2016 The Briary Event, Birmingham/Homewood, AL

[cosmicfolklore]

Skip reminded me yeasterday that his big event is on the 20th, International Pipe Smoking Day. He says he has some sort of artist made beer thing. I know nothing about this devil's drink, but aparantly has artists making it? And artisan hot dogs, which interests me more because I'm on an artist diet at the moment.

And, some pipe reps, tobacco reps, he rattles off a bunch of pipemakers, but Ian of Northern Briars caught my attention like a shiny piece of string. But, I don't think he will be there himself though. Some tobacco president or CEO or rep or something...
And, if I'm not mistaken, Brian Levine was going to be there?
I'm not good with remembering stuff, but if you'd like me to relay a message, I don't recommend using me, ha ha!
Anyways, I'll be there as part of the furniture. If you'd like to be a chair or coffee table, come on amd slow smoke with this area's champs... If Jason (Voorhees) shows up.
Come on, bring a pipe (or three) and lets trade up, and smoke, ya'll!!

 

[voorhees]

I'll be there. However the current slow smoke champ is Erin (politicalmonster). I fell out pretty quickly last year. Shaintiques will be there.

And yes, Brian Levine will be there too.

 

[jackswilling]

Sweet Home Alabama

That sounds like a first rate, classy, artisan, hoot'nanny. Good for you-all.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Bumped to add a copy of the email from Skip:

Hi every one,

February 20th and our annual event is getting near and we are excited. I do not remember so many people being interested in our event so early.

For those that do not know here is the plan.

Our buddy Gerard Ezvan will supply the pipes. His company, F&K Cigars, imports a lot of fine pipes at all price points. They even sell gourd calabash pipes. He promises to bring a ton of pipes that our customers have never seen.
We are honored to have a visit from Brian Levine. Brian is the host of the Pipe Magazine podcast about pipe smoking. This will be his second trip to The Briary.

He is the VP of Sutliff Tobacco. He will be sampling Sutliff and MacBarens tobaccos.
Dr. Oscar Rodriguez, the master blender of GTO Cigar Co., will be here to introduce his fine cigars to our clientele. He is a great guy and his cigars are first rate.
Greg of Gregs Hot Dog fame will have his gourmet hot dogs available. They are hard to believe.
We will have our usual slow pipe smoking contest for those that wish to participate.
Please come join in the fun!
Skip Elliott

Edit: I'd like to add that I don't personally believe in hotdogs. :wink:

 

[derfargin]

This an all day thing? What are the hours this will be taking place?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I believe that it is regular hours, like 10am to 6PM. I will be there for most of the day, at least until I get my leash tugged by Lora. Come on out. It'll be fun.

 

[jdhayes]

I hate that I'm going to be out of town that day. The guys at The Briary are great! I try to go by there once a month to get a tin or 2.

 

[derfargin]

I've got a prior commitment that day, but I'm doing what I can to make it out there. I have to drive over from ATL, so I got travel time to factor in.

 

[iamn8]

Cosmic, believe in them or not, but they exist. I've seen them for myself.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Nate, I hope I will see you there, for sure.

And, Defargin, if you can make it, that would be fantastic.

JD Hayes, too bad, if I haven't met you already, I would enjoy meeting you, I am sure.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Bump de bump bump!

 

[shaintiques]

Well not going to make it. I have a job interview tomorrow. Hoping Jason makes it and brings home another win.

 

[voorhees]

The wife and I are driving over. However, I won't be smoking. I had been fighting a head cold/sinus thing. I want to visit with the guys and maybe win a door prize. May be able to get some new tobacco as well.

 

[iamn8]

Shaintiques, what's your problem?!?! Sounds to me like you got your priorities are all jacked up. You can't let stupid, frivolous things like "family" or "jobs" or "biological processes" that are forced on us by "the man" get in the way of your smoking activities!

 

[jeepnewbie]

Wish I could make it, not able to this year.

 

[jakegoodman]

Not today, but Monday. I will pass through Birmingham Monday and will stop at Briary.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I got there at about 11 and had a terrible headache. I've had a problem with my shoulder and neck that has had me off the bench for a few days, but I trudged through it with a few Tylenols. There were quite a few pipes out to look at, but being on the look out for unique bulldogs, this Hilson caught my eye and lightened my wallet a tad, along with a few tins that I was anxious to try.

It was also a joy to hang out with Vorhees and my pipe club buddies. I also met a few other inactive members and a few lurkers of the forum. We laughed, we cried, but because of my headache I didn't participate in the slow smoke contest. But, at least a local, and my good friend, Tony, won it.
Artisan hotdogs were delicious, and I heard that the free beer was good. The coffee was definitely great as usual.
And, I got to hang out with our favorite pipe celebrity radio host, Brian Levine, who was a pleasure as always.

So now, I'm enjoying my new pipe filled with some 1849, and I'm explaining to my wife why they gave me this pipe for free :::wink wink::: ha ha.

Wish you could have joined us, you all were missed.

 

[mcitinner1]

Looking good Michael, I had to miss the St Louis Pipe Show today. My wife needed help with buying and hauling lighting and plumbing fixtures for her rental house remodel.

 

[voorhees]

While I still felt under the weather, I enjoyed spending time with Michael and Brian. Missed my other pipe smoking pals Dave and Erin. Another great event.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Jason, we should just all meet up somewhere in the middle of Bama and Georgia sometime, maybe swap some tins and pipes. Maybe find a diner with an outdoor area.

We're getting old and decrepid, ha ha. Getting out of bed causes me injuries some days, ha ha!
And, damm'd if I aint got tonguebite smoking out of all of those freshly popped tins today. I should have stuck them in the microwave before smoking them. Arrhg!