Reflections

Hi folks! sorry about the unintended, unannounced break. Things wound up getting really hectic as Christmas got closer and closer. Today I thought I'd kind of look back on my year, including some things from before I started the blog as well as the things I did over Christmas. I'll also preview some of the next few posts!
This morning, I was stressed out and annoyed and decided that warranted a shower beer, so I reached for Rogue's Yellow Snow IPA. This is a pretty solid IPA and would be great for someone just getting into the style. I really enjoyed the mild pine and citrus flavor notes.

Christmas week was an absolute whirlwind! My long-distance boyfriend came to town, and we went to a work party, an event at Morgan Street Brewery (where I tried their amazing Winter Lager, a really great beer with some mild orange notes), and even went to Rolla for a couple days, where I enjoyed a Piney River Brew and Boulevard's 80 Acre, one of my favorite hoppy wheats.

On Christmas, we made a delicious steak dinner, with some steamed veggies and pasta on the side. I drank Rogue's Santa's Private Reserve, my spoils from the White Elephant Bottle Share I attended this month.

And now, to look back on 2014!

Sushi was, as always, a staple.

KMNR turned 50 years old.

My boyfriend and I celebrated our first anniversary. Here's to many more.

 I went on a road trip to Joliet, IL, to see Protest the Hero, and was fortunate enough to chill with the guys after their set!

My two closest friends and I moved out of Rolla and onto big-kid jobs... so we bought our pals a keg of Boulevard and did what all Rolla students to best.

I got to see Brand New live in concert for the first time.

I flew for the first time in my life and got to sample a flight from Boathouse Brewpub in Ely, MN.

We spent a day at Leif Erickson park in Duluth, MN.

I went to a Cardinals game for the first time in many years.

I went to a few Girl's Pint Out happy hours, including one at Six Row!

I sampled Whale and Killer Whale side by side- Potentially my favorite hoppy wheat.

I deviated from beer a few times, and even tried Chartreuse! The only liquor so good, they named a color after it.

I won tickets from KDHX to an indie-pop show at Off Boradway.

Impromptu Columbia, MO road trip.

I attended a bottle share with some great new friends.

My contribution: A beer I received in a Reddit exchange.

No night of drinking with friends is complete without Cards Against Humanity.

I discovered the joy of Craft Beer Cellar.

4 Hands Core Four can release.

 I welcomed Oskar Blues to Missouri at Old Standard.

 I think I read more this year than in the past 3 combined, a trend I hope to continue in 2015. I'll even have a special look at my 12 favorite books and beers of the year later this week.

What a great year! On Wednesday, I'll have a 12 Beers/12 Books post. In 2015, I hope to have posts up every Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday, and am really excited to bring you more news from the Saint Louis Craft Beer world as well as keep any interested readers up to date on The OG!