The Best of 2011

When I first started writing my blog in May, my nephew Mike, suggested I write a "best of"  blog at the end of the year. When you consider that I only write about places that I consider fun, determining which places are the most fun can be a daunting task. That said, there are a few stand outs this year. So here goes.

The Chinese Tower beer garden in Munich.

Best overall experience:  Visiting the beer gardens in Bavaria wins  this category hands down. The two that really stood out were the Chinese Tower in Munich and Andechs Monastery on Lake Ammer.  Both were unique and offered one of a kind experiences.

A beer sampler from Deschutes
 is hard to beat. 

Favorite brew pub experience:  There are three that really stand out for different reasons.  For the best quality of beer it has to to be Deschutes in Bend, Oregon. We can't get their beer in Georgia, and whenever I'm away from Bend I crave it. Drinking a beer sampler from Deschutes trumps all others.

The brew pub offering the best views in combination with excellent beer is Full Sail in Hood River, Oregon. The panoramic views of the colorful windsurfers on the Columbia River are unforgettable.

For the best people watching it's the Lab in Asheville, North Carolina. The experience of sitting on the outdoor covered patio and watching the entertaining characters of Asheville stroll by is a real treat.

Trappeze has a great selection of draft beer. 

Best craft beer bar experience:  We visited some wonderful bars specializing in craft beer this year. The one that still remains my favorite is our home town Trappeze in Athens, Georgia.  The ambiance, choice of beers and friendly staff make every visit fun.

Can't beat the view at Mt. Hood.

Best winery experience:  I've chosen two wineries that really stood out. For best overall experience it's Kings Estate in Oregon. The beauty of the location and facilities, in combination with the excellent food and wine make it a memorable visit. For the knockout view, Mt. Hood Winery is really special. Wedged between Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens, the location is spectacular.

Superb chocolate is available at
the Chocolate Lounge.

Best chocolate experience:  Although Pix Patisserie in Portland, Oregon was a real contender, my favorite is the French Broad Chocolate Lounge in Asheville. Just superb chocolate.

Thanks to everyone who has read my blog in 2011. We already have some great travel plans for 2012.  In March we'll be in the Caribbean and I'll be reviewing some highlights from the islands.  A trip to Chicago is in the works for May and the Finger Lakes wine region in New York state is planned for August.  In September, we are highly anticipating our visit to Belgium and Paris.  I'm sure there will be other adventures  throughout the year as well. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2012 and may you enjoy outstanding beer,wine and chocolate throughout the year.