Move Over Mint Julep, Beer is What We Want On Derby Day!

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Hello everybody, we are less than one week away from The Fastest Two Minutes In Sports, The Kentucky Derby! In my opinion, this is the best time of year to be from or in Louisville. The Kentucky Derby festival starts off with a BANG during Thunder Over Louisville, and for the two week's until Derby it's non-stop fun! We have The Chow Wagon, The Pegasus Parade, Steamboat Race(Go Belle!), Thurby, Oaks, the Mint Julep contest, Mattress race, Mini-Marathon, etc, etc, etc! After two weeks of fun, we end it with a horse race that is not only the most exciting, but the first of three(Preakness, Belmont) to hopefully award another horse The Triple Crown!

Now most people know fashion is a HUGE(or YUGE if you are Donald Trump) part of the Derby. Big hats and spring color dresses or pants for the ladies, bright and colorful button down shirts with slacks for the gent's. Another staple of the Derby is bourbon, and in particular, The Mint Julep.
Most Louisvillan's and out-of- towners alike will drink a mint julep or two on Oaks or Derby, but it's either you love them or hate them. I do kinda like them, but honestly I used to drink them for the collector's glass they come in. I know they are a big part of the Derby tradition, it's just I yearn for an official beer. Instead, we are stuck with Bud, Miller, Coors, Stella, and maybe a Goose Island or Shock Top as the available beers. None of those are bad, but none hail from the great state of Kentucky or represent the Derby City.

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Well all of that might end up changing sooner than later. Falls City, a once prominent brand in Louisville during most of the 20th century, has been reborn and was named the official craft beer of Thunder over Louisville 2016! The brand has just released two new beers, a seasonal(Easy Goer' IPA) and Kentucky Common, and revamped the packing on the other two beers to give them a nice, clean uniform look. The Kentucky Derby Festival Beerfest is on Wednesday, May 4th at the Kroger Fest-A-Ville, showcasing locals, regional, and national craft beers.  My hope is that in the near future that a Kentucky Common(either Falls City or another local brewery) could eventually be side-by side with the mint julep as a official Derby beer.

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The Kentucky Common(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_common_beer) was the most popular beer style in Louisville from the mid-late 19th century to Prohibition. It has been claimed that around 80% of Louisvillan's drank Commons. A Common beer, similar to a California common(Anchor Steam beer), is a style of beer that is lower in alcohol, light brown to amber in color, and is a blend of barley and corn. Due to the lack of refrigeration or ice during the time period, a Common was fermented at higher temperatures like an ale, aged at a short time or not at all, and consumed immediately or shortly after brewing, usually as draught. This provided a low-cost, highly available beer to an increasing number of thirsty European immigrants. I have tried Falls City Kentucky Common, and have to say it is the perfect Spring/Summer beer with it's lower alcohol, light body, and easy drinkin' appeal.

With craft beer on the rise in Louisville and all over the country, it only makes sense to include it in during the biggest sports event in our city. Lagers like Bud, Miller and Coors are ok,Stella is a decent import and Bourbon Mint Juleps are part of tradition, but what about local craft?? I hope that the Kentucky Common continues to do well and in the future becomes a part of the tradition. I would also like to see beers, such as Louisville Lager(Goodwood Brewing, Louisville), Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale(Alltech, Lexington), Cumberland Brews(Bardstown Rd, Highlands), Sterling Pilsner(Sterling Brewing Co., Louisville), West Sixth IPA(West Sixth Brewing, Lexington), and Against The Grain brewing Co(Louisville Slugger Field).,just to name a few, also available at Churchill Downs and other Kentucky Derby Festival events. Let's not forget our Indiana friends at New Albanian Brewing Co., Upland(Bloomington, IN) or Flat 12 across the bridge in Jeffersonville. Louisville may be known for Bourbon, but our beer scene is neck-and-neck down the stretch and closing fast!

HAPPY DERBY!

Run, Logan, Run!

Hello all, welcome back to Southpaw Sleuth! Today I am discussing a movie that I watched for the first time a few weeks ago while on vacation. I went with my mom, sister and her boyfriend to Lagrange, KY, to check out the Traderbaker's mall and to shop the stores on historic Main St. At one store in particular, Agape Thrift Store(301 S 1st St.), I spotted a huge selection of VHS tapes in the back. I still have and use a VHS player, and still buy tapes if the price is right. Most VHS at this place were 50 cents each, and I quickly picked out a few older movies that I had never watched before. One of them, "Logan's Run",  I had heard of but had never seen. I figured for half a dollar for any movie it's worth it, even if I'd only watch it once.

Boy, was it worth every penny! Released in 1976, "Logan's Run" was the gold standard of 70's sci-fi(at least until Star Wars New Hope came out in 1977.)  It has everything a 70's movie should have: weird and colorful costumes, elaborate background and set, hippies,ancient symbols, great music and score, kooky characters and Farrah Fawcett. The special effects were top of the line for the time period, and the film was the first to use laser holography. The film was nominated for two Academy awards, won a special Academy Award, and won six Saturn Awards, including Best Science Fiction Film.

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The film takes place in the year 2274. Civilization as we know it ceased to exist, and people now live under a domed city, controlled by a computer. Everything is taken care of, and work is no longer necessary. It is a hedonistic society, one of leisure and pursuit of pleasure. The Utopia under this domed city has one major drawback: No one lives longer than 30 years. The reason for this is to preserve resources and to prevent overpopulation.  On or right after the 30th birthday, the citizens go through a ritual, and if not killed during it, can live out the rest of their lives. Logan 5, the main character, is a law enforcement officer called a "Sandman" who eliminates "Runners" that try to escape the ritual and city. The film is about Logan eventually running from society to escape his on own lethal requirement.

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I don't want to spoil this film for people that have yet to see it. I have already watched it twice, and could easily watch again. The film, at roughly 2 hours long, moves along smoothly with just the right amount of action, adventure and love story. The cast of characters is wonderful, Michael York and Jenny Agutter play the main characters, the late Roscoe Lee Browne and  the late Peter Ustinov are stand-out supporting characters. The visual effects of this film is definitely it's strength, with a vivid and imaginative set and costumes. Even though it is dated compared to today's standards, I believe most people will still appreciate what this film has to offer. Highly recommended!

Let's Talk Food!

Hello All! Welcome to another entry of  Southpaw Sleuth. I hope you enjoyed my last post, and maybe learned a little about the Louisville sports scene, and that horse racing and college basketball are just two things that make Louisville great! Today I am sharing my thoughts and opinions on a restaurant I visited on my vacation last week. I like to try new things or break my routine on vacation, and last week was no different. Without further adieu, let's talk Food!

I finally got around to trying Zaxby's, 801 Blankenbaker Pkwy. Zaxby's is a chicken joint, with multiple locations around town. The chain seems to be growing like a weed, with a new location on Dixie Hwy. and one in the works on Old Henry Rd. I have heard so much hype over the years about this chain you would think its the second coming of Colonel Harland Sanders (The founder of KFC, before it turned to crap)! They serve salads, appetizers, wings and fingers,with numerous side items, some with the name starting with a Z("Zalads,Zappetizers for example).

I placed my order using Zaxby's website(www.zaxbys.com), for pickup at the 807 Blankenbaker Pkwy location.  I had received a coupon in the mail for free 5-piece chicken fingers($5.49) with the purchase of a large drink. When ordering, I added on an appetizer, the spicy fried mushrooms($3.49). I went inside to pick up my order, and what stuck out to me was how clean, organized, and fun the restaurant looked. Lots of  country-style wall art, sports memorabilia(negative points for mostly UK stuff), and quirky Zaxby's signage(One saying to be cautious, eating at Zaxby's can be addicting!). I was promptly waited on, and my order was ready on time. The only problem was they had already charged my debit card, and could not take off the coupon. When using online ordering, they ask for payment information, but I did not realize the sale was final. I did not see a way to put a coupon code in, so next time I will order in or phone in the order to insure I can use this coupon. A minor inconvenience, but not a deal-breaker.

Now to the food: Fried mushrooms were served hot, breading almost falling off and a little too greasy. The serving size was ok, probably just the right amount for an appetizer. They are served with Zaxby's signature sauce, Zax sauce(mildly spicy, mayonnaise and horseradish sauce), which was good and definitely complimented this appetizer. Not bad, but nothing to write home about. The chicken fingers, also served with Zax sauce, were good, but they seemed like they had been sitting for a few minutes, hot but not fresh out of the oven hot. For the money(without the use of the coupon my total was over $10 for a 5 piece finger, fried mushroom and large drink) saying that I was disappointed is probably an understatement. Nothing was what I would consider excellent, and for the money it should have been. I would like to try some of the other items from the menu, and have heard the salads, oh pardon me, zalads, are amazing. Overall I would give Zaxby's a 3 out of 5 stars.

Thanks for reading, and be on the lookout for the next Southpaw Sleuth blog post!

Louisville, More Than Just Derby!

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Louisville, Kentucky is my home. I was born and raised, and have spent all of my 35 years here. When it comes to sports, we are generally known for horse racing and college athletics. We are the home of Churchill Downs, The Kentucky Derby,  UofL men's(and women's) basketball teams, and hall of fame coach Rick Pitino. With Spring officially here, Derby time is upon us! Thunder Over Louisville, one of the largest firework displays in North America, is just a few weeks away. Thunder is the official kick-off to the Kentucky Derby Festival, and that brings free concerts,  the chow wagon and big hats back to the Ville! This is an exciting time to be in Louisville, with thousands of horse racing fans ascending on our town for the two weeks leading up to the Run For The Roses. This is our "Mardi Gras", and we should be proud of it!
 I am blogging today to shed light on a few of our other great sport teams that call Louisville home this time a year. These teams and sports are a delight to watch, easy on the pocketbook, and fun for the entire family. Two of the teams, Louisville City FC and Louisville Bats, start up the new season this month, with Derby City Roller Girls already in full swing.. Read on to learn about the teams that make Louisville more than just Derby!

Louisville City FC is Louisville's professional soccer team. Founded in 2014, they play in the United Soccer League. Home games are played at Louisville Slugger Field, located close to Main St. in  downtown Louisville. I have personally not been to a game yet, but hope to change that this season. With soccer growing in popularity in the States, Louisville City FC has been a great addition to the sports landscape.  Check out the link below for schedule, tickets, and general information.
www.louisvillecityfc.com


Louisville Bats baseball team is the other team that plays at Louisville Slugger Field. They are a minor league Triple-A baseball team affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds. Louisville's minor league baseball team has been around for decades, with different names and team affiliations. Since I have been young, we have had The Redbirds, River Bats, and the current Louisville Bats. I remember going to  Redbird's games as a kid, and have gone to quite a few Bats games over the years. They are a lot of fun for the entire family, and are budget friendly, with numerous promotions, including $1 Pepsi and Hot Dogs! Check out the official website for more information.
http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t416

Last, but certainly not least, is the Derby City Roller Girls, aka Louisville's other derby! This team is an all-female flat track roller derby team consisting of three squads,the All-Stars, Bourbon Brawlers, and Junior. They play home games at Champ's Rollerdrome, a skating rink located in Lyndon. If you have never been to a roller derby match, you are truly missing out and need to go to one ASAP. The matches consist of two fast-paced half's, separated by a halftime that usually involves the crowd in some sort of fun and silly way. These games are full-contact, fast, and furious, and after going to a game or two I can guarantee you will be hooked! Check out the website for schedule and information.
http://derbycityrollergirls.com/ 

Thanks for reading, see you next time! 

*WELCOME!*

www.suppersleuth.com

Chester(Tabby), Presh(Russian Blue) and Buddy the Dog

Hello! Welcome to my new blog Southpaw Sleuth! In this blog I will touch on many subjects, including food, beer, movies, entertainment and sports. I also have two cats and a dog, thus my blog will include the adventures of being a pet owner, reviews of cat/dog food and treats, first aid and health.

I am definitely what you would consider a "foodie". My fiance, Steph, and I love to try different kinds of food and checking out all the hot spots around town. I have recently begun giving my two cents worth in the form of reviews,judging value, taste and atmosphere,  and will share them on this blog. I sell beer for a living, and have been drinking beer for close to two decades. I  can honestly say my love for beer is a close second to food, and like food, I am always trying something different or checking out the newest offering. My blog will include reviews on beer, old and new, and even food pairings on occasion.

I am an alumni of the University of Louisville(2005 BA), and a big fan of the sport programs. I follow the Football team, (men's and women's)Basketball teams, Baseball, Ice Hockey, and Soccer, just to name a few. I am also a big fan of the Derby City Roller Girls, Louisville's flat track women's roller derby team that plays home games at Champs Rollerdrome in Lyndon. The Louisville Bats, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Browns round out my favorite teams and sport programs.

Finally, I am also movie buff, notably into old movies, but watch and enjoy any and all genre. I love to talk about movies, review, and get the 4-1-1 on new releases. I also enjoy video games(older consoles and CPU), super heroes, arts and crafts.

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Thanks for checking my blog out, see you next time!