Back in the USA

Won’t be posting too much since we’re on vacation and the wife frowns on that sort of thing during vacation, but she’s cooking right now so I can say, Howdy everybody! So far we’ve had a great time - got to hang out with James Spencer and Andy Sparks from Basic Brewing radio, Andy’s Magic Beer Fridge is indeed a sight to behold. Had some Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA straight from a super-fresh keg, among other beers. Wal-Mart is an interesting place, I feel a bit of culture shock being in there, but jeez, not having to pay 12 euros for a can of Karo is a good thing.

Have been to 17th st BBQ, that was OK, nothing amazing, I’ve made better at my house and it cost less, but as they say the best food is the food you don’t have to cook. Tried a Ranger IPA from New Belgium, great hop aroma! But man, does every place keep its draft lines this cold? I’m used to cellar temp.

Picked up the Sam Adams fall sampler, a bit of latitude 48 (old 6 pack, no hop aroma to speak of :frowning: ) and a New Belgium sampler. Lots of beer to go through. The US really feels like more of a beer mecca than Belgium, as long as you know where to go.

Welcome back! I saw your name on the new BBR episode but haven’t had a chance to listen yet.

Any chance you’re headed out this way?

Welcome back, brotha! Have a fun vacation.

Welcome back to the land of the free! Drop me a PM if you’re down in Austin. Maybe we could meet fo a beer.

Yeah, post some kind of rough itinerary so we can find you if you’re close.  Then again, you might not want us to :slight_smile:

It’s pretty basic, but we’re going to try to make it to the NHC in Seattle, so no worries if we can’t visit this time:
Central & Southern Arkansas for the next week, after that it’s a week in Chicago/Milwaukee. Just drop me a PM if you wanna hang out. Unfortunately I gave almost all my beer to James Spencer, although I’ve promised a few bottles in exchange for Mark G (Got you some Cantillon, hope that’s OK). Start sending me your requests now for the NHC :wink:

Your BBR interview got some traffic on our homebrew club distribution.  Jeff Renner was going to listen, as you mention the “Your Father’s Moustache” recipe that he had in Zymurgy (not BYO).  Jeff is always happy to see a CAP being brewed commercially.  In France, maybe more so!

This is one that I will brew agian in the Feb. time frame so it is ready for Summer.

Just remember that pubic restrooms are not marked with a WC here or you will be looking for a long time.  :wink:

If you got time, visit us in SC…Gawd’s country

Thanks! I’ll see you in Chicago next weekend.

Just sayin Hey Phil…!! Good on ya. Safe Journey.

Welcome back Phil!  …at least for the moment.  :slight_smile:

Are you planning to go to the Hopleaf or The Map Room in Chicago?

Me!  Me!

Yes and yes to hop leaf AND map room. Can’t wait. We’re going to Milwaukkee as well if anyone wants to meet up at Northern Brewer. Sad that there’s not much in the way of fresh beer to be found in Saline or Faulkner counties.

Before/after the Map Room, head to Revolution. They are brewing some seriously good beers and have a lot of guest taps. If you’re lucky they’ll have their porter on cask.

Haymarket should also be on Phil’s radar along with Revolution.

Ended up only being able to make it out to Revolution. Glad to be back home in France now, though - it got to be pretty overwhelming not to have a routine every day other than shop/eat/shop/drink. Next time, we rent a cabin somewhere and only do a single day of shopping.

Made it out to Northern Brewer’s Milwaukee shop. Wow. Spent close to 500 euros on random stuff, but at least now I have nice quick disconnects and a real grain mill.

Revolution had some great beers, particularly working woman brown. “Stronger, more bitter and with more perfume than the workingman.” Got a growler of that one.