Here’s some posts you won’t want to miss:

The New York City Traveler combines two of my favorite food groups, bacon and beer, in his post about a limited production beer at the Brooklyn Brewery.  Another reason to make the trek across the bridge!

Nerds Eye View takes us along her road trip – in a 32 foot RV.  I’m not a camper, but maybe RV-ing it would be a little different.  What do you think?  Is a road trip in your future?

MSNBC gives us some tips on how to spot a hotel in bankruptcy.  Ignore these warning signs at your peril.

Seattle PI Blog has an interview with Hollywood screenwriter Mike Thompson, and he talks about his new movie, Love Happens starring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart.  Parts of the movie were set in and around Seattle.

Fox Nomad suggests that we ask for a corporate discount, even if we don’t work for that business.  Or ask for a conference rate, even though we may not be attending the conference.  A good topic at the intersection of budget and ethics.

A Traveler’s Library reviews the recent Travel Insight 100 poll about using Twitter.  Members of Travel Insight 100 are travel writers, travel industry professionals, advisors and analysts, and travel bloggers.  (Full disclosure:  I’m a member of the panel.)

A Single View has a beautiful photo of the Hotel Cala di Volpe on the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia, Italy.  Beautiful!  And makes me long for my return trip to Italy.

Traveling the Green Way lists some green activities in the Portland area.  Some great stuff happening just down the freeway a-piece.

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

This limited production brew is only available from November through December, and in past years (2007, 2006, and 2005) has won several Gold Medals from the World Beer Championships.  I didn’t even know there was such a thing!

Christmas Ale is robust ale brewed with honey and spiced with fresh ginger and cinnamon, and is supposed to be THE definitive beer choice to pair with fruit cakes and other holiday breads!  Don’t you just love discovering new beer and food pairings?!

Great Lakes Brewing Company is an environmentally and socially conscious brewery, with a Brewpub located at 2516 Market Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio.  The site is a merger of two historic buildings, including the former Market Tavern, a spot claimed to be popular during prohibition.  The pub retains much of the charm and decor from that 1930’s era, including some bullet holes that legend claims came from Eliot Ness.

Stop by for a little Christmas Ale, and get a history lesson to go with it!

Image credit:  Great Lakes Brewing Company

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

After the church was abandoned in the early 1990’s, a rehab project began that would turn the unique venue into a restaurant.  The transformation made for a beautiful restaurant and brew pub, with many of the original pieces of the church re-purposed for a new use.

The original pews have been turned into booth seating in the dining room.  The extra planks salvaged from re-fashioning the pews were used for the top of the bar.  Large copper and stainless steel tanks were installed in the former sanctuary, and the original floors were restored and the stained glass windows were repaired and polished.  Attendees of St John’s may well recognize the original bricks, wood, and lighting, now rehabbed for use in previously unexpected ways.

Other parts of the former church have been put to good use as well.  The former rectory courtyard was converted into an outdoor patio, hidden a bit from the rest of the restaurant, to provide a pleasant outdoor hideaway.  And Church Brew Works merchandise is sold from a former confessional.

Okay, enough about the decor — what about the food and beverage?! 

The menu features typical American-style fare, with a few unusual twists like buffalo, rattlesnake, and unusual Pierogies.  Healthy salads are also available.  Lunch runs in the $8-13 range, with dinner running around $15-28, with a nice selection of starters and sides at both meals.  A pub menu is also offered.

And they serve beer!

Four house beers are regularly offered, two ales and two lagers:  Celestial Gold, Pipe Organ Pale Ale, Pious Monk Dunkel, and Blast Furnace Stout.  A few specialty beers appear on a rotating/seasonal basis.  I like the sounds of Papal Indulgence, but if you can’t narrow your selection, go for a sampler (in photo at left).

Church Brew Works hours are Monday – Thursday 11:30 am – 11:45 pm.  Lunch is served until 4 pm, and Dinner until 9:30 pm.  Pizza served until 11 pm.  Friday & Saturday, 11:30 am – 1 am, serving lunch until 4 pm, dinner until 11 pm, and pizza till midnight.  Sunday hours are noon – 10 pm, with lunch served until 4 pm, dinner and pizza until 9 pm.

If you a beer lover, take a look at Brew Ha-Ha, a beer blog written by pal Kelly Erb and her husband, Chris.  You’ll find lots of fun, humor, information and ideas about one of America’s favorite beverages.

Photo credit: flickr (sanctuary), (beer sampler)

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe