Having a frequent-flyer ticket burning a hole in your pocket makes you dream big. Where should I go? How about Florida's eastern coast, tagging along with my husband on a work trip? And how about a great husband that looks up local breweries and pubs? Why is this all questions?

Our first stop was at Amilia Island. Cute and touristy. We stopped at a Irish pub called O'Kanes to watch the Steelers kick the crap out of the Vikings. Luckily the food was good because they had their heads up their arses when it came to pouring me a snakebite. (They had Harp and cider on the draftlist, so I figured it was a given.) Instead I got quickly poured Guiness floating on cider. I picked up my husband's drink, not realizing that the other glass was actually for me. I stared at it for a while, with my head cocked like a puppy who has a question. Some places serve this calling it a black velvet, but that's actually Guiness and champagne. I don't want to bellyache so I sip the Guiness off the top and try my best not to mix them.

We did not order a second round but walked a block toward the beach to "The Palace Saloon" the oldest bar in Florida and had some Pirate Punch. (3 kinds of rum and some gin) I understand it's not beer, but it is tangy and tasty- and boozy-about half way through I was convinced I needed a souvenir t-shirt. The bar itself is totally haunted, my camera battery went to red while taking a shot of the handcarved bar. (See above!)

Not that far north? Hit up Meg O'Malley's in Melbourne. It's a great Irish place, not only do they know how to pour a snakebite but the corned beef is so tender it's hard to eat! The bar has great atmosphere, a great draft list, and after hearing about their Halloween bash I was bummed to move on...

http://www.megomalleys.com/

I'm not sure why you would, but if you'd like to read about the trip and not just the beer, check out my husband's blog...and yes, sometimes he does call himself Karate Chop Jones. And yes, sometimes he does suggest that we name a child Karate Chop Jones, Jr. Oddly, our last name is not, in fact, Jones.

http://karatechopjones.blogspot.com/

Let's define "douchy"

Here's what's douchy. When your husband goes on a road trip to a brewery you enjoy (and have not yet visited), during their Oktoberfest, blogs about how great it is, and brings you home an empty stein. AN EMPTY STEIN. No 'to go' six packs, no 'sampler pack'...an empty stein. Thanks, baby. I now have something to tell the judge at our divorce hearing.

My only consolation was the Oktoberfest at Hofbrauhaus went well and is now over. I'd like to address some tomfoolery that's been going on down at HB. Twice in two weeks we had drunk fools forget their potty training. (Both #1 and #2.) Really, folks? I know beer is fun and being drunk is fun, but poop only goes in a toilet. That's a rule. And the fighting when intoxicated...just because you're wearing an "Afflicted" tee doesn't mean you can get all Kimbo Slice in the biergarten. Nor does fighting impress the newly crowned and multi-talented Miss Oktoberfest.

Oh, one more thing...stop whining about $5 beers! A plastic cup of crap light beer that's been sitting in the basement of (enter name of sports stadium here) for heaven only knows how long is $7.

Now, on to the beer conversation. Oktoberfest is gone (wipes tear from cheek). But the consolation prize is pretty good. 1810 Prince Ludwig is a bit fuller and a bit hoppier than the traditional HB lager and by far my favorite of the speciality brews. Go get one. Or two. But not so many you forget where to poo.

Oldie but Goodie

I'll be brief today, with a lesson I won't soon forget. Sometimes in my quest to find my favorite beers I forget about the old standards. I'm writing about Yuengling. It's 'old' because they've been making it since 1829, and 'standard' because it really is one of those beers that I compare others against. I surprised my friends by ordering a tall, cold lager with a 15 beer tap list in front of me. Sometimes I take for granted that I've found it in bars all over the country and that pretty much get it whenever I want it. Good beer doesn't have to have snazzy labels, snappy names or only be found in Angkor Wat. I don't mind trying the weird or new, I'm willing to sip the duds and bad batches. Variety may be the spice of life, but knowing you've got a beer that's always going to taste good is golden.

Labor Day Nerd-Fest

I didn't have a beer at a single Labor Day cookout, campfire, college football game or picnic. Instead I drank in the people-watching at Dragon*Con in Atlanta. "Whaaa?" you ask. Dragon*Con is the sci-fi, fantasy, all-things-nerdy convention. And let me tell you, there is no shame for letting your geek/dweeb/dork/freak out for a couple days here...in fact, it's the 'mundanes' (those not in costume) who are the outsiders. (I wore my Merlotte's t-shirt- tell me you've read Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series or at least have seen True Blood on HBO!)

After dodging a gang of steampunkers and getting my picture with DoubleMeat Palace Buffy, R2D2 and the guys from GhostHunters we hit up a place called Mellow Mushroom Pizza. I hate to steal a phrase, but the pies were FIERCE. And they make their own Bogart Brew. A medium pale ale that has a perfect body for washing down some slices of pepperoni and olive.

http://mellowmushroom.com/#/store/index/downtownatlanta

Lucky for me the rest of Atlanta also features a decent line up of beers. Sweetwater Brewery makes a full and lively 420 Extra Pale Ale. (I didn't find it as hoppy as they describe it, but I liked it!) Almost everywhere we ate or drank carried it, but I had to hit "The Vortex" to get their IPA, which had a fine burst of hops and clean finish.

http://www.sweetwaterbrew.com/

"The Vortex" has an attitude and a fabulous beer line-up (plenty of international labels!) with reasonable prices and a burger called the "Double-Bypass." As you see in the pic, my husband couldn't resist...in lieu of a bun you get two grilled cheese sandwiches. Seriously, guys only a double-bypass? Quintuple is more appropriate.

http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/

Try it out and if you don't like it, complain to them...I dare you.

Summer Brews

Pittsburgh seems to be suffering from a 'light' summer. Only a handful of uncomfortably hot days thusfar, and the Steelers are already back on television...and who's complaining? Me. I've had no real reason to seek out and savor truly refreshing summer brews.

There's nothing more satisfying on a steamy day than a cold and crisp light lager or fruity heffe. But alas, I have gone on without the weather on my side and indulged in the Leinenkugels Summer Shandy and Berry Weiss. Both refreshing and have amazingly full flavors for 'summer' beers. Shandy is a take on the old English pub pull of lager and some odd lemony fizz drink. I could generally pass, but the Leine version is a lovely blend and suggest it for beach and/or backyard drinking.

Berry Weiss, oh, Berry Weiss! I recommend you for any time! This might be my favorite fruit beer. I took one drink and looked at my husband (with whom I generally share) and contemplated lying and saying that it was awful so that I wouldn't have to give up even one sip. I am greedy for it.

I consider all of their beers of fine quality...check out their site...

http://www.leinie.com/home.htm

Locally I can't get enough of Rivertowne Pour House and their amazing variety of summer beers. The Babbling Blonde is worth the drive. I completely trust head brewer Andrew when he ages a brew with pineapple to make "Under the Sea." Try it with my favorite the lettuce wraps and cheese bread sticks. Or Mandarin Salad. Or the stuffed pub pretzels. Or...well, you get the idea.

http://www.myrivertowne.com/index.asp

Going to be in Pittsburgh September 12th? Think about coming out for the Big Pour.

http://www.constructionjunction.org/pages/bigpour

Red Stripe, Ya Man!

This was originally post on myspace last year...my 'boyfriend' is now my husband. (He wants you to know that.)

In the tropical, rum-laden world of Jamaica only one beer prevails- crisp, light and refreshing Red Stripe. Kind of hard to find in the US, Red Stripe is in every corner market on the island nation. (And holy crap if you aren't begging for it by 3pm after a good day of the sun cooking you into something the resembles curried tofu.)

But in the oasis of our resort bar I found another 'beer'. And I use quotations around the word 'beer' because 'beer' is kinda what this drink is like, although 'beer' is usually something I enjoy drinking. (Not something I politely excuse myself from the bar for and discreetly pour into a planter.) It's called "Real Rock" and I'd consider it more of a dare than a drink. When I tasted it all I could think was, "Is the keg skunky?" But upon returning the next day it was still bad. Bad and weird and sour, but oddly fruity...like cider that someone peed in. My boyfriend said, "If you made this in prison, it would be okay."

It's marketed as an "American Lager"...but I drink alot of American lagers and they are nothing like "Real Rock."

First Real Blog...

Like "The" Ohio State University, I am "The" BeerGirl. I know it seems pretentious, but plain beergirl has been taken all over the place. Forgive a gal who just wants the best for you. The best beer, that is.

My name is Minda Fisher and I spend my time drinking beer so when you gussy up to a bar, or scan the draft menu, you don't feel obligated to order the same beer every time. Beer consumer confidence is my game.

My recent beer adventure takes place at the Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh, in fact it takes place there alot since I'm working there. I consider my job a 'gemutlichkeit facilitator'. What is gemutlichkeit? It's the German abstract noun used to describe 'coziness' and 'acceptance'. I consider it, "Everybody wants to have a good time." And after hundreds of years of brewing, amazing beer makes gemutlichkeit facilitation a relatively easy job.

In addition to the traditional dunkel, lager and heffe, HB Pittsburgh has a light lager (for the Americans) and a seasonal brew which is introduced the first Wednesday of each month at a festive keg tapping.

Want more about HB Pgh?

http://www.hofbrauhauspittsburgh.com