Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Notes From the Captain Lawrence Tasting Room: Twas a Few Days Before Christmas

Twas a few days before Christmas, and all through the brewery
There was all sorts of merriment, some flashes of foolery
People took a break from finding the best Christmas sales
To enjoy some fine, locally brewed craft ales.

Hawthorne’s Elio Pezzullo sent out a “Captain’s Call.”
An emergency text to his friends, one and all.
“Like the bat signal,” he says, to meet at the Captain
Where surely something memorable is bound to happen.
Whether they’re raking or shoveling, his friends stop their chore.
After trying the Smoked Porter, Joe Catarina itches for more.

Jack Duchasnick of Yonkers was changing a bulb in his car
But a day at the brewery is better by far.
He loves the Hop Commander IPA, though he calls it “Commando”.
It sounds a bit tougher, he says, like Ahh-nold or Brando.

Speaking of Jacks, beertender Reilly gets on the PA
The young man has got something important to say.
“If your car is parked in the Budget lot
You probably want to look for another spot.”
So some head outside to move their vehicles
Before sampling more of those tasty German Zwickels

Cherish Ignacio decided to drive up from Yonkers
A gray Saturday inside was driving her bonkers.
She calls the “Point Proven” Zwickelbier “zingy and zesty.”

Her cousin Marc, on the other hand, likes the IPA besty.
Marc says he asked Santa for a million in cash
Cherish just wants her car back after a crash.

The house speakers play tracks from Elvis Costello.
Thirty five years after “Allison”, he’s one prolific fellow.
People head inside the brewery for the 2 p.m. tour
While others find those things kind of a bore.

Adam Gottfried came from the City to see his folks in Westchester 
He and Lindsay Barcham make a great two-headed beer tester.
She loves the Smoke Up, that malty smoked porter.
“It’s like drinking a barbecue,” she says of her order.
“I think it would go well with burgers and steak.”
That pairing sounds amazing, for goodness’ sake.
Adam feels the Liquid Gold has no other peer.
He’d considered the tour, but is “just enjoying drinking beer.”
 

Also up from the City—Benedette and Marc Campanelli.
Marc’s uncle is hosting a bash, as he tells me.
They sampled the Sea Nymph, a hoppy small batch
That calypso pale ale is made entirely from scratch.
They’re buying beer for Uncle Jimmy’s thing in Thornwood.
They figured India Pale Ale would go over good.
Marc spies his dad, also picking up a sixer.
Dad too feels the brew will jazz up the mixer.

This rhyming is exhausting so we’ll put it to rest.
But we do hope your Christmas is hands-down the best.
Whether it’s Kolsch or Frost Monster, or the Captain’s Reserve
The happiest of holidays is just what you deserve.
Best December wishes from your friends at Captain Lawrence
Have as much fun as local law warrants!


Captain Lawrence Brewing, at 444 Saw Mill River Road in Elmsford, is open Wednesday through Friday (4-8 p.m.), Saturday (12-6 p.m.) and Sunday (12-5). The author is paid by Captain Lawrence, partially in India Pale Ale. 

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