straw coloured lager is a great reward after your hard day's work.
...bringing science to the art of brewing.

Elderberry Cider
Bottled in Cape Canaveral, FL
under authority of
Original Sin Corp.
New York, NY

Label info:
5% ALC/VOL
12 OZ (355ml)
Ingredients: Hard cider, elderberry juice, yeast, malic acid and sulfites.
 Gluten Free
Nutrition facts:
Calories 150, Total Fat 0g, Sodium 0mg, Total Carb. 12 g, Sugar 9g, Protein 0g

Harvest Patch Shandy
Weiss Beer Brewed with Honey with Natural Flavors Added
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Chippewa Falls, WI  *  Milwaukee, WI

Label fine print:
4.2% ALC/VOL
12 FL. OZ. (0.355 liter)
The pride of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin since 1867.

80-Acre
Hoppy Wheat Beer
Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, Missouri

Info on the label:
5.5% alc./vol.
12 fl. oz.
Contains barley malt, wheat malt, wheat, water, hops, and yeast.
Since 1989
With roots in two of today's most popular brewing style, 80-Acre Hoppy Wheat Beer is the result of careful cultivation by our brewers and cellarmen. Their efforts to craft a hybrid yielded a bumper crop of flavor; a delightfully distinctive ale with the aroma of an IPA and the refreshing taste of a wheat beer.

Nut Brown Ale
Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)
N. Yorks, England.
Sole Agents:
Merchant du vin Corp
Tukwila, WA

Info from the label:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ.   355 ML
Brewed at The Old Brewery Tadcaster
Est. 1758
Yorkshire's Oldest Brewery
Brewed at Samuel Smith's small, traditional British brewery with well water (the original well sunk in 1758 is still in use), best barley malt, roasted barley, yeast and aromatic hops. Nut Brown Ale is relatively dry with a rich amber-brown colour and nutty flavour derived exclusively from small amounts of dark malt. Brown ales are a speciality of northern England. Fermented in 'stone Yorkshire squares'.
"Samuel Smith's of Tadcaster has the richest, maltiest and nuttiest of brown ales." (Michael Jackson's Beer Companion)
Below a photograph on the label back:
 Rousing during fermentation in 'stone yorkshire squares' to redistribute the flocculent Old Brewery yeast strain.   

Bohemia
Golden Pilsner Clasica
Cerveceria Cuauhtemcc Moctezuma
S.A. DE C.V. Monterrey, N.L.
 Mexico
Imported by:
Cervezas Mexicanas
White Plains, NY

Label small print:
ALC 4.7% BY VOL
12 Fl. OZ. / 35.5 cl.
Enjoy Bohemia responsibly.

Bourbon Barrel Stout
Bluegrass Brewing Company
Louisville, KY

Label offerings:
No ABV info
12 Fluid Ounces
Barrel Aged
Product of Kentucky
Clay Street Series
Kentucky Proud

Oktoberfest
UR - Marzen - Malt Liquor
Spaten-Brau
Munich, Germany
Imported by
Import Brands Alliance
St. Louis, MO

Label disclosures:
5.9% ALC./VOL.
12 FL. OZ. (355 ML)
Since 1397
Always Enjoy Responsibly

Tumbler
Autumn Brown Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA & Mills River, NC

A look at the label:
ALC. 5.5% BY VOL.
12 FL. OZ.
Purest Ingredients  *  Finest Quality
Tumbler features freshly roasted malt straight from the kiln to give it a gracefully smooth malt character perfect for an autumn afternoon.
Tumbler is our take on the classic brown ale--full of roasted malt flavor but delicate on the palate and perfect for crisp fall days. Layered with notes of chocolate and toasted bread and a hint of smoke, Tumbler is the ultimate autumn beer.
PKGD 07/03/15

Strongbow Gold Apple
Hard Apple Cider
H. P. Bulmer
Heineken

Label info:
Alc. 5% by Vol.
11.2 fl. oz.
Nutrition facts: Calories 172, Total Fat 0g, Sodium 10mg, Carbohydrate 19g, Sugars 19g, Protein 0g.
Gluten Free

Patron Saint
Oktoberfest
Wisconsin Brewing Company
Verona, WI

Label small print:
ALC. 5.6% BY VOL
12 FL. OZ.
WBC  010

Strongbow Honey
Hard Apple Cider
H.P. Bulmer
Heineken

Label fine print:
Alc. 5% by Vol.
11.2 fl. oz.
Natural honey flavored cider with other natural flavors
Nutrition facts: Calories 195, Total Fat 0g, Sodium 10mg, Carbohydrate 25g, Sugars 25g, Protein 0g
Gluten Free

Beer Journal #86: Out of Your Gourd Pumpkin Porter, Single-Wide IPA, Hop for Teacher Pale Ale, Preacher's Daughter Amber, Painted Ladies & More

Out of Your Gourd
Pumpkin Porter
RedHook Brewery
Woodinville, WA * Portsmouth, NH * Portland, OR

Label small print:
5.8% ALC BY VOL
12 FL. OZ.
Est. 1981 Seattle
Bottled on: Aug 07 15
Seasonal Series
A dark ale brewed with pumpkin, spices and maple syrup.

Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale
Wells & Young's Brewing Co.
Bedford, United Kingdom
Imported by
Belukus Marketing, Inc.
College Station, TX

Label info:
ALC. BY VOL. 5.0%
330ml/11.2 US fl.oz.
"Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale" Ale with natural flavor and caramel colour added.
Full of rich sticky toffee-ness * Based on the Great British pudding

Goose Autumn Ale
Goose Island Beer Co.
Chicago, IL * Baldwinsville, NY * Fort Collins, CO

Label inclusions:
6.7% ALC./VOL.
12 FL. OZ.    355 ml    65 IBU rating
Airy pine aromas * Spicy hop flavors & dry finish
Pouring the color of autumn leaves, our red ale opens with pine aromas and its spicy flavors & dry finish warm with every sip.
Hops grown for Goose Island at Elk Mountain Farms.
Contains: Wheat
This beer will remain brewery fresh for 180 days after the bottled on date: 21JUL15

Painted Ladies
Pumpkin Spice Ale
Tyranena Brewing Co.
Lake Mills, WI

Label fine print:
12 Fl. Ounces
The Painted Ladies Annual Fling celebrates the renaissance of downtown Lake Mills. Although named for the restoration of the many Victorian storefronts, some of the more adventurous women-folk added a playful twist and dressed as, well, painted ladies. Inspired by these bold and spicy women, we brewed Painted Ladies, a pumpkin and spice-infused amber ale. this fall, make sure you enjoy a fling with a few Painted Ladies! 

Preacher's Daughter
Amber
Fountain Square Brewing Company
Indianapolis, IN

Label info:
12 FL. OZ.   Serve at 37 degrees
An American amber ale with hints of citrusy hops that are well balanced by layers of caramel and biscuit malts for a slightly sweet and nutty finish. Our amber ale is copper in color with a large off white head.
Bringing science to the art of brewing.

Hop for Teacher
Pale Ale
Fountain Square Brewing Company
Indianapolis, IN

Label fine print:
12 FL. OZ.   Serve at 37 degrees
For the hop heads among us, Hop for Teacher is an aggressively hopped American Pale Ale with a noticeable citrus aroma. The slightly bitter finish will keep us hop heads coming back.

Single-Wide IPA
India Pale Ale
Boulevard Brewing Co.
Kansas City, Missouri

Label info:
12 fl. oz.
Since 1989
Brewed with barley malt, wheat malt, water, hops, and yeast.
*Bottle conditioned*
In time-honored brewing tradition, we've added a small amount of yeast to this ale just before packaging to produce a secondary fermentation in the bottle. The yeast, which settles naturally to the bottom of the bottle, encourages further maturation and contributes to the ale's complex flavor.
Visit our website: boulevard.com

Cherry Wheat
Hinterland
Green Bay Brewing Company
Green Bay, WI

Label info:
No ABV info.
Malt beverage with cherry added.
12 FL. OZ. 

Beer Journal #85: Miss Bliss, Pumpkin Pie Lust, Kinda Blue, Original Sin & More

Miss Bliss
3/4 Pint of Ale Brewed with Spices
Magic Hat Brewing Company
So. Burlington, VT  &  Rochester, NY

Label fine print:
4.5% ALC./VOL.
Pour a little spice in your life.
The ancient ritual of brewing a distinctly rich and flavorful beer is a performance to behold. Our mysterious melange of time-honored ingredients harmonize with chaotic chemistry, humble patience, and blind faith to create unique beer to share in the rousing company of kindred spirits. Cheers! 

Pumpkin Pie Lust
Pumpkin Weisse Beer
New Glarus Brewing Company
Employer Owned
New Glarus, WI

Label revelations:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ.
It is a fact that Dan, our New Glarus Brewmaster, loves pumpkin pie. So it was inevitable that one day beer and pie would collide. No holiday is complete at our home without home baked pumpkin pie. Just as Dan once baked this pie for Deb, he now created this brew for you.
First, Wisconsin grown wheat simmers with fresh Wisconsin Pumpkin and German Munich Malt. Then he thoroughly stirs in Idaho grown Celeia Hops, Fresh Bavarian Weizen yest is then ladled into the open top fermenters and a final bottle conditioning make this beer 100% naturally carbonated. This rich brown Weisse beer pours an elegant spicy nose with a thick creamy head. This Pumpkin Weisse is meant to satisfy your soul's Pie Lust.
Cheers! Daniel Carey and Deborah Carey 

Original Sin
Premium Hard Cider
Original Sin Corp.
New York, NY
Brewed in Cape Canaveral, FL

The label reports:
6% ALC/VOL
12 OZ (355ml)
Ingredients: Apple cider, champagne yeast, sulfites and sorbate to protect flavor. Lightly carbonated. Gluten free.
Nurtition facts: Calories 143, Total Fat 0g, Sodium 0mg,
Total Carb. 10g, Sugars 7g, Protein 0g

Copper Lager
Beer with Honey Added
Tap Room Brewing Company
Rochester, NY

Label offerings:
No ABV info
12 FL.OZ.
Celebrating the repeal of prohibition DEC_193?
Under the supervision Brewmaster's Choice
www.taproom21.com
Exclusive Night Club
Enjoy Responsibly.

The Celebrated Oatmeal Stout
Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)
N. Yorks, England
Sole Agents: Merchant du Vin Corp
Seattle, WA

Label info:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ.     355 mL
An opaque, wonderfully silky and smooth textured ale with a complex, medium dry palate and bittersweet finish. Brewed with well water (the original well sunk in 1758 is still in use), malted barley, roasted barley, oatmeal, yeast and hops.
Fermented in open-topped 'stone Yorkshire squares'.
Celebrated Oatmeal Stout is a style benchmark revived by Samuel Smith's and the inspiration for hundreds of commercial oatmeal stouts.
Samuel Smith's brews at a small, traditional British brewery, the oldest brewery in Yorkshire.
A photo on the back label features: Knocking down the lively head of yeast formed during fermentation in 'stone Yorkshire squares'.

Kinda Blue
Blueberry Wheat Beer
Boulder Beer Company
Boulder, CO

Label small print:
No ABV info
12 FL.OZ.
Malt beverage with blueberries added
So what did the brewers at Boulder Beer Company compose for the 10th release in our Looking Glass Series? An American wheat, placed in perfect measure with muted tones of blueberry.
 Kinda Blue--
A tasty and tasteful summer brew that you can't turn your back on. It's as cool as the day is long.
In every great collection there are standards.
Make this one of yours.
Cheers and enjoy!
--Your friends at Boulder Beer, Colorado's 1st Microbrewery  

New Grist
Gluten-Free Pilsner Style Beer
Lakefront Brewery, Inc.
Milwaukee, WI

Label words:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ.    355 mL
Ingredients: Water, rice, sorghum, hops, yeast
Beer made from rice and sorghum
Certified GF Gluten-Free
Nutritional Facts: Calories 166, Total Fat 0g, Sodium 110mg, Total Carbohydrate 14.3g, Sugars less than 1g, Protein 0g, Iron 3%

Beer Journal #84: Hello My Name is Amber, White Cap, LA 31 Biere Pale, Half Cycle IPA, Soul Ride & More

Soul Ride
India Pale Ale
Fountain Square Brewery LLC.
Indianapolis, IN

Label small print:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ.
Soul Ride bringing science to the art of brewing
This American IPA features citrus and tropical fruit hop aromas layered above a slight malty sweetness. Light in color and easy on the palette, an IPA that goes down smooth with a crisp hoppy finish.
FoSq2BrCo.

White IPA
India Pale Ale
Handcrafted using Sorachi Ace hops and a blend of two-row malt.
Stevens Point Brewery
Stevens Point, WI

Label fine print:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ.
(355mL)
Brewing excellence since 1857
Point * Well Made

 Half Cycle IPA
India Pale Ale
Flat 12 Bierwerks
Indianapolis, IN

Label disclosures:
6% ALC/VOL
12 FL. OZ.
Locally created in our neighborhood. This stuff is made by guys. Locally consumed in yours FLAT 12 Bierwerks
Since Yesterday

LA 31 Biere Pale
Pale Ale
Bayou Teche Brewing, LLC
Arnaudville, LA

Label info:
No ABV info
355 ML
12 FL. OZ.
L150418 

Brooklyn Lager
Pre-Prohibition Style
The Brooklyn Brewery
Utica, NY

Label fun:
5.2% ALC. BY VOL.
12 Fluid Ounces
Amber gold, with a malty body and a floral hop character, Brooklyn Lager is a revival of Brooklyn's pre-Prohibition all malt lagers. this is the brewery's first and best selling brand. Its aromatic qualities are enhanced by "dry-hopping", the centuries-old practice of steeping the beer with fresh hops as it undergoes a long, cold maturation. The result is a wonderfully flavorful beer, smooth, refreshing and very versatile with for food. For more information please visit BrooklynBrewery.com
Best before date printed on bottle.

White Cap
White India Pale Ale
Green Bay Brewing Company
Green Bay, WI

Label info:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ.
Hinterland

Hello My Name is Amber
American Amber Ale
Flat 12 Bierwerks
Indianapolis, IN

Label fine print:
5.8% ALC/VOL
12 FL OZ.
Locally created in our neighborhood. This stuff is made by guys. Locally consumed in yours Flat 12 Bierwerks.
Since I Said So

Southwold Bitter
Product of England
Brewed by Adnams, Southwold, Suffolk &
Bottled by Marstons, Burton on Trent
Imported by Shelton Brothers
Belchertown, MA

Label small print:
4.1% ALC/VOL
1 PT. 9 FL OZ
Trademark Since 1912
Jack Brand
Southwold Jack is one of Adnams' oldest & most loyal fingerheads, that's why we've chosen him to be the icon for one of our most famous beers. Local legend has it he was once a young soldier from the Wars of the Roses and today he sits on the wall of our brewery guarding us from harm.
Southwold Jack - An icon of Southwold, a protector of Adnams.
Brewery of the year 2011
Awarded by The Good Pub Guide
Voted for by you,
Thank you!

Amber Ale
Mt. Carmel Brewing Compaany
Cincinnati, OH

Label disclosures:
No ABV info
12 FL OZ (355ML)
Keep Refrigerated
Deep amber in color entering with an aroma of fresh hops coupled with a smooth flavorful body, balancing a complex hop finish
Mt. Carmel Brewing Company is a family owned and operated brewery established in 2005. Production grows at the same address where it began in the basement of this farmhouse built in 1924. We offer several all natural hand-crafted beers in bottle and kegs. All with our pleasant touch of fanaticism. Please enjoy responsibly and thanks for the support.
Mike Dewey - Owner/Brewer

Schofferhofer Grapefruit
Brewed and bottled in Germany
Radeberger Gruppe KG
60589 Frankurt/Main, Germany
US Importer: Radeberger Gruppe USA
Norwalk, CT

Label words of interest:
2.5% ALC BY VOL
11.2 FL. OZ (US)
e 0,331/330 ml
Unfiltered Hefeweizen beer with grapefruit flavoring added and colored with cochineal extract
Schofferhofer Grapefruit is the unique combination of sparkling smooth Schofferhofer Hefeweizen with grapefruit flavoring. A refreshing well-rounded taste with tangy character and hints of sweetness is pleasing to the palate. Tastes best ice-cold and right from the bottle.
Contains not more than 3.2% Alcohol by Weight
Best Before End:
2016 / 06

Hummingbirds: A Welcome Distraction During Breakfast This Morning

Lon and I were fascinated by the beautiful green shade of this morning visitor to our bird feeding station.

Beer Journal #83: Galactic Heroes, Campside, Green 19, Acme & More

Acme
California Pale Ale
North Coast Brewing Co., Inc.
Fort Bragg, CA

Label info:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ.
World Beer Championships
"One of the ten best breweries in the world."--Beverage Testing Institute
This classically-styled pale ale revives the name of one of the early icons of California brewing. Clean-tasting and pleasantly malty, Acme Pale is brewed with Yakima Valley hops, American two-row malt, and British specialty malts for depth.

Green 19
India Pale Ale
Titletown Brewing Co.
Green Bay, WI

Label stats:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ.
Legendary Place. Legendary Taste.
From the Brewmaster: This hop-forward ale showcases a complex bland of citrus-like American hop varieties, their bitterness well-balanced by complex malt for exceptional drinkability.
920-437-BEER
titletownbrewing.com
Use clean glassware for the best tasting experience.
7-10 degrees C/45-50 degrees F
Best consumed by: 10  14  15 

Campside
Session IPA
Upland Brewing Co., Inc.
Bloomington, IN

Label small print:
4.5% ALC BY VOL
50 IBU
12 fl. oz.
Best enjoyed by: OCT 15
Brewed To Leave No Trace

Dundee India Pale Ale
Dundee Brewing Co.
Rochester, NY

Label fine print:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ. (355 ML)
Bold and Bitter

Columbus IPA
India Pale Ale
Columbus Brewing Co.
Columbus, OH

Label stuff:
No ABV info
12 FL. OZ.
Est 1988
Unfiltered to preserve the distinctive hop aroma, this IPA pours a hazy pale orange. Our unique balance of malt and hops will please even the most discriminating hophead.
Eric Bean, Brewmaster
This special beer is not pasteurized. Keep refrigerated until serving. 

Galactic Heroes
West Coast IPA
Homestead Beer Co.
Heath, OH

Label info:
7.2% ABV
12 FL. OZ.
Brewed proudly in Licking County