My apologies for the blurriness of this photo, but considering it’s of a beer card and I took the photo at a bar after having a few of these beers, I think it’s appropriate. Artistic, even? Ha, I won’t go there…
This isn’t my beer card; it’s Chris’. I’m not the one finishing the beer club at Pauley’s in Athens; he is.
Perhaps I should back up a little. This isn’t the only bar in America that has beer clubs; I know the concept is probably all-too-familiar. But this is the first one I’ve ever participated in. I don’t live in Athens but I visit often enough that I decided to give it a shot.
For me it started the day after Halloween, on a quiet night (I think UGA was playing in Florida, so the whole town was one state south). Chris, Shana and I were the only people in the entire bar that night. Our bartender was friendly and fun, and the music was good, the company was good, so we were having a good time anyway. I heard of the beer club the first time this night – figured I wouldn’t join. But John the bartender explained 2 things that convinced me otherwise: 1) it’s free, and 2) there’s no deadline. Chris had joined two days prior, and Shana signed up at the same time I did.
Then we decided to dance on the bar, but that’s a whole other story …
The tricky part about drinking 100 beers is you might have to drink some you don’t like. The key seems to be to mix it up – Chris’ favorites are IPAs, and he drank them all first, then complained about what was left. I don’t want to make that mistake.
Chris also decided to start decorating his beer card, which started small but has ended up with close to 100% coverage, as you see above. There are some good memories recorded on that card …
It’s now June, and I’m probably 30-something beers into my list, a number I’m actually pleasantly surprised to have accomplished considering I don’t live here.
Chris is at beer number 95, however, which means tonight is the big finish! Everyone that frequents the bar is teasing him – they all finished long ago. But I am proud – 100 beers can be a costly endeavor, especially at this bar that features some pretty high-quality beers; some are as expensive as $9 apiece.
Apparently with the last 3 beers they mix them all together in a goblet with some whiskey. Gross. And I’m really wishing I hadn’t forgotten my camera to record his face after he drinks that cocktail. He’s invited everyone he knows; we’ll all be there to cheer him on as he joins the others on the wall of accomplishment.
So, cheers to Chris! Tonight is your night.