Last night we attended the birthday party for Dr. Jo’s husband, Chris. The party was held at the Pinatubo Brewery in San Marcelino. I’d heard of it, but never been, so I was looking forward to the visit.
When I arrived, I jokingly asked the waitress for a San Miguel Zero. She told me I’d have to go to the 7-11 store for that. Obviously, the only beers on offer were those brewed in the building. And although I am a consummate consumer of beer, I am not a connoisseur. Hell, I don’t even know the difference between a pilsner and a lager. Serious beer drinkers deride my usual preferences as “making love in a canoe” (both fucking close to water). Hey, to each his own. So, last night, I was faced with six locally brewed options with no clue as to where to start (the bar did offer a taste of each in a shot glass, but that seemed pointless to me–you haven’t had a beer until you’ve finished the bottle. Chris suggested I try one of his favorites, The Golden Nectar Pilsner, and that’s where I started.
I wanted to do a lager next to see if I could discern any differences from the pilsner, so I did a Crown Lager. It was good, but I couldn’t say that I liked it better than the Golden Nectar, so I had another one of each to help me make up my mind. Chris dropped by to check on my progress and suggested I try one of the dark beers. I said, I don’t like dark beer, and realized how racist that sounded. So, I checked my white privilege and ordered a Dark Angel Lager.
As time went on, I began to feel those pangs of hunger.
Like the beers, I wasn’t sure what I should order. When I was a kid growing up in Southern Cal, there was a fast food hot dog chain named Der Wienerschnitzel. So, I ordered the Wiener Schnitzel from the menu. Fool that I am, I was expecting a hot dog dish. This is what I got instead:
So, I’m a big fan of open-air bars with a view, and the Pinatubo Brewery provided that. And as an added bonus:
Anyway, I really enjoyed hanging out at the Pinatubo Brewery last night. I mentioned to Chris that the owner should put up some small cottages to rent for a night for out-of-town guests like me. Another idea I had was that the owner could open a brewery branch in Barretto, and I know just the spot–Subiza! That resort needs a reason to exist, and if they offered freshly brewed craft beers in the open-air setting on the bay, I think it would be a big hit.
Chris and Dr. Jo picked up the tab for everything last night–all the beers and all the food. I’m sure that was a pretty penny for them and much appreciated by their guests. I gave the four waitresses a big tip to thank them for all their hard work serving us. Good times!
The other part of my Friday was the group hike in the morning.
Six years ago I was doing a river hike in Pyeongtaek.
Looks to have been a good time. Happy Birthday to the birthday boy.
The saddest thing I’ve seen in a long time.
You have to wonder whether poverty is a choice for some people. If you gave that family a proper home to live in, would they stay in it, or would they act like “mama”?
That’s a good point. When we walked by there today, Swan, who by her nature is very generous, wasn’t really sympathetic. She shook her head when she saw the newborn baby and said there is no excuse for having a kid when you can’t afford a place to live. And yeah, I briefly thought about maybe doing a mama thing, but I’m already supporting one family, and my charity budget is about maxed out.
“What a lucky girl”! I was thinking more along the lines of,” what a lucky guy”! Your main squeeze is looking sexy in that pic.
“The saddest thing I’ve seen in a long time”. If you really want to be saddened, take a walk through LA or San FranSicko or any other liberal city. Block after block after block of homeless. At least you don’t have to dodge human waste and used needles.
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! From the moment you raised your left arm in a photo-op at the US embassy in Seoul, I knew you were a lefty. Drinking a dark beer even though dark beer sucks. All in the name of diversity, equity and inclusion. When it comes to beer McCrarey, I believe in meritocracy not inclusion. In fact, I penned these words last night:
“I have a dream that one day I will live in a nation where my beer will not be judged by the color of its liquid but by the content of its character”.
Peace Out!
In certain circles, Wiener Schnitzel Is sometimes also another slang term for ladyboy. As in, “I don’t know, bro, that one might be a Wiener Schnitzel. Better ask mama to clarify.”
DS, So, Wiener Schnitzel is German for “a girl with something extra”? Good to know!
Soju, Good luck to us both, then!
Yeah, that kind of poverty stands out here, but it is run-of-the-mill shit in my “rich country” back home.
Damn, dude, you remember that Embassy photo? I cringe whenever I see it again. But you’ve got it wrong–if you are left-handed, you are in your right mind. Look it up–the science is settled! And dark beers need love, too. I live in a land of brown beauties, might as well drink it in!
Well said, Martin Luther Soju! You are the King—or at least the head Honcho.
“head honcho” Let me be clear on this. This honcho does not give head! (Not that there’s anything wrong with that)
Peace Out!