FINS TO THE LEFT (FIELD), FINS TO THE RIGHT...
By Colin Burch
For Weekly Surge
BB&T Coastal Field has the only outfield seating section in the Carolina League, and it's about to be up-fitted, Jimmy Buffett-style.
The section will become "Land Shark Landing,"themedafterthe Margaritaville Brewing Co.'s Land Shark Lager. The parent company is Anheuser-Busch.
"Land Shark Landing" is scheduled to be ready for the Myrtle Beach Pelican's home opener on April 11, said Jon Laaser, the ball club's director of broadcasting and communications.
"Land Shark Landing" - definitely has a ring to it - will be a partnership between the Pelicans and Better Brands, Inc., a beer wholesaler in Myrtle Beach that will also be co-sponsor of Thirsty Thursdays - the nights for beer specials - for the 2008 season.
Although I'm more inclined to think about Chevy Chase as the original land shark from the classic Saturday Night Live skits, the real inspiration behind "Land Shark Lager" was Buffett's song "Fins." Remember that one? "You got fins to the left / Fins to the right / You're the only bait in town."
Like I've said before, Land Shark Lager, which tastes similar to Corona Extra, and would go fairly well with a cheeseburger that has lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and French-fried potatoes.
BOTTLE OF RED, BOTTLE OF WHITE
Speaking of the long-standing relationship between music and libations, two new wines from Silver Coast Winery new have stirred up an old tune in my head. "Calabash Red / Calabash White / It all depends on your appetite." It's an old Billy Joel tune, "Scenes from a Brunswick County Italian Restaurant." You've heard that one, right?
The nearby winery, located in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., has recently released Calabash Red and Calabash White, crafted by winemaker Dana Keeler. At $9 a bottle, the two Calabash offerings are the winery's least-expensive wines.
Folks at the winery are pitching Calabash White as "soft, rounded, well balanced and seduces the palate with spiced pear and lemon grass... [with] a hint of sweetness and acidity and makes a perfect compliment to seafood and poultry."
Calabash Red tastes of "red cherry violets, and hints of current and plum.... with a hint of spice [in the finish]," according to the winery's description.
The $9 price point is more affordable than most of Silver Coast's other wines, which range from $12 to $28. The winery also offers discounts for cases.
"As people tighten their belts in order to pay for gas and food they should still be able to afford a pleasant bottle of wine with their meals," owner Maryann C. Azzato said in a press release.
For directions or more information, visit www.silvercoastwinery.com or call 910-287-2800.
PHILLY BEER WEEK
Now I know we've got some transplanted Pennsylvanians along the Grand Strand. If you happen to be heading to Philadelphia this week, let me catch a ride.
Philly Beer Week runs Friday through March 16. It's going to have 175 events, including tastings, tours, pairings, and even a session entitled "World's Most Expensive Beers."
Don Russell, a Philly-based beer writer, told Reuters news service, "Beer is reflective of Philadelphia. It's a blue-collar town. Beer is cheaper than wine, and wine is intimidating. It's much easier for your mainstream beer drinker to try more beer."
Amen to that, Don.
- Contact Colin Burch - the Beerman - at beerpour@yahoo.com.