For several years my husband, Derek, has been traveling to breweries in the Northeast and many out in Western states as well. I've had several opportunities to join him on his quests to find tropical hop bomb IPAs and the proverbial White Whale, rare beers.
Derek makes friends easily in can release lines with other craft beer enthusiasts as they wait for hours in freezing weather for that coveted Vermont IPA or an exciting new Brooklyn brew. He's always eager to bring home his booty, share with friends, and discuss the intricacies of the craft and flavors.
Back home we sit around the fit pit with friends and family sharing his treasures. On more than one occasion it's been mentioned that Derek should start a blog. "Nah," he replies, "I don't have the time for that."
Finally I told him, "Well, if you don't start a blog, I will!"
Derek makes friends easily in can release lines with other craft beer enthusiasts as they wait for hours in freezing weather for that coveted Vermont IPA or an exciting new Brooklyn brew. He's always eager to bring home his booty, share with friends, and discuss the intricacies of the craft and flavors.
Back home we sit around the fit pit with friends and family sharing his treasures. On more than one occasion it's been mentioned that Derek should start a blog. "Nah," he replies, "I don't have the time for that."
Finally I told him, "Well, if you don't start a blog, I will!"
When Derek first started exploring regional craft beers I was skeptical. When he began planning and taking roads trips to breweries I rolled my eyes and thought, "Well, he's just being a guy, let him have his time."
But after a year or two I began to realize that this "hobby" as I referred to it, was a significant part of his life. I'm not talking about getting drunk, he's not that guy. He knows that beer should be enjoyed for the taste, not the alcohol. But craft beer had opened to him a new world. The people he meets and the relationships he makes are all very real and important to him... and I was the snarky skeptic not taking part in it. And also, I truly could not stand the taste of IPAs, his favorite type of beer! He was always telling me how he wished I could enjoy these beers like he did and taste all the amazing flavors these crafters had pulled out of the hops. So I decided one Christmas that I would give him a special gift. I would train my palate to get past the bitter and delve into the flavors of IPAs. This took me several weeks but it also brought me into the world of craft beer and IPAs and deep stouts and perky sours and I've never looked back!
But after a year or two I began to realize that this "hobby" as I referred to it, was a significant part of his life. I'm not talking about getting drunk, he's not that guy. He knows that beer should be enjoyed for the taste, not the alcohol. But craft beer had opened to him a new world. The people he meets and the relationships he makes are all very real and important to him... and I was the snarky skeptic not taking part in it. And also, I truly could not stand the taste of IPAs, his favorite type of beer! He was always telling me how he wished I could enjoy these beers like he did and taste all the amazing flavors these crafters had pulled out of the hops. So I decided one Christmas that I would give him a special gift. I would train my palate to get past the bitter and delve into the flavors of IPAs. This took me several weeks but it also brought me into the world of craft beer and IPAs and deep stouts and perky sours and I've never looked back!