Mmm... beer!!!

Part of being an inveterate collector is keeping a running inventory of things you've tried. I'm getting older, so these things move in and out of my brain at random, but they're all in there. Sometimes you just have to stir the pot.

I didn't try beer until I was twenty. I know that there's a picture of me sucking on a beer bottle at age 1, but forgive me if I don't recall the taste of that Michelob. Part of growing up Mass-hole means drinking tons of Bud Light - is it any wonder that I stuck with Bartles & Jaymes and Seagram's? As soon as I was legal, I started drinking hard liquor. I was the queen of Tequila, but I'd been known to dabble with vodka and bourbon as well.

When I visited England right before my 22nd birthday, a new friend asked what kind of beer I drank. I made a face and said that I stuck with hard liquor. We were on our way to a pub, so he told his son what to order for me. At the pub, I was served a half-pint of John Courage Director's Bitter and a shot of clear whiskey. From that first sip of bitter, I was a beer convert. I then downed two pints of Tetley's 6X and had to be helped to the car when we were leaving.

At home, I discovered Sam Adams, Bass, Harp and Guinness. Nothing could compare to the warm, malty beverages I drank in England. I tried Belgians but couldn't get past the baked bean taste (yes, everyone else tastes bananas. I taste baked beans. Chill.) I did like the lambics and could put a serious hurt on them. A bar in NYC carried my beloved John Courage, so I could get my fix now and again.

Throughout this time, I was still pretty much on cocktails. My standard was bourbon and ginger, but I would try any girly cocktail on a menu. Then I went to visit the PNW.

Fortunately for me, I arrived just in time for Christmas in July. All the local taverns had their strong winter ales on. Ebenezer, Jubelale, Jolly Roger - here were the caramelly, malty ales I loved so well. I drank my fill, but also furthered my beer education. I discovered IPAs, browns, stouts with real flavor and barleywines. I learned that craft beers can age and get better. I discovered Stone Brewery, which makes all my favorite beers now. I learned that ciders don't have to be inspid and flavorless. My cup runneth over, literally.

That's why I look forward to the annual beer fests at my favorite tavern, the Parkway. Every April, there's the monster Barleywine fest. Every August, the huge IPA fest. The night before Thanksgiving, they put on all the biggest winter beers they can find for 'Honey, the Parkway Ruined my Thanksgiving' event. Every month there's something new and every month I add a new taste to the index of flavors in my mind. This past Saturday was the 3rd Annual IPA fest. While I was disappointed that my favorite IPA wasn't on (Stone Brewery's Ruination), I was more than pleased with the hop-tastic Russian River Pliny the Elder and the honey-licious Full Sail Son of Spot. Round that out with some spit-roasted prime rib and/or pulled pork sandwiches and you have a perfect day.

Really, I'm spoiled for drinking opportunities in this town - not only for beer, but for cocktails, wine and coffee. I do collect everything. You'll have to read more about one of my favorite collections - opportunities for fun and tastiness in Tacoma.