Let there be Joy!

Experiencing Joy! That was the theme of this weekend’s Upstate New York Synod Assembly. God wants each of us to experience the joy of living, and that means something different to each of us. And as you’ve probably figured out, I love traveling, marking items off my endless lists, and sampling beer. So when it was time for our Assembly this year, I got on the road to try a few more beers.

The first stop was back to Oswego and King Arthur Steakhouse. It was cold and rainy, and the staff let me stand in the rain while they finished a phone call. Really nice. The beer was pretty good, specializing in flavored wheats (blueberry, raspberry ,apricot, etc.). The food was just average, and I was glad to get on my way. Next it was off to MacGregor’s (http://www.macgregorsgrillandtaproom.net/) for a few drafts, and boy was I in for a treat. They had Widmer’s Prickly Pear Braggot, sweet and satisfying. Next was Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout, a beautiful beer with a strong whiskey smell that adds to the stout. I had the bottled versions before, but to try the two on draft was amazing. For dinner, the Tap & Mallet (http://tapandmallet.com/) was recommended, and I sure can see why. I had BLT on sourdough, and tried the Sixpoint Righteous Rye IPA on cask. The hops and spice really complemented the bacon of the sandwich.

The next day I made it over to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, and even though they didn’t have any new beer, my lunch was fantastic. I tried all the hot sauces, and didn’t regret my decision since they had key lime pie to cool my mouth. I love having our Assembly at the Rochester Convention center since Dinosaur is right next door. I can’t wait for the store to open in Troy in October. I attended some seminars, and then was able to go out for dinner to the Old Toad (http://www.theoldtoad.com/). I got a Ploughman’s Lunch with some local ham and cheddar, and washed it down with the Old Toad 20, brewed by Rochester’s Custom Crafters brewery. Even the folks at Tap & Mallet admitted that the Old Toad 20th Anniversary beer was exceptional. I was also pleased to find out that the Old Toad’s sister bar was Kellam Island brewery from Sheffield, England. If I get the opportunity to go back to the UK I’ll have to check it out.

Tuesday was the time to go home. I stayed to the very end for the ceremony that didn’t take place, my sending to the National Assembly in 2011. Apparently they were a year early. I stopped by Syracuse on my way back at Clark’s Ale House (22 beers and 1 sandwich)(http://www.clarksalehouse.com/). I had their roast beef with horseradish with a Brooklyn Buzz Bomb, another braggot. But I was on a schedule, and I couldn’t stay long. Instead, I made it just in time for the FX Matt brewery tour in Utica. Beer Advocate said it was the #65 place to have a beer due to the fact that they have been doing brewery tours there for almost 100 years.

The Assembly was special in that my former Pastor led was a chief speaker, his son John played some inspirational music (I think he's Wonderful, too), my former organist led the music, my Pastor led a Seminar, and a friend of mine got elected to the National Assembly. Also, my Bishop gave a sermon based on a poem which had the refrain, “I know the way you can get if you have not been out drinking from the cup of love.” I didn’t focus on the love part, nor the drinking (strangely enough), but the part about being out. I love going out to try new beers, at new places, and meeting new people. And when I don’t get my monthly beer trip, I get a little stir crazy. So I’m fortunate that this summer will offer a wealth of opportunities for me to experience my particular form of joy, doing what I love. Skal! – 5518

"It is better to think of church in the alehouse then to think of the alehouse in church." – Martin Luther