The Year of the Dragon is Upon Us

Yank Sing

It's Friday!

From the ashes of Valley Brewing

About a month ago, he heard from the owner, Kelly Jacobs, that she wanted to sell the brewery and gave Steve a price if he was interested. So Steve went to work, found partners and investors in short order and made an offer based on his earlier conversation with Jacobs. No dice. The price was now inexplicably higher. They tried again with higher offers, but each time the owners kept raising the price. Then they fired John, their only salesman. Last Thursday, they tried one last offer, which met with the same frustrating negative response. On Friday, the day before Steve was scheduled to take a family vacation, he asked for explanation. He was told they “decided on another offer, and they don’t need you. Thanks, but get out.” In less than two hours he was locked out of the brewery that he helped build for the past fourteen years. - Jay Brooks

Superbrewer Steve Altimari has pulled together resources and talent and delighted me again.

High Water Retribütion

Retribütion Imperial IPA is brewed for the true connoisseur of all things hoppy. We brew this beer with one theme: Go big... or go home! Layers of bittering, finishing and aroma hops combine to result in a truly unique flavor experience. 9.5%/95 IBUs

On Tap with the Hop Riot at City Beer

What Have The Romans Ever Done For Us?

But apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh-water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?

The Cushing Memorial Theater (a.k.a. The Mountain Theater) in Mount Tamalpais State Park was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The natural-stone amphitheater seats 3,500 people and features the Mountain Play each spring, produced every year since 1913

The Murmur Starts Quite Quietly

It's Friday!

con·se·cra·tion   
[kon-si-krey-shuhn]
–noun
1.
the act of consecrating; dedication to the service and worship of Vinnie and Natalie.
2.
a dark Belgian style ale aged in American oak Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. Not only do we use Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, & Pediococcus, we also add currants to beer while it is aging in the barrels

Rosamunde
SF Beer Week

It's Friday!

Joe and the Van Hosenbrouk St. Louis Gueze Fond Tradition.
On tap at

The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You

Good Rooms. Nice Pool. Fair Price. Excellent Location.

It's Friday!

Happy Hour in Newport, Oregon. Bier One is a home brewing supply shop with a huge bottle selection and eleven handles. We found it by accident and I was so relaxed and removed I didn't even take pictures. We had a local and brought this gueuze back to the room.

We shall return.

It's Friday!

It's Friday #9
And Oakland finally got it's own Specialty Beer Bottle Shop and Tasting Room. Like City Beer in SF and Belmont Station in Portland, they have beer on tap for consumption and bottles of everything to go that they will let ya drink there for a buck more. There's a big front porch and you can bring your own nibbles.

Join the Revolution

It's Friday!

It's Friday #7
Last Sunday we were back up at Mama Sherry's for a visit. After the Giants lost to a Manny pinch-hit-two-run-homer I had to walk it off. Two blocks away I found this.
Had a Lil' Chief (cask style? hopped up and super tasty), Green Purl (interesting, Wormwood) and grabbed a growler of Dunkelweiss (also brought home a nasty bug so I tasted it but never enjoyed it)(Sorry Sam).
Tim Goeppinger, pictured, mastered at Firestone-Walker then moved up here and worked at Lagunitas and Russian River while getting SS Brewing brewing.
He and the Mrs. have a nice little operation with an intriguing summer beer plan: four oak barrels and sours to come.

TWO BLOCKS FROM THE MOTHER IN LAW'S!!

Sonoma Springs Brewing Co (fb)

Rest Easy Acme

This is looking across what used to be the Acme Chophouse dining room. The white plastic wall in the back is the kitchen line.

This is looking at the bar from the front door. Normally you would see me standing behind there, waiting to affect an effect on you.

And here's a shot back across the lounge and bar.

So, I guess the Acme is gone. Now it's Public House/Mijita in the making.

Come see me in April. Mention this post and get free admission to these exciting new venues.

Then, On Sunday

We headed out to The Marshall Store for a dozen (15), chowder and a Tin of LifeBlood

Nobody there but Us

Down to Millerton Point for a hike with the dogs

Nobody there but Us

Go Pack

Can I Get A Witness

When you open the link down below, let it open all the way, then, click on START SLIDESHOW, and Witness

The Trip of a Lifetime




Again.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Title: SSS #13
Art & Beer
Somewhere South of Todos Santos, 2006.

Today's Photo

Title: East 14th
We caught last Sunday's matinee of Don Reed's East 14th True Tales of a Reluctant Player. A hilarious one-man performance of his growing up in Oakland.

Back in 1970’s Oakland, his stepfather forced him to be a straight A, God-fearing church boy - but he wanted to be just like his dear old Dad. Too bad he didn’t know dear old Dad was a pimp.

It's on it's last extension down at The Marsh. Can you dig it? It can be dug by Me.

Today's Photo

Title: Fried Pickle Chips!!
EaT: An Oyster Bar
Fried Frog Legs, Dixie, and Shrimp Po Boys made for an excellent afternoon watching the U S give up a 2 - Nil lead to Brazil.

Today's Photo

Title: I'm Going
Hit the Museum right when it opens, over to the Garden in the afternoon, sushi with Kurosawa and Mifune that evening.

There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.

It Was Another Lost Weekend

We were back up on Tomales Bay. Celebrating Goddaughter #1's 12th with Til and Jim.

We got up there relatively early and hiked Point Reyes Beach - North. It was an overcast day but quite nice. We had a picnic, hiked on the ridge, and met a seal. We were the only ones there and were rich with sand dollars.

Then it was back to Inverness, where we stayed in Manka's Boathouse.

We relaxed for awhile,

and then Darkness washed over us.

Wonderful Margaret started bringing food, and bringing food, and bringing food.

There was tartar and pâté and mussels and cheeses and meats and asparagus and wine and way too much of it. All as local and organic as possible, of course. God It Was GOOD!

There was hotdogs over the fire for the gaggle, and s'mores and cake and a storyteller and a baby grand in the corner for those taking lessons to play that one part of that one song over and over.

Off to our cozy bed,

and the next morning there was more great food and lounging.

Man. Can They throw a birthday party or what?

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