Bud Light over Balashi?

I was walking through the Aruba airport and took the below picture of a guy drinking a giant bud light. I thought it looked cool, and looking at it now, the guy looks real and not painted on the wall. Too bad he was drinking a Bud light and not a Balashi.

Reality Tomorrow

It's been a few days since my last blog as my last few days I've done nothing but chill, drink, and eat. I haven't been this relaxed in some time, which is an awesome feeling. Unfortunately tonight is my last night in Aruba, and with the rapture/end of times not occuring today I will be flying back north tomorrow and will have work on Monday. Thankfully I'm going to the Phillies game on Tuesday for my birthday celebration/Roy Oswalt Bobblehead day. For those in the area, you are welcome to join me as I will be in lot K, and I will be grilling. I already took off work and should be down there sometime around mid afternoon.

Most of my days were spent on the beach or pool bar just straight chilling. I now understand how people can come to an island and decide to make a permanent move to a place like this. While at the beach today I did enjoy a Balashi, as what would the beach/ocean be without beer. The other night I did visit one of the local beach bars, Mooba. This bar, which is located right on the beach is under a giant hut that reminds me of a bar you would see out of the movies. Although there were people from the surrounding hotels, this seemed to be a place a lot of the locals hang out. I was surprised to see how friendly they were to us "shoobies." I ended up drinking Balashi Chill, which again is like a corona, and is served with a piece of lime.

The restaurants down here have been amazing, and if any one ever visits Aruba please ask me where to eat as I had some outstanding meals. I've eaten fresh seafood at places that had remarkable views on right on the water. The past few nights I've been cheating on beer as I did have a margarita on the rocks, and a mango mojito. Although I do enjoy the balashi, there is only so much of this island beer that I can drink. Perhaps my next venture would be to open a beach bar and import craft beer from the states. I'm not sure if it's too expensive to do so or if the country regulates the beer coming in, however the beer menus are limited.

I didn't get too many pictures this trip, but once I do get home I will be posting a few pictures of the trip.

Fishing for Beer

I've been up since 6 this morning doing some serious deep sea fishing. While on the open sea, we caught some big boys which tired me out and really had me wanting a frosty beer. We got back to the hotel and headed to the sports bar where I continued my Balashi drinking. We ordered a pitcher of Blasahi which ran $25!! How a beer that is brewed on the same island is sold for $25 a pitcher is beyond me. Actually, it should be illegal. Regardless, I drank the beer and was happy they were served in frosted Balashi glasses. While on the boat I did see some Flying Fish. No, not the beer, but actual Flying Fish.

Another Balashi, Please

"Your drinking so much Balashi, your going to turn into a Balashi." - Lauren.

I can't really deny her statement as all I have been drinking is the Aruba beer Balashi. I did mix in a KingFisher, and Amstel Bright, but all these restaurants offer is Balashi. I don't mind the beer as it actually tastes good and is great to drink in the hot/humid weather of Aruba, however I could definately go for an IPA.

I went to another sunset dinner this time on the actual waterfront. The food was outstanding, the Balashi beer was refreshing, and the view was amazing. While hanging at the private dining we had I couldn't help but think I was in a Corona commercial of the couple sitting on the beach drinking beers. Just add the sunset and the marketing department would love it
The drive to dinner was on the other side of the island, however we did pass the Balashi plant. I found out they have a brewery tour and I think they have a brewpub. Now, only if I can make time to get there

Just an Update

I drank a lot of Balashi at the pool bar. Enough that I now have the hiccups. Before the beer I drank a frozen monkey and a mangto tango margarita. I don't have any pictures as I knew I would have gotten the camera wet. Sorry.

Lauren also made a lot of friends, but if you know her, does that surprise you.  We are going out to drink with another couple we met tonight. And before that dinner. I will blog later.

Just like NJ: Beer at the Market

After breakfast I went to a local Aruba supermarket. Like New Jersey you are able to purchase beer and liquor here, and thankfully unlike the restaurants I've gone too their selection of beer is much larger. To my surprise I also found many beers they I never even knew were brewed by some bigger named companies. They offer the typical American choices: Bud, Miller, and Sam Adam's lager (go figure), however I wanted to try something I've never had before. My first choice was a 6 pack of the KingFisher Premuim lager beer. Its served in a green bottle and looks lighter than most lagers, but my decision was based on the label listing it as a lager and won several beer awards. My second 6 pack choice was much tougher as I saw the many Belgains (ever since Monks) and beers I never knew were brewed such as the Heneken beer in a red box. I grabbed a bottle of the Amstel Bright beer (yes bright not light) and an older guy walking by began telling me how thats a good beer choice. He stated it was similar to a Corona and goes well with a lime. That was my sign. I will find out soon enough if they were good beer choices.

When we got back to the Marriot there was beer car parked in the lot.

Dinner by Sunset

For my first night in Aruba I had a sunset dinner. At the top of one of the hills (or mountain) there is a lighthouse that has an Italian restaurant within walking distance. For Itailian food it was was alright, however people obviously go here to watch the sunset. The beer menu wasn't as extension as the server mentioned Corona and Balashi before I made a decision. This place mainly serves wine as they had a book of white and red wine. Again, I went with the local flavor, and ordered Basahi, which is very light and not filling. Because I find Itailian food heavy it was refreshing to drink a beer that didn't make me full. The beer is so light that I easily drank 4 beers and not even feel any effects of the alcohol. Each time I got another beer the server would come out with a bottle and a frosted glass to pour it into. One of my biggest pet peeves when being served beer is when inexperienced servers pour beer into a glass. Instead of a nice glass of beer, you get a nice glass of foam, aka the head.