The hubs is 44 today.

Yup, he reminds me every year on his birthday that he is younger than me. Well, if it weren't for my pesky gray hairs, you'd think I look younger than him. {At least I like to think so.}

Now that Jake has his license and a fresh ride, he is gone a lot. So, he had plans tonight. Then, Ian let us know he also had plans. DATE NIGHT! Oh yes! :)

JC and I got in the car quickly and took off- before either of the boys could change their minds! We ended up in Pittsburgh. We stopped by this cool new brewery in Lawrenceville, near Children's Hospital. We thought we'd be able to sit and enjoy a beer and appetizer, but they aren't ready for that yet. We did get to partake in some beer tastings. We enjoyed Ginga Wheat the most, so we bought a growler. {of course}

Ginga Wheat: Back on tap after a long cold winter, Ginga is an American wheat beer made with fresh pressed ginger, McCormack honey (Aliquippa) and lemon. This delightfully refreshing wheat beer pairs well with relaxation and sunshine. Ginga was inspired by a ginger lager brewed in Dyana’s home town of Christchurch, New Zealand. The Dux de Lux created a beautifully refreshing beverage served best during the summer season out on the patio next to the famous Arts Centre. Unfortunately, earthquakes in Sept 2010 and Feb 2011 claimed both the Dux and Arts Centre. We would like to carry on the tradition of a good hard ginger beer. Nothing like ginger ale, or an English/Jamaican ginger beer.

ABV: 5.0%. IBU: 18

Very different tasting, that's for sure. The ginger is strong, but balanced nicely by the honey and lemon. Looking for a unique beer? Definitely hit up Roundabout Brewery if you are anywhere near Lawreceville, PA.

Our next stop was to the Church Brew Works- sensing a theme here? Usually I love Church Brew Works, so I was excited to visit again. What I didn't realize that my favorite beer of theirs is seasonal and wasn't available until fall. Ugh. Even so, we had fun. JC made friends with the two guys sitting at a high top next to us. They talked for quite some time about Pittsburgh before we decided to move on.

The next visit was to Penn Brewery.

Pittsburgh’s oldest and largest brewery, Penn is housed in the mid nineteenth-century landmark E&O Brewery Building in the North Side’s Deutschtown neighborhood, which was settled by German immigrants.

Now, this was a fun stop! Great beer, fantastic food {locally sourced} and best of all- awesome entertainment! Autobahn, an Oktoberfest band, played music and sang as the patrons danced and sang along. Loved it! Penn Brewery is always a great time!

The last stop was to Station Square where we feasted on cheese and chocolate fondue at the Melting Pot. By this time, I was feeling beyond full. Even so, one can always make room for fondue!

We decided on the Cheddar Cheese Fondue.

Aged, medium-sharp cheddar and Emmenthaler Swiss cheeses, lager beer, garlic and seasonings.

For our dessert fondue, we chose Flaming Turtle. Oh. My. Yum! {Our waitress even put a birthday candle in one of the pieces of pound cake.}

We consider it fondue candy. It’s an irresistible combination of milk chocolate, caramel and candied pecans flambéed tableside.

We were having such a great time until we received a frantic call from Ian about being in trouble with the police regarding some "ding dong ditching." He gave the policeman his name and address and was expecting a visit. Problem was he was home alone. Sheesh! {That's a whole different post!}

We don't get an opportunity to enjoy date nights often, buy when we do, we really live it up!

Happy birthday, JC! Love you! xo