Well, well, finally some common sense and sensibility in the land of Mickey!! That’s right, after nearly 60 years beards are allowed back in the land that Walt built.
So don’t be afraid to let it grow! Where’s Dopey, it’s time to party!!
Beer Breakfast 2012 is fast approaching on Sat., March 24th at the Mandarin Hide once again…. spread the word!!
Mothers milk? Some might say that beer is just as important to us crazy humans…. learn a little something with a quick list of 10 intoxicating facts about…. beer. 
And have a very…. Merry Christmas!!
If the smell of fresh hops and barley in the air and the glare of cold stainless steel gets you excited, visiting Cigar City Brewing in Tampa might just make you think you’ve died and gone to Heaven!! Joined by an eager band of beer aficionado’s Wednesday night I was 
invited to the American Home Brewers Association’s official Rally held in the cozy confines of Cigar City’s 6,600 square foot production facility where towering stainless steel fermentors were hard at work turning water into BEER…. wonderful, delicious BEER.
Sampling from their own recent creations as well as a few local home brewers personal concoctions we enjoyed every last drop, meeting new friends and in the process increased our awareness and respect for beer and the folks who bring it to us in so many different ways.
One of the highlights of the night was meeting Charlie Papazian (pictured with me), the Godfather of home brewing. This guy is a nuclear engineer for goodness sakes! I told you guys (and my Mom!)….. BEER makes you smart!!
And to top it all off, I had the “golden ticket” (take that, Charlie!) and won a CCB embroidered jacket!! I highly recommend visiting Cigar City Brewing…. for the love of beer!
Original Article by Robert Trigaux, St. Pete Times Business Columnist
In Print: Thursday, December 1, 2011
Blogger comment by David Repka
Feeling blue? Just be glad you don’t live in not-so-sunny St. Petersburg, Fla. — St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press
• • •
Let’s give a hearty Bronx cheer to Men’s Health magazine for its off-the-cuff ranking of 100 American cities. By tagging St. Petersburg as the “saddest” nationwide, the magazine just delivered a publicity black eye at a sensitive time for St. Pete and Tampa Bay. The Pioneer Press and other newspapers in the Midwest — our primo feeder region for snowbirds and retirees — did more than just cover the “news” of the survey. (“St. Petersburg is the saddest city in America — beating out even unemployment-plagued Detroit,” the St. Paul, Minn., newspaper reports.)
[BLOGGER COMMENT: I grew up in Buffalo, NY and have traveled to sad, depressing places like Detroit, Philadelphia and Cleveland. St. Petersburg / Clearwater is a magical place of blue skies and limitless opportunities. Saddest? No way… most of the people you will meet are as happy as a fox eating sauerkraut.]
We raise a pint to our beloved Veteran’s today and give thanks for their bravery, courage and strength without whom this great nation of ours would simply not be……..
Did you know that many decisions and plans formulated by our founding fathers were conducted at the local Inn’s and Pubs of the day? To that we as Beer Breakfast aficianado’s can be proud.
Take a moment to learn about the founding of the Marine Corps on a cold fall night in Philadelphia on Nov. 10, 1775.
A legacy is born……
During the American Revolution, many important political discussions took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps. A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore.
The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines.
As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern’s owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776. On Nov. 10th and today on Veteran’s Day we celebrate the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines.
What an amazing first Beer Breakfast Excursion Neil and I had strolling Main Street in Lakewood Ranch, taste-testing many fine craft and specialty brews from all across this 
great planet of ours, several of which are local brewers who from meager beginnings cobbling together recipes in their garages (sound familiar Steve & Woz?) have now made it to the bottling & distribution stage.
Wonderful indeed and certainly worthy of a full fledged Beer Breakfast beer by beer review in an upcoming post. Or would that be a dedicated ‘BB Reviews’ section? Oh the possibilities!!
I gotta tell ya, this whole Beer Breakfast thing is beginning to take on a life of its’ own as Neil and I were approached by DOZENS of good folks who recognized us in our sweeter than sweet BB 2011 tee’s, or from past events. A few watering holes down south went so far as to request a Beer Breakfast at their establishment and we’re working on it. Quite humbling and appreciated…. we shall strive to bring our idea of Revelry~Fellowship~Sanctuary to a Beer Breakfast near you as soon as we can!!
Just back from a tremendous summer flight regimen in Temecula, CA, we welcome back our good friend, Capt. Mark Kersten, and his crew at Sunrise Balloons Miami. 
Nothing compares to the silence, beauty and sheer magnificence of flight in a hot air balloon captained by one of the most trusted and experienced pilots in the USA. We raise a pint and a cheer as we welcome our friends back to Florida and wish them a fantastic season of wonder….. and champagne toasts!!
It’s time to put the sad times behind us and realize that LIFE IS FOR LIVING!! To that end we hope to see you this Saturday, Oct. 29th over at the International Beerfestival at Lakewood Ranch where we’ll partake in the sampling of over 100 craft and specialty beers.
Get your tickets early to save some money for the wonderful assortment of food that will be available.
And don’t forget to say ‘”Hey Beer Breakfast Dudes” when you see us decked out in our splendid BB 2011 Tee Shirts!! See you there……
Our heartfelt and most sincere condolences to the Wheldon family this morning as we say good-bye to our friend, Dan Wheldon. Always quick with a smile and ever approachable within his hometown community of St. Petersburg, FL he will be sorely missed. 
The dangers of auto racing are an acceptable part of the sport by those who compete in it. Dan went the way many of us would want…. doing what he loved.
Champion, husband, father and friend of so many…. God Speed Danny Boy.
LAS VEGAS (AP) – Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after his car became ensnarled in a fiery 15-car pileup, flew over another vehicle and landed in a catch fence just outside turn 2. The 33-year-old racer was a two-time Indy 500 winner, including this year’s race.
Three other drivers, including championship contender Will Power, were hurt in the pileup during Lap 13.
Weldon was airlifted from the track to University Medical Center; about two hours later, his colleagues were told of his death.
[BLOGGER COMMENT: May he rest in peace. He and his young family made their home in St. Petersburg.]
