I'm also well aware that all of you read this blog religiously for my stellar wine reviews. I know you live and die with my grades and rush out to your nearest wine retailer to either buy by the case or knock over end-caps based on my sophisticated pallet. However, since the start of summer, I've been in 8 states, DC and spent 6 hours at the Dallas Ft. Worth airport and spent time with literally over 100 family members. During this time I have not drank that much wine (GASP!). It's true, big group settings, warm humid weather just hasn't been too conducive to cracking interesting stuff. So, here's the best of everything else.
Best of: Beer
It seems like a good time to be a beer drinker. Everywhere we went people were enjoying local or micro brews. I also noticed that once I got off the west coast, I saw far less IPA's and other hoppy brews. That's good for me.
My favorite beverage was Traveler's Curious shandy. I'm a shandy (beer with lemon) fan but this particular beer out of Vermont is a bit heartier, on the Hefaweisen side than the Leininkugal or Shock Top shandys. And thats a good thing.
Not too far behind that is Short's Brew, "Nicie Spicie." I swear that's an accurate description with "orange zest, lemon zest, coriander & peppercorns"(assuming I knew what a coriander was & tasted like). It really had a nice mild peppery finish. Short's gets the creativity award and I wish I were around the great state of Michigan to sample the likes of "Key Lime Pie," "PB&J Stout," or "S'mores Stout." Click the link. It's pretty interesting!
Best of: Burgers
I'm calling this a burger but that's understandably up for debate. That there's a pic from Ann Arbor, MI's, Frita Batidos. We stopped for lunch on our way into the state and on the way out. It was that awesome. Both times I ordered a frita, which is "Inspired by traditional Cuban burgers made from spicy chorizo served with shoestring fries on top on a soft egg bun," one with chorizo, the other with fish that came with a "lemon scented mayo," both with the tropical slaw. Delish. It was so good I bought a t-shirt.
Best of: Ice Cream
This Utica MI, roadside custard stand, which opened in 1942, was rated #1 in the American Airlines magazine I read on our return flight. I can't disagree.
Max, with his Blue Moon custard, doesn't either.
Also in the conversation is Avalon NJ's, "The Buccaneer." They get bonus points for being on the beach, sorry, the shore, the Piano Man playing Keira's request of "Row Row Row Your Boat," and having salted carmel pretzel flavored ice cream. The Buccaneer was home to this shot:
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| A very satisfied costumer. |
Best of: College Campus Visits
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| The Big House |
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| Max at M Den |
Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA edges out Penn State because of the horrible thunderstorm we were in and because, well, they are, Penn State.
Best of: The Beach
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| Newport Beach CA, with the Yak's! |
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| Lake Michigan with the cousins! |
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| Avalon, NJ |
Happy rest of the summer to all!
Cheers!
