Hey There

So, It is JUNE already! Did you notice? I am taking a summer class, and "enhanced" class that I have to do graduate level work in, but for undergrad credit and within the shortened 8 week semester. I feel like my brain might run away.

Oh and I have bridal shower and birthday party and beer fest stuff to keep track of too. Maybe I can hire an intern for a few weeks... Anyone out there want to work for free and help me? No? Didn't think so...

Well I miss you guys... I have beer fest stuff, and beer stuff that I want to write about.

Veteran's Beer Company

I received an email (oh it was a while ago now) asking me if I had checked out Veteran Beer Company. I hadn't, but immediately went online to check it out. Veteran works hard to employ veterans in all aspects of their business, which is really awesome. According the the Veteran Beer Company, the unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is near 20%, this is a seriously disturbing statistic. 

It took me about as long as you just reading that to decide that I wanted to try the beer, so we went out and bought the Blonde Bomber.

This is an easy session beer with a nice blonde color, and wheaty taste. I would say that we had no problem sipping our way through it. It was not quite as yeasty as I have been used to lately, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Overall I think that Blonde Bomber is a good solid session beer (at 5.0% ABV you can have quite a few in a night).

I think that perhaps my favorite part of buying the beer was the fact that Veteran Beer Company donates ten percent of all sales to support Veteran's causes. Now that is a beer that makes you feel good in a couple of ways.

Beer Glasses (Not Beer Goggles)

I am sure I know what you are thinking... That Sarah, she sure is awesome. Thank you, you.

I have some more awesome stuff to share with you actually; it's an infographic on beer glasses. Trust me it is much more fun that that sounds.

I received an email from Red Envelope asking me if I would take a look at the infographic, and I liked it so much I thought I would share it with you.

If you are looking for gifts for anyone who likes wine, beer or bar stuff, check out Red Envelope's Beer and Wine store. There is some really cool stuff. I am thinking about ordering the vintage coasters.

Happy Happy Belated Birthday to Me!!

So, I turned 30 waaay back in January. It came, and it went. What can I say? I was lucky to have dinner at the Wild Onion Pub in Lake Barrington (across the street from my neurologist actually) for my birthday. Let me tell you, that was one AMAZING dinner, so good in fact I am writing about it two months later!

I have been trying to get to the Wild Onion for a long time, because I love the Onion’s brews (If you don’t live in the area, you are missing out). I love the Summer Wit, Hop Slayer (it might be my favorite), and I just could not wait to try more. I hadn’t really even thought about the food aspect of it to be honest.

But the food. Omigod! The FOOD! We had the sausage appetizer, a plate of sausages grilled and served with sauerkraut and Hop Slayer mustard. AMAZING. I don’t know what they did to get those sausages, where they got them, or if they made them themselves, but they were amazing, and have launched a subsequent bratwurst binge in my house (that is a euphemism). Both of our entrees were fantastic, and we even ordered dessert (something which I never, ever do) where we shared a slice of euphoria inducing bourbon pecan pie (and then promptly ordered a second slice). If you don’t care about beer (why are you reading my blog?) you will LOVE the Wild Onion. End of story.

BUT, if you like beer, even a little bit… this place will blow your mind and make your taste buds extremely happy. The Onion Brewery makes some very awesome beer (I am repeating myself I know). I had Drago, which was incredible. It is a Russian Imperial Stout (one of my favorite beers) and this would be one I would hand to somebody to make them fall in love with this sort of beer… and then immediately take it back so I could finish it myself.

Of course I also had a Hops Slayer Double IPA

I do give this one out as a gift, because it is so good. Seriously, good.

There are a lot of other beers, seasonal and year-round, that I want to try; and of course there is the sausage plate… so I think I need to go back, maybe when I go for my next neurologist appointment, or this weekend, and next... Who wants to come with me?

PS Do you want to see what I am drinking? Send me a friend request on Untappd, I am hoppybeergirl. You could send one to Blake too… he is addicted to Untappd. 

Planning a beer fest?

More exciting stuff (it sounds like I am exciting suddenly)!! I have joined up with Free Guitars for Future Stars to plan a beer fest to benefit their program. This program, can I say, is very awesome. Free Guitars for Future Stars has been working to fill a void that is left when schools have budget cuts, and cut their arts programs, namely their music programs. They are a group of truly caring, talented, and wonderful people, and now I am lucky enough to put my name with theirs!

So a beer fest... Where to begin? I am super excited. We have a bunch of ideas, and are starting to pick out the particulars of where and when. Do any of you have advice? Want to help? Words of encouragement?

Music and beer, seems like a partnership that was just meant to be!

Good News-But Not Beer News

You guys, I had some fantastic news last night from my ophthalmologist! She said that my optic nerves are significantly less swollen than they were in August. That is great because is means that the neurological issues that have been giving me so many troubles over the last year actually are starting to get better! I know it is not a clean bill of health, but it is a step in the right direction.
I am seeing my new neurologist on Monday, and I hope that this news leads to more good news.