Bend, OR - The Cycle Pub Tour

Two weeks after the East Coast branch of our family met in Romulus NY to enjoy some Finger Lakes wine tasting, the West Coast clan descended on Bend, Oregon to hit the craft beer trail.  Not to be outdone by the wine tasting by boat adventure, this group decided to tour the craft beer establishments by Cycle Pub.

On a gorgeous late summer evening, a group of 13 family and friends, gathered in the parking lot behind Good Life Brewing Company, and boarded the cycle pub.  Stocked with growlers of beer, bottles of wine and plates of appetizers, our enthusiastic group was ready to begin our journey through the streets of Bend.

The Bend Cycle Pub - ready for adventure. 

Twelve peddlers lined both sides of the vehicle and one lucky person tended the bar. The traveling pub’s driver is provided by the company. Since our son was nursing a back injury, he was designated as the bartender, a job where he excelled!

The Cycle Pub hits the road. 

Off we went to our first stop, Bend Brewing Company. One of the rules of the road as you drive through the friendly streets of Bend, is that when someone honks, you must drink.  Trust me, everyone honks!  So needless to say, our growlers were nearly empty by the time we reached Bend Brewing and we all hopped off to fill them up at one of our favorite beer establishments in town. 

Our growlers are full after a stop at Bend Brewing. 

Our next stop was Deschutes Brew Pub followed by 10 Barrel. Since you are not permitted to carry a single beer out of the bars, growlers were filled up at every stop.  It’s surprising how much beer you can drink when peddling hard. 

10 Barrels Brew Pub is hopping.

Once we were appropriately lubricated, our driver informed us we were about to hit the highlight of the trip, the big hill. He asked if anyone wanted to wear a helmet and we all laughed…until we started to descend the hill.  We had no idea there was a Disney Land thrill ride included on this adventure. As we picked up speed, then careened around the corner, we all held on for dear life.  Fortunately, with the exception of a cell phone that slid off the counter (and was later recovered) we all got through it unscathed. 

Survived the big hill. 

We rented the cycle pub for two hours, but as our time was coming to an end, none of us were ready to quit.  Fortunately, we were the last group booked for the evening and our driver was able to extend our trip for an additional hour’s fee.  We gladly paid.  Since our group was made up of some seriously fit peddlers, we were able to climb the hill to Cascade Brewing Company for our last stop.  In truth, by this time, I didn't care to drink any more, I just didn't want the fun and adventure to end.  When it finally did, I had to admit I was tired.  We had peddled hard for at least two of the three hours.  I have no idea how much beer I consumed, but it was definitely one of the most enjoyable workouts I've ever had. 

Finger Lakes, NY - Wine Tasting by Boat

Wine tasting is always essential when I head back to my home town, Ithaca, NY, located in the Finger Lakes Wine Region on Cayuga Lake.  The lake is dotted with numerous wineries and on this year's trip we added a new twist to our experience - visiting the wineries by boat.

A family gathering at my sister and brother-in-law's lake cottage is always a treat.  On a gorgeous August afternoon, a group of us boarded their sleek speed boat and traveled to several of the most picturesque wineries on the lake.  After an exhilarating fifteen minute trip, we made our first stop, and docked at Sheldrake Winery.

Just docked at Sheldrake Point and ready to taste some wine.

Sheldrake Point Winery

A rare moment when the there isn't a crowd at the tasting bar.

A short walk up a sloping hill brought us to the tasting room.  After finding a place to gather along the esthetically pleasing tasting bar, we selected the wine and cheese pairing.  For $5 you could taste five wines paired with small bites of a variety of cheeses.  The pairings were excellent and added a little extra fun to the wine tasting experience. 

This group is enjoying their wine!

When it comes to Finger Lake wine, I usually prefer the Dry Riesling and Pinot Gris, and this was no exception. Others enjoyed their Dry Rose, Cabernet Franc and Gamay Noir.  After taking a quick tour of the small gift shop which displayed crafts and food from local atrisans, we bought a couple bottles of wine, took in the panoramic view and headed back to the boat for the next stop. 

Heading back down to the boat.

Goose Watch Winery

The next stop was Goose Watch Winery, located high on a hill above the lake.  A quick call ahead and we were met us at the dock with the electric cart to drive us up the steep hill past rows of vines already heavy with purple grapes. 

The Goose Watch vines are laden with purple grapes.

The view from the Goose Watch tasting room is nothing short of spectacular.  A back deck spans the length of the building and offers unparalleled views of Cayuga Lake. On a day as gorgeous as that, the word breathtaking was not a cliché, it was the real deal. 




View from inside the Goose Watch tasting room.

After taking a quick tour of the kitschy gift shop, we gathered around the wrap-around bar to sample the wine.  There are a few gems in their selection.  I particularly enjoyed the sparkling Pinot Noir Brut Rose, the Pinot Gris and Villard Blanc.  Some of the gang decided to drop a couple extra bucks to sample their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and they gave it the thumbs up. 

Tough choice deciding which wines to taste.

After purchasing a few more bottles, our happy bunch headed back down the hill to board the boat for the cottage.  Perhaps I’ve tasted finer wine, but I have not experienced a more fun-filled wine tasting excursion than this one.  I’m already looking forward to our next visit when we can hopefully check out a few more of the Finger Lake wineries that smartly welcome the boating crowd.



A stroll through the gift shop brought smiles.

San Diego - Karl Strauss

The original Karl Strauss Brew Pub.

San Diego will always be special to me since it's where I met my husband. It was over a pint of John Courage at the old Princess of Whales Pub in downtown San Diego that we fell in love. It's been over twenty years since I've lived there, and a lot has changed. It's become a mecca for microbreweries, and a favorite of craft beer aficionados who love heavily hopped ales. Back in 1989, it all began with the Karl Strauss. On this short visit to San Diego we decided to go back to the original and see how their beer has stood up over time. I'd have to say, it still is great. I love the fact that they brew a wide range of beer styles, from German wheat to a nice balanced hoppy black rye IPA.

A flight of Karl Strauss craft beer, and a pint of wheat. 

What did we have:  Per usual, I ordered the featured flight of four beers. They included the Windansea Wheat, Pintail Pale Ale, Amber Lager and my favorite, the Blackball Belgian IPA. I enjoyed all four featured beers, but the Blackball was really special.  I love a beer with a high IBU (international bittering unit), that's balanced with malt to cut the bitterness.  The complexity makes it interesting, and so enjoyable.  My ever-predictable husband drank a pint of his summer fave, Windansea Wheat, which was reminiscent of our trip last year to Germany.  He followed it with one of his all times favorites. Red Trolley Ale, a Karl Strauss standby.  We wanted to eat light, so we shared a Seared Ahi Salad that was surprisingly tasty and quite the work of art.

The Ahi Salad is a work of art. 

What was fun:  There are now numerous Karl Strauss brew pubs around San Diego, but we went to the downtown original.  It was mid-afternoon and the Happy Hour crowd had yet to arrive. We had a great table on the outside patio and received excellent service. It's great to know that Karl Strauss is still a major player in the craft beer scene after all these years and I definitely recommend a stop there when visiting my former home town.

My "partner in fun" enjoys his beer. 

Asheville, NC - Asheville Tourists Baseball

The players make a few fans happy. 

Could there be any better celebration for the 4th of July than a minor league baseball game followed by a fireworks display? My husband, Bruce, and I didn't think so. We made plans in advance since we learned the hard way that McCormick Field, home of the Asheville Tourists, sells out early for this big game. We were hoping for some good baseball and some spectacular fireworks. We found both, and at least 20 selections of craft beer on tap to choose from. Why was I surprised? What else would you expect from BeerTown, USA?  We're used to going to Atlanta Braves games where Bud and Miller rule with not a craft beer in sight (although I'm told that somewhere there is a Sweetwater kiosk, but we've never found it).  When we walked into the entrance of McCormick Field we were greeted with a line of beer stands, each featuring different varieties of craft beer. Many of them local brews, and some selections from around the country. The biggest problem we faced was how do you choose?

So many craft beer choices!

What did we have:  This was one of the most difficult beer decisions I've faced in a while.  Even though I'm an enthusiastic beer consumer, I can't drink a lot in one setting. So I was limited to only two selections.  Bruce can drink a little more, but wouldn't you know, he found a favorite first time around and kept ordering the same. For the first round we both decided to go local and I chose a Highland Gaelic Ale, their very popular amber. Good choice!  Bruce picked the seasonal Highland Razor Wit, a Belgian Wheat. As I said, he loved it.  I sipped my amber for the first three innings and then went back down for selection #2. I wanted a souvenir cup (a little larger pour) and selected something I knew Bruce would like as well, so he could help me out. I decided to head west this time and chose the Breckenridge Agave Wheat. Oh yum, crisp and refreshing but with real depth for a wheat beer. Another great selection to sip through the rest of the game.

Take me out to the Ball Game, and buy me some craft beer. 

What was fun:  Oh my gosh, what could be more fun?  It was a beautiful night in Asheville, NC.  The ball game was entertaining, the local crowd was enthusiastic and extremely friendly, the fireworks did not disappoint, and the beer....simply amazing.  The food wasn't bad either.  I got a tasty veggie taco from a food cart that paired very well with my craft beer.  So, what are we doing next year for the 4th of July?  Perhaps the very same thing.  I have 18 more beer selections to check out.

Brevard, NC -Brevard Brewing Company

The store front entrance of  Brevard Brewing Company. 

When I told our friends Angie and Jonathan that we were heading to Asheville for the 4th of July, they suggested we stop on the way in Brevard, NC, and check out their new microbrewery. We took them up on it, and what a great recommendation!  Brevard is a quaint mountain town with one main street.  Brevard Brewing Company is located in one of the store fronts downtown.  To walk inside you can tell this establishment was only open in April and is still getting started.  The brewing takes place in the back room, a large bar and open area with limited seating makes up the tasting room.  Local art is the main decor that lines the walls.  The building may feel like it's still a work in progress and nothing out of the ordinary, but the beer is the real deal.  Their main problem is keeping up with demand.  After tasting all they had to offer, I can understand why.

Brevard Brewing serves five outstanding ales. 

What did we have:  This was a short stop and we still had almost an hour of driving left to get to Asheville, so we limited our drinking.  As the driver, I ordered the taster of five beers and only had a few sips of each.  It was enough to make me want more! Their specialties are German style ale. Just one short year ago we were drinking beer in Munich, so we felt qualified to judge if it truly was up to German standards.  I must say, it comes pretty darn close.  The flight consisted of Lager, Pilsner, Hefeweisen, IPA and Dunkel. When sipping the Dunkel I could imagine myself relaxing in a German Beer Garden. It burst with flavor.  The hef was also a highlight.  The biggest surprise was the IPA which has just the right hop finish to make it interesting.

Ahhh, the pretty beer!

Why is it fun:  It was a great treat to find such a high quality microbrewery in the small town of Brevard. At the time of our visit, around 5 pm, there was a nice gathering of locals who have clearly claimed this place their own.  Live music is featured on the weekends and I'm told that it's very lively.  The server informed us their beer is now served at all the restaurants in Brevard, and if they could meet demand, I'm sure they could easily expand into Asheville.  For right now, a stop in Brevard and a visit to the local microbrewery is well worth the trip. We'll be back, and next time we'll pick up a growler to bring home.

Hilton Head Island, SC - The Lodge

The front entrance of The Lodge in Hilton Head. 

If you're looking for miles of sandy beaches, a unique natural setting, and world famous golf courses, Hilton Head Island is a terrific vacation destination.  If you're looking for great craft beer, not so much.  Bud and Coors are everywhere, but for years it's been difficult to find a bar that offers a selection of draft craft beer.  The good news is that The Lodge, formally a martini and cigar bar, is now the island's choice for an interesting and varied selection of craft draft. You can skip the local brew pub, located right next door, but The Lodge is worth the visit. I got to sample four new beers, and that's always fun.

A one of a kind bar on Hilton Head Island. 

Most of the popular bars on Hilton Head are going for a bright, cheerful beach feel. Not The Lodge. Walk inside and you'd think you were in Montana or Alaska with the dark wood paneled walls adorned with mounted animal heads, and bar stools that are covered with faux animal skins. It's dark, and not at all what you'd expect for a beach community. The Lodge features 36 rotating taps with a rather eclectic selection of beer, including the ubiquitous Pabst and Yuengling to Harpoon Leviathan with a whopping 10% ABV.

A sampling of very tasty summer ales. 

What did we have:  We came for Happy Hour and decided to have a bite to eat along with the discounted drafts. Since they offered many selections that I hadn't tried, I decided on a sampler of summer ale style beers.  I asked our server to recommend selections that had some character with a nice hop finish.  My sampler included North Coast Blue Star American Pale Wheat Beer, Anderson Valley Summer Solstice Cream Ale, Foothills Hurricane Hefeweizen and Stone Cali-Belgique IPA. I did not dislike any of the selections, but found only the Stone Cali-Belgique to have the complex taste I was looking for.  I also enjoyed the cream ale, but due to it's sweetness, a small quantity sufficed. The menu offered usual pub grub fare with a large selection of burgers and barbecue.  I chose the caprese grilled cheese with mozzarella, basil chiffonade, tomato slices on Parmesan crusted sourdough with balsamic glaze dip.  It was very tasty.  My husband enjoyed his baby back ribs.

What was fun: Just the fact that you can find a venue on Hilton Head Island that serves craft beer is a treat. I hope that the locals, as well as visitors, will support this bar. Among the plethora of beach bars featuring overly-sweet Margaritas, Corona and Jimmy Buffett cover songs, it's great to have one establishment that actually serves GOOD beer.

Bend, OR - Brother Jon's Alehouse

The entrance of Brother Jon's Alehouse in downtown Bend. 

It's always a delight to return to Bend and find new craft beer venues in town.  Brother Jon's Alehouse is one that caught my eye as we drove into town. Our first stop was to Dechutes Pub to check out the new expansion. After a great meal and a few pints, we decided to head across the street to pay a visit to the Alehouse.  It was so jam packed we decided we'd come back at another time.  

The Alehouse features a full bar 14 rotating beers on tap.  

We returned the next day in mid-afternoon to avoid the lunch crowd. Although only in business for four months, it's clear this pub has already developed loyal patrons. It features 14 beers on tap, mostly from local and other northwest breweries, and IPA influenced.  They also include a German favorite, Weihenstephan Hefeweizen, and a Belgian red ale. They have a full bar and serve some fine Oregon wines.

Three of the great beers on tap.

Our friendly server recommended the local Boneyard RPM IPA, which is considered one of the best in the area. I had to agree. I also had a half pint of the Deschutes seasonal, Red Chair, which has IPA characteristics without the bitterness and, coincidentally was not available at Deschutes Pub when we visited the previous evening.  Our server told us it was the last keg in town. 

Perhaps the best bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado sandwich ever.

The food at the Alehouse is a notch above usual pub fare.  According to our server, the owner's philosophy is to use the highest quality local ingredients and offer menu items at great value. They definitely succeeded.  We shared several dishes including the BLTA, a traditional BLT with avocado featuring the best bacon available in Oregon, a blackened wild Coho salmon and goat cheese fritter salad, and an Alehouse brat marinated in local IPA beer.   I get hungry just thinking about this meal.

We all had a great time at the family friendly Alehouse.

There are  lots of great places to drink beer in Bend, but I'm betting that the Alehouse has the winning formula to stick around for a long while. The great downtown location, excellent beer selection and memorable food will keep folks coming back.  I know I'm one of them.