Amicas Pizza & Microbrewery

Yes, I am still trying to play catch up for all of the writing I didn't do last month. Amicas Pizza & Micro Brewery has been a long time favorite of mine, since before I was old enough to drink, and that is longer ago than I would like to admit!

We all know that there is not much in the world that is better than beer and pizza, it's just a fact of life. They make some pretty damn delicious wood-fired pizzas (they even offer gluten free varieties). I am a pretty simple girl when it comes to my choice in Pizza, so I would recommend the basic Margherita Pizza. But I am also sure you can't go wrong with any choice you make. Now despite the fact that beer and pizza is always a great go-to idea, 9 times out of 10 I opt for an amazing Panini. The last trip that I made to Amicas was specifically for their 'Pan E Pollo Panini' (which if I remember my Italian, means bread & chicken, I could google the translation, but I'm not going to), which I have been eating for as long as I can remember.

The 'Pan E Pollo Panini' is 'Roasted chicken, pesto mayonnaise, provolone, shaved red onion, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers' (from Amicas menu). The paninis are not only decent sized, but they also come with a large salad as well.

If you are looking for something on the light side, they also serve some pretty good salads. I know, you're thinking isn't a salad just a salad? Well maybe you aren't, but I usually do. But let me tell you, the Spinach Salad (INSALATA SPINACI) is delicious (and I am not usually a big fan of salad), but between the pesto vinaigrette and the pine nuts, this is a salad that even I love.

And of course, I can't neglect the beer, it is a microbrewery as well as a restaurant. If you have read any of my other posts, you know that I love my micro-brews! Now despite my beer-snobbery (is that a word?), for my mid-day drinking I prefer a lighter ale type beer.

So at my last little lunch outing to Amicas, I had to go with my stand-by favorite, the Bomber Blonde Ale. But I do have to say that I am also quite fond of the Headwaters IPA, but once again you probably can't go wrong with any of the beers that you try.

And stay tuned for a future post about my homemade version of the chicken panini, I had planned on posting it with this post, but I don't currently have the ingredients, so it will have to be saved for another day. So much for catching up on my posting ;)

Thanks for reading and don't forget to 'like' my facebook page :)

Small Town Colorado

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Do Not Miss This Brewery!

That title makes me sound a little bit demanding, now doesn't it? Well, I can be, but that isn't the point of this blog. And yes I am posting twice in one day, because I am playing some serious catch up from my last month of not posting.

Now, I am a beer snob, not that there aren't some cheap beers that I enjoy (*cough, PBR, cough*), but I love, absolutely love a good micro-brew. Of course, this is Colorado, which is widely considered 'the Napa Valley of micro-brews' so of course I would love them. Anyway, a couple of weekends ago I went to Lafayette (near Boulder) to visit my BFF/partner in crime and of course do a little (or a little too much) boozin'. But among my list of MUST DO things was to visit Asher Brewing and have a Tree Hugger Organic Amber, yes, it is an organic brewery!

Sadly (or maybe it's good) when I was there I was so preoccupied by the beer that I neglected to take any pictures, so enjoy the logo from the Asher Brewing website.

We first discovered this ridiculously amazing brew last summer at the Colorado Brewers Rendezvous, which has been one of the highlights of my summer every year that I have been able to go. This was (sadly) our last beer of the day at last years Brewers Rendezvous, but it was also our favorite, and this year will definitely be one of the, if not the first beers we have. Now, there was always a chance that maybe because it was the last beer in a day of a lot of drinking that it wasn't really as good as it seemed, but since going into the brewery sober, I can assure you that this is the best beer I have had (and that means a lot coming from me)! The BFF also tried (and from what I understand, loved) the Greenade Organic Double I.P.A, maybe sometime I can convince her to write a little review of that for you.

The brewery itself is a little bit tricky to find. It is located in a little industrial area, and since I wasn't driving when we went there I don't even have any little tips on how to get there. And it just so happens that this small town girl doesn't mind a quiet out of the way place to drink. We went a little late, but from what I understand they also have live music and local food trucks there selling food on Fridays. But if you are in Boulder (or the surrounding areas), even if you are looking for a place to stop on a road trip, and dare I say it, their beer is worth being the reason for the trip; this is definitely a place that you should do yourself a favor and visit, I promise that you won't regret it!

Please don't forget to like my facebook page if you haven't already, Thanks!

Small Town Colorado

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Yak Burgers & More

Yep, I have been slacking on my writing the last month or so, not for the lack of things to write about, just because I haven't gotten around to it. But alas I am back and am going to try to keep up with (and catch up on) my writing from now on :)

Like I said, I am behind on my writing, but about a month ago it was one of the first really nice weekends of the year and of course this means the first barbecue of the year and nothing says barbecue like burgers, right? Anyway, a few days before this I had made a little venture to Salida and went to Ploughboy Local Market to pick up a few things. Ploughboy is a cute little grocery store that specializes in local foods and I highly suggest that if you ever find yourself in Salida, CO or any surrounding areas that you stop by.

"We want to make fresh, local food as available as possible with the goals of helping farmers and producers grow, the economy thrive, consumers get real value for their food dollars and have you be able to enjoy food as fresh and great as your grandparents did." - from the Ploughboy website

 While I was getting some fresh chicken I saw ground Yak, which not only had I never tried but I had never seen it before, so in the spirit of being adventurous and trying new things I decided to give it a try.

And I also have to mention that not only are their products local Colorado products, they also specify where the products come from and how many miles away from the store it was made, that's just awesome. It even specifies that the Yak came from the Hey Hey Yak Ranch in Moffat, CO which I have driven past probably 100 or more times in my life.

Anyway, since nothing says summer like burgers and barbecue we decided that Yak burgers were the way to go for the first time trying it.

My take on Yak Burgers? It doesn't really taste that different than ground beef, it is a little bit leaner and gamier, but that is about it. It kind of tastes like a cross between Beef and Bison, which I guess makes sense because if you have ever seen a Yak, it looks a little like a cross between a cow and a buffalo. It's worth a try if you ever get a chance.

Now, for something new, a little Q&A...

I was recently asked a question on my facebook page

"Where would one find a cute small town in Colorado to live a simple family life?"

 My answer it depends on how small you are looking for, but I will list a few of my favorites:

Buena Vista, obviously I'm going to say that since that's where I live. It is great for anyone who is into outdoorsy stuff, but there aren't a lot of amenities. We have City Market (Kroger) and a small natural grocer, everything besides the bars are closed by 10 (9 in the winter), shopping (with the exception of gift shops) is limited to Alco (very mini Wal-Mart type store) or Family Dollar - Wal-Mart is 1/2 an hour away and anything else is about an hour and a half or more away.

Salida, still great for outdoorsy stuff with a little bit more to do and a few more amenities. And they have some of the best summer festivals that I have ever gone to!

Glenwood Springs, one of my favorite places in the state. It still has the small town vibe, but also have pretty much every thing that you would need or want within a relatively close distance.

No Picture :(

Gunnison, love this town! It's a small town, but it's also a college town so it has a decent amount of amenities for a town that size. And not that this is family friendly, but there is a gas station with a bar in it and a bar you can still smoke in, those are both just wins in my book!

Georgetown, tiny tiny town. I'm not even sure that there is a grocery store and I think that there is only one gas station. It's about 1/2 way between Summit County and Denver so you aren't horribly far from amenities. It just so happens to be one of the most gorgeous places in the state (I think).

Granby/Grand Lake/Fraser, I apparently am quite fond of Colorado towns that start with 'G'. Grand Lake is an adorably cute little town next to Rocky Mountain National Forrest, but it essentially shuts down in the winter. Granby and Fraser however are on the other side of the lake and just a few miles from Winter Park, so you have all the amenities and activities of being near Winter Park but with the small town vibe instead of the tourist trap vibe.

Grand Lake, CO

Fraser, CO

If you actually read this far, congratulations and thank you! I know that it was long and maybe should have been cut into 2 posts, but oh well! And don't forget to like my facebook page :)

Small Town Colorado

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