Bar Hopping with a Dog

Yesterday my wife thought it would be a good idea to take my dog into the city for the first time. I was a little skeptical at first, but it turned out to be quite an adventure. We ended up going to an arts and crafts show down at Penns Landing, so naturally when we left we went searching for some dog friendly bars. Our first stop was The Plough and The Stars. I liked sitting outside here, but I don't think its really my kind of scene, at least from what the inside tells me. I did get to enjoy a bomber of 113 from Slyfox and a few Stoudt's Heifer-in-Wheat. Our dog, JJ, sat very happily on the ground and they were kind enough to bring out a dog bowl of water for him.  After a few rounds, a marching band, and one too many bum encounters, we ventured to the Society Hill Hotel. I've always liked going here because the food is good and they usually have really good taps. I wasn't exactly impressed with the selection yesterday, but I did have a Brawler. The ribs weren't bad either, but the brawler was a sub-par pairing...

I decided to run across the street to The Irish Pol to see if I could bring my little guy in, to which they said "yes". I don't think you can go wrong with this place with 40 beers on tap, most of which are quality. I know JJ had a great time and I think he was starting to get mad that we weren't buying him any rounds! My wife had a Hoptimus Prime while I sampled the "Weed" beer i've heard so much about. I don't know much about Mt. Shasta since we don't get their beers here in Jersey, but I'd say it was a solid B... nothing too special. We ended up going to a few more bars and finally got one more beer at the Caribou Cafe. My wife had a Maredsous and I had a Hennepin, then we made our way back to Old City. For JJ's first outing to the city, i think it was a success.

If anyone knows of more dog friendly bars in Philly, please let me know..

San Diego

As I try to get through the next five weeks of summer geography classes, I will have only one thing on my mind. San Diego. I'll be heading out there at the end of June to do some exploring of the establishments they have to offer.  My wife just loves the fact that I somehow turn every vacation into a beer centered trip... She's good about it though and enjoys the beer almost as much as i do. Right now, it looks like I will be going to Stone, Pizza Port, San Diego Brewing Company and more than likely a hand full of others that are yet to be determined. Oh... and being able to catch a Padres game is just a bonus!

Memorial Day Parties

Memorial Day Parties are going to be in full effect next Sunday and Monday. If anyone is like myself, you will contemplate for days about what your beer of choice will be. Here are a few that you can catch me reaching for next weekend.

Bell's Oberon Ale- a 5.8% Pale Wheat Ale. A very easy drinker and its just damn delicious.

SlyFox Pikeland Pils- Crisp and Refreshing. It's almost a no-brainer for a BBQ. Plus it comes in a can!

Lagunitas Censored- A  5.9% american style amber that will pair well if your eating any barbecued chicken.

Full Sail Session Lager- If you live on the east coast, like I do, forget about this one unless you order from the fine people at liquid solutions. Just a tad over 5% and is light and drinkable. It also comes in a retro stubby bottle and in 12 packs. Throw one over to a BMC drinker at your party. It's non offensive and they will enjoy it.

have fun.

You always remember your first.

I would like to start off by saying, I am in no shape a writer, nor do I want to preach about how I believe BMC drinkers should be burned at the stake.  I am just a regular 28-year-old guy who is in his last semester of college and whose biggest hobby is craft beer.  I travel as much as I possibly can with my wife, who I converted into a beer drinker about 4 years ago, and I plan on writing about my adventures and any other beer related topic I feel like writing about.  Bottom line, I am just here to have some fun and maybe meet some people who share the same interests as I do.  Coming from one of the biggest beer wastelands this side of the Mississippi, it isn't easy meeting fellow beer enthusiasts.  There are, however, a few diamonds in the rough, and you will hear about them all. So come say hi, recommend me a beer, tell me I suck, anything you'd like. 

Max's House Rules

I was going through some old pictures and came across this one from Max's Taphouse in Baltimore, MD. It's pretty funny, actually.