From: The Daily Activist

Animal Issues – Reports of whales being entangled in fishing traps and lines are becoming more common, and sadly, if not freed, the beautiful mammals often die. One migrating gray whale in Southern California was saved from this fate after rescue workers freed it from debris wrapped around its tail this week.

The whale was found near Redondo Beach and the “disentanglement team would speed up, position its boat directly behind the whale, and then try to catch the tangle with a long rod with a blade on top.”

“As soon as he got the blade in and cut through it, the net and the drag from the buoy, everything popped off and the whale dove. Everybody cheered,” Kelli Lewis, education director of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, said.

Unfortunately, this was not the only whale with tangled masses attached to its tail. Another gray whale was spotted last weekend and although rescuers were able to cut “mounds of gill nets off the tail,” sightings of a dead whale were reported and “rescue workers fear it may have been the weekend whale.”

“That’s something that happens with animals that get tangled in gear,” Lewis said. “Their movements and ability to see are so inhibited they get malnourished, and the netting chaffs their skin, and they get infections. By the time we find them, they have been suffering for some time. It’s not uncommon for them to die as a result of entanglement.”

Sometimes, however, they can survive as whales with “entanglement” scars have been found. Rescuers have high hopes for the most recent whale found as it was much “healthier in its behavior than the weekend whale.”

“The one over the weekend was more lethargic and was not using its tail to move through the water,” Lewis said. “Today’s was showing quick movements and using its body properly. It didn’t look too emaciated. We are hoping for the best on this one.”

Of course I wish the best for this whale as well!

No joke here people, Craft Beer Club = AWESOMENESS!  I have been approached by many companies since I started BeerGeek, dude in 2010 and I have turned them down, until now!  Craft Beer Club is a product I believe in.  I mean what is there not to love?  Craft beer, in the mail, delivered…monthly! just amazing, I love the interwebs!

If you subscribe for a full year you get the full package that was delivered to my doorstep last week.  I had seen their site but still didnt know what to expect, and honestly, I couldnt have expected the awesomeness that arrived.

The FedEx guy, in his stupid little budget truck that makes him look like a creeper, knocked on my door and needed my signature cause alcohol had arrived!  Ok, so that is cool factor the first.

I got the box inside and you should have seen the smile on my face when I opened the box to see an array of peanuts, 4 tasting glasses, and the best bottle opener I have ever used (really I might have been more excited about the damn bottle opener than anything.  It is perfectly weighted and feels nice in your hand. I get excited about things like that.

I think my buddy who was here was wondering if I was gonna remove the top tray to see the beer!

I did…

OMG, 4 styles of beer, 2 from Cisco Brewers and 2 from Lakefront Brewery. Reviews of them coming soon!

I am VERY happy with Craft Beer Club, and I think you will be too.

Bottle conditioned so the yeasties keep working in the bottle.  Great example of english hops is balance.

Caitlin, from Mezze, sent out the bat signal and I drive over in the bat mobile to try this tasty pint.  Seriously, She sent me a text message saying that it was a bat signal for me to come drink beer, I did, and I didnt regret it.

The Peeper is an American Pale Ale and has tons of smoothness and flavour.  No joke, the thing that stands out here is the smoothness.  There is malt and some nice aromatic hops but the smooth package…that is where the money is at.

Drink Maine Beer Company Peeper Ale

A dear friend of mine brought me this beer from J.W. Lees as a gift.  After a long day at work I was happy to come home, keg some beer, and pop open this one.  Matured in port casks you can smell the port right off the bat.  There was little to no head and the aroma and flavour are very old world fruit.  I love beers that make me think of dates and this one hits the spot.  The color is a beautiful copper and for 11.5% alcohol it is hidden fairly well.  There is a slight wood taste and a strong carmel.  VERY NICE!

I ended up pairing this with a mild Indian chicken and veg curry.  It is a GREAT combo.