Welcome to my input for May 2012, The Session: Beer Blogging Friday. Because a photo’s worth 1,000 words, this will be a photo blogpost from me, featuring some of those more memorable beer moments.
The Beer Moment
Beer is my livelihood. It’s my social lubricant of choice. There are things that drive me to drink beer. There are things that I celebrate with beer in hand. Last year we toasted friends’ father lost. Beer is part of the fabric of my life.
Since we opened our beer shop, I’ve had a beer nearly every night. You have to know your product to sell it. All day long we talk beer. I have beer moments every day, all day. There have been so many beer moments that it’s hard to count them all.
Since a photo’s worth 1,000 words, this will be a photo blogpost from me, featuring some of those more memorable beer moments. We’ll begin with photos of us starting our little beer shop…
2006: We just signed a 5-year lease. Here's our beer store!
It's all ours...and it's totally empty. Lots to do!
Planning the store's inside look, with paper, over beer.
Planning the store's look, with PhotoShop, inspired by colors of beer.
It's beginning to take shape! Our first logo-wear; framing is underway.
OMG! 7 days 'til the Grand Opening ...and we're still in construction!
2 days to opening. Cooler...check! Shelves & counter...check! Beer...check!
1 day to opening. The exterior sign just got installed. Looking good!
1/20/2007: Grand Opening Day! I haven't slept in 2-1/2 days with all the prep work. Though we're not 100% ready, this store's gonna open on schedule.
The artwork isn't done yet, but we have beer! Starting with a selection of 250 different kinds...and lots of room to grow! 80 customers on our first day!!
The artwork is done! Thanks Sven!! 99 bottles over the cooler wall.
2/21/2007: Finally, not so bare! Our first multi-case floor display.
It's called the "R&D budget" — and it means you have to remember what you drink, so you can talk to customers about it.
1/20/2008: 1 Year Anniversary ... yeah!! Craig & I. 5 beers paired with cake. 100 folks came out to celebrate with us!
1/20/2009: 2nd Anniversary beer & cake celebration. Peter & I serving. He's our first customer and a great friend.
2009: I kick off a "Dish 'n Beer" tasting series at the store. Homework is essential to find the ideal pairings!Stuffed mushrooms with Kolsch
Beer has officially taken over my fridge. It's around the condiments, in the crisper, behind the milk...
Valentines Day 2010. Customers answered a dozen questions, we made the selections and packaged 'em up for their sweethearts.
We have the best customers! They voted our beer store #1 in KING 5's Best of Western Washington. Me, my beer belly, and Meeghan Black.
12/10/2010: Arrgh matey! Good times at 99 Bottles. Things we do to promote beer when Craig's away. Arrr!
If you're a friend on facebook or untappd, it's likely you're familiar with "Jimmy Mac's Wednesday." It's all about the lunch special, draft beer, and reading about beer.Friend me on untappd
I met the BrewDog stoat at the 2010 Beer Bloggers Conference in Boulder, Colo.
I wish it were all mine. But when you own a specialty beer store, it means you have to sell nearly all of it. Goodbye, my love. We sold out in three hours.
We've met some really cool people through our beer store — and see several every Wednesday as we serve beer samples.
April 2011: Pimpin' my beers on KOMO Newsradio
I swear I must've drank a case of this beer by myself. Sad it's gone.
It's rare that I can get away from the store to attend events, but this one was delicious. Thanks Widmer Brothers! (And thanks to Craig for covering for me at the store.)
The best way to chill a beer, weather permitting.
I love Father's Day. It's all about great beer and great people at the Washington Brewers Festival.
Not all amazing beer comes to us. Sometimes travel or trade is necessary. This one's well worth it.
A balloonist, clown, and high school friend made me "beer balloons." LOL! Thanks Tater Tot!
Discovering a big ugly spider in the beer cellar. Creep factor: High! This led to a thorough taping of all boxes.
Our first line outside the store. This, for Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA. We got just a case, so it was a strict 1 per household limit and sold out in 6 minutes.
Why I need a coaster.
More fun at the store when Craig's away doing will-call pickups of beer.
If I had a dollar for every time I was asked, "Do you have Pliny?" I'd be a very rich woman. This limited beer arrives every 5 weeks and we sell out within 2 days, at 1 per person limit.
Another delicious beer.
The Washington State Legislature legalizes growler fills for bottle shops in 2011. Unwrapping our just-arrived new kegerator!
We chose the Pegas CrafTap for filling growlers. These Russian-made fillers offer fresher beer, with less waste.
9/5/11: First guy to write a bad review online about my customer service. He arrived early, paced in front of the store for 25 minutes, was short with me... *sigh*
3 thoughts on “Memorable moments in beer: A photo album”
That’s amazing!… pretty inspiring to see the business growth over the years…
I must say the head is a tractor beam that dragged my eyeballs from the top of the page to the bottom of the page as I scrolled down the pictures. I stared for a few seconds before reading the subhead “Sometimes I’ve just got to pause and admire the head.”… and thought you read my mind…
Awesome post! We’re about to open our new Brewhouse this summer in Cold Spring, MN. Probably will be just as stressful in the beginning as yours, but well worth it I can see.
Congratulations, Dan! Stay true to yourself and your dreams, and hold on for a rollercoaster of a ride. I’ll raise a glass of beer tonight to your new brewhouse.
That’s amazing!… pretty inspiring to see the business growth over the years…
I must say the head is a tractor beam that dragged my eyeballs from the top of the page to the bottom of the page as I scrolled down the pictures. I stared for a few seconds before reading the subhead “Sometimes I’ve just got to pause and admire the head.”… and thought you read my mind…
The Beer Moment
Awesome post! We’re about to open our new Brewhouse this summer in Cold Spring, MN. Probably will be just as stressful in the beginning as yours, but well worth it I can see.
Congratulations, Dan! Stay true to yourself and your dreams, and hold on for a rollercoaster of a ride. I’ll raise a glass of beer tonight to your new brewhouse.
-Tif 😉