Bar Towel Road Trip?

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 2:58 pm

We had a small Bar Towel gathering last night, and the discussion turned toward a "Bar Towel Road Trip". There were a couple of options that were bandied about, and I wanted to see if there was interest amongst the Bartowellers to organize one.

First option: Peterborough Region.

Thinking a day trip to eastern Ontario, which would include stops at KLB and Church Key, with lunch at the Olde Stone and dinner at St. Veronus. This one would definitely be easy to organize and pretty cheap for everyone. However, many of us have visited these places and tried all of the beers available.

Second option: Buffalo.

A day trip to Premier Gourmet and some of the interesting beer places in Buffalo, including Pearl St., Flying Bison and Pizza Plant. Lyle has offered to host an event tasting at Premier; perhaps we take him up on this and hit some of the pubs. The Good: interesting beer and new places. The Bad: border issues, since we would have to pay tax on the beer we brought back since we're not staying for 48hrs.

Third option: Buffalo and Cleveland.

The biggest and costliest trip, but probably the most fun. This would be a 48-hour trip, thereby getting a case of beer duty-free. Basically take the Buffalo trip from option 2, but head to Cleveland on the 2nd day to hit Great Lakes, the rock 'n roll hall of fame and any other interesting places there. Cleveland is only about 200 mi. from Buffalo, so all this is probably do-able in a three-day weekend.

Thoughts?

Cass

joey_capps · Post by **joey_capps** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 3:37 pm

I'm up for any of the option, but I particularly like the third. Of course, any trip would depend on when. That being said, let's go for it.

Josh Oakes · Post by **Josh Oakes** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 5:09 pm

Option A might be extended to include the Kingston Brewing Co. Just an idea.

Option C would be a challenge to put together, given the shenanigans in organizing the purchase of a case of beer around here. I'm well-booked for beer trips through mid-summer but would certainly consider a fall expedition. It does sound like fun.

DAN-D-MAN · Post by **DAN-D-MAN** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 5:47 pm

Hi Cass.

I'm in for any of the trips above.

Perhaps another trip to consider, though very close, would be the Oakville / Mississauga / Burlington area.

Get brewery tours of Black Oak, Cameron's new facility, Trafalgar and Robinson's, then pop in to a couple of restaurants including the Pepperwood Bistro. All but Cameron's have sales of their beer in kegs and bottles right from their brewery. I'd even be willing to make most if not all of the arrangements for this one.

Forgot to mention that Paul Dickey, Master Beer Judge, has even offered to host a Bartowel event at Pepperwood Bistro anytime!

[ This Message was edited by: DAN-D-MAN on 2003-02-18 17:53 ]

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 7:01 pm

I like the sound of all of these, including the Mississauga/Burlington outing (maybe including a stop at the Rak'n'Tap as well - or is that out of the way from the other places?)

I agree with Josh, though, that the logistics of the weekend trip might be difficult, unless it's planned quite a while in advance (i.e. start planning now for late summer or fall).

Otherwise, assuming the dates work for me, I'll make it out to as many Bar Towel road trips as possible.

Greg

[ This Message was edited by: GregClow on 2003-02-18 19:05 ]

Maudite · Post by **Maudite** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 10:47 pm

I was planning on heading out to Premier with another beer rep in April. I haven't been to Premier in almost a year and could use a healthy fix of great beers. Let me know, I would have two available seats in my civic. Depending on how many people are up for it, I could speak with some of my hotel contacts to perhaps receive a discount rate at a sister company or so. Whoever receives this potential discount must consume a bottle of terrible within 20 minutes.

The other possibility is visiting Walkerville in Windsor and crossing the border for a great piss up. I know everyone at Walkerville. Just tossing out another option of course. Claude.

Tar Bowel · Post by **Tar Bowel** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 11:59 pm

I don't know if I actually trust any of you. Does anyone know each other in real life?

j@beaus · Post by **j@beaus** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 12:34 am

Dan we are selling out of the brewery now. The store front is not done yet so you have to go into the cold room to grab a 9 pack or a keg.

If you want to make the trip really sloppy you could head to Dundas to the Thirsty Cactus. They have one of our products and at least 5 Black Oak products on Tap. Finished off with a stumble to the Winking Judge to end the night in a coma.

Claudibroue I hope that rep you're going to buffalo with is me? I'll drink a case of terrible in 20 min. if you'll take me.

All these trips sound great.

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 1:01 am

I'm not sure if you're being facetious, Tar Bowel, but yes, a good number of us have met and socialized in person.

None of the Bar Towellers I've met in real life have been psychos or weirdos - but then again, I haven't met you or Bailey yet, so that could change...

Greg

Tar Bowel · Post by **Tar Bowel** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 1:07 am

What me facetious?

Never.

I'm new here and didn't realize the amount of beer related incest.

joey_capps · Post by **joey_capps** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 5:10 pm

Everyone I've met has been cool and fun to hang out with. How freakin scary can beer geeks be?. We often end up at the same events anyway.

Joe

BTW I have never hid behind a pseudonym (well at least here anyway

)

Kent · Post by **Kent** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 7:47 pm

A few points:
- If there is going to be a trip to Cleaveland, Buckeye Brewing is a must visit. (I would even rate it higher than G.L.)
- I think the Oakville/Burlington trip would be great to start off with.It would be easier to co-ordinate and potentially less scarry for Mr. Bowel.
- Last point. Are some of these plans a little too much. How much beer can we drink without it turning into a big drunk-fest?

- Bonus Comment: Buffalo would be another very good trip and Lyle has offered many times his hospitality.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 8:46 pm

Upon further reflection, I agree the Buffalo/Cleveland trip might be a little much for right now. Perhaps a smaller-scale trip would be a better idea to start off with.

So, we have:
1. Peterborough region
2. Oakville/Burlington region
3. Buffalo (Premier tasting)

By far the easiest would be to stay in-country. Perhaps we could group together and a) rent and/or b) get all our friends' cars? It would be great to plan for a Saturday when spring hits.

[ This Message was edited by: Cass on 2003-02-27 20:47 ]

Maudite · Post by **Maudite** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 11:33 am

Is this just a conversation piece or are we acutally planning on having an event. Let me know what you guys want to do so we can:

1. Find out who is serious about this.

2. Designate tasks to those. (i.e. Booking hotel rooms, finding great beer places, brewery tours, etc.)

3. Booking dates and places to explore.

4. Car pooling?

I don't feel like just speaking about these events anymore. I'm planning on heading out to Premier Gourmet in April. Dates will range since I am booked up at beer dinners and LCBO tastings. I'm thinking the third week of April should give us more than enough time to get this whole thing off the ground. Who's in and who's out?

Claude.

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 12:50 pm

Assuming the date(s) don't conflict with other committments, I'm interested in pretty much any of the road trips that have been proposed.

I also like Cass's idea of trying an in-country day trip first to see how it goes before making any more elaborate plans. Both the Eastern Ontario and Burlington/Oakville proposals sound good to me.

An excursion up north to check out Creemore Springs, Hockley Valley, and maybe Lakes of Muskoka would be an idea as well.

Greg