Globe reader Takes ‘Booze’ column/blog to task

Recently a Globe reader sent me a letter detailing her dislike of this blog and the column of the same name, which runs in the Globe’s Friday Enjoy section. I responded to the anonymous writer in the column and suggested she not be so quick to judge.  Well, that column inspired another Globe reader, Patricia Thompson, to submit a letter to the editor chiding the Globe for allowing a boozy column in the paper, and me for …well, just about everything.

Patricia’s “Voices” submission ran today (Friday, August 20) in the Globe and online at joplinglobe.com. I don’t mind the input. In fact, when people stop writing in about my weekly entertainment column, that’s when I’ll get concerned. Patricia, thanks for reading and thanks for the letter.

I was happy to have a few folks on Facebook and in the Globe’s comments section come to my defense. I’m not getting excited yet. It’s still early and the tide of online support could quickly shift.

Cheers!

By Patricia Thompson
Special to The Globe

JOPLIN, Mo. — Recently,  I read a couple of articles wherein Dave Woods described his trip to Branson and details on what he had to eat and drink and the full prices of each meal.

At that time I was appalled to think that he would put such full details in the paper. It seems he had eaten at some very costly places, and at a time when families are scraping funds to simply buy a box of macaroni and cheese or a can of beans, it seemed inappropriate to brag on what he had to eat and drink.

Today, another article appears in the Globe that “Booze is big business.” It seems someone had written to Mr. Woods about all the drinking articles in the paper. From Mr. Woods’ reply, I could see that he was irritated about the person’s letter. People do get upset when someone steps on their toes with the truth. It seems the person had called him an “old sot,” at age 45. I’m sorry Mr. Woods, but looking at your picture I thought you were an “old sot,” at age 60, but do know it is a proven fact that drinking does age a person, and I know this picture is several years old.

It saddens my heart that someone would state that Joplin is simply for eating, drinking and casinos. If this is true, why are they putting so much money into downtown to make it a more cultural city? Also, why did Vegas put so much money into making their town family-oriented? Why does your paper continually have articles on workers stealing funds from their companies to cover their casino loses? Do you feel this is good? Why does your paper continually have articles on people killing other people while intoxicated? Do you feel this is good? It seems you may have your priorities on the wrong side of the track and should take a long hard look in a mirror and see what booze has done for you.

I would suggest that you and Globe columnist Mike Pound take a refresher course on what journalism is and how to write it. If neither of you have taken journalism courses, then I suggest you do. Journalism is all about the people and not about you and what you like. May Joplin be more than your expectations.

Patricia Thompson, Joplin

Missouri vodka discovered in Carthage ‘Delights’

When it comes to liquor, beer and wine, I’m an impulse shopper. I have my favorite daily drinkers, but I’m always looking for something unique for a special occasion … like Tuesdays.

I found myself impulse-shopping last weekend at Annie’s Epicurean Delights, 116 west Third Street in Carthage. Don’t let the fancy name fool you, Annie’s offers a great selection of affordable dip and sauce mixes, gourmet snacks and party foods, chocolates, cheeses and a fine liquor and wine selection. I don’t get over to the Maple Leaf City as often as I would like, so when do, I drop in to catch up on a little gossip, share a few stories, sample a little something and pick up a bottle or two.  I was planning for an Oscar party, so I was quick to start stacking bottles and boxes up on the counter.

Show-Me beer

First up a Schlafly Sampler. The 12-bottle box of St. Louis-brewed beer included four bottles each of American Pale Ale, English Pale and their Kolsch Style Ale. The Kolsch, according the Schlafly Web site, is “a golden-colored, medium-bodied, crisp and refreshing ale. This style, which originated in Cologne (Germany), is well balanced, mild mannered, and a perfect companion for any occasion.” I agree. It was great with pasta and red sauce. It’s low in alcohol by volume (ABV), only 4.8%, and 160 calories per 12–ounce bottle. Schlafly’s Pale Ale is one of the brewer’s flagship products. Its amber color and mild bitterness made it a party favorite. (ABV: 4.4%, 155 calories per serving.)

Rounding out the party pack of Missouri craft beers is the American Pale Ale. Lighter than its English cousin, the APA wowed me. It paired well with the meal, didn’t fill me up as fast as some heavy pales do and has a great, bitter character.  Dry hopping the beer – I’m not really sure what that means — gives the ale its delicious, bitter character. The APA comes in at 5.9 percent ABV and has a bitterness rating of 50. (We’ll talk beer bitterness another time, when I can find someone who knows more about it than me.) The Schlafly Sampler is available round town at the usual suspects for under $17.

Show-Me vodka?

Another eye catcher at Annie’s was a bottle of 360 Double Chocolate Vodka. As I examined the unique wire-swing top bottle, I noticed it’s made from all American grains, distilled four times, filtered five and promoted environmental friendly ideas. The bottle 85 percent recycled glass. The label is 100 percent recycled paper and listed the liquor’s other eco-friendly features. Who knows, maybe they really care. Here’s what really sold me on the $20.29 bottle: The company offers a $10 rebate and it’s distilled in Weston, Mo., by Earth Friendly Distilling. That’s right, Missouri vodka. You have to jump through a few hoops to get the cash back according to the label instructions, but I’m giving it a try. I lost the original receipt in the Oscar-night excitement, but Annie’s set me up with a duplicate. Thanks, Anne. I’m mailing the rebate in today. I’ll let you know when the check arrives.

 Try this: Rim a medium-sized martini glass with chocolate syrup. In a drink shaker full of ice pour four ounces 360 Double Chocolate Vodka and two ounces Frangelica hazelnut liqueur and two ounces of half-and-half. Chill and strain into the glasses. Makes two servings. Change it up? Use white chocolate syrup to rim the martini glass and ad one tablespoon to the 360 Vodka and Frangelico for a different look.

Cheers!

Magic Hat “No. 9” gets a second chance

I stopped in last week at Buffalo Wild Wings in Joplin for a quick brew before Avatar. Usually I would have settled for my regular Bud, but spotted a new tap handle on the rail. The tapper looked like a shepard’s crook with a metal number “9” in the center. Not one to shy away from trying a beer without any knowledge of it, I asked the bartender for a little info and ordered a pint. The new brew, Magic Hat No. 9, disappointed me that day. The beer seemed a bit flat and sour. Not a good first impression. The Magic Hat hails from the maple syrup state, Vermont.

 A couple of days later I was back in the BWW and decided to give No. 9 another chance. I’m glad I did. This time around the beer had a great head, the sour taste was gone and the pint was an enjoyable ride. I ordered another and mentioned to the barkeep my previous experience. He told me that sometimes the glasses don’t get rinsed enough and the residual agent left on the glass can cause the beer to loose its head and seem flat in the glass. According the bartender BWW is the only place the Magic Hat can be found in Joplin and it could be there for a limited time.

 The Magic Hat Brewing Co. is in Burlington, Vermont, a state known for good beer. The No. 9 product information on the Web site brands the brew as a “not quite pale ale.” The site info goes on: “An ale whose mysterious and unusual palate will swirl across your tongue and ask more questions than it answers. A sort of dry, crisp, refreshing, not-quite pale ale. #9 is really impossible to describe because there’s never been anything else quite like it.”

Magic Hat’s No. 9 gets its “not quite Pale character from Cascade and Apollo hops and Pale and Crystal malts. At 5.1 alcohol by volume (ABV) , its not a stiff drink.

I’m glad I gave No. 9 a second chance. The bartender couldn’t tell me how long the English style ale will stick around. He said the distributor was sampling it to see if it had any legs in this market. I say keep it around. I’ll tackle it again. $4 a pint. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Cheers!