Shomron Beer-- Amber Oak בירה שומרון אמבר אלון

A few months ago I saw mentions of a new brewery called Shomron שומרון, and I knew I had to try them out. They're in my neck of the woods, lantzmen, as my grandparents would say.

The back story of the Shomron Brewery makes it even more important. The owner has to keep his identity a secret, because IDF service; brewing beer began as his post trauma therapy. When his therapist was helping him to heal via a hobby, he admitted that he liked to drink beer when home and not on duty. So, brewing beer was suggested. The popularity of his beer encouraged him to make it in commercial quantities, and he's still tweaking the formulas.

Doug Greener, the Beer Maven, reviewed the Shomron Beers in the Jerusalem Post, where the backstory is featured. I missed the tasting because of a minor, though very annoying accident on my way there. He later gave me two sample bottles of the Shomron Beer, one an IPA and the other this Amber Oak, which I decided to try first. The molasses aroma was strong and inviting; the flavor confirmed its natural sweetness, though nothing that could be identified as oak. Honestly, that didn't bother me. It was perfect on that winter evening, and I certainly wouldn't refuse it in the summer. I'd even offer it to one who doesn't usually like beer. It doesn't taste like a commercial beer. That's an advantage of craft beers... They are special. And yes, if you didn't get the message, I recommend the Shomron Amber Oak. 

Gd willing next week I'll try the IPA.  

Contact information: 050-297-5575 shomron.beer@gmail.com ראשון עד חמישי - 09:00 עד 16:00 Sunday to Thursday, for orders click.

Annaconda-- Lots Better and Funnier Than Expected

 Last night my husband and I went to the movies... 

We used to be big movie goers, but in recent years it's rare. Actually, the last time was an occasion like last night. My husband's a retiree from the the Menachem Begin Heritage Center and now volunteers there, so he's invited to some of the staff events. This was a family event in Jerusalem's Cinema City. It included an "all you can eat" dinner in their VIP room, lots of pasta, pizza, salads and more plus a choice between two movies, neither which he had ever heard of. One was described as suitable for kids and the other seemed "childish," too, but we're a generation or two or even three older than pretty much everyone else who'd be attending. We agreed that if we didn't like it, we'd just walk out. Yes, the movie was ANACONDA.

I looked it up on the internet first to get a bit of an idea as to what to expect. It didn't sound impressive at all, but the evening was free. We even travel for free... So we figured there was nothing to lose.

To be perfectly honest, we had no positive expectations... but within a few minutes we were mesmerized...

ANACONDA is a movie within a movie and a comedy. It's fantasy for sure. That's genre #1, but I was reminded of John Belushi, not just because the main character is heavy. If there's such a thing as a John Belushi genre, this would be it... John Belushi in the Jungle.

Apparently an anaconda is a dangerous jungle creature, whether fact or fiction, it's irrelevant. The acting was great; the characters seemed totally real, though it was obviously unrealistic. We recommend it, and yes, there were people who walked out in the middle... 

One more thing... it's a clean movie, neither nudity nor sex. You can take your kids.

PS I took these pictures of the screen while watching the movie. We sat in the back row, and the footrests didn't work in many of the seats. It was still comfortable, lots of upholstery... so different from the Jerusalem movie theaters from way back when.

Looking Forward to Rosh Chodesh Shvat

 

We'll pray together in Ancient Shiloh, exactly where the Biblical Chana had prayed for a son.

I've been inviting women to join me for Rosh Chodesh Prayers in Ancient Shiloh, the actual site, proven by archeology and the Tanach/Bible for well over twenty years. It's available by public transportation. Spend the day at Tel Shiloh, contact information +972 2-578-9111 and visit@telshilo.org.il.

Schnitt's Triple C-- WOW!

To be honest, I'm wary when given a can a beer, rather than a bottle beer, but I must admit that I think that drinking that can of Schnitt's Triple C changed my mind. Please forgive me for not leaving you in suspense...

To be honest, I did get a bit fouled up trying to open it, but I did manage to pour the beer, slowly for sure. As you know, when pouring beer slow and easy is better than force. So it was for the best.

The aroma was sweet citrus, davka reminding me of the mystery citrus fruit growing in my yard, which is some sort of cross between a sweet pomelo, grapefruit and orange...

The taste was pleasant plus, suiting all four seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall.

Schnitt labels the Triple C as an American Pale Ale, and it's one of those ales which has made me lose the taste for white wines. I don't know if I'm the only one who has experienced this, but I now prefer a good Pale Ale a lot more than white wines. 

There's no strange sticky aftertaste either, which accompanies some beers. Give Schnitt Beer a try.