Session #9: Beer and Music…and Giants
This edition of The Session is sponsored by Tomme Arthur of Lost Abbey.
Session #9 is titled Beer and Music- The Message in a Bottle. Just about every brewery or pub I have ever walked into, there is music- Background, in the brewhouse or even live on the floor. It’s everywhere. There’s even beer enthusiasts, marketers and producers who play.
Personally, I have always loved music and its ability to serve so many different needs and roles. In many ways, it’s like beer. There’s seemingly so many different styles and interpretations and for me, there is always a great song or beer for every occassion.
Besides my family and friends, I have three great passions: Beer (I’m sure you could have guessed), the New York Giants, and Rush.
I have been a New York Giants fan ever since I was old enough to get my Father a beer out of the fridge while he watched the game on television. In spite of every seat in Giants Stadium being held by a season-ticket holder (and something like a thirty year wait for season-tickets) I’ve been able to go to a number of Giants games. (It’s good to know people who know people.)
I’ve been into Rush ever since I was in High School. I’ve managed to see them at least once on every single tour since Hold Your Fire. They have been the soundtrack for my life for over twenty years.
One thing rock concerts and football games have in common: Tailgating. Where everyone brings beer and food, stands around a grill or three in a parking lot, has too much to eat and just enough to drink, and talks about the game, life, or whatever. It is a unique experience, and one of my favorite “Atmospheres”. Granted no one is drinking Thomas Hardy’s ale, but that’s not the point, is it?
Almost eleven (!) years ago, I was able to combine all three of my passions into a single event. What I call The Best—and Longest—Day Ever.
Across the parking lot from Giants Stadium is the Continental Airlines Arena. On that glorious December Sunday, Rush was playing the arena the same day as a home Giants game. Somehow the stars aligned and I got tickets for both.
It was me and the usual suspects: Ron, Max, and Don. Tailgating for a Giants 1:00 PM game usually starts shortly before 10:00 AM. We joined the usual crowd (Greg, Mike, and their cronies) and ate entirely too much food. (Did I mention that the only vegetables in sight were in the salsa?) Then in to the game which, unfortunately, the Giants lost to the New Orleans Saints. (Hey, I was a Giants fan in the Seventies. I can handle the occasional loss.)
Of course, afterwards, you need to fire the grill back up again, because traffic getting out of the stadium is a nightmare. We’ve watched cars literally sit unmoving for an hour. Why not fire the grill up again and hang out? So, we did that, but instead of leaving with everyone else around 5:30, we stuck around. Security made us move over closer the arena, which was fine because we got a good parking spot, but we kept right on partying. Other Rush fans showed up and suddenly a number of mobile sound systems were blasting out our favorite tunes.
Soon enough it was time to head in for the show, which was great as always. By the time we left (after tailgating a little bit afterwards), it was at least midnight. (Yes, we drank responsibly.)
Great friends, an amazing atmosphere, and beer perfect for the occasion. What else could you ask for?
Update: Tomme has posted the re-cap
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