Beer Fest - Third Weekend Festivities!

On Saturday I went to the Charleston Beer Garden beer fest this weekend! How cool is that? Uh-huh, and I haven't even started in on the details. I had planned to go with my friend Tiffany and her boyfriend Zach. Saturday morning they picked me up and we went to Brittlebank Park, the location of the festival site. It is right on the banks of the Ashley River. It was really hot that day, I think 95 degrees. We all made sure to apply sunscreen to the tops of our feet, noses, and shoulders. It was a really neat deal. For like $25 you get entrance to the festival, a free pint glass with matching coozie, and a sample passport for 10 brews tastings.

Between the three of us we bought two growlers. A growler beer container is used to transport a lot of freshly brewed drink. They come in a number of sizes but, at least regionally, have historically been of half-gallon size (1.89 L). The growlers were $5 apiece, and then each $15 for a filling. We chose an IPA (more bitter) and a wheat beer. The wheat beer was a light wheat lemonade flavored brew that tasted delicious! The IPA was good for a bitter beer, something to check the sweetness of a citrus-y brew.

"RAAR!!!"

That's the Ashley River in the background! 

Upon first arriving Tiffany located the hot dog stand and we all started off with a big hot dog. The sauces were excellent. I had spicy mustard, onion, and chili with my dog. That's saying something if I can remember it down to the (big) ingredients! We ended up hanging out under a tent, sitting downwind of the water misters, and drinking fresh cold beer. After of couple of hours Zach went and got us all pulled pork sandwiches.

It's like a little meditation session ...
A feat for 95 degree heat. 

One of the funnest things we found to do was shoot each other with water pistols. A few people we saw walking around and chatted with were carrying water pistols! When asked where they got them we were referred to the Holy City Brewing company, located here in Charleston. So we stood in the long line for a Holy City Brewing sample brew and three water pistols. Best toy to have at a hot, uncomfortable, outside festival! I was glad when we got them filled up. Shooting each other with water ... would've made for some really fun action photos.

Couldn't think of a "cool gun pose" at the moment. 

After leaving around 5 'o clock or so we decided to take the party over the Tiffany's favorite downtown rooftop bar, the Vendue!

Welcome to the Roof Top. 

Neither of which I cared for. Instead I had a Stella Artois. 

"'Crab Fondue,' is that right?"

Looking upriver. The Cooper River, that is. 

With the sun setting behind us we left the roof and drove a little further uptown, north, and finally into the suburbs where Tiffany lives. After feeding her 20 lb starving cats we all agreed it was time to head over to the King Street Grille, a local cover band was headlining and going to showcase some original tunes. 


We arrived a little early and fortunately grabbed a booth near the stage. Then it was time to eat and we all ordered delicious food and a few drinks. The night was a merry one, indeed. The band was actually really fairly good! Their sound was loud and strong and full of alcohol. Yeah, we were all drinkin' that night. =)

So delicious ...

... this dinner deserves an out of caption description! The tortilla burger, I believe it was called. Off their menu:

A Burger with Onions, Peppers and  Pepper 

Jack Cheese, Topped with a Fire Roasted 

Tomatillo Salsa and Packaged in a Cheddar Wrap

Was it ever good! So amazing I had to save half of it and eat it for lunch another day. The perfect dinner, really. A juicy, tender beef patty delivering a spicily seasoned taste throughout the whole burger. The sauces were no let-down either. Apart from the crunchy, warm potato fries a small salad rounded out the plate. All-in-all, a flawlessly prepared food.

Getting full and a little mindless with my food.
Stacking potato fries.