Relaxing Weekend

After the past two weekends in Rolla, I needed a relaxing weekend to recuperate and let my bruises heal. I mean, hell, I got punched in the back of the head several times by a crazy woman while trying to stop her friend from beating one of my best friends over the head with her fat fist. So yeah, I needed a break.

Forest Park Balloon Glow

This past weekend was two great St. Louis events: the Forest Park Balloon Glow and Schlafly's HOP in the City. On Friday, Leah and I went to Forest Park with her sister and mom to see the balloons. And wow, were we unprepared. We just went to walk around and look at the hot air balloons. Clearly, what we should have done was pre-gamed at the park and then stayed all night. So Leah and I began plotting how we could "do it big" next year. You know, like, lawn chairs, dogs, coolers of beer, maybe a homebrew keg... well, we walked by a group of older couples who literally had THE WORKS. The were dressed nice, brought wine, chairs, tables, table clothes, table runners, (it keeps getting fancier) candlesticks in candelabras, flowers and a centerpiece. I literally stopped and applauded them. We are most definitely doing that next year, candelabras and all.

Saturday was a great day. It was the day of Schlafly's HOP in the City. It's an annual beer festival they put on every September where they bring out 40 of the beers they make (including a fest beer, more on that later) and serve them on tap. I brought my two beer drinkin' buddies, Mike and Myles with me as well as my mom and dad. Normally you wouldn't bring your parents to something like this, but ever since I brought them home my first bottles of homebrew, they've been really supportive in me trying/brewing as much beer as possible. Plus, the both of them needed to get out of the house and I was happy to help with that.

Myles, myself and Mike

Now, the fest beer was called Oud Bruin. If you know a small amount about Schlafly, you've probably noticed that they don't name their beers anything creative. A pale ale is called Pale Ale and so forth. The only one they didn't do that with is No. 15, their 15th anniversary beer. ANYWAY, Oud Bruin literally translates as 'old brown'. It's a Flanders-style, Belgian Ale that's been soured with tart cherries. And sour beers just so happen to be my new thing. I love, love, love them. I even went back for three tasters of this one. It was that good. Only problem? It was the fest beer, so I'll never be able to get it again. Sad times.