Aura

Rancid beer is the best. That was a great vertical tasting opportunity Al, props.

Congrats Shelly! Hope everything works out on the refi, Dinners.

Three Floyds Jinx Proof with some leftover mexican food. This is way better than I remember it being the last time I had it. The beer, I mean.

Thanks so much everyone, it was definitely a calm and quiet birthday this year. Allison and I went and had an amazing breakfast in the morning, followed by tv, then she made me sausage bread (probably my favorite food ever), followed by more tv. Surprisingly, no beer for me this year. I had some great tastings the night before and everything I have in the apt. I'm trying to age, so I decided to stick to milk and brownies instead. Also, thanks to everyone for the best wishes on my new job. Training, here I come!

Early birthday dinner tonight with the parents at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle. Three Floyds Zombie Dust followed by a very small 1-2 oz. sample of Surly Darkness followed by Bell's Batch 10,000. The Surly keg kicked right as they were going to pour me a healthy 8-9 oz., but at least I got to try it. Quite a nice on-tap trifecta tonight. Might dig through my bottles here at the apt and find something else.

How'd you get banned from twitter?

Happy birthday Jeff! I expect an epic level of malt and hop consumption over the next 12 hours.

I started work yesterday. So far, so good. Accenture seems to have great people across the board. My orientation group primarily consisted of experienced hires given the time of year but they were all respectful, humble, and as eager to learn as me. Already they are allowing me to work from home tomorrow, next Monday, next Tuesday, and forcing me to burn a rolling holiday that will expire at the end of December. The only negatives I have to share thus far are a confusing time reporting system, lag time in providing me a Career Counselor (which seems important), and assigning me to learn some bits of Java in a 2 week period when I've already been told it's relatively useless in project work.

My god Al, I could not be more jealous of PVW 50/50. Opened my first Bruery Black Tuesday 2011 with my friend Dan tonight. Trying to polish off what he could not finish, which is a blessing of course.

I don't how Mike G. is feeling about Three Floyds at present time, but I would 100% help with organizing a full-fledged Chicago gathering.

Hope the recovery goes smoothly Shelly, glad you're okay so far .

Happy birthday Dinny!

^ see my post on your latest FB status ^

Sorry Mike. Considering the time and money you've spent at the brewpub, you certainly don't deserve that. Lots of folks on BeerAdvocate are sharing similar experiences as well. I'm pretty shocked, everyone seemed so happy with this year's Dark Lord Day and it sounded like it ran smoothly. Not sure what the fuck they are thinking/doing.

Jeff keep posting pics if you got 'em. Sure wish I could join you and Mike & Deb out there. Have fun!

Amen brother, nice pick. Working on some white russians at my cousin's wedding. I asked for a Sazerac but apparently they don't make those here, even though this place is New Orleans-themed. In the words of Mike G.... fuckers.

John, lemme know if you get in on the loaner program, maybe we can set up a bro-date and demo the gear together. I'd like to see how the thunderpants perform on Todd's stuff.

^ What Greg said ^. Have a great night of drinks Sir Mikey!

Happy birfday Chris!

This is really what I drank 48 hours ago at Bruery Provisions but I figured it was still worth a mention. A good assortment of Cantillon followed by Black Tuesday 2011 on-tap.

Jacob - get well on all accounts broski. Mike - good solution for the bedside rig for now Allison and I left Chicago out of Midway at 10:05 this morning. 4 hours later touched down in Orange County, CA. Got the rental car (upgrade to a new Ford Fusion, it seems quite nice) and met up with my friend Dan and his family at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Lunch followed by gelato. Dropped Dan off at the Balboa Bay Club (where we will be staying at over the weekend) and now laying around lazily in our room in the far less ritzy Radisson Newport Beach. Anyone familiar with the area have immediate recommendations for something to go do tonight? Also, lots of $100,000 Mercedes, Porsches, and Maseratis 'round these parts.

Curious to hear your impression of this one Jeff. West Lakeview claims to have gotten a case of this in stock yesterday, but I'm not going to be able to grab it until I get back in a few weeks.

Tool - Salival. The Zeppelin No Quarter cover makes my brain go "@$*@#$*SJDF!!"

The Lost Abbey Angel's Share Bourbon Barrel 2011. I feel like I should just be drinking bourbon.

Pliny the Elder, courtesy of Al. Thanks man, this is really fantastic. From the bottle, this is likely better than Dreadnaught.