2 Backpacks, 2 Bikes, a Van and a plan..: Beer Travels (Andre)

As we travel down the road and across the country we have lots of adventures. And as you may know, some of them involve beer. Not that it’s all about beer, even though I have a t-shirt that says just that, but with all this time on our hands we figure we might as well enjoy the beer adventures along the way.

Beer fans, which we count ourselves as, have ‘life-lists’ of notable breweries, bars, and other places to get to. Well, not to boast, but we have been hitting many of the highlights. As you may know from previous blogs we have been among others to New Glarus Brewery (WI), Minhas (WI) Dogfishhead (DE), Goose Island (IL), Sierra Nevada (CA), Lagunitas (CA), Uinta (UT), Great Divide (CO), Avery (CO), Thunderhead (NE) Great Basin (NV). Just listing them does not do it justice but it’s been a lot of fun to go to new (and sometimes previously visited places again) to try some beer, meet people, and experience more of what the country has to offer.

Again, not to boast, but for beer fans, one of the holy grail of beers is Pliny the Elder by Russian River in Santa Rosa, CA. This is a small brewpub/brewery that makes some amazing beers. They only distribute in selected areas in California and in Philadelphia. I assume there is a personal connection for the Philly distribution. Well, we have been there twice now, both on Sundays. Why does Sunday matter – it’s happy hour all day on Sunday. Get this, a pint of Pliny the Elder (or two if you want) is $3.50! Not the 6, 7, 8, or more you might have to pay elsewhere if you can ever get it! Russian River is a ‘short’ 5ish hour drive away and well worth the trip. Enjoy a few pictures from our stops at the noted pub.