In light of the space/rocket companies deciding to go public in the last couple months, one of which was earlier this week, it seems now is a good time to ask, “what the hell happened to NASA?”

This is my review of Arizona Wilderness Desert Dweller Saison:

Perhaps I am a few weeks late on discussing this, but whatever.  Several commentators at best hand-waived private funded space ventures as something NASA already did or even made references to terrible Matt Damon movies in an attempt to further begrudge the lower economic classes.

Which I suppose is not a terrible argument.  They could have spent the same money on some sort of encampment away from major cities, where the homeless can live free of charge.  Then again, the could have spent the same money on a fleet of party yachts and crewed them all with hookers serving punchbowls filled with cocaine.  For whatever reason, launching yourself into space is the new dick measuring contest. To which I say, at least they have a sense of humor about it.

Its the handwaving part that irritates me.  Even if private ventures have teething issues, NASA had similar problems early on.  NASA did indeed manage to do it 60 years ago by spending a decade’s worth of blood and treasure.  While admirable, what are they up to lately?

  • Potential band name: Supersonic Toothpick?

    Contracted with Boeing to build the Starliner capsule, designed to ferry astronauts to the ISS.  One test flight failed to dock with the ISS before aborting.  The next attempt several months later was scrubbed.

  • The Artemis program, an SLS based launch vehicle meant for a moon mission as early as 2024. Between its cost overruns and delays leave the next launch scheduled in November.
  • Which leaves them a couple years to develop a new spacesuit.
  • Okay, maybe space is hard.  Lets start “small” and develop a supersonic jet. They began work on it in 2018, and thus far managed to produce a cool time lapse video of them building something that can’t fly.

It would appear we should be celebrating these people in light of NASA turning into the Post Office.

 

A Saison brewed with mesquite pods…I recall multiple summers growing up under the shade of my neighbor’s mesquite tree.  It dumped these yellow, crunchy pods onto the lawn that kept getting
churned up by the lawnmower blades.  Which left my shins looking like they were pelted by the ensuing onslaught of jagged coffee grounds.

Yeah, I was too lazy to rake and bag them up in 110 degree weather.  The beer is an interesting take, however.  When most people think of mesquite they either think of their seasonal hayfever or smoked meats.  This leaves an interesting smoky flavor on the backend of what is a perfectly good sour ale. Arizona Wilderness Desert Dweller Saison: 3.5/5