Happy birthday to my dear friends at Tap & Mallet. I can not believe it's only been 2 years since you have become a staple in the Rochester, NY scene. The presence that you have created is that of someone much more "established" (a.k.a old) and I believe you are a fantastic example to Rochester's love for authenticity and craft beer.

I'm not sure exactly what makes Tap & Mallet so great; could it be the dedication to fantastic, fresh craft beer, the staff that defy the notion that craft beer is snobby, or simply the "characters" that you attract?

I love that when someone new comes into the bar and asks for a Bud, no one laughs... but instead offers a fantastic suggestion "I'm sorry we don't have Bud, but we do have beer X that we think you might like". I appreciate that the folks on both sides of the bar are genuinely, authentically, and absolutely interested in beer.



You have built your own community... the "Characters of Tap"....I appreciate the fact that any given day I can walk into the Tap & Mallet and see half a dozen people I know. I might not know them well, but I know that we have one clear passion in common; THAT'S what builds a stronger community. You break down social barriers and allow for fantastic collaboration amongst your peers.



So, Happy 2nd Birthday Tap & Mallet. I appreciate you, I value you, and I thank you for bringing good beer, good people, and social change to Rochester, NY.

It's Thursday night in the R O C and I'm feeling like doing something other than play on my computer and listen to my pups bark. I have no plans, no friends have asked me out, and there isn't anything imperative that needs to be done at home.

From my perspective there are endless options, but I've narrowed it down to the following five:

1. Drive to Wegmans, return my movie, purchase a 750ml of La Fin Du Monde, and return home to grade exams.
2. Drop into ICC Truth basketball practice and watch our young leaders sweat.
3. Call my darling partner and ask him to meet me at Tap & Mallet for a craft beer and a chit chat.
4. Drop into the Boulevard and see what they're all about.
5. Listen to Filthy Funk at Lovin Cup.



See, the coolest thing is that some of these could be done in combo, where as others would be a one or the other. I love the freedom to explore and am blessed to live in a small city with endless opportunities!