As I typed the title of this post, it occurred to me that it could actually be the name of an ongoing series. I’m somewhat shameless when it comes to leaving the house in my PJs. This basic lack of dignity hit an all-time low during the year-and-a-half that I worked from home, when it eventually deteriorated to Things I’ll Do Without Pants On. But this entry isn’t about my long history of public pajama wearing. It’s about one specific incident that occurred tonight.

I had just settled down on the couch with my laptop and opened up my email. My co-worker had sent me an instructional document that was going to teach me how to program iPhone Apps. It seems a little far-fetched, but in the absence of anything else even remotely meaningful on the employment horizon, we suddenly felt mobile application development was our best bet for new careers. Clearly, I can be talked into anything at this point. But in addition to the message from my co-worker, I also received an email with the following subject: Important Draft Beer Notice.

Obviously, I opened the beer email immediately and that is when I found out that Belmont Station had announced a special event featuring two Russian River Brewing Company beers- Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger. Pliny the Elder is one of my very favorite beers. It’s available on draft and in 22oz bottles in Portland, but it can be hard to find regularly. Pliny the Younger is a limited release beer that is distributed in small batches in February and early March. I have been waiting over a year to try it, and next Tuesday I’ll get my chance.

There was a keg of Pliny the Younger available at the Horse Brass over the weekend, and it ran out in 25 minutes. Belmont Station is getting a keg next Tuesday, and in order to allow as many people as possible to try it, they are pre-selling tickets to a special tasting. I was in my car within 15 seconds of reading the email, sporting pajama bottoms, a dog-fur-covered bright green fleece, and my slippers. I suppose I could have taken two minutes to throw on a pair of jeans and some sneakers, but at the time I really felt like I couldn’t take any chances. There was a brief moment in the bier cafe at Belmont Station  when I was surrounded by people who apparently don’t get ready for bed at 8:30pm and I felt a little sheepish. But, I got my tickets, and I know it will be worth it.

Tags: Belmont Station, Pliny the Younger