Since Micro-Brew Review Monday died a long time ago on another platform and since I have time to write today, consider this a new series that will continue for as long as my current employment holds and as long as my current enjoyment of both writing and beer hold.

Clipper City is a Baltimore-based brewery and they make a variety of fine libations, but so far my favorite has been the Marzhon. The Marzhon is an Oktoberfest style amber lager. The name is a play on the Baltimore slang “hon,” a term for just about anyone as far as I know, and the name of the style of brew, marzen(umlaut missing on the a). It’s not too hoppy or too malty, nor is it cloying or bitter. I think this is what better reviewers and more seasoned tongues would call “balance.” Marzhon is just a damn good and yummy. I would drink it year round and definitely with spicy food, but it would work well with nearly any food as the flavor is not particularly heavy. I would easily recommend this beer to someone who was not sure that they are a fan of beer yet.

This beer was drunk at the Brickskeller.

With the 4th of July just hours away, I think it’s time for the crew (me!) at WRN to get the patriotism going STAT.  Besides World War I & II, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, and the Mexican-American War, the Cold War is the most important and nebulous war in American history.

Unfortunately, in our post 9/11 world we’ve started ignoring that great Cold War tradition and chosen to instead focus on places that obviously were not at all related to that conflict like Afghanistan and the Middle East.  In order to help keep our victory over Communism (as depicted in the historical drama Rocky IV) seem relevant today there are a number of approaches that educators and parents can take to keep kids interested.

While some techniques such as friending the Cold War on Facebook, requiring mandatory viewing of Red Dawn/Red Heat/Hunt for the Red October/Red Sonja, and even requiring reading of history textbooks have done a little to help the cause, today’s world requires something more.  Something magical.

The answer: COLD WAR UNICORNS

Crafted by skilled tradespeople in communist China, you can be assured that every person making this educational tool was fully aware of the mythology and legends behind the history of both Unicorns and the Cold War.  Being magical people themselves, the Chinese manufacturing facilities that created these items help provide a sense of authenticity that is often devoid in American crafted resources like books and movies.

Finally a tool that combines the intricacies of foreign policy with mythical monohorned creatures.  In case you were wondering, there are other similarly fantastic items that depict other great moments in US history like:  Good Vs. Evil (make sure to use Freedom unicorn to represent ‘good’ when re-enacting to ensure historical accuracy), Unicorn Vs. Narwhal and, most importantly, the landmark Supreme Court decision, Unicorn v. Mime.