30THREADS Blogger Bash is Tuesday

It’s time for another 30THREADS Blogger Bash.

Make plans to pop by the Broad Street Cafe in Durham anytime between 6 and 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The informal bash features light snacks and beer and, of course, a chance for me to meet you. If you’d like, bring a friend. Even if they don’t blog. It’s cool. We like new people.

So here’s what you do. Drive, walk or bike over to Broad Street Cafe. Open the door. Walk over toward the group of bloggers/blog readers (despite stereotypes, I doubt anyone will be wearing pajamas). Smile. Say hello. Grab some snacks. Get some beer (or soda, or water). And wait to be wowed by someone fabulous. There will be an interesting mix of folks, so it will be challenging not to meet one intriguing person. Find out how you can guest blog for 30THREADS. Chat with me a little. Say goodbye. Leave with a smile. Go home and watch the debate.

See, doesn’t that sound so easy and fun?

For more details, check this out.

World Beer Festival in Durham is worth the $45

You might think nothing can stand between a gal and her beer. That is, unless you take that gal to World Beer Festival in Durham. Hundreds of people stood in my way as I attempted to enter the festival Saturday at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The line snaked around the ballpark from the entrance near the third-base line all way to centerfield. We took our spot in line at 6 p.m. (the scheduled start time) and didn’t get in until 6:45 p.m. A line is to be expected, but one entrance seems absurd. Rant over … now on to the goodness.

The beer, oh the sweet, wonderful beer. The IPAs, stouts, pale ales and fruity concoctions. I sipped on oh so many. Sadly, I forgot to write down the name of the IPA I was truly enamored with, but it’s hard to take notes when there’s so much going on.

Typically, Durham’s World Beer Fest is held at the Durham Athletic Park, the older of the two Durham Bulls ballfields. But that field is under renovation, so this year’s event was at the newer ballpark, where plastic flooring covered the field to prevent it from being stomped by drunken festival-goers. The location meant that some of the bathrooms in the concourse were open to us beer-drinkers, which eliminated the need to use the Porta-Potties (always a plus).

I was impressed with the number of Tweeple who were there (people who use Twitter). We managed to find each other without sending a single tweet. I was with @wiggitywack and we ran into @joesumney, @jefftippett, @taylorbarr (all of us are pictured here courtesy of @dgtlpapercuts). We also saw @thedynamo, @brianchappell, @paynetrain and possibly more. That’s a pretty impressive group of Tweeps to encounter in a ballfield filled with tipsy folks. And it also just goes to show why using Twitter in the Triangle is a fabulous way to meet new people. You can even follow the folks who organized the event, @allaboutbeer.

I was also impressed with the variety of food and how inexpensive it was. Two dollars bought you a fabulous taco from Chubby’s Tacos, which has received rave reviews in the Durham food blog world. Then there were the fabulous beer-fried jalepenos with cheese sauce, and much more.

You may remember from my post about the World Beer Festival in Raleigh where I fell in love with the Vanilla Porter by Breckenridge Brewery. Well, the brew was also available at the Durham festival. And when I made it to the booth, the guy pouring announced it was the last one. But he wouldn’t pour me more than two ounces, even though I declared it was my absolute favorite and that I even blogged about it (I’m not sure this guy even knew what a blog was, to be honest). So I tried sipping it down quickly so he’d refill my glass with another precious two ounces, but instead he handed it to the woman beside me and she poured the final ounces of tasty goodness into some random chick’s glass who I’m sure didn’t appreciate it as much as I would have.

So with the exception of the long line and the stingy Breckenridge pourer, the festival was completely worth the $45 ticket price.

Were you there? Share your experiences, photos and links with me. To see more of my pics, click here (look toward the bottom for the latest).

Cheers.

Raleigh Wide Open Review

While wandering around downtown Raleigh during this weekend’s Raleigh Wide Open celebration, I couldn’t help but think that the Capital City has arrived. With the opening of the city’s new $221 million convention center (sorry, I can’t stop dropping that dollar figure) the celebration felt like a debutante ball for Raleigh.

Can you believe that since the beginning of 2006, 53 bars, restaurants and nightclubs have opened in downtown Raleigh? That’s according to the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, which tracks that sort of thing.

Here are the highlights from Raleigh Wide Open:

*Convention Center Opening.

The public got to see what its tax dollars went toward. Residents and out-of-towners alike wandered around the massive exhibition hall and roamed the other rooms and halls. The International Festival shared the hall with local businesses, providing an eclectic mashup that featured everything from Henna tattoos to free Segway demos.

*Street Festival

Fayetteville Street and several of her arteries were lined with vendors selling everything from deep-fried corn to wooden lawn ornaments. Parents pushed kids in strollers, a small circus train pulled families around and a mime entertained passers-by.

*Live Music

Ok, I admit I barely caught any of the bands, so I can’t offer any solid reviews. But Foreigner’s Lou Gramm seemed a hit with the crowd he drew Saturday night. And Chuck Berry’s almost rained-out performance received a favorable review.

*Parade

I’m a sucker for a cliche parade, and Saturday’s march down Fayetteville Street didn’t disappoint. The parade was incredibly short, featuring all the local news stations, a couple politicians, one band and a few businesses and nonprofits.

*The Beer Tent

I can’t believe the beer tasting wasn’t better advertised. Tucked beside the Wachovia building on Hargett Street was a tent filled with more than a dozen brewers from around the country. Ten dollars bought you a sample glass and a hole-punch card that allowed you eight samples. But most pourers weren’t stamping the cards, so the samples flowed.

Check out more of my pics.

I must complain about one small, petty thing. On Saturday afternoon I tried to go into the Marriott to show my friend the fancy lobby. But we were stopped by two bodyguards who looked like they should be looking out for Brittney Spears and not us Raleigh lovers. They told us only guests were allowed (even though I clearly wasn’t a guest when I toured the hotel a couple weeks ago).

Now I completely understand that they probably didn’t want a bunch of drunk people wandering around their halls, dirtying up their bathrooms and the like. But the city contributed $20 million in taxes to help foster the construction of the hotel. So I think that’s enough of a taxpayer contribution to allow the public inside for a quick tour. I’m only slightly bitter though.

What was your favorite part of Raleigh Wide Open (or any complaints that can be used for improvement next year)?

Take your Breathalyzer on-the-go

You’ll be able to get more than a hot dog and bag of chips at a vending cart in downtown Raleigh this weekend.

If you’re drinking at one of the bars in the Glenwood South district Friday night, you’ll have a chance to take an alcohol breath test, but it’ll cost you.

Yes, for $5 you can take an alcohol breath test (the term “Breathalyzer is a brand name, or I would just say that instead) at a push cart. The cart will be set up by Alcohol Educators, Inc. The service will let drinkers determine their blood alcohol concentration to help them determine whether they should drive home or not. The company’s slogan is apparently “DWI = $10,000. Knowing what you’d blow = Priceless.”

My guess is there will be more than one group of buddies who stumble upon on the vending service and challenge each other to see who can blow the highest BAC. But who knows, maybe the service will discourage someone from driving home with a BAC over North Carolina’s 0.08 percent legal limit.

The cart will be on the corner of Glenwood and Johnston Avenues (the same corner where Bogart’s is located) from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., according to a news release I read today. It won’t be there if there’s “inclimate weather” though.

Do you think this service will lead fewer people to drive home intoxicated or do you think it will spark more binge drinking among competitive friends?

You’re invited to a blogger bash!

I’m organizing a blogger bash with my friend and co-worker Wayne Sutton, and you’re invited. Here’s the deal. We want to meet and mingle with everyone who blogs and/or reads blogs in the Triangle.

So we’re inviting you all to a blogger bash from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 30. The bash will be at Edge Office, an awesome showroom in the heart of Raleigh’s Glenwood South, 400 Glenwood Ave.

And it really will be a bash! Big Boss Brewing Company will be on hand to serving the delicious Angry Angel, a pale German-style Ale. There will be some tasty BBQ from The Pit, a Raleigh restaurant that is so good it was recently featured on the Today Show.

The BEST PART is that Wayne and I will have an exciting announcement that you won’t want to miss.

So, even if you can only drop by for a little bit. Please do so. I’d love to meet you. And remember, you don’t have to blog to attend.

If you know you’re coming, drop me an e-mail or post a comment so I know to expect you. But if you’re like me, and it’s hard for you to plan that far in advance, then just show up. Just be sure to flag me down and say hello if you make it.

Blogging, Big Boss and BBQ, oh my.

Here’s why you shouldn’t plan your weekends

I had no plan when I headed to downtown Raleigh Saturday afternoon. I didn’t even glance at the Indy to see if anything was going on. I figured I’d find something on such a lovely day. Here’s how my random Raleighness unfolded:

First I saw signs for the Handmade Market on West Street, so I had to pull over and check it out. I’m glad I did b/c I snagged some rad, crafty jewelry, an awesome piece of art and this cool seahorse shirt from Sew Bliss Sew.

Then right up the street I noticed this huge beautiful American flag dangling over Dawson Street, so I had to see why it was there. Turns out there was a fallen firefighters memorial going on in the little square outside city hall. I was struck with how beautiful this flag looked as it flapped over the cars that passed by. It was entrancing. I started to head toward the Marbles Kids Museum because I wanted to check out that “Kids City Planning Day” meant to teach kids about the revision of Raleigh’s comprehensive plan. But before I got there, I spotted a rally on the Old Capitol grounds. Turned out it was a pro pot rally.

I finally made it over to the museum, and was impressed with the buildings the kids were creating out of boxes. Raleigh Planning Director Mitchell Silver looked like he was having as much fun as the kids building the box city. He’s the adult helping the kid attach the top of the building below: Then it was time to check out Vintage Nation, the new shop on Wilmington street that sells beautiful vintage dresses, skirts, shirts and pants at incredibly reasonable prices, along with houseplants and hip accessories. I was impressed. I’m told by the Raleigh Connoisseur that this marks the beginning of activity-packed weekends in downtown Raleigh. Sounds like it’s going to be a fun summer. See more pictures from my random Saturday on my Flickr.

So many beers, so little time

I arrived at World Beer Festival promptly at noon on Saturday. Organizers had caged off nearly every sliver of downtown Raleigh’s Moore Square with a chain link fence, and all I wanted to do was be inside it. But as my friend Graham and I rounded the corner, we saw the line of the other thirsty festival-goers snaking around a parking lot. We stood patiently in line waiting for our chance to turn over our tickets for one of the small, plastic beer glasses that would be holding our brews all day. The line moved quickly, and soon we were ushered into a tent lined on both sides with brewers ready to pour us as many different varieties of beer as we were willing to drink.

Soon we were sipping on stouts, pale ales and porters from the likes of the Starr Hill Brewery in Charlottesville, Va. to Left Hand Brewing Co. in Longmont, Colorado. And by sipping, I truly mean chugging. We walked downtown to avoid the inevitable parking hassle a festival-filled Saturday would bring and because of the inevitable beer buzz created by four hours of drinking. So after making the trek in the heat, we were thirsty. The day was punctuated by the sound of volunteers emptying recycling bins causing the glass bottles to clank together a medley that made the crowd erupt with cheers (take a listen below).

After throwing back a few tasty brews, it was time to leave the tent and see what the food vendors had to offer. Graham was satisified with some vegetarian samosas, while I opted for a chicken gyro. It was at that point that beer fest got three times better. Only after stepping outside our original beer-filled tent did I discover that there were TWO MORE huge tents filled with brewers and beer.We wandered in and out of the beer havens for the next four hours. Taking needed brakes in the shade, munching on food and, of course, braving the long bathroom lines. I wish I had kept better track of the beers I drank, because there were so many delicious brews I’d like to seek out again. But there was one that I was so smitten with, that I’ll never forget: the Vanilla Porter by Breckenridge Brewery in Denver, Colorado. It was chocolately with an smooth vanilla finish and was the only beer I got refills of.

As 4 o’clock rolled around, we were tired, bloated by beer and ready to go. I called Raleigh Rickshaw for a ride, and we rolled to the furthest edge of downtown, then stumbled the rest of the way home. Here’s a clip from the ride home:

And finally, here’s a cool video made with pictures I snapped throughout the day using animoto. I was introduced to this site a while back by blogger and beautiful picture taker Abby, and finally tried it out. See the rest of my Beer Fest pictures on Flickr.

Were you at beer fest? What did you think?

Three reasons I love the Triangle (in pictures)

1. Because it’s entirely possible to go to a fashion show based on the theme of using plastic bags. This show was at the Whole Foods in Raleigh on Earth Day.

2. Because Durham residents are so passionate about local politics that they will go to great lengths to display their support.

3. Because you can go to a wine fest one weekend (this pic was taken at the Great Grapes! fest in Cary last Saturday), then go to the World Beer Festival the following weekend (I’ll be at the Raleigh event from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday).

What are three reasons why you love the Triangle (or greater Triangle area)?

Something to do on a Saturday that involves beer

Here’s something that’s not hard to get behind: Free beer, education and supporting local businesses.

Once a month, Big Boss Brewing Company offers free tours of its Raleigh-based brewery. It’s almost too good to be true, but since I experienced it first-hand Saturday, I can happily report it’s not.

So you stand in line for like 15 minutes, and you’re given two free drink tickets. Then you can sample some drafts, chat with your friends and then have the laid-back staff explain a bit about the beer making process to you.

Truth be told, this is probably similar to all brewery tours, but since Saturday’s was my first time inside a brewery, I have no comparison.

I fell for my first Big Boss brew a week ago, when I tried the Bad Penny Brown Ale at Landmark Tavern (a new, somewhat swanky bar on Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh).

Anyway, the guys running the tour have just the right amount of sarcasm and pride in their work to make for a fun tour.

If you want to check it out for yourself, the brewery offers free tours at 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month. And if you have any other local beer tips, suggestions, etc., for me, don’t hold out. Please pass it along.

Drinking with the Presidential Candidates

So I checked out the “beer caucus” at Flying Saucer in Raleigh last night to see which presidential candidates patrons most wanted to drink a beer with. I spoke with Dean Plunkett of the North Carolina Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association who clarified that he hoped people based their vote on something more significant than who they’d like to drink with.

If you missed the event, you can still vote online.

Which candidate do you think I picked? I’ll let you know if you get it right.