Where did this journey begin? Officially March 12th, 2024, about a month into my third stint at unemployment. I’ve contemplated starting blogs in the past but never felt enough of an “authority figure” on anything meaningful. My last blog idea was “The Investment Pad” as a fresh graduate with a finance major. Although I have not become the authority on that subject that I would like, I have become a self-proclaimed beer connoisseur. Those are the tradeoffs one makes when they go to school in an area densely populated with great craft breweries. As an ode to The Rum Diary, I begin this blog.
“Old God sure was in a good mood when he made this place”
I would have once considered myself a world traveler, spending time in Italy, Mexico, and The Bahamas. I even went to Disney and had them bring the world to me at the magical Epcot Center. Then the magic ceased, parents divorcing and the wonders of dual incomes turned into wondering how the house payments would be made. All stories have downsides, and that’s not what I’m here to dwell on. This is that metaphorical rise-out-of-the-ashes thing. So as my first trip out of the country in 12 years, I am going to Europe for the Paris Olympics!
“With the palms zipping past and the big sun burning down on the road ahead, I had a flash of something I hadn’t felt since my first months in Europe—a mixture of ignorance and a loose, “what the hell” kind of confidence that comes on a man when the wind picks up and he begins to move in a hard straight line toward an unknown horizon.”
I’ve been criticized by more than one person that my vacation plans seem to revolve around breweries and BBQ restaurants. I’ve never really understood the problem. Who wouldn’t stand in line at la Barbecue for 4+ hours to try, arguably, the best BBQ of your life? When in San Diego it’d be a shame to miss out on Border X and the amazing tacos across the street. When your family is planning a trip to San Luis Obispo, you have to check out the Fireside’s, Walker and Grill that is. This blog is a hope to share my experiences with the Beer, BBQ, and Travel community.
“There was an awful suspicion in my mind that I’d finally gone over the hump, and the worst thing about it was that I didn’t feel tragic at all, but only weary, and sort of comfortably detached.”
My name is Augustin, and I am a regular guy with a longing for travel and a love for beer and BBQ. I homebrew, have managed a small craft brewery, and cooked BBQ in their kitchen. I am a proud owner of a Webber Smokey Mountain and Kettle Grill that I use to experiment with everything BBQ. I am not one to purchase anything or go anywhere without thoughtful research. My findings will be shared through this platform.
“A man can live on his wits and his balls for only so long.”
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