Our Third Guest Whisperer Entry--Pregnant And Craving Beer!

Our third Guest Whisperer entry comes from my wife Heather who has been dealing with the difficult situation of being a fervent (but pregnant) craft beer fan.  She's seen me down a ton of stupendous suds this year and, to her credit, she's kept her cool.  Still, she's had the itch for quite awhile and it was no more powerful than it was this past weekend when we attended the 2012 Analog-A-Go-Go down in Milton, Delaware. 

So, in her own words, Heather provides a cautionary tale for anyone who might be taking beer for granted during these warm days of summer.

Cheers!

Last week was the summer solstice—the official start of summer and the start of a heat wave here in New York. While it is time to go to the beach and watch the boys of summer, it is also time for eating outdoors and relaxing on the patio with a nice cool beverage in hand. However, when I think of the latter, I tend to think of something other than water, which I’m pretty much relegated to at the moment. The reason? I’m pregnant.

Pregnancy brings with it joys and hardships—the joy of knowing that you have created life and that you are responsible for this little human; the joy of feeling the baby move and of seeing the baby for the first time on the ultrasound. The hardships include morning sickness, back pain, and giving up favorite foods and beverages, such as beer. And this weekend I experienced the hardship of not having beer while attending the second annual Dogfish Head Analog-A-Go-Go with my husband. All the samples of yummy cask conditioned beer were calling out to me, while I just had to pretend like I didn’t notice them.

Now, I wasn’t always into beer.  In fact, when I first started drinking alcohol I drank more typically “female” drinks such as apple martinis and cosmopolitans (yes I was coming of age with alcohol during the “Sex in the City” era!). I then moved on to macro brewed beers, which, I admit that I wasn’t a big fan of.  I have since graduated to craft beers, which, in contrast, I am totally in love with. I must confess that I still tend to prefer beers in the lighter spectrum such as pale ales and lagers when compared to stouts and porters but I am still developing my palette.

My favorite beers are the seasonal brews, with autumn beers being my favorite (I can’t help it, I’m biased because I’m an autumn baby) and summer beers being my second favorite. When I was pregnant with my first child, the last trimester of my pregnancy was during winter when all of the heavier beers are in season. I think this helped me feel like I wasn’t missing out on anything. However, now that I haven’t had beer for about six months, and all the Summer beers are coming out, I am craving beer like crazy!

My husband, as part of this blog, is constantly trying new beers. I am watching bottle after bottle of these amazing beers come into our house and mock me as they sit in the fridge waiting to be had. The sound of the cap popping off and the beer flowing into a glass is enough to make me need to leave the room. Seeing the golden colored ale with a nice head of foam and the smell of hops makes me want to melt into the chair I’m sitting in. At the same time, I put myself in these torturous positions by attending beer events with my husband. Even though I can’t have the beer, I still appreciate the creativity and the effort that goes into making each one. And while I can’t have a sip, the aroma of a nice beer still does wonders for my soul!

I’ve tried water, juices, mock-tails. It’s just not the same. Some people suggest having an O’Doul’s but that still has a small amount of alcohol in it and I’d prefer not to take any chances with my baby. It’s the same reason why I won’t have a glass of wine, even though some say it poses no harm to the baby.

Don’t be surprised if you see me in the middle of winter in the house with luau decorations hanging up as I sip a summer beer that I stored away to enjoy once I finish breast feeding. =)

Alas, I guess in the meantime I’ll just have to use my imagination and pretend that this glass of water is an ice cold summer ale.

And for all of you who can drink, drink up! Don’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy a summer beer (and any other good brew you have available to you)!

2012 Dogfish Head Analog-A-Go-Go Review

With the 2012 Analog-A-Go-Go officially in the books, I'm left wholly satisfied and duly impressed as it not only met but exceeded my expectations based upon last year's unbelievable event.  The few things that could have been improved from last year were and, as a whole, the event seemed to go much more smoothly and didn't feel nearly as crowded or claustrophobic as the 2011 incarnation did (at times).  Of course, this year also offered a few special surprises that elevated it above and beyond the already auspicious bar set by the 2011 AAGG.

Part of what I love most about Dogfish Head, both as a brewery and as a company, is its attention to detail, particularly when it comes to its customers/consumers.  Case in point: the beer log.  Last year's event didn't have one and I didn't even realize what a bummer that was until the Weekend of Compelling Ales And Whatnot earlier this year.  Having that card for the WOCAAW made an already fun event that much more entertaining.  While I'm sure for some it added a competitive element, for me and my buddy Carlos it was more of a collaborative pursuit--a scavenger hunt of sorts.  Referring back to the aforementioned attention to detail though, the card for the 2012 AAGG wasn't simply a list of the beers on tap (not that the WOCAAW one was) but existed, instead, as an extension of the overall theme of the event (with a particular focus on the music).  Pictured below, the log showed ten of the twelve beers available on one side (the left part of the picture) and a list of the various local vendors who filled out the festivities with their wares on the other (the right side of the picture).  Each beer is represented as a record, the center of which would be punched with each sampled poured.

Now, one of the things that I enjoyed most about last year's event was the unlimited pours of any of the beers.  It was my first opportunity to have 120 Minute IPA and so I made the most of it...but it definitely made for a rough ride home and an unpleasant evening thereafter.  I was a little bummed when I read that the samples would be limited to one per customer for each of the beers available.  In retrospect, I think this actually enhanced the quality of the event because it greatly reduced the number of sloppy drunks stumbling around, it gave everyone a chance to try all of the beers, and it set a cap for what would be available for consumption.  Needless to say, the quantity (and quality!) of the beer was way more than worth the price of admission and, seeing the benefits of the one-per-customer sample approach, I definitely think it will be the way to go in the future for such events.

One thing that I loved in particular about this year's event versus last year's is the inclusion of "The Big Tent."  Employed earlier in the year at the WOCAAW, the tent gave festival-goers a respite from the weather (in this case an extremely warm summer's sun; earlier in the year it was a slight chill in the March air).  It also served as host to a fair portion of the beer (most of them at the WOCAAW and four of them at the AAGG), which, as I mentioned earlier, rendered the experience of being there that much less stuffy and confined.  With all of the beers located inside of the gift shop at last year's event, it made for some uncomfortable line-waiting experiences; this time, however, there was rarely a crowd in the tent that made it feel closed in (the gift shop was a different story but at least there were only four brews awaiting us inside there).

Of course, the most important aspect of any beer event is, well, the beer.  For this year's event, Dogfish Head teamed up with Victory Brewing to offer a small sampling of cask conditioned brews from both the former and the latter.  Honestly, I wasn't impressed with last year's Yards Brewing offerings (though I absolutely LOVE their stuff, in general) and I was a little concerned about Victory being involved this year because I'm not a tremendous fan of the bulk of their beers (they're mostly lager-style brews) but I was truly floored by the deliciousness of both of Victory's offerings.

Moving on to the individual brews, I began my tasting adventure inside of The Big Tent after checking in just outside.  With my beer log and tasting glass in hand, I headed over to the first table to catch my eye: the World Wide Stout.  I'm a big fan of the formidable brew and when I saw that it was aged on Bourbon Oak...well, let's just say I could hardly contain my excitement.  I've been spoiled lately by having a number of tremendous bourbon aged beers and I would put the cask conditioned World Wide Stout right up there with the best of what I've had (including Firestone Walker's Sucaba and Deschutes' The Abyss).

My next beer was the 60 Minute IPA aged with Grain Cedar.  Last year, the 60 Minute was delicious but underwhelming in comparison with the other tremendous brews available; this year, it was, hands down, my favorite beer of the festival.  There was just something magical about the combination of the cask conditioning and the cedar.  It added a complexity that I didn't know existed within the beer.  It was almost like going through high school with a girl you never really took note of until you saw her all dressed up for prom or graduation.  Yeah...the 2012 cask conditioned version of the 60 Minute IPA was definitely her!

From the 60 Minute I headed over to my sentimental favorite 75 Minute IPA.  It's so bad because I love the bottled version of the beer so much that I think it's detracting from my enjoyment of the draft version.  After downing my sample, I took on the last of the "tent beers" in the Theobroma.  Of everything I tried that day, the Theo was the one I liked the least.  For some reason, it just didn't do it for me.  I can't say what it was in particular that I didn't like, just that I didn't like it.

After finishing up in the tent, I headed over to the special Victory Brewing set up.  There was a monster line outside of it and I jumped right on it knowing that it had to be for the special poster signing by Dogfish Head Founder & President Sam Calagione and Victory Brewing's Founder & President Bill Covaleski.  After my wife came to hold my spot, I decided to investigate what I thought of as the hidden corner of the event.  When we were checking in, one of the volunteers mentioned that there were twelve beers in total and that it was up to us (the attendees) to track down the two special additions.  Remembering the awesome beers that were tucked away behind the bocce ball courts at the WOCAAW, I made a bee-line for the same area.  Sure enough, that's where the other two beers were located.  Both were brewed in connection with Eataly's Bierreria NYC and each stood out as a unique beer--ones that certainly stood out as being different from the rest of the bunch.  I tried the Pina first and found it quite palatable--more so than the Etrusca (pictured below), which was also quite good.

After finishing up in the hidden section, I grabbed Victory's Headwaters Pale Ale and was blown away by how delectable it was.  I sipped at it while my wife and I awaited our audience with Sam and Bill.  When we reached the front of the line, both men asked us who we wanted the poster made out to.  I gave them our names and explained that we were attending the AAGG as a means of celebrating the purchase of our very first home.  Later, when we returned from Delaware, I looked at the poster and saw that Sam mentioned it in his signature; again, the attention to detail is truly what separates Dogfish Head apart from the ever-growing family of craft brewers in the United States.

My wife, my son, Bill, me, and Sam

Bitches Brew & Dogfish Head Birch Beer

After depositing the poster in the car, I went inside to try one of the music themed beers that were available on draft.  The first one I went for was the Positive Contact--far and away my favorite of the bunch.  It was insane inside of the gift shop and so I ducked outside for some fresh air and the second Victory brew--their world renowned Hop Wallop.  When I was ready to dive back into the crowd, I went in and finished my last three brews in succession--the Faithfull Ale, the Hellhound On My Ale, and the Bitches Brew--the first music beer that I had had from Dogfish Head.  I also snagged a sample of their birch beer, which they brew at their Rehoboth Beach location.  It was definitely among the best that I've had--certainly worth exploring in a future entry about beer breweries that also make soda.

Finally, on the way out of the gift shop, I saw an off-beat (or perhaps off-centered) piece of artwork on the wall and asked my wife to take a picture.  I felt like it embodied the spirit of the event (and of Dogfish Head, as a whole) and certainly rang true to me!  Speaking of awesome things that are not low in calories...I have to admit that the star of the show this time wasn't just the beer but also the food.  My God!  The barbecue offered by Bethany Blues BBQ had me damn near tumescent.  I initially ordered ribs for myself (five bucks for a serving--I would've paid twenty for them they were that good) and a pulled pork sandwich for Heather...but after having had both, I realized that I couldn't just have the ribs.  And so I went back and ordered a sandwich for myself.  The problem was, though, that after I finished the sandwich, I wanted the ribs again and so, later in the day when I had finished all of the beers, I grabbed one more set of ribs to go.  I felt like a big fat fatty and didn't care in the least!  In fact, I wound up eating only three of the ribs before falling asleep on the ride back to New York and, when I got to the remaining two, they were ice cold.  And by ice cold I mean falling off the bone, finger-licking good at a lower temperature.  Without a doubt, the next time I head down to Dogfish Head, I will have to go to Bethany Blues to try some more of their INSANE food!

In closing, I'd like to thank Dogfish Head for once again hosting an unforgettably awesome event and Victory Brewing for contributing two tremendous guest brews.  It was the perfect way to celebrate one of the biggest moments/weekends of my life and I can't wait until next year's Analog-A-Go-Go!

Cheers!

Matt

(Tasting notes from the event to follow in a future entry.)

Narragansett Lager Review

Another of my Trader Joe's finds, Narragansett Lager held a special excitement for me as it would be my first beer from Rhode Island.  By the time I tried it, I had already enjoyed the previously-reviewed canned beers and so my inclination to ascribe low expectations to the beer barely gained footing.  Even my general lack of enthusiasm for all-things-lager failed to assert itself since I had been enjoying a streak of unexpectedly good beers, many of which represented things that I generally disliked in beers.

The first thing that I noticed upon tasting the 'Gansett was that my streak continued; this was an excellent representation of the American Adjunct Lager.  Whereas corn, rice, and other adjuncts would ordinarily dominate the palette of such a beer, a complex medley of flavors greeted the tongue.  Sweet maltiness married well with a refreshing hop burst atypical of the style that has been vilified thanks to Big Beer and all of its offerings.  Although its light straw color and evanescent, fizzy head made it look like one of those beers, one sniff and one taste is all that it takes to dissolve any and all concerns about the similarities; any comparison that could be drawn would be superficial at best.

If the lager-style of beer represents the roots of American beer drinking-culture, then the Narragansett Lager stands as a proud exemplar of the frothy foundation.  Its century-plus long brewing tradition is emblematic of New England's reverence for local history and the pride that New Englanders take in things that are, in essence, local to them.  The fact that Narragansett's brews are popping up in more and more locations throughout New York is a good sign that our neighbors to the northeast have no problem sharing one of their local treasures--another solid beer that will surely quench your summer thirst.

Grade: A-

Beer Whisperers Spotlight On: Simpler Times Pilsner (You CAN't Judge A Beer By Its Container)

On first glance, one might think that the Simpler Times Pilsner is nothing more than a stock can of beer--one that might be seen on a television sitcom or in a movie (I know I certainly did).  I saw it first in the "loosies" area of the Trader Joe's beer section and decided to pick it up.  I'm not a huge pilsener fan and, at the time, I was still iffy on the whole notion of canned beer, so I figured I didn't have much to lose (I'm pretty sure the can was less than a buck, if that much); little did I know that I had just picked up what would become one of my all-time favorite examples of the style.

The first indication that I had obtained something special came immediately after I poured the beer.  The aromas that emanated from the glass indicated a high quality craft brewed beer rather than a generic, factory-produced brew.  More impressive still was the head retention.  Now, when I review beers, I generally ignore the head because I feel like it is rarely indicative of the quality of the beer and is often highly dependent upon the type of glass and skill level of the pourer (different glasses either support or detract from the duration of the head and a bad pour can result in an atypical head height and, again, duration).  I find that the Samuel Adams' tulip glass produces the most consistent head results but at the same time, because it engenders head development, it can from time to time produce an aberration.  This is precisely what I thought happened when I poured the Simpler Times because the head lasted not merely for a minute or two but for almost ten minutes, even after a few sips.

In both the aroma and the taste, the beer features a great balance of sweet malts and faintly grassy hops.  Its mouthfeel is typical of the style--light-to-medium, effervescent, but not overly so with regards to either characteristic.  The most interesting aspect of the brew, though, was how the mouthfeel changed as the beer warmed.  It seemed to develop a creaminess that resembled a cream ale more than a German pilsener in terms of its body.

Honestly, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better bargain if you're looking for a simple, easy-drinking summer quaff or just an all-around, solid go-to beer.  If you're a PBR fan or someone who sticks to the tried and true Coors & Bud types, then you might want to consider Minhas Craft Brewery's Simpler Times Pilsner to help you make that leap into the world of craft beer.

Grade: A-

Cheers!

The Beer Gods smile upon Simpler Times!

Beer Whisperers Spotlight on: Deviant Dale's India Pale Ale (CAN you dig it!?)

During a recent run to Joe Canal's, I loaded up on an insanely diverse array of brews that, for the first time, featured a number of cans.  Until last year, I had always turned my nose up at beer that came in a can, mostly because the only brews I had ever encountered in such a decanter were your typical macro-swills; then, I had Dale's Pale Ale from Oskar Blues Brewing out in Colorado.  To say it was a revelation would be to diminish just how much that beer blew me away.  It was hoppy, complex, and delicious AND it came in a can.

After enjoying both a number of Oskar Blues and Maui Brewing Company offerings in 2011, I became a fan of canned, microbrewed beer.  The aluminum containers didn't seem to damage the beers in the least and, to some degree, they seemed even better at protecting the beer since they let in zero light.  As such, when I went on the aforementioned beer shopping spree, I loaded up my cart indiscriminately (in terms of cans/bottles).  When the dust settled, I had walked away with more than a half dozen canned brews.

The one that called out to me the most, though, was the Deviant Dale's.  Having just recently had the original Dale's Pale Ale on draft (and finding it to be even more awesome than its canned brethren), I had a feeling that the Deviant version was going to be tremendous; I was right.  I loved the foreboding color scheme of the can--one that both tempted and warned of the danger lurking within.  As with all Oskar Blues' cans, there were a number of clever quotations meant to evoke a wry smile from the drinker.  The two that encircled the top read, "Sippin' On A Tall Boy" (referring to the size of the can) and "Let's Sling A Little Mud, Girl" (the reference of which was lost on me).

Diving into the beer, it struck me immediately as one of the best DIPA's that I've ever had (to date I have had 166 different India Pale Ales including 54 DIPA's).  Pouring a golden, ambrosiac color, Deviant Dale's splashed into the glass and released an intoxicating concoction of piney, citrusy aromas.  Light citrus fruits (with grapefruit leading the way) tickled the nostrils and coated the mouth during the initial sip.  Sweet, grassy, resinous hops washed over the tongue, leaving a lightly effervescent but ultimately balanced mouthfeel.  At only 8% abv and 85 IBUs, this is definitely what I would consider a sessionable DIPA (meaning that you're definitely up for another one after the first because the hops and alcohol aren't overpowering--not that you'd be pounding down four or five of these bad boys.)

I think the most deceptively (or perhaps deviously) decadent aspect of this beer is the muted malt profile that serves as a counterbalance to the hop-forward nature of the brew.  It's certainly close to being exalted as one of the top imperial IPAs in the country and it will undoubtedly make my Top 100 Beers of 2012 list after all is said and done.

Grading this one was easy: A

Location, Location, Location

There are countless locations throughout the world that are iconic--recognizable instantly by anyone with even the most cursory global awareness--places like the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, and the Empire State Building.  I would argue, too, that there are a comparable number of beverages that are equally symbolic and important: a frothy mug of cold beer, a glass of whisky, and even a piping cup of coffee.  In some instances, the drinks and locations are indelibly linked--known worldwide not because of one or the other but rather the confluence of both; one comes to define the other because of the well-established association.

For my entry tonight, I was feeling a bit nostalgic and so I decided to take a look at the top ten iconic drink locations that I have visited and enjoyed the beverages or libations that are forever linked to them.  Some are held close to my heart as much out of the sentimentality of the recollection; others are bucket list items--things that any drinker should hope to experience at least once before they disembark for the great beyond.  My list is consequently limited to the places that I've been fortunate enough to visit and so there are still quite a number of spots and quaffs that I hope to visit and enjoy during my journey through this life.  For the first time, I'm including and discussing drinks other than beer purely in the spirit of the list; some drink/location associations are too powerful to ignore!

#10 The Cuba Libre & Mojito at the Bacardi Distillery in Puerto Rico

The Mojito has enjoyed an enormous resurgence over the past few years as one of the go-to summer drinks at bars throughout the country; nearly every restaurant chain seems to offer at least one riff on the refreshing drink style.  The Cuba Libre, in some ways, is akin to the Jack and Coke in that there is a very specific ingredient requirement in order for the drink to be authentic; using any brand other than Bacardi Superior and Jack Daniel's results in a rum and coke/whiskey and coke, respectively.

In 2007, I was able to visit the Bacardi distillery in San Juan, Puerto Rico with my wife for her birthday.  While there, we were treated to a few free drinks as well as a demonstration of how to make three of the brand's most iconic drinks, two of which were the Cuba Libre and Mojito.  Being in a beautiful tropical locale, we found that nothing hit the spot quite like these two libations.

#09 Budweiser at the Brewery in St. Louis, Missouri

Budweiser is, without question, the most recognizable brand of beer in the United States if not the world; its ubiquitous red and white can might be nearly as familiar to Americans as the golden arches of McDonald's or the ears of Mickey Mouse.  Love it or hate it, macrobrewed beer has been the foundation for beer drinkers across the country for the better part of the past sixteen decades with Anheuser-Busch leading the charge.  

Being able to visit the enormous St. Louis facility is something that every beer fan should experience (as noted here).  The only reason the Anheuser-Busch brewery experience comes in so low on my list here is that, although Budweiser is synonymous with American beer, I feel like St. Louis is not necessarily associated with the brand and brewer to the same degree or at least to a degree comparable to that of other breweries on my list.  Regardless, it is, in a way, the Disney World of the macrobrew world and is worth visiting at least once.

#08 Molson/Moosehead in Canada

Back in 2006, after returning from our first 6,600 mile cross-country road trip, my wife Heather and I still had a fair amount of wanderlust.  To appease it, we decided to take a brief extended weekend trip up to the Atlantic Provinces.  While in Fredericton, New Brunswick, we visited a bar called Isaac's Way--one of the first ones that we had ever been to together.  Unsure of what to drink while we were there, we looked up and saw the signs for Molson's and Moosehead (the latter of which was a brewery we would come to encounter later in the trip).

Adopting the, "When in Rome" policy, we opted for the ubiquitous Canadian brews, enjoying the refreshing lagers as we discussed the excitement we felt about the awesome trips that we had taken and were then taking.  For Americans, Molson is arguably the only beer that comes to mind when we think of our great neighbors to the north (though this is a terrible misconception, especially considering the awesome and ever-growing beer scene, particularly in Quebec and Ontario).

#07 Starbucks in Seattle/Coffee in Washington State

After driving an average of fifteen hours a day over the course of five days back in 2008, Heather and I had made it from Staten Island, New York all the way to Dawson Creek, British Columbia in an attempt to drive to Alaska along the Alaska Highway (a rough outline of the route).  The next day, after an incredible sequence of events, we wound up turning back and decided to continue along with the rest of our trip rather than risk our safety in pursuit of the only state we haven't visited.  A few days later, we passed through the border into Sumas, Washington; it was one of the biggest moments of relief I have ever experienced.

Given the proliferation of coffee shops throughout the country (and their purported affiliations with the Emerald City), it goes without saying that Seattle is synonymous with the bean.  Starbucks is arguably the most famous brand but Seattle's Best has made a splash in recent years by teaming up with other, more well-known and well-established businesses like the Subway fast food chain.

#06 Having Sam Adams in Boston

Samuel Adams' Boston Lager is one of the few brews around that is as much about place as it is about beer.  The world-famous microbrew is associated with the city of Boston as much as it is with the beginning of the microbrew movement of the later-Twentieth Century.  Residents of Beantown take pride in their locally brewed beer and so it was an honor to be able to enjoy one at the Samuel Adams brewery in Jamaica Plains.

#05 Coors Light in The Rocky Mountains

One of my most cherished road trip memories is getting to visit Colorado, in general, and Denver, in particular.  My dad had moved out there towards the end of his twenties and he always shared stories of his time out there and of his westward trek that ultimately landed him in Denver.  It was a journey I wanted to take, myself, since first hearing these tales and so when I was finally able to do so in 2006, it felt more like a pilgrimage than a simple drive.

After my first true near-death experience (the brakes went out on the car during a steep descent along Mt. Evans--one of the 14,000+ foot mountains in the Rockies), I found myself at the Coors Brewery in Golden, Colorado.  It was my first brewery tour and it focused on the beer that I associate most with my dad; what more could I ask for?  Enjoying an ice cold Coors Light at the brewery is one of the most important, sentimental beer moments I've ever had.

#04 Mai Tai in Hawai'i

My honeymoon to O'ahu and the Big Island of Hawai'i was the most exciting trip of my life.  On our last night in paradise, my wife and I attended a luau.  Unbeknownst to me, there were unlimited free Mai Tais included with the cost of admission.  The sweet concoction was the perfect libation for a fun-filled evening that involved fire dancers, Kailua pork, and one very tender inebriated moment on the way back to the car...

(I booked the honeymoon through Expedia)

#03 A Beer & A Brat in Wisconsin

Few things go together as well as meat and beer.  Last year on my first long road trip with my wife and son, we visited Milwaukee on our way to Minneapolis.  While we were there, we were able to enjoy a baseball game at Miller Park.  Though we missed out on taking part in the pre-game tailgating, we were able to indulge in some of Wisconsin's quintessential treats inside of the stadium.  The first thing I did upon entering was locate the food vendor where I purchased an authentic Wisconsin brat.  Since we had just come from the Water Street, Lakefront, and Sprecher breweries, I decided to pass on grabbing another beer.  Still, I was able to enjoy the best of what Milwaukee had to offer in the same day.  For an East Coast guy like me, it was a dream to do so in the great state of Wisconsin!

#02 Having a Margarita at Margaritaville in Key West

I think it's pretty safe to say that there is no drink more associated with a song than the margarita thanks to Jimmy Buffett.  Immortalized in both song and location, the margarita will forever be linked both to Key West and to the utopian state of mind called Margaritaville.  Fortunately, Mr. Buffett had the wherewithal to launch a successful dining and drinking venture off of the success of his song--a place that encapsulates perfectly the spirit of the eponymous ville of margaritas.

During my first road trip with my wife literally the day after we graduated from college, we headed down to Florida for ten days of excitement and adventure.  One day, while staying at a timeshare in Weston, we decided to take a trip down to Key West.  I had never been to Florida and so I decided that a trip to the southeasternmost point of the continental United States would be a great milestone for me to check off of my list.  Using only a map in our atlas (if one can even recall such things being used), we made our way down to the very end of Route 1.  We found a small parking lot and decided to explore what Key West had to offer.  Ultimately, we found Margaritaville and decided that it would be fitting to enjoy the world-famous drink in its rightful location.

After leaving the restaurant, we strolled around for a bit and realized that the sun was about to set.  For those who have never been, the summer sunset isn't just a daily event to be overlooked--it is a communal experience.  People flock to the best locations available to watch the incredible explosion of colors in the sky as night overtakes the day, washing away the sun's golden glow and replacing it with the millions of glittering diamonds that shine down from the heavens.  There was no place to park and so, for the only time that trip, I relinquished control of the car to Heather and she drove around the block while I tried to snag a few pictures of the glorious event.  Just thinking about it is making me crave both another night in Key West and another margarita by way of Jimmy Buffett.

#01 Enjoying a Pint of Guinness at Temple Bar in Dublin

Guinness is not just a beer to me--it's part of my identity.  Though Budweiser is associated with the United States, Molson with Canada, and Fosters with Australia, all three have other beers that could easily be substituted in (and all three countries have other beers that are more revered and enjoyed, nationally, than the aforementioned ones.)  For the great nation of Ireland, though, nothing is more emblematic than Guinness.  A pint of Guinness, itself, is such a powerful symbol that it is distinctly recognizable from other generic beer depictions.

Guinness represents camaraderie, devotion, quality, tradition, and myriad other elements that comprise the Irish (and Irish-American) identity.  The Temple Bar region of Dublin, in turn, is a microcosm of the global drinking community given its quantity of pubs.  No place is more recognizable than the eponymous Temple Bar pub (pictured at right).

Though the Perfect Pint that I poured at the Guinness Brewery is, without question, the most memorable pint that I have ever enjoyed, I would argue that the one I had at Temple Bar had the most sentimental value.  I viewed my trip to Ireland as a pilgrimage of sorts--a cultural homecoming that culminated with that pint in that place. 

So that's my list!  Of course, as I mentioned before, there are still a number of drinking experiences that I have yet to enjoy, including attending an authentic Oktoberfest celebration, visiting an authentic Trappist brewery, visiting the Heineken brewery, and touring any number of West Coast breweries while sampling their tremendous IPAs.  I'd love to know that your list consists of (or would consist of, if it's a "wish list" of places), so leave a comment and let me know!

Cheers!

Matt