A Digression

While watching a long-forgotten bit of Animaniacs the other day, I noticed the following exchange between Pinky and The Brain in an episode about attempting to win the Kentucky Derby (from there, of course, taking over the world): The Brain: By analyzing the velocity-based paceline, mile turf win and Beyer speed figures, we'll find a grade one stakes claimer who will give us a key horse situation. Pinky: Can't we just ride the pretty one? In the end, that's just what happens -- Pinky falls in love with Phar Fignewton (left) and they accidentally win the race. I've decided the string of racing jargon (not to mention the comely mare's name) in a children's cartoon is a minor stroke of genius. For myself, with the Rebel having rather thinned out and the Tampa Bay Derby being something of a foregone conclusion, I'll be busy with finishing out Philly Beer Week -- I'm off to the Penn Museum Saturday for the annual tutored tasting (now in memory of, rather than featuring, the great Michael Jackson) and am hoping to get a preview of Dogfish Head's latest archaeological offering, Theobroma. Then on to a Stone Beer Brunch featuring their magnificent 11th Anniversary Ale on Sunday. Tonight I'll just warm up with a few beers from Allagash. I could make this post almost relevant with something about Funny Cide Ale, but it was at such a sub-bad-homebrew level that it's best to just forget about that...