Asheville Day 1 (The Breweries)

Way back when we took an extended weekend down to Asheville.

One of the things on our list, was to hit up as many local breweries as possible.

We hit a bunch on our NYE trip. 

We stopped at Asheville Brewing Company first. 

ABC is a really fun brewery/pizza place. They have two locations. 

We've been to both. 

But the kicker, is that one of their best beers, 

the one that we actually went back for, 

is called The Shiva. 

a KEG planter? I want it. 

drinking Shiva beer. 

delicious pizza. 

We then walked by Craggie, but no luck, 

so we headed down to Greenman Brewing Company. 

They were prepping for Asheville Beer Week (put that on the list!) 

so they had a ton of amazing small batches 

that we spent the whole afternoon sipping on. 

always get a sampler!

We chatted away with locals and tourists, 

until we noticed our stomachs were rumbling.

So we went to the Oyster House (brewing company.)

Mussels!

and plenty of taps. 

We listened to the band, stuffed ourselves with seafood

and tried a few different beers. 

Then, we headed to the Thirsty Monk. 

It was Rogue night

so we walked away with some killer glassware. 

A bit more time people watching. 

Then we headed back to the hotel to rest up for our BIG next day

Home Brewing

Typical Home Brewing Day...

12:00 AND we're ready.

12:10 We're now steeping the grain at a temperature that makes the enzymes more active when breaking down the starches 

(Mike dictated this one..can ya tell?)

12:34 Still steeping. (yawn)

1:05 We poured in the malt extract, and sang "Smack That" while smacking the yeast.

1:31 The boil has begun and the bittering hops have been added! The hops are my favorite part, they smell amazing. However, the one I snuck did not taste amazing. :-/

2:14 Mike has just left the building and informed me that if he does not return by 2:19, I am to continue on my own. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?!

2:17 I'm unhappily opening the honey to pour in

2:19 YAY! In rushes my honey! He can pour in the honey himself. :)

2:38 Cooling down the wort with buckets and ice.

the necessities. 

2:43 We moved the wort to the fermenter and adding ice to 5 gallons :)

2:45 Density measurement : 1.060

2:59 Added the yeast

3:00 We're sealed up and praying for fermentation. Another day, done. Nap time?

yes.

A compact weekend..

Friday was a bit rough, but I joined Mike late to hang out

 with his coworkers at Frankies Fun Park. 

baseball was played

prizes were won

& sushi was eaten. 

After finally recovering on Saturday, we headed downtown. 

We voted, 

checked out the brewgaloo

enjoyed our bucks

ate awesome pretzels

and got more fun stickers. 

Then, we headed to meet April and Jeremy for a drink. 

Glam-tinis

ice is serious.

smiles all around. 

We headed on to our friends Engagement Party. 

called "Enter the Dragon"

everyone had fun. 

I had bear claws..

THEN, standing there. doing..nothing..I dislocated my knee.

Actually, it dislocated itself. 

Not dancing. 

Not drinking. 

Standing. 

So today, I sit. Trying to prevent crutches on Monday. 

The Weekend..Briefly.

After a roughrough week, we had a glorious weekend. 

There are plenty of long stories to tell, but to hold you over a bit 

(since they're going to have to be their own posts), 

let's do a minirecap. 

Friday Night,

Well, I don't want to tell you just yet, cause it's sort of a suprise..but, I love Target. 

Saturday:

We got up early and headed to the Chili and Brew Festival - V.I.P baby. 

ooooo..

and then this happened. I'll tell you more tomorrow, but the pain on my face is real. 

I'm still upset by this. 

Afterwards, we got dressed up all pretty then  headed out to meet Beth & Blake, and April & Jeremy for Wine and Cheese. 

where awesomeness ensued...

til we meandered over to Busy Bee. 

drinkydrink

Sunday was a day of rest and recouperation, with a side note of beer bottling. 

Also, Mike would like it mentioned that instead of helping me at this particular moment, 

he took a picture for the blog. 

brewMASTER!

A simple dinner included the most delicious salad dressing ever, 

and maybe a wee bit of Wrestlemania. 

Don't Judge. 

What'd y'all get into this weekend? 

Weekend Wrap Ups..St Patty's Day

Yeah, I just..I..I'm sorry. Better late than never.  

First Up: 

Friday, March 16th. 

Mike and I got up early that morning, and I got out all of our NCSU tshirts to wear for the day. 

Then we went to work til noon and then met up with two of our friends at Backyard Bistro. 

For the NCSU game in the NCAA tourney. 

 

and some dividing up of craft supplies..

 

After we won, Mike and I went home for a quick nap, then headed out for some sushi. 

Saturday, March 17th

While Mike had his MBA meeting, I watched the penguin cam in bed for a couple hours. 

then we got dressed up in our green, finest clothes (and apparently did a lil jig) 

then headed out to meet our friend Katie for her birthday. 

We went down to Dos Taquitos in downtown Raleigh, then headed to the architect for dancing. 

dancing and mean mugging..of course..

We then met up with some of our friends at a hotel bar in North hills for a hot second, before running home to avoid the torrential downpours outside. 

Sunday, March 18th

We got up early and headed to Brewmasters for Brunch. 

We grabbed a couple bloody marys and some food.

  

and settled into watch NCSU beat Georgetown. (It was a remarkable win)

The bartender celebrated with us, by making us a miniature Dirty Hippy. 

Moral: Always make friends. 

Especially with bartenders.  

Then we headed to our neighborhood Whole Foods, where they were having a Chili Cookoff. 

  

We took our job seriously, 

then picked up some local wine and cheese for dinner. 

 

Horray for awesome weekends.