A Week of Birthdays!!

On Saturday morning, Nick and I woke up early to drive to Scottsdale, Arizona.  Best friends of his live there, Jack and Lindy.  Jack was celebrating his 30th birthday, and his wife, Lindy had this fantastic party planned.  

 She created everything you see here... so very creative!  It was a beer vs. wine themed black, white, and red party!  Everyone had to choose a wine glass and a beer glass when they arrived, each glass had a tag with our first initial on it.  We also had to grab out initial notepad and a marker.  

There were FIVE courses.  Before each course, Jack would introduce the beer that was accompanying the course, and Lindy would introduce the wine.  We got a tasting sample of each in the respective glasses, and a taste of the food dish.  We then, had to vote which wine or beer we thought paired better with the food and mark it on our notepad.  SO FUN! 

course one:  Pop's Peanut Butter + Bacon Triscuits paired with Samuel Smith Lager (England) and 2009 Crios de Samos Balbo Rose of Malbec (Argentina) 

course two:  Flo's Spicy Chicken Lettuce Cups paired with Hitachino Red Ale (Japan) and Gazela Vino Verde (Portugal)

course three: Scottsdale BBQ Pork Sliders paired with Two Hearted Ale Bell's Brewery (Michigan)and Page Springs Cellars 2009 Mule's Mistake (Arizona)

course four:  Chorizo Mac + Cheese paired with Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale Stone Brewery (California) and Zaca Mesa 2007 Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

course five:  Tammie Coe Red Velvet Cupcakes paired with Lambic Belgian Framboise and V. Sattui Madeira (Napa Valley)

It was a great night had by all.  The following morning, Nick and I and his friends Joe and Cassie (also from Newport), and Jack and Lindy all went to the Zinburger restaurant. The home of the very best burger and shake I've ever had in my whole life! It was a birthday celebration all around: Jack's birthday the 30th, mine the 2nd, and Cassie's the 7th.  GREAT weekend!