A funny thing happens when I drink boba tea too enthusiastically. Basically, the little balls of tapioca end up being swallowed whole instead of chewed, savored, and fully enjoyed. I blame this phenomenon on the super thick boba straw and the fact that I tend to hoover my liquids down with lightning-fast speed (you should see me chug my dad’s lemonade soda). Knowing this about myself, I actually tried to slow down as I consumed my first drink at newish downtown teahouse, Sweetie Cup. I ordered my flavor close to home (iced chai) with a touch of exotic (add boba). I am not the expert on boba by any means, but I liked this milky drink and found the unexpected little balls of goo delightfully chewy—well, the ones that didn’t go flying down my gullet. The “tea” was sweet, spicy, and probably full of sugar, but health nuts can take comfort in the fact that the menu features all kinds of steeped beverages, including loose-leaf green tea delivered to your table in a teapot. 

• Sweetie Cup’s chai boba tea—$4 for a medium; 799 Higuera St., SLO.

I don’t want to toot my own horn but—OK, yes I do. My husband and I are reigning king and queen of Tinker Tin Trailer Co.’s Trailer Prom, held at BarrelHouse Brewing Co. last month, and we have the hot pink sparkle pony to prove it! Tinker Tin is the amazing local company that spruces up adorable vintage trailers and rents them out for glamping fun/weddings/whatever floats your boat. BarrelHouse Brewing Co. is the amazing local brewery in Paso Robles that boasts the best outdoor beer garden in the county and is home to a host of thoughtfully crafted artisan beers (I am eagerly awaiting the opening of a new tasting room in downtown SLO, aren’t you?). In between conga-line dancing with my sparkle pony last month, I found time to polish off more than a few of BarrelHouse’s unique Rye IPAs. Crafted with an award-winning blend of Sorachi Ace, Centennial, and Chinook hops, this beer packs a punch with citrus, apricot, and grapefruit flavors—a combination fit for trailer park royalty. Let Miller High Life have its title of “champagne” of beers. BarrelHouse’s Rye IPA is the sparkle pony of beers. And that’s saying something.

• BarrelHouse Brewing Co.’s Rye IPA—About $5 for a pint; 3055 Limestone Way, Paso Robles. 

Send your liquid courage to hthomas@newtimesslo.com.