The end of the travel season

The art galleries have been booming with great shows, while I have been gallivanting around the states. Needless, to say I was unable to participate in the New York art scene for quite some time. Having returned just in time I was able to see my friend Yushua Klos’ thesis show which was two giant block print collages at the Hunter College. Creating mountains out of pieces of different African Americans, Klos creates a foundation for the black male’s growth. He really filled the space and prints were some of the best works in the exhibitions.

The space was a five to six rooms of galleries housing all the current graduating MFA students and every movement in art seemed to be present except performance and video art. Walking into one of the many side rooms I stumbled upon the work of Ellie Iron and her branches that span from the floor to the ceiling. Under closer evaluation, each branch is made up a series of different branches with color-coded bands that indicated where they were found in NYC. Using the New York watershed as inspiration she created drawings and mixed medium works of biomorphic images that mimic her many branches.

Iron’s work was trumped by an IPA from San Diego, CA. This 7% ABV ale from Green Flash West Coast Brewing Company is my new favorite IPA. Having tasted it in sunny San Diego, I had to find a place that sold it in the city. This place was right under my nose, The Blind Tiger on Bleeker st is a beer lovers dream and they have a 30 dollar bottle of beer. This IPA features a hoppy aroma topped with citrus blast with a bitter and hoppy finish. This Dark Yellow IPA matches its citrus flavor and has become one of my favorite beers.

Visiting my home, my friend’s parents bought a limited edition dogfish head and I had to try it. This 18% ABV had a sweet finish to its extremely alcoholic beginnings is called the Raison D’extra. Yes, it has a sister beer called Raison D’etre but is has a lot more kick then its 8.0% ABV counterpart. Did I mention this ale is brewed with raisons, well it is and it’s a wonderful change from the many citrus beers out there!