Adventures in Small Batch Brewing

Military member and homebrewer. Brewing up ideas and beer one gallon at a time. Home of Broom Closet Brewing, Est. Oct. 2011

[jaypgartifacts]

an incomplete taxonomy of christmas music

[broomclosetbrew]

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the firepit! I'll be celebrating with friends tomorrow so tonight is for Gold Spot and an Ocean Breeze from Lampert Cigars. Thanks to @whiskeyhacker for the Gold Spot recommendation and @Costco for carrying it! Omg, this whiskey is so good! This is truly liquid candy with flavors of rich berry jam, cream soda, some spice, and wood. This is gonna be one of those hord bottles that you will have to pry a sip out of me. ... "There are two things worth living for, one is a good cigar, the other is a better one." ~ Raul Julia ... #stpatricksday #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #cigarphoto #cigarsnob #cigarlife #cigarsmoke #lampertcigars #sailorandsticks #cigarsandwhisky #TapThatAsh #whiskey #irishwhiskey #goldspot #whiskeylife #WhiskeyLover #whiskeyphoto #WhiskeyNeat #WhiskeyAfficionado #whiskeygram #quote #quotestagram (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp6wTn4uaFn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

Sneaking in a cigar by the fire before the next storm rolls in tomorrow. Pouring out a glass of Maker's Mark Private Selection All Ranks: By Vets, For Vets Release 002 paired with a Rocky Patel Vintage 2008 Cameroon via the Disney Cruise Line (thanks mom and dad). Revisiting this bottle brings notes of jammy berries, cherries, oak, tobacco, and a long finish. ... Today is National K9 Veteran's Day, so in that spirit, here's a toast to gooddest doggos in the service, past and present. Whether they be unit mascots or working dog teams, they are all a Coastie's best friend. March 13, 1942 was the day k9s officially became members of the US Armed Forces. During WWII, more than 2,000 dogs served in Coast Guard K9 teams as part of the beach patrol. In the 1990s, the USCG employed narcotics detection dogs and post 9/11 USCG K9 teams specialized in explosives detection. Unit mascots have been around since the earliest days of the service and have included some amazing dogs like Sinbad, SPAR, Doc Sunshine, Boomer, Flash, Thor, Loki, and Onyx. So raise a glass to those four-legged Coasties that serve beside us, order a round of chew toys and pupacinos for all with a side of belly rubs. ... “Sinbad was a salty sailor, but he’s not a good sailor. He'll never rate gold hash marks nor good conduct medals. He’s been on report several times, and he’s raised hell in a number of ports. On a few occasions, he has embarrassed the United States government by creating disturbances in foreign zones. Perhaps that's why Coast Guardsmen love Sinbad; he’s as bad as the worst and as good as the best of us.” - Eddie Lloyd, USCG Magazine ... #k9veteransday #uscg #uscoastguard #cigar #CigarAfficionado #pssita #sailorandsticks #cigarsandwhiskey #whiskey #makersmark #WhiskeyNeat #WhiskeyAfficionado #whiskyandhistory #bourbon #quote #quotestagram (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpwU6phuA6N/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

Foggy Sunday early evenings call for a good cigar and some whiskey. In this case, we have the Prideful Goat 6 year cask strength rye and a Rocky Patel 10th Anniversary box press cigar. There are really nice notes of butterscotch, jam, some dark chocolate, and rye spice. .... So I know there is some kind of annual Hollywood award show tonight, but I'm putting some smoke in the air and raising a glass to a different set of awardees. On Friday, the 47th Joint Culinary Training Exercise at Ft Lee was completed. This multi-service culinary competition challenges teams and individuals from the various services to cook their best against each other in hopes of winning it all to go on to compete against civilian chefs later this year. For the 3rd year in a row Team Coast Guard sliced, diced, and served up a win against all the other competitors bringing home 7 gold, 10 silver, and 5 bronze medals as well as Installation, Chef, and Pastery Chef of the Year, Best in Show for Mobile Kitchen (on Army gear) and Contemporary Food, as well as runner-up Student Team and Cold Food Buffet. Additionally, CS1 Danielle Hughes, CS1 John Toman, and CS1 Jeff Plotz were chosen to join the Army Cullinary Arts Team for the Cullinary Arts Olympics in Germany. Way to go Team Coast Guard! Congratulations! .... "The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence." ~ Confucius ... #uscg #uscoastguard #coastguardculinaryprogram #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #cigarphoto #cigarsnob #cigarlife #cigarsmoke #pssita #sailorandsticks #rockypatel #TapThatAsh #whiskey #ryewhiskey #pridefulgoat #whiskeylife #WhiskeyLover #whiskeyphoto #WhiskeyNeat #WhiskeyAfficionado #whiskeygram #quote #quotestagram #raiseatoast (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cptk53RL0TN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

My back has been killing me all week. Thankfully the pain is starting to ease but sitting is still the most comfortable position for me. Decided to sneak in a cigar by the fire before the next storm rolls through tomorrow so I grabbed this bottle of Isaac Bowman Port Barrel finished bourbon and a Tatuaje 2021 Cojonu cigar. The whiskey has some nice notes of cashew, berries, and stone fruit. .... On this day, March 9, 1862, two ironclade ships locked in battle for the first time when the USS Monitor met the CSS Virginia (built on the hull of the USS Merrimack). The Virginia had already worked her way through the federal blockade by destroying the USS Congress and USS Cumberland as well as setting the USS Minnesota a fire after she ran aground on March 8. The Monitor was able to come up and position herself to defend the Minnesota in the night. When the Virginia returned on March 9 they found a strange ship looking like a "cheese on a raft". The first shot was fired by the Virginia and missed the Monitor hitting the Minnesota which answered with a broadside. The two ships traded blows for three hours, often at point blank range, with the Virginia grounding at 10 am. The battle ended when a shell exploded against the Monitor's pilot house, blinding her Captain temporarily. The XO took over but in the temporary moment when the Monitor briefly retired the Virginia believed their opponent had withdrawn. With a falling tide and enough damage requiring repair the Virginia withdrew. With the Virginia's withdrawal and orders to protect the Minnesota the Monitor did not pursue her opponent. In the end each side claimed victory. The Virginia would be scuttled on May 9 to prevent her capture and the Monitor was lost in a storm off Cape Hatteras on December 31. ... "The Merrimac was some, till the Monitor she come, And opened up her little ports so handy, O! Then the shot did fly, till the Merrimac's men did cry: Here's the Devil sure, or Yankee Doodle Dandy, O!" - The Monitor & Merrimac, traditional .... #onthisday #thisdayinhistory #battleofhamptonroads #ironclad #civilwar #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #sailorandsticks #whiskey #bourbon #whiskeyandhistory (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpmDl3PO8Ws/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

Some Woodford Reserve Masters Collection batch proof bourbon and a Victor Calvo Maduro box press cigar to round out the weekend. .... "Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man's enjoyment of his cigar." ~ Mark Twain .... #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #cigarphoto #cigarsnob #cigarlife #cigarsmoke #victorcalvocigars #sailorandsticks #cigarsandwhiskey #TapThatAsh #whiskey #bourbon #woodfordreserve #whiskeylife #WhiskeyLover #whiskeyphoto #WhiskeyNeat #WhiskeyAfficionado #whiskeygram #quote #quotestagram (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpbvnPTrYpN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

Happy birthday to my hometown, that toddlin town, my kind of town Chicago! To celebrate the city's incorporation on this day, March 3, 1837, I'm drinking the Koval single barrel rye whiskey and smoking an Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva. The whiskey is full of spice, sweet brown sugar, and mint and is so good. .... "Chicago is a town, a city that doesn't ever have to measure itself against any other city. Other places have to measure themselves against it. It’s big, it’s outgoing, it’s tough, it’s opinionated, and everybody’s got a story." —Anthony Bourdain .... "It is hopeless for the occasional visitor to try to keep up with Chicago—she outgrows his prophecies faster than he can make them. She is always a novelty; for she is never the Chicago you saw when you passed through the last time." —Mark Twain .... #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #cigarphoto #cigarsnob #cigarlife #cigarsmoke #cigarsandwhiskey #TapThatAsh #whiskey #ryewhiskey #fryeday #koval #WhiskeyLover #WhiskeyAfficionado #whiskeylife #whiskeyandhistory #whiskeyphoto #WhiskeyNeat #quote #quotestagram #chicago (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpZIZEBrc8L/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

Smoking and Ocean Breeze from Lampert Cigars and diving into this 19 year old Highland single malt Scotch from Tomintoul Distillery and Trader Joe's. This is an ex-bourbon cask whisky with notes of creamy vanilla, shortbread, some lemony-citrus, and a very interesting finish. Great find and price if you see it, and like non-peaty Scotch, grab it. ... Showing off some new coins recently added to the collection from some fellow Coasties who wanted to trade for mine. These are all stellar fellas, thanks. ... Pouring out a toast to the USCGC Decisive and her many crews. Today Decisive was decommissioned in Pensacola after 55 years of service to our nation. The 210-ft cutter was built by the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, MD and commissioned in 1968. She served in the North Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico saving lives, enforcing US law, and keeping watch for the ice patrol. Her crew's have been there for mariners and their communities when they were in need and her hull served as their home through the best and worst of times. She will now return to the Yard of her birth to wait for her final set of orders. ... "I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world." ADM. Harry G. Hamlet, “Coast Guardsman’s Creed” .... #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #cigarphoto #cigarsnob #cigarlife #cigarsmoke #lampertcigars #sailorandsticks #cigarsandwhisky #TapThatAsh #pssita #whisky #highlandscotch #singlemalt #scotch #WhiskyAfficionado #WhiskyNeat #whiskylife #whiskyphoto #WhiskyLover #quote #thirstythursday #quotestagram #uscg #coastguard (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpUDkieunBU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

Made a Last Word and put on the series finale of M*A*S*H. Wishing a very happy birthday to my oldest, nearest, dearest, and best friend @daniloba_33 . I wish I could be there to help you celebrate your day. ..... 40 years ago, February 28, 1983, M*A*S*H ended its run after 11 seasons. To this day, the series finale remains the most watched episode of television with an audience of 105 million viewers. The show has always been an important part of my life. My parents still tell the story of me watching the show and then, when it was over, shutting off the TV and going to bed on my own. .... "You know, I told you people something a long time ago, and it's just as pertinent today as it was then. Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice." - Dr. Sidney Freedman .... #mash #happybirthday #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpOreIureZo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

Made myself a birthday obituary cocktail. A play on a martini the obituary features some Absinthe, dry gin, and extra dry vermouth. Here's to 43! .... “I’d like a dry martini, Mr. Quoc, a very dry martini. A very dry, arrid, barren, desiccated, veritable dustbowl of a martini. I want a martini that could be declared a disaster area. Mix me just such a martini.” - Hawkeye Pierce, M*A*S*H 4077 .... #birthday #happybirthday #mash #martini #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktails #quote #quotestagram (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co8xYljLEoO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

Pouring out a glass of Hakushu 12 year old single malt Japanese Whisky and smoking an Oliva Serie V Melanio cigar. .... Putting some smoke in the air to remember that on this day, February 19, 1942, President Roosevelt signed executive order 9066 allowing the removal of American citizens deemed a "threat to national security" from the West Coast and into incarceration at camps inland. The order marked the beginning of the forced incarceration of approximately 112,000 Americans of Japanese decent at 10 camps, surrounded by barbed wire, fences, and armed guards. Men, women, and children were given 48 hours notice to vacate their homes and businesses and take only what they could carry to assembly centers, often requisitioned race tracks and fairgrounds, before they were shipped to the relocation camps. From where I sit, I can see Terminal Island where once sat a thriving Japanese fishing community. Two-thirds of those incarcerated were citizens. More than 33,000 Japanese Americans served in the Armed Forces while their familes were behind barbed wire. The order was rescinded when the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that a citizen could not be imprisoned if the government could not prove disloyalty. In fact no Japanese American was ever found guilty of sabotage or espionage. The incarcerated returned to find they had lost everything of their former lives. In some cases, such as seen at the Panama Hotel in Seattle, they never returned, leaving behind trunks and suitcases never to be reclaimed. .... "I still remember the barbed wire fence that confined me. I remember the tall sentry tower with the machine guns pointed at us. I remember the searchlight that followed me when I made the night runs from my barrack to the latrine. But to five-year-old me, I thought it was kind of nice that they'd lit the way for me to pee. I was a child, too young to understand the circumstances of my being there." George Takei .... #rememberanceday #thisdayinhistory #onthisday #cigar #CigarAfficionado #cigarphoto #cigarsmoke #pssita #sailorandsticks #cigarsandwhisky #TapThatAsh #whisky #japanesewhisky #hakushu #whiskyandhistory #whiskyneat #WhiskyAfficionado #quote #quotestagram (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co3yWzPL9xA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

Smoking a Monte Cristo Nicaragua Series cigar and sipping the Three Chord Honey Toast Single Barrel pick from Cypress Craft Beer and Liquor. .... Putting some smoke in the air for the crews the responded to the T2 tankers Fort Mercer and Pendleton in distress off the coast of Massachusetts 71 years ago this night, February 18, 1952. Much has been made of the rescue of the Pendleton, where Bernie Webber and his crew aboard the CG36500 rescued 32 of the 41 aboard the Pendleton. Tonight I'd like to focus on the Fort Mercer rescue efforts. Thanks to the efforts of the USCGC Yakutat, USCGC Acushnet, USCGC Eastwind, USCGC Unimak, and Air Station Salem only 5 of the Fort Mercer's 43 crew were lost. The last crewmen were rescued from the bow by a hail Mary play. Yakutat fired a messenger line across to the bow of the Fort Mercer and used a raft to rescue the last two survivors. As they were coming across the bow began to sink forcing the Yakutat to back down in the hope the line would break. .... “You have no choice, Captain! Back down and hope the line breaks on the other side of the raft.” - ENS Wilfred Bleakley, USCGC Yakutat ..... #onthisday #thisdayinhistory #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #cigarphoto #cigarsnob #cigarlife #cigarsmoke #pssita #sailorandsticks #cigarsandwhiskey #TapThatAsh #whiskey #bourbon #singlebarrel #barrelpick #cypresscraftbeerandliquor #threechordbourbon #whiskeylife #WhiskeyLover #whiskeyphoto #WhiskeyNeat #WhiskeyAfficionado #whiskeygram #whiskeyandhistory #quote #quotestagram (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co1TqbEORiQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

The 2019 Four Kings Rye to bring me into President's Day weekend. Paired with a Vegas Cubanas by Don Pepin Garcia. The whiskey pairs really well with this cigar featuring notes of peppermint, some pepper spice, and a little bit of wood before a light caramel finish. .... Putting some smoke in the air for the crew of the USS Albacore (SS-218) still on patrol. Her and her crew's final resting spot was identified yesterday, Feb 16, 2023, off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan. Lost on patrol in 1944, Albacore has the distinction of sinking the highest warship tonnage of any US submarine. During her 12 war patrols she was bombed twice by the US Army Air Corps, sank 10 confirmed ship including the newest Japanese carrier Taihō, has an additional 3 unconfirmed sinkings, and dodged numerous depth charges. It's believed she struck a submerged mine November 7, 1944. She and her 85 were presumed lost on December 21, 1944 and her name was striken from Naval register on March 30, 1944. .... "How tranquil is a coral tomb, and may the heavens grant that my companions and I be buried in no other!" ~ Jules Verne .... #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #cigarphoto #cigarsnob #cigarlife #cigarsmoke #pssita #sailorandsticks #cigarsandwhiskey #TapThatAsh #whiskey #ryewhiskey #fryeday #whiskeylife #WhiskeyLover #whiskeyphoto #WhiskeyNeat #WhiskeyAfficionado #whiskeygram #whiskeyandhistory #quote #quotestagram (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/Coys2rwufn8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

While the Wardroom and the Chief's Mess battle it out for sports ball supremecy I'm sitting by the fire pouring a glass of Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage 24 bourbon and smoking a Blackbird Hrafn cigar. This voyage has lots of caramel, vanilla, and Crème Brulee notes. Very mellow with a long finish. .... Putting some smoke in the air for two major cases on this day in history. On February 12, 1983 the SS Marine Electric sank with 31 of her 34 man crew. This wreck led to major changes including dramatic changes to inspections, the requirement of survival suits, and the establishment of the Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician rating. The ship capsized 30 miles from the Virginia coast. USCG helicopters found a sea of strobes when they arrived but had no swimmer to deploy to check for survivors in the water. After rescuing three from lifeboats, the flight mech descend twice to try and rescue men from the water with mixed results. A Navy rescue swimmer rescued five unresponsive crew before he could no longer function. 24 bodies were recovered. Also on February 12, 1997, the crew of CG-44363 launched from Station Quillayute River in the early morning hours in an attempt to rescue the crew of the S/V Gale Runner. Aboard the boat, the crew of four raced to the scene expecting to see a vessel caught in the rough seas at the QRiver bar. 14 minutes into their voyage the 363 took the first rollover. The 363 would eventually roll three times over the course of 20 minutes coming to rest in a cove on James Island. CG 6589 rescued the crew of the Gale Runner. The sole survivor of CG-44363 was rescued, clinging to a cliff, by CG-6013. The loss of CG-44363 led to changes in training, staffing requirements, and safety measures. ..... "These poor plain men, dwellers upon the lonely shores, took their lives in their hands, and at the most imminent risk, crossed the most tumultuous sea… and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends." - Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Live-Saving Service, 1885 .... #thisdayinhistory #uscg #uscoastguard #cigar #CigarAfficionado #pssita #sailorandsticks #cigarsandwhiskey #whiskey #bourbon (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/Colsa5tL1pZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

First off thanks to the two excellent Coasties who asked to trade for one of my INF4 coins; these are two most excellent designs to add to my little collection. I'm not naming names, so you don't get bothered. Revisiting this great single barrel pick of Old Pepper Straight Rye. Coming in at 107 proof, this Dram has notes of light mint, peppercorns, leather, and a nice rye spice finish. Paired with a Brickhouse Bricktoberfest cigar. ..... "I've got a great cigar collection - it's actually not a collection, because that would imply I wasn't going to smoke every last one of 'em." ~ Ron White .... #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #cigarphoto #cigarsnob #cigarlife #cigarsmoke #brickhousecigars #sailorandsticks #cigarsandwhiskey #TapThatAsh #whiskey #ryewhiskey #fryeday #whiskeylife #WhiskeyLover #whiskeyphoto #WhiskeyNeat #WhiskeyAfficionado #whiskeygram #singlebarrel #quote #quotestagram #cigarquotes #challengecoin #USCG #uscoastguard #coastguard (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CogXeiOrLOl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

Tonight's choice is the Oppidan Smoke + Sea a four grain and a solera aged bourbon mash bills finished in French oak and Islay Scotch barrels. Lots of dark chocolate, earth, tobacco, and vanilla flavors on this one. Paired with a Romeo Y Julieta Reserva cigar. .... "Thinking gives off smoke to prove the existence of fire. A mystic sits inside the burning. There are wonderful shapes in rising smoke that imagination loves to watch. But it's a mistake to leave the fire for that filmy sight. Stay here at the flame's core." ~ Rumi .... #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #cigarphoto #cigarsnob #cigarlife #cigarsmoke #romeoyjulieta #SailorsAndSticks #cigarsandwhiskey #TapThatAsh #whiskey #bourbon #oppidanspirits #whiskeylife #WhiskeyLover #whiskeyphoto #WhiskeyNeat #WhiskeyAfficionado #whiskeygram #whiskeywednesday #quote #quotestagram (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CobaPh9r9ub/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[broomclosetbrew]

So.... When I bought this bottle several months ago I missed the part that said it was finished with spices. This tastes like pumpkin spice beer and I hate pumpkin spice beer. Not to say this is bad, I just don't care for it personally. This is the single barrel pick of Cali Whiskey from Cali Distillery. If you like baking spice and fall flavors in your mouth you will like this. @demetripanos I've got a bottle you can have! Paired with a Warfighter cigar courtesy of a shipmate. .... "We were given appetites, not to consume the world and forget it, but to taste its goodness and hunger to make it great." ~ Robert Farrar Capon .... #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #cigarphoto #cigarsnob #cigarlife #cigarsmoke #warfightertobacco #sailorandsticks #cigarsandwhiskey #TapThatAsh #whiskey #americanwhiskey #calidistillery #singlebarrel #WhiskeyAfficionado #whiskeylife #WhiskeyLover #whiskeyphoto #WhiskeyNeat #quote #quotestagram #whiskeygram (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoYwQ30rqrz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=