beer | This and That

Turtle Swamp Brewing

30 Jun 2018 2 Comments

by fancenance in birthday list, drink Tags: beer, Boston

Some friends and I went to a local brewery called Turtle Swamp Brewing one recent glorious Friday afternoon. A couple of us work for an employer that bids us adieu at 3:00 on Fridays in the summer, so we were waiting for the doors of Turtle Swamp to open at 4:00.

We bought beers and staked our claim at a prime spot on the outdoor patio. The weather was perfect and we spent hours there, drinking really good beer (mostly IPAs and pale ales). The food truck that was scheduled to appear had cancelled, so we did an online search for nearby establishments and called in a large pizza.

Being a fan of IPAs and pale ales, I enjoyed the beer and the neighborhood vibe of the patio. I will find my way there some other Friday afternoon this summer…

Weekend Day Drinking

30 Mar 2018 Leave a comment

by fancenance in birthday list, drink Tags: beer

I like drinking beer. Especially on weekend afternoons.

Trillium is a local brewery that did a “pop-up” beer garden in a Boston suburb during the winter months. My boyfriend and I met up with friends there one recent Saturday afternoon. The place was packed.

I thought at the time, “Oh, I’ll remember the names of the beers I try,” and did not write them down. When will I learn that I have never had a good memory? I know that I tried two beers, one of which was an IPA. And they were both enjoyable.

I’ve done a lot of eating and drinking for the birthday list so far this year. More exciting things to come, I promise. Such as touring a submarine (on land) and seeing Bill Murray sing…

Free Rise

30 Sep 2017 Leave a comment

by fancenance in birthday list, drink Tags: beer

New England is a great place to live if beer is your libation of choice. New breweries seem to be popping up all the time.

Don’t ask me why it took me a few years to make it to Trillium Brewing Company, even though it’s a 15-minute walk from my office, because I have no answer.

But this was the year that I added it to the birthday list. It’s a small shop on a random side street in South Boston. There is no tasting room; you stop here to buy growlers or cans. Just about two years ago now, Trillium opened a tasting room outside of Boston. Maybe I will get there next year…

I bought a mini-growler of the Free Rise, which is a dry hopped saison. And it was delicious.

Next on my list to try is one of its IPAs. Next brewery on my list to try is Turtle Swamp!

Bargain Shopping and Beer

15 Apr 2017 Leave a comment

by fancenance in birthday list, drink, music, shopping Tags: beer

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than bargain shopping and drinking beer?

I grew up going to garage sales, flea markets, antique markets, you name it. So I was elated to finally make it to the Cambridge Antique Market.

Allen and I spent a couple of hours perusing five floors of goodies. Vintage clothing, lots of china, old books and board games. Furniture and appliances. A little bit of everything.

We both walked away with one CD; he found a Death Cab for Cutie album for me, and I found a Patti Smith album for him.

Down the road is a craft brewery that we hadn’t been to yet = Somerville Brewing Company. I ordered a flight of its core beers, and Allen ordered a pint of the Trekker Trippel. I’ve tried a few of the beers before and they make me happy.

I have about six weeks left until the birthday and nine things left to do. I got this.

Lamplighter and Lilypad

08 Mar 2017 Leave a comment

by fancenance in birthday list, drink, food, music Tags: beer

I went to a new brewery and a new (to me) music venue the other day.

Lamplighter Brewing Company is a hip little spot in Cambridge. A small taproom is connected to its brewery. And there is a “cafe” within the taproom. Genius! You can get good coffee and good beer in the same place.

I was meeting a friend at the brewery before we headed to the aforementioned music venue, so I opted to try one beer vs. a flight. I enjoyed a lovely IPA called Lucid Nonsense and ate a breakfast sandwich that was prepared at the cafe.

My friend and I walked 20 minutes to nearby Lilypad, a performance/community space that I have heard about for years but never stepped foot into. Our former colleague’s band, Steve Thomas and REAL INCOGNITO, was playing that day.

Lilypad is a nice, intimate event space. We had a fun time grooving along to the band’s jazz/funk/reggae beat. A bonus was the sound engineer’s super-friendly dog who walked around and visited everyone during the concert.

Steve Thomas and REAL INCOGNITO

Next up: I see a musical at a theater I’ve never been to!

This and That