Missed My Window but Got Great Stories

On a rainy Sunday afternoon this summer I made my way to a nearby brewpub for a couple of pints, some food, and to get my Somerset Sip and See Passport stamped. You get a t-shirt when you get all your stamps – accomplished by visiting each brewery, distillery, and cidery in the county. Luckily the rain let up a bit as I parked in the closest town lot - a block away - so I didn’t get too wet on my jog over.

It wasn’t crowded so I easily got a seat at the bar, and after a few questions to the bartender, quickly had a pint in front of me. A couple of seats over a 20-something and her dad were having a very active conversation. Rather, the daughter was bemoaning how hard her life was now that she had to be back into the office 3 days a week and how unfair life in general is. Based on her hair, makeup, clothes, and jewelry it didn’t appear that life had been treating her badly, and Dad was picking up the check too. Of course, I can’t judge as I don’t know her back-story. I’m only reporting on what was an entertaining show.

With the rain still coming down in buckets, I ordered a second pint as a couple sat down next to me. They were clearly dating, and it must have been early in their relationship as they were both trying too hard. Another amusing show as I sipped my beer and waited for a snack to arrive. In the meantime, the bartender (John) and I got into a conversation when I asked about a drink he was making. We wound up trading information about good sipping rums (there are many), our favorite bourbons, and the local distilleries and breweries. About that time my food arrived so it was time to re-focus my attention. Just as I was finishing, the rain stopped – a small window in which to make a break for my car. Before I could get the check though, that window closed with gusto as fire-hose rain came down again.

Oh well, I missed that window, might as well get one more pint. That was when the best story started. A young couple came in and sat on the other side of me. They were astonished to learn that the beer list contained only the house beers since it was after all a brewpub. Somehow, even though “brewing” is in the name of the place, they hadn’t figured it out – even though they told me later that they found the place via Google. Gotta love the sharp minds of our youth.

They turned out to be very nice, and as I am not shy about talking beer, I guided them to beers that would work for them based on what they normally drink. It always amazes me at a brewery/brewpub when the beertender/bartender gets a customer who isn’t familiar with micro-brewed beer and doesn’t ask the simple question, “what do you normally drink?”. That’s a surefire way to know what to recommend, ensuring the customer is happy. Both were satisfied with my suggestions. We talked beer for a bit and based on their tastes I told them about the cidery nearby which they seemed excited about.

As we talked, the bartender joined our conversation and the guy remarked that I could be John 25 years later. For those of you who don’t know me, since retiring I have passed-shoulder-length hair (which at almost 59, I am grateful for!). John had shorter, but similar hair. Having found out his age earlier, the 25-year comment was doubly pleasing to me as it knocked 10 years off my age. That comment made my soggy day!

Getting near the end of my last pint, it was time to get the check and swim for it. As I closed out with John and bemoaned the fact that I was going to get very wet going to my car he told me there are a few spots reserved for customers in the lot right behind the brewpub – and it’s free parking. Great information for next time but I still needed swim fins and a snorkel to go a block over. At least I was able to go out the back door so I was ½ a block closer to my car. And on the way out, one of the cooks complimented me on my hair – sweet!

Not sure of the message in this one as it’s a collection of stories from a rainy afternoon sitting at a bar (regular readers will recognize a recurring theme). I wouldn’t have those stories though if I’d just sat and stared at my phone or the TV over the bar. That’s the fun of sitting at the bar; you interact and connect with real live people, and it always makes for a better experience. So I guess my message would be, put your phone down, take your eyes off the TV, and talk with your fellow patrons. You’ll be glad you did.

Endnote: My wife and I have been to a few old-school locals’ establishments that have signs stating. “No wi-fi. Put down your phone and talk to each other.” That’s a message we should all follow more often.

www.RetiredandInspiredat55.com 10-16-2023