Pliny the Younger, beer tours and a good woman

[Kealia]

That about sums it up, right? Let me explain:

For Christmas my wife bought me a tour of breweries in the Sonoma County area. Yes, we make beer out here, too - not just wine. And some damn good beers, too! It works like this - a shuttle picks you up at a hotel in the area and takes you to 3 breweries so you can drink and not have to worry about driving. It includes cold water bottles on the shuttle so you can keep hydrated and flush your system, too. At the end of the trip, they drop you back off at the hotel.

Because she didn't want me making the 2-hour drive home after drinking all day, she booked me a night at the hotel, too. AND, she coordinated with my best friend's wife to get him the same thing! AND then I opened my next gift.....which was a VIP tour package! It's the same deal as the one above but the cost of all beers is included as well as food. Plus, they have beers on the shuttle and you get a special VIP tour of Lagunitas!
AND....we got a second night stay at the hotel so we don't have to drive after 2 days of drinking!!

So, on Friday 2/15 (which turns out to be right after my birthday) we hit Lagunitas, Bear Republic and Russian River. BONUS: Pliny the Younger will be on tap while we are there
Then on Saturday we hit Lagunitas again for the VIP tour + two other breweries yet-to-be-named.

I have two things to say:
1) I love my wife
2)

[Funky Skunk Brewing]

That sounds awesome!!!!

Cheers to your wife for giving you such a great gift. I'm sure fun was had by all

[Beer-lord]

Ron if I added, "I love you" can I come too?Actually, I now hate you!!!!
I thought you weren't really a hop head and you drool of Pliny? You are a weak human being.
This is awesome. Happy Birthday.

[FrozenInTime]

Sweet!!!!

[Kealia]

Sorry Paul, I'm easy but not THAT easy. I guess we need a new term. When I say I'm not a hop-head I guess I mean that I don't:
1) Like bitter-just-to-be-bitter beers/IPAs/IIPAs. I do love a good balanced beer, though. 2 years ago I wasn't drinking IPAs at all and now I've not only brewed one but found a bunch I really like.
2) Like them ALL the time. It's not something I'll keep on tap all the time like I will an amber or pale ale

Plus, I've never tried Younger and relatively speaking not a lot people are able to. So I consider it my duty to the Borg to try it and report back when the time comes. It's just the right thing to do.

[BlackDuck]

Wow Ron...that is absolutely awesome. Sounds like you will have a birthday you will not forget!!

[Kealia]

I dunno, I may drink more often that I used to but I still don't drink a lot volume-wise. I may just forget the entire weekend

[Inkleg]

WOW, I love your wife too. Does she have a sister?

Oh great......that package left yesterday with my Pliny. **Holds head high**........I hope mine comes close.

You have always done a fantastic job on you brewery/tour reports. We all are looking forward to this one.

[Kealia]

She is a keeper, for sure.

And if it makes you guys feel better I called to make the reservations today and they said for the two weeks that Pliny the Younger is out they don't hit Russian River because of the crowds, etc. What that means is that after the tour is over we'll have to go over there ourselves to stand in line like the rest of the shlubs trying to get their hands on it. Since we're staying up there anyway, we'll be going and waiting. It will give us a good chance to flush out the day's beers and prepare for it. Hopefully they won't be out...I hear sometimes they only pour X amount a day to make sure it's available for the two weeks they release it.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to it!

[Kealia]

And Jeff.....you should hold your head high. Tobias makes some damn good beer!

[bucknut]

PTY oh my, WOW you scored big time with that Ron. I know you'll enjoy yourself, maybe take some pics and share them with us, especially the RR visit and PTY if you score some.

[Kealia]

Bump. As this gets closer my buddy was searching for Groupon/Living Social deals (since the first day does not include food and drinks).

What he found for one of the breweries was:
- Taster flights for 2
- Appetizers for 2
- Growler
- Growler fill
$21

Sold.

[swenocha]

Umm... sweet. Have fun... envious... I fully expect a growler of Younger in the mail (kidding...).

[Kealia]

Just over 24 hours for the fun to start! I pick up my buddy Friday morning and we head up to start the tastings Friday afternoon.

I love beer, it's Valentines Day.....perfect!
(The wife and I will celebrate later)

[Beer-lord]

I am so envious. I'm going to show this to my wife and see if she can out do yours.