12/07/17 Grapevine Craft Brewery, 906 Jean Street, Grapevine, TX 76051 phone: 817-488-2337   website: www.GrapevineOnTap.com
Hours: Monday – Friday 3:00 to 10:00 | Saturday – 12:00 to 10:00 | Sunday – 12:00 to 8:00

Experience before you go . . .

When I was in high school my dad was in his mid fifties and I got to tell ya, he seemed really old to me! So when my 60th birthday was coming down the tracks with nothing stopping it, I had a new appreciation of what you hear so often these days......60 is the new 40!! We'll I'm 7 days from 60 and I don't feel that old! Matter of fact I feel pretty darn good! I hike, I swim, I golf, I drink beer! In retirement you hear, the 50/60 are the go-go years, the 70 are the slow-go years and the 80/90 are the no-go years. So it's go-go for me and what better to start a 2-week long celebration with family and friends by flying to Dallas, staying with brother Larry and his wife Connie, have brother in law Guy drive up from Beaumont and nephew Major Zac drive up from Fort Hood to tour some breweries, drink some beers and heaven forbid....act our age!

I walk out of American Airlines terminal 3E at DFW Airport and start a conversation with the Baggage Handler of how I used to live here over 20 years ago and how much we loved Texas and..........just then my brother Lar pulls up in his 2-seater Pontiac Solstice. I stuff my soft side bag in the so called trunk, I jump in and we're on our way. Funny thing about favorite older brothers, even though it's been a little while since we've seen each other it's pretty much seamless when we finally do reconnect. My wife Kat says its eerie how my brother Lar and I sometimes sound the same. "Where we going?" "Well, I thought we'd start this weekend off right with a stop at Grapevine Craft Brewery!" Did someone say beer? You got to love the direct from the airport to the local brewery and the first stop of many this weekend on the Hoppin Brewery Tour....yeah buddy!!

Another front sign selfie for the archives. Two older brothers maybe looking their age but between their ears they both think they're 20-30 years younger and wonder where the years went? Somebody took'em, hid'em.....never to be found again!

Grapevine Craft Brewery is one special place! Built and opened up 2 1/2 years ago and I really like what their website says....."Our beer is for you, for your neighbors and for your friends, though we are a brewery, we believe that beer is never the central figure of any moment, people are the moment makers and great beer should be part of those moments, our beer is crafted for good times." So bro Lar and I set out to make some moments and found two empty bar stools nestled between two unexpecting patroons and bing, bang, boom Hoppin Brewery Tour strikes again!!

Aaron behind the bar is on us with a, "what'cha drinking" as I introduce myself to Andy on my left as Larry's already at the, "Where you from" stage with Miles on his right. Of course the "We're on the Hoppin Brewery Tour" subject comes up as I'm handing out cards left and right like I'm running for office. Not sure if it's the brewery tour, sitting at the bar, friendly talkative personalities or just that happy to be alive feeling that melts all barriers and kinda gives it that family reunion feel real quick....."How the kids, how's the job and did you hear Bobby got out of jail last fall?" So anyhow, we were on it. Aaron had a flight heading my way, Larry was taking his first sip of a Hydro Thunder IPA (7.3%, 75 IBU) juicy tropical made with a hop thunderstorm of Azacca, Mosaic, Citra, Centennial and Columbus.....oh my! Come to find out Andy is an Electrical Engineer from D.C. who contracts out to the Navy, plays the Mellophone (i.e. French Horn) in the Washington Redskin marching band and is spoiled daily by three beautiful young daughters and a loving wife.....life is good!! My flight arrives at the gate, Morning Haze - IPA (5.6%, 65 IBU) El Dorado, Simcoe and Willamette hops with a touch of Milk Sugar, next we have Hydro Thunder IPA followed by Land Yacht IPA (7.3%, 75 IBU) a guest tap from Armadillo Ale Works and bringing up the rear is the one and only Railcar - Double IPA (8.5%, 102 IBU) holy hophead and hang onto the rail....one to remember, that's for sure!! Miles is from the quad-cities, works for Quad Steel and he and his wife are expecting their first child....life is grand!!

Well Andy's got to catch a plane, Miles got'ta get on with life and Lar and I got to save a little getty-up for tomorrow where the plan is tour 4-5 breweries in a row in downtown Dallas compliments of extensive use of Uber.....bring it on!!

Thanks Grapevine Craft Brewery for creating a space where many moments can be made over, over and over again!

Until next time and remember.........

Go get'cha one!!