Category: Beer

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).

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!

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.

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! 🙂