Wednesday 13th of August 2014 10:09:24 PM

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When venturing into Tempe, Arizona understand, above all other things, this is Sun Devil territory.
Arizona State University rules!
If you are over 25, you're out of your comfortable environment and need to keep a firm grasp on your mature reality.
Otherwise, the party mentality takes over the minute you cross over from Scottsdale to Tempe.
Another you emerges.
A Mr. Hyde to your normal, every-day, boring Dr. Jekyll.
I speak from experience.
On a hot August day, wife Persimmon and I (having said "adios" to our youth many y'ar ago!) made the sweeping right hand turn from old, white, Republican, touristy, affluent Scottsdale Boulevard onto the sandal slapping, shorts striding, t-shirt terrorism of West University Drive and found Taste of Tops Liquors.
Recommended by our newly crowned Doctor-son, interning at a local hospital, we wanted to see how accurate his enthusiasm over the beer selection.
Mind you...I live in San Diego that boasts Texas Liquors in Carlsbad, with over 6000 bottles; Clem's Liquors in Kensington with that many and counting and Holiday Liquors in Escondido with its own walk-in cooler.
I am not to be trifled with when it comes to selection.
But this place??!!!
I am not one to emote Internettally but, OMG!!!!!!
For beer lovers, this is the ultimate ToysRUs.
Beers from all over America, Belgium, England, Scotland, New Zealand...rare beers, beers that run
upwards of $20 elsewhere cost $13 here.
Hyde immediately took over, ordered Persimmon to grab a cart and less than 30 minutes later, walked out with $100+ of special "friends."
When we took the left hand turn back into familiar old Scottsdale, Jekyll returned -- the evil gaze of Hyde disappeared reluctantly and the buyer's remorse settle in...until we carted the box into our hotel room, cracked the prized bottle of Bitches Brew and smiled at one another.
We thought, "Hell....it's only 350 from here to San Diego. I nice, quick weekend."
We've already got it planned.
It's been 7 long days since the last trip