Beer Birthday: Steve Altimari tinyurl.com/3dsckzzf

Beer in Art #1710 Real Ixelberg (for Brewery Ixelberg Koekelber), by Rob Otten, c. 1960s (Belgium)

Beer Birthday: Gary Fish tinyurl.com/bn2re7a5

GABF 2005 Flashback: Sharing 20-year old photos from GABF, today's shot is again at the Falling Rock, featuring former brewer, and more recently former beer bar owner, Melissa Myers, and a smiling Rodger Davis.

Happy Birthday French philosopher, novelist, author, dramatist, journalist, world federalist, and political activist Albert Camus (November 7, 1913–January 4, 1960)

GABF 2005 Flashback: Sharing 20-year old photos from GABF, today's shot is on the front patio of the Falling Rock, another selfie of me with the inimitable Don Younger.

Beer Birthday: Greg Hall tinyurl.com/457e87yu

Beer in Art #1709 Staceghem's Bier ‘t Beste, by Goddaer Kortrijk, c. 1930s (Belgium)

Beer Birthday: Kim Sturdavant tinyurl.com/42tpyp78

Second trip tp Fritkot Chouke, to introduce some friends to my favorite Brussels frites spot.

Beer in Art #1709 Mort Subite, by R. Durancriss, c. 19th Century (Belgium)

Happy Birthday American novelist Charles Frazier (November 4, 1950- )

Beer Birthday: Rob Widmer tinyurl.com/45udkb5j

Beer in Art #1707 Standing Man with Beer Mug, by Félicien Rops, c. Late 1800s (Belgium)

GABF 2005 Flashback: Sharing 20-year old photos from GABF, today's shot is on the floor of GABF, and unless I'm mistaken, this a rare photo of Lagunitas brewmaster Jeremy Marshall without any facial hair. But he's had a beard so long I honestly can't be 100% sure that's who I'm looking at.

Beer Birthday: Rick Lyke tinyurl.com/m5udrbpv

Happy Birthday American writer of mystery and suspense fiction Martin Cruz Smith (November 3, 1942–July 11, 2025)

GABF 2005 Flashback: Sharing 20-year old photos from GABF, today's shot is at the Falling Rock, another selfie of me with then He'Brew owner Jeremy Cowan, who I've recently learned has moved back to the Bay Area.

Today's reason to drink? It's Cliché Day, Color the World Orange Day, Culture Day, Fill Our Staplers Day, Give Someone a Dollar Today Day, Godzilla Day, Kissing Frogs Day, Manga Day, National Sandwich Day, SOS Day, World Cosplay Day & World Jellyfish Day tinyurl.com/3v3es2ys

Beer Birthday: Tyler Brown tinyurl.com/363n6w8k

Happy Birthday American writer and aviator Dale Brown (November 2, 1956- )

Today's reason to drink? It was All Souls’ Day, All Stouts’ Day, Be the Impact Day, Cookie Monster Day, Date a Big Boy Day, Festival of Incompetence, National Deviled Egg Day, Piggy Bank Day, Plan Your Epitaph Day, Rigatoni Day, Vitamin D Day & World Fertility Day tinyurl.com/5bncdz5p

We saw this randomly, having taken a slight detour walking back to our hotel in Lille late last night. It was on the side of a large cathedral, and lit up an otherwise dark alley. No idea why it was there or what its purpose might be, but it certainly was memorable.

Historic Beer Birthday: Benjamin Lee Guinness, 1st Baronet tinyurl.com/mpzua9xc

Historic Beer Birthday: Petrus Van Roy tinyurl.com/ya9eup6m

GABF 2005 Flashback: Sharing 20-year old photos from GABF, today's shot is Vinnie Cilurzo, from Russian River Brewing, giving a food and beer talk during GABF.

Historic Beer Birthday: Ferdinand Rodenbach tinyurl.com/4vvuhvrj

Beer in Art #1706 Gruuthuse Hof, Brugge, Belgium, by Keshava Shukla, 2016 (India)

Happy Birthday English poet, author, and critic Edmund Blunden (November 1, 1896–January 20, 1974)

Today's reason to drink? It's All Saints’ Day, Cake Appreciation Day, Learn to Homebrew Day, MN Beer Day, National Author's Day, National Calzone Day, National Cinnamon Day, National Pâté Day, National Sushi Day, National Vinegar Day, Pooka Day, Samhain & World Chili Day tinyurl.com/42jj6an8

We've had a fun couple of days exploring Lille, France, but especially enjoyed a visit from our good friend, Don Russell, who retired to the south of France and came up to spend the day with us, which included a visit to the monument to the carrier pigeon, honoring its contributions to World War I.

Beer In Ads #5112: Big Halloween Party Tonight At The Owl Cabaret tinyurl.com/y95aejwb

GABF 2005 Flashback: Sharing 20-year old photos from GABF, today's shot is at the Falling Rock again, with John Pinkerton, from Moon River Brewing, getting very cozy with hops, taking a hop bath, and even eating some of them.

Historic Beer Birthday: Jean Baptiste Bechaud tinyurl.com/mmrmkkej

Beer in Art #1705 Luxem, by Vertil, c. 1930 (Belgium)

Today's reason to drink? It's Billy Beer Day, Frankenstein Friday, Halloween, International Day of Rice, Japanese Tea Day, John Candy Day, National Caramel Apple Day, National Keg Day, National Magic Day, World Cities Day, World Savings Day & World Thrift Day tinyurl.com/3hs7yj7t

Historic Beer Birthday: George Weisbrod tinyurl.com/7e27ntk8

Probably not the best Spaghetti Bolognese I've ever had, but I was craving some and you have to have some when you're in Belgium (it might be a law, I'm not sure). It was still very satisfying and certainly hit the spot, especially with the extra cheese. You can never have too much cheese.

Beer in Art #1704 Grand Brasserie Van Velsen ("Grande Brasserie Van Velsen frères. Bornhem"), by Armand Rassenfosse, 1896 (Belgium)

Today's reason to drink? It's Buy a Doughnut Day, Checklist Day, Devil's Night , Egg Night, Furry Animal Fondling Day, National Sleep-In Day, Pete’s Wicked Ale Day, Pumpkin Bread Day, Punkie Night, Sugar Addiction Awareness Day & Wish We Hadn’t Done That Day tinyurl.com/39yy7uhk

GABF 2005 Flashback: Sharing 20-year old photos from GABF, today's shot is at the Falling Rock, and is a fun photo of owner Chris Black with Celebrator Beer News published Tom Dalldorf.

Historic Beer Birthday: Frederick Hinckel Sr. tinyurl.com/mpuhkse2

Happy Birthday Scottish biographer, diarist, and lawyer James Boswell (October 29, 1740–May 19, 1795)

Today's reason to drink? It was Feed the Birds Day, Halloween Eve Eve, Hide From Everyone Day, Laugh Suddenly For No Reason A Lot Today Day, National Disgusting Little Pumpkin-Shaped Candies Day, National Oatmeal Day, Nut Day & Separation of Church and State Day tinyurl.com/5n985hrt

Beer Birthday: Bill Millar tinyurl.com/mupz3d6u

Beer in Art #1703 Mr. Bung the Brewer, from the card game “Happy Families”, by Mr. Jacques, 1861 (Great Britain)

GABF 2005 Flashback: Sharing 20-year old photos from GABF, today's shot is at one of the booths at the Falling Rock, with a conversation between Shaun O'Sullivan (21t Amendment) and Dave McLean (then with Magnolia).

Happy Birthday Dutch humanist, Christian theologian, and philosopher Desiderius Erasmus (October 28, 1466–July 12, 1536)

Today's reason to drink? It's Ask a Stupid Question Day, Bruery's Black Tuesday Release Day, Chucks-N-Pearls Day, Dynamo Day, Extra Kinky Day, Folly Day, International Animation Day, National Chocolate Day, National Day of Outrage, Statue of Liberty Day & Wild Foods Day tinyurl.com/bdfepxpz

Beer In Ads #5111: Pabst Bock Beer tinyurl.com/3y27wat6