The day that I dread when I travel (heck, I dread it when I am home) is washing day. Rather than watch the Williams’ Family Reunion (aka Women’s Singles Final) at the Australian Open, I grit my teeth, grabbed a fistful of quarters and met my fears head-on

Above the washing machine was a flyer for a Coffee Beer Festival at a pub no more than two blocks away, starting tomorrow… $15 entry, music and 8 local brewers showing their handiwork at the Goose Hollow Inn. 

I slept in, that washing is hard work, and made the short trip around the corner, down the hill, finding myself at Goose Hollow. Located at the bottom of a range the Inn sell themselves as having “The Best Reuben Sandwich” in the States. A big claim, I had to try it out.

Corn meat on rye with swiss cheese, mustard and sauerkraut. Served with carrots, potato salad and the obligatory pickle it was not the best ever but it would have made the final cut on “America’s Next Reuben Sandwich.”

 Belly (half) full, beer time. Eight tickets and twelve beer possibilities. I understand how parents have problems choosing their favourite child. Beers with oysters, coffee, vanilla, spices, bark. All dark, all tasty.

They had setup a beer tent out the back of the establishment and beers were exchanged for the tickets. Dress code was gortex and beanie but that wasn’t mentioned on the invite. People had dogs in those things Australians attach to their fronts to carry babies. There was a band, Loggers Daughter, that was conjucive to good times.

Sure the glass was small but when the beers had 10% alcohol nobody went home disappointed. The best thing?… the coffee in the beer means I should be able to cheer Nadal on in the tennis tonight (starts ’bout 1am).