The Old Globe's 2012 Shakespeare Festival is set to take place from 3rd June to 30th September, 2012. The Old Globe is located in San Diego's Balboa Park.

Are you fond of watching plays? How about watching Shakespearean plays? The Old Globe’s 2012 Shakespeare Festival is set to take place from 3rd June to 30th September, 2012. The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park.

The Old Globe’s 2012 Shakespeare Festival will be performed in repertory at the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theater. Adrian Noble returns as the artistic director of the festival and will direct plays – “As You Like It” and “Inherit the Wind”.

British director Lindsay Posner will make his debut at the Old Globe with his production of Richard III, which will kick off the festival on 3rd June. Jay Whittaker will star in the title role.

Here is a look at the 2012 Old Globe’s Shakespeare Festival:

Richard III
June 3-Sept 29
Directed by Lindsay Posner

“Richard III is one of the most diabolical and outrageous villains in all of literature. A ruthless Machiavellian, the brilliant and power-hungry lord embarks on a bloody campaign to seize and keep the English crown. Shakespeare paints an unforgettable portrait of obsession, seduction, betrayal and a man who would be king.”

As You Like It
June 10-Sept. 30 (Opening night is June 29)
Directed by Noble

“Flirtation, friendship and mistaken identity make for one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. Rosalind escapes into the forest and adopts the persona of a man to get close to her beloved Orlando. But when he falls for another woman, she must untangle the web of deceptions she has woven to win her true love. As You Like It explores the giddy excitement and dizzying foibles of love and is a perfect summer night under the stars.”

Inherit the Wind
By Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
June 17-Sept. 25 (Opening night is July 3)
Directed by Noble

“Two powerhouse lawyers face off in a small town with the eyes of an entire nation upon them when a schoolteacher is arrested for teaching Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution. When the issue goes to trial, the two attorneys must passionately confront questions of faith and science in a heated courtroom. This fictional re-creation of the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial tackles issues that are every bit as relevant today as they were in 1925.”

Apart from the plays, you can catch various other special events too at the Old Globe such as “Shakespeare in the Garden” seminars, post-show forums and more.

Want to watch something other than Shakespearean? Some other plays will also be showcased at the Old Globe such as Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage, Divine Rivalry by Michael Kramer and more.

If you are coming on a San Diego beach vacation during June and September, do spare some time to watch one of these historic Shakespearean plays at the Old Globe.

As far as San Diego lodging is concerned, we are a favorite accommodation in San Diego for tourists wanting to visit the beautiful city. California Suites Hotel is located close to Balboa Park, so it will be easy for you to commute to the Old Globe in the urban park to watch the plays. Besides California Suites Hotel is also in close proximity to several beaches, Old Town, La Jolla, Little Italy, Gaslamp Quarter and various other tourists hotspots.

Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel provides high quality facilities at budget prices. Our services include continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Make your reservations with us now and enjoy these various attractions of San Diego and good services to their fullest.

Sources include: playbill.com

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The Sicilian Festival, famed for its procession featuring costumed musicians and dancers.

The Sicilian Festival, famed for its procession featuring costumed musicians and dancers, will bring alive San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 20 as part of the 19^th Annual Sicilian Festival celebration.

The family event is free and features authentic Sicilian music, dance, culture and cuisine, surrounded by the ambiance of the Little Italy  neighborhood, located within walking distance of the beautiful San Diego harbor and within minutes of San Diego’s downtown district. If you are planning a vacation in San Diego during this time, book your rooms in a San Diego hotel that is located near Little Italy. You will love the ambiance.

Along Beech Street from Kettner to State Streets, car lovers will encounter Bellissimo! A Celebration of Italian Automotive Artistry. Offering an intimate look at a broad spectrum of Italian car designs – including Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Fiat, Lancia, and Alpha Romeo – visitors can mingle with proud car owners and cast their votes for a “Peoples Choice Award” for the car that captures their heart. Participating car clubs include the Ferrari, Alpha Romeo and Fiat/Lancia clubs, as well as support from FIAT Kearny Mesa.

Food booths will represent the many restaurants in Little Italy, serving up Sicilian specialties of all varieties.  Tarantino’s Sausages will also be on hand to serve up some of the best Italian sausages in the nation. Peroni, the official beer sponsor of the Sicilian Festival, will feature a Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the #1 Premium brand in Italy imported from Rome, in the beer and wine pavilion.

Guests will dance in the streets throughout the day.

At 11:30 am, a procession of dozens of costumed dancers, musicians, and representatives of the City and County of San Diego and the House of Italy, Sons of Italy, Italian-American Association, and other San Diego Italian organizations, will parade through the streets carrying flags from the different regions of Sicily and Italy. A very special guest in this years costume parade will be newborn Amelia Tripoli, born March 4, 2012 to Tony and Diana Tripoli who were married at the 2010 Sicilian Festival.

Four stages will feature non-stop Italian and Sicilian entertainment. The event is highlighted by the nationally acclaimed Roman Holiday Ensemble which will be on hand with their costumed musicians and dancers to provide a lively show of Sicilian and Italian music. The Screamin’ Primas will also be featured in a salute to Sicilian-American trumpeter and bandleader Louie Prima. Sicilian Swing’s New Orleans Italian jazz ensemble and renowned soprano Cristina Fontanelli will be among notable Italian-themed acts to be enjoyed at the Festival. The Grape Street stage will feature culinary demonstrations from San Diego’s leading chefs, highlighted by a pasta-eating contest.

All children’s activities are free, and include a large inflatable slide, puppet theatre shows, face painting, and many other activities to keep the bambini entertained throughout day.

A Sicilian cultural zone will feature photo and cultural displays by local and national authors and artisans that reflect the Sicilian American heritage in San Diego. The area will feature chalk art and displays of the rich history of San Diego’s tuna fishing industry, which flourished from the beginning of the 20th century until the 1970s. Among the exhibitors will be the San Diego History Center, Maritime Museum, and the Women’s Museum of California.

Free street parking is available throughout the Little Italy neighborhood. Free parking is available in the north lot of the County Administration Building, with a free shuttle to the Festival. The AMTRAK station is less than a mile from the Sicilian Festival area and can be reached either by foot or by using the San Diego Trolley. The Coaster also runs on Sunday. Take the MTS Trolley’s Blue Line to the County Center/Little Italy Station.

And there’s free parking at many of the Trolley’s park-and-ride lots (especially Qualcomm Stadium).  Also, on weekends, two children (12 and under) ride free with a paid adult (18 and over).

Little Italy is the first stop on the blue line north. Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which is centrally located. All the popular beaches including Harbor Beach, La Jolla Cove, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach are nearby. Even shopping centers, Balboa Park and other major attractions are a few minutes away.

Well-known for its hospitality, California Suites Hotel provides fine services at affordable prices which include continental breakfast, large swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Courtesy: Southwest Riverside News Network

Free flowing beer, Bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, Sauerkraut, music, dance!! Does that ring a bell? Yes the much-awaited Oktoberfest is back in San Diego. Oktoberfest may have originated in Germany in the early-1800s, but the city of San Diego too plays host to this rousing event which attracts a large number of locals and tourists.

One of the Oktoberfest events which you must attend is the Oktoberfest in La Mesa. It will take place along the Spring Street and La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa, from 30th September to 2nd October. Imagine more than 200,000 visitors here and the music, dance, delicious food and camaraderie. Won’t that be an exciting day?

Oktoberfest in La Mesa is a 3 day event which includes two beer gardens,five food courts, and a dance floor. Oktoberfest is a great event to try out authentic German food and of course the German beer. Once you reach at the venue, it is assured that you won’t be able to resist the refreshing beer and a tempting array of mouth-watering German delicacies ranging from Sauerkraut, Schweinebraten, ox-on-the-spit, Reiberdatschi, Obatzda and more. Are you bringing your children? No problem! Oktoberfest in La Mesa will also feature a children’s carnival to keep the kids busy and happy.

Imagine the smell of Bratwurst, the dance, the music, and the refreshing cool beer! You won’t be able to resist the temptation. So do attend Oktoberfest if you are planning a San Diego vacation in October.

An ideal vacation should be rejuvenating. Right? And if you spend half your time in commuting from one destination to another then that vacation will turn out to be exhausting rather than exhilarating. So find a San Diego hotel which is centrally located.

California Suites Hotel is one of the leading budget price hotels in San Diego from where not only La Mesa but various other major attractions such as Old Town, beaches and shopping centers are nearby. So that makes it easier for the hotel guests to commute to any place in a short time. Besides the hotel provides affordable services including laundry facilitates, Internet access, complimentary breakfast, spa tub, safe deposit box and a large outdoor heated swimming pool.

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Get ready all you music lovers! The much-awaited and very popular annual music festival, the X-Fest is going to take place at the at Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in Chula Vista, San Diego on 16th July, 2011.

Produced by LiveNation and presented by 91X, the X-Fest 2011 summer festival concert attracts a large number of music aficionados. So whether you are into heavy metal, hard rock, grunge or alternative rock; the X-Fest has something for everyone. This year promises to be a whole lot of exiting and fun for music lovers. An incredible and eclectic mix of artists are going to perform at the happening concert such as Iration, Incubus, Graffiti6, Middle Class Rut, Brother UK, Bush, Face to Face and more.

That’s not all. You can also help introduce your favorite X-fest band at the summer festival. 91X’S X-FEST 2011 is an amazing platform for musicians and bands to showcase their talent and perform in front of more than 12,000 fans. So if are planning to come on a San Diego vacation in July, do make sure to check out this electrifying event. It will be so much fun to listen to some great music and chill out with friends and other music lovers.

Considering San Diego receives plenty of tourists in July, it would make sense to book your rooms in a good San Diego hotel in advance. Located hardly 15 minutes away from the San Diego International Airport, the California Suites Hotel is one of the leading budget hotels in San Diego which is known to provide impeccable services at affordable prices. Besides all major tourists destinations such as beaches, Gaslamp Quarter and even Chula Vista is hardly a stone throw away from the hotel.

Apart from the convenient location, the USP of the hotel are the services that it provides. There is a large warm swimming pool, complimentary breakfast, Internet facility, safe deposit box, laundry facilities and lots more.

So what are you waiting for? Get set to groove to the eclectic mix of rock music!!

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Sea World is one of the prime attractions of San Diego. The famed killer whale Shamu, sea lions and so much more at the Sea World attracts millions of tourists each year. However the charm of Sea World during the Summer Nights, which officially begins from 18th June and goes on till 5th September, 2011, is incomparable.

Every year during summers, the Sea World celebrates the Sea World’s Summer Nights when the entire park transforms into some kind of magical land where fireworks and entertaining shows go on till late in the night.

Once there, check out the Sea Lions Tonite – it is one of the funniest shows. You will be splits watching sea lions – Clyde and Seamore doing a mocking imitation of TV shows and other popular shows in a light and good-humored way. Want to watch some spectacular acrobatics? Then visit the Cirque de la Mer where you will see talented acrobats performing acrobatics combined with music and special effects. This show will surely leave you awe-struck.

The major highlight of the Sea World is of course the famous Shamu. It is so much fun watching Shamu break dancing. And be assured that your kids will love it. Don’t forget to check out Shamu’s nighttime show called Shamu rocks. Watching this show which combines the feats of Shamu with some rock-n-roll music and the amazing animation on the multimedia screens doubles the fun.

And of course what better way to end the day than watching dazzling fireworks explode the sky into brilliant lights. The ‘Into the Blue’ show takes place every night during the Sea World’s Summer Nights. Imagine how magnificent the sky above the park will look with the display of colorful fireworks along with orchestral music playing in the background. There is so much fun at the Sea World’s Summer Nights that you will ask for an encore.

During summers, San Diego receives a large number of tourists, so book your rooms in advance. There are plenty of San Diego hotels which offer commendable services at budget prices. One of such hotel in San Diego is the California Suites Hotel which is conveniently located just 15 minutes away from the San Diego International Airport. The hotel is centrally situated from where Sea World and all other major attractions are just a stone throw away which lets the guests enjoy their trip to the fullest and save time on commuting and parking.

California Suites Hotel provides complementary breakfast, a large warm outdoor heated swimming pool, laundry services and much more to make the stay of guests enjoyable and memorable. The hotel also offers affordable extended stay packages to provide a home away from home experience to visitors looking for an extended stay hotel San Diego. In short, the hotel is convenient, comfortable and affordable.

So what are you waiting? Summer is here so get set to have a time of your life at the  Sea World’s Summer Nights.

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Are you fond of baseball? For any sports enthusiast, the month of May in the San Diego promises a whole lot of action as the people’s favorite San Diego Padres matches are all set to rock the city.

Founded in 1969, the San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team. Having won the National League Pennant twice once in 1984 and the other in 1998, the San Diego Padres or popularly known as the “Pads”, have become quite a favorite of baseball lovers. Several people have been inducted into the San Diego Padres Team Hall of Fame which include Randy Jones, Dave Winfield, Nate Colbert, Buzzie Bavasi, Tony Gwynn, Jerry Coleman, and others.

This year the San Diego Padres will take on different teams. You can catch all the action at the PETCO PARK where the San Diego Padres will compete against Milwaukee Brewers on 18th and 19th May and will take on the Seattle Mariners from 20th to 22nd May 2011. And from 23rd to 25th May, the Padres will be seen playing against St. Louis Cardinals. That’s not all. In case you can’t watch the matches in May, don’t be disheartened.  The month of June too is packed with the exciting matches as the San Diego Padres will take on various teams such as Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head for San Diego. There is a lot of difference in watching the match on television and experiencing all the action and frenzy LIVE.

As far as accommodation is concerned, you don’t have to worry as there are plenty of hotels in San Diego which offer good services at affordable prices. Located in the middle of San Diego is the charming California Suites Hotel which is a great value price leader budget San Diego hotel known for providing fine services at best rates possible. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast, large heated outdoor swimming pool, laundry facilities, Internet access and more. In short, the hotel is convenient, comfortable and affordable.

Besides, due to the central location of the hotel, PETCO PARK and all major attractions including the Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town are nearby. The convenient location helps all sport enthusiasts to save time on commuting and reach the PETCO PARK in time to catch all the action.

In case you are looking for longer  stay in order to watch all the matches, you can enjoy an extended stay at California Suites Hotel which is also known as a great budget extended stay hotel San Diego. The hotel offers home away from home kind of services and charges according to the weekly or monthly rates. Enjoy apartment prices with hotel perks.

Photo Courtesy: sdnmsu.wordpress.com



The city of San Diego dedicates the month of March to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Named after Saint Patrick of Ireland, the St. Patrick’s Day is a Catholic holiday and a celebration of Ireland’s culture. It was started in the early 17th century in Ireland and is now widely celebrated in other nations including the USA. Though San Diego may not have Irish history as rich as that of New York or Chicago; this vibrant city participates with equal vigor in celebrating this joyous occasion.

The 31st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 12th, 2011 in Balboa Park. More than 150 people will participate in the parade which will kick off from Fifth Avenue at 10:30 am and will conclude at Juniper Street in Balboa Park. This year the theme of the parade is “Irish Culture”.

You can expect to see a spectacular parade which includes drill teams, colorful floats, dancing groups, marching bands, bagpipe performers, equestrian units, scout troops, roller skaters,  police and fire department units, antique cars and clowns. And this is not all. The marvelous parade is followed by an Irish festival which is equally entertaining and fun.

The Irish festival promises lots of festivities where you can listen to Irish folk songs, watch traditional Irish dance, binge on delicious Irish food, enjoy storytelling, relax in the Celtic village and take your kids to the Kids Zone which contains interesting games and rides. Besides all this, there will be two beer gardens.

It really doesn’t matter whether you are Irish or not. You can spend an enjoyable day by attending this colorful and charming event. In order to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day to the fullest, it would be better to stay in a San Diego vacation rental from where Balboa Park is nearby so that you can save time on commuting and parking.

California Suites Hotel is a value price leader budget San Diego hotel which is located right in the heart of San Diego from where you can commute to Balboa Park as well as other tourist destinations easily. Besides the hotel offers fine services and facilities which include complementary breakfast, free parking, Internet services, laundry facilities and lots more.

California Suites Hotel is also known as one of the leading budget extended stay hotel in San Diego where you can benefit from apartment prices with hotel perks. In short, the hotel is Convenient, Comfortable and Affordable.

Photo Courtesy: www.ucdblogs.org

Are you fond of boating on the blue expansive seas? If the speeding crafts and smoothly sailing yachts give you a high, then San Diego is the place to be this January.

Boating enthusiasts from across the country are getting ready to converge in San Diego for the much awaited San Diego Sunroad Boat Show which is back again this year by popular demand. Hosted by the Sunroad Resort Marina, the 21-year annual tradition will be held January 27-30, 2011 and features exciting land side and in water exhibits. Attendees from Las Vegas, Arizona, Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire as well as local San Diegans flock to the annual San Diego show. If you happen to be on San Diego vacations during this time, make sure to check out this exciting event.

Fantastic new and used boats and yachts, plus the latest products and services for boaters are waiting to exhibit their beauty and power on the East end of scenic Harbor Island in San Diego Bay. Fun for the whole family, the San Diego Sunroad Boat Show at the Sunroad Resort Marina will have something for everybody who wants to see how affordable it is to experience the dream of owning your own vessel on San Diego’s beautiful waterways.

The 2011 Sunroad Boat Show will feature on land and in water locations, focusing on the latest boats and marine equipment. Its new location (the show relocated in 2010 from the SD Convention Center and Marriott Marina) puts the show on the spacious east end of beautiful Harbor Island in San Diego Bay with free shuttle transports.

One of the most exciting elements of the show’s new location at the Sunroad Marina is the utilization of more marina space, giving more dealers slips to showcase their boats and attendees even more boats to enjoy. Sunroad Marina’s vast 610 slip spaces, the 2011 show will really boast an expansive offering of boats from 8-feet to 90-feet, including new and used sail and power models for every budget. This is a major change from the previous Boat Shows where the in-water marina portion was always the most popular aspect of the annual event but was limited in its ability to grow. The huge demand for dealers that wanted space and could not get it has propelled this major increase in in-marina space for the Boat Show this year.

Boating is big business. There are more than 17 million recreational boats owned in the United States and California is the second top boating state in the nation. If you don’t want to miss the biggest ever show this year, reserve your rooms now with California Suites Hotel, one of the leading budget hotels in San Diego. The hotel provides impeccable service and good quality facilities at affordable prices. To top it all, it is conveniently located within a short driving distance from San Diego Bay which is gearing up to host its biggest event.

So get out on the water and take advantage of the free boat rides. Attendees will also be able to enjoy food, music, beer and spirits — making a great time for all to enjoy the day on San Diego Bay and have a wonderful San Diego vacation.

Photo Courtesy: www.sdnn.com

Are you fond of dancing and music? Do you want to step into the rhythm of waltzes, polkas and operettas? Then San Diego is the place to be on the New Year as the city is all set to play host to a major dance and musical event in January – the San Diego Symphony: Salute to Vienna.

San Diego Symphony: Salute to Vienna

There is nothing better than watching the heavenly performances of European artists singing and dancing to the tunes of waltzes, polkas and operatic excerpts on the first day of the New Year. Set to take place on  1st, January, 2011, the ‘San Diego Symphony: Salute to Vienna’ is inspired by the Vienna’s renowned NEUJAHRSKONZERT.

NEUJAHRSKONZERT is the classical music New Year Concert which is performed in Vienna  every year and broadcast around the world to an estimated audience of 50 million in 72 countries. However you don’t have to watch it on TV as the San Diego Symphony: Salute to Vienna will recreate the same magic and grandeur at Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego on 1st, January.

While waltz is a ballroom dance, polka is a lively Central European dance. It will be a thrill watching these dance forms with the music of “Waltz King” Johann Strauss II.  Johann Strauss II was an Austrian composer who composed more than 500 waltzes, polkas, and several operettas. Considered as “The Waltz King”, Strauss is credited for the popularity of the waltz in Vienna during the 19th century.

If you haven’t heard the playful compositions of Strauss, this is your chance to come and fall in love with the mesmerizing compositions of the King of Waltz. Various artists such as conductor Mika Eichenholz, soprano Patricia Nessy, and Alexandru Badea will perform at the event.

Make sure you don’t carry your camera, recording devices, food or drinks inside the hall, as these items are not allowed. And remember to book your stay in a San Diego lodging from where you can commute easily to Copley Symphony Hall.

Located at Clairemont Mesa Blvd, California Suites Hotel is a budget hotel which provides fine services at affordable prices. Its services include complimentary breakfast, laundry facilities, spa tub, free parking and more. The hotel is also offering awesome discounts which are valid till January 21st, 2011. Book your rooms as early as possible to avail the tempting discounts.

Make sure you attend this event if you are planning a San Diego vacation during this time. It will be a wonderful way to begin the New Year by watching such breathtaking performances.

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Do you enjoy your mug of beer? Do you have an interest in learning and understanding about the brewing heritage of San Diego? Then San Diego Beer Week is an event you shouldn’t miss. Organized by the San Diego Brewers Guild, the San Diego Beer Week is all set to take place from 5th November to 14th November, 2010.

Throughout the San Diego County more than 500 interesting events will take place during the San Diego Beer Week. The ten day celebration will kick off with the Brewers Guild Festival and conclude with the Chef Celebration of San Diego. Some of the other major events the attendees can look forward to are the gourmet beer and food-pairing event, beer and cheese pairings, specialty beer dinners and lots more. One of the most popular events, the Beer Garden will be held at the Lodge at Torrey Pines.

With an interesting array of events set to unfold at the San Diego Beer Week, you can expect to have loads of fun. Try the exclusive beer produced by breweries in San Diego, gorge on mouth-watering food cooked by renowned chefs, enjoy beer and cheese pairings, meet with the brewers and have a blast with like-minded people who share the common love for beer as you. Lots of breweries are participating in the event such as AleSmith Brewing Company, Green Flash Brewing Company and many more. There is also a long list of chefs who will take part in the event.

Running in its second year, the San Diego Beer Week was initiated with an aim to encourage people to take up local beer and promote the beer brewing culture in San Diego on a big scale. Noticeably, the San Diego Beer Week has been able to successfully achieve its goals considering that it won several medals at the World Beer Cup a few months back. Not just that, the San Diego city in fact outnumbered the medals won by other nations which are traditionally known for beer such as England, Belgium and Germany too. Knowing that the San Diego city earned such an international recognition, this should be another reason for you not to miss this event.

As far as finding a good an affordable San Diego accommodation is concerned, go for a hotel in San Diego from where you can easily commute to various venues of the San Diego Beer Week. Located in Clairemont Mesa Blvd, California Suites Hotel is centrally positioned and easily accessible to the Lodge at Torrey Pines as well as other venues. Known for impeccable services at reasonable prices, this Value Price leader among budget San Diego hotels is also providing tempting discounts and good San Diego vacation deals to visitors.

The San Diego Beer Week will last for ten days, so you can also choose to book an extended stay at California Suites Hotel. The hotel is one of the most affordable extended stay hotels in San Diego which offers a “home away from home” like environment to the guests.

San Diego Beer Week is the event where you can try the best of beers from local breweries. Imagine what a heady combination a mug of beer along with scrumptious food will make. These are the experiences any beer lover will relish!

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