Well that was one crazy week last week, wasn’t it? I don’t know about you, but The Beer Guy is still recovering from the weeklong celebration that was “TWAACBW” (or “The Week After American Craft Beer Week,” for long). I think every week-long celebration deserves a “Week After…” extravaganza, don’t you? Thanks for all the great questions and comments provided. I’ve never had as busy week on Life of Dad, but it sure was worth it. Also, a special recognition should go out to the folks that made TWAACBW such a success:
- The Homebrewer: Jeff Erickson (South OC Brewing)
- The Prospective Production Brewery: Chris Tourre (Arcade Brewery)
- The New Brewery: Sergio Bonavita, with a special “Shout” to Eric Tracy too (Westfield River Brewing Company)
- The Expanding Brewery: Evan Weinberg (Cismontane Brewing Company)
After the long weekend, I forgot that Tuesdays call for my opening of the mailbag. And it is here where I’d like to announce a few changes. Based on the feedback received, Tuesdays will be spent focused on some particular topic from here on out. Questions and comments will still be posted, but it won’t be the main focus. What topics will be discussed? You name it: beer/food pairing, highlight of a specific brewery, beer news, how we need to take down the wine and hard booze industry (just kidding, but not really…ok, I am, or am I?)…the options are endless. Thursdays will still be reserved for beer reviews.
TBGNANLC
Also, The Beer Guy apparently needs a new logo. So, I’d like to formally announce “The Beer Guy Needs A New Logo Challenge,” or (“TBGNANLC,” for short). I need it quickly, and it will then be used on all social media platforms I use: Life of Dad, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. With that being said, have we connected on any of those other social networks yet? Deadline for this challenge: June 15. Entries can be submitted to me by e-mail: thebeerguy@lifeofdad.com. I’d have specifications of what the logo should entail, but the only thing I need is to keep the size such that I can put it on this, and other websites, and not be too offensive. Winner gets a 6-pack of my choosing, and you can submit as many entries as you like.
Alright, that’s out of the way. The other item that’s been on my mind of late is that summer is fast approaching, if not already here. School is out, the kids are back home and it’s time to start planning that summer vacation! Can beer be a part of your summer vacation? Of course! Whether it’s traveling to a city that serves beer somewhere, going to a local fair or festival and trying some new local craft brewery’s offering or just reading up on beer here at Life of Dad, a summer vacation without the world’s #3 drink would be a summer vacation not worth having.
For just the Dads (or Dads & Moms), one trip I just read about was the Colorado Hike, Bike, Beer and Brewpubs Adventure, presented by Zephyr Adventures. Imagine this…5 days and 4 nights of hiking or biking through the Flatiron Mountains and Boulder Trail (Boulder); Fort Collins; and the Rocky Mountains (Estes Park). Now combine that with a brewery tour each afternoon and dinner at a brewpub each evening. Then, you close things out with some time spent at the Great American Beer Festival. What a trip! That, and they’re giving away a free one on June 15th. Register today. Yes, it will be difficult, and probably not encouraged, to bring the little ones along…but what about just the Dads? What about going there for the Life of Dad Expo 2013? The Beer Guy sees you now, metaphorically speaking…and he sees those wheels spinning in motion in your brain. I hope to see you there!
Can’t wait until October? Zephyr also has a similar tour of the Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks. This one has some river rafting as well. Included on the tour are visits to six breweries in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. The tour runs from July 20-25.
If that’s not in the cards, though, no worries. Check out the Beer Festival Calendar for a festival coming your way soon.
Either way, enjoy your summer. Stay safe and let me know if you found any other beer-related activities or travel plans. See you Thursday.
About The Beer Guy – A dad, husband, friend and drinker of beer. I review & blog about it all on LifeOfDad.com, the premiere social networking website for Dads. The Beer Guy enjoys IPA’s and Pilsner’s, but will really try any kind of beer. You may disagree on some of his opinions. Let The Beer Guy know. Reviews are published on Thursdays. Blogging is done on Tuesdays. Read more here to learn about The Beer Guy, who he is and his beer rating methodology.
The Beer Guy, and Life of Dad, promote responsible drinking. Never drink and drive.