WOW! It's hard to believe how quickly 9 days go by when you are spending great time and having great adventures with amazing friends time two!
We had a simply wonderful time with Nancy and Jon, they are the greatest hosts and friends, and it was so good to see them and the kids.
We had a fantastic time with Cory and Jon - different pace, probably the same amount of drinking - but nonetheless an exciting time at the GABF and touring the Denver area.
We are lucky.
Leave it at that.
Until next time, cheers!!
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Last Tango in Colorado
Well, after the bummer of an awards ceremony for all of us, we hit the open road and headed up through Boulder to a little town in the mountains called Nederland.
Went to a cute little brewery with less than awesome beer, but then went upstairs to a pizza joint that had Funkwerks on tap. YAY!
After that, we headed through the mountains to Idaho Springs, where we went to Tommyknocker Brewery, which was also less than awesome. But we played a mean game of Euchre (Cory and I won) and had fun.
Then headed back to the house, relaxing a bit, then we need to go do some break down stuff at the GABF and pick up kegs.
We head out tomorrow and back to reality, work, better eating, less drinking, and more oxygen.
Went to a cute little brewery with less than awesome beer, but then went upstairs to a pizza joint that had Funkwerks on tap. YAY!
After that, we headed through the mountains to Idaho Springs, where we went to Tommyknocker Brewery, which was also less than awesome. But we played a mean game of Euchre (Cory and I won) and had fun.
Then headed back to the house, relaxing a bit, then we need to go do some break down stuff at the GABF and pick up kegs.
We head out tomorrow and back to reality, work, better eating, less drinking, and more oxygen.
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| Driving into Nederland |
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| Idaho Springs |
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| Sampler at Tommyknockers |
Pro-Am, No-Ma'am
Unfortunately Chris didn't walk away with a medal for the Pro-Am. But you know what? What an amazing experience anyway.
He won BFD with his Hefeweizen recipe, which I literally (and I'm using that in the correct sense) heard 4 people say "There is no better Hefeweizen than Chris's" this week.
He got to work with Brian at Lucid to brew 20 barrels of it.
We get to go get it at the tasting room whenever we want, it was at the State Fair rotation, we've had it out at a restaurant and it will be at more, and we got to come to the GABF with our best friends and have an awesome time.
A medal would have been great - but I'll take this. I couldn't be more proud of him.
He won BFD with his Hefeweizen recipe, which I literally (and I'm using that in the correct sense) heard 4 people say "There is no better Hefeweizen than Chris's" this week.
He got to work with Brian at Lucid to brew 20 barrels of it.
We get to go get it at the tasting room whenever we want, it was at the State Fair rotation, we've had it out at a restaurant and it will be at more, and we got to come to the GABF with our best friends and have an awesome time.
A medal would have been great - but I'll take this. I couldn't be more proud of him.
GABF and the Pro-Am
Had a SUPER fun night last night at the GABF!
There is a Pro-Am booth and Chris was #21. It was so awesome. We are all so proud of him, and of Lucid, and there is no better way to do this thing than with Jon and Cory.
Cross your fingers in about 2 hours - the awards happen from 10 to about Noon!!!
There is a Pro-Am booth and Chris was #21. It was so awesome. We are all so proud of him, and of Lucid, and there is no better way to do this thing than with Jon and Cory.
Cross your fingers in about 2 hours - the awards happen from 10 to about Noon!!!
Friday, September 25, 2015
Coors
Why are we here? Jon wants to see it. Hopefully we will charge through the tour quickly so we can get to GABF at 5:00 or Chris is going to have a stroke.
Golden, CO
So we went to two little breweries: Mountain Toad and Golden City. Meh.
Good thing I'm DD today.
Reunion
The neighborhood Cory's friend lives in is brand new. And as Chris said, "It's a little Hunger Games."
FRIDAY GABF!
Cory is going to hang with a friend this afternoon, Chris/Jon/I are going to either Coors or Dry Dock.
Then onto GABF and the Pro-Am!
Fingers crossed today all...fingers crossed...
Then onto GABF and the Pro-Am!
Fingers crossed today all...fingers crossed...
"Dispensary"
So Jon and I walked over to a pot "dispensary" (not a pot store, a "dispensary") to check it out and see what it was like inside.
I did not buy anything (obviously - you all know me), but I have to say it was very well organized and managed.
It kind of reminded me of a spa - someone greeted us and checked us in, then we could walk around and look at product as well as look at different pamphlets they had explaining "Marijuana 101" and the right way to eat edibles.
Super interesting and fascinating. They people working there were very helpful as people asked questions, and helped them figure out what to buy. Very orderly and well done. The people buying were from all demographics. Young, my age, older, every walk of life.
So there you go, Colorado. Good job.
I did not buy anything (obviously - you all know me), but I have to say it was very well organized and managed.
It kind of reminded me of a spa - someone greeted us and checked us in, then we could walk around and look at product as well as look at different pamphlets they had explaining "Marijuana 101" and the right way to eat edibles.
Super interesting and fascinating. They people working there were very helpful as people asked questions, and helped them figure out what to buy. Very orderly and well done. The people buying were from all demographics. Young, my age, older, every walk of life.
So there you go, Colorado. Good job.
Second Stop - FUNKWERKS!!!
I love Funkwerks. I love everything about it. I love the people. I love the taproom. I love the beer.
We did a short tour, which was great and low key. Then we had amaze-balls beers. The Triple, the Saison, the Deceit, and the Tropic King. Then Chris got the Raspberry Provincial and an Oud Bruin.
Love, love, love. If I moved to Colorado, I would live in Fort Collins so I could come here all the time.
But the best part about the stop, was that Jackie and Ken met us there! So fun, we hope to see them tonight at the GABF!!
Bought a ton of beer, new T-shirts, and hats.
We did a short tour, which was great and low key. Then we had amaze-balls beers. The Triple, the Saison, the Deceit, and the Tropic King. Then Chris got the Raspberry Provincial and an Oud Bruin.
Love, love, love. If I moved to Colorado, I would live in Fort Collins so I could come here all the time.
But the best part about the stop, was that Jackie and Ken met us there! So fun, we hope to see them tonight at the GABF!!
Bought a ton of beer, new T-shirts, and hats.
First Stop, New Belgium
So our first stop yesterday was New Belgium, where Jon and I finessed our way into a brewery tour - the special brewery tour, not the one for the plebs outside.
Little did I know it was going to be TWO HOURS LONG. And you know what? I really don't like New Belgium beers.
Here are some things that happened:
Little did I know it was going to be TWO HOURS LONG. And you know what? I really don't like New Belgium beers.
Here are some things that happened:
- We went to the bathroom in this awesome trailer/port-o-potty. Nicest biffy ever.
- Selfie of Cory and I in the nicest biffy ever.
- We had to wear safety glasses, and I lost mine about half way through so I had to promise not to sue them if I lost an eye.
- Cory had flip flops on, so they made her wear those sweet rubbers.
- Chris got hot, but he had his trusty little pocket fan.
- I got hangry after 90 minutes. You all know this look.
- I went down the slide and almost threw up.
Then we had lunch - mac and cheese, a burger, and poutine. Don't judge. I was hungry. Then we headed to Funkwerks. Which was way better.
Road Trip to Fort Collins
After setting up for GABF, we hopped in the sweet mini-van and headed to Fort Collins.
We made light work of it by playing Minnesota trivia games, however...I think the picture of Jon sums up this trip to at tee, don't you?
We made light work of it by playing Minnesota trivia games, however...I think the picture of Jon sums up this trip to at tee, don't you?
Setting up for GABF!
We started our day early yesterday, beginning with setting up the Lucid booth for the GABF. We made quick work of it, got some hideous hats from our friends at BSG, and took a few pics.
Is it just me, or does Jon kind of look like he doesn't want to know us?
Is it just me, or does Jon kind of look like he doesn't want to know us?
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Thursday!! Yeah!!!
It's 9:45, and we are in the car on the way to the Convention Center to set up.
Next stop, Fort Collins and New Belgium, Funkwerks, and possibly Odell.
Sporting my colors for the day, wearing my Funkwerks t-shirt.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Denver won't know what hit it...
As the good Dr. Frankenstein said...You will have plenty to be afraid of before the night’s over.
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| The Cadillac of Mini Vans... |
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| This will be the first of many drunken pictures. |
Last Day In Avon...
This morning was our last day in Avon with Nancy and Jon and the kids. What an amazing 4 days we had! Relaxing, fun, laugh out loud funny. Took these on a beautiful mountain day. Then headed to Denver...
How lucky we are to have such amazing people in our lives.
How lucky we are to have such amazing people in our lives.
Sugar Bar!
Here are pictures of Nancy's store - the Sugar Bar in Edwards, Colorado.
SO CUTE! She has great candy, everything from chocolates to jelly beans to bulk candy. So fun. It's an awesome little store, and we have a giant bag of candy to bring home. :)
SO CUTE! She has great candy, everything from chocolates to jelly beans to bulk candy. So fun. It's an awesome little store, and we have a giant bag of candy to bring home. :)
Getting Ready for Denver, and Sad to Leave Avon
We had birthday dinner with the godson tonight, and I can't believe how much he's changed in just a month since we've seen all of them. He's such a great kid - all parts sweet, and smart, and funny, and sassy, and a dorky 15 year old. It was awesome to spend so much time with him this trip.
I'm so sad to leave Avon and our friends, we have so much fun and laughter with them, whether drinking before noon at a distillery, or sitting at their kitchen table reading catalogs and magazines. But the next leg of our trip is going to be a new kind of adventure.
We meet up with Cory and Jon tomorrow for the start of the Great American Beer Fest activities - and the possibility for Chris to win a medal for his Hefeweizen Pro-Am entry that Lucid brewed. Keep those fingers crossed and good vibes coming!!
I'm so sad to leave Avon and our friends, we have so much fun and laughter with them, whether drinking before noon at a distillery, or sitting at their kitchen table reading catalogs and magazines. But the next leg of our trip is going to be a new kind of adventure.
We meet up with Cory and Jon tomorrow for the start of the Great American Beer Fest activities - and the possibility for Chris to win a medal for his Hefeweizen Pro-Am entry that Lucid brewed. Keep those fingers crossed and good vibes coming!!
As George Thorogood said... (Parts 2 and 3)
One bourbon, one scotch wine, and one beer.
WINE
We went to lunch at this little Italian place in Vail, and against my better judgement and my policy of sticking with one kind of alcohol in a day, I ordered a glass of pinot at lunch. It was good. And I didn't barf.
BEER
After lunch we headed to Vail Brewing Company. They had some really solid beers! The Kolsch, IPA, and Blonde were particularly good.
Super funny, it's literally in the same building next door to a pot dispensary. Not a "pot shop" mind you, a dispensary. Be clear, because that's what they call it here.
Come on. It's a pot shop people. Just call it that.
And after all that...I didn't barf. No barfs! I didn't get sick, and I didn't make an ass of myself. Might have to do this again.
WINE
We went to lunch at this little Italian place in Vail, and against my better judgement and my policy of sticking with one kind of alcohol in a day, I ordered a glass of pinot at lunch. It was good. And I didn't barf.
BEER
After lunch we headed to Vail Brewing Company. They had some really solid beers! The Kolsch, IPA, and Blonde were particularly good.
Super funny, it's literally in the same building next door to a pot dispensary. Not a "pot shop" mind you, a dispensary. Be clear, because that's what they call it here.
Come on. It's a pot shop people. Just call it that.
And after all that...I didn't barf. No barfs! I didn't get sick, and I didn't make an ass of myself. Might have to do this again.
As George Thorogood said... (Part 1)
One bourbon, one scotch wine, and one beer.
BOURBON
We had an AWESOME day with Nan and Jon today. Started the morning walking around Vail, when Jon with his keen eyes spotted 10th Mountain Whiskey distillery.
(Two years ago when we were in Breckenridge Jon did the same thing...quietly said, "Is that a distillery?" and I lept in the air a bit and headed in.)
We sampled the:
BOURBON
We had an AWESOME day with Nan and Jon today. Started the morning walking around Vail, when Jon with his keen eyes spotted 10th Mountain Whiskey distillery.
(Two years ago when we were in Breckenridge Jon did the same thing...quietly said, "Is that a distillery?" and I lept in the air a bit and headed in.)
We sampled the:
- Potato Vodka (OK)
- Moonshine (frighteningly good)
- Rye Whiskey (super tasty)
- Bourbon (good)
- Cordial (smelled bad, but tasted like peach vanilla toffee Brach's candy - I'm going to make a pound cake and make a syrup out of it and pour it over it)
- Lemoncello (no one liked it but Chris)
- Sazerac (tasty)
- And a bit of Nancy & Jon's Manhattan (amaze balls)
SO FUN.
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| Oh, how I love these people and how lucky I am to have them... |
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| It begins... |
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| Yep - Moonshine. |
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| The best Manhattan ever... |
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| He really liked that Lemoncello... |
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Tuesday Follies
Not sure what is on the docket today, except more relaxing and fun, and another birthday dinner and shopping for a gift for the godson.
It's starting with Chris making me an Egg McSmitty while I blog and upload pictures.
Then we'll see. Anything can happen!
It's starting with Chris making me an Egg McSmitty while I blog and upload pictures.
Then we'll see. Anything can happen!
Birthday Night
We had a great day on Monday!! We checked out Nancy's store - which I didn't take pictures of, duh. I will do that today or tomorrow, because it is SO CUTE.
Then we hit Miss S's volleyball game, and headed back to their house for birthday dinner for the godson. Oh! And godson officially got his permit yesterday. So many things to celebrate.
Wonderful dinner, wonderful friends...what will today bring?
Then we hit Miss S's volleyball game, and headed back to their house for birthday dinner for the godson. Oh! And godson officially got his permit yesterday. So many things to celebrate.
Wonderful dinner, wonderful friends...what will today bring?
Monday, September 21, 2015
Lucky, happy life.
Good day to reflect on what we have. Amazing best friends, amazing godson and his sibs, amazing vacation.
Having a drink to this spectacular view with people we love and who make us laugh like idiots.
Car Hop
Nancy and Jon were gracious enough to let us use one of their cars this trip. I'm a little shorter than the people in their family. You should see the video of how I have to get in.
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