AntSaint

Happy Holidays & See You in 2009

Antsaint is on holiday break until January 2009. All the best to you and yours!

The Early Days of BootsnAll

Recently, Jodie and I traveled up to Portland for the 10th anniversary party of the BootsnAll Travel Network. I worked for BootsnAll during its early days, from 2000-2003. Back then, we were 4 guys with no money and 4 computers in a dining room. But at this party? It was amazing to see how far BootsnAll had come — and the 450 people at the party were certainly a good sign of how well the company is doing.

I was asked to prepare a wee speech for it, and the guys were kind enough to post it:

BootsnAll: The Early Days - Ant.

"As part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations last week, former BootsnAll employee and wordsmith extraordinaire from the Eugene days, Anthony St. Clair was in Portland and had penned a reflection on his time with BnA. He was due to read it to the large audience at the Wonder Ballroom, but given the ambient noise and mood of the crowd we decided it was best saved for the after-after party. It was a more intimate setting, and in the end probably more appropriate. Ant kindly agreed to let us share his words with the interwebs"

Oakshire Brewing Holiday Ale, Ill-Tempered Gnome, Coming Soon to a Tap Near You

Ill Tempered Gnome, the new holiday ale from Oakshire Brewing, is being released this weekend. From Eugene to Portland, look for it on draft soon at your favorite watering hole, along with other Oakshire brews including Oakshire Watershed IPA, Oakshire Amber, Oakshire Wheat and the stellar Overcast Espresso Stout (one of my favorite beers to get when out on the town).

In Eugene, you'll find Oakshire beers all over town. Here are a few new places who have added Oakshire beers to their line-up:

• Pegasus Pizza now serving Oakshire Amber
• David Minor Theater now serving Oakshire Wheat (and I can personally vouch that both the theater and the beer are awesome)
• Luckey's now serving Oakshire Wheat
• Max's Tavern adding Ill Tempered Gnome, should be on tap around Dec. 17 (ish)

Learn more about Oakshire Brewing at oakbrew.com

Learn everything you need to know about Oakshire Brewing by drinking their beer, on tap from Eugene to Portland.

Adventure Outlet Bargain Outdoor Store Open

Over at Delta Oaks, the new Adventure Outlet outdoor store has opened for a 3-month trial – talk about good timing for holiday shopping!

Link: Bargain-price outdoor supply store opens for 3-month trial.

Adventure Outlet has signed on at the Delta Oaks Shopping Center, but for just three months. If customers like the concept of a no-frills, bargain-price outdoor supply store, it will be here to stay.

Dec. 5-7 Release Concerts for New Scottish Music CD

Turning Pages is a new album featuring 18th-century Scottish tunes and newly composed pieces for bagpipes and fiddle. David Brewer, Rebecca Lomnicky and George Grasso will perform together on a CD Release Concert Tour in Oregon on December 5, 6 and 7. David Brewer is the awesome bagpipe, whistle and bodhran player for Molly's Revenge. Rebecca Lomnicky is a Scottish fiddle champion. George Grasso plays Irish music on guitar.

You can catch them:

• Dec. 5, Axe and Fiddle, Cottage Grove
• Dec. 6, Old World Deli, Corvallis
• Dec. 7, Peace Presbyterian Church, Eugene

For more information, call (541) 754-6462 or visit www.davidbrewermusic.com

Ambrosia Wine Tasting - Dec. 3

Ambrosia's last Wine Tasting and Sale of 2008 is on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.! From Ambrosia's Certified Sommelier, Armen Kevrekian:

"Ambrosia has selected 9 wines from Italy, Australia and Argentina that are priced with the holidays in mind. Any of them would make a great gift or a wonderful addition to your holiday festivities. A taste of all wines and appetizers prepared by Chef Amede is $15. Colleen Lewis and Todd Avilla, representing Odom Company, will be there to pour the wines and answer all your questions."

Highlights include:

• Pinot Grigio, Livio Feluga "Esperto", 2007 Fruili, Italy - $15.50
• Malbec, Trapiche Broquel 2005 Mendoza, Argentina (Wine Enthusiast 89) - $15
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Shingleback, 2003 McLaren Vale, Australia - $16
• Shiraz, Razor's Edge, 2006, McLaren Vale, Australia - $12

Head to Ambrosia:

• 174 East Broadway
• Eugene OR 97401
• 541.342.4141
• ambrosiarestaurant.com
• Locally owned and operated over 22 years

Why Homebrew is Better - Boing Boing

Jodie and I are proud homebrewers, and like the author below, part of why I like it is very simple – Homebrew is better because each time it's different. Not only is it different, but you have far more liberty to try different styles. In addition to drinking, homebrew makes great (and great-tasting) gifts. In fact, I think I need to crack open a homebrew right now...

Why Homebrew is Better - Boing Boing

The Brew Site: Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence

The Brew Site: Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence.

I can truly say I didn't expect them to produce a bottle of Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence—the 10th Anniversary 2007 limited edition stout brewed by Brewery Ommegang out of New York. They found it at The Bier Stein in Eugene and, well, a find like that you can't pass up.