The holidays are never long enough, are they? …
On Monday Jan 2, late in the afternoon, I received a text from our friend Vince, asking if anyone was up to one last holiday Happy Hour … silly man … you're askin' the Jax Brew Bitch that question?
Although already comfortably clad in our “skivvies”, we neither wanted to miss out – or be labeled “slackers” - so we got dressed and met him and our friends, Teresa and Marco at European Street over in San Marco.
Companion and I split a Reuben Special which is smoked pastrami and corned beef, melted Swiss cheese with sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing – served hot on our choice of bread (sourdough) – mountain of chips. Yummers ….
We shared our Happy Hour 2-for-1 large glasses of Bold City Dukes Cold Nose Brown Ale and Lagunitas IPA.
Service was friendly and thorough but could have been a little more proactive. Overall, I was pleased with the waiter and the ambiance of the interior.
Second day of the new year … and starting it off well with back-to-back days of fine fellowship and food!
I hope each of you had a safe, memorable and blessed Christmas and New Years!
Thank you European Street for your amazing Happy Hour! … I'll definitely be back on future prowls ...
Motivated to invade one more establishment prior to the Jeep turning back into a pumpkin at midnight, I sent a text to Springfield Brew Crew Marc Wisdom and he responded with a directive to meet at Kickbacks Gastropub. Setting the Jeep on auto-pilot, we found ourselves, once again, at a table inside Kickbacks.
Companion and I shared:
· Lost Coast Brewery Winterbraun Brown Ale
· Bell's Brewery Java Stout
· Southern Tier Brewing Company Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale
WOW !!! … all three were amazingly tasty …
Phin & Matt's is an eye-opening American style pale ale brewed with whole hops and malted barley. The taste was not affected (at least negatively) by the previous Java Stout, which of course had that strong coffee influence but with an initial suggestion of sweet chocolate followed up with a mild bitter finish.
The Winterbraun brown was not too surprising but very good and was it a wisp of nutmeg I held in my nostrils during the first sip? … seemed like it with a far-off note of licorice … definitely one I would like to have around the house!
Although I had warded off the freakin' Flying Fried Fairy after European Street, the good brews had to have something to accompany them, so we opted for an order of the Roasted Shrimp Dip – something I had not tried before. GLAD I DID!
The table got quiet all of a sudden as we all dug into this thick delicious dip with the accompanying multi-colored chips. So good … I think I will ask next time if I can substitute their bread for the chips – if so, this dish may replace the French Mushroom Dip as my fav. Get out today and go get some! … I'll be your hero.
The place was extremely busy but service was good – I was able to see Adrian and Kat quickly as they hustled through the establishment. Actually, it seems we were waited upon by a host of folks - all were friendly – and maybe a little tired - from all the holidays.
Nice beer, great friends and a wonderful fitting end to a Jax Brew Bitch holiday season!
Thank you to Steve and the crew at Kickbacks for helping us start 2012 so pleasantly!
