Believe it or not, Jim and I do take this blog pretty seriously. We really enjoy ourselves here, but we also have to put up new and semi interesting things for you to read in order to get the conversation we love going. This week the wheels have fallen off of the blog, and it has nothing to do with the blog, just life creeping in on the thing.
Jim managed to pull a post or two out of his hat earlier in the week, but I have been busy all week. It started Monday with a post I was going to put up about Jim, but I decided it wasn’t the right thing to do, so I ran out of ideas. Then the rest of this week has been absolutely crazy busy. I’ve been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Tuesday night there was a beer event at Brewforia. Firestone Walker did their roll out in Idaho. I’m really looking forward to some great beer from those guys on a regular basis. I drank Union Jack IPA most of the night and was absolutely in love with its hoppy bite and crisp flavor. For a beer with 7.whatever ABV this beer really drank easy…too easy.
Got to meet David Walker too. Nice chap from Britain. Got a lot of the back story on how they became a brewery too. Really interesting when you have a well capitalized business what you can afford to do. They make some really special beers too. Got to try Parabola and their 13th Anniversary brew. Let me tell you 13 was a great year!
Wednesday was just a busy day all around. Errands, and a broken vehicle made for a lot of running around. You also have undoubtedly noticed that Jim hasn’t posted since Tuesday, that is because last minute he was called to a conference for work in Orlando. He is excited to try Cigar City brews while he is down there, but he has no wheels so he is at the mercy of the resort he is staying at. Jim also works for a very generous person who agreed to fly his family down there for a week’s vacation at Walt Disney World. So he is pretty stoked about that, and I expect some posts from him about his Florida exploits.
I have been running back an forth to banks, and trying to negotiate a lease on a space to open my own craft beer store and restaurant here in Nampa, Idaho. I had this idea almost immediately after being laid off, and am now taking major strides to make it happen. Yesterday I opened a business bank account, and will be (hopefully) moving into my space by May 1st. A lot of people are helping me do this, and I will thank them all here eventually. If you are one and are reading this, thank you for all your help and guidance. I’m sure it will be a lot of fun, and I know it will be a lot of hard work! If Idaho ever changes their liquor laws I might sell whiskey too! That would be very fun!
Anyway, lots going on. I’ve also drank a lot of different beers too. I’ll get to them later. Just thought I would let you all know we aren’t dead, and we haven’t given up, just busy. Have a great weekend!
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Wow, Don. Best of luck. Do not over-sample the stock. Please, save some for us.
Pretty sure I would float away if I drank it all. It is amazing how much beer $10 K will buy!
I totally understand. Life gets in the way of blogging. Good luck with your venture. I will use it as an inspiration for opening my own beer shop one day.
Well Zac, sometimes necessity is the mother of “re”-invention. I’m sure it will be a long and hard journey, but hopefully a rewarding one too.
We know all too well about life and work disturbing our love of beer blogging. Great news on your new project and good luck from Australia.
Thanks. 😉
Glad to see the blog isn’t getting in the way of your drinking. THAT would be a crime !! Best of luck with the new business and let us know when you start shipping out of state !!!
True that! Is a matter of fact I think I have drank more beer than usual this last week. Maybe that accounts for my lack of posting! 🙂
What about guest bloggers from time to time to take the load off of you two?
Sounds great Marvin. How about a brewing post from you?
Hey! I finally saw the log in with FB account button! I have a picture!
Never mind 😦 I’ll still have to load one.
You have a picture on my screen…Captain Polar Bear!
Good luck Don! Next to starting a brewery, that’s a great business to be part of. I am psyched that a Colorado-centric craft beer and spirits store is opening only two blocks from my house in a few weeks; I’m sure whoever is living near your establishment will be very happy.
It’s understandable about life getting in the way of blogging, I’ve run into the same thing on my blog since I was on vacation last week and am trying to get caught up at work. I have to find time to write up my interview with Kirk from NOLA Brewing to post.
Our model is a little different Will. There aren’t too many rooftops around to shop, but a lot of traffic. Idaho is funny that way, probably because the average income is lower than other states. You have to locate where there is ample parking and easy access. Oh, and a hotel really helps too.
Good Luck with the store Don! Awesome. Now here’s my list of beers to hold for me. KBS………
I’d love to get KBS, you should talk to Founders and see if they will start distributing in Idaho!
Congrats on the new ventures, Don!
Thanks Jeff. I owe it all to you and our love of the Electric Light Orchestra 😉
Awesome. Good luck, Don!
Thanks. Might have to inquire about some recipes from you for the restaurant!
Only if you don’t care about the heart health of your patrons. 🙂 Although I did read a guy on a bbq blog make a smoked fatty with turkey sausage. He calls it a smoked skinny!
Best of luck with the new business Don!!! I expect that you’ll be quite successful in your venture… I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I say that we all just hope you guys still have time to keep this blog going… Cheers!
I’m sure we will keep it going. It would be like cutting off an arm to get rid of it. And, I’m pretty sure I’m gonna need them both to make this business go!
Wow, good luck with that. You’re doing what I think most of your readers dream of doing. At least it’s one of my dreams.
Dreams are good things, but the reality I’m sure will mean lots of long days and nights and missing a lot of football games and track meets. 😦
Yeah Don, life does have a way of interfering with things doesn’t it? Nevertheless, here you are! Good luck on the business venture–we’re all cheering for ya! If I ever make it up your way, I’ll be sure to drop into your place.
Yo Don!
I wish you nothing but fun and good fortune on your latest venture. If anyone can do it, it’s a Beer and Whiskey Brother!
As far as the Firestone Walker, Union Jack is fantastic! Had one with dinner at a Philly bar the other night. Very cool that you got to meet the brewer too.
Cheers!
G-LO
Cool! Good luck! Do you have a spiffy name picked out?
Good luck Don! Do you have an address yet? We need to talk delivery to the Homedale/Marsing area….
Still working on getting a Lease inked. Once we do it will full steam ahead. Delivery is a possibility.
West end of valley should be a great spot!
I live in Caldwell, and am so excited to hear about your new endeavor. PLEASE keep us updated with the progress. We will be so excited to have access to excellent beer within a 10 minute drive.
If everything goes well I will have an update by the end of this week.
Let us known when opening day is and I will do my best to come in and shake your hand, sir.
Deal.
Best of luck Donny…I hope the name references a bear.
Thanks John. No bears, just beers. But there might be a bear or two in the decor!
I’m hoping that everything works well for one of my two favorite beer bros. in the blogosphere. Just be careful of too much inventory sampling. You might give new meaning for the term,”rotating stock”. 😉
Cheers!
David Ivey
BlackBucketBrew.com InBox Magazine Editor