THE NAMELESS BEERMAID


fter a full week recovering from the 2nd annual San Diego Beer Week, I’m finally feeling normal. 10 days of busy bars. 10 days of indulgent beer consumption. 10 days of standing too long in dumpster-deserving shoes. Dur- ing those days, I came face-to-face with some interesting characters: “The Homie- Hookup,” “The Name-Dropper,” and my personal favorite, “The Hating-Her-Life Waitress.”


In this town, everybody knows some-


body. Enter “The Homie-Hookup.” It’s not just a myth, it’s a powerful tool. But, like anything with power, it must be wielded properly. There are techniques to getting a Bro-Discount. Obviously, if you work in the industry, it’s easiest to simply say so while flashing a business card. It also helps to be kind to your server, and noth- ing shows you care like bringing him/her a bomber. Or, there’s always just buying your way into a ‘tender’s heart by way of


SDBW & The Homie-Hookup A


tips. It works, I should know. Not only have I been bought, I’ve done my fair share of buying. What doesn’t work is getting your bill, looking up disgusted, then saying, “Um, excuse me, but I get so-and-so’s discount.” Ahh, now we meet “The Name-Dropper!” Such a charming indi- vidual dressed in robes of entitlement. I must admit, however, I am guilty of this very crime. A couple months back, without introducing myself or attempt- ing conversation, I asked for a hookup. My ignorance cost me some cash and also made me act a fool! Driving home, I realized I was no better than my favor- ite, who name-dropped with “I did the electrical work 10 years ago.” At an SDBW-concluding event, I learned a lot about myself. And it wasn’t the cumulative pints which caused reflection, but the service—or lack thereof—I received. The place was


T-SHIRT SPECIAL


50 WHITE SHIRTS, 1 COLOR


$250 ($5 ea.) 50 DARK SHIRTS, 1 COLOR


$300 ($6 ea.) 100 WHITE SHIRTS, 1 COLOR


$350 ($3.50 ea.) 100 DARK SHIRTS, 1 COLOR $400 ($4 ea.)


San Diego Brewers Guild Festival, Liberty Station


packed, understaffed, and only getting busier. The waitresses were hustling. Hustling and frowning. Hustling and shoving customers with their mini- skirted behinds. No “pardon me.” No friendly smiles. Instead, in man voices, they shouted, “Get out of my way!” I’m not exaggerating. Experiencing this and understanding the stress of an over- crowded bar, I said to my coworker, “Don’t ever let me be that way.” I’ve been known to give a death-glare or two.


The South Park Abbey Continued from page 1


Much like the homely caterpillar transforming into the elegant butterfly, the Grill days are a distant memory. The Abbey is the right restaurant in the right place at the right time. The Belgian beer bottle selection is formidable, while local taps rotate in and out. Their menu focuses on quality for a fair price, with nothing topping $20. Numerous independent West Coaster sources confirm that the chicken wings are out of this world. What further sets this gastropub apart, other than the food & beer, are its charitable efforts. 3% percent of your total bill is donated to a charity that you select from a list. Like any successful partnership, Sarah


& Adam divide their responsibilities. Sarah takes her experience as an entre- preneur to serve the business side of The Abbey, while Adam draws from over fifteen years of experience as a bartender and beer lover. He describes the moment


he was first drawn to Belgian beer: “I remember my first beer, Affligem Blond. The only reason I tried it was because I saw the cool glasses and wondered what I was missing.” Now he totes one of the best Belgian beer bars in San Diego. What made South Park Bar & Grill was its music. The stage was a cherished outlet for local musicians to play in front of a receptive audience. Live music fans will be pleased to know that this aspect of the Grill lives on in The South Park Abbey: Thursday and Friday nights see live local music. Blues Jam, just what it sounds like, goes down every Saturday. On Sunday there’s karaoke. Come for the music, stay for the food & beer.


For more information on The South Park Abbey, check out their website thesouthparkabbey.com


In the end, we share a common goal. Whether we get hooked-up, whether we know someone who knows someone, or whether a piss-poor sister serves us, we all just want to drink some good beer. That’s what I kept telling myself as I stood in those same dumpster-worthy shoes…it’s all for the beer!


– The Nameless Beermaid


Want to ask The Nameless Beermaid a question? Send them tobeermaid@ westcoastersd.com


jasonprints@yahoo.com


Jason George 619-674-4834


The South Park Abbey’s Amanda DeWitt, cousin of Coronado’s Shawn DeWitt, serving up


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