Happy Sunday, ladies and gentlemen!
It’s been an absolutely fantastic weekend, though not long enough (honestly, when are they ever?) I got to visit the beau in Manayunk for some significant other loving. We made candy corn pancakes, we watched football, we dominated in beer pong survived playing beer pong (read: thank goodness for Ry’s years in a fraternity that played BP compulsively, because I maybe made 2 cups the entire night), and we cuddled during Cake Boss. Pretty much straight quality.
Before the glory of the weekend, though, there was the Science of Beer. On Thursday night, The North Carolina Museum of Life and Science held one of their ever-popular “Museum After Hours” events called the Science of Beer. Though I am in the process of writing a more complete description of the event for a later release, I figured I’d share a few of the sillier, more personal bits and pieces with you all.
1. Like a Kid on Christmas Eve
I was stoked for this event. Seriously antsy. I’m every marketer’s dream consumer. All you have to do is tell me an event is sold out, or a product is limited release, and I jump at the opportunity. So yes, we may have gotten there a half hour early and waited at the door like parents outside of Target on Black Friday. And most of the time, I was peering anxiously through the door.
Not unlike this
But we were the proud owners of the designation “First Ladies in the Doors.” Suck on that, little kids who were also waiting to get in (for the Science of Root Beer). Teach you to challenge me.
2. KOOZIE KRAZY!
The first station we went to (of course, after filling our tasting cups?)
DIY KOOZIES!!
If you guessed mine was the obnoxious pink one with my initials on it…. you clearly know me too well.
Melissa and I showing off our stuff
On the other side, I had a Moon sticker and made it say “I’m over the moon [sticker] for craft beer!”
I’m a class act.
3. Gender Beer Bias?
Maybe I’ve been thinking too much about chick beer but when I walked up to the “lab” and saw the sign below, I was like,
WHOAH GENDER BEER BIAS THIS IS GOING TO BE THE COOLEST DISPLAY EVER!!
Wishful thinking?
Sadly, as I looked closer, I was disappointed to find out a) it was GENETIC beer bias and b) my genetics determined I was totally insensitive to the “bitter factor” of beer.
Couldn't even taste it.
Oh well, so I couldn’t taste bitter paper (or beer). NBD. All the more beer for me to enjoy.
4. The Most Educational Game of Beer Pong Ever
The absolute most awesome part of The Science Beer?
Beer Pong Physics?! SIGN ME UP!
Even though this weekend with the beau, we quickly realized that real beer pong might not be my forte, apparently, when it comes to the physics of the game, I’ve got it down pat.
Check out that bend in the knee.
They tracked our throws with a video and noted all the spots our ball hit to track the trajectory. SCIENCE AT IT’S FINEST!
AND IT'S GOOD!!
Scientifically, I'm on point.
So there’s no real reason why I shouldn’t sink every cup. That’s just a scientific fact, right there. Both Melissa and I sunk our cups, allowing us the honor of putting our names on the Wall of Fame.
Jealous?
5. Why Aren’t Beer Cans What They Used to Be?
Beer cans through the ages!
The folks at the Rusty Bunch brought an intimidating amount of beer cans to show the evolution over time. I definitely found a favorite:
PBR can the size of my skull? Sure.
I’m currently working with the folks at PBR to bring this one back.
I’ll let you know if I make any progress.
6. Food Truck FIESTA!!
This was for the two of us.
The Rasta from Will and Pop’s (jerk chicken, pepper jack, and mango chutney grilled sandwich), Porkedamame Dumplings from Chirba Chirba (spell-check may be needed for that last one) and, the coup de gras, from Valentino’s , pale ale battered jalapeno poppers stuffed with mozzarella and NORTH CAROLINA BBQ!! Jalapeno poppers might be the fried food of my dreams. I imagine, in Heaven, all foods will be served like appetizers. And jalapeno poppers will be used as a palate cleanser.
Every bite of this meal, split between Melissa and me, was divine. I promise, it wasn’t just the beer talking. It was the most indulgent meal I’ve had in recent history but worth every messy, drippy, fried bite.
Note the Rapture of my face? That's popper induced rapture.
It was, in a word, BEERTASTIC!
And, in a less made-up word: paradise.
For a craft beer lover, for a food truck lover, and a fan of all things Triangle, it was just paradise.
How was your weekend?
Have you ever been to an after hours event at a local museum?
I get the feeling that I’ll be signing myself right up for the Science of Wine in February…
Food, Sweat, and Beers 