Nothin’ like ye ole West to bring out one’s wild side!
After our 4-hour flight we decided a visit to New Belgium’s Hub restaurant trumped Jamba Juice for dinner. [And that’s sayin’ somethin’!]
I love the West. I studied “Settlement Of The American West” in college (I was a history major!) and fell in love with it then. While I’m not a camper, and I’m scared of snakes and spiders and bears, I do love to just gaze at the rugged landscape. And I just love the attitude out here.
And there are so many beers to choose from! I settled on a bottle over draft, which I NEVER do, in order to try New Belgium’s Abbey – a dubbel – which is my current favorite style of beer thanks to Matt’s latest homebrew.
The Abbey was great – lots of banana and a hint of paint thinner! Nice and thick too!
For dinner I had the 1554 Chili – a soup made from New Belgium’s famous brown ale. It was good, but not fabulous. Came with a green salad.
Saltines hit the spot too!
Matt had a cobb salad and an IPA!
I love that, like Charlottesville, you see specific types of meat – Buffalo, grass-fed beef, wild Alaskan salmon. I assume if I see ‘salmon’ on a menu it’s Atlantic, which is code-word for farm-raised and dyed. I don’t eat meat very often in restaurants, so it’s really nice when the sources are spelled out for me. I choose it to support those farmer’s and establishments that are making an effort for better food.
We taste the 2* Below for dessert. A little too hoppy for a winter ale for me, but not bad either.
I sure hope that beer isn’t going to dehydrate me for this upcoming 2 hour flight! Our flight to Missoula is supposed to leave at 7PM Mountain Time but after a day like today, there’s no tellin’.
Evan Thomas says
I had no idea you were a history major! That’s awesome and a favorite subject of mine.
Buffalo sounds delicious. We don’t see that on many menus in New England.
[email protected] says
“a hint of paint thinner”
And that’s a *good* thing?!
Caitie says
I don’t understand that either. I think her palette is way different than mine, clearly yours too haha
Emma says
My thoughts exactly?!
Kristi says
Thinking the same thing!
Allison @ Happy Tales says
Looove the West as well, need to travel more out there! The mountain ranges are so majestic… can’t wait to see pictures of the all the landscape you see!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I cannot believe you’re STILL traveling! I hope you get to your destination soon!
Karen says
Beware of those rattlesnakes, bears, moose, elk, and bison that might confront you when you’re snowshoeing in the backwoods.
Kath says
I thought they were hibernating!!
Kat says
Looks like a cool place to eat
kristin says
Where are you right now??
Allie says
Hope your flight is safe! I’m totally in the mood for chili now! Also, I agree on supporting grass fed beef, bison, etc.
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
cool vibes! 🙂
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
hippierunner says
Oh man I would have ordered the portabello mushroom burger I spot there on the menu!
Elizabeth says
It’s funny that you say you rarely eat meat in restaurants. As a vegetarian, I find restaurants are the hardest meals NOT to eat meat.
Good luck on your travels and training!
Camille says
I didn’t know you were a history major! That’s really cool! What a transition you made to the RD world 🙂
Hope your flight goes well.
jen @ taste life says
You should be in the air now if your flight left on time!
Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate says
I love how knowledgeable you guys are about beer. I think I need a class from you and Matt!
Christine (The Raw Project) says
Great pics, the grilled portobello’s sound wonderful. Nothing wrong with a relaxing drink before a flight. 🙂 Hope the rest of your travels go well.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
chili made from beer – i’ve never actually had it, but i’m kinda obsessed with it!
Meagan says
You normally go to Jamba for dinner?
Meaghan @ OhReillyWrites says
That chili looks amazing! Although I’m not so keen on the idea of beer flavoring — most of the time, I feel that the only thing beer flavored should be beer itself. Hope you have a safe flight!
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
Hmm I’m not sure how I feel about beer that tastes like paint thinner, but the rest of your meal looks yummy!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Ha, I’m the same with you on the West. I like it in concept and think it is beautiful to gaze at and all. If I actually had to rough it there, though? I don’t know how well I would fare…lol
Hannah says
What a day you’ve had! I sincerely hope you’re tucked up in bed right now! (Funny, saltines are something I’ve only ever eaten when sick – but I guess they taste nice at other times too!)
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
That chili looks awesome–so great for a cold night!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I don’t understand the “hint of paint thinner”?? But other than that it looks like a great night!
Court & Whit says
Mmmm…. chili is the best! Have you ever tried Einstein Bros turkey chili, it is phenomenal 😛
-Court
[email protected] says
I love the West too! I took a train trip across the country (Boston-Seattle) and back, and love the route from Minnesota to Seattle, right through Nebraska and Montana. Gorgeous country!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
Good luck on your epic journey…sounds like your travel day has been….a day.
Good thing for a little bit of an adult beverage on days like that….dehydration and all 🙂
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
After all those flights, you deserve a beer for sure!
Dani says
Welcome to the West (from Washington state.) We love it here, too. Saw Montana Ale Works on your agenda and drooled a bit. Have a great time.
Amanda (Eating Up) says
2 below was a little too hoppy for my liking as well. I also love the West!
Alaina says
I took a history class in college (US History from 1865 – present). My favorite era was definitely the ’20s 🙂
Anna @ ciaotochow says
History major?! I’m not one, but I realized how much I like history in my US History up to 1865 class this past semester. I love it when you’re traveling and you encounter places you’ve learned about in the textbook. Textbook meets real life!
Kristina says
My partner and I drive from CA to Colorado about twice a year, and one thing that we LOVE to do is buy local bison meat which we then bring back to California and make our way through our stash for the next few months. Traveling with a cooler is a must, obviously.
Jessie -- The Messie Kitchen says
I am obsessed with Belgian beers right now — so keep it coming!!!
Serena says
I ate salmon last night – from Whole Foods – Atlantic salmon that was not farm raised and had no hormones/dyes/etc. Obviously most restaurants aren’t going to serve this type of fish without noting it, but not all Altantic salmon is dyed and farm-raised!
Kath says
Hmm that’s not what I had heard? Was it wild Atlantic??
Ashley says
Yay Denver airport!! Glad you finally made it safe + sound!
Dee says
Very cool restaurant!
I was a history major too! 🙂