My Martini

So this isn’t about beer, but it was definitely an experience.

I kind of expected this Sushi Restaurant to have a Chinese or Japanese beer I have never had before. They totally did… but my order skills were just not up to par.

The first beer I ordered, Asahi Black, got me really excited… not really. I assumed it would be just like the others and just like our American adjunct lagers. The waitress comes back to me and tells me, FAIL. Pick something else because we are out. No problem at this point. I just order Asahi Super Dry… Ok, I will be right back… she came right back alright… FAIL!!! She apologized and asked if there was anything else I would like. I told her to just surprise me and it didn’t have to be beer.

She comes back later with this totally fru-fru looking martini that she told me the bartender picked out because she didn’t want to serve me a bad drink. It was a Jalepeno Pear Martini… Weirdest name/combo I can think of but I was like hey, whatever.



Out-Fricken-Standing.

That’s all I have to say.

Blue Star Brewing Company

This is my first, and maybe only, brewery stop in Texas. Though I hear there are some pretty sweet ones, i.e. Ranger Creek, Freetail, and 512 (though, I do not believe this is remotely close to me). I suggested we come out to this place for one of my buddy’s birthday. It was really a ploy to get some decent beer and he was willing to try it out.


Their beer selection really disappointed me. I mean, I didn’t expect them to have a huge list of beers like other breweries I’ve been to but they only have 4 on the menu… They have seasonal releases from time to time but, you know. I was even more disappointed when I found out one of the beers ordered they were out of. At least they had Fish & Chips.



I pretty much found their beers to be average and their lineup, exactly what you would expect from a brewery. A Stout, a Pale, a Lager, and the curveball, The Barley Wine, King William. It wasn’t that bad but it didn’t drink like a Barley Wine at all. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing… One thing they did very well though was this…



That is one of the cleanest Black & Tans I have ever seen. I almost did not want to drink it. After I ordered it everyone else at the table got one for their selves.

This place was just an average brewery. The service was pretty slow, but they did get our order in for us without any problem. We were ordering off of the lunch menu but what they failed to tell us is that it was still breakfast/brunch for another 40 minutes.

As a first experience of a Texas brewery, not the best impression but hopefully my search becomes satisfied.

Cheers!

The Friendly Spot

Thanks to another buddy of mine, and the events of First Friday, I found and fell in love with this sweet little, Friendly Spot. Seriously, this is a craft beer lovers dream. With the weather of Texas, you could not ask for a better location.




The Friendly Spot is essentially a 100% outdoor craft beer bar. Truly amazing. They have 8 taps and a fridge full of a variety of bottled beer. I have been able to find brews from my favorite breweries, new breweries to me, and local Texas breweries. What more could you ask for? I was even able to find this gem.



I have always heard stories of the Magic Hat #9 but have never been able to experience it. When I finally got my hands on it, it did not disappoint. I didn’t get to properly taste the beers here, being they serve into plastic cups or straight from the bottle. I figured on this trip I would put my beer snobdom on hold and just enjoy it as presented but still savor every moment of it.



Just overall, this place had a really great feel. It is kind of a hipsters joint, but the people there were all just enjoying life. They even brought out their whole families. Dogs, children, etc.

This is another place that deserves a spot in the San Antonio Beer Hall of Fame because apparently there aren’t that many places to stop by. I definitely need a repeat visit before leaving. I just expected that Texas would have more beer. I hear Austin is an amazing place for that… maybe I will make a road trip.

Prost!

Bud Light Platinum

Yes, I know. But after all the hype that the Super Bowl gave it in their commercials, I decided, "if I found it, I would try it."... and I did.



As you can see I have a real drink down there as well. A Vodka Gimlet. I love this tasty little delight. I pretty much love any thing simple with lime. The Gimlet, Mojito,... there has to be another one... but, back on track.

I didn't have the opportunity to drink this one out of a glass. Ok, well, I didn't feel like asking for one. Lazy, I know but after the fact I feel I drank this beer as they had originally intended it be done. Even when I am not thinking, I win.

I can't remember who said it, but on Twitter someone I follow tweeted something along the lines of, "I love how Platinum is considered light at 6% when regular Bud is 5%." Maybe they were referring to flavor... That is one thing I noticed. There was not much flavor in this already limited flavored beverage. I was trying to pick out if it was their signature green apple taste but the carbonation on this one was so high. They felt like little fizzy bubbles though. I thought that was interesting. The lack of flavor... well, me noticing one, may have been from the fact that this beer was insanly cold when I got it. I honestly do not know if this will be around long. Or if it is it will be pushed to the back like Bud 55 or Bud Select. I think there was another Bud out there that I cannot think of that got shelved pretty fast... or maybe that was Miller... but what do I know. It could be their next big thing... HAH!