Save the Marble Falls

So, I recently had the opportunity to visit some of the sights of Marble Falls, TX where there has been interesting growth in this little hill country Texas town. Many people know the area around Marble Falls, including Horseshoe Bay, Deerhaven, Sunrise Beach, Cottonwood Shores, and some of the Colorado River man-made lakes including Lake Marble Falls, LBJ Lake, Inks Lake, Lake Buchanan, and Lake Travis. With that being said, I was able to take some time on the Memorial Day weekend with my wife to experience one of the interesting breweries in the area, Save the World Brewing Company. 

This little brewing company started with the idea that all proceeds would go towards local charities and host a non-profit idea. Started by two physicians, Dave and Quynh Rathkamp, from Austin who wanted to see a change in the world and saw the opportunity through craft beer, and started a purely philanthropic brewing company. This idea lead to Save the World Brewing Company located on the North side of Marble Falls, they even tout some excellent beers that have everyone lining up to try. They are truly looking to enhance the area and give back to the community and are #doingitDenton even out in the beautiful Texas Hill country. 

I had a flight of the Celebration Ales with my wife of the more interesting ones that included Princeps Pacis (Prince of Peace), Sol Hominis (Sun of Man), Celestis Thesauri (Heavenly Treasures), Bonus Pastor (The Good Shephard), Sanguis (The Blood), and Verbum in Tenebris (Word in the Darkness). Some of you Bible scholars might notice the Latin influences of naming their beers, and they do focus on Christian influences as they were missionaries as well. The Princeps Pacis is a light fruity yet spiced toned beer that goes down easy and has a great flavor (one of the wife's favorites), Sol Hominis has more floral tones with a crisp finish, Celestis Thesauri was a farmhouse inspired ale (my pick of the day), Bonus Pastor is a Scotch Ale that puts a spin on the "wee heavy" ales is a good one (it was a warm day and would have been great on a cool fall day), rounding out with the Sanguis barleywine that is great for some of you who are wine drinkers looking for a touch in the beer world, and then finaly the Vebum in Tenebris a milk stout that has hints of chocolate and mint (one of my other favorites). 

As I was talking with some of the helpful ladies and Quynh, they recommend doing a flight, finding one that you like, and then getting a glass. Now they actually give you the glass and you can bring it back for discount refills, so DON'T LOOSE THE GLASS! They do have a line especially for their beer club they name as the True Beerleivers which gets you a shirt, glass to keep in the brewery when you come back, free pours, and some special event notices as well in their newsletter. This brewery is doing it right and has a great tone of relaxing wine country feel and will keep people coming back.

So, when you are roaming around the Austin and hill country area of Texas and need that break from the busy nature of the city, looking for a new relaxing piece of Texas, go check out Save the World Brewing Company. 

Save the World Brewing Company: 

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Podcast Episode 3

Here is Episode 3 of the Podcast, I talk with Velo Republic Bike shop and ReGeared about the Denton Bicycle Tour and some other Denton happenings.


You can also download the episode HERE to listen to later!

DJ Jazzy Jazzfest and the Dentonites

Well fellow Dentonites, it is that time of year, where things get muddy, thunderstorms come in, and that means it is time for Jazz Fest! For 36 years, Denton has hosted this great family friendly event with artisans and musicians coming in from all over. I have been to most of them, when I can, and have attended for going on 5 years straight, so, I think I have some insight on this event. Here are some things to help out some of the newbies and to remind some of the seasoned Jazz Fest veterans out there. 

• First off, if you have a phone, get a good charge in the morning, if you have backup batteries, bring them or a charger. The reason I say this, go on to their Facebook page and make sure that you look at all the events, they are sectioned out by stages and you can see who is playing and when. Plus you can take some great pics and share them on the page and with the #Jazzfest and #DentonTrav, and keep an eye on possible weather situations (it is Jazzfest and it is notorious for weather situations). I have listed some other helpful page links here below as well. I did the searching for you.
• Jazzfest Main Website
• DRC Special Jazzfest edition
• Jazzfest Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Weather Underground- This also has a phone app as well to keep up to date weather situations.
• Next, don't forget sunscreen! Trust me on this one, even though it might seen cloudy, this is where it gets bad, so, unless you plan on being a lobster or wanting to match the color of the crawfish you just ate, I would suggest a few coats during the weekend. 
• Bug spray, not a bad idea to go ahead and have some on hand for when it gets into the evening, those little buggers can be frustrating and make for a not-so-fun-fest.
• Cash, good idea to have some on you, most of the vendors now have some kind of card swiping, but at times just makes it easier and keeps you from having to go to the ones that charge you at the festival.
• Water, I would grab a few bottles of water to head out or one that you can refill there. It is planning on being a nice day on Saturday, but you can get dehydrated pretty fast.
• Blankets and something to sit on, I recommend the folding chairs if you can but at least a blanket, with all the rain here lately, it is going to be a bit wet, I would get something that will fight the wetness of the ground but also make for a place you and your friends can call home for the next few days during the festival.
  
• Sunglasses, well, you have to look cool while you are doing the Chicken Dance, plus it helps when you take those pictures as well. 
• A hat- keeps the sun out of your eyes and off your head so you don't get sunburned.
• Also, head by either of my good friends close by at The Bearded Monk, Midway Mart or Midway Craft House and get you some cans of good tasting beer to take out there as well if you don't want to spent too much. And Midway Craft House and The Bearded Monk had some plastic growlers available as well, last I heard, but they might go pretty quick for the weekend. Now I will say, the proceeds do go to the festival for all the food and beer purchased there.
• And a bag for all of this to go in, I usually take a backpack, it is easier to deal with and transport. Plus, I can hang things off of it and keep my purchased items in there, if they aren't too big or fragile (it's Italian). 
• Last but not least... friends, family, coworkers, sons, daughters, and everyone in between. This is what makes this fun, the memories and fun shared with friends and family while you are there. Be respectful of others, meet some new friends, get some good food and drinks, a great souvenir, and as always, be safe!

There is my list and advice for fun at the annual Jazz Fest. Hope this helps some people out there and enjoy this year listening to some great music and fun at what Brave Combo's Dave Finch would say is Denton's Family Reunion! 

Stay safe and have fun!

 #Dentontrav