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Specialized FSR XC Pro

12/13/2019

This is a 2004 Specialized FSR XC Pro. It's a direct descendant of the FSR XC of 1999, which was touted as the anti-freeride bike. Freeride was the name given to the heavy DH-ish bikes that were being made to ride down mountains. The FSR XCs though were also supposed to work well going up mountains.

Hard to believe that only five or so years of full suspension bikes in the marketplace, they needed a major correction, but, that's what we got.

This FSR really wasn't anything special, but I bought one three years ago for cheap, and it became I think anyway, an interesting story.

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it's friday night!

12/5/2019

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It's Friday night dammit - let's talk beer!

I've fallen so far behind now it's laughable. I do have a lot to talk about though. Specifically the Phillips Brewing Space Case.

In years past Phillips put out an advent calendar of beers called the Snowcase. 24 beers in a box, a lot that hadn't been made bu Phillips in years. They haven't made this in five years now I think, which is really unfortunate because it was a ton of fun.

Still no Snowcase this year, but instead, the Space Case - a dozen bomber bottles of new brews. I didn't set any kind of schedule for this, I just went ahead and opened them as I saw fit. And I'm just going to rate them on a "would I buy it again" yes-or-no basis.

Ruby Dew Cranberry Tart pale ale.

This is a solid Buy Again. It's not too tart, very drinkable, tastes great - it's just very enjoyable. Maybe better suited to summer patio drinking, but still good.

3.75/5

Glitter Bells Juicy pale ale.

Ah the "juicy" ale. I still don't have solid feelings about the juicy or New England style ale. I've some that are great, and some that ruined my tastebuds for the rest of the day. I can't shake the feeling that I'm supposed to like them just because Heady Topper and King Julius are so good.

The Untappd Bros are not too impressed with this as it's sitting at 3.35. I like it, but not enough to buy again.

3.5/5

Jovaru Lithuanian Golden Ale.

Now I gotta learn about the Lithuanian beer scene?! It's cool, just make good beer, it doesn't matter where it comes from.

Golden Ale is really hit-or-miss for me. The good ones are Pilsner-like I find - clear and bright, crisp even (sorry, crisp is a really dumb word to use when describing a liquid), and a bitter finish. This has all of those things and I would buy this one again.

3.75/5

Peak Season Post Slope Saison.

I'm out of order here maybe, but it doesn't matter.

This is a great saison! I don't know for certain what makes a saison taste like a saison - the yeast strain I guess? - but this one tastes great. Like the Glitter Bells though it's not faring well on Untappd; only 3.32.

None of that matters of course, but I do find it weird when someone says a beer is good, and gives it 3/5. That's what I would give a beer I didn't like. Oh well.

4/5

Ryzenheimer Ryzenbock.

I love a dark malty rye beer, and this is a beauty. I almost always drink beer too cold, so when I am savouring a beer like this it usually gets better as I go. This one ended up being very good.

4/5

Nakimushi Tropical Smoothie IPA

This is probably my fav of the first six. Terrific citrus flavours, just the right amount of bitterness, highly drinkable.

4/5

Part one of the Space Case, and not a bad beer in the bunch. At least three real standouts too.

Important to note that the Space Case was a screaming good deal! With taxes it was roughly $5 a bottle. Which is why I bought a second case! HAHA!

Let's have another!

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a vintage dilemma

Specialized FSR XC Pro

it's friday night!

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