Thursday, April 29

Ben’s 30th Birthday!

I really wanted to do something special for Ben’s 30th Birthday, especially since it was on a Saturday and the big Duke-UNC game was on.  Being pregnant, I was not interested in having 20 people at our house, cleaning up, preparing food, making drinks, etc… but I knew Tyler’s Taproom would be the perfect place to host family and friends.  Plus, it’s one of Ben’s favorite bars with one of the best beer selections in the area!IMG_4463

We started the morning off with his favorite breakfast – Bojangles.  I had a few last minute birthday errands to run and Ben had plans to brew a Dirty 30 Old Ale the same day, so any cleaning prep would be impossible!  His ritual includes drinking beer while brewing beer, so he got his first gift over breakfast…a Birthday Pilsner glass.IMG_4450IMG_4457 After a fun-filled beer day, we headed to Tyler’s Taproom where we were able to reserve a private room which had a nice flat screen TV for everyone to enjoy the game.   We served a bunch of hot and cold appetizers and had an open bar with the full beer menu.  IMG_4470IMG_4465 IMG_4493IMG_4472IMG_4509 The food was amazing –  Chips with Salsa & Guacamole, Beef Satay, Veggies and Dip, Chicken Fingers, Jalapeno Poppers and Triple Cream Quesadillas with Pear-Ginger Salsa.  For dessert I ordered an amazing Boston Cream Pie cake from Sweet Memories Bakery in Apex.  Next to our wedding cake it was one of the best we’ve ever had!IMG_4485IMG_4490After cake the beer theme continued with lots of beer related gifts, including a Duke win!  Of course no birthday bash would be complete with a late night breakfast.  We thought we were out of luck with IHOP was closed, although Ben offered for me too cook pancakes at home for everyone!  Our backup plan was Waffle House where we both ate more than we planned.   IMG_4482IMG_4479