A few weeks ago, I got a pretty amazing phone call from URGE American Gastropub owner/proprietor Grant Tondro. He had an awesome idea for how to kick off San Diego Beer Week in style: a road trip in an RV, picking up kegs from Goose Island Beer Co. in Chicago and heading back to SD along with other goodies collected from breweries along the way.
Did I want in? Could I write something about it from the road? Well, you’re reading my answer. We’re en route to St. Louis as I write this, late on a cold Midwest Monday night, and it’s everything you’d expect from an RV full of seven guys who visited Goose Island’s Fulton brewery, their original Clybourn brewpub, followed by a trip out to Three Floyds Brewing Co. in Munster, Indiana.
So what the hell am I writing about? Is this just some humblebrag to boast that I’m here and you’re not? Not in the slightest. I’m trying to let you know that Grant is selflessly bringing a bunch of stuff back to share. With you. Starting Friday at 3pm. Besides the eight Goose Island beers (that don’t often see the glorious SoCal sun) we picked up today, by the time I was able to join up with the convoy, there was already a selection of Surly Brewing Co. and New Glarus Brewing Co. beers in the trunk that may be making some kind of appearance at URGE or Grant’s newer café and specialty market in Rancho Bernardo, Brothers Provisions.
But before we get back, we’ve still got a few more stops on the docket, including Perennial Artisan Ales and Schlafly Beer in STL, followed by a trek to Boulevard Brewing Co. in good ol’ Kansas City. I’ll be updating from the road tomorrow and Thursday, sharing a more complete beer list that you can expect to see along with some words about the inspiration behind this trip from the man with the plan, Grant Tondro (who’s being a gracious designated driver tonight as the rest of us sit in the back of the rickety RV drinking Sculpin, writing blog posts, playing video games, and watching an Aziz Ansari “RAAAAAAAANDY!” skit that I’d never seen).
Until the next update, I bid you adieu. Hope to see you Friday!
For intermittent entertainment, you can follow more of our posts on Instagram: @UrgeGastropub and @RandyClemensEsq; and Twitter: @UrgeGastropub, @RandyClemensEsq, and the #BeerRun hashtag. Also, Jay is scribing more on the Urge blog.
Disclosure: URGE is covering the cost of Randy Clemens’ plane ticket as well as some trip expenses in exchange for these words and pictures.