Delegates, Conventions, and Pepper Spray, Oh My!!

An Editorial by Timothy Neuman
 

As the Olympics slowly fade into the shadows of memory, we barely have time to catch our collective breath before the next great American past time begins.  Yes, as the days grow shorter, the nights begin to grow colder (everywhere else but in the Phoenix metro area), and the children return to school; we at the brewery can't help but think of the sounds of marching bands, raucous applause and the never ending debates with friends on who has the best chances this year.  Yes, as the long months of build up are finally coming to a conclusion, we all rest our hopes and fears in what will transpire by next weeks end.  Of course I am talking about The Democratic and Republican National Conventions!

That's right, all the major players are out in force to support Barak Obama in the Democratic Convention in Denver as we speak!  The remaining Kennedy survivors Edward and Caroline; the Clinton juggernaut of Bill and Hillary; and several lesser known players on the national circuit like Janet "The Governor" Napolitano, James E. "The Whip" Clyburn, John "Soooo Close" Kerry, Steny "The Majority Leader" Hoyer, and former senator Tom "That Ain't My Anthrax" Daschle.  Yup, leading it all off was Edward "Thank God No One Remembers Chappaquiddick Anymore" Kennedy proclaiming, "For me this is a season of hope," and, "I will be there next January."  I guess no one told him they were electing Barak Obama...just kidding, it's good to see him getting better.

Beginning next week we have The Republican National Convention coming to you live from beautiful Minneapolis-St.Paul Minnesota!  That's right, Minnesota.  I guess no one informed the brain trust at the RNC that Minnesota hasn't voted Republican in a presidential race since Nixon in 1972.  After learning that lesson, they voted for such democratic standouts as Walter Mondale and of course Michael Dukakis. It also seems appropriate the convention is taking place at the Xcel Energy Center, home of the NHL's Minnesota Wild so expect a lot of cross checking, slashing, a fair bit of icing and minor high sticking before Sen. John McCain goes on a power play.  They are pulling out all the big names for this one, Bush Jr., Cheney, Lieberman, Huckabee, Schwarzenegger, and who could have a party without Boy Scout Troop 738 of St. Louis Park?  It will also be interesting to note where the U.S. Senator from Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison is placed on the dais, because from what I understand, no one puts Bailey in the corner...

By the way, I hear college football is starting this week too.  So when the political bantering and back slapping gets to be too much, feel free to stop by the nearest Four Peaks and enjoy the ESPN College Game Plan, the MLB package, NFL Sunday Ticket, oh yeah, and our beer too!


Home of the Donkeys

Home of the Elephants

The Real American Struggle, Which Way Do You Lean?

by Karina Lang

It's the first week back to school, and I think all of us students are feeling the pain of the semester that lies ahead of us.  At least the classes are air-conditioned, however, so is Four Peaks Grill and Tap and they have great beer and a full bar, which sounds much more enticing.  This week, I decided to switch things up a little, and put our newest manager, Ryan, on the hot seat! Enjoy.

What is your favorite Four Peaks Ale and why?
Depending on my current mood, it's a tie between Hop Knot and the Oatmeal Stout.  Both are great beers, but entirely different. The Oatmeal Stout is your traditional Stout, but slightly less heavy which leaves room for more than just a few, while the Hop Knot has a great flavor with a non-overpowering bitterness to it. So I'm torn.

What is your favorite item on the menu?
You can never go wrong with the French Dip, especially loaded up with sautéed mushrooms and onions.  If you really want to spice it up a little, try the Pepper Jack cheese instead of the Swiss!

Who is your favorite sports team?    
No surprise here, the Boston Red Sox.  Some people might actually think it's a job requirement to work for Four Peaks, but I am really from Massachusetts.

Where did you graduate from and what degree did you receive?
I graduated from Arizona State University majoring in Broadcasting with a focus in Mass-Media Criticism and Analysis.
 
What about Four Peaks makes it a great company to work for?
If I could only name a few they would be; great beer, great food, and a great staff that has stayed loyal to Four Peaks for a long time which shows an awful lot about how great a company really is.

Now that you know a little about Ryan, head up North to the Grill and Tap and come give him a hard time! We always enjoy your company, and don't forget about our great football season specials!


 
Up to the minute news breaking in Massachusetts HERE!

Matt McCormack, The Dos Gringos Year

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday,September 4th:  Washington Redskins @ NY Giants as the 2008 NFL season kicks off (as if you didn't already know)

Friday, September 26th:  Grill-Tastic Beer Dinner @ The Phoenician Resort's Windows on The Green. Featuring five craft ale and food pairings at $60 per person, all-inclusive. For more information at this time, you can email Ted Golden.

Sunday, October 12th:  Walk to Defeat ALS. To join Four Peaks' Walk Team, or for more information, visit our Walk Team Page!

Wednesday, November 12th:  Fourth Annual Four Peaks Charity Golf Tournament to Benefit The ALS Assocation of Arizona. Details to come.

Brewers Blog XII:  The Old/New Debate

Pandora's Box has been opened, and by no less learned people than a rather large group of College Presidents.  The issue?  Lowering the drinking age back to 18.  Here's the AP article:

College presidents spark debate on drinking age

To us the whole debate is academic.  We find it hard to believe that our current State Legislature and the current Governor would get together and lower the drinking age, especially at the risk of losing some highway funding.  On top of that, MADD has mobilized its rather well funded army to crush any talk of lowering the age limit.  They're quite effective lobbyists who in our opinion have lost sight of their original goal of reducing drunk-driving accidents and have gone fully neo-prohibitionist.

What we do find interesting are the arguments on both sides.  What the Presidents argue is that the very illegality of drinking is causing an underground "binge-drinking" culture to fester on campuses, and, won't it help everyone to decriminalize an act already happening amongst 18-year-olds thus making drinking more controllable, less taboo?  Opponents counter that if that's the case then why not let 14-year-olds drink so they can eliminate binge drinking in high school?  They also say the Presidents simply don't want to enforce the laws.

When reading online comments from readers about the issue you get a lot of point and counterpoint.  For example, a common argument from the pro-lower side is that if men and women are asked to fight and die for their country then they should also be able to have a drink legally.  The anti-lower crowd counters with the fact that these people are volunteers and if the military wished for its soldiers to drink then they could easily lower the age for on-base consumption (is there such a thing?)

Another one is that if we trust people to vote at 18, then we could surely allow them the responsibility of having a pop or two at the local pub.  The counter to that is that voting and getting behind the wheel of a car doesn't lead to fatalities (driving under the influence of Obama?).  Why the sort of stupidity involved in drinking and driving is age-related we don't know.

Another argument is that as a society we trust 16-year-olds to get behind the wheel of 2000lb. ballistic missiles so why can't we trust 18 year olds to be responsible when they drink?  The counter to that one is, obviously we don't and that's why the drinking age is 21.

It goes on and on.

The common thread here is responsibility.  To us it's not the age it's the accountability. There are certain 18-year-olds who are mature enough to handle a drink or two and there are 40-year-olds who get poured out of bars every night.  Conversely, there are 18-year-olds who can't handle it and will throw keggers at their houses for their 17-year-old friends, and there are parents who will never allow such a thing.

Some people think the next logical step is for people to get a license to consume alcohol.  To take some sort of test.  We think that idea sucks.  Why do people knee-jerk themselves into wanting to over-regulate everything?  Why do we rely on outside influences (the government, for example) to do the job of parents?  And that's really the point here isn't it?  Alcohol has this shadowy existence in most people's homes; the crazy uncle upstairs that no one wants to talk about.  It's the 300lb. gorilla in the room that Mom and Dad enjoy but the kids don't understand.

A lot of people say we should embrace the European model; drink responsibly at home with our kids and when they're old enough to do it on their own then it will be demystified and respected.  But the simple mentioning of drinking with your children sends chills up Americans' spines (perhaps we're all victims of not knowing that uncle and we're still a little leery of him?).  It's silly to think that Europeans don't ever abuse alcohol but we think it's a valid theory, so does this person:

Should You Drink with Your Kids?

It's a sensible article with a sensible approach, one that we'll probably employ when our kids get a little older.  Alcohol shouldn't be feared, it should be respected, but if your kids have never had any exposure to it then who is going to teach them?  The government? Will it be the other kids at the party in the woods, or later, when they're wrapped around a toilet at 3am?  Or in a car wrapped around something worse?

More stats and cool links about drinking

The gang at Four Peaks return from the San Diego Comic Con