Michael S.
Yelp
One beer?
Alright, one beer ...
It was Friday night and, like so many others before it, the war of wills between dieting and drinking was being waged in my mind. I know, I know ... it's a silly amusement that always ends the same way, but, on this Friday, the mental gymnastics came to an abrupt end when my wife, my sweet lovely wife, said she wanted a beer ... just one little pint at Final Draft Taphouse on Mill Plain.
2 hours later ...
My liver was suddenly on a first name basis with the taptender (or is it beerista?) because at Final Draft Taphouse, there are 30 regional beers and ciders on tap. Picking one is hard. Sticking to just "one" is impossible.
Of course, one beer became two. It inevitably does ... when faced with the Shakespearean dilemma of "two beer or not two beer, that is the question." ... We all know the answer ... and followup poll of "3 beer or 6" ... You can do the math.
Along the way, we split some surprising pub grub and one regrettable panino. I'd easily get the simple, but satisfying Meat and Cheese plate with Salami, Duck, and Homemade Jerky plus Smoked Gouda, a Goat Spread, and young Manchego again. An addictive Romaine Wedge Salad was memorable; however, I hope I remember to pass on the Pastrami Panino next time. Anyways, we were here for just a beer, right?
As the dinner crowd came and went, my appreciation for local IPAs grew while my sobriety shrank ... thanks to a steady flow including Mass Ascension IPA (6.5% abv / 80 ibu) from Ex Novo (Portland, OR), Wild Fire IPA (7.5% abv / 72 ibu) from Barrel Mountain (Battle Grouind, WA), Fields of Green IPA (7,5% abv / ?? ibu) from Fort George (Astoria, OR), and Trickster IPA (6.9% abv / 68 ibu) from Black Raven (Woodinville, WA). The IPAs were refreshingly hoppy and tasted like I wasn't waking up until after noon.
One more beer?
Alright, just one more beer ...