Holy moly I don’t even know where to begin!!!!
Perhaps with walking to the beer festival? It took us 2.5 miles and about 45 minutes, but it was worth it. It was a lovely walk!
Do not underestimate fall!
We stumbled upon some kind of festival on our way to the …festival.
And then we were downtown
With a long line till the festival opened!
I smuggled in a coconut water but I didn’t end up needing it. I was thinking worst case scenario!
Once we were in, first thing’s first!!
After a quick Punkin taste, I got to work on my game plan: NERD ALERT! I highlighted the beers I wanted to try so I could stay on track. I pretty much did stay on track for most of the festival. Things got a little fuzzy for a while, but it could have been a lot worse!
And then here’s a good visual of what I tried in my tiny mug:
Best Of Show
Avery Ellie’s Brown Ale (8/10)
Dogfish Punkin (9/10)
Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout (9/10)
–> Hoppin’ Frog BORIS The Crusher Imperial Stout (10/10!)
Legend Oktoberfest Amber (9/10)
Brooklyn Brewery Oktoberfest (9/10)
–> North Coast Brother Thelonious (10/10!)
–> Old Dominion Millennium Barleywine (10/10!)
Yards Brawler Ale (9/10)
After all that, we STILL had tickets left to taste! Ended up throwing them up the air!
Matt + Andrew got celebrity sighted! This blog reader friend recognized them but couldn’t place where. Then she spotted me and put 2 and 2 together. She thought they were band members at first! The KERF Band 😉
Steve from Highland!! He gave us a tour back in 2009!
Pensive Pencil-ive
The munchies hit around 6PM and we got some pizza from Mellow Mushroom
Some of the best pizza ever!! [Clearly in the moment 🙂 ]
Around 6:30 we decided we’d had enough beer (gasp!) and headed back on foot to The Corner. Sadly it started raining on us and we had to call Karen to pick us up. Thanks for the ride Karen!
We had planned a burger dinner at the Cville-famous Boylan Heights burger joint. MILLIONS of bloggers have recommended this place to me as “the best burgers (and veggie burgers) and sweet potato fries in town.”
Sadly, we were not impressed. Very slow service. Pretty wimpy salad bowls 🙁
Karen, Matt and Andrew got versions of burgers – bison, beef, etc. on various buns with various sides. They were all just OK. I got a burger in a bowl that was literally a burger in a bowl. Not much salad at all! The bleu cheese was quite good but the veggie burger, which everyone has raved about, seemed to be a big blob of quinoa. I was quite sad 🙁
I had sweet potato fries on the side – which are supposed to be world famous – but I didn’t think they were any better than Big Daddy’s in Charlotte (which has the best black bean burger and SP fries in the world)
Dare I say this was the first Cville restaurant experience we were disappointed in?! I had extremely high expectations that were not quite met…
I was dying for a bit of gooey brownie upon leaving, but our group seemed to walk past without acknowledging my request. Guess that’s a good thing!
Instead, I had a big bowl of granola with milk when I got home. The carbs were calling.
‘Twas a super fun day, and I THINK I may have escaped without a hangover!
Beer is delicious.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Oh. my. goodness. That matrix of beer photos is hilarious. I love you.
Kath says
🙂
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day says
Someone is going to sleep so well tonight 🙂 What a fun day.
I agree, Big Daddy’s has always been my hands down favorite C-ville restaurant. When we were kids, we’d always go there after football games. Memories!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Those are the best photos ever. I wish we had a beer festival.
Sportsgirl says
That is like my ideal day! I love the first photo of the train tracks. I love the top you’re wearing too, very simple but pretty and flattering.
Jess says
Haha great photos! Looks like a fun day – apart from the burger fail. 🙂
Eileen says
This is a very funny post! I love your nerdiness colliding with the big fun side of your personality. I can definitely see myself working away with a highlighter, too.
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
I love the big grid of shots — and I am so jealous of your little mug 🙂
Andrew and Matt (I know they are brothers…) but they have the exact same smile!!! What a riot.
Too bad about the sweet potato fries/burger — they looked sad so I can only imagine how disappointing they tasted!
Dynamics says
Derby Girls!!! Do you have Roller Derby?
Jessica says
I was thinking the same thing. I totally thing Kath should join the local team. Roller derby is so much fun and great exercise.
Jillian@ ReshapeYourLife says
It looks like ya’ll had fun! I need to get out and do more fun things in town!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Great pics! Love the all those photos!!
stacey-healthylife says
Glad you found some 10 out of 10 beers. That is disappointing about the burger place. That salad was pittiful. “)
Bee Goes Bananas says
Pizza and beer? How could you go wrong?
Emmalinda says
1) Glad Andrew wore his Magic Hat shirt to the brew festival
2) Yay for Avery Brewing Co–from my state of Colorado!
Great American Beer Fest (the biggest beer fest in the nation) is next weekend. I’ve attended the past two years, but I’m taking a break this year. Unlimited tastings. Craziness, and such a blast. I highly recommend attending (I’m sure Matt knows about this festival, since he is so into beer)!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Whheeewww that’s a whole lotta beer! Looks like an awesome time! 😉
Melissa says
Love the beer collage! That looks like lots of fun, although I am not a fan of beer.
Hannah says
Ah well, a wimpy salad can be overcome with gooey brownie frozen yoghurt sometimes, right? 😉
Stacie @ Imperfectly Healthy says
I always feel a little let down when the other people in my group don’t want dessert after dinner. But I, like you, try to take is as a sign that it wasn’t meant to be! 🙂
Rhea (Greek Feaster) says
Damn, I had a beer today for the first time in months! Left Hand Milk Stout. Mmmmm. All of your tastes sound delicioso!
Sana says
Blog sightings are awesome! You are basically a celeb after all!
Carrie says
I always *love* imperial stouts and barleywine. I had a great barleywine last night, Flyer’s Cab Ride, really delicious. Had my very first pumpkin beer too, not a fan. But maybe it was just the brewery?
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
festival upon festival!
Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous says
I hate when I have such high expectations and then get let down. I think it’s better to go in without any expectations at all!
Paige @Running Around Normal says
LOL @ pencil-ive 🙂 I love beer festivals! Sounds like you three had such a fun evening!
Katherine says
Looks like an awesome day! I need to go buy some pumpkin beer, STAT!
Jae says
Kath, you’re so pretty!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Looks like a totally fun day! Sorry your burger wasn’t that great, hate when that happens. 🙁 That pizza looks delish, though! Just like NY style, the only proper way to eat pizza. 😉 hehe
Jenn
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
Boy, I love beer. Your post looks delicious! 😀
I almost bought a 4-pack of the Dogfish Head Pumpkin Ale tonight….but I was on foot and couldn’t carry it. Sadness. It looks so happy.
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Looks like you had a fantastic time at the festival! The pictures are hilarious! KERF band, haha
Sorry you had a not so great dining experience. 🙁 I hate when I hear good reviews and then come out totally underwhelmed.
Amber K says
I think sometimes when I expect too much out of a place it just can’t live up to the expectations I had. At least you had fun with the beer!
Kelsey @ CleanTeenKelsey says
Lol, good luck with not having a hangover. Too bad about that restaurant. 🙁
Ashley @ Nourishing the Soul says
Since you brought up coconut water, it reminded me of a conversation my hubby and I were having the other day. We were just curious if there was anything “special” in terms of nutrition about coconut water, or if it’s more just a taste thing?
SallyH says
@Ashley – Coconut water is super good for you. Mainly for rehydration–tons of electrolytes.
Katie says
That beer mug is the cutest thing ever.
Nicole says
Yeah, Brooklyn representing!!! I need to hunt down and try the dogfish pumpkin ale, I’m sure I”ll love it!!!
Freya (Brit Chick Runs) says
So much beer!!
I love the celebrity spotting thing – that’s amazing! You must’ve felt so proud :p
Wei-Wei says
SO much fun! And you guys do kinda look like a band 😉
Stacey (The Habit of Healthy) says
Wow, that looks like a fun festival – so much beer!! I love that you had a game plan for your beer tasting!
sarah (the SHU box) says
LOVE your list! i’m bringing it with me tonight (we’re going to milltown – belgian beer bar spectacular). looks like a super fun afternoon 🙂
Simply Life says
sounds like such a fun time!
Sophie says
Love Top of the Hops! Must be a national tour type thing because we had Top of the Hops a couple of weeks ago here (the logos and everything are the same but they must feature regional brews) and it was awesome!
Kathryn says
That looks like such a fun day. Our town had its brew fest last weekend, and I definitely was nowhere near as organized as you. I’ve spent some time in NC and absolutely think that Mellow Mushroom pizza is pretty amazing- even when you’re sober.
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
looks like a blast! nice job sticking to your plan!
Cara Craves... says
Maybe the restaurant was a disappoint cause you had such high expectations going in?
I know that happens to me when people sometimes recommend a movie to me…they say it’s brilliant and I end up completely disappointed at the recommendation and feel it’s a waste of time/money.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
That looks like a great time! Love the nerd part with the list to try. I think my husband would have gone crazy and just tried it all! I hate that your dinner experience was bad. That stinks at the end of all that goodness! There is really nothing worse than a wimpy veggie burger on a wimpy salad that probably cost you more than a regular burger. That always irritates me.
lauri (RedHeadRecipes.com) says
You’ve got me wanting pumpkin (punkin) beer! I bought the harvest moon pumpkin ale yesterday and thought it was pretty good–> but I wanna try MORE!! Looks like y’all had a blast!
steph @ goeatapeach says
I’m surprised people raved to you so much about Boylan- that restaurant was five minutes walk from my apartment and I only ate there twice. I will say the first time I went I really liked the veggie burger, then the second time it was awful and I never went back. Plus, once we waited over an hour and a half for food! So many better dining options in Cville. If you’re going to the corner, try Basil, Rev Soup, The Backyard (I used to work here!) or Michael’s Bistro- great beer selection here too!
steph @ goeatapeach says
PS I’ve already expressed my jealousy/sadness about missing Top of the Hops, but I’m glad you had such a great time 🙂
Susan Mc says
I love that you used a pumpkin-colored highlighter!!
barefootgirl says
GREAT POST!! Ironically, my hubby & I bought the dogfish punkin Ale yesterday after receiving pumpkin in our CSA share.. .. it just felt right. OMG.. we Loved it!! It’s nice to see the you rated it so highly as well.. .great minds 😉
Sara says
kath I love your bag in the first few pics! I love the utilitarian look- what is the brand??
Kath says
Thanks. It’s a Lowepro camera bag
Jaci says
I love that you guys are able to walk/bike so many places! I live in the suburbs of Des Moines and have to drive 4 miles to get “into town” and then everything is so spread out, it’s hardly logical to go on foot. I used to live downtown and could walk EVERYWHERE! Just wanted to say good for you guys for saving energy when you can 🙂
Fallon says
I like your attempt at a tasting event. Very smart!
kirsten says
looks like an awesome time!
Jess says
i am so jealous of your beer tasting!!! i’ve tried the hoppin’ frog stout once before and it.was.awesome. definitely deserving of its high score. i can’t wait to dive into fall pumpkin ales in the next coming months!
faith @ gracefulfitness says
Hear, hear! Beer is delicious! I nearly forgot that while living out of the country for a year and a half, in Asia and South America beer all tastes the same and is a bit boring to me (I luv the hops). But I was quickly reminded upon returning to the great States and sipping on my first draft in to long. DELICIOUS!
Where is the best selection of beers on tap in C’ville? Beer Run?
Kath says
Def. Beer Run!
Brianne (beautythroughbalance.wordpress.com) says
Mellow Mushroom’s Veggie pizza is AMAZING!!
coconut water says
:)) I see you smuggled coconut water… is ONE your favorite brand? Have you tried others?
Kath says
🙂
Vitacoco actually is!
Zico says
OK, how about Zico coconut water, do you like it?
Kath says
Zico is a little too thick for me – but I do like it, evidenced here: https://www.katheats.com/soak-it-to-me/
Zico says
Yes, I see. Cool!
Razberri says
Matt’s brother is super totally hot : )~ I’m moving to New Orleans soon and I’m gonna track him down like a cougar! Do you know where he lives??!! I’m gonna get me some of that. Ohhhhh mamacita. Puuurrrrr (gasp!)…… WHOA!!!!! 8 )~~~~~~
Aneesha says
HAHA looks like you all had a ton of fun! did Andrew write the above comment??? just a guess 🙂
Karen says
My favorite veggie burger of charlottesville is at Trinity on the corner. It has very interesting flavor – squash, hazelnut, and quinoa. I’ve never had anything quite like it – I Definitely recommend. The one at Boylan is very messy and has a bit too much going on.
Meghann says
STEVE!!!!
YAy for Highlands!!! I still think of you guys when ever I see that beer in the store 🙂 Aww… memories
Kara Watson says
Hi Kath,
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months and love it! It just occurred to me tonight to search the kerf archives and see if you’ve eaten at our restaurant, Boylan Heights. I am so sorry that you had such a bad experience. I am going to send you a gift certificate tomorrow, as I would do with any dissatisfied customer, in hopes that we can exceed your expectations next time. My husband and I have been following your progress and are excited to try your restaurant when it opens. We love to support other locally owned businesses. Please give us another try!
Sincerely your neighbors,
Kara and Andrew Watson
KathEats says
Hey Kara! Aww now I feel bad…perhaps I was too critical! I’m sure it was a busy night. I will definitely come back!
Mike says
Hey I don’t blame you I’d bring coconut water with me to! My health is very important to me. I won’t compromise it for anything.