Well, I’m going to say it. Summer is long over! We’re officially into October in these parts and I couldn’t be more excited. I am so ready to bring out my fall colors and bake something with spice. Even picked up some pumpkin-spice bagels. But I also don’t want to forget the last few memories of summer. In August I was able to go back to Santa Cruz to see who else but my bestie, Heather. It was of course another wonderful weekend of catching up and seeing friends and enjoying the beautiful, cool weather under the redwoods. She definitely spoiled me with breakfast and a comfy bed, some bubbly and a wicked spread of delicious food to enjoy with friends. I also got a righteous sunburn from hanging in Capitola one afternoon. It was so worth it if you ask me. Man do I miss her, and all my good friends there. I’m so glad it worked out for me to go back a couple times this summer. I always have a relaxing, enjoyable time. We also started that show, Stranger Things. Have you all seen this?! So good, but not the best thing to watch when you’re a bunch of girls alone in the woods, haha.
Capitola
For St. Patrick’s Day this year I had a hot date with miss Heather. We went to the newest hot spot in Santa Cruz — Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House, owned by our friends Olive & Craig. Beer Thirty has 30 rotating taps of craft beer and over 200+ bottles you can stop in, buy and take home. Miss Olive and her Beer Thirty team hand selects every beer they bring in. They’ll find you just the kind of beer you like, and will also recommend something new. They’ll talk to you about the brewing style of each, the flavors, the hops — it all. Their amazing picnic table, family-style patio is very open and chill. Very Santa Cruz! You can bring your own food in to enjoy with your beer or tasting, and your dog, too! Heather and I enjoyed a platter of different beers to taste and caught up outside on the patio. It was a pretty low-key St. Patty’s Day, which was just fine with me! Check them out on Facebook. . . and if you come visit me, just know we’re probably going here. It’s the best place to taste local beer. Plus I know the owners, and they’re kind of a big deal ;)
The other weekend, we tried out a new brewery: Discretion Brewery in Capitola. They call themselves ‘Discretion’ because they value sound judgment, subtlety, wisdom, and wit. What about that?! We tried a few of their beers, including their Shimmer Pils, Good Faith and On the Porch Pale, and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the crowd. And seriously, their beer is some of the best around, and that’s coming from my beer connoisseur husband.
Before Heather and I can take a picture, we first have to check our teeth; I’m so glad Rob captured it on film. Not.
They also have a pretty delicious menu of tapas, salads,and meat plates. I ordered the chili and corn bread. Yum. We’ll definitely be going back.