Down Goes Frazier

Joe Frazier is dead at the age of 67. The former heavyweight champion, who fought in the considerable shadow of Muhammad Ali, was a better fighter and man writes Dave Anderson.

It was only a matter of time but local hops are making a comeback according to the New York Times. While the hops will be used in domestic craft beers, it's essentially part of a larger agritourism effort in upstate New York where the economy  tanked long before the global credit cisis of 2008. Not sure how hops smell or taste? Here is an excerpt from Daniel Fromson's article;
Samuel Adams Boston Lager The best-known American craft beer made with “noble hops,” central European varieties with floral, spicy aromas and minimal bitterness.
Bass Pale Ale A good example of the muted earthy, woody flavors and aromas associated with English hops.
Pilsner Urquell The spiciness of the Saaz hop, a noble Czech variety, complements the crisp, clean taste of this archetypal pilsner.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale The beer that popularized Cascade hops, whose piney, citrusy profile, which is typical of many American hop varieties, has made it a mainstay of domestic pale ales.

There's culture in them there hills.....a Wal-Mart heiress has opened a world class art museum in the middle of nowhere(Arkansas) reports NPR.  If it's anything like the store there will be one docent per 8,000 square feet, a huge line in the gift shop because someone is buying a tiny keychain which needs a price check, and a barely ambulatory greeter who just gets in the way. No word on a K-Mart Museum of Natural History but a Rite Aid Emporium of the Curious & Sundry sounds intriguing.