Raffle Winner!

On Saturday we went to Dale Brothers Brewery for a Movember fundraiser. Mostly we went to see our friends and have a pint of Pomona Queen, one of my favorite beers.

Before we left, I bought two raffle tickets and on Monday I got a call from one of the organizers of the event to tell me that I had won one of the raffles. He dropped off my little basket of goodies which includes a grunt (small growler for filling with beer), a gift certificate for filling the grunt, a glass, a bottle opener and a coaster.

Fun!

Picasso's Blue Nude with Otterspace Arts at Claremont Craft Ales

Last night I figured out how I wanted to use some of my birthday money (thanks, Mom and Dad!). I got my friend Lynn to accompany me to Claremont Craft Ales where Otterspace Arts had a painting class. They hold these classes at CCA once a month on Wednesday evenings, and yesterday's class used Picasso's Blue Nude for inspiration.

The teachers walk you through the painting step-by-step, making the process very easy, but mostly really fun. I've looked at the photos on their website, and often people's pictures look pretty similar to each other's, but this painting allowed for many individual interpretations. I think I was inspired by the Fauvists in mine. Lynn's reminded me of the German Expressionists. 

I particularly enjoyed doing something completely different than I usually do. I would certainly do this again, and I would encourage anyone to give it a try.

Here is a series of pictures of my work in progress (I liked having the word "bonkers" behind the photos).

Rounds Burgers

Friday afternoon in photos

H had the car - umpiring the SCIAC softball tournament in Redlands, so I rode my bike up to Claremont Craft Ales.

Food Truck Friday featured the Rounds Burgers truck. I have been wanting to try this new eatery in south Claremont, so I thought I'd start with the truck.

Veggie Burger and a pint of Roble'd 

(not pictured: my dinner buddies Edris and Bob)

The burger was pretty good, but very loose and a little difficult to eat. The bun was pretty good. The fries were just ordinary, but they came with garlic aioli sauce (or other sauces of your choice).

Aftermath: I couldn't finish

I was not the only one who rode their bike ...

* * *

Day 27 - Clutter Cleanse: My college statistics text. If I haven't used it in over 30 years, chances are great (about 100%) that I won't. Donated.

Shameless Saturday at Dale Brothers

Here is a small-town story. Friday night I got a call from Lynn who said she had run into a friend at the CHS play. He's in a band called Sons of Claremont (no link here - they do not have an internet presence). Sons of Claremont was set to play a gig at Dale Brothers Brewery in Upland for St. Patrick's Eve, but that they didn't really have much Irish music in their line-up, and they invited Lynn and me (aka Drowsy Maggie - again, no link) to join them and do a few short sets. Of course we said we would.

As a fan of Pomona Queen beer from Dale brothers, I looked forward to having a pint (after we finished playing), and although we did not get any cash for playing, we did get free beer and free food from Hillbilly Tacos. I chose the taco (as opposed to the dog or the quesadilla). Basically it is a cornmeal pancake wrapped around pulled pork, cole slaw and sauce, and in honor of St. Paddy's day, the pancake was green. It was pretty good, despite what it may sound like.

So we played a few 30 minute sets and had a few people dancing a jig to our faster songs, although by the end of the second set our jigs had slowed a bit.

Claremont Craft Ales

The local craft beer selections just expanded with the opening of Claremont Craft Ales, located next to the Courier. Running out of one of the garages in the industrial park, the tasting room is open only on Friday and Saturday afternoons and early evenings.  On tap - 6 ales from light to dark. 

While there we ran into friends, which is always fun, and we enjoyed the incredibly laid-back nature of the place. We also enjoyed our favorite beerista, Sarah, who is working there very part-time to make money to take a trip to Paris. So, you should go help her in her goal!

Sarah

Here is the one wall that is decorated. My favorite saying (next to the Cheers sign) - In dog beers, I've only had one. Think about it.

I found that I liked the lightest beer - the Pomegranate. It was the least hoppy and very light and refreshing.