blog.circusgeek

a personal blog with nerdy bits thrown in

Category: Beer

  • Rain, glorious rain

    I'm a full-fledged Oregonian, I can't help it. Right now it's raining, the first rain of any substance in a few months, and I'm happy as hell. I enjoy summer, don't get me wrong, but weeks of 90+ degree heat kind of brings me down. Today was great, mid-70's and sunny during the day, nice enough for me to get a good walk in, but finally a good rain to clear the air out, green things up a bit, and make the area feel a lot more like home.

    Tonight I spent some time in my company's kick-ass break room drinking beers for a company 'happy hour' (getting to know both old-school'ers and new hires alike, including a recent hire from France, so I was able to brush off my dusty French skills). After doing my part to drink off the work keg, I took the bus home, and spent the evening with Kelly (fortunately she'd finished her paper for school, so we were able to hang out in the yard for a few hours (well beofore the rain started).

  • Hangin’ ’round

    Last night I hung out at Moon & Sixpence with my good friend Ghost Dog (I better not get sick, dammit) while Kelly and GD's better half were off seeing the play Wicked.

    Tonight, Snooks (and later, my brother Travis) and I hung out at Kennedy School.

    This week has been a bit odd, probably because of the monday holiday, but each day has somehow seemed like both monday and friday, leaving my brain in a constant state of confusion. Perhaps I need to sleep more, or drink more beer, I can't decide. 

  • Hangin with Ghost Dog

    Tonight Kelly and I went back out to Ghost Dog's neighborhood for dinner and beers at the Main Street Ale House. Kelly and I first ventured there back in February, and again had a great time, despite the slight disappointment that one of their best beers, the '80 Shilling' ale, was no longer on tap (which was technically a 'seasonal' though it ran from November of last year until very recently… some season, heh). I will say though that their 'Single malt' ale was pretty good (strong, slightly bitter, and a good complex flavor), and the growler fill-up this time around was their English Summer, which is light, slightly wheaty, refreshing (especially during the continuing hot weather 'round here).

    After dinner we walked up the street to this martini bar called The Elbo Room, where Kelly and Ghost Dog's better half got sweet martini drinks, Ghost Dog pulled a 'double-O seven' with his vodka martini (shaken, not stirred) and I had a Black Butte Porter (Deschutes Brewery) while we chatted. Thanks again to GD and B for a fun evening!

  • Kennedy School, and dreaming of Ireland

    Tonight my friend Snooks and I went out to McMenamins Kennedy School for beers, food, and more beers. While there it struck me that just over two years ago Kelly and I got married there, and two years ago this very day we were in Dublin. Dammit, I wish I were back there right now, Ireland is such a wonderful country. The theme continues. Sláinte.

  • Us three at the Goose

    Well, it's official, Travis and I are old now that our kid brother Chad can come out with us drinking beers. We'd been inviting him out on our (more or less) weekly outings since he turned 21 in January, but up until this evening he'd never managed to make it out. Last night he finally came out with us, and we initiated him to the Goose Hollow Inn (in my old stomping grounds) and had a great time. Yes, that's right, that's three of us V brothers out drinking beers. Look out world! 🙂

  • Happy Birthday John Bob

    Just a quick 'Happy Birthday' post to a good friend John Bob. He had a little gathering at his house this evening, complete with a keg of Terminal Gravity ESG (Extra Special Golden). Kelly and I had a great time. Here's to you JB! (raises virtual glass)

  • Live Irish folk at the White Eagle

    Last night Kelly and I ventured to McMenamins White Eagle Saloon. It's a nice spot, very much a McMenamins, but more relaxed and pleasant than say, Kennedy School, and certainly more enjoyable than Ringlers or the like. One key difference between this and other McMenamins establishments is that The White Eagle has live music (looking at their schedule, it seems every night of the week) and what brought us there last night was some live Irish folk music.

    We arrived at about 7:30, walked in through the long building towards the stage and then out to the patio since the weather was so nice. We took a table just next to the door, so we could see and hear the music, and was promptly served by a very friendly and attentive server. We were happy to discover they served Nebraska Bitter, the best McMenamins beer in my opinion, even though it wasn't on their menu. Hooray! We had a very nice dinner (I had one of the specials, the 'Sgt. Pepper Salad'; sliced breaded chicken, pepperjack cheese, peppercorn ranch, and totally delicious), and reminisced about our honeymoon in Ireland while the music started.

    The music, by Hanz Araki and band (sometimes known as "An Tua") was fantastic. It was lead by Hanz Araki (flutes, pennywhistles, low-whistles, shakuhachi, and vocals) who was joined by four other musicians; a guitarist, violinist, pianist, and percussionist. ist. ist. 🙂 There were songs I recognized from other traditional Irish folk albums Kelly and I own (bought while on our honeymoon) and it was a treat to hear while we chatted about where we were two years ago. Between sets Kelly purchased the An Tua album 6 of One, Five of the Other, which is also great.  Very fun night out. Very groggy today. 🙂

  • Siam Society

    Kelly and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary this evening by having dinner at an upscale Thai food restaurant near where we live called the Siam Society. Despite some of the reviews on CirtySearch.com (presumably by folks that were either very picky or were there on an 'off night') we found both the service and the food were fantastic.

    Make no mistake, it's not a cheap place, and in some ways it seems like it would be more at home in the Pearl District than NE Alberta, but it was well worth every dime. We sat outside on the secluded patio area since the weather was was so nice, and the atmosphere was perfect. Kelly ordered a raspberry martini drink and I had a Roots Red from Roots Organic Brewing. For an appetizer we had the spring rolls, which were to die for, and for the main course Kelly had Phad Thai (which she said was among the best she'd ever had) and I had their Thai fried rice dish with tiger prawns which was delicious… crisp green beans, slied carrots and cucumber, rice, egg, large prawns, and a delicious lime-based sauce. I highly recommend it.

    Odd occurances throughout the evening: We started out at a great pub next door to Siam Society called Binks, where we ran into a friend Maria who we hadn't seen in years, and then while at Siam Society we bumped into my ex-employer having dinner with friends. Running into one of them would have been strange in and of itself, but both in one night? My head nearly exploded at the chances. 🙂 

  • The Plan

    So I have a plan. It's not a very good plan, but a plan nonetheless. I plan to write about the various beers I've sampled over the past few weeks. This is above and beyond my minimal reports of previous beerfests, but to go into some level of detail of the beers I've sampled over the past few weeks… things Ive purchased from John's Marketplace, etc. I've been keeping notes. I swear. Side note: writing this to The Smiths song 'Well I Wonder'. What a great tune.

  • More beer and whatnot

    Tonight I spent a few hours with my good friend Snooks at McMenamins Kenney School. Had a good time chatting about books, movies, sci-fi television shows, and other nerd-esque things. Thanks Snooks for coming out and helping take my brain off work. 🙂