The Hilton Beijing Rodeo: Warning, this post contains gore
- Two guys, one bull.
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Good vittles (baked beans, brisket and the like from Home Plate), good booze (Fighting Cock Bourbon and Brooklyn, Saranac and Dead Guy beers from Dxcel) and endless unintentional comedy (a mechanical bull to toss patrons about) — a slow clap to the Beijing Hilton for its Zeta Rodeo last weekend. The event drew a crowd modest in size, though high in spirit, which surprised me given the number of people who said they intended to go and inspired me to get there early for a seat. Go figure. Some highlights:
- The “Brokeback” bull ride by a pair of patrons that ended with one of them getting thrown off and almost “gored” (see above). True, that horn is a rubber, but still…
- Second place: When Brandon Hess of Dxcel spanked the bull with a cowboy hat. I have no idea what that action is meant to symbolize. It must be an Iowa thing.
- The fiery baked beans (rmb10) from Home Plate. I couldn’t stop eating them. Three heaping bowls. Pity the people who had to sit within six rows of me on a flight the next morning. The pulled pork sandwich (rmb35) was tasty, too.
- The Brooklyn Lager (rmb40) and Fighting Cock Bourbon (rmb40). The first is a flavorsome brew that ranks among my favorites in Beijing, the second provides a high-octane kick at 51 percent alcohol. Both help wash down the food.
- The patience of emcee Anny “Tex” An when dealing requests to double-ride the bull or to ride it backwards.
Overall, a fun night, and I hope the Hilton makes this a regular event.
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