Life is all about balance, especially in the summer. When I'm in the store, it's all about our customers and our business. Even when I'm off I always have the success of our store on my mind, yet I try to take full advantage of my time with my wife, my dog, my family and my friends. In the summer, for me, it's all about the beach, good brews, sports and of course, local fun.
SUMMER FUN
When it comes to summer I like anything that has to do with good drinks, the beach, delicious food, and working out. I think they all balance out, right? Luckily I can find them all locally around New Haven. Here are some of my favorites:
Good Drinks: Along with visiting my favorite breweries, in the summer my wife and I also love to visit all of the local vineyards with our friends. We bring our own food and enjoy the time relaxing outside.
Beach: I've been a member of Silver Sands Beach & Tennis Club since I was an infant. If I don't have anything going on, that's where you will find me on my days off. Whether I'm throwing the football along the water, just catching some rays, or socializing at the tiki bar, it's kind of my home away from home.
Eats: While I have a long list of favorite restaurants in the summer, it's my mission to find the best lobster roll in the area. So far, Lenny's down in Branford, CT is winning, but I'm open for other suggestions. I love all fresh seafood and like to explore all of the local sushi joints.
Exercise: After reading my drinking and eating blurbs, you may not guess it, but I am really passionate about fitness. While I grew up playing sports from an early age, I battled weight issues through high school. I'm pretty sure my love for chocolate milk and mayonnaise had something to do with it. No I wasn't obese, but I was quite chubby and had to shop the husky section as a boy! I thinned out through high school, and ended up played tennis for the University of Connecticut. That's where I found my passion for working out, whether it be at practice, lifting, playing basketball or going for a run.
Fast forward to my post-collegiate years. Lifting weights and spending two hours at the gym became monotonous, so three years ago, I decided to try the new rave - CrossFit. The owner of North Haven CrossFit allowed me to visit and try a workout for free, with him as my coach. After the first one, I felt like throwing up, so naturally, I took out my credit card and said sign me up! Don't worry I won't talk about it like it's the cult all you non-CrossFitters believe it to be (ok maybe it is), but in all seriousness, I can't rave enough about the fitness level CrossFit has helped me to achieve. I also appreciate the lessons of determination and perseverance it continues to teach me as well as the community and camaraderie surrounding me there.
BREWS
While I often stop into Demils which is next door to our store, or Mikro for a cold one, my favorite place to grab a beer nowadays is at the Black Hog Brewing Co where my cousin's husband is the head brewmaster (Shameless plug? Nah). A little over a year ago, he left New Hampshire where he was the head brewmaster at Portsmouth Brewery to help open Black Hog. He's awesome at what he does and whether you appreciate fine craft beer or not, I can guarantee you'll find at least one beer that you'll like at Black Hog.
Along with a good product, their tasting room is also great. It's a chill atmosphere and the people are friendly. I highly recommend you check it out and when you do, ask for Tyler and tell him Doug sent you! If you can't make it there most liquor stores carry their beer, so be on the lookout and when you try it, let me know what you think.
BALL GAMES
Although I thoroughly enjoy the whole bar atmosphere and would usually choose Demils, Buffalo Wild Wings, or Sliders, I have to say my favorite place to watch a game is either at home or at my parents' house with my dad and friends. We are pretty die hard, and I need to be able to focus on the game and hear all the commentators, haha. But really, we can get pretty intense, so I prefer watching a game on the flat screen with some good apps (my wife's specialty), cold beverages, great people, and no distractions… it doesn't get much better than that!
Bottoms up to what's left of summer. Enjoy your vacations, the longer days and warmer temps. I know I will!
~Doug
