The Mug and Wine Club BBQ
Today was the 1st annual Journeys mug and wine club BBQ - so I went up the hill to enjoy the “private event” with a good sized group of other mug & wine club members. Had a pint of the great ESB that they have on tap right now, from a Bend brewery called Silver Moon Brewing. There’s the ESB which I like, and and IPL, which is India Pale LAGER (and is a little too sharp for my taste). The current story is that Journeys is the first and only pub to have these brews on tap, and Bob drove the kegs up from Bend himself. One of the great things about Journeys is the amount of regional brews that one can get exposed to - and I pretty much just drink the reds. For me, since I’m not the type to go on brewery tours and I don’t drink beer at home, this is the only way I’d get exposed to some of these beers.
And this is probably even MORE true for wine. I haven’t done any wine drinking at Journeys, but I definitely am impressed by the continual parade of new labels, vintages, and varietals. Did I mention that they have port? A friend of mine introduced me to port at Legal Sea Foods in Boston one night some years back and I definitely appreciate it. One night I’ll have to go the non-beer route.
Still, I’m a mug club member (#16), which was a good deal even before today, but the spread that Bob & Shannon put out for us really put it over the top. Plus we got shiny permanent membership cards! Great food and did I mention free beer and wine? It was hot, but the conversation was good, the company was exceptional with all the regulars in house and it was REALLY hot but the outside tables were still pleasant.
Man, I am so glad this bar lived up to what I hoped it would be. Journeys has been a great addition to the neighborhood and is going strong. Thanks Bob & Shannon, and all the staff - today was really great.