On Monday, we made the trek into Lahaina to check out the beers brewed by the Maui Brewing Company. Located on the NorthWest side of the island, this award winning brewery is both charming and unique. Their beers range from blonde to Stout and include everything in between. In this Piece of Crap we speak with beer-tender, Anton, about topics ranging from the beers themselves to the reasons the brewery chose to package in cans instead of bottles.
Most of the beers in the Maui Brewing company line were enjoyable, but a couple that stood out were the Big Swell IPA (57 IBU) and the Coconut Porter (and I don’t even like coconut). Click below to hang with us at the brew pub and, by all means, when in Maui – be sure to check out the Maui Brewing Company.
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We’ve been in Maui for a few days now. Weather was a bit sketchy here for a while, but it seems to be turning for the better. Regardless, it’s a lot warmer here than it is in Seattle. This Piece of Crap is a montage of audio check-ins from various points on our trip leading up to today – Superbowl Sunday. On that note, I better get moving if I want to get a good seat at 
Today, for the first time ever, I found myself getting a Pedicure. Wendy talked me into it since, technically, we are on vacation (though we haven’t yet left the neighborhood). Honestly, I’m not sure why I waited so long to get one of these. You sit in an electric massage chair with your feet in a jetted foot spa. There is some kind of mixture in the foot spa that makes the water blue and comforting (hopefully it wasn’t a Tidy Bowl Tablet!). After they trim up and file your toe nails, they scrub your feet and massage them. Next, they lotion your feet and calves, rub the lotion in, and dry you off. It must have taken about 30 to 40 minutes total and was quite relaxing. Aside from Rachael Ray and Oprah on the television, it was a great experience. For around $20 total out of pocket, it sure beats getting your hair cut. 
All this talk about Diamond Knot in the last two episodes has made me thirsty to pull an interview out of the archives. At the Winter Brewfest in december, I met Bob Maphet, founder and co-owner of 
Ocho, a new spanish style bar in Ballard, opened its doors to the public this evening. I had the pleasure of attending an open house reception last night and had the opportunity to preview some of the appetizers and cocktails Ocho will be featuring. Hosted by owners Zach Harjo and Gelsey Hanson, the reception delighted all who attended and the food and drinks did not disappoint. The menu consists of Tapas (small plates) which means you can get a tasty bite for as little as $2. The drink prices vary. A delicious Sangria (red or white) is $8 – which is absolutely worth it. The $10 Margarita is a little stiff in price but also comes across as a stiff drink altogether (and given that taxes are included in the prices on their drink menu – it ends up being pretty reasonable). Zach and I stepped out of the bar for a few minutes to have this conversation about the birth of Ocho. Enjoy, and I look forward to seeing you at Ocho in the near future.
It’s 2008 and I’m starting the new year off with new toys. In addition to upgrading to the released version of 
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and many of us will be joining friends and family for festive dining and cheerful imbibing. Although I suspect that wine is the most traditionally served drink on this festive occasion; this year I’d like to encourage you to include Craft Beer in your holiday menu. While beer may not be a common part of your family tradition, even the Pilgrims were Ale drinkers and it is widely believed that beer had a place on the table at the first Thanksgiving.
It’s day 2 of the 
My friend 
It’s Sunday afternoon and a very busy summer is coming to an end. In this episode, I am proud to say I’ve put my 
Seattle MVPs focusing on topics ranging from Internet Art to not being bored. 