Passport and Pints

Giant Food Stores, as I've mentioned before,  or , if it's your first time visiting, I'll reiterate because I do love a long-winded narrative....they have an interesting array of mix-a-six units for sale which is an increasingly more efficient way to try new beers without the commitment if one only frequents a particular Giant Beer Garden every month or two because they all offer their own variety with varying rotations of styles and specific beers. Summer Blonde by River Horse Brewing Co.: a light beer with a refreshing aftertaste and, as the name suggests, a solid candidate for a summer brewski The Blondie by Owl's Brew Radler: this blondie had a little bit more body than the prior albeit still light enough to be enjoyable for summertime Oktoberfest by Sly Fox Brewing Company: I haven't met an Oktoberfest I haven't liked yet and this one did not disappoint. While Sam Adams Oktoberfest holds a special place in my heart, Sly Fox does not disappoint ...

Tonight is about new beginnings, a truce of sorts. My former SO and I had a reconciliatory date on which to discuss, eat, and try new beers, something which he also enjoys from time to time. I'm going to pompously take credit for expanding his hoppy horizons outside of the limited taste range of Coors Light and Corona. Of all the styles outside of what I consider party beer or piss water, he hovers towards a dark porter or stout, something I totally was not expecting. Tonight we chatted over only two rounds with our dinner of burgers and Tr ö egs Beer-style BBQ sauce at Smoked Restaurant which boasts of many  delicious bites and beers. As a personal favorite of my prior supervisor, I've eaten here quite a few times for celebratory meals and tonight is no different as we celebrate my new car and new apartment, and to working on our halted relationship. Blackberry Jacuzzi by Mispillion River Brewing Company: ultra sweetness abundance without being too sickly sweet tow hich...

A new flavoring for me: pumpkin and pumpkin spice beers. There may be split reactions to this: either I'm not "extra" or I've finally caved to the frenzy...but man, have I realized that I have missed out on a whole world of brew flavors. I've been all too naive in thinking that they tasted like straight pumpkin, for which I'm not overly gaga. There real break-through stars of these brewskis are the spices and who knew there were so many various spices in pumpkin pie? As someone who does not eat pumpkin pie, certainly not I. Heck, I also avoid the Charlie Brown great pumpkin movie, albeit that's more of a longtime dislike and distrust of Charlie Brown and his goody-two shoes act. I said what I said. The past few weeks have been spent off the radar to allow my heart necessary time to heal plus contend with the influx of work as the office approaches busy flu season. Along with the hectic work season, I've also managed to pick up a cold from the ce...