Okay, I may not be a die hard beer fan, but I am a die hard fan of beer tastings, where dozens of ( mostly) handsome men gather to sample fine seasonal ales and talk shop with other bartenders, pub owners and beer retailers. As a wine buyer I was invisible, but as a woman, well, let's just say that it's a great way to get to know beer.
Recommended Beer Treats ( from lightest to darkest )
Grant's Mandarin Orange Hefeweizen
Snoqualmie Falls IPA
Chimay Cent Cinqs
Saxer Pumpkin Ale
New Belgium Kriek
Orchard Street Old Saul Barleywine
Lagunitas Brown Shugga
Paulaner Salvatore
Chimay Grand Reserve
Note to wine drinkers: remember that beer ranges from 4.5% to 10.5%, so no matter how much you drink, you will most likely wake up feeling fine. I do, and I had at least 6 shots of Maker's MArk and a Singapore Sling after the tasting. No biggie.
Today, it's all about North Berkeley Imports-the order is supposed to arrive and I predict that at least 50% of it will somehow be screwed up. There is a pile of McCrea waiting for signs, and Pax syrahs, too. No more fooling around, there's real writing to be done.
