Gifts of candy are thoroughly appreciated

Sometimes good things do happen on Mondays.

I just met Tamara Rollins, author of "Karma Always Catches Up With You" ($12.99, Createspace, 200 pp.)

It's so fun to actually meet in person the authors of the books I blog about. In addition to Rollins, I've met Perkiomenville author Jack Althouse ("Second Sight") and Lew Bryson ("Pennsylvania Breweries") in recent weeks.

The Gilbertsville resident (pictured at right) found time to write her debut novel while taking care of four little ones AND pursuing a master's degree in human resources.

She stopped by my office with a thank you gift of CHOCOLATE for me ... just for writing a blog to promote her upcoming book-release party!

Her party, to which all book lovers in the area are invited, will kick off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21, at the Quality Inn at 61 W. King St., Pottstown.

At the party you may pre-order a copy of Rollins’ self-published novel and enjoy food, music and dancing!

“Karma Always Catches Up With You” is due to be released early next month and will then be available for purchase on Amazon.com.

French Quarter Bistro to host event for beer/book lovers

What better way to celebrate the end of the elections - or at least the end of those annoying postcards, robo-calls and e-mails from candidates - than sipping a Pennsylvania-brewed beer and discussing where it was made with someone who's rather knowledgeable on the topic?

Author Lew Bryson will be signing/selling his book Pennsylvania Breweries" at The French Quarter Bistro, 215 Main St., Royersford, on Wednesday, Nov. 3, beginning at 7 p.m. The event, "An evening with Lew Bryson," is sponsored by The Spring City Library.

An autographed copy of the book will run you $20 (a great gift idea, peeps!)

(For more information about the book and Bryson's book signing at Limerick's Craft Ale House last week, check out my blog entry here.)

According to FQB's Facebook site, great local beers will be available in draft and bottle, along with specialty brews, throughout the evening. Tasting flights will also be available for purchase at the bar. Attendees must be 21 with valid ID present.

The library is requesting reservations by calling 610-948-4130 or e-mail nmccourt@ccls.org.

If you've never been to French Quarter Bistro, learn more about this cozy Cajun restaurant and bar in downtown Royersford at their website, http://www.frenchquarterbistro.com/ Owner/chef Mark Van Horn cooks up wonderful down home favorites including Etoufee complete with alligator sausage and crawdads. They also have somewhat hard-to-find Abita beer, in addition to a host of others.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Author to sign 'PA Breweries' book tonight at Craft Ale House

Two of my favorite things - Pennsylvania beer and books - are the subjects of an event tonight at Craft Ale House in Limerick. Yes, that's right: The event is TONIGHT (Tuesday, Oct. 26).

I do apologize for the short notice, but for that I'd like to blame others: Gary and Melissa Fry, owners of Craft Ale House, to be exact. They must've been too busy recovering from their recent employee appreciation field trip to Stoudt's Brewery and from hosting a pumpkin carving contest last night to send me a proper press release ...

But, through the wonders of Facebook, I have learned that author Lew Bryson will be at the pub (one of my fave drinking establishments, by the way, as they feature 16 revolving kegs of craft beer) from 7 to 11 tonight to promote his latest book, "Pennsylvania Breweries," 4th Edition.

According to the CAH facebook page, Bryson will be "laughing and drinking and eating and oh yeah, selling and signing copies of his new book. We will also have a nice selection of local PA beers on tap to compliment his book."

I would ask you, What could be better than combining beer and books? Then I would remember that when I have enjoyed some high ABV beer at CAH, I usually am not following that up with a whole lot of ... reading. Trash talk and consumption of CAH's famed garlic popcorn, yes, but reading - not so much.

My suggestion would be to read Bryson's book BEFORE you celebrate responsibly ... that way you'll know what kind of beer to choose!

To his credit, Bryson has visited ALL of the breweries in Pennsylvania - all 73 of them - four times over. From the book's Facebook page:

(Bryson's) not just traveling around drinking beer: this is his job, he takes it very seriously, and he does it all for you. This is the 4th edition of his bestselling guide to the breweries and brewpubs of Pennsylvania: the biggest, the best, and the most up-to-date.

You’ll find all the breweries and their stories here:

• Oldest: Yuengling, in Pottsville, brewing at the same location since 1829.

• Highest: Straub, in St. Marys, at almost 1800 feet above sea level.

• Biggest pub: Hofbräuhaus, in Pittsburgh, can seat 1,300 happy drinkers.

• Most medals: Stoudt’s, in Adamstown, won over 20 medals at the Great American Beer Festival.

• Most macabre: North Country, in Slippery Rock, is in a former undertaker’s parlor and morgue.

• Fishiest: Crabby Larry’s, in Chalfont, is located in a fish market and seafood restaurant.

• Most breweries: Lancaster County is home to seven breweries.

"This is a travel guide, and you’ll find plenty to do with family and friends besides the wonderful brewery experiences you’re sure to have....With Lew Bryson’s expertise to guide you (and his deft writing to entertain you), you’ll find traveling the Keystone State a more rewarding experience than ever."

A signed copy of Bryson's book "complete with chatter," he says, will cost $20. At any rate, it looks to be a book that will guide you through the storied breweries of the fine Keystone state (I have visited only Yuengling and Weyerbacher to date ... I plan to add to that list in the coming months).

Plus, it you buy a book and have a chat with Bryson tonight, you can accompany that chat with one of CAH's fine craft beers for about $5. Sounds like a fun Tuesday night!

Craft Ale House is located at 708 W. Ridge Pike, Limerick. To learn more, visit craftalehouse.com.