Friiiiiiiiiiiiday, Friiiiiiiiiiiiiiiday, hate to wear pants on Friiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiday!
Just wanted to let everyone know, in case you weren’t aware, that it is, in fact, Friday. And though I’m no Rebecca Black, I’ve got big plans for this freakin’ weekend! On the agenda:
- Going out with one of my best friends and fellow Floretine study (a)broads, Kinsley!
Margaritas in the Hard Rock? When in Rome.... (literally. we were in Rome.)
Haven’t seen her in WAY too long, and I expect a night of joy and joyness. In fact, a whole weekend of it.
- UNC FOOTBALL!!
I LOVED reading that Nicole of Sugar-Coated Sisters is fired up for her first game as a USC Trojan! I, on the other coast, can hardly see straight with my excitement for Tar Heel football starting tomorrow!!
- Shopping.
I’m going to try to control myself. Gotta watch this one. But I AM picking up my new TV!!
Clearly, some good ish…. even though it’s no long weekend beach trip. Or my standard fare of a trip to Oxford, MS. Times, they are a-changing.
As I mentioned in my post on Old Salem Tavern, there was more fun to be had in Winston Salem. Fun in the form of my favorite sudsy beverage.
Come to mama!
After prepping for the next day of training for work I looked at my clock, not feeling tired at all, and realized it was only a little after nine. Well, I consulted the glory of the internet, after tweeting a call to arms about fun to be had in Winston Salem, and realized that Foothills Brewing Brewpub was within walking distance of my hotel. Say WHAT?!
I wasted no time in hitting the ground running (walking. carefully) over to the pub. Thanks to advice from one of my fellow Girls’ Pint Out buddies, Anna, I reviewed the menu and despite the fact that it was $3 pint night, I went for something a little different.
Much better than that delayed Southwest Flight
6 full size samples, 3 of their seasonal samples in a smaller form, all for $7.99?!?! I DIE!
This is the very best way of visiting a new brewery/brewpub. I was able to enjoy a little bit of everything without getting drunk, and could focus on the flavors without clearing out my wallet. I was able to meet some friendly locals who hooked me up with a little information on their favorites. Some highlights? (If you follow me on untappd, feel free to gloss over this part)
- Barrel Aged People’s Porter-Fantastic porter, creamy rich and delicious, I could taste the almost chocolatey bourbon in the aftertaste.
- Hoppyum IPA-This hoppy beer is never not good. A pretty classic IPA, it’s got some tasty citrus notes too!
- Seeing Double IPA-Wow. You’d never expect the ABV content by tasting this beer (it’s 9.5%). It’s smooth, delicious, and the mouthfeel is actually enjoyable.
I loved being able to just relax and (very slowly) enjoy all that Foothills had to offer. Even with tip, I left without spending more than $11 and enjoyed every second. The bartender was nice, knowledgeable, and friendly, especially without being too pushy. He let me make my own choices and even talked a little beer with me. I know it was slow, it was a Monday, but it meant a lot.
Thanks for the hospitality, new friends! Can't wait to go back!!
On my way out of WS, I stopped by City Beverage to pick up something new that I’ve never tried before (seriously, that was my only condition. other than that, I was open to everything.)
Oldies are the goodies.
The glassware put my own collection to shame, and they had an adorable tasting room but, like a fool in love, I was so enamored with looking at all the pretty bottles that I skipped taking a picture of that. Trust me, though, it’s adorable, it’s wooden, and it smells of rich mahogany (real talk.)
Want em all.
View from the bottom
The selection was amazing, and I was totally overwhelmed, but finally managed to waltz out of there with some tasty bevvies….
You’ll just have to wait and see what they were, though.
Have you ever tried a flight of beers? How about a beer tasting?
What’s a hidden gem in your town? Beer related if you’d like, but really, I’ll accept any/everything!
Who knows, maybe one day I’ll visit!
Food, Sweat, and Beers 
I went to Sippin’ By the River in Philly last year and it was so much fun. Going to a ladies only beer pairing dinner later this month (wish you were coming!). I love your white-ish top!! I’m still discovering all the hidden gems in my town!
GAH isn’t that top the best? Just got in on ideeli’s ULTRA MEGA SUPER SALE and ob-sessed.
my little brother (who is a UNC undergrad) and his friends dressed up as bananas his first year there for a football game and made national TV. Multiple times. And my parents loved that the commentators said when they saw them .. “and to think that their parents are paying how much to send these kids to school here?” Every time I hear someone talk about UNC football, I now think of my brother, the banana, amid a sea of carolina blue.
I think I’d like to meet that brother of yours. I’ve only ever painted up before, but I was interviewed for the DTH b/c of it, so basically FAMOUS CITY, USA! POPULATION: me.
The Foothills flight looks like such a deal!! How big were the samples? 4 ounces? I’m trying really hard to think if I’ve ever had a beer flight but I don’t think I have… There are a handful of breweries I’ve been dying to go to but they’re all past Napa which is a good 2 hr trip. I suggested Kyle + I go with his parents next weekend but then he decided to steal that gem of an idea and go on the day after (when I’m busy). Lame.
Hidden gem – I can offer two ice cream suggestions: Sweet Retreat (huge portions + cheap + made locally) and Marianne’s (it’s in Santa Cruz and so so so goood)…. I’m pretty sure Gordon Biersch brews their goods in San Jose I should go check it out to see if they offer tours!
Brewery tours are the best! And I’d say the small ones were about 2-3 oz while the larger ones felt like they were at least 5. This was a TOTAL deal, I should’ve photographed next to a full pint.
Whenever I go to a brewpub for the first time, I order a flight of beers. It’s the best way to decide what I want!
i live in harrisburg pa and the bar next door has 48 craft beers on tap. it’s a blessing and a curse, haha. they aren’t a brewpub, but i still keep suggesting they offer tasting trays or something similar.. you know, so you can try a bunch of different ones and remember it the next day.
if you’re into barrel-aged porters — check out port brewing’s older viscosity (if you can find it; it’s so rare, i had to buy a 14 oz. bottle online for $30) or weyerbacher’s insanity and also their heresy. best beers on the planet.
Oh boy…never done a beer tasting before! But, it sounds like you had a great time :).
My hidden gem is The Eddy Pub in Saxapahaw. 4 miles from my house, the hubs and I could surely hoof it home if it came to that–and it just might sometime.
$7.99 for all that?! Psshh. I’m there. Roadtrip/sleepover to the big WS!!!
Saxapahaw is on my to-visit list as well, fancy that!!
I did a beer and pizza tasting last week! You would of loved it. I really try to like beer, as I love carbonation and alcohol, but I just can’t find a beer I am crazy about. Teach me the ways!
ah, that’s a tragedy in and of itself, Sierra! I think we just need to buy 1,000 beers of every taste/ABV/aroma imaginable and do an epic taste-off. There are so many crazy beers that I’d never even imagined, but they are mind-bogglingly delicious.
Oooh I love beer flights! I get them whenever I can! A local brew pub here does them. I also had one in VA this past April that just blew me away!
We have another tavern here that has 69 microbrews on tap at all times, and you can get a “rack” – which is four 6 oz glasses – of any flavors you want. I always try new stuff when I go there! I’ve found some incredible beverages that I enjoy regularly now by doing that!
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