Tried a little Moose Drool tonight. Good stuff for sure. I'm thoroughly convinced I'm a fan of Brown Ale. It's officially on my tobrew list. I'd say it, Moose Drool, was a great combo between the Samuel Smith's Nut Brown and the Full Sail Nut Brown. with a darker color than the SS's, but more malty carmely goodness than the FS. A fantastic middle of the road compromise. Just delicious and enjoyable all around.
I went back to my old standby Bout Time Pub. A Miss Piggy look alike (to be fair she was in her early 20s and slimmer then miss piggy but not slim) decided to sit right next to me. She first wanted to clarify the price of a shot of well tequila then ordered it "dressed" and after pounding that she ordered a Bud Light. I was exploring different beers for purely research purposes and when I received my Epic Amber Ale she first spoke to me.
"Oh, is that a dark beer?"
"Yeah, It's a little bit dark. I'd probably call it middle of the road."
"Oh, dark beers..."
"Not a fan?"
"No. They can be really strong."
Now my beer nerd comes out, "Well, this one is only 4.8% alcohol, so it's really not too strong."
"Oh..."
I go about staring at the TV and playing with my phone.
"So, do you ever do shots?" She asks.
"Sure, sometimes. I'm more of a beer guy." Awkward pause. "I brew my own beer"
"Huh"
"Yeah, I'm sort of just doing some research." As I hold up the bottle of Epic Amber Ale and offer a nervous laugh.
"..."
"So, you don't really like dark beers?..."
"What's your favorite shot?" she asks, somewhat enthusiastically.
"Oh, well... I like whiskey, or rum, or whatever."
"Oh yeah, whiskey is my favorite."
"Oh, okay." Long awkward pause as I go back to looking at the TVs.
She gets up and walks away. I'm relieved.
I order fish and chips and an Epic IPA (spiral Jetty).
She comes back, smelling of cigarettes. "What's that?" she asks gesturing towards my beer.
"Oh, an Epic IPA. Have you ever had an IPA?"
"No."
"Seriously. You've never had an IPA? You're missing out."
"Oh" is her meek response. She goes back to milking her Bud Light, now about 1 hour old.
I play with my phone. She plays with her phone. She gets up again and I figure she's leaving. Good enough, the Jazz game is on.
She comes back, smelling fresh of cigarette smoke.
"What you got now?" She asks.
"An Evolution. Another good beer from a local brewery. You'd be surprised, so many good beers made locally. I mean, Utah, right?" Another nervous laugh.
"So, you like shots?"
"Sure, you wanna shot?"
"Oh, you want to buy me one?"
"Sure, what do you want?"
"You like tequila?"
"Sure, you want a tequila shot?"
"Oh, sure."
I wave to the bartender. "Two tequila shots."
"You want them dressed?" He asks. I know from her previous order.
"Yeah." We get our shots. She lifts her's immediately then looks at me for a second and sees that I'm holding mine, looking at her.
"Cheers." She offers and pours hers down.
"Cheers." I reply with a chuckle and drink my own.
My salad arrives from my fish and chips order and I concentrate on it.
I order another Evolution ale. I look over and can see the defeat in her face.
My fish and ships arrive amid me looking at the TV, watching the Jazz start the second qtr against the 'cats.
"You want another shot?" I ask her. "I've got to hit the road soon."
"Without finishing your beer?"
"Oh, I'll finish it" I say taking a chug.
"Sure" she says.
I wave down our bartender. "Two shots of tequila...well"
He makes the shots then asks if we want the dressed. "yes" I tell him somewhat overly sternly. She notices.
This time she's answering a text as we both lift our glasses and take the shot.
I eat the rest of my fish and chips, leaving the over-done chips, and chug my beer. "Well, It was nice meeting you."
"You too"
"Okay, bye." And I get out of my bar stool and make for the door. I wonder what dumb *** she's going to cling to next in the hope of getting a couple free drinks. Not me, I say to my self. Not me anymore, hahaha.