Dems Beers

Earlier this year, Sixpoint Craft Ales announced the release of the "Hop Obama" ale in both New York State and Massachusetts. Supporters of the democratic process can hoist a glass of this limited-edition beer that was brewed in tribute to the inspiration that has been Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

Though I've not seen it, the beer is supposed to be available in finer bars and restaurants for a very limited time throughout both states.

Yesterday I read some news (probably old news) that is good news for all Reds and Blues:

Headline: Waste Beer Ethanol to Fuel Democratic Convention Motorpool

DENVER, Colorado - The flex-fuel vehicles at this summer's Democratic National Convention will be running on waste beer, thanks to the Molson Coors Brewing Company.

Molson Coors, along with its U.S. subsidiary, Coors Brewing Company, will be the Official E85 Ethanol Producer for the convention, which is set for August 25 through 28 in Denver.

Molson Coors is donating all the clean-burning ethanol fuel for the fleet of 400 General Motors flex-fuel vehicles to be used for the convention's transportation needs. The fleet will be for the use of U.S. House and Senate Leadership, DNC officials and state party chairs, delegates, staff, and members of the media.

All the buses and motorpool vehicles are flex-fuel, hybrids or run on biofuel, the DNC Host Committee says.

It is made from waste beer – not the aftermath of consumption – but, generated at the Golden, Colorado, brewery, which now produces about three million gallons annually. Coors is the first major U.S. brewer to convert its waste beer into ethanol. (From Environmental News Service)

If you're caught speeding, is that “Waste makes haste?”

Sir Bowie of Greenbriar

A Knight's Tale/Tail Two

On the campus of Bellarmine University, Louisville, Ky, stands a 13 foot tall, three and one half ton sculpture of their mascot. From a distance, this is one cool knight. But, upon closer examination, you'll see the real genius of the piece.

Artist Bob Lockhart must have one Knight-like sense of history and humor. When you examine the sculpture more closely, you'll see a myriad of tiny details. To name a few:

* The noble steed is named Veritas, Latin for Truth. The Bellarmine motto is "In the Love of Truth."
* The doves on the helmet hold an olive branch and are higher than the sword, affirming the primacy of peace over violence.
* The horse bridle and the helmet rim are shark jaws.
* The topknot of the mane is shaped as a pineapple, the symbol of hospitality.
* There are ten lizards on the sculpture, representing the little things in life that irritate us.
* The rooster and chickens on each side of the saddle symbolize Yin and Yang, seeming opposites in the "hidden wholeness" of life.
* There are many turtles, snakes, frogs, and a gargoyle.
And one of my favorite
* The ring of bells on a leg of Veritas represents the sounds of music and the rhythm and dance of life. If you look closely at it, you'll see that one of the bells is actually a fortune cookie. That suggests that the sculpture cost a fortune!

Wouldn't you just love to see the artist's sketchbook on this one!
As we ride though history, may we, like this Knight, do it with faith and love. May we live the virtues of dignity, strength, imagination, confidence, courage, knowledge, passion, compassion, and a transcendent sense of humor.

Sir Bowie of Greenbriar

A Knight for us to live up to!

I was going to write about this tomorrow, but I saw that nothing has been posted today and I want to make sure that we don't break the string. So, this will have to act as an introduction.

Lady Suzanne and I just returned from Louisville where our daughter Lucy Anne is now officially a Bellarmine University "Purple Knight."

In the middle of the campus is a 13 foot hight, 3 and one half ton bronze statue of their mascot.

“The Knight moves through history with faith, hope, and love while mounted on the noble steed, Veritus, Latin for Truth. Bellarmine's motto is 'In Love of the Truth.'”

There is so much more to this sculpture than first meets the eye. I'll tell you more about it in future posts. For now, let me quote what the Bellarmine Knight represents – virtues that we all should ride through history with:

“The Bellarmine Knight represents dignity, strength, imagination, confidence, courage, knowledge, passion, compassion, and, a transcendent sense of humor.”

Again, future posts will highlight some of the humor that the artist, Bob Lockhart, hid in the piece.

Sir Bowie “The Proud Father” of Greenbriar