Hop Safari Journal

The Texas Capital Building in Fog

2012-02-05T20:10:34Z

The Texas Capital Building looked like a magical fortress from Norse mythology, wrapped in glowing mist.

All the lights punching up into the fog around it made it really stand out compared to the rest of downtown. For most of my walk from work to my parking garage, the Capital hides behind another building. I knew something interesting must be happening because a glowing tower of fog rose from behind the obscuring building.

When I reached the garage, I could finally see how the fog was swirling around the Capital and diffusing the light. I snapped this shot from a staircase near my car.

Table Ten Po'Boy

2012-02-05T16:17:19Z

Bread to the sandwich is what the first scene is to a movie. If the first minutes of a movie find you trimming your toenails, you probably won't appreciate the rest. Likewise, if a sandwich comes stuffed between two slices of government subsidized carbohydrate foam, you'll probably hope that a friendly bear steals your picnic.

The bread that encased my Po'Boy at Emeril's Table Ten in Las Vegas was so good that I may not have noticed if they forgot the filling.

The bread's texture was perfect: a light crunchy crust with a featherly light interior. Good gracious. I'm going back.

P.S.: The fries only look gigantic because I used a crazy wide angle fisheye lens to take this photo.

Nam Kao Tod

2012-01-15T17:50:14Z

If you ever visit Las Vegas, my instructions are as follows:

Visit Lotus of Siam
Order the Nam Kao Tod (crispy fried rice)
Savor the Nam Kao Tod

I couldn't get enough of the texture and the flavor. Just look at it! Doesn't it look exciting and new? I can't even look at it without feeling hungry. I'll be back.

Winning at the Great American Beer Festival

2012-01-11T15:00:00Z

In terms of professional recognition, are there any honors higher than those awarded by peers? For brewers in the United States, the largest peer judged competition would have to be the Great American Beer Festival. Hundreds of breweries enter thousands of beers to be judged in a blind tasting by judges carefully picked from the beer industry.

If you've watched similar industry competitions, like the Academy Awards, you might imagine evening gowns, tuxedos, and drinks that call for an extended pinky finger. At GABF, folks are a bit more down to earth, even if they feel every bit as excited. Check out these winners:

The folks who wear the medals are hot stuff, yet all you really need to meet them and try their beer is a ticket to GABF. Isn't the beer industry great? High five!

A Taste of Ethiopia

2012-01-07T23:29:30Z

Some foodie friends and I recently shared a meal at Taste of Ethiopia in Pflugerville. We shared huge platters of Ethiopian food, ate with our hands, and participated in a traditional coffee ceremony with freshly roasted coffee and frankincense.

This was my first experience at an Ethiopian restaurant. I'm eager to have many more.

Art at New Belgium

2012-01-02T19:14:35Z

Beer themed art fills New Belgium's brewery. I have a theory that most folks would be happier working in an environment filled with art rather than a more plain environment, even if art-free means more expensive fixtures and finish. Since New Belgium has both art and really nice buildings it doesn't really prove my theory, but people working here sure seem to enjoy life.

This lenghty light fixture made of beer bottles fills a stair well at New Belgium. I'm not sure if my photo has the same effect, but the actual installation stopped me in my tracks. I really like the sense of motion it conveys.

A Trip to New Belgium

2011-12-10T20:11:37Z

On the second day of GABF, I was able to join the crews from (512) Brewing Company and Live Oak Brewing Company for a trip to Fort Collins, Colorado. Our first stop was New Belgium Brewing, almost certainly the most beautiful brewery I've ever visited. Not only are the grounds and structures gorgeous, but the folks working there seemed incredibly happy.

This is where we signed in to our VIP tour at New Belgium. Check out the table made from bicycle wheels. Bikes, art, and unusual sculptures are a theme here.

You get a nice, big tasting glass inside the visitor center. Along the tour, taps seem to sprout everywhere. Like I said: fantastic place.

New Belgium has a nice keg sculpture featuring some of their values. I don't see too many businesses putting such effort in building their culture. I love it!

Finally, a mosaic surrounding one of their brew vessels. Delicious beer only tastes better in such fantastic surroundings. Beautiful!

Thanks to (512) Brewing Company for driving me out to Ft. Collins and letting me join them on their tour. Thanks again to Independence Brewery for making it possible to attend GABF!

More to come...

Photos from the Great American Beer Festival Day 0

2011-10-23T14:25:48Z

The first day of GABF started at Great Divide's famous industry party. For many brewers, this is the last stop for relaxation before the busy work of GABF begins. When the doors open at the conference center, it's time for pouring beers, talking to fans, trying new beers, and in my case, enjoying cooking demonstrations and beer pairings at the Beer and Food Pavilion.

Many thanks to Independence Brewing for making it possible to attend GABF this year!

Photos from the Great American Beer Festival: Day -1

2011-10-19T14:40:49Z

The day before GABF is reserved for finding your beer friends and enjoying a few pints before the excitement begins. You can find more of my pre-GABF photos here.

Texas Craft Brewers Festival

2011-09-20T14:36:21Z

Where will I be this Saturday, September 24 from 2 until 8pm? I will chilling on the banks of the Colorado river at the Texas Craft Brewers Festival!

18 Breweries will be there serving the more than 75 beers on tap. Some of the breweries are so new that they're still minty fresh -- or spicy hot in the case of Twisted X. You can bet I'll be there with my camera. Look for the guy with the big camera and red Hop Safari shirt.

*Thanks fo the festival for inviting me!