Quantico USPSA Match

I finally made it up the monthly USPSA match by the Quantico Practical Shooters this past Sunday. The half-day match is held at the Quantico Shooting Club ranges on Marine Base Quantico. I admit I wasn't so enamored with the idea when the alarm went off Sunday morning, thanks to that "Daylight Savings Time" switch. However, an extra cup of coffee got me on my way to the range. I wasn't sure what to expect getting on the base, with a gun, but the process was hassle free; an ID check and I was on my way.

The morning started out cool, around 32°, and I was glad for the last minute decision to wear an extra layer. But, as is typical for Virginia, four hours later when finished up the temperature had gone up 30 degrees!

The first of four match stages required the shooter to start with an unloaded gun, with all magazines set on barrels around the stage. It was a fun stage and something a little different than usual. It took extra concentration to remember not to try to reload from the belt. I had my best hits on that stage, so maybe the extra thought process involved was a help! Stage Two consisted of an array of six targets in a line along the berm, with some no-shoots interspersed. The shooter shot two strings of fire; the first was one shot on each target, reload, then one shot on each strong hand only. The second string was the same except the weak hand was used.

Stage 1

Stage Three, in addition to the usual paper targets, had 5 bowling pins placed at distances ranging from very close to "slow down and aim." The paper targets were also placed at wide-ranging distances. It was a fun stage requiring some extreme changes in shooting speed and aiming techniques. The final stage was the USPSA classifier Melody Line 99-08. It consisted of 6 targets, each engaged once, followed by a mandatory reload and 6 more shots.

As a "bonus," the club had set up a final optional stage with two plate racks. The shooters could shoot three strings, and the fastest time won bragging rights; no divisions or classifications taken into account. My times were nothing to brag about but it was good shoot the stage solely for the opportunity to get in a little practice on the plate racks.

I enjoyed the match very much, although I didn't shoot as well as I would have liked. I found myself shooting low a bunch, so will need to focus on correcting that for the future. I've been wanting to get up for one of the Quantico matches, and was glad it finally worked out. It was good to see some old friends again, and make some new shooting friends as well. The match was fun, relatively close to home, and didn't consume the entire day. I'm definitely looking forward to shooting this match again.

Happy Birthday Mom

I'm thinking about my mother even more than usual today. March 11 would have been her 76th birthday. The picture below greats me on my desk each morning. I think it's my favorite picture of her; despite her suffering, she still managed to smile. Thanks mom, for giving us that joy to remember you by.

Happy Birthday, Mom! I miss you but I know you're still smiling.

Jacqueline Turley
March 11, 1937 - September 28, 2010

Starr Hill Cryptical on Cask

Friday evening we headed out for dinner at Park Lane Tavern. I had decided on a malty Scotch Ale when our server let us know the evening's cask selection was Starr Hill Cryptical. I initially could not remember what style that represented, nor could the server. However, by the time she returned with a sample, I had looked it up (yea, smart phones) and had made my decision. Imperial Stout. Served on cask. Yea, that's just the ticket to go with our Fish & Chip entrées.

We were taken by surprise when the beers arrived. They was served in larger than expected, two-hands needed, snifters. The Cryptical Imperial Stout is pure black with a moderate beige head. As the glass is emptied, a very sticky lacing is left behind. The aroma is faint, mostly roasted malt and mild coffee, with some floral hop notes. Dark roasted malt, bitter chocolate and earthy hops make up the taste profile. A hint of citrus comes through in the finish, but the roasted, bitter malts linger as the mainstay in the dry finish

Served from cask, the beer was low in carbonation and served at just the right temperature. There was no need to wait for the beer to warm to release the rich flavors. We enjoyed sipping on our beers during dinner, and while lingering long after we had finished eating.

Dungarvan Black Rock Irish Stout

Sitting around anticipating the approaching winter storm, and waiting for the very slow decision to cancel school, the time seemed right for a glass of a good stout. I retrieved the bottle of Dungarvan Black Rock Irish Stout I had received from a coworker a few months ago. We were introduced to the beers of Dungarvan Brewery during our Ireland pilgrimage and I was excited to be able to try another beer from this relatively new Irish craft brewery.

Black Rock Stout pours pitch black with a creamy, thick beige head. The head persists and also leaves behind a coating on the sides of the glass. The aroma of coffee and roasted malt come with a touch smoke. The flavor brings to mind coffee, roasted malt and cocoa. There's a hint of sweetness and black licorice in the background. The finish is dry with the taste of roasted coffee lingering behind. A thick and creamy mouthfeel completes the picture.

As much as I was looking forward to this beer, I enjoyed Dungarvan Black Rock Irish Stout even more than I expected. Currently, Dungarvan beer is available in Ireland, and is also exported Italy. I hope someday the brewery's bottle-conditioned beers will be imported into the U.S. Meanwhile, I'm going to have to convince my Irish coworker to pack an extra suitcase on his next trip to the States.

It's odd to think, less than four months ago I was sitting in an Irish pub enjoying some Dungarvan beers. Drinking this bottle of Irish Stout brings back fond memories. I look forward to cracking open the others.

If you don't like the weather...

... wait a few days.

It's Virginia.

Three From Mad Fox

After I finished shooting that exhausting pistol match, we made our way to Falls Church to join a friend for dinner at Mad Fox Brewing Company. I always look forward to a visit to Mad Fox, both for the tasty beers, and the good food. I actually debated quite a while before making my drink selection. All the beers sounded good, but I had a long, and late, drive home. One of these days, I'm going to get up there with enough time to enjoy more of the offerings, especially the wonderful sounding Barleywine Ales that Bill Madden is creating. Of course, we all would share tastes of our selections and that helped to ease the frustration of needing to limit my consumption.

I finally opted for Dingo IPA. This is described as an "American style" IPA, which means I could expect plenty of citrus hops in both the aroma and taste. And that's what I got! The aroma was citrusy with some fruit notes, and the flavor had a rich malt base with the citrus hops.

For her selection, Colleen ordered Diabolik Belgian Strong Ale. The flavor is ripe with yeast and citrus flavors. At 8.8% ABV, the small snifter glass full was plenty to get Colleen through her dinner.

Our friend picked Mad Fox's signature Kölsch. This is a crisp beer with a drying finish. There's a hint of grassiness and tartness in the flavor that results in an enjoyable, refreshing beer.

A Tasty Trio
Photo by C. Turley

Dinner started with the Frickles and a Soft Pretzel Twist. Both these appetizers were served with side "sauces" that were especially enjoyable. The fried pickles were accompanied by a spicy ranch dip. I found myself scraping the last bits off my plate after the Frickles were gone. The whole grain ale mustard served with the pretzel was especially zesty, and brought out several delightful exclamations as we ate.

Our group, as is typical, feasted on burgers and "Beer-BQ." The food was delicious and filling. I had finished my IPA just as the food was served, and was considering ordering a glass of Schwarzbier to accompany the "Bacon Jam" burger. Alas, the burger was so tasty, I had pretty much finished it before our waiter returned so I skipped trying the black lager on this visit. It probably made for an easier drive home at the end of a long tiring day. I'll have to go back.

Fredericksburg USPSA Spring Opener

Though you'd never know it from the temperature, or this, Spring is apparently at hand. I know because the Fredericksburg Practical Shooters put on their first USPSA match of 2013 this weekend. And, if that match was any indication, it's going to be a great year!

I helped with setting up the match on Saturday, even though at the time I had some doubts I'd actually shoot it, the expected duration of the match conflicting with other commitments on Sunday evening. However, once I saw the cool challenges to Match Director had devised, I knew I had to work it out. (My apologies to family and friends for the late dinner date Sunday.)

Sunday morning was quite cool, and the temps were barely above freezing by the time we got started shooting. I laughed when I went to paste a hole in a target and my hands were shaking so bad I missed the hole with the sticker. I hoped that wasn't a sign of the shooting to come!

The match consisted of 7 field courses, a speed stage, and a classifier. All the stages were fun and a few I found especially intriguing. Stage 2, "Bookends," began with the shooter hanging with one hand from a bar while leaning far around a wall to engage targets shooting one-handed. The course of fire ended in a similar position, using opposite hand. The start, for this right-handed shooter, involved drawing the gun, transferring the gun to my left hand, grabbing the bar with my right hand, engaging three targets, transferring the gun back to my right hand, performing a reload, then moving to engage the next target array. I spent a lot of my walk-through time just rehearsing that portion of the course. Some "gamers" (which is perfectly legit in USPA) realized they could lean thru a gap in the walls and hit the last array without being forced to use the one-handed hang. I opted for the more fun way that the course designer had intended.

Stage 3, "Hit 'em High," was a typical field course with all the targets lined up along the berm and visible from multiple gaps between the wall sections. What was interesting was all the paper targets had no-shoots covering their lower portions, the two steel plates had no-shoots below them, and the falling popper had hard-cover steel in front. This forced me to pay close attention to the front sight. I did not hit any no-shoots and actually claimed a third place finish on this stage, my best of the match.

Stage 6, "Rock 'n Roll," had a pair of moving targets that rolled down an incline after being activated by shooting a falling popper. I've shot swinging and turning targets in matches, but never a target that was "running." It was a lot of fun, and if I recall correctly I scored 3 A's and 1 C one that pair.

There was falling steel and several swinging targets throughout the match, as well as quite a few no-shoot targets strategically placed. It was fun to finally get out and shoot a match, my first since October. I had a range of finishes on the stages, doing well on some, and not as well on others. I had a strong start but fell in the second half, due mostly, I suspect, to getting complacent and not paying as good attention as I should to that bump on the front of the gun. I was also admittedly distracted by the late hour and the need to get away to my other committment. However, overall I was pleased with my shooting, and I had a great time. It was also fun to shoot with friends I hadn't seen in a while.

It was a long, and tiring day. I arrived at the range around 8:00 AM, the match started at 9:00, and I finally headed for home a little before 5:00PM. I've spent the winter months working on dry fire and movement, but I realized Sunday evening that I may need to better prepare myself for standing for 8-9 hours too! Despite the aching muscles, I'm looking forward to next month! Given the current ammo shortage, and ridiculous prices, I suspect the majority of my live-fire practice will be in the context of matches, rather than standing on the practice range.

Two From Blue & Gray

Colleen and I decided to have dinner Friday evening at Blue & Gray Brewing. I had heard about two limited beers being served, Franklin's Crossing IPA and Fred Red Reserve, and I didn't want to miss them. We dropped our son off for a youth activity at church and headed off on our date.

Franklin's Crossing IPA pours a deep marmalade color with just a ring of foam at the top. The aroma exhibits grassy and citrus hop notes. The beer is dry hopped with whole Cascade hops after fermentation, and the fresh "green" flavor is apparent. The juicy citrus flavor is balanced by a bit of sweet malt. If not for the 8.5% ABV, one might pick Franklin's Crossing as an extra hoppy Pale Ale. The beer is not bitter or overbearing and I enjoyed my second pint as much as the first. As an aside, this beer takes its name from Franklin's Crossing, a Civil War pontoon site located just a few hundred yards from the brewery.

Colleen opted for the Fred Red Reserve. This beer is a once-a-year release of Blue & Gray's Fred Red Ale that is aged for 7 months in oak bourbon barrels. The color seems a tad darker in color than the parent beer. The aroma is mostly sweet malt though the effects of the bourbon barrel is detectable. The change imparted by the aging is readily apparent when the beer is tasted. The beer has a rich, dark malt flavor with a distinctive sweet bourbon flavor. The oak aging gives a richness to the beer, but does not overpower the flavor of the red ale. Frankly, I am skeptical of the trend to age everything in bourbon barrels, but the Fred Red Reserve proved a good use of the time spent in the barrel.

Franklins' Crossing IPA an Fred Red Reserve

We finished dinner in time to head back across town pick up our son, and then take him to a Boy Scout activity. While we waited for that function to end, we headed over to a nearby Starbucks to enjoy some brewed beverages of a different sort. It was a busy Friday night but we still managed to get in some good food and beverage.