Two "Trial Runs" Before Munich

As if I need to practice, but I will have two opportunities within the next 6 weeks to hone my Hofbrauhaus skills. During the first week of May, the 1st through the 6th, I will be in Las Vegas along with Barleyman for an industry trade show. For those of you who are not aware, there is a Hofbrauhaus "franchise" in Vegas. This place is built to the same scale and decorations as the original in Munich, and serves the same beer and food. I was actually able to attend the official grand opening of this fine facility last January, and even got my meal and beer paid for by the management. I just showed them my Beer Drinker's Guide to Munich Field Researcher's membership card, told them I was doing official research for the next book, and voila, free stuff ! ! !! Thanks to Larry for such a wonderful idea.

A few weeks later, on May 22nd through the 25th, I will be in Munich. The great experience this time is that my hotel is directly across the street from the Hofbrauhaus... I wonder if they are open for breakfast ! ! ! Hopefully between these two training sessions, I will be back in shape for the grand excursion this fall.

Today's Post.... Welcome to a New Member

Everyone, let's welcome the Designated Walker as a new member to our family. As a veteran of our first trip in 1993, the Designated Walker will be joining us again this year. Yee Ha ! !

Her assumed role in the past, and hence her moniker, was to escort the troops back to the hotel after our daily consumption of the local brews. We needed someone who knew where the hell to go ! !

This year, after all the stress and other pressures, hopefully at least one day she will need escorted back.

The First Post in Over a Week

Yikes, it is hard to believe that something as important as this blog can go a full seven days without a new topic. With that being the case, here's my contribution. As the originator, and self proclaimed "Grand Poohba Blogger" of the blogosphere, I will diligently try to post something every day. Should I fail, I fully expect contribution from the masses.

Revisiting Day Trips.. I've been asked by one of this year's newbies if there will be a "brochure" describing the day trips. I said, but of course, we do it every time. Frickin' problem is I lied. Guess I now need to author a brochure to detail the options available.

Revisiting Day Trips Part Deux.. With a contingent the size of this year's, day trips and nightly Wiesn visits will certainly be a challenge. As it relates to the day trips, options will be provided (see previous paragraph), do what you believe to be appropriate. Attend if you want, do not attend if you have something better to do. Go on your own if you desire. The only rule will be.... we'll decide that later.

Waiting to hear of Barbus' conquest for a reserved table.....

Response for Sensei Larry.... I have been honored with an email exchange with Larry, God of Beer Drinking Books. He responded with my request to update my email address, and claims the new edition of TBDGTM will be available at the end of the month (we're waiting with baited breadth).

Should we forgo a day trip?... and just drink all day long at the Wiesn? We've never done that before, and it would assure us of an evening table if we got there when they opened. Just a thought.

The $64,000 question... Will this be our last trip to Oktoberfest? We have said that many times, and mostly in jest. But as some of us get older (you know who you are), will you really want to go on another 5-day drinking binge when you could be relaxing in your wheel chair, sipping Metmusal, dreaming of pictures of scantily clad octogenarians, and wondering if the German Pissorts are better than your custom fitted Depends? Just remember, with the Depends, you do not need to get up to relieve yourself.

and now you know my thoughts of the day.