The Armchair Quarterback’s Take Of The Week The Armchair Quarterback’s Take Of The Week The Armchair Quarterback’s Take Of The Week
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The Armchair Quarterback’s Guide To Wildcard Weekend

By Lyle Graversen

Jan 8 2012; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the headphones of Denver Broncos head coach John Fox before the start of the 2011 AFC Wildcard Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8 2012; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the headphones of Denver Broncos head coach John Fox before the start of the 2011 AFC Wildcard Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Armchair Quarterback’s Odds And Ends Of The Week

stone-smoked-porter-vanilla-bean
stone-smoked-porter-vanilla-bean /

Beer Review Of The Week:

Stone Brewing Co.’s Smoked Porter With Vanilla Bean

I’ve reviewed several new beers that I had never tried before this season (along with a few of my old favorites), but this is the best new beer that I’ve tried this year. I have had Stone’s regular Smoked Porter before and found it very good, but not something that I crave more of. However, this winter seasonal version with vanilla bean is amazing. I found it to be one of the top five beers that I have ever had in my life. There is just something about the dark smokey flavor of the porter mixed with the sweet and creamy vanilla that just compliments itself perfectly. If the thought of a beer having a “smoked” flavor does not appeal to you, then this might not be for you, but if it does you need to rush out today and pick up a bottle (it comes in 22 oz. single bottles) before it disappears for the season. It opens with the smooth vanilla (and not an artificial vanilla, definitely authentic) and a hint of chocolate, follows with some roasted coffee malts, and finishes with a nice smokey flavor and enough hop bitterness to perfectly balance out the taste without overpowering it. I literally cannot think of one thing I would change about it. It’s one of the best balanced beers that I have ever tried, and that successful blending of flavors is what makes it so much better than the original. I have officially found a new favorite that I will seek out each and every winter from now on. Bravo Stone Brewing!!!

My Rating (1-10): 10

Random Rant Of The Week:

SLOW DOWN ON ICEY ROADS!!!!!!!! Look, I get it, I like to make good time wherever I am driving. Maybe it’s a guy thing, but I would literally rather not make a pit stop and drive the last hour with a bladder that’s about to explode so that I can say that I made “good time”. If I get to work in the morning two minutes faster than my average drive time I feel like I “won” the drive to work. So I get the desire to get places in a hurry, but that all changes when the road conditions are bad. If there is snow/ice on the roads then you need to leave sooner and plan on the drive taking longer. I would really rather you not kill me and my family because you failed to plan ahead. Also, I understand that you may feel like you have complete control of your car going regular speeds, but it only takes one bad patch or sudden stop and you and possibly those around you are all toast. I’ll even admit that I get great satisfaction when a car zips past me in bad weather and then five miles down the road I see them stuck in a ditch (uninjured, of course) because they lost control. Serves you right you knucklehead! SLOW DOWN!!!

Closing Thought Of The Week:

Happy New Year to all! I hope this year has been good to you and yours and the new year brings even better times. It’s been a great NFL season and I’m thankful to everyone at Fansided who allowed me to start writing this weekly column. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing it and am looking forward to doing it for years to come. Thanks to all of you that have taken the time to read my ramblings every week and for some reason keep coming back for more. I plan on keeping it going during the offseason with new sections on draft prospects and grading offseason moves so hopefully you’ll keep tuning in as the season wraps up. Along those same lines, if you have any ideas for a new feature for the offseason, I’m always willing to listen.

That does it for this week, regardless of if your team is still alive, enjoy the playoffs because there are some great games on tap. So until next week, find yourself a comfortable chair and enjoy some football!

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

Follow me on Twitter: @LyleGraversen

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