Sunday, April 25, 2010

Farewell to the Summer of Beer

Summer of Beer started primarily as a way to document some of the adventures I was having in a way that my friend Brian, who lived in Pensacola at the time and now in Baltimore, could track and discuss what was happening and what I was doing on this side of the beer world. It began to evolve into something more- a combination of a release from the daily school/study grind, and a way to wrap myself up in the adventure of craft beer hunting. It was fun but as time has gone on this whole thing has become more of a lifestyle than an adventure. I don't walk into places really looking forward to trying something new, although that's always a plus if I think or know it's going to be good. No, hitting my local pub and having a pint of Racer 5 or Blind Pig brings as much, if not more satisfaction than trying that "new" beer everyone is talking about.


I asked myself back in 2005, as I was drinking and reviewing as many different beers as I could, if I really liked beer, or if I just liked beer and really liked the concept of being in the small minority of people in our country who participate in such a quest. At the time I didn't know. I've evolved to know I really like beer, and don't give too much thought to the quest anymore.

I feel very fortunate to have been able to discuss craft beer over the span of a few years where I think it really took off. Sure the late 90's and early 2000's saw great advances, not just in numbers but in brewing concepts. Just look at what Stone was doing then (with a much smaller following than now of course). But I was able to see and attend the emerging wave of special release events (thank you Lost Abbey), the opening of one of the country's greatest brewery/restaurant destinations (thank you Stone World Bistro & Gardens), drink Pliny the Younger before you had to wait in lines that wrap around the bars serving it, and much much more. Maybe in a small way I've become one of those people I despised in high school who use to say "Yeah I loved Green Day before they got big and everyone started liking them." You know secretly they were still listening to Green Day in their cars and at home, maybe they just weren't lining up for concert tickets the minute they went on sale.

Perhaps one day I'll have enough time to travel around the country and experience more of our country's craft beer culture. I'm sure I'll be writing about it when it happens. Until then, there's not much to be said.

10 comments:

Erick said...

Sorry to hear this. I stumbled on your blog last summer and have enjoyed it a lot since then. I have found out about a number of good places serving good brew without having to search extensively. And I have tried some other beers (that I may normally not have tried) based on your comments. I live in Poway and it was funny sometimes how you found yourself at our Brigantine or other destinations close by. I was wondering if I would ever run in to you and be able to thank you for your writeups. Nonetheless, enjoy your time off and thanks for the tales of ale. Erick

JessetheHutt said...

I agree with everything you said. A moment of silence as we all bow for The Summer of Beer.
My eyes are leaking.

Anonymous said...

Ironic that this occurs the day of after the splender that is...Dark Lord Day. Fare thee well.

J.Rhode said...

Does this mean I can't call you "SOB Steve" anymore?

Steve said...

I will always be the SOB at heart.

BeerGuy said...

Sigh. You were the inspiration, man!

Good Burp said...

What a sad day. I've enjoyed reading your stories and reviews. I really hope you decide to start again. My motto, there is always a new beer to try.

Take a trip to Europe. I promise you now, it will revive your love of beer.

Good luck to you. Thanks for the blog.

Beer Club said...

Sorry to hear that Steve, Summer of Beer will live on in our memories!

JDaveRhode said...

A man before his time. All beer bloggers owe you.

JDaveRhode said...

You can't take the SOB out of SOB Steve.