The fourteenth of February is not only the birthday of Veronica and Robert Arvanitis; it's also Valentine's Day and we hope gala celebrations took place wherever appropriate !!!

Jerry, we appreciate your keeping up with this. Newbies, send your dates (no need for the year!) to Jerry so we can wish you a happy birthday.

By the way, a very happy birthday to my son, David, today! And tomorrow is birthday of another Chicago icon...Michael Jordan!

Happy birthday, Richard. I shall drink a pint (or two) in your honour.

Partridge Green has a party today
Richard English's birthday they say
So let's tap an aged cask
And, enjoying the task,
Celebrate the occasion his way
.. ... ..... ... ..

Happy Birthday, Richard!

Thank you, folks.

I did indeed manage to sample a few pints of Harvey's http://www.harveys.org.uk/ excellent bitter.

And yes, the brewery does still look just like the picture - right on the river.

Happy Birthday Richard.

Thank you for the link, Richard.

It's interesting to see what Harveys Brewery's copy writer does with plurals and possessives, apostrophe-wise.

To wit: Harveys are pleased to announce the acquisition of The Royal Oak, Barcombe near Lewes. 
This is a lovely village pub only a few miles from the brewery and has been owned and run by 
Mike and Caz Austin for many years. The pub will continue to be operated by the Austins.

Click here to visit the pubs website.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Richard (although it's already the next day there, now). I wish you many happy returns and all of that.

Dear Richard we wish you the best
On your birthday...enjoy it with zest!
Of good beer you're a drinker,
Of words you're a thinker,
Of your limericks I'm truly impressed!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to JO ! March First !!

To celebrate your birthday, Jo,
We can hear recitations from Poe,
Munching upside-down cakes
Baked beside the Great Lakes
Or go for a swim in the Po.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jerry thomas,

Bob, remember last April 9th? You were in Chicago with all our spring snow. We had a great party at Goose Island, though, with the bunny ears.

Hey, Bob! It's that time of year
For getting your liver in gear.
For breakfast, lunch, dinner
It's beer, you old sinner!
Happy Birthday, our friend, and "Hear! Hear!"

Have a great one! Have a Hopback Summer Lightning for me.

Happy birthday, Bob!

Today is Bob Hale's day of glory
But is he a Whig, or a Tory?
They say of Bob Hale
That thereby hangs a tale
We suspect that that's not the whole story.

April tenth is the birthday of Cat.
All of those in the know should know that.
We're impatiently waiting
To begin celebrating
Liquor, food, piñatas, all of that.

I knew Cat and Bob were close but I didn't realise that they were chronologically close as well. Happy birthdays!

Happy Birthdays, Bob and Cat!

Happy Birthday, Cat!

[Edited. Sorry 'bout the mistake Cat and CW.]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: zmježd,

Z, this is Cat (our Englishwoman who hasn't posted much recently). Interestingly, her birthday is the day after Bob's, while CW's is the day before mine.

Our Cat, oh where have been?
On Wordcraft you've hardly been seen!
Happy Birthday, my dear
[On me, have a beer!]
We'd hope you return to our scene!

Happy birthday to Cat and Bob - sorry I'm so late!
My computer has been dicey, confusion was my fate.
But now the weekend has arrived, I wish you both great parties,
And hope you drink and have a think about your far-'way mate!

Many happy returns of the day, my friends!

Happy Birthday Bob and Cat!

quote:

[On me, have a beer!]

Despite her knowing Bob for some time, he hasn't persuaded Cat to have a beer. Apparently she doesn't like the taste. Richard has several times tried to persuade her to try a lembic (beer made from fruit) but to no avail.

It's interesting how stories grow in the retelling.

I first met Cat at the GBBF and did try to persuade her to try some beers - which she did with reluctance and professed not to like. I then bought her a fruit lambic which she said she liked, and finished. Maybe she was being polite.

But that is the extent of my "several times" of trying.

Sadly some people will never understand the delights of good beer - but then I will never understand why people like football - so each to his own.

Actually Richard, I took a couple of sips and gave the rest to Karl when you weren't looking. Sorry . It was OK as beers go, but I'm not one for alcoholic drinks as they all have the same aftertaste to me, even if it's heavily disguised. I have a strong aversion to bitter tastes, and even bitter salad leaves make me want to gag.

Thanks everyone for the happy birthdays .

quote:

I have a strong aversion to bitter tastes, and even bitter salad leaves make me want to gag.

I can understand that very well. But the bitterness in beer comes from the hops (or sometimes - as in the case of Guinness - the roasted malt). Alcohol itself has very little taste, although it does have some mouthfeel. In high concentrations the mouthfeel can be quite peppery - but it will never be bitter.

I have noticed that it seems common for women to dislike bitterness, which is why many of them prefer sweet cocktails, or fortified drinks like sweet sherry or port.