Not being covered by warranty and Toyota being so backed up, I tooked the FR-S elsewhere. Unfortunately my go to mechanic for work I don’t want to do is out on long term sick. So on one persons recommendation I decided to take it to Masaki’s down on King. As promised they took a look at it by next day. Estimate was $2,000, ouch! Damn, I wanted to ask if they needed a part time mechanic! However they said it should be done by Friday, if I were to do it, who knows when I would get it done. Besides, I had my hands full putting the rally FX back together. They called at the end of the day Friday to let me know it was done, but they had not road tested so they would not release it until Monday, I can respect that.
Author Archive for taro
Page 13 of 88
The rally FX engine bits are finally back from machine work. It went through almost a total rebuild. New oversize pistons, block bored out to match. New rod and main bearings, upgraded ARP rod bolts, main studs. Possibly overkill there, but I figured if going through the trouble, might as well. Top end valve guides measured marginal also so new ones sourced for those as well. A pretty penny, should be interesting when all back together.
From Oregon’s FUll Sail brewery, their amber. Pours a clear dark amber, small head. Strong floral hop aroma with accompanying bitter. Some of the malt fights to come through. Medium mouthfeel. Packs some buzz at 6% ABV.
Though not horrible, I can’t say I’m a fan. Given my personal bias I have to hops, I wns up giving this 2 out 4 boingy monkeys.
Another of the non-normal brews from Kizakura. Pours a cloudy medium amber, medium head. Definite aroma and taste of the roasted black bean. Crisp brightness middle to a mild bitter finish. Light mouthfeel.
Aside from the black bean, there isn’t a whole lot else going on with this beer, I’ll give it barely 3 out of 4 mame monkeys.
well, looks like the FRS is out of commission, probably for weeks. The clutch/throw out bearing went out. I’m sitting at Toyota service having dropped it off. They’re also saying prob not covered under warranty. Sucks. And the other issues it has suffered since almost new ill have to make some stink if I want done. I hate dealing with that. I’d take care of it myself except one needs a reflash of the ECU. I guess this is one of the hazards of owning first production new vehicle, but the clutch failure is kinda disappointing.
So the service dude called, throwout bearing is not covered under drivetrain warranty. 
So I put a call into Ken at Pacific Automotive, my go to mechanic for stuff I don’t want to deal with myself. Turns out he is out due to health problems, oh no! So now I need to figure out what to do.
I’ve been staying away from their less traditional varieties, decided to try this one which is probably the least unusual saying it uses rice but still yeast. Pours medium yellow, slightly cloudy especially if you swirl the last bit. Medium head. Mild hops aroma, mild bitter. Touch of citrus note, grain notes in finish. Pretty light mouthfeel.
A little undecided how to rate this beer, I guess I’ll give it 3 out 4 ricey monkeys, although I don’t think itquite rates it.
Last variety in the pack, Hoppy Red. Can’t say I was looking forward to this. Pours deep amber medium head. Pine hoppy aroma. Bitter, A bit of roasted malt, lingering bitter finish. Medium mouth feel.
I’ll finish the beer, but I can’t say I really like drinking pine cones.
2 out 4 piney monkeys.
Hey, it’s a Ballast Point that’s not an IPA! Unfortunately I didn’t read the subtext, “hop forward porter.” And that is exactly what this is. Pours a extremely dark brown, basically black, strong head. Hop aroma and bitter, with dark roast porter. Medium thick mouthfeel.
I find its not horrible, but I’d like it much better with less hops. I have to give it 2 of 4 dark hoppy monkeys. If you like hops, then you might like this, but you need to like porters.
Straight from Japan, Sizzler! Complete with retro art. It’s a beer fizz saver, and also a cap lifter. It actually works quite well as a bottle opener.
But the main feature of this somewhat oddly named doodad is the ability to recap an opened bottle. Nice for those large bottles that you don’t want to finish in one sitting. We shall see how well it works.
OK, follow up report, here is the beer after 24 hours, not bad at all. This get the monkey seal of approval as it works as intended and advertised, is easy to use, and also has additional features that also work well, namely the opener. There also is a tab for lifting can tabs but I haven’t gotten to the point of needing that.
Next up in the fall pack is this Maple Ale. Pours a clear dark brown with red tint, medium light head. Medium smoky aroma and hint of the maple. Hops bitter through the middle, but not flowery. Medium mouth feel gives it a bit of a hearty feel. Wonder what the ABV is, this beer feels warm! Ah, it’s 6.4%, it is in the fall pack, after all. It’d be nice if it were more fall like here.
3 out 4 maple monkeys.