Experience ~ A Calm Week

~ Working intensely at making big strides in 2016. ~

I have to admit, I got a little grumpy after Thanksgiving. The holiday was wonderful for my family and I, personally, but with downtime to contemplate 2016's planning it left a little bitterness in me. Not sure if I can put my finger on it, but like everyone, I need balance. Sadie knows I feel this way, but I'm really hoping to industry works on getting more customer-friendly and real with its audience versus who has the best latte art, beard, or tattoo sleeve.

We are expecting our 2nd child in January, and I feel ready, but have decided with my wife to not travel in December and January. Sadie is taking over my travels for those two months, and is in Houston as I write this. She deserves this opportunity, and is more than ready for additional solo LAB road trips. I will miss the warmth of Houston, the amazing array of culinary flavors, and one of the best cocktail scenes in the country, but my job for the next 60 days is to sit my butt down, and kick ass while in Kansas City. Oh, wait, that beer scene in Houston is on point, too.

For those that don't know, I work from my home office. We use to have an office space, but once we spread outside Kansas City that wasn't necessary, nor were we efficient like we are these days. That lends itself to finding refuge in good work environments outside the home. Luckily, I have an advantage of being in the beverage industry, and it's a LAB philosophy to tip very well. It's one of our ways to give back to the industry, and live what we promote.
​Here are a few stops last week that inspired me, and another glimpse into who we are:

Capp to go at Broadway Roasting - One of the oldest specialty coffee shops in the city, and still serving up some of the best espresso drinks. 

The opening ceremony for The Barley Bus - Love what Todd and Jake are doing. It's good for Kansas City pride, small business, and a safe way to visit and consume craft beverages. Ironically, I spent some of childhood with these two. That city life, yo!

Drinking Kolsch and ESBs from our client and friend, Black Mesa Brewing Co. - Like all our clients we've worked with, it's humbling to work with such quality driven brands that care. Recently Black Mesa made it on Food & Wine for the state's best nanobrewery. 

Great one-cup brews at Parisi Cafe and the new BrewGallery - That Kenya at Parisi is a go-to for me right now, and loving the area's only Alpha Dominche at BrewGallery.

Picking up bottles at CellarRat - I was in need of keeping up with my bourbon game, so picked up a bottle of Corner Creek Reserve, but also had to snag the St. George Spirits mini-gins.

NPR Salt and Caffeine Crawl - Weird to think it's a chill week with a big NPR Salt interview, and sending out tickets for the 1st Crawl of 2016, but it was. Encouraging, indeed!

Here's to a wilder week ahead, and be on the lookout for our blog 2.0 changes,
or would that be 3.0? - Jason