Untapped Fort Worth + Help Me Find this Dog

Ok so I'm sure you've seen these photos go viral where some super impressive photographer just happens to capture the very moment that this couple gets engaged in a public park. Then said photographer posts the photo on the internet, asking friends to share it so he/she can get these photos to them? Then 1.5 seconds later (because we have nothing else to do with our lives but share stranger's engagement photos on the internet) it has gone viral and they find the newly engaged couple.

Well, this post is kind of like that. Only it's about a dog. 

I met this dog at Untapped Music and Beer Festival in Fort Worth over the weekend. This dog was obviously very handsome (pretty?!) but what really impressed me was his pretzel necklace. Now, I obviously have two very sweet babies of my own, and they would not have the willpower to drape a pretzel necklace around their little necks and not eat them. (Nor would I, if I were being totally honest). 

So I asked his mom and dad (like a total creeper) if I could photograph their sweet pup. They were so kind and jumped up and down to get the pup's attention so the photo could be the best possible. Not to brag (but yes, to brag) the photo turned out downright magical. 

Here is my mystery DOG! 

Errrrr Merrrr Gerrrrrd, right?
HE IS WEARING A PRETZEL NECKLACE AND NOT EATING IT THO....

So yeah. We need to find this dog and get these photos to his parents because, if this were my dog's photo -- wearing a pretzel necklace and not eating it -- I'd need to blow that sucker up and make a large scale mural of it in my living room. 

OK OK, Untapped Music and Beer Festival wasn't just about this one dog though. No, not at all. There were plenty of other dogs to fall in love with. 

Take Daiquiri -- currently available for adoption -- for example....... 

Errrr Merrrrr Gerrrrrrrrrrrrd.

I tried to put her in my purse while CB was at one of the far beer tents, but my purse ended up being just a smidge too small. DANG IT. 

Oh, and then there were these little girls...

No I didn't go to a beer festival and spend the whole time taking photos of the dogs in attendance. NO, I didn't do that. 

Ok, ok, ok... fine. I'm done. I promise. 

All jokes aside, this event was ridiculously fun. Aside from it being 1 trillion degrees outside, there was a lovely little breeze, the beer was ICE COLD and the tunes were fantastic. You guys probably already know my obsession with alcohol craft beer, so I try to make as many local beer events as possible. 

Untapped is a beer and music festival that takes place all over Texas, including events in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and the one I attended, Fort Worth!  The event price is reasonable and entry includes 12 small samples of your choice of brews. Still thirsty after that? You can buy another sampling card for just 7 bucks! 

The next time you're looking for a beer in DFW, be sure to try a few of my favorites below. Any bar you're in is likely to have at least one of these!  

(also, yes, these are mostly IPAs, so sue me) 

Deep Ellum IPA (all time fav)

Four Corners || El Chingon IPA

Revolver || Death Ray IPA

Rahr || Pride of Texas Pale Ale
Community || Mosaic IPA

Be sure to check HERE when Untapped is coming to your neck of the woods!
I'd highly recommend it for a Saturday of fun!

Oh, and I'd love to know what beer is your favorite in your city!! I'm always looking for new beers to try (as long as they're IPAs......)

P.S. HELP ME FIND THAT DOG'S PARENTS!!!!!

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St. Patrick's Day Cocktail || The Irish Julep

Today is a holiday. One of my favorite days of the entire year. While yes, it is St. Pat's, the more important holiday that I'm of course talking about is the kickoff (errr- tipoff?!) to March Madness. I'm in a work pool this year, as well as a pool with CB and his friends. I fully intend on winning them both, and I think I've crafted a stellar bracket this year. I have Kansas taking it all in both brackets, and lived life on the edge by putting Seton Hall in the Final Four. 

*Austin Power's Voice* I ALSO like to live dangerously.... 

Who am I kidding, with my luck Kansas will probably be the first number one seed to ever lose in the first round. Ah well, I'll talk shit to everyone around me about how "next level" my selections are, and then slowly tip toe away without a word when I'm left without a single team in the elite eight. If there's one thing in this world that I've mastered, it's the slow slink away into the darkness when I've lost. 

Need a drinking game for watching the games after work (or AT work, who am I to judge?!) || Check out my March Madness Drinking Game.

While yes, March Madness begins today, this half Irish girl hasn't forgotten that it's St. Patrick's Day. If there's one thing that the Irish and I have in common (besides half of my family tree) it's our love of drinking. I told CB to pick up some Jameson on his way home from work last night, I was going to experiment with a new Drink on Fleek. Now, I love Whiskey but I'd never had Jameson before. I found some Mint Julep glasses at Walmart for $3.00 and thought I'd do a take on the traditional Julep. This one uses Jameson and basil, instead of bourbon and mint. 

|| The Irish Juelp ||  

Makes 2 Cocktails

Ingredients

3 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey

1 oz Simple Syrup 

5 Basil Leaves, Plus a Couple for Garnish

Directions

First make your simple syrup. Heat one cup of water and one cup of sugar in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool. Once cool, muddle your 5 basil leaves and simple syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add in Jameson and stir 3-4 times. Fill two julep glasses to the top with crushed ice, and strain Jameson/simple syrup into glasses. Garnish with basil and serve.

Turns out I like Jameson when combined with sugar! Who would have guessed? Oh, that's right, everyone would have guessed that. Ok, so I've sufficiently covered my blog in green today, now please don't pinch. Pinching is annoying and will probably get you bitch slapped at some point today, just a guess. 

Happy March Madness, Happy St. Patrick's Day y'all! 

For more cocktail recipes || go --> HERE

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Spicy Moscow Mule Cocktail Recipe || Drink on Fleek

I'm going to start this Spicy Moscow Mule recipe post by explaining why I don't own an authentic Moscow Mule mug. Well, you see, I'm still waiting to find one for less than $8. I understand that the cost of copper is simply quite expensive, but I'm not ready to give up on the hunt. I've set a goal for myself and gosh darn it, I still think I'm going to find one for $8 or less. 

..... and when I do..... jokes on y'all! Muahahahahahhahahahahaah. 

Ok, glad we've cleared that up. Instead, I have the most appropriate, adorable little cups that my long-time bestie (and college roomie!) Magen sent me for Christmas. Seeing as a Moscow Mule's primary ingredient is Vodka, I can't think of a better cup to use!

Well, that is until I find a Moscow Mule mug for $8 or less.

A couple of weekends ago, CB, my girlfriends and I had a Saturday Funday. We started at one of my favorite Saturday afternoon activities, The Deep Ellum Brewery Tour. For $15 you get three (very strong) beers and three solid hours of good convo and fun with your friends. After the brewery, we hit up a few different bars. At each place we stopped, my girlfriends both asked if the bartender could make them a spicy Moscow Mule. Most everyone's reaction was to offer them a Mexican Mule, which is made with tequila instead of vodka. 

My brain of course ding ding ding-ed and promised them that if they came over one day the following week, I'd find out how to make a real Spicy Moscow Mule for them. Hence, the inspiration for today's drink! 

The Spicy Moscow Mule

|| Ingredients || 

2oz Vodka

1 Jalapeño, sliced into wheels
(you can also use a Habanero if you're braver than I am)

1 tbsp fresh lime juice

Ginger beer

|| Directions || 

Muddle two (one if you don't want a ton of heat) jalapeño wheels in the bottom of your cocktail glass-- or in your Moscow Mule mug if you've sprung for the real thing. Fill your glass with crushed ice, then add your vodka and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a single jalapeño and lime wheel. 

Find more cocktails and recipes here!

In other news, if you're reading this then I'm officially Colorado bound!
Follow my journey to becoming the next Lindsey Vonn on Snapchat and Instagram! 

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Tailgate Cocktail Ideas for Each Different Kickoff Time

Next week y'all. Next freaking week football will grace us with its presence. I have no doubt in my mind that you guys are as excited as I am for this.  I have a few ideas for the next several Drink On Fleeks that will all center around tailgate cocktails. For today, I thought I'd do 3 different cocktail ideas for each different kickoff time: 12pm, 3pm and 7pm. They start out pretty light, and progress to a heavier cocktail as the day goes on. 
Tennessee kicks off the season at 7pm EST for those who may not have written it 15 times in their planner. 
These cocktails are all very quick and easy to make. I've included a list of ingredients and tools you'll need to remember to throw in your cooler before you leave, and you'll be all set for cocktails far more impressive than keg beer. For the record, I'm not knocking keg beer. I'll gladly consume your keg beer too. 
Before I jump in too deep, I want to let you in on my bartender secret. This is something I use to mix my cocktails, and is way more convenient than using a traditional bar shaker. A plastic protein shaker with measurements printed right on the bottle, like this one, is awesome. The small opening also acts as a built in strainer. Just get a cheap one from Walmart or Target, and thank me later. 
Pro Tip: Drink the very last drink listed below at every single event you ever have. It is the best thing you'll ever have in your mouth --- jokes jokes jokes. 

|| What to Bring to the Tailgate ||

Your Cheap Shaker with Printed Measurements 

Ice

1/2 cup Canned Grapefruit Juice 

(no need to mess with squeezing grapefruits at a tailgate)

1.5 oz Vodka

Salt for rim

Basil + Grapefruit for garnish if you want to get fancy

|| Instructions ||

Spread salt out evenly on a plate. To rim your glass with salt, dip your rim in the grapefruit juice, then into the salt. Add ice to your glass. 

Fill your shaker with ice, and combine grapefruit juice and vodka. Shake and strain into your glass.

Garnish with grapefruit slice and basil.

|| What to Bring to the Tailgate ||

Your Cheap Shaker with Printed Measurements 

Ice

4 oz Pineapple Juice

1.5 oz Tequila

0.5 oz Triple Sec

1 oz Lime Juice

Salt for rim

|| Instructions ||

Spread salt out evenly on a plate. To rim your glass with salt, run a lime wedge along the edge of your glass, then dip into the salt. Add ice to your glass. 
Fill your shaker with ice, pineapple juice, lime juice, triple sec and tequila. Shake and strain into your glass. Garnish with a lime wheel. 

|| What to Bring to the Tailgate ||

Your Cheap Shaker with Printed Measurements

Muddler

Ice

2 oz Jack Daniels

1 oz Simple Syrup

0.5 oz Lemon Juice

Blackberries

Rasberries

Bitters

Mint for Garnish

 || Instructions || Muddle 2 blackberries and 2 raspberries in the bottom of your shaker. Add simple syrup, lemon juice and bourbon to your shaker. Shake and strain over a glass filled with ice. Garnish with mint and 3 blackberries.  This drink is for the night game for a reason. Be ready to be hammered because you'll want to drink 45 of these they are so gosh darn delicious.

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