Beer People

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I’ve never been much of a wine guy. While I have always enjoyed relaxing with my wife, splitting a bottle of red over the course of the evening, it’s not my “go to”. I am the guy, at the restaurant, after everyone has ordered their preferred cab or zin, who asks the waiter, “So, what do you have on tap?”.

Beer to me represents all of the good things in life. It is friendly and casual. It is unobtrusive and unpretentious. It is sincere and light-hearted. It is lively banter and belly laughs. It is going to the ballpark, unwinding after a workday, and enjoying a fine meal all rolled up into one. It is international and welcoming. It is natural and historic.   It is relaxing and calming. It is crafted. It is good.

In the movie “Titanic”, one of my favorite scenes is the shot of the first class deck, with it’s well-dressed passengers, fine china and tablecloths. Then the camera moves down through the decks to the third class. The clanging of crystal gives way to Irish music, and in a big room in the belly of the ship there is a raucous party being revealed.   Travelers are hammering their instruments, dancing on tables, laughing and singing, and liter mugs are in hand sloshing with ale.   Every time that I watch this scene, I have the same thought . . . These are my people.