Travel Archives

Here is some stuff that got removed from other pages...

Recent Finds:

Monk's Cafe , Philadelphia, PA [March 2008, food & beer] We finally made it to Monk's Cafe! Amazing beer selection plus food to compliment. No trip to Philly would be complete without a stop here to enjoy a few Belgians.

Café Amsterdam , Anchorage, AK [January 2008, food & beer] While Humpy's is good... Café Amsterdam is amazing. The best Alaskan beers plus a great selection of lower 48 craft beer and Belgians. If you visit Anchorage and don't hit Café Amsterdam you are making a huge mistake. Thanks to Ken and Shauna for their hospitality.

Bull and Castle , Dubin, Ireland [December 2007, food & beer] Don't be afraid of the 'gastropub' label... It's what we have been waiting for in Ireland... a pub that serves Irish craft beer. A must stop in any beer visit to Dublin. The Bull and Castle also has a impressive selection of continental beers too.

Red Restaurant & Bar, Santa Cruz, CA [October 2007, food & beer] We were told to go here by our friend Blu and I am happy to announce that we have our new beer hangout in Santa Cruz... I don't know what is more amazing; the selection of Belgians of draught or the fact that the staff drives 8 hours each way to get beer that isn't distributed in Northern California. Words cannot adequately describe the beer menu... you must go there and see for yourself!

The Maiden Publick House , Big Sur, CA [October 2007, food & beer] We don't make it to Big Sur much anymore since our favorite park doesn't allow the pups... but we were reminded recently of a good reason to make the drive down the coast... the Maiden Pub. An impressive beer list of six draft plus 80+ bottled beers, combined with the beauty of Big Sur, is going to have us driving down the coast more often in the future.

Odell Brewing Co. , Fort Collins, CO [September 2007, beer] Just down the street from New Belgium, Odell Brewing Co. is the second oldest microbrewery in Colorado and a must stop if you are in Fort Collins. Brewers of excellent beer, they also give back to the community; you can donate your $3 taster fee to charity.

Fort Collins Brewery , Fort Collins, CO [September 2007, beer] And just down the street from Odell Brewing Co. is Fort Collins Brewery. A friendly staff pours an eclectic selection of beers. Another must stop in Fort Collins.

Oskar Blues , Lyons, CO [September 2007, food & beer] Located on the road to Rocky Mountain National Park, you will kick yourself for not stopping at Oskar Blues. Great staff and great beer! Also, Oskar Blues is one of the pioneers in the can movement. Great for bringing beer back for our tastings.

The Ol' Factory Cafe , Sand City, CA [August 2007, food & beer] The Monterey Peninsula now has a beer destination that we can show off to our out of town beer friends. A world class beer list and a knowledgeable staff makes the Ol' Factory Cafe the beer destination in the area. Good food, a hip setting and wireless internet round out this great establishment.

City Beer , San Francisco, CA [August 2007, food & beer] What a great concept! What a great selection of beer! A beer store where you try before you buy. (Well, you buy the samples too...) Pick a beer from their extensive inventory of beer from around the world and enjoy. Five draft handles round out a fund and relaxing beer experience.

Pelican Pub & Brewery , Pacific City, OR [July 2007, food & beer] If there is a brewpub with a nicer view, I haven't been there yet. Add great beer and you have yourself a great afternoon on the patio. Unless, of course it is raining... it is Oregon after all.

Horse Brass Pub , Portland, OR [July 2007, food & beer] It is somewhat an embarassment to say that it took until our 8th visit to Portland to visit Don Younger's legendary Horse Brass Pub. Don't make the same mistake. A great beer selection including a number of cask ales awaits you.

Boundary Bay Brewery , Bellingham, WA [July 2007, food & beer] Boundary Bay is not on this list because the owner if a friend of a friend of a friend... they made this list because they have darn good beer. A friendly staff rounds out this great beer destination in the Pacific Northwest.

Wenlock Arms, London England [June 2007, food & beer] The Wenlock Arms is the real deal; a free house serving great real ale. I recommend going on Thursday night for quiz with "Eddie the Fat Controller". The nearest Tube stop is Old Street.

Brauerei Forst , Merano, Italy [June 2007, food & beer] This German-style beer garden and brewery in Italy is a great place to relax for a beer and some food. No Peroni or Moretti here. Located about 30km west of Bolzano.

Bamberg, Germany [June 2007, Food & Beer] Yes, I am recommending a whole town! Not only is Bamberg a splendidly preserved medieval city but it also has 9 or so breweres; many of which are in walking distance of each other. The rauchbier is not to be missed.

El Toro Brewing , Morgan Hill, CA [May 2007, food & beer] El Toro is making a return visit to 'recent finds'... They have dry hopped their flagship beer and called it "Extra Hoppy Poppy Jasper". They brew several versions of the beer, each dry hopped with a different variety of hops. When we were there, on tap were four Extra Hoppy Poppy Jaspers. Another reason El Toro is a worthy stop. The yellow walls still need to go.

Blackstone Brewing Co. , Nashville, TN [March 2007] Located a few minute walk from dowtown Nashville. Blackstone was a pleasant surprise... I guess I wasn't expectign much from Nashville beer. Boy, was I wrong...

Boscos , Nashville, TN [March 2007] Located adjacent to Vanderbilt University, Boscos is a great college town brewpub with that great college town atmosphere.

Lazy Boy Saloon and Alehouse , White Plains, NY [March 2007, food & beer] A great pub located in dowtown White Plains. An extensive, rotating draft beer selection including numerous local beers; just what a beer traveler is looking for.

Lucky Devils , Los Angeles, CA [February 2007, food & beer] We actually found a second place to go to in Los Angeles. Lucky Devils is located on Hollywood Blvd (4 blocks east of Highland) and they have a impressive selection of beer on draft as well as bottles. A must stop if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

El Toro Brewing , Morgan Hill, CA [February 2007, food & beer] Since 1994, El Toro has been brewing great beer and now they have a brewpub just off Hwy 101 in Morgan Hill (exit East Dunne/go west/then right on Monterey Rd/located at Monterey Rd and Main St). In the summer, the patio is going to be THE place for a beer in the southern Santa Clara Valley. The brewpub would be absolutely brilliant if they got cole slaw for the pulled pork (and maybe got rid of the yellow walls).

The Old Fountain, London, England [December 2006, food & beer] A great old pub where our friend Paul is the Cellarman. Listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, the Old Fountain is a true local surviving in the ever expanding corporate beer scene. These are the places we should be supporting.

Gebr. Mayer , Oggersheim, Germany [December 2006, food & beer] Not here just because of being my #300... Great German food and Great beer! Located on the outskirts of Mannheim, easily accessible by tram.

Biddy Early , Inagh, Ireland [September 2006, food & beer] First went to this brewpub in 1999 and didn't like it. Went back again and thought the beer was brilliant. A great Stout and Pale Ale. A must stop if you are in West Clare.

E.J. Phair Alehouse , Concord, CA, USA [August 2006, food & beer] An establishment with three different IPAs is one that is after my heart... Great food too.

The Star , London, England [May 2006, food & beer] A Fullers pub on Belgrave Mews that is a hard to find but worth the search. Take the tube to Knightsbridge, walk to Belgrave Square. When you find the German Embassy, The Star is behind it. Cask ale and the craic is great.

Youngs Brewery , London, England [May 2006, food & beer] A little hard to get to but well worth the visit for the wondefurful cask ales as well as Double Chocolate on draft. Take the tube to East Putney then it's a 10 minute walk down the street.

The Publick House , Brookline, MA [March 2006, food & beer] Thanks to mom for finding this one... it's not a brewpub but a great multi-tap that is a must stop on any trip to Boston. Take the Green line (C-Cleveland circle) to Washington Square.

Sin City Brewing, Las Vegas, NV [December 2005, beer only] Merideth found this one in one of those stupid local guide magazines in our hotel room in Vegas. Located in the Desert Passage Shops, I think they have the best beer in Vegas. Be sure to stop by and ask if they are pouring the Irish Stout.

Indian Wells Brewing , Inyokern, CA [December 2005, beer only] An hour and a half detour off the I-15 on the way to Vegas but well worth it. It's great to see people trying to make it out in the middle of nowhere.

Brauerei Blank, Zwiefaltendorf, Germany [September 2005, food & beer] One of the great reasons to beer tour in Germany... We were driving west of Ulm and found this small brewery by randomly picking a route to another nearby brewery.

La Chouffe , Achouffe, Belgium [September 2005, food & beer] Located a few miles outside of Bastogne, a wonderful place for great Belgian beer.