Back in August 2021, we got to visit my most favorite trails in the world (so far) – the trails that circle Monhegan Island, Maine. After falling in love with the tiny island 10 miles off the coast, I’ve been fortunate enough the come back and enjoy the idyllic views. Monhegan Brewery Company has opened and grown since the first visit. It’s a great addition for that post-trail ale. Monhegan Island has trails that circle and criss cross this tiny island, but don’t let the small size fool you. You could easily spend multiple days hiking the various paths. There are rocky coastline trails, deep w ..read more

I’m sure you’ve heard of Blue Moon before. It’s a great light beer that is perfect for summer. You might have wondered what type of beer it actually is. Blue Moon is a Belgian-Style Wheat Ale brewed with orange peel and coriander, then fermented with an authentic Belgian yeast strain to give it that distinctive flavor. It is also unfiltered which leaves it cloudy in appearance. Is Blue Moon a Craft Beer? There’s no doubt about it, when Blue Moon first came out, it was a craft beer. The company started as a craft division of the Coors Brewing Company back in 1995 and was the result of a homebr ..read more

If you think Hocking Hills is all spring wildflowers and fall leaves – think again! One of the best time to visit this region is when the temperatures dip and the days get shorter. Don’t let chilly temperatures prevent you from heading the Hocking country. Here are some fun thing to do in Hocking Hills in the winter. Take a Hike Put on those layers and go hiking! Hocking Hills is arguably at her most beautiful in the winter, with icicles adorning the sides of the sandstone hollows. Hemlock trees keep the landscape from looking totally barren. There really is a special splendor to the hills in ..read more

Contrary to popular belief, there certainly is a clear right and wrong way to pull off a successful beer tasting. Your old college buddies might be content with slurping down their beers (sometimes straight from the keg) as quickly as they can, but that’s no way to truly appreciate the drink in your hand. If you really wish to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of craft brewing, you’re going to have to learn how to taste the brews like a pro. Luckily for you, we have a few tips here that can get you started. Let’s jump in. Picking the Correct Glassware Before we even start thinking about ..read more

If you’ve ever attended an Oktoberfest event, or even set foot inside a German-inspired brewery, chances are you’ve heard the term “bock” tossed around quite a bit. However, it can be difficult for a newcomer to peg an exact definition for this brew based off of context clues alone. You might see your buddies point to two seemingly different brews, yet still refer to each of them as a bock. You’re also likely to hear several different adjectives come up in conversation, including an onslaught of German terminology. And what’s with the goat? It’s almost enough to make your head spin. Not to wor ..read more

As a kid did you look forward to popping a tiny piece of milk chocolate from a cardboard advent calendar throughout December? Re-live the anticipation and fun of an advent calendar as an adult with a treat of a different kind – a beer loaded advent calendar to help you count down the days to Christmas. A beer advent calendar is perfect for the adult who would rather drink a chocolate-y stout than get a teeny piece of sugar. Aldi will be debuting a beer advent calendar for the second year in a row in November 2020. Want to try to get the coveted Aldi item? Read on for how to score one. What Is ..read more

Hocking Hills State Park can get super crowded on the weekends and plain crazy during the summer and fall. While Old Man’s Cave, Conkle’s Hollow, Cedar Falls and Ash Cave are wildly popular for a reason, if you’ve already done those trails, then give the following paths outside of the state park a try. Great news – the beautiful gorges, rock formations and lush greenery of the Hocking Hills don’t stop at the state park borders. There are plenty of less traveled trails that still encompass the magnificence of the region. Split Rocks at Old Growth Forest (Camp Oty’okwa) Location: 24799 Purcell R ..read more

What’s better than hiking in the Hocking Hills? Hiking with your dog in the Hocking Hills! Luckily, there are plenty of dog friendly trails to explore with your furry friend. Dog Friendly Trails in Hocking Hills Ash Cave Ash Cave is a great place to test out how well your dog will do on a hiking excursion. The gorge trail is flat, mostly paved, and short. If your dog used to a daily spin around your neighborhood sidewalks, Ash Cave’s gorge trail should be manageable. If your dog is more adventurous, Ash Cave’s rim trail is also a good test to determine their comfort level. While the hike is s ..read more

Blue Moon was the first beer I remember liking well before the craft beer boom. And while I don’t drink Blue Moon much anymore (unless it’s the best option on limited beer menu), I do appreciate that it introduced my taste buds to the possibility of a crisp, citrusy brew. If you’re a fan of Blue Moon and looking to venture into the craft beer world – or just want to try something new – here are some beers you should try. What kind of beer is Blue Moon? So, before we get into the list of beer possibilities, let’s look at the characteristics of Blue Moon. Blue Moon Brewing Company describes its ..read more

Looking at a beer menu can be intimidating. So many choices! You may know you want something light and crisp and see both pilsners and lagers listed as such. So, what’s the difference between a pilsner and a lager? The short answer: a pilsner is a type of beer in the broader categorization of lager beers. All pilsners are lagers, but not all lagers are pilsners. Kind of like money. All dimes are coins, but there are more coins than dimes. Make sense? Let’s go a little deeper into the definitions. When it boils down to it, there really are only two major types of beers: lagers and ales. The mai ..read more