Happy 4th and 3 to celebrate with!

A 37 degree night at the base of Mount Rainier (with pea soup visibility and rain all night), a sleeping bag whose limits was 40 degrees and a long week contributed to a three hour night of sleep as I joined childhood friend Kathy Torma and the Kenston Field Experience.  A former participant and "student chaperone" of the trip, I was excited to join them for a day or two of hiking on Mt. Rainier and St. Helens.  However, Saturday's lousy visibility, bone chilling cold and "the mountain" eluding us, we drove down to lower levels and hiked around the base - not idea - but beautiful just the same.

In the late afternoon, we separated ways - they went on to St. Helen's and I left exhausted heading back to Seattle with two things on my mind - my soft, warm bed and a delicious IPA.  I met Lara, Julie and Meagan at the Barking Dog - a quiet Ballard favorite - that has pretty good food but awesome rotating taps of microbrews.  We arrived at happy hour!  Three very different imperial pints of IPAs were ordered - West Coast IPA (Green Flash Brewing Co.), Hales 2010 Double IPA (Hales Brewery) and Lagunitas IPA (Lagunitas Brewery).   They were all delicious and quite different - I was in IPA HEAVEN - literally.

West Coast IPA - a taste of this beer caused my companions' lips to pucker and noses too wrinkle.  Too bitter! - the other two bears exclaimed.  Just right!-  for me.  An IPAs lover's IPA -  this is a super bitter, make-the-hair-stand-up-on-the-back-of-your-neck- though-not-malty, delicious IPA.  These are my favorite kinds of IPAs - like 4 star Indian food - enough to make your eyes water and wanting more.  (I had two.  They were equally fantastic.)

Hales 2010 Double IPA - never disappointed by Hales' IPAs, their 2010 is the official beer of beer week - and it deserves it spot.  A bit smoother than their Super Goose (a new "old standby") - the 2010 will be around for a limited time and any of you who love a good IPA - should pick one - or three - up and enjoy.  It subtly raises the IPA bar.

Lagunitas IPA - an old standby. If you favorite watering hole carries only one IPA - it should be Laguintas.  Bitter but not so much that even your non-IPA loving friends can enjoy - still with IPA integrity.  Always a good 6 pack to take to a party (you'll make friends).

Happy 4th of July everyone!