WARNING: The preceding craft beer post is for entertainment purposes only

Momma always said to take your vitamins...

7/3 - My friends, Craig and Barry, met me at our house today to do a little brewery/bar crawling before the Jeff Lynne's ELO show tonight at the Bridgestone Arena.

We started our crawl at Catch 22 in Mt. Juliet for lunch and a libation or two.  Both of them had flights, but as the driver for this part of the afternoon, I just had one pint and it was a very good New England IPA called Orderville from Modern Times Brewing (CA).   

I really didn't know that Elm Hill Pike was considered a "separate region of the world" but I got this badge from UNTAPPD for my next check in at Various Artists Brewing which was our second stop of the day.  Unbeknownst to me, Various Artists was actually closed today, but we got very lucky that Pat, the cook( and crack PR coordinator) for VAB was on site when we pulled in.  He turned off the pressure-washer he was using on their large smoker out back to tell us that unfortunately they were closed...BUT...let's have a beer anyway!  Thanks, Pat!!  We promised him we only needed one, but over the next hour or so, we not only had one, but a bunch of samples thanks to our pal, Pat.  He said everything was on the house, but we tipped him well anyway.  In order, here's what I had that was new to me:  a pint of the solid Cityside IPA; a sample of their new (Blueberry Sour which isn't even for sale yet, but should be a big seller because it's pretty darn good); another sample of their very good Elm Hill Amber lager: and a final sample of their decent Bobby Shorts pale ale.    What a great visit!  

Pat told us about the new Krobar in the Kroger grocery store in Brentwood which I had heard vaguely about recently. He confirmed that it did exist and it was awesome.  Guess I have another reason to go visit Brentwood again ASAP!  

We headed on downtown and parked the car before any more beer got in my system and then hopped on some pay-scooters before they are gone from the streets of Nashville...just kidding...good riddance to this nuisances and you would never catch me actually riding one...I have too much life to live and craft beer to drink!    We parked in the new convention center parking garage and walked a short distance to Barlines in the Omni Hotel to catch the opening half of the game that would determine the opponents for the USWNT in the World Cup.  Their craft beer selection is limited here and the only new-to-me beer I found on tap was a so-so Country Style NEIPA from Honky Tonk Brewing here in Nashville.  

We decided to move on to watch the second half from City Tap nearby which I knew had TVs and a much better beer list.  As we watched The Netherlands eek out a win over Sweden and I had a Bel Air Sour from Brooklyn Brewing (NY) that wasn't bad.  I am still not the biggest fan of sours, but on a tip from Pat back at Various Artists, he recommended a sour in the middle of a day of IPAs to cleanse the palette and "reset" your taste-buds.  And it worked I think!  The Hop Circus Vol. 5 Tropical White IPA I had next from Hi-Wire Brewing over in Asheville, NC, was outstanding! 

Speaking of Asheville Breweries, I lusted after this little gem during our walk downtown.  I still want this to be my kind of work car!! 

Since it was a Wednesday, our choice of microbreweries that were actually open was limited.  We finally got to another one after 4 PM.  We Ubered over to Honky Tonk Brewing because it was close by and since Craig and Barry had never been here.  This isn't my favorite Nashville brewery by a long shot, but ya gotta have some variety now and then.  The vibe  here has never done much for me either, although I do like the IPA dragon on the wall.  I opted for a can, yes a can, of their Giggawatt double IPA...how do you not have that on draft if it's listed on your board?  Anyway, it was outstanding, and probably one of my favorites of the day, so I will give them that.  

We needed food now...well, Barry and I did, Craig had kinda hit the wall (without hitting the floor, lol)...so after an unsuccessful Uber over to Von Elrod's Beer and Kitchen Hall...the place was packed due to an upcoming Nashville Sounds baseball game...we walked a few blocks away from the stadium to the Sedona Tap House which I knew had a good beer menu and great food from a previous visit.  Neither fact had changed.  I had some outstanding Thai shrimp and a draft pint of  The Stonewall Inn IPA from Brooklyn Brewery in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the riot at the historic Stonewall Inn in New York that was a milestone in civil rights for the LGBT community.  Salute!  Sorry I missed having this during Pride Month by  just a few days.  It was very good and a great way to close out a day of day-drinking with two great pals.  

Oh yeah, the concert...it was AWESOME...Jeff Lynne is 72-years-old and a living legend who still brought it all night with a wonderful show full of hits and spectacle.  Our seats were up high, but dead center and even my wife and friend, Bridgette, joined us.   We got back home late and the boys spent the night with us since it was a holiday the next day.  

7/4 - The next day was Independence Day and we celebrated out by the pool (at least til the storms came) and I got three half-growlers from Providence Wine and Spirits to imbibe during the day.  First up was the Stick Horse Cowboy IPA from Tailgate Brewing over in Nashville.  It was pretty good.  Next up was the outstanding (and boozy, 11+% ABV) Beerista imperial stout from Terrapin Brewing (GA).  Last up, but not least, was the excellent Damguday 8 NEIPA from New Heights Brewing in Nashville.  

Big thanks to my pal, Nate (Jul Bock), for setting up our pool on FourSquare as a check-in place for beer on the UNTAPPD app.  He settled on FC Lagoon as the moniker (Fulfer-Carroll Lagoon) and I love it.    Thanks also to Nate for sharing a can of  the oustanding Old World Russian Imperial Stout (2018 edition) from his visit recently to the Brewdog Brewing facility over in Scotland.  A trip he actually won through Brewdog.  Congrats and thanks again, Nate!

7/5 - We saw the new Spiderman:  Far From Home film in IMAX tonight at the Streets of Indian Lake Theaters in Hendersonville.  I didn't get to stop by my usual haunt, Growler USA, while up that way, but I did get to have another Nate-gift in a can of Midnight Cab saison from Rahr and Sons Brewing (TX) before heading out.  It was interesting to say the least.  It's a whirlwind of flavor as a Cabernet-barrel-aged black farmhouse ale.

7/7 - It was a great day of soccer in and for America today as the USWNT started with a 2-0 win over The Netherlands for the 2019 World Cup!  My boys with Atlanta United blew a late lead in front of a crowd of 70+K at home to score a 3-3 tie with their growing rival, the New York Red Bulls.  And the USMNT took a tough 1-0 loss on the chin in the final for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup vs. Mexico.  I toasted the great day of footie with another Nate-gift:  a can of tart and refreshing Pickle gose from Urban Architect Brewing (Cincinnati).  

During all the soccer, I also scored a decent 2nd place finish today vs. 99 other players on Global Poker for just under $80 in profit.

7/9 - We saw a great show tonight at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville from Rob Thomas who we've loved for a long time.  Before the show, we stopped by City Tap for a libation and I had an awesome draft pint of Double Two-Hearted Ale from Bell's Brewing (MI).  That took their classic IPA and added double the hops and you know I like that! 

7/10 - It was another night at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center tonight and another craft beer beforehand nearby.  Tonight's event was a guest speaker for National Geographic Live, and the beer was a cool and refreshing Catfish kolsch from Turtle Anarchy Brewiing here in Nashville with a tasty dinner out on the patio at The Southern Steak and Oyster restaurant across the street.

7/12 - We were back downtown tonight for a beautiful evening at Ascend Amphitheater to see one of our favorite live bands, Fitz and the Tantrums.  At the show, I bought an overpriced, but refreshing and tastier than I expected, pint can of Del's Shandy from Narragansett Brewing (RI).  

7/14 - I scored another win in the daily late-night Crazy Pineapple online tournament that I play pretty regularly.  I bested 41 other players for a profit of  just over $65.  I did this also while watching this year's WSOP Main Event Final Table begin where the stakes were just a bit higher...first place, $8 million.....one day, maybe, one day.....

7/15 - Another night of watching the WSOP Main Event Final Table and another night of success online for me.  I got second vs. 83 other players in a nightly Pot-Limit Omaha (definitely not my best game) tournament for a large $175 profit.  At the same time I got fourth in the nightly Crazy Pineapple tournament that I  won the night before.

7/16 - We were back at Ascend Amphitheater tonight to catch a twin headliner show by The Goo Goo Dolls and Train.  I ponied up for another way-overpriced beer, but at least it was big and cold.  The Double Nothing Fancy cream ale from Nashville's own New Heights Brewing went down smooth and easy. And the show was great! 

7/20 - It was a good Saturday pool-day, so I dropped by Lebanon Wine and Spirits for a variety six-pack to split over the weekend.  I gotta say that collectively this was one of the best set of selections I have ever made.  Every one of the beers were solid.  I started with one of the best in taste and the absolute best in title, Adios Pantalones, a light lager cerveza with hints of lemon and lime from Rahr and Sons Brewing (TX).  Perfect for pool time and no-pants time!  Next up was another great product from Rahr and Sons called Palenta De Mango, a kolsch with chile and lime and a collaboration with a Casa Cervecera Morenos, a microbrewery in Mexico.  I hope to visit Rahr and Sons over the new year when we are in Fort Worth.  Next up was the super-tasty UFO Georgia Peach hefeweizen from Harpoon Brewing (Boston).  The swimming lingered late into the day so I broke my rule and popped by fourth brew, a tasty session IPA from Braxton Brewing (KY) called Jam Session.

7/21 - The swimming was a little more intermittent today, but I had enough time between dark rain clouds to finish off the variety six-pack.  This bottle of Cirrusly Wheat from Abita Brewing (LA) was great.  I finished up with a tasty can of Golden Ale from Terrapin Beer Company (GA).

7/23 - I got another variety 3-pack from Lebanon Wine and Spirits tonight to accompany me in my first outing in this year's WSOP League here in Lebanon.  I am splitting my seat this year with a guy named, Chip, and he had a decent showing in our first game by coming in fourth.  I got down early in chips when I ran my QQ into AA, but battled back to finish a very respectable 3rd place.  Along the way I had the following in order:  a pint can of the solid Forecast lager from Bearded Iris Brewing in Nashville; a surprisingly good Icebox sour gose from Southern Prohibition Brewing (MS) that was actually more tart than sour; and finally a Stone Brewing Enjoy Be .07.04.19 Unfiltered IPA, and while I was a little late to the suggested date, it was still an almost perfect craft beer.

7/24 - I had a much-needed bachelor day off today with Ashlee away for work, so I decided to make it another double-feature movie day along with some brewskies, of course.  I headed up to Hendersonville to start the day and had a little time to kill before lunch, so I decided to check out the historic Rock Castle plantation home which was completed in 1796 on the edge of Old Hickory Lake.  It was a nice day for a quick walk around the pretty property.  I didn't get a chance to go inside, and didn't really want to since a large school group was visiting at the same time.

I had an awesome lunch at Blossom Thai Restaurant and Cellar Door Craft Cavern (yes, I found it again!).  I had their chicken fried rice and a very interesting adult beverage called the Lemon Orchard Kombuca from Flying Embers Brewing (CA).  A kombuca is sort of a hard lemonade concoction.  This one was very tasty and went perfect with the Thai food since it lingered in taste with ginger and a few other Far East spices.  

My next stop was in East Nashville at Southern Grist Brewing where I had just enough time before my movies started to enjoy a DDH Mixed Greens XXXVIII (38) New England IPA out in the sunshine.  It was outstanding, and these guys continue to be my favorite Nashville-based craft brewer.  

I had a free movie voucher on my Regal app, so I took a flyer and went to an early-afternoon showing of the new horror flick, Crawl at the Hollywood 27 Theaters at 100 Oaks in Nashville.  I had heard positive reviews of it and I thought it was decent.  The CGI  "super-gators" looked pretty good.

I moved on next to the see the brief re-release of Glory on its 30th Anniversary.  This is one my favorite films and I don't recall ever seeing it on the big screen, so I loved it, and only teared-up three times!  "Give 'em hell, 54th!!"   

7/25 - I had a chance to see Once Upon A Time in Hollywood at the Belcourt Theaters with my friends Danny, Brenda and Kyle tonight.  The kicker to this showing was that we saw it in a SOLD OUT 35 mm print screening, one of only a few places in the nation showing it in this format.  Tarantino continues to be a bit overrated as a director in my opinion, but it was an interesting alternate-reality flick with some great turns by Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.  Before the show, I stopped by New Height Brewing in downtown Nashville for a couple snorts that included their excellent Double Tryestar imperial IPA and their refreshing and light Apricot IPA.

Dana Plato?....hmm, probably not....
Too soon?

Summ-beer in the Summer

It's hot. 

If we are not in the pool, then let's stay inside and
play online poker, watch movies and DRINK BEER! 

Time to put Austria on the travel wish list!

Well done, UNTAPPD, well done!

Why not start this month with some PRIDE and with some history.  One of the newest historic markers in Nashville is on Charlotte Avenue touting the Nashville Porter and Ale Brewery.  With a founding date of 1815, it was one of the first ever in Music City and its link to Nashville craft beer pioneer, Blackstone Brewery, makes it pretty cool.  

6/2 - I had a bachelor Sunday to myself today since Ashlee flew up to Philly to see a work friend, and then for business a couple days next week.  After dropping her off  at the airport this morning, I decided to take a flier on the new Bright Burn movie.  I am usually not a horror movie fan, but the intrigue of an evil kid with super-hero powers (kind of an anti-Superman) and the name of James Gunn as a writer had me interested.   I headed over to the Hollywood 27 Theaters since they have recliners and they were showing something later that I wanted to see also.  The movie wasn't bad although the excessive gore so they could call it a "horror" movie seemed stupid to me.  It's definitely set-up for a sequel or two.  We shall see if it improves and changes course away from being a gore-fest. 

Beforehand, I stopped by the one of the newest craft breweries in Nashville called Various Artists Brewing.  I love their cool logo.  They are also now one of the closest to me with their location on Elm Hill Pike.  Their beer is high quality also.  My friend, Nate, brought me some of their fare to our pool party recently and I liked both of them that I tried.  Today I had their excellent Big Impale IPA and their tasty Weave Street Robust Porter.  The place is small, but nice.  This should become a fairly regular stop for me while going in and out of Nashville.

I had just enough time between my double-feature to zip over to Craft Brewed and have a beer out on their sunny patio.  I chose The Easygoing Drink, a grisette from Garden Path Fermentation Brewery (WA).  What's a grisette?  Good question.  I had to Google it myself.  It's a Belgian style of ale beer.  This one was fermented in a foudre (large wine cask)  and smells tart, but tastes dry and fruity.  I enjoyed it, especially on this warm day outside.

With the grisette, I hit a milestone on UNTAPPD.  I will be honest, I didn't know there were 130 different styles of beer, let alone, that I have tried that many.  I certainly do get around! 

My second film of the day back at the Hollywood 27 Theaters (recliners!) was the brief re-release of probably my favorite film ever, Saving Private Ryan.  In honor of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day later this week, this 1998 classic was being shown back on the big screen, and I just couldn't miss it.  I will put the first 20 minutes of this up against anything ever filmed as the best in history...

After the movie, I headed over to the cool developing neighborhood of The Nations in West Nashville to check out yet another new Nashville-based craft brewery.  Harding House Brewing is a nano-brewery, so their selections are limited, but solid.  I started with their very good Deep Roots Carrott APA made with carrots from a farm just a few miles away.  In my mind, I poured a little out for the men who were at D-Day and silently thanked them for their service and sacrifice.  I finished with their Joyful Be Summer Ale that was light and clean.  Welcome to Music City, HHB!

  

I closed out the day back home with a small tournament win on Global Poker.  I turned my $5 investment into a little over $70 in profit vs. 44 other players which isn't so impressive, but I needed the win for my self-confidence since I have been taking it on the chin lately.  (Editor's note: I got 4th in the same tournament the next night to add another $20 to the coffers.) 

Two movies, two new breweries and a poker win - THAT is a good day! 

6/3: I had the day off today (and a bachelor day to boot) and decided to beat the heat again with an afternoon matinee of Godzilla: King of the Monsters once more, but this time on the new X Screen which is a new style of 270 degrees of projection now available at the Hollywood 27 Theaters. I saw it last week in the normal format because we couldn't find an IMAX showing that worked for us, so this new type of screening seemed worth a look.  It was pretty cool, but nothing life-changing.  The additional screens are not used throughout the entire movie and while they do a pretty good job on the big action scenes with matching what's on the main screen, it doesn't add that much.  If the price is the same as a traditional showing, it might be worth another look, but that's about it.

Before the show, I stopped at Catch 22 in Mt. Juliet for lunch and a couple cold ones.  I started with the solid Southern Sphere IPA from TrimTab Brewing (Birmingham, AL) and finished with an interesting Graeter's Key Lime Pie Ale from Braxton Brewing (KY) that was pretty darn good.  

After the first movie (yep, it was another double-feature day for me) I made a fun stop at the corner of Edgehill Avenue and 12th Avenue at the tiny Polar Bear Park.  These large humorous (and historic, circa 1930)  polar bears engaged in a snowball fight were interesting to see on a hot, sunny day.  It was probably good to see them during the day as well since this area is still a bit sketchy despite all the new development nearby.

Before my next film, I stopped by Hopdoddy and had an icy cold Neon Leon light lager from Hap and Harry's, one of least favorite Nashville "microbreweries"  (owned by the Lippman Brothers Distribution so I doubt the realness of this being a true microbrewery), but it was all they had that I had not already checked in on UNTAPPD.  It was  actually decent and worth the check-in I guess.

To avoid rush-hour traffic back home, I made it another double-feature day by catching a showing of  the documentary, The Biggest Little Farm, over at The Belcourt Theaters which is the only place it is showing in the Nashville area.  The  cinematography in the preview looked great, so I was hoping it was worth my time to see it on the big screen.   Man, it was well worth the time and visit!  Visually stunning and an amazing and moving story (teared up a little at the end).  It's too bad more people aren't seeing this stunning film.   Hoping it will get some Oscar love next year.

6/4 - I headed down to Murfreesboro after work today to meet my old pal, Craig, who was in town for work.  I picked him from his hotel and we headed to Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint for a tasty dinner and a few libations.   I started with the juicy goodness of the Transcendent IPA from Mill Creek Brewing over in Nolensville, TN.  I finished with a disappointing Nightmare on Brett (Aged in Oak Barrels) sour porter/ale from the Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project (Denver, CO).  Here's the problem with most sours in my opinion, the "sour" taste overwhelms everything else.  I tasted no oak, no coffee since it was dark porter, just sour from start to finish. Luckily, Craig liked it and we swapped second beers halfway through and I finished his Transcendent IPA.   We moved on to Hop Springs Beer Park for another libation as we enjoyed sunset, twilight and into darkness out on the patio of this beautiful new place.

At Hop Springs I had the Humulus Project: Rethink, a hazy New England IPA that was very good from one of the three small brewers producing here.  It was served in a Steel Barrel brewing glass and I love their hash-tag/motto.  

6/8 - Ashlee and I headed over to West Nashville this afternoon for a few fun stops.  We met up with our pal, Wayne, at 51 Kitchen and Bar for lunch and with it I had an interesting Montucky Cold Snack lager from Montucky Cold Snacks (interesting  and funny way to name your brewery) out of Bozeman, MT.  It was very light, so much so it was almost water...but it actually had flavor unlike Miller Lite and other watery mass-produced swill.  

After a very fun tour at Penningston Distillery nearby, we stopped by Harding House Brewing to try their brand new Strawberry Saison which was good, but not as great as I was hoping.  During several rousing games of War between us three, I also had their very solid Dry Nitro Stout.  

6/9 - We had to run up to Cookeville to pick up our niece, Ella, who was spending a week with us,  I took a mini-growler with me and we stopped by Hix Farm Brewery and I got a fill-up of their Floatin' farmhouse ale that was very good.  I enjoyed it back home in the pool as we dodged thunderstorms and rain throughout the day.

Another small success in online poker tonight was a 2nd place finish in the nightly No Limit Crazy Pineapple tournament as I outlasted 40 other players and turned $5 into $40+ worth of profit.  Baby steps, baby steps...

6/14 - It was Friday, work was over and it was hot.  Time for some pool and beer.  I stopped by Lebanon Wine and Spirits and got a variety four-pack to imbibe in.  I started with a very good can of the Blue Pants Brewery (AL) Pils.  

In my variety pack I also got a bottle of London Porter from Fuller, Smith and Turner (England) so I could get the World Pint Badge from UNTAPPD.  You have to check in at least two beers from two countries that have teams participating in this year's Women's World Cup.  Go USWNT!! 

I capped a good Friday night off with another win in the nightly Crazy Pineapple tournament on Global Poker. I topped 37 other players, which is about average for this tournament, and cleared close to $70 in profit.  

6/15 - We went down to Chattanooga today with some errands to complete and were going to spend the night, but decided to head back home instead.  It was a good choice since we got to witness this beautiful sunset on I-40 on the way back   We also stopped by the Vine and Barrel Liquor Store in Hixson and stocked up some brews for the weekend and as birthday gifts for our brother-in-law, Andy, and our friend, Charly.    I got a variety 4-pack for myself that included an excellent can of First Ascent Schwarzbier lager from Chattanooga's own Hutton and Smith Brewery that I had before we headed back.

Another bonus to heading home earlier than planned was a back-to-back win of the same Crazy Pineapple poker tournament on Global.  This is the first time I have won the same daily tournament two times in a row.  There was one more player than the night before and the pay-off was the same.  

6/16 - In the immortal words of Jim Morrison of The Doors, "Well, I woke up this mornin' and I got myself a beer!"  I was in the pool by 10 AM with a poured bottle of  the decent Morland Old Speckled Hen ESB from Greene King Brewing (England) from my Lebanon Wine and Spirits variety pack.  At 11 AM I cracked open a spectacular can of  the Stone Revengeful Spirit Imperial IPA to salute the US Women's National Soccer Team  3-0 whup-up on Chile to advance to the Knockout Stage of the 2019 World Cup.  

I was back in the pool by the second half with a can of the pretty-labelled and excellent tasting Fudgesicile imperial stout from Untitled Art (WI) from the Lebanon Wine and Spirits variety pack.  

I got a cool badge on UNTAPPD for the Fudgesicle beer check-in because it was a collaboration between Untitled Art in Wisconsin and our very own Yazoo Brewing here in Nashville.  We headed over to our friends'' Wendy and Charly this evening to celebrate Charly's birthday and I took a couple of pint cans from my Vine and Barrel variety pack to consume.  First up was the solid Terpene IPA also from Untitled Art (WI).  Next was the Pineapple Terpene IPA that was even better with its citrus twist on the classic IPA.  

6/17 - I had a nice day off today and after taking our Subaru for an oil-change over in Franklin, I had lunch at the new-to-me Quinn's Neighborhood Pub and Eatery nearby.  They have a solid craft beer list, of course, and with my tasty burger and fries I had a pint of the very good Deadhead IPA Series: Extended Jam from DESTIHL Brewery (IL) and a pint of the so-so Bourbon Cask Dark Ale from Innis and Gunn Brewing (Scotland).
After lunch I headed over to the Hollywood 27 Theaters (recliners!) and caught a matinee showing of the new comedy, Late Night.  It was pretty good, but I was hoping it would be funnier.  Emma Thompson was great in it and I have always had a thing for that mature English minx.  

6/19 - We had to drive up to  Cookeville this evening to collect our beloved CRV  after service from the Honda dealership there. We stopped by Father Tom's Pub for a tasty dinner and I had a decent red ale from the local  Red Silo Brewing called The Handyman.  We moved on from there for a quick stop at Jig Head Brewing where I had an OK Jig Head Sunfish witbier.  I also had a few sips (and created its UNTAPPD check-in since it's so new) for the pretty good Jig Head Sangria (photo above), a semi-sweet cider with notes of wine and citrus.

I completed the Cookeville Trifecta by stopping by Hix Farm Brewing for a small growler fill of Oenothera, a fascinating wild ale (photo above) made with the syrup for Sun Drop (my favorite soft drink of them all) and then aged two years in George Dickel whisky barrels.  Oenothera, by the way, is the genus of the flower species used in Sun Drop syrup.  This amazing beer (my first 4.75 rating for a sour beer) was on a guest tap from VonSeitz TheoreticAles in nearby Smithville.  This new nano-brewery has a small beer garden open now in Smithville, so I can't wait to check it out ASAP!

I enjoyed my first half-pint of Oenothera while watching the first episode of the new season of Yellowstone, the best TV show on right now from the mind  of Tyler Sheridan, the best writer in Hollywood right now.

6/22 - This close up of one of the wine tanks at Nashville Urban Winery made for a cool shot.  We had a great tasting there tonight of some of their pretty good wines and excellent food.  They also have a nice beer menu, and afterwards I had a decent Strawberry Gose wheat pale ale from local Little Harpeth Brewing that wasn't sour, but had a little tartness that was pleasant and tolerable.  

6/25 - I took a solo trip into Nashville tonight to catch a showing of the 25th Anniversary of Forrest Gump at the Hollywood 27 Theaters (recliners!).  It is still one of my most vivid memories of seeing a movie in a theater (the gunfire in the Vietnam scenes is downright scary).  I am still not sure it should have won Best Picture over The Shawshank Redemption, but it's a damn fine film.
Beforehand, I stopped by Craft Brewed for a libation.  I had a terrific Wisconsin Stout from Untitled Art Brewing (Milwaukee, WI).  I moved across the street next to the Melrose location of M.L. Rose Craft Beer and Burgers to catch a few innings of Vandy baseball in the College World Series.  There I had a solid Official Hazy IPA from Bell's Brewery (MI) and a light and refreshing Ripple White Ale from 4 Hands Brewing (St. Louis) that was perfect with a slice of orange floating in it.  (Editor's note:  Vandy went on to win Game 2 of the series, forcing a decisive Game 3 tonight vs. Michigan for the title.  Go Dores!  Anchor Down!)(Second editor's note:  Vandy took the 2019  title in Game 3!!)

6/26 - The online poker success continued tonight with a decent 3rd place finish from a fairly large 90+ field.  With the buy-in and an add-on, I cleared just over $90 in profit.

6/30 - We had a great lazy weekend spent mostly in the pool, and today I ran over to Lebanon Wine and Spirits and got me a variety 3-pack to float around with.  I started with a decent bottle of the Double Bean Blonde by Schlafly Brewing (St. Louis).  Next up was a terrific draught can of Belhaven Black Nitro stout (Scotland), and then I ended with a one I have had before, but never checked in on UNTAPPD:  a bottle of the solid Turbodog English-style brown ale from Abita Brewing (LA).   

Yellow is a nice color because it reminds me of....beer.