utahcarver

Bryan, my boys took me to the Flowrider in Ogden tonight for a great Father's Day gift. We bought an hour of riding and we all got 'worked'. I'm sure I'm going to feel it in the morning. The boogie boarding was easy. The stand-up boarding, hooo-boy! I'm sure it will be easier the next time. Mark

The Number 3 Chevy Utah Suburban Aero package performed as needed last weekend. Downforce numbers were up as well as the amps!!! No rain tires needed on the hop northward. Mark

In one of the product knowledge classes I'm taking for my job at the DABC, one of the reps from a beer distributor referred to beer as liquid bread, in a historical context. Which brought back a memory of reading an expose on processed white sugar which was done by a physician from the UK. In this expose, in speaking of the need to keep sugar away from brewmeisters in Germany, he referred to beer as liquid bread. Specifically, beer that was used by nursing mothers. Skatha, have you ever heard of this? Or, has anyone else ever heard of this? I realize that, from my American perspective, my information may be skewed or just plain false. But, as I was thinking the other day, in times past when our ancestors wanted to preserve things they either dried the product (which may or may not have been reconstituted later), they (dry) smoked or salted the product, they used a brine (i.e., vinegar), or they fermented the product. I'm sure I'm missing other means of preservation but, wine is grape juice preserved by fermenting it. Beer is barley (malt) which is preserved by fermenting it. Sauerkraut is cabbage which is preserved by brineing it. Bread is grain which is preserved (albeit) temporarily by adding yeast as a leavening agent. So, when is beer a bad thing to the human body? In excess certainly. But, in overall terms of health, beer is good for us human types. Just as a good red wine gladdens the heart or a well-aged cheese tantilizes the tongue. Regarding your (Skatha) comment about alcohol being recession-proof: Yeah, about that. We unloaded 2,000 cases (12 pallets) of booze for our store recently (we service an area which is about 50,000 plus in population). That's a weeks worth of product. The product that moves the most? VODKA, baby, VODKA. Next, gin. I can't reveal our sales volume in retail cost or wholesale cost but, I can assure you that someone's kids are going hungry, bills aren't getting paid, and someone is calling in sick once in a while with the 'bottle flu' based upon what I sell during a normal day. Sad really. It's almost made me want to quit this job just from a moral aspect. Mark

So, the breastfeeding woman was drinking for both her and her kid? Your experience above defines what Utah alcohol laws are aimed at: Keeping alcohol out of the sight of children (and to a point, adults). You and I know this doesn't work. In fact, it only seems to encourage curiosity and desire to experience what is being 'hidden'. But, the local laws here have been driven by a zealotry to keep some things hidden from view. It's overkill and it's stupid by any measure of the imagination. With all of Utah's quirky laws, families keep coming here. One of the things that seems to keep drawing young families to Utah is the low crime rates, the lack of any bar scene, quiet neighborhoods, and quiet Sundays. I've talked to people from all over North America who've moved to Utah and this seems to be a common theme. The lack of bars, no nightlife to speak of, and your experience in Utah all add up to make an odd mix of lifestyles and experiences coming together. This is what makes Utah unique. Palatable to some and unpalatable to others. The reason I stay is that I have access to great snow in the winter, and no big-city traffic congestion in the summer. Even that's changing and I'm beginning to rethink about where I'm going to live if I want to remain rural. The families keep coming in and I'm wanting to move out away from the crowds. And, and, I'm just so glad this humble little thread has been able to unite two wonderful kids from NOLA. Good luck K2 and Michelle! Mark

Pat: Yes, we carry Torpedo and it is a great beer. I prefer the Sierra Nevada Porter but, yes, Torpedo is a fast-seller, too. Going skateboard racing tomorrow with some buds and we've loaded the cooler with SN porter and Full Sail Session beers. Michelle: You bring an interesting point to this mix. That is, the vibe of an area. Unlike other areas of the US, Utah's 'vibe' is fleeting if just non-existent. I think what I really like about Utah over say, Colorado or Oregon, is that the vibe isn't here. I like living here without a vibe. So, I'm backward that way. I hate sounding like an apologist in my posts above and then saying that I don't mind being backward now. What I'm suggesting is that I'm willing to accept living in a society which is more conservative and judgemental in exchange for the beauty of the land and access to 4 seasons, with low crime rates and quiet Sundays. I love that there are distilleries and breweries in Utah. If anyone has studied the history of this state, one could determine that alcohol has always been legally (and illegally) available here. The vibe, not so much! Mark BTW, I got to taste the 21 year old HW Rye. It is a dangerous liquid (to quote their website). Very velvety and smooth. Dare I say, too smooth? Anyway, it was a delight to try something so damned expensive yet a rye that any spirits drinker can appreciate.

OK, so it won't be the first one but, it will be the first one in northern Utah. Someone told me that there was (State) liquor store in Beaver, Utah. Let's face it, though: The chances of Utah government giving up it's alcohol control status are about the same odds as Rosie O'Donnell giving up all you can eat buffets. Mark

Jim: Our sales volume has been on the up in the last 12 months. However, we are starting to see a drop-off in volume. Part of that is the (university) semester has ended and summer school isn't that populated. The other is assumed to be that people just don't have the money to spend on booze. That said, just as you stated, alcohol sales are up in comparison to other economic areas. I read several trade magazines which are projecting better than normal sales and there are so many new offerings from all areas of the industry. Even in the control states, the projection is for increased sales volumes in most categories. My wine customers are the most loyal while at the same time being the most price conscious. They have to be in Utah. They are savvy and informed. In contrast, the Vodka drinkers have moved to the bottom shelves for the bargains. Taste seems to have taken a backseat when the wallet is thinning. Whiskey is similar but, Crown Royal (aka Clown Oil) has increased in sales. I guess even in a down economy folks want to feel reassured, warm, and comfortable and hoping things will get better. The beer drinkers seem to be the most oblivious to any economic downturn. Our beer sales are through the roof. Sam Adams is doing very well and so is anything from Full Sail Brewing and Sierra Nevada Brewing. I've recently put in charge of ordering beers so I will be trying to access the Dogfish beers that so many of you here are fond of. I'm limited by the State as to what I can order. I recently ordered a case of hefeweizen from Sierra Nevada (Kellerweis) and I had no trouble getting it here. So, I'm hoping the same for other beers as well. The thing I'm often telling my co-workers and some customers is that if the State of Utah ever allows independent liquor and wine sales, I'm the first one who's going to do it. I already have a store location and a name picked out for my business. It will be just down the road from my ski area, Beaver Mountain. I'll call it Beaver Liquors. I figure the t-shirt sales, stickers, and the novelty items will help to carry the stores sales volume requirements. Thanks, Mark

Jim: I know you weren't calling me a religious bigot, I used that term and not you. My intent was to convey how perceptions of those outside of the Utah are sometimes tainted with apoplectic reasoning that is based on outdated information. So, I get a bit irked about this sometimes. All that just to tell the CC about a distillery in Utah! As to those who make the laws here: Yes, they are driven by an internal locus that is egged-on by religious belief. Not that there is anything wrong with that. However, as you so aptly pointed out, it has long caused Utah to be perceived as being somewhat behind the times. Point taken. I'm glad that I have an opportunity to learn about wines, beers, spirits, and the processes that make them, and I'm doing it at the expense of the State of Utah. Yes, you can drink without ordering food or, at least I have done this. No, you cannot order beer (3.2 ABV) or hard liquor after 1am. and prior to 7am. At the DABC store, our Breakfast rush starts at 10am and runs until about 11:45am, which starts our lunch rush.... BTW, the Silver Oats whiskey is very nice served neat. Mark

Bob: Good call on the esters being fruity (mostly banana). It mixed really well with lemon and lime juice, orange juice, and just a splash of Cointreau. One might be inclined to call this moonshine or white lightning but, I wouldn't compare it to either when it comes to ethanol percentage. Jim: I'm a cashier. There, I said it. Actually, I'm an Executive cashier (see: Eddie Izzard for reference). Last year I left the printing industry with a shove and decided to go back to school and finish a degree. I've had a part-time job at the DABC for over 5 years and I applied for a full-time position. The job allows me to go to school during the day and work at night. I'm 51 and not left with a lot of options in press-work or printing. So, this is my life. As far as the craziness, it's retail. Retail sucks and retail with drunks is even more stupid. As for you not ever living in Utah, nothing could make me smile more. Nothing personal, I understand your position having lived out of Utah many years ago myself. Some of the best snow conditions on earth, four seasons, low crime rates, quiet neighborhoods, and Sundays are the BOMB because there are so many people locked up in church. So, I am smiling when I hear that oft-heard mantra of someone not ever living in Utah. Stay where you are so that I don't have to put up with you or your friends. BTW, I've never had a problem getting a drink here. So, these Draconian laws you reference, yes, they have been problematic in years past but, I assure you that they've never stood in the way of me getting a good alcohol buzz on any day of the week. As far as your beloved Dogfish or Stone beers, I can't come close to offering an answer to not having those in the state. We get to sell what the State tells us to sell. This happens in 15 other CONTROL States across our union everyday. Utah is not the lone holdout when it comes to controlling alcoholic beverages. Utah uses the override and taxes collected to fund education. So, in reality, Utahns are drinking for their children. It makes no sense to me to deride a state for controlling alcohol sales. Which one or more of the other 15 states would you not live in? Agreed, it would not be easy to live in a state which does things this way but, to call it Draconian is a bit of a stretch. That may have been accurate in the past but certainly not now. To me, it was exciting to see some progress being made in Utah with the addition of the High West distillery in Park City. I can only hope that this trend will continue and help to assuage the assumption that all of us here are religious bigots and pliant drones to the State. Mark

As an employee of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control here in Utah, I am going through a product knowledge class that is put on by the agency. We've covered wines, beers, liqueurs and cordials. Today, we got a field trip to Park City to the High West distillery highwest.com. Our DABC group had a great tour through the whole process of making vodka and whiskey. Our host, Brandon, is the Master Distiller there and is very much on the cutting edge of trying new ideas and making them taste very good. We got to try 4 of their products: Vodka 7000 (made from oats), High West Silver Whiskey (made from oats), Rendezvous Rye, and Rocky Mountain Rye (16 Y.O.). I enjoyed them all but, I especially liked the Silver whiskey (80 proof). So much, that I bought a liter ($35/w tax) to bring home and do some mixing with. As I sipped it there in the bar, I tasted banana and vanilla notes, which I thought was really odd for a whiskey. I'll mainly sip through this bottle but I'd also like to make some mixers near the end of it. Has anyone else mixed with light whiskey? Any good mixer recipes? Anyway, the next time you're in Park City, be sure and check out this amazing distillery and bar. Mark

Hey Martin, It' good to see you here on BOL. Keep posting videos like the one above and you'll be well-liked here. I'll have to gather up the posse (in Logan) and come down and run some cones with your group on SLC this summer. Mark

Check out My ∏ in Rogers Park (across from Loyola U). Great deep dish pizza. Also, check out Central Gyros (http://www.centralgyros.com) and enjoy some great food. Mark

Poaching (longboard skateboarding) the parking terraces of Utah State University, dutch oven cooking and smoking meats and cheeses , slack-lining, skateparks, two bathrooms to remodel in my house, gardening my two raised beds to produce veggies for the table (mmmmmmmmm). It's the start of a new beer-drinking season, summer ales, some pilsners, but mostly good cold lagers at the end of the work day; continuing education through the local university and some star-gazing. A few concerts here and there and, long evenings spent on my deck sipping and smoking. It's going to be a busy summer! Mark

Bahne is the answer we were looking for, BB. Bill and Bob Bahne produced numerous fibreglass (flexible) skateboards in the late 1970's. I believe (Mike) Doyle is responsible for several inventions over the years including the monoski and some inventions involving Tom Morey. Mark

I put down earlier that my local area had closed but, I got to ride this past Sunday at Powder Mountain, Utah with a buddy and I'll be back again this coming weekend. VIP passes, and my two favorite types of beer: free and cold. The conditions were leftover powder that had set-up and was a wet powder consistency in the morning and by mid-day it was like a frozen margarita (slushy). Still, very, very fun to ride and the groomers were solid, too. We had as much fun laughing and yucking it up in the parking lot as we did on the hill. There is much to be said for running with a posse of people who love carving, snowboarding, skiing, and the winter stoke. Mark

But, the Salt Lake areas are still running for now and I want to hit Snowbasin at least 2 more times before the temperatures get warmer. Mark

This is going to be a fun video to watch come June and July! Very ethereal and yet functional enough that any snowboarder or skier would identify with it. Thanks, Casper! Mark

Bryan, you are correct sir! In fact, it was Alta that required that snowboarders (then it was Winterstickers) wear lift skis. Alta allowed snowboards on their slopes for a short period of time many years ago. Back to our thread: Hero: great idea, man! That looks a lot safer than the baby backpacks that I see the moms and dads wearing with 'junior' clamped on to them. Mark

Jack, I believe this equates to being the Best Post Of The Year. That said, where'd you get this picture of my mother-in-law? She's lost a LOT of weight and has now shaved her full beard. She is the epitome of health! Mark

Read this article, go ride, and come back and post your experience to the CC. It echoes what 'energyrail' suggests above. bomberonline.com/articles/toesideproblem.cfm Mark

I just had a job interview today that pitted me against two co-workers who I'll call Dumb and Dumber here. If the interviewer from HR hires either one of these two the company will get everything they deserve and more. That said, I took a lay-off last April and was out six months. I got some good days in at the skatepark and had some great bar time with the locals. I took an offer last October at half the pay I was used to making just so I could pay the mortgage. So, I'm in college trying to finish a degree at age 50. So, who's the dumb one here? I am. So, good luck to you and yours! Mark

I've been waiting for some time to hear some of the back story of the original Expression Session. I still ride my Maverick 175 once a year. Mark

Burton Safari 175 Pure Carve Maverick 175 Mark

Sorry to hear about this Pat! I hope you recover quickly and are good to go very soon. Andrew and I are sending you good vibes! Think happy thoughts. Mark

Remember to reference taper when quoting the radii of the SCR. Taper is an important function of the SCR and the overall length of the board. Mark