The little lady I am so lucky to spend my days with had been bugging me for years to take a trip around the world. Now being the highly cultured individual I am I love to travel like the next guy, but Europe, Asia...I am leary of any place that trades toilet paper for a sink nozzle and water jet. (After all my livelihood was built around bathroom paper products, and of course shower curtain rings.)
Either way, she wanted to see the world...and finally i caved in...
Our trip started in Belgium, after all one shold start small and move on up from there....and it was the perfect place to start. As i drank down a Pale Ale brewed from the monks and monestaries I smiled, almost able to taste the fresh seafood, particularly the mussels this country is famous for.
Not realizing this country was so small, we took what seemed like only a few steps and found ourselves in the wonderful world of the Netherlands, Amsterdam to be exact. With a Heineken in hand we drank and laughed and mingled with the other Americans hovering around this beer mecca.
We walked slightly to our left and found ourselves amidst the hillsides of Ireland. Sipping on a Harp, I noticed that the limeys over here are not all that different from the local color of Panama City Beach.
We continued working our way around the tables of the world...stopping in a corner of Europe called Germany for some good Beck's and Bratwurst. I never knew Germany was on an ocean....
As we sat in the mythical culture of Japan, sipping on a Sappiro, I noticed that Terry Torres of Schooners was playing here as well...wow these Europeans are not all that bad...and they speak pretty good english...
As the sun set upon the hills of Britain, we drank back one last bottle(hey that sounds like that gambler song by that Kenny G guy...) And as the little lady and relaxed onto some barstools, we heard the loud bang of a cannon. Even over hear, the brits celbrate their sunsets, just as we do at our favorite watering hole in the states....wait when did James start working in Britain?
Turns out we were in Schooners all the time...it must be their World Beer Festival. With the cannon bringing me back to reality, I looked around and recognized all the same faces...the silly british girl who entertains at sunset...Larry behind the bar telling jokes while warming his quests with libations of his creation, Dan at the door making sure all is okay, over there is that Toni lady that is always drinking in here and her friend Shannon (is she drunk again?)....its so nice to be home after a long trip...
I can't wait until next years trip around the world....The World Beer Festival is a blast. Heck, the last time I had this much fun goin' round the world, was when I was 16 and it was after prom, and I...well I idigress, it was fun all the same!