Celebrate Artisans

Most of us have a nagging fear of the unknown.  We've been taught, subtly, only to reach for what we can grasp, what is traditional and what we see right in front of us, day after day.  Most of us are inherently risk adverse, we feel uneasy at the thought of branching out.

Our country was not built on comfort.  We were born of passion and vision.  We are risk takers armed with fortitude and determination.  It should be of no surprise that the Craft Beer Revolution is American born.

America's Craft Brewer's are artisans.  There is no canvas, no brushes or paint, the Craft Brewer's medium, is beer.  They purpose ingredients, grown on our soil in hopes of delivering their masterpiece.

Join in the opportunity to celebrate and support our local brewers, visionaries and the American product that is Craft Beer.  Celebrate the success of this grass roots movement.  Celebrate American Craft Beer Week.

Cheers

Idaho Craft Beer Schedule of Events

Payette Brewing Co. schedule of events for American Craft Beer Week

American Craft Beer Week, May 14th - 20th

Whisper

She leaned in and whispered quietly in my ear, "Daddy, I like you better now that you don't work so much."  The words of a child carry more weight than that of any Wall Street Executive, at least, they should.  Their words are true and they are unblemished by the many clutter we, as adults, fill our lives with everyday.

She doesn't care about my 401k, if we own or rent a house, if the lawn is a few days past due for a mowing or I have an important business call I need to take during family time.  She just wants my availability.  She wants time, all kids do, and up until now, she hadn't vocalized it so clearly.

It's not always as simple as Daddy, I want you or Mommy, I need you.  It may be a look or it may be the 7th time today they've asked you to play legos or go to the park.  Children desire to be with their parents, until, one day, they don't.  As the cliched statement goes, "that day will come all too soon."

This weekend, I didn't work so much.  I played, I listened, I enjoyed and I grew, yet again.  It's amazing what your children say if you allow them to whisper quietly in your ear!

Cheers

Short, sweet and to the point

"Few things give depth of meaning to life like that of a true friend.  Someone who knows you, better than you know yourself.  A friend can see a situation from the outside, in.  A friend can remove your barriers, observe your personal debris and still decide to stay.  Of thousands of acquaintances, you must work diligently to live a life with but a few friends."

- Aaron Fulcher

Yes, I've decided to tag that one myself.  It's unlike a majority of the topics I've written on and yet, potentially, one of the most impactful in my life.

Cheers, to those who know me and still return the call.

Cheers......to me, hah!

As is common with time at the cabin, I run into just that, time.  Looking back over 3 months of personal content that I have written, I am thankful, encouraged and excited.

First, I'm thankful for the opportunity that I have given myself.  Yes, you read that correctly.  I'm thankful that I allowed myself the opportunity for this journey, these experiences and a trip down the road less traveled.  And, just so it doesn't go without say, I'm thankful for my wife's consent.

Second, I'm encouraged that an average individual like myself can share my thoughts, the lessons I'm learning and a few of my favorite craft beers with each of you.  I'm encouraged as I read and see firsthand, the life changes and transformation that has taken place in my life in just a short period of time.  If this stubborn, bull-headed man can change, there's hope!

Finally, I'm excited for what's to come.  The upcoming jobs and projects confirm that I've made the right decision.  I'm excited that a passion can create a niche market and from that, spawn a new career.  I'm excited, that there is life outside of an office and behind a desk.

And, I'm excited…………to have a pipe and a pint of Black Happy, ABA from Salmon River.

Cheers to the most difficult decision I've made!  Hey, you've got to give yourself kudos every now and then.  Be your own biggest fan, just, not too big!

The Trade

As the cabin nears completion, it's changed, I've changed.  Sure, the changes are for the good of the modern world, but they lack the simplicity that called me here for the first month and a half of my departure from corporate life.

Candlelight has since been replaced by a fully operational light switch, the army cots in the bedrooms have been stowed to make room for the beds and an LED display now sits in the living room, staring back at me.

Tonight, I'll return to what welcomed me some 4 and 1/2 months ago.  The warm glow of the open fireplace and only the sound of the crackle fill the air.  No lights, just a candle, my computer and a pint of my old favorite, Salmon River Brewery, Chunder Stout.

It's been quite a journey thus far.  I've traded my suit and tie for a flannel shirt and ball cap.  My wing-tip shoes for a weathered pair of Redwing boots, my briefcase for a backpack and an office for the outdoors.  But most importantly, I've traded my distractions for my family and my stress for freedom.

Life is a gift and I have no regrets!

Cheers

The IPA

What is it that constitutes a great IPA?  In recent weeks and months I've had the opportunity to share a pint with friends and acquaintances and there has been one constent, a good 50% - 75% are in the dark about IPA's.  I'm not speaking of Black IPA's, I'm talking about a misconception of the India Pale Ale.

The most common thing I've heard is that IPA's are too hoppy.  Let's first understand that there are many different types of hops.  A hoppy beer can mean one of two things, first the hops used may be bittering hops, used specifically to give the beer a slightly bitter taste.  Second, hoppy can be defined as smooth and aromatic, giving a floral, grassy, citrusy or earthy flavor to a good beer.

If your making the jump from the macro breweries (Miller/Coors, etc.) to a micro-brewed craft beer the first thing you need to know is, unlike "the big boys", microbreweries tend to use high-quality hops and in much larger quantity as well.

Thoroughly confused and with no desire to try an IPA, I accidentally had a hoppy beer about three years ago.  I wandered into a tasting room in Denver, Colorado and tasted pure, smooth, aromatic, hoppy beer.  From that point on, I understood that quality makes all the difference in the world.  The IPA has become my achilles heal and so, I will share a list that I recommend for tasting.  Don't just poor a pint and try to power it down.  Sit down with a friend or colleague and "taste" the way a good hoppy beer should.

Great Divide, Hercules, Double IPA  (The Beer that introduced me to IPA's)
Odell Brewing, Myrcenary, Double IPA
GoodLife, Mountain Rescue Pale Ale
Ninkasi, Tricerahops
Boneyard, Hop Venom
Sockeye Brewery, Dagger Falls IPA
Bear Republic, Racer 5
Pyramid Breweries, Discord, Black IPA
Deschutes, Hop Henge IPA
Dogfish Head, 90 Minute IPA
Avery, India Pale Ale
Great Divide, Titan, IPA
Laurelwood, Workhorse IPA
Lagunitas, Hop Stoopid
AleSmith, IPA
Russian River, Pliney the Elder

Go enjoy Hoppy Hour!
Cheers

New Brewery in.........

Some important news of note for you craft beer enthusiasts as Meridian will get it's first locally owned and operated Microwbrewery.  Enter, Slanted Rock Brewery, which will be located at the High Desert Marketplace in Meridian.  Yes, the news is a little dated, however, I'm attempting to get more info than just reported by the Idaho Statesman.

Slanted Rock Brewery plans to open in the fall, they currently have plans only for a tasting room (no kitchen) and a 15 Barrel Brewing System, which will follow the same business model as both Payette Brewing Company and Crooked Fence Brewing.  This will certainly keep the valley's Food Trucks hopping, no pun intended.

The new brewery, owned by Bob and Alesa Lonseth will serve four staple brews initially.  A Kolsch, an IPA, Imperial IPA and a Scottish Red Ale will adorn the tap handles in the new Meridian Tasting Room.  Being natives of Meridian, it is reported that they both wanted to operate in their community and support their local economy.

Cheers to Bob and Alesa on their new venture and many successes in the future.