Pre-Birthday Festivities, aka, Super Fun Times

My birthday was on Sunday, but the festivities began Saturday afternoon. Rico and I attended Fifty Fest at Fifty West Brewery, and tried some great local, and local-ish brews. My favorite of the afternoon was Gin Bunny by Christian Moerlein, with Kerfuffle Mild by Yellow Springs Brewing coming in a close second.

Rico looks pensive, but I promise he is having a good time!

I tried to give Rhinegeist another shot, with their Franz Oktoberfest brew, but it just didn't do it. I have discovered with Rhinegeist that their beer has flavor for the first second that it hits your tongue... After that, it just falls flat. I really don't understand all of the hype around Cincinnati about
their beer. I guess it goes to show what great marketing will get you. Anyhoo....

We headed out before getting too toasty, so we could get ready for dinner. We invited our friends Teasha and Dan to join us for a pre-birthday dinner at our favorite restaurant, Scotti's. If you haven't been, Scotti's is a fantastic, old school, hole in the wall Italian restaurant downtown. When my grandfather was still with us, we would go to Scotti's, and he would talk to "Mama" about the old
country. I believe Mama was either the mother or grandmother of the owners. It is always a great time, and brings a slight tear to me eye to remember my grandfather. No pics from dinner (too dark)' but I did get this gorgeous shot of the evening sky.

After dinner, we headed to Dean's Hops & Vines for some post dinner drinks. Deans has become my favorite bar on our side of town. It is a casual place, but has a fantastic craft beer and wine selection.  And the bourbon... Oh the bourbon...

The drinks *may* have something to do with our Olan Mills photo re-creations...

I call this one "Drunken Contemplation" or "This Took Us 4 Tries"

We decided that we would all look in different directions. Trust me, it was easier that way.

We headed out relatively early, so Rick and I would be in good shape for my birthday tea Sunday afternoon. More about that later!

It was a great night, with great friends, and definitely made me file like one special birthday girl!