THE SUMMER OF BEERS DISCONNECT

With another summer done and gone, I thought I would reflect on what a long strange trip it's been. It has seemed like for every good thing that has come along, two bad things had to happen. With the opening of such fine places as Theresa's Next Door and Dock Street and of course the new Monks, came the bad news, Yards Brewing imploding, the Independence Brewpub being closed in the middle of the day, and last but not least, the death of three people who gave their all to the beer community. Steve Harrison, who was 56 when he passed away earlier this summer, was the VP for Sierra Nevada. He had worked his way up from being the first employee and sales guy back in 82, to second in command. His death remains a mystery. John White who wrote books and gave tours of Belgium and Germany, had a website called the White Beer Travels. He was 62 when he passed away. His love of travel in the beer world were second to none and you can see that in his writing. The straw that really broke the camels back was the death of Micheal Jackson. Back in the late seventies as I struggled to find good beer, I came across to me, what was the Sears Toy Book for adults. I want this, look at that, and of course, what the hell is that? People drink this? It was beer I thought I would never see, much less taste. Years later I would run across him at events, but never really met him. It was the first of two dinners I got to attend with the help of Matt Guyer and Jack Curtin at Monks, where I had my chance. We just about had the whole back room and as usual the sound system wasn't up to snuff. So here comes Micheal back after every course to repeat to us what he said up front. We told him to relax and sit down and enjoy his dessert and beer with us. Now of course he didn't want to impose, but we talked him into it and for a few minutes he was a happy man. Not because of me mind you, but he had five minutes to himself before the picture takers and autograph seekers came a running. You could tell right away when he talked, he enjoyed what he was doing, but at the same time he would have liked to do it at a bit slower pace. The last two times I saw him were a study in contrast. At the GABF last year, he looked so bad, I could not believe he was even there. Than we find out later on, that he ended up in the hospital that night. Fast forward to this spring at the UPENN show and he was back to being himself again, cracking a joke or two and telling stories that usually had nothing to do with the subject at hand. He was and still is craft beers patron of "Cheers", where everybody needs to know his name.

PAT, I WOULD LIKE TO BUY AN H

Our girl Sara, who after celebrating a birthday the other week and apparently has been making a lot of tip money, has asked to change her name to Sarah. I see no problem with this since she does "Rock". However I wonder what made her change her mind? With age comes wisdom, but mine has been back ordered for years now. Does she revel in the fact that she has been chosen one of the best local bartenders in the area by a recent thread on BA? Or does she like to keep the guys guessing? No matter, she was rocking and rolling last night for the Southampton event. It was a full house of hungry and thirsty people and she was more than up for the task. Myself and Mr. Spencer ventured into Keg and Food Mountain to find the lost keg of IPA. What happens in Keg Mountain, stays in Keg Mountain, but we did manage to retrieve the keg and have it on by 6pm. As always it was great meeting people who read this blog, and would drive from great distances to be here. That drive from Spring Mount can be hellish at times. The Burton Ale was kicking butt considering it was all of 4 days old, and later on we tried some Burton and Espresso and also Pumpkin and Espresso. Yummy, yummy, yummy right here in my tummy. The 10th Anniversary bottle Mr. O brought out was pretty damn tasty too. So a giant thanks to Mr. O and Sarah and the kitchen and waitstaff for another job well done. A double imperial loads of thanks to all who came out, including Spencer and "The Northsiders". Stayed tuned, we just closed out summer, but the fall season is going to "Rock"!

I JUST WANT BACK INTO YOUR HEAD

With the end of summer only three days away, this great little pop song from Teagan and Sara (No, not our Sara) rings so true. The constant running around to deck and beach parties will slowly be coming to a close. It's back to taking the kids to the 8 million things that they do and listening to them whine about homework. Well tonight put all of that aside and come out to the patio bar. At 6 pm the Southampton event will begin with my good friend Spencer from the Long Island brewery. The weather will be perfect for eating and drinking under the stars or under the tent. It is also tex-mex night, so what are you waiting for? It's time to get Northside back into your head.

SOUTHAMPTON GOES NORTH

It has finally happened. After a few delays, Spencer from Southampton, the part time brewer, sales guy and part of the notorious Niebuhr brother gang, is making his way down to the Northside next Thursday for a night of fun and frolic and to also put the final twist of the knife into my overused liver. The tap list is for out on the patio and goes something like this: Double White, Triple, Pumpkin Ale, IPA, Secret Ale and two very special treats, Burton Ale and Double Espresso Stout. I can state one thing for sure. If you don't have any fun with this event, you ain't ever going to have fun. I have two words about this man, nicely insane. In other important news, the poll numbers are in and Brett Fest edged out Fall Fest by a mere two votes. A somewhat surprise that the Quad Fest and Triple IPA Fest only got a couple of votes. My Northsiders are all growing up, me just out. Oh yeah, I will fix that tap thing tomorrow after I leave there, promise. Unless I leave too late, then someone is going to have to fix me. Hello Sunflower Cafe, I need a egg device.

WHAT A MESS!

It has been a couple of very hectic weeks, with another quick 3 day vacation special to Portsmouth, NH and another trip to the Poconos for a very fine wedding. Now I am back until Friday when I have to go to another wedding.I wish I could say it is cutting into my beer drinking, but I would be lying. Big time. So stay tuned to this channel as I try to get things straighten out. Including me.