Beers Around The World

Over the years my husband and I have have traveled extensively, him more than I, but hey, someones got to stay home with the kids once in awhile.   It has become quite the hobby for us.  We are intrigued with new places and experiences.   Well, another hobby we enjoy is good beer.  We are not mixed drink kind of people, we drink wine on occasion, but there is just nothing that tops an ice cold beer.
 There are so many different types of beers; ales, lagers, porters, stouts, pilsners, etc...the list could go on & on.  Also, when you travel you experience different flavors in those types of beers due to the hops & barley (and other ingredients) grown in those countries.  Well we have put our two passions together and have started "Beers Around The World".   Throughout the remainder of our lives it is our goal to travel to as many countries as possible and to drink a beer in each country.  Well we have a good start....

IRELAND...the "drinking country" as I refer to it.  Guinness, Guinness & more Guinness!  I found out I was pregnant with my son just days before leaving on this trip, so I didn't get to enjoy as much Guinness as I'd hoped for, but I watched my husband & friends drink plenty!

COSTA RICA... I call this picture "fire & ice".  It is the perfect combination of a blazing sunset and an ice cold beer.  This particular spot in C.R. had the most brilliant sunsets I have ever seen!  We spent a month on this beach and had amazing sunsets almost nightly.

SAMOA.... Not a bad place to enjoy a cold beer!  Sitting on the deck of the fale, looking at the turquoise waves breaking and palm frawns swaying in the breeze.

FRANCE.... This was outside a cafe in Biarritz, France.  This picture was taken by a friend of mine who was also on this trip and is just a brilliant picture.  The architecture in the background, a glance at the menu, sunglasses, and standing tall at attention is the star of the picture, mostly full but has been shown a little love.  It was on this trip that Alex proposed to me;  sitting on the beach in Hossegor, drinking amazing red wine, watching the sunset, and eating a baguette with "stinky cheese" as my husband refers to it, he popped the question.  For this, I have a fond love for France (even though the language after a few weeks drives me nuts!)

NICARAGUA.... OK, so I didn't actually get to enjoy one of these in Nicaragua with my husband because I was confined to home on bed rest (again with my son), 8 1/2 months pregnant while Alex went on a boys trip for a few weeks.  Yes, I am that cool of a wife to let my husband leave for 3 weeks while having contractions on the couch.  But hey, if I delivered while he was out of the country I would get to pick "my" name.  Well, needless to say, he made it home, saw the delivery and he got "his" name (he offered to let me have it but I knew how much he liked the name Cole).  I did eventually get to try one of these beers while we were in Costa Rica and found some at a local market.

PANAMA.... Just looking at this picture is getting me excited for our upcoming adventure.  I can not wait to be back in this spot, enjoying another one of these beers, snorkeling in these amazing waters and collecting giant conch shells!  The Zapatilla Islands of Bocas Del Toro is one of the most picturesque places I have ever been too. With no one around but us and the few others with us, we had the place to ourselves.  Absolute perfection!

NEW ZEALAND.... If someone asked me to describe a beautiful country, New Zealand would be the 1st to come to mind.  Driving around this country in a camper van, it was ridiculous how many incredibly beautiful sights we saw.  So many that it was almost overwhelming.  Well I am fortunate to have a brother in law (and hopefully a sister in law someday...hint hint, Ian) that live in N.Z.  I am confident that I will be returning to this magnificent country in the future!

MEXICO.... I know, everyone has had a Corona but I had to include it.  It has been a staple in our household and we travel to Mexico often and love it there despite all of the craziness over the last few years.  We have had so many great times in Mexico with friends & family.  It's like home away from home.

CALIFORNIA (this is my choice for the U.S)....Cambria is one of our favorite "local" spots and this beer is one of my favorite "local" beers.  Located along Highway 1, just south of Big Sur is where this gem of a spot is found.  Cute B&B's and yummy seafood restaurants line the street.  The Firestone brewery is in Paso Robles not far from Cambria.  A great spot for a romantic weekend getaway, we have had a few here.
There are a few other countries that we have marked off of our list but didn't manage to snap a photo of it, so I guess we will just have to go back for that!  SALUD!