I finally made it to Novel Brewing in North Oakland. Really great beers … I was impressed!
I love all their decor and their cute book beer tasters.
My fav was the Black Rye IPA and the New England Style IPA… SO delish!
It is dog-friendly and a great neighborhood spot.
My fav mocha…. and I am not even a mocha person, but the mocha at Blue Bottle is made with tcho and is ohhh so good. Pair it with a waffle and you have a decadently sweet breakfast.
My love affair with Firebrand continues. Not just a bakery – they serve up amazing breakfast and lunch fare… They also recently started serving beer and wine in the evenings. Need to check it out soon. 
Another place I love every time I go but I just don’t go enough is Drake’s Dealership. Went here for lunch and may have had a little too much to drink, but the beers were SO good. 
If you love German food head to Gaumenkitzel in Berkeley. This is my second time there and I LOVED it both times. Great for vegetarians and meat lovers alike with an extensive beer and wine menu. 
Branching out from the East Bay for this last one! The Jug Shop on Polk in the City has an AMAZING selection of beer, liquor, and wine. They also put on wonderful tastings. My friend and I went there for a sour tasting and we were blown away by how extensive and delicious it was. As you can see I went home with quite a bit!! 
Enjoy!
Last week, when we had a few days of sun, my friend and I walked to Super Juiced for a late afternoon treat.
They are located in Old Oakland, in the back of a courtyard. They have homemade nut milks, acai bowls, smoothies, juices and other snacks.
and that decor… so cute!
Looking forward to coming here a lot more this summer! Cheers. 
Here are a few of my favorite things from this past week! 
SO lucky that I get to view this every day as I workout! Wake up an hour early to live an hour more!
What is better on a Monday night than copious amounts of Gin…?! LOL
With a friend visiting from out of town you tend to get out a little more and this is how I found myself enjoying Gin cocktails this past Monday at Whitechapel on Polk in SF. I am through and through a beer girl but I happened to pick two cocktails that were surprisingly great!
Lunch at Firebrand… SO GOOD. I want to live in this Bakery, so delectable. 
Planning a SLO trip with my bestie! Filled with the very best things… blading, hikes, camping, breweries! YAY
Forbidden Island Tiki Bar in Alameda is always a fun spot! All about that Monkey Pod drink.
One of the most amazing Mochas in all the land… at Blue Bottle Cafe. Go and enjoy!
My all time fav backyard hike… not literally backyard but 10 minutes from my house. It is an amazing challenge with bay views and it never gets old to me! 
Always trying to have no/less screen time once I get home from work… tried my hand at some watercolor painting and had a blast! I won’t be quitting my day job any time soon but its fun to try my hand at different hobbies!
Went to Mamacita’s Cafe in Uptown for the first time and can’t wait to go back! Delicious coffee and great mission!
Driving from the bay to my parents house on the central coast makes for amazing views! Sometimes you have to pull over and snap it up. 
I am going to guess that you haven’t been to Parkfield, Ca. They have a population of 18 and claim to be the earthquake capital of the world… if that isn’t enough to get you to head over the cafe has in the top two best burger I have ever had… The first being from The Hitching Post in Buellton. 
Fun bar stool!
The reason for heading to Parkfield last weekend was their Annual Bluegrass Festival. It was the best festival experience I have ever had and I hope we make it a yearly tradition.
Weekday lunch with my Dad and I am oh so thankful for moments like this together.
It is Girl Scout Cookie season and what is a better way to enjoy them then with BEER!
I am not the first person to think of doing this, in fact the first place I heard about this fun idea was Woods Brewing located in San Francisco/Oakland. They brew cookie beers and pair them with their corresponding girl scout cookie. I went last year and LOVED it! As a past Girl Scout it was really fun to obtain a patch and bridge the gap between childhood pastimes and adult hobbies.
In that same spirit, a few friends and I decided to host our own Girl Scout Cookie Beer pairing this year.
We used this article from Beer and Brewing as a template for our own pairing, but used beers we could readily find locally and at Whole Foods/BevMo.
This will definelty become a yearly tradition for me.
I hope this post inspired you to try your hand at a pairing of your own!
If you are more of a Whiskey fan check out this pairing!
OR if Wine is what you like to fill your glass with check out this pairing!
Enjoy.
Here are a few of my favorite bites and brews in the Bay Area.
A few weeks ago I was able to visit my friend who lives in Carlsbad… and… I fell in love. Don’t get me wrong I do LOVE the Bay but something about Southern California beach towns really do it for me.
Merry Early Christmas from Anchor Steam!!
A few weeks I go I was able to Steward a home brewing event at Anchor Steam. 
Drink a steam with J.C.?! Could be Jesus Christ or me… 
A room full of hops could there be anything more fragrant and delicious?!
A beautiful fall afternoon in the East Bay.
I sometimes forget how amazing this city is. When I am lucky enough to be a passenger and not a driver I can take wonky pictures like this. That do little justice to the beautiful view, but make me happy and thankful all the same.
Went to a Girls Pint Out event at Harmonic in dogpatch/portola last week. They have done a really nice job with the beers they brew. They were crafted beautifully with robust flavors that have led me to want to go back again and soon! We had a large group and they were so attentive. I can’t recommend them highly enough. Parking is easy, get a pizza near by and enjoy.
We were able to take a tour!
Finally got to go to go to Mikkeller Bar. Their food and beers are on point. We had the kale salad and fries. A perfect balance of healthy and not so healthy.
These photos make it look like I drink beer a lot… What can I say? It is true.
As the nights get longer and colder I am dreaming of making these chili recipes.
Family lives in Caravan and the results are positive.
Another family ( of six ) in a renovated bus!
Small towns that are affordable… interesting, but they are probably affordable for a reason.
This list of healthiest companies to work for in the US, pretty cool to take a look at what companies are doing.
toastedbunz 