Chess at the Local

A beautiful day in my town yesterday had my son and I once again playing a game on the rooftop deck of a legendary local bar. This is one of those little milled leather sets that you've likely seen here on the 'post your travel sets' thread. I really like this set. Supremely portable in its small zibber pouch, and takes up hardly any real estate on the table. I don't think I'd want to go any smaller than this, though.

Don't know why the photo turned sideways upon posting. Not sure if I can fix that.

Maybe now?...

I give up.

Wonderful to see @JonThePawn.👍 looks like a great bar. Thanks for posting. On the photos, I find that it if edit a photo in any way … resize, crop, rotate, alter colour.. anything - the orientation will be correct when I post it; otherwise, sometime a sideways load occurs. You should be able to edit your post and delete/re-upload edited photo but… it matters not- there are bigger problems in the world than a misaligned photos.😊

@JonThePawn - love that little set, used to bring it with me on the road all the time, just threw it in my suitcase and had a nice little set to use in the hotel.

Every once in a while, it would get flagged at TSA due to the magnets. Occasionally it would help strike up a conversation about chess with the agent who inspected my bag.

Two for getting out with your son and playing some chess.

At a new micro brewery with a fantastic Belgian Tripel that's only sold there, and I have to say, it's one of the best beers that I've tasted. My buddy and I met up with our old guitar player. "We're getting the band back together!". The pieces are from a $25 overstock sale from Amazon, which was a great price given these sell elsewhere for over $100 without the leatherette bag.

This is the 17" mouse pad board that came with the Prevision Ecliptic chess set. We sat outside to get away from the noise inside. Oh, that beer is 9.8% so I could only drink 2 (had to drive home). I should have taken a better picture of the on-site brewery but it's visible at the back of the warehouse.

I also understand that a new soon-to-be-released Belgian Tripel will be 'aged' in Maker's Mark Bourbon casks...and with a 10.5% ABV. I foretell another visit soon.

Here is what I hope will be the first of many postings within this fun thread. My v3 Ultimates got a chance to visit a Neighborhood Bottle Shop that hosts chess as a way to drum up business on an otherwise slow Tuesday night. Here's to a few cold ones while having some "adult time."

I hope you can find one from an on-site microbrewery. I had once thought these pop-up microbreweries were just overrated boutiques, however, my opinion has drastically changed. Having enjoyed my first Guinness in a (very local) Gaelic pub in Ireland, I proclaimed Guinness to be THE best beer ever.... that is, until I came back to the US and had a bottle here. The stuff here is just OK. Then I stumbled into a microbrewery in Durango, CO, where they touted that their Guinness copy was better than any Guinness in the US...and they were not wrong! The same with this local find of this Belgian Tripel.

@Powderdigit, sorry to go a bit off topic but I'd suggest you try out a Westmalle tripel or a Karmeliet. Very savoury and refreshing beers. There are many others of course, but you can't go wrong with these as your first tripel.

Allow the foam to develop when pouring it in a glass.

Some tripels contain some residu (yeast) which can make the beer a bit more bitter. I suggest not pouring it in the glass at first and keep it and some of the beer for a secondary tasting to see if you like it.

@Powderdigit

It's been quite some time since I've checked in around here. What a great idea for a thread! Thanks to you for starting it and thanks to those who have contributed their photos and beer advice. This is great!

I'm busy with work and family obligations for a bit but when things settle down, count me in for sharing a few photos! Beer, coffee, food, and chess...ahhhhh!

Thanks - I am glad the thread is being enjoyed and perhaps, encouraging people to play with their friends and family while out and about. I will take the beer advice too; albeit I am not sure this evening’s destination will have Belgium Tripel - but I’ll ask! Cheers.🍻

I love seeing people enjoying their chess equipment in any location. Keep'em coming from your local.

This evening was great fun. We had a few people gather around our table - one bloke asked if the pub had another set … and we joked that this one set was mine. Others commented on the quality of the pieces … not may commented on the quality of the playing. 😆😆😆 One of my favourite pub outings so far…

I would have been in the crowd Asking for The next game. Awesome thanks for sharing

Entertaining story and great pics, as usual, @Powderdigit. Your outing made you sound a bit like 🎅🏼— spreading good cheer around your local haunt. Maybe it’s time for you to bring a backup set for those curious passersby that suddenly have the itch to play chess? That handsome board with the raised border is a classy touch. And who knew 49ers Fans reside down under, too!? You are pulling out all the stops…outstanding. 👍🏽👍🏽

Yes - that was quite a big board to carry in - and I wouldn’t do it if the place was pumping but in general, if the place is quiet with a spare table, we’ll walk in and politely ask if they mind us setting up a board and having a few drinks. (Some proprietors would prefer not for whatever reason and so, I think it is always polite to ask first.)
In this case, we enjoyed some games and beers and then 1/2 way through the third game we paused for a chicken palma and chips. 😊
It’s seems quite a good approach - arriving a little before the peak time and then the pubs just get busy around us… and by the time it’s really busy - we’re ready to leave.
Good times and yes, along with games of AFL and Cricket, my mate is a fan of American sports and the soccer too.

An absolute gem of an evening … a local wine bar, very busy …with my favourite pieces … wine, cheese, friends and chess. Great fun!
The place was packed but we still managed to find the corner of a large table and played, laughed and joked with many friendly faces through the night. 👍

That looks incredibly inviting!