David Bardallis | Contributor

ME: So, Tony, good to see you in Ann Arbor again.

AB: Cheers, my friend, it’s been too long.

ME: It’s a great day hanging out here together in the Kerrytown Market courtyard. How’s the travel-to-exotic-lands, eat-great-food, drink-lots-of-alcohol, and crack-a-ton-of-jokes all-on-someone-else’s-dime gig treating you?

AB: I can’t complain, Dave, but I gotta tell you, as great as some of the places I’ve been to are, it can be hard to get a really awesome beer at so many of them.

ME: So Vietnam is lacking at least one key aspect of paradise?

AB: Such a shame.

ME: Lucky for you you’re in Michigan now. We never have a problem getting great beer.

AB: I’ll drink to that.

ME: Speaking of which, did you know Ann Arbor alone boasts four different brewpubs?

AB: Yeah? That’s cool. But it’s too nice to go drink inside a pub just now —

ME: Some would even say too early.

AB: — and in fact, I don’t feel like leaving this spot.

(We exchange knowing glances.)

ME: What are you in the mood for?

AB: How about something Belgian-y?

ME: Can you narrow it down a bit?

AB: Belgian-y and strong. I have to promote my new book, do this video shoot, sign autographs, the whole nine yards. It could be a long day.

ME: Wait right here; I’ve got just the thing.

(I depart for a local convenience store and return with a 22 oz. bottle and two glasses.)

AB: What’s this?

ME: New Holland Brewing’s Black Tulip Trippel Ale. It’s light and golden, with a slightly sweet taste, dry finish and a 9 percent ABV wallop.

AB: Perfect. Crack it open.

ME (pouring two glasses): Cheers, Tony. Don’t be such a stranger, eh?

AB: Cheers, my friend! It’s good to share a beer with you, and keep up all the great writing for AnnArbor.com. You never know, a book deal could be right around the corner and that could in turn even lead you to a great job like mine.

ME: DON’T TAUNT ME, YOU BASTARD!

* Except for the part where Bourdain drank New Holland Black Tulip. This actually happened, although I was not involved. Unfortunately for New Holland’s marketing department, I did not get a picture, either. Sorry, guys.

David Bardallis is a freelance writer and editor, blogger, bon vivant, and man about town. Visit his Web site, DavidBardallis.com, to engage his services or read his latest. E-mail your beer-related thoughts to annarborbeer@gmail.com, follow @dbardallis on Twitter, or join the "All the Brews Fit to Pint" Facebook page.