snowbird brewfest

 Despite the gorgeous weather, we did not go hiking because when H got back from his bike ride Friday night, he noticed that his rear wheel was out of true.  Upon closer inspection this morning, the rim was actually cracked - something that had to be addressed before he could get back on his bike.

So while H cleaned his bike (it's embarrassing to take your bike into a bike shop when it looks like you don't pay attention to it), I walked my 3 mile loop; and while he took his bike to the shop, I weeded in the backyard.  He was gone about an hour (because he was talking with the bike guy about mountain bikes - soon!), or about four buckets' worth of weeds, and I was completely over the whole yardwork thing.  What to do next that was cooler temperature-wise and had beer?  Go to the second annual Brewfest at Snowbird, of course!

It was 84 at the house when we left but by the time we found a parking spot at Snowbird, it was down to 67 - you truly do get cooler up in the canyons.  There was live music, jewelry vendors, a food tent and twelve beer tents featuring local brewpubs:  Moab, Bohemian, Epic, Hopper's, Wasatch, Red Rock, Desert Edge, Uinta, Ruby River, Four +, Rooster's and Squatter's.  For the record, H and I are on first name basis with nine of these brewers;  the ones we didn't know are : Epic, which is brand new to SLC and we haven't gotten there yet; Ruby River is up Ogden-way; and technically Four+ is a branch of Uinta.

Admission was free.  You had to show I.D. for a 21+ wristband and beer tokens were $1 each - one 3 ounce sample of beer cost 1 token.  Except for the Epic beers which cost 2 tokens ... so we didn't bother with them.  We made the rounds at Moab, Ruby River, Desert Edge, Hopper's and Red Rock before deciding that of the beers available, Desert Edge's Utah Pale Ale was the best of the brews.

It was a gorgeous day: everybody mellow, listening to tunes, sipping beer.  The people-watching was fantastic (many age-inappropriate outfits).  There were even a fair number of skiers and snowboarders coming down off the mountain, getting some last runs in before the resort finally turns off its lifts on the 2009/2010 season.  I can't say that I wish I'd skied today, but a couple of hours at the Brewfest certainly made the effort spent weeding worthwhile.