My giftee messaged me a couple days after the deadline letting me know he got called out of town for a couple days. No big deal. However, when I went to go check the tracking info I couldn't have been more surprised. A package being sent from College Station? I got matched to a fellow Aggie? What are the odds?? He was just as surprised. I'm still smiling about that.

One thing I love is getting pint glasses from different places I go, special regional stuff. Well, seeing as I'm a big beer lover from Texas, and so was my giftee, I wasn't expecting him to actually find a glass from a brewery I didn't already have. But he did! Karbach is an awesome new brewery out of Houston, TX who I have yet to be able to visit for a tour. They are probably my favorite Houston-proper brewery (since No Label is in Katy, technically). Their hefeweizen is I think my second favorite hefe right now, second only to Live Oak's from here in Austin. However, Karbach cans their beer, whereas Live Oak is draught only. Score! Awesome glass, too. Can't wait to make it down there this fall to take a tour.

Second was a mini-pint from North Coast Brewery out of California, featuring the log of my favorite of their beer's, and one of the best Russian Imperial Stouts that's easy to find on the market, Old Rasputin. A fun blend that I like to do occasionally is mix half a pint of Old Rasputin with half a pint of Stone's IPA (or Ruination, if you want to be brave). It's a really tasty hoppy version of a black and tan. I love gold-rim glasses too, so this will fit in nicely with my collection.

Last up is a replacement for my trusty Park Tool bottle opener, so I can have yet more A&M paraphernalia in my home. Always appreciated!

To my giftee, thank you so much for all of this, I will do my best to buy you a beer next time I'm in town for a game/tailgate (holy crap alumni tickets are expensive). If you find yourself in Austin, just let me know.

Thanks and Gig 'em, Alphamazing '11

EDIT 2017-06-06: Well the Karbach glass finally gave up the ghost. The label finally washed off entirely from 3 years of regular use and dishwashing. Old Rasputin and the bottle opener are still kickin'!