We’ve all had those days when we just really want — and borderline physically need — a beer. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s been a bad day — although the beer-wanting feeling is very common after a day when your fellow students and/or Hogwarts Headmasters make you want to stick a semi-sharp wand in your eye (which hurts more than sticking a really sharp wand in your eye). You can also have this feeling on a really good day when you rescue someone and recognize that the best way to celebrate and maintain that vibe is to go out and grab a woman and a beer, not necessarily in that order.

I don’t remember what kind of day it was when I, Ron and my Gryffindor homies snuck into the Harmon Brewery Company, but I’m sure I needed a beer. And my amnesia can be fully attributed to putting away a few — specifically Hagrid’s Hog Head Ale, a special brew celebrating the release of the new Potter book and several weeks of Potter mania at neighboring University Book Store. After a couple of these tasty brews, I wondered if somebody didn’t drop a hit of Babbling Beverage into the batch. Or maybe it was fatigue that made me slur, or my apparently donning a psychological skirt that evening and forgetting that I am a more masculine person who likes to be overserved. But I’d rather go with the theory that a special beer additive was the culprit, a theory backed by the fact that when I looked past Ron that night, a very healthy, happy Draco Malfoy gave me a thumbs-up.

The Gryffindor House highly recommends that you load up the station wagon and head to Harmon Brewery for great food and a righteous buzz. But if you decide to try the Hagrid’s Hog Head Ale, make sure somebody remembers to grab a handful of Toothflossing Stringmints before you leave. — Harry Potter

[Harmon Brewery and Restaurant, 1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.2739]