Oh, man--Elkader. I was back in that area a month or so ago (West Union and Decorah--Toppling Goliath was closed darn it). Zero drift scenery and good times.
Once per year my buddies from high school and I get together to play Risk (the board game). It takes hours to play. We catch up, reflect, laugh, and drink the entire time. It's one of my favorite days of the year. That day, coupled with several pints of the beer linked below, is very much one of my ideal beer days. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/45832/523413/ I'm grateful that I am able to do these things.
No love for Dancing Gnome or Lolev? Both are ungodly pains in the ass to get to if you're outside of the city, but if we're talking teleportation.... Also if you're a fan of Golden Age, Lorelei is a beer/wine bar in Shadyside that has their stuff on tap as well as a pretty great selection of Belgian and wild ale. Only place I saw Cantillon and Hill Farmstead saisons alongside a great wine list and tons of local offerings. Food sucks though and it's expensive. They burn the fuck out of the pizza.
I wouldn't turn up my nose to beers from either, but I'm not a fanboy either. Funny not funny thing about Lorelei is that they're not open until 5 AND last time I was there I had one of the weirdest experiences that I've ever had at a beer bar of that caliber. Went there for Orval Day last year and there were about 20 people in the bar and the only one drinking beer was me. Most of those people didn't even buy anything. They were all on their laptops drinking and eating things they brought in. Absolutely confusing, if you ask me. Bartender was super stand-off-ish as well. I've been a handful of times in the past and always had a good experience. Can't say it was "bad". Just odd.
Off cuts are phenomenal when properly made. Takes skill on both the butcher and cooks part, but the effort is worthwhile. I'm a big fan of nose to tail eating. Rooter to the tooter.
