Hello, 2016.
There are a lot of changes ahead for me this year. As of last month, I joined GK Visual’s staff as a part-time writer and producer. I’ve been working with these guys for years on a freelance basis, and I’m so honored to become an official member of the team — I even have office space in their new building.
And while you can continue to find great content right here, I will no longer be contributing to PennLive. Be on the lookout for more reviews and bar/restaurant/brewery news. If you’re not yet on the mailing list, be sure to sign-up!
All of that, plus my new workout routine — my Day in the Life will be shaping up quite differently than it has the past three years. It’s somewhat daunting, yet exciting.
But — before we get too far into 2016, let’s take a look at the past year.
In 2015, we wrote 337 blog posts. The busiest day was just last month with my breaking news that a New ‘Escape Room” will open February in downtown Harrisburg.
You also loved our posts on ZerØday Brewing opening in Midtown, Meet the 33 Artists of Millworks, plus these oldie favorites: 5 Fun Board Games for Adults, Best Brunch in Harrisburg and How to Dress for BrewFests.
I hosted a Baker’s Dozen of events, including 11 Happy Hours and 2 Booze Cruises (see the bottom for the recaps).
Here are some of the year’s highlights:
Visited countless breweries, including a record 20+ in the month of January alone to begin taping for Brewed in the Burg.
Attended my first “underground” dinner — and wrote about it.
Attended the Brewers of PA’s annual social event and hobknobbed with great Pennsylvania brewers.
Millworks opened on my birthday.
We made Harrisburg Beer Week happen and raised $20,000 for Harrisburg River Rescue. Check out more photos here. The 2016 Harrisburg Beer Week will run April 22-30 — Join our mailing list now for updates as they happen!
Together with GK Visual, we shot an entire feature-length documentary on our local craft beer community and released Brewed in the Burg.
Immediately following Beer Week, I stupidly ran a 4-Mile hilly run at The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey.
Joined the #27Daybreak team a bunch of times to talk about area events.
3 friends got married within a couple of months!
Took some fun beer trips, including Lancaster, Dewey Beach and Asheville, NC.
Planted hops with the Troegs team at Sunny Brae Hops — then returned for harvesting!
Went to the beach.
Kayaked the Susquehanna with these fools (almost died).
Road trip and BBC15 with T!
Ran a 7K, got a trophy for placing third in my age group. Don’t ask out of how many.
Attended (almost) the full Trés Bonne Annèe.
Joined the board for the Harrisburg Marathon and helped update and rejuvenate this classic race.
Finally learned a little bit about Scotch Whisky.
*Almost* won my first-ever Fantasy Football League. (Dammit, Intern Jimi).
Hung out with this crew a whole bunch.
Actually took some time off leading up to today.
PLUS:
Shared recipes from Sara’s Kitchen for:
- Sara’s Kitchen: Parcel Torte (Three Rivers Cookbook)
- Sara’s Kitchen: Venison Chorizo Nachos
- Sara’s Kitchen: Quick Pickles & Spiked Tea
- Sara’s Kitchen: Venison Chorizo Zucchini Soft Tacos
- COCKTAILS: Wet Hot American Sunrise
- COCKTAILS: Winters in Manhattan
- COCKTAILS: Coco Monkey
- COCKTAILS: Cherry Barrel
- COCKTAILS: Scottish Flower
- Sara’s Kitchen: Fun Fall Cocktails
Hosted a bunch of great events:
- Happy Hour Recap {Spring Gate Vineyard}
- Happy Hour Recap {Ad Lib}
- RECAP: Happy Hour at Cafe 1500
- RECAP: 2015 Booze Cruise
- RECAP: Happy Hour at The Country Club of Harrisburg
- RECAP: Happy Hour with Trés Bonne Annèe at Hilton Harrisburg
- RECAP: Happy Hour at River City Blues
- RECAP: Happy Hour at Zeroday Brewing
- PHOTO RECAP: Late Night Booze Cruise
- Recap: ZerØday at Arooga’s “Think Local Drink Local”
- RECAP: Happy Hour at The Mill in Hershey
- RECAP: Holiday Happy Hour at Garlic Poet & Grain+Verse
- RECAP: Happy Hour with Open Stage of Harrisburg
