More NCAA & More IPA

Good evening beer enthusiasts!!!

Can I complain too much about CBS's coverage of the NCAA tournament??? Do I really need to pay Direct TV another $25 to ensure that I can watch whatever game I want??? If I don't is the Price is Right really more important to the PHX, AZ market than the UO v. Miami (OH) first round game?? As an HD package subscriber, should I not have the option to watch the NCAA tournament on either the HD or the standard CBS affiliate??? One would think so, but it's not the case. The last score I saw before CBS cut from the Nevada/Creighton OT game (excellent college hoops), was UO 22, Miami 12. Before seeing the final score UO 58 Miami 56. I'm sure it would have been an excellent game to see. Maybe CBS will loose enough Neilson share showing 7 different versions of CSI to eliminate their ability to bid for future NCAA tournament rights due to lack of deep pockets and some other station (ABC/ESPN/ESPN2??) will give us a different option for watching NCAA games..........

Well, let's get to the beer. The Mighty Jeffron brought over a 6'er of Sierra Nevada (www.sierra-nevada.com) Pale which was a fine bottle to enjoy w/hoops, but the beer o'choice for this evening's post is the Red Hook Brewing Long Hammer IPA. This beer was distinctive in the fact that straight out of the fridge it wasn't at all distinctive. The Mighty Jeffron described it as boring, while I would have used the descriptor - easy drinking. However.....

Upon warming to near room (80 F) tempature, the Long Hammer displayed longer lasting hoppy flavor: corriander or ginger according to the Jeffron. The key learning is to let this beer breathe (like a good wine), to bring out the hoppy goodness that each bottle contains. Again, this beer will not overwhelm you w/hops. It's not XTREME! But a nice, drinkable brew - even when the temps break 100F.

One last note on the NCAA....is the Tournament Selection Committee taking input from the BCS?? I watched a tremendous Mid-Major v. Mid-Major game when Nevada defeated Creighton in OT, and another MM v. MM in Southern Illinois v. Holy Cross....Now that MM programs like the Salukies and the Butler Bulldogs (who defeated Old Dominion - yet another MM - yesterday) have displayed enough regular season prowess to deserve a single diget seeding in the Big Dance, is it really right to have them play against another MM program? Therefore guarnateeing that one less MM will make it to the Second Round??? Is CBS impacting the seeding to ensure that Big 10, Big East, ACC teams are still around in the later rounds for ratings??? Hmmmm, I have no data, but given all the data supporting the East Coast bias in both football and basketball polls - do we really need more data to support this potential conspiracy in college athletics???

Have another round, and debate!!! Prost to all Mid-Major NCAA Programs!!