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Weekend Wrap-Up {Beertopia Extreme BeerFest + Omaha Tap House}

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What. an. EPIC. weekend.

Seriously.  I had a blast!  I spent time with friends.  Jeremy was here most of the weekend.  We drank good beer.  We ate delicious food.  And we relaxed.  That is my idea of an ideal weekend.

Now I am sitting here on a Sunday night writing this weekend wrap-up post.  As you may imagine, I’m kind of exhausted.  So let’s keep it simple with lots of pictures, a little bit a text, and a whole ‘lotta happiness.  Here is my weekend through Instagram, my iPhone, and my DSLR:

Whole Foods Shopping TripI don’t normally drink while grocery shopping, but Jeremy was in town so I deemed it a “special occasion.”  We sipped on an IPA while grocery shopping at Whole Foods on Friday night.  I love WF’s drinking while shopping philosophy.

groceriesAfter stops at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Hy-Vee, we made it home with groceries for the coming week and a Three Cooks One Kitchen get-together.

After an easy Saturday morning, Jeremy and I headed to Erin and Josh’s apartment to cook and photograph for the next 3C1K event.  The three cooks were joined by their significant others, and our friends Jordan and Ben were there too!  This month’s 3C1K was all about fondue.  More on that this Thursday.  I will say that it did not quite go as planned…

beer fest pretzel necklacesAfter a couple of hours of fondue-ing, we all got to work making ourselves pretzel necklaces in preparation for the Beertopia Extreme BeerFest.

beer fest pretzel necklaces 2Smart beer drinkers must always come prepared with snacks!

Omaha Beer Fest 2015 12I’m not much of a necklace wearer.  But if necklaces always involved snack foods, I’d wear one every single day.

beer fest girlsThe girls all ready to get their drinking on… well, except for Joanna! 😉

Omaha Beer Fest 2015 14So darn excited for our first beer festival together.

Omaha Beer Fest 2015 8We arrived at the BeerFest about an hour early to map out our strategy (no, seriously) and to get in line.  Upon the opening of the doors, we drank…

Omaha Beer Fest 2015 2…took pictures…

Omaha Beer Fest 2015 4…and more pictures…

Omaha Beer Fest 2015 3…and some selfies.

Omaha Beer Fest Plinko CollageWe also played Plinko in hopes of winning prizes from Infusion Brewing Co.  Jeremy came out the big winner with a coupon for 1/2 off a beer sampler.  Jordan and I won ourselves some key chains!

Omaha Beer Fest 2015 5This times about 20.  I’d say we definitely got our money’s worth.

Omaha Beer Fest 2015 15I’d also say that we all look pretty darn good in this picture considering it was taken about two hours into the festival.  Everyone was still standing 😉

Jeremy and I wanted to beat the crowd home, so we left about half an hour before the festival ended.  We used Uber for the first time, and it was the perfect way to drink and not drive.chili crockpot 2After almost four hours of beer sampling, Jeremy and I were both so happy that we thought ahead and had this lentil chili in the slow cooker to come home to.  We ate it with blue corn tortilla chips, and it was delicious!

Jeremy and I managed to be in bed my nine o’clock and did not wake up on Sunday morning until around 8:30.  Nearly twelve hours of sleep?  I don’t mind if I do!

Tap House Hangover BurgerWhile both Jeremy and I wanted to stay in bed all day, we headed out in the bitter cold to run errands and grab lunch.  I was majorly craving a veggie burger, so we decided on Omaha Tap House.  I was so close to stepping outside of my comfort zone, but ultimately ended up ordering a favorite of mine: The Hangover Burger.  We’re talking one of the best housemade veggie patties I have ever eaten, hashbrowns, cheese, and an egg with all the fixings.  I ordered coleslaw on the side.  The burger was amazing, as usual, but the coleslaw was lacking something.  They must have been having an “off” day, because I loved it the last time I visited for lunch.

Tap House Cheese Curd BurgersJeremy chose the Cheese Curd Cheeseburger with Cajun french fries on the side.  I snagged a few fries, and they were so delicious!

Sadly, Jeremy left later in the afternoon on Sunday.  I swear, goodbyes never ever get easier.  I attempted to avoid drowning my sorrows by keeping myself busy with laundry, blogging, cooking, and watching The Oscars.  There are few things that I enjoy more than pretending like I know what I’m talking about when it comes to critiquing fashion.

After such a great weekend, I am sad that Monday has arrived so soon.  But, as I like to say, it is what it is!  I hope y’all have a wonderful week ahead of you!

What did you do this weekend?  Did you eat anything delicious?
Have you ever been to a beer festival?  If so, where?

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{ 46 comments… add one }
  • Kate February 23, 2015, 6:38 am
    Looks like a ton of fun, but do all the beers start to taste the same after a while? ;) Glad you got to spend the weekend with your man, long distance relationships makes every moment together count! Kate recently posted...Why I smileMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 9:40 am
      YES! That is the crappy part about beer festivals. We made sure to try our "must-tries" early on so that we could actually get the full taste from them ;)
  • Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies February 23, 2015, 7:10 am
    I'm not sure if it's the luck of Michigan's jamming craft beer scene or if beer fests are just that popular, but I usually make it to 3 or 4 a year, despite the fact that I miss at least half of the ones I want to go to. Great way to try a bunch and get new favs! Looks like a great weekend. Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies recently posted...Whole Wheat Spinach BreadMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 9:43 am
      Ahh, that is SO awesome! We have a few here in Omaha too, and I'm also hoping to go to one in the Twin Cities in June. The more the merrier ;)
  • Susie @ SuzLyfe February 23, 2015, 8:21 am
    Those pretzel necklaces were amazing. I kind of want them for everyday life! Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted...Weekend Recap and Theo Chocolate Factory Tour (Seattle)My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 9:46 am
      Haha, I know right? I'd wear it everyday if it were socially "acceptable." ;)
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul February 23, 2015, 8:41 am
    Beerfest was so much fun!! Thanks so much for organizing that! And that hangover burger looks amazing! I must try! Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted...Weekend SnapshotsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 9:47 am
      It was!! I had a blast :) And yes... Tap House has one of the BEST veggie burgers I have ever had. We'll have to go there sometime!
  • Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health February 23, 2015, 9:54 am
    can we make this pretzel necklace a socially accepted thing like any other jewellery? we need to get on it. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health recently posted...Lamb Pizza with Cilantro Yogurt SauceMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 9:55 am
      I would LOVE that!! We also talked about wanting to make them with Fruit Loops, Cheerios, etc. ;)
  • Katey V. February 23, 2015, 11:38 am
    Looks like you had a great weekend! My grocery store (Market District) also has drink while you shop - AMAZING! That's beer fest looks fun - my hubby and I have gone to a few of those and we always have a blast tasting new types of beers! Your weekend looks just like one I would have here in Ohio, haha!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 12:45 pm
      Great minds think a like! It sounds like we would have a fun time together!
  • Katey V. February 23, 2015, 11:44 am
    Hit that submit button a bit too soon, haha! Have you heard of Fat Head's Brewery? It's one of my favorites here in Cleveland! If you like fruity beers, they have an amazing blueberry honey ale called Bumble Berry. Yum, yum!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 12:47 pm
      I have not heard of them (though I'm sure my boyfriend has), but now I am definitely going to check out their website. I always love looking for new places to visit. Should I ever be in Ohio, I will have to check it out!
  • Becky @ Olives n Wine February 23, 2015, 12:25 pm
    OMG, Joanna is such a trooper! I probably would kill someone if I had to be at a festival where everyone was indulging except for me, LOL. And LOVEEEE the necklaces - I did that for St. Patrick's Day last year. Best idea ever. Becky @ Olives n Wine recently posted...WeekendingMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 12:37 pm
      Yes, she seriously was!! It was also SO hot in there, which I'm sure was even worse for her! :(
  • Katrina February 23, 2015, 1:08 pm
    WAy to have will power yikes! Katrina recently posted...You, too, can Push-up!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 4:00 pm
      Haha, I tried my best ;) Luckily it all turned out great!
  • Alexis @ Hummusapien February 23, 2015, 2:17 pm
    You are your pretzel necklace are the CAYUTEST. I wanna eat it.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 4:02 pm
      Aren't they fun? I want to start wearing them around every day so that I can always have snacks at a moment's notice ;)
  • Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table February 23, 2015, 2:51 pm
    It's been way too long since I've been to a beer fest. Those pretzel necklaces are the best idea - we used to wear one and take a back up in college. LOL! Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted...15 Moving TipsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 4:03 pm
      This was my first beer fest, and I am certain it will not be my last. I had an absolute blast!
  • Ashley February 23, 2015, 3:28 pm
    What a fun sounding weekend!! I'm not a huge necklace person either but one out of pretzels?? I think I could get behind that!! Ashley recently posted...Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions and PeppersMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 4:04 pm
      Maybe they can become the new fashion trend? Haha, I wish!
  • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine February 23, 2015, 4:33 pm
    Well someone had a fun weekend! Mine...not so fun :/
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 5:30 pm
      Ahh, bummer! I'm sorry :( I hope you have plenty of fun weekends to come!
  • Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie February 23, 2015, 5:27 pm
    This weekend looked so fun! I have never been to a true beer festival, but I went to a beer and food tasting a few weeks ago. I'm not a big beer drinker, so I kept wishing it was a wine tasting instead. Now that could get me in trouble! Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie recently posted...Augusta Half Marathon 2015My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 5:37 pm
      Beer and food dinners sound SO fun! I would love, love, love to go to something like that!
  • Alissa Apel February 23, 2015, 6:18 pm
    Those pretzel necklaces are such a great idea! How yummy! Beer sounds tasty to. Alissa Apel recently posted...Zen Ties ReviewMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 6:48 pm
      There is nothing better than the beer and pretzel combination... well, maybe bar popcorn and beer ;)
  • Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate February 23, 2015, 6:30 pm
    Oh my gosh I am dying to go to a beer fest and make a pretzel necklace! There is one in Madison next weekend and I am thinking about going but Scott will be gone so I am trying to rally up some girlfriends :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 6:50 pm
      Oh you definitely need to!! Too bad I don't live closer. I'd love to go! ;)
  • Trisha February 23, 2015, 6:37 pm
    Great post! The beer fest looked super fun but I'm seriously still thinking about those burgers. I've never been to the Tap House & now gotta go!! Trisha recently posted...Gluten Free Blueberry French Toast CasseroleMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 6:52 pm
      Oh my gosh, yes you need to!! Tap House is awesome. They have some of the most clever burger combinations that I have ever seen.
  • Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health February 23, 2015, 6:46 pm
    What an awesome weekend! I'm not sure I could have got out of bed the next day to get lunch but that burger looked worth it! Holy yum!! Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted...Vegan Mediterranean Chickpea BurgersMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 23, 2015, 6:55 pm
      Haha! I think it helped that we were home by 7:00. Otherwise, I imagine that my morning would have been a lot rougher ;)
  • Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks February 23, 2015, 10:56 pm
    Your weekend eats look divine!! Especially that burger.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 24, 2015, 10:14 am
      It was SO good!! I wish I could eat it all over again right now ;)
  • Hollyanne February 24, 2015, 8:04 am
    My husband and I attended the Beertopia beer festival as well and had a blast! Pretzel necklaces are definitely the way to go :) P.S. You should look into volunteering for the event in the future; that's what we always do, and then get free admission! Hollyanne recently posted...meals / week 7My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 24, 2015, 10:15 am
      Oooo, thanks for the heads up on that. It sounds like the perfect idea! I'll have to look into that for next year :)
  • Erin @ Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau February 24, 2015, 9:01 am
    What a fun way to spend time with friends! Great photos, too. Twelve hours of sleep was well deserved.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 24, 2015, 11:00 am
      It was an awesome time!! It was truly the perfect weekend.
  • Rachael @ Love Yourself Green February 25, 2015, 3:56 pm
    Omg, I love the pretzel necklaces!!!! It's times like this that I miss eating grains. :) And that burger... whoa. Rachael @ Love Yourself Green recently posted...Fibromyalgia? You’ll Want to See These Top 10 Pain SolutionsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 25, 2015, 4:25 pm
      I can understand why! I am thinking about testing out a gluten free diet and the beer and pretzels are two things that I would miss the MOST! :(

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