Me During each Corum TD run

That was not a fun game to watch, but as a first true game versus an opponent that was trying to win and just avoid “getting it in the face”, it was frustratingly fine.

I have to admit there was a plethora of snark in the group text messages, but Michigan had a post-game win expectancy of 94%. As a long time fan, I have a long list of weird events that eventually accumulate enough on an inexplicable loss Bingo Card.

B-  Their FG kicker hits 2 bombs from 50+

I -  Ours misses a chip shot (not really a chip shot Moody missed at 42 yards, but we 3 others made in the game from 50+ it felt that way)

N- Promising drive snuffed out by trying an unnecessary trick play that gets wrecked

G-  Freshman RB/WR fumbles

O-  404  File not found

Maryland couldn’t complete the Bingo cards mainly because they weren’t allowed to use the Free Space, which is “Refs make an inexplicable call,don’t know the rules, or O’Neill crew”. 

We like to think progress is linear.  That winning a game by 41 on the road last year at the end of the year and comparing to the beginning of this season’s 7 point win at home means we are much worse than last year.  Thankfully, football is not a transitive sport and at this point during the season last year games versus Rutgers and Nebraska, I said aloud. “We’re going to lose.”  Reading some of the game threads and the snowflakes after the game maybe we all need to follow Frankie’s advice.  They will get better, through scheme or talent. 

Wrecking Ball and Sand

Corn!

Last year https://mgoblog.com/diaries/mgococktail-big-ten-championship-iowa-2021

That was also made with Cherry Heering.  Great when a plan comes together..

In honor of own wrecking ball of Blake Corum.  We have a variation on the Blood and Sand with the sweeter, but rougher Corn whiskey substituting for the Scotch.  The Blood and Sand was named after a Rudolph Valentino movie about bullfighting in 1922

Often confused with moonshine, Corn whiskey can be just as rough around the edges.  It is not required to be aged in barrels, so results and taste and be widely erratic.  They all must have at least 80% corn fermented mash.  If it is aged it has to be in unused barrels. 

Corn whiskey has an interesting place in American history.  Settlers first job was clearing enough wilderness to plant a crop, usually corn. Corn was easily produced with only a hoe.  Settlers did not need corn for the food, because the abundant game and fish.  Settlers did need  a cash crop to pay their taxes to keep their precious land.  Since whiskey was more profitable than grain, settlers built their stills and starting “growing” whiskey. 

After the American Revolution, Alexander Hamilton, needing 21 million to pay off debts, noticed the thriving industry.  The whiskey tax was approved by congress and eventually led to the Whiskey Rebellion.   Up to 5,000 settlers marched on Pittsburgh, and Washington had to call up an Army to confront the threat.  The mob of settlers dispersed with little violence. 

Mellow Corn Bottled in Bond is the standard and is nice cheap bottle usually between $17-$20.  Its interesting because to get the bottled in bond designation it must be aged for four years minimum.  It definitely takes some of the edge off it.  It became a bartender darling for a time 10 years ago.  More as something that was underappreciated  and stalwart , much like the Iowa defense.

Ingredients

1 oz  Corn Whiskey

.75 oz cherry heering -- A cherry brandy made in Denmark that is also a key ingredient in the Singapore Sling

.75 oz sweet vermouth

Little fuss with this one.  Put ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add ice .  Stir until ice cold 20-30 seconds.  Strain into a cocktail glass.

Garnish with some cherries if you would like. 

I'm pleasantly surprised on this.  Some complexity I was not expecting.

MgoSalut!