A Podcast & A Beer – 30 for 30 / The Sterling Affairs

Wow. I knew more than I wanted to know about the West Coast Donald that Los Angeles tolerated for far too long but this new 30 for 30 podcast from ESPN is just too much.

Hosted by long-time NBA reporter Ramona Shelburne, this five-part podcast starts at the end and then re-traces the steps of this sad, sad man and the many people that enabled him and his wife. From Boyle Heights to courtrooms to real estate deals to all the affairs and horrible interactions with players. This is a parade of awkward and ugly and by the end you wish you hadn’t heard of either Donald or Shelley.

To accompany this series, you could make the journey that the podcast does, starting in Oakland where the ascendant Clippers were playing the before championship Warriors. Perhaps Faction Brewing beers would be a good choice considering the acrimony in this podcast. Then head to San Diego and get something bitter for when the Clippers left that city. And finally get something from Mumford Brewing in DTLA, one of the closest breweries to Staples Center.

In the Tap Lines for September 2019

header_attractionsThis month the big event is in Long Beach as the California Craft Beer Summit comes south for their 2019 iteration.  There will be tips about the festival as well as events surrounding the gathering of the state’s brewers in the coastal town.

~ e-visits to three breweries coming to Long Beach for the Summit Beer Festival
~ special featured reviews of beers in the tall chimney hat can format
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads Kafka by the Shore
~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to 30 for 30 – The Sterling Affairs
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

Here are two events to get your September started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) September 21st – Craft Beer LB Festival
2) September 21st – Oktoberfest Kick-Off at Rasselbock Long Beach

A Book & A Podcast – 30 for 30


Combine exercise with a guru and you get a recipe for both “Hot Yoga” and for abuse of power. The ESPN 30 for 30 podcast took a 5 part deep dive into Bikram Yoga and its founder/creator.

This is not for the faint of heart however. From the disgusting image of carpeted yoga studios without mats that reek of sweat from the intense 29 pose routine to the hideous revelations that Choudhury used his power to coerce women are disgusting to say the least. That he has avoided capture and seems to be living well just adds a nasty icing to the cake.

Since after you listen, you may be leery of a beer and yoga session, I would recommend finding a good Spa Water (sub-style) beer. Both Monkish and Ohana have made one in the past. Or you could look for the new Deschutes or Rogue Kombucha infused beers.