Memory Lane: Making Friends

After my run in with Garrett Oliver (see here) I delved into craft beer with no end in sight.  I used to scrape together enough change to go to Goose Island for a beer.  After I got to know the bartenders they would occasionally let a free one would slide my way.  I do not think Beer Bitch knew how often I went and I am scared to tell her.  I was pretty broke, but I found a place I could call home.  Goose became a place I could sit and talk and not worry.

As my finances improved I started to go to their beer academies.  I made regular pilgrimages there for years until Wil left.  After he left it was never the same.  Prices went up, pours were smaller, and quality began to suffer.  However, for the years I went I made a number of friends.  I can not tell you how ingrained the craft beer circle has become in my life.  I frequently get together with people I met at Goose and will always fondly look upon my time there fondly.

How has craft beer made an impact in your life?

Memory Lane: Garret Oliver Made Me Feel Awesome

A few months after that Wheatmiser I discussed last week I was broke and out of work.  I saw an advertisement in the free newspaper about a beer and cheese pairing at Binny's Beverage, a local liquor store.  The featured speaker was Garrett Oliver.  I cannot honestly remember if the event was $5 or $10, but I was so broke I discussed the expense of going with Beer Bitch and really debating the value of it. I took the train and walked the last mile to avoid the cost of a bus transfer.

If you have ever seen Mr. Oliver he always shows up in the blazer with a Brooklyn Brewery logo and I thought great I spent my life savings to hear a pretentious SOB hear himself talk.  Then he opened his mouth, and well, he is anything but my first thought.  What followed was a great speech and explanation of five beer and cheese pairings.  He explained everything to us in a building block format to make sure we comprehended the concept from beginning to end.  Without that lecture I might never of become the beer blogger I am today.  People asked questions and he never turned one down.  I asked him what basic concepts I should know as someone who is just starting to pair beer and food.

At the end of the event Beer Bitch came to pick me up.  I begged her to let me buy a six pack or two of Brooklyn to take home.  As I was deciding what to buy, the brewery rep came and got me.  She said "Mr. Oliver would like to talk to you."  Seriously I was dumbfounded this highly accomplished brewer wants to talk to scrawny poor little me?  I went over and he asked me my name, told me to keep asking the right questions, and gave me an autographed copy of his book, The Brewmaster's Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food.  This was a rough time in my life and the validation he gave me can not be put into words.  By this point in my life I had backpacked through mountains, earned multiple diplomas many with honors accolades, amongst a host of accomplishments my mother could rattle off, but I felt so unsuccessful back then this one act brightened my world.

I have spoken to Garrett Oliver a few times since then.  He does not rember me from that day, and I do not expect him to.  I do remember him and what he did for me.  In repayment to him could you do me a favor and buy his book? 

Memory Lane: The Best Beer I Ever Had

Since my first trip to Goose Island I asked Beer Bitch to take me back each time I came to town.  Sometimes she caved; sometimes she didn't.  I ended up finishing my degree and moved to Chicago to be with her.  I have a day job that requires an exam.  When that was done I headed to Goose Island, and I ordered a Brew 2000 Wheatmiser.  To this day I swear this beer was the best beer I ever had in my life.  It was over this beer I reflected on a bachelors degree, a graduate degree, a move away from family and friends to be with Beer Bitch, the toughest test of my life, and searching for a job.  Sadly it was during this beer my mother called to tell me we lost my Great-Grandmother.  I look back on this beer and am amazed at the joy, pain, excitement, fear and sadness that was all summed up while drinking a solitary beer.

How about you?  Whats the best beer you ever had?

Memory Lane: My First Craft Beer

I do not know if it was the holidays or the fact that I am getting older, but I decided to write a series of posts about memorable moments in my craft beer life.  Some of these moments where sad, others happy.  The posts are not meant to be a sob story, but rather a reflection on how craft beer and the community that exists formed me into a psychotic beer snob with a blog.

My first brush with craft beer was at a now defunct Thirsty Dog brewpub.  I cannot remember why we went out, but I was with my older cousin.  I ordered a Raspberry Leghumper.  I can understand if your laughing at my 21-year-old self right now.  I was not a fan of strong beers and figured the raspberry would take the edge off, and leghumper sounded funny.  I remember liking the beer, but thought a place like Thirsty Dog was a rarity.  I had no clue microbreweries existed all over the place.  I went back to drinking Coors Light and then Bud Light, although I mocked people at college parties who served Natty Light.

A few years went by and Beer Bitch and I parted ways for graduate school.  Knowing I wasn't happy about being in a long distance relationship she tried to find fun stuff to do when I visited her in Chicago.  So she took me to Goose Island.  She told me she heard about this sampler thing where I could try a whole bunch of beer in little glasses.  We had a waitress whose name escapes me, but I know she worked as their trainer serving and was very knowledgeable.  She made a few suggestions and it was love at first sip.  For a couple years after that I would keep Honkers Ale on hand and split time between it and Bud Light.  I wanted more craft beer, but just did not have the money.  Goose became this inexplicable force in my life and provided  the backdrop for the most pivotal moments in my life.

Everybody has a first craft beer.  When was your first?