7 Day culture challenge Day 2 "Wine Instead of Beer"

Happy Memorial Day in the U.S. thanking and remembering those who serve. A tradition here is to cookout or BBQ on Memorial Day and visit with family and friends while enjoying good food. Memorial Day is really the first holiday of the warmer season so everyone really looks forward to gathering in hopefully good weather usually outdoors.

BBQ Drink of Preference in California

If you come to California you can expect a great selection of wine. Personally I’m not a fan of wine and prefer beer if I had a choice - but Californians are really into wine. The land is well suited for wine grape cultivation and I admit if I did like wine, I hear it’s pretty good. People make trips to wineries and spend the day tasting wine and spending the weekend touring and attending shows at the venues.

I’ve been to this winery and yep, it’s the same movie producer Francis Coppola:

Source: https://www.thefamilycoppola.com/

I can’t remember what I bought since I’m a wine deficient so I just picked something semi-expensive to give someone else as a gift.

Beer

There are some microbreweries here as well for crafted beer. Back when I used to party I would have one of these if the bar offered them. Most likely you would find this kind of selection at an awesome bar or pub but not at a dance night club, except if it was a rock n roll kind of club.

I found the city of Berkeley especially had a wide variety of beer, no doubt to the close proximity to the University of California, Berkeley and student population. Check out The Rare Barel's photos and the awesome barrel action.

I, like many people in California, am not from here originally but I've lived here over 25 years. I’m originally from the southern states where beer, especially cheap beer, reigns. Back home the beer would be Bud or Coors. If you were trying to be fancy you might throw in a 6 pack of Corona, especially for beach parties.

Speaking of Beaches

Northern California is different from Southern California and the southern states with beaches, too. Most of the beach is difficult to access and it’s not like Baywatch, sunny and warm Southern California. It’s damn cold! The Pacific waves crash against jagged rocks. Great Whites lie in wait! Oh they do! You would need to wear a wet suit to even attempt to “swim.”

If you squint hard enough you can see a shark in the water there. Do you see it?!
hmmm

Source: https://www.californiabeaches.com/15-gorgeous-beaches-northern-california/

Maybe I'm just a little paranoid. 👀

BBQ and Cookouts

BBQ here in Northern California means chicken on the grill with no sauce, salad, sourdough bread, veggie trays, cheeses, fruit and wine. Beer may also be offered but often it’s in the back of the host's other fridge. Other drinks would be some kind of sparkling water.

BBQ in the southern states means chicken, hot dogs, ribs on the grill slathered in sauce, Wonder Bread, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans and beer. Often times people will bring their own specialty dishes in addition to what the host has provided. There is a lot more food quantity and selection at a southern BBQ than California. Other drinks offered would be iced tea and a few kinds of soft drinks (soda). It's worth mentioning depending on the family and their religious beliefs alcohol may not be offered at a BBQ as some parts of the south are the "bible belt" and drinking is strictly frowned on.

I miss the southern way of BBQ but it's just what I grew up with. There's a lot I do like about California BBQ namely the freshness of the produce, avocados, and fusion with worldwide foods.

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I was nominated by @conradt for this culture challenge. Thank you Conradt! :)
The rules:

Write a post about an aspect of your culture - e.g. food, arts, dance, economy, money, governement etc
Do this for 7 days in a row if you get nominated
Mention three people who should do this on each day.
Tag it with #7dayculturechallenge and include these rules at the bottom of your post
Include a picture of something from your culutre related to yoru story if possible
Post these rules at the bottom of your post
Note - if you like the idea of this and would like to participate but weren't nominated, feel free to join in and just mention that I nominated you :)