A Typical Texas Afternoon at Freetail

San Antonio is known for the Riverwalk, the Alamo and the San Antonio Spurs basketball team. What is lesser known, but becoming the stuff of legend is San Antonio’s own Freetail Brewing Co. I recently had the opportunity to stop by San Antonio’s latest brewpub and craft-brewery, located somewhat hidden at 4035 N Loop 1604 W. Suite 105. San Antonio, TX 78257

They opened a little more than a year ago and were really ‘hopping’ when I stopped by. Located near a small shopping complex, the sports bar/steel mill  décor can take you by surprise.

The brewery boasts nine HDTV’s with sports on every one of them. They have large patio seating, but if you’d rather stay indoors, they have a large open seating area. I was immediately greeted by one of the wait staff and asked what I’d like to try. The fair is light and appropriate for South Texas. In addition to the many sandwiches and appetizers, such as their Chips and Roasted Salsa, they have a large selection of stone hearth specialty pizzas.

San Antonio and the surrounding area have an interesting history of craft brews over the years, with the likes of the Pearl Brewery, Shiner, Real Ale, The Covey Restaurant Brewery, The Laboratory Brewing Co. and Blue Star Brewing Co.  With Freetail’s opening, they become only the second brewpub currently open in San Antonio.

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"A pint of plain is your only man." - from The Workman's Friend by Flann O'Brien

Arthur Guinness probably did a lot of cool stuff and he should be remembered accordingly, but for most of us there are only two accomplishments that really stand out: The Guinness Book of World Records and the beer that bears his name.  Especially the beer.

Guinness, aka the “Black Stuff”, aka the “Pint of Plain”, is reason enough to visit Dublin, Ireland, but it’s not the only one. By the way, to those of you that have thought Guinness Draught too heavy, it only has 126 calories per 12 ounce pour – compare that to 148 in Corona or 140 in Budweiser (110 in Bud Light) and it seems like a pretty justifiable amount considering it’s a beer you can actually taste. Open one, I’ll wait… Read More »

View From the Asheville Biltmore Estate

Whether you get into all the Valentine’s Day hoopla or not, it’s important that from at least time to time that you plan something romantic for your loved one. Even if you have kids, it’s important that we set time aside for a little escape from the mundane. Well if this post has just reminded you that Valentine’s Day is upon us once again, I’m offering you a “bail-out” plan: a trip to romantic Asheville, North Carolina. Bail-out because number one, your loved one wants more than just flowers each year, and number two, because compared to many romantic destinations, Asheville is a cheaper vacation.

What you won’t find in Asheville is expensive luxury resorts with PGA golf courses or large amusement parks, but you will find a quaint and charming mid-sized city that is tucked in a valley in the Smokey Mountains. As much fun as a luxury resort can be, they are meant to keep you on the hotel’s property. In Asheville, there are so many sights and sounds that you have to get out and experience them, and they are best experienced when shared with someone else.

As Niagara Falls is to Upstate New York, the Biltmore Estate is to Asheville. One of the largest mansions in the world, the Biltmore Estate is a perfect starting point, featuring a beautiful Victorian-style mansion with the beautiful Smokey Mountains as the backdrop. A walk through their gardens and a visit to their winery gives you a full day at Asheville’s best attraction.

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Downtown Charleston Carriage Tour

If you’re not familiar yet with Charleston, South Carolina, then it’s time to get familiar with it. The southern port city that is rich in history is easily overlooked, but continues to grow in popularity as one of the best vacation spots in the southeast. Many large corporations are seeing the benefits of Charleston by creating locations there, including Google, Boeing and Carnival, which recently announced they would be sailing year-round, instead of just seasonally. One of the biggest draws to Charleston is its rich history and beautiful Victorian-style architecture that is seen throughout the city. One of the best ways to experience Charleston’s history isn’t by foot, boat or car, but by horse-drawn Carriage.

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