The first time we went to The Dray I thought, “wow there are a lot of squirrel things around here”. The second time we decided to go I thought, “there really are a LOT of squirrel things”. Their logo is a squirrel. There’s wood all over the place, which I really love (warm, crafted, shiny). Behind the bar, there’s a handmade steel branch of a tree, winding around behind the taps. The taps are made to look like they have a wood texture. The third time we show up, we are drinking a beer at the bar and after a short lull of silence Peter says, “oh, okay, so a dray is a squirrel’s nest”. Wow. Good job there. I would honestly still just go on and on wondering about why there were so many cute rodent references and why the whole bathroom was painted like some sort of park scene with swirly trees all over the place (and a squirrel, of course).
I am so proud to live in a city where there is great beer around almost every corner and where great beer is really important. I appreciate that. The Dray always has interchangeable, hefty local taps and the locals know about the taps. The servers are more knowledgeable than they probably have to be; I loved overhearing the explanation of what a sour actually is and how it’s made. I’m getting more into sours, and finding a place that has had different ones on tap consistently has really pleased me. There’s a flavor in sour beers I can’t recognize that reminds me of a birthday party, a champagne toast or the look of a just-inflated balloon. It’s some sort of special event, every time I take a sip.
It’s good I have Peter around. I remember when we were first dating and I was so impressed he knew so many little facts. I would text him, “what is that thing called again over the letters with two dots?” Yes, I’m admitting I forgot that word. “An umlaut”. I really felt behind. Peter’s a smart guy. He said the other night I was smarter than him and I almost spit out my wine. Thanks for indulging me, Pete. I guess he also puts up with what I’ll call my blonde moments, which I don’t really believe in at ALL and actually pretty much hate, but just for the sake of it being that most people understand what that is supposed to mean and because I have blonde hair, I’ll use it. This might have been one of those moments. Does everyone know what a dray is? What if squirrel things were all over the place? There’s a bit of a conversation about the term. It can be a squirrel’s nest, and can be spelled “drey”. It can also mean a pack of squirrels. Or a low, strong cart, a sledge or a sled. Also, I don’t know what a sledge is. Peter?
I am so excited to go there! I did not know what a dray was either. Given Kingston’s obsession with squirrels, it would be hilarious if he was allowed there. Thanks for sharing your sweet knowledge:) Let’s go there soon!
I, too, did not know what a dray was — and I, too, am a blonde. GOOD
Kingston is absolutely welcome in the Dray.
It is really a nice little place.
What kind of sandwich is that? Looks tasty.
Charlie, yes. It is tasty. It’s the white cheddar pickle. Pickles are great with beer. Also cheese. Always.
Hmm, I got me a t-shirt with one of them “Ithaca is gorges” logos from a banjo playin’ mathematician. Imagine that!
P.S. I am glad that I had the chance to catch up with the blog posts again. You guys have the best adventures. I was actually chuckling out loud about the mac and cheese post.