Brewed Beverage of Choice: A Pint of Anchor’s Merry Christmas/Happy New Year 2006 Winter Ale
As I brewer I am often question as to why I am a brewer or what got me into brewing. My first response because it is easiest and needs no further explanation is, ‘I am from Milwaukee, ’sconsin.’ You would be surprised as to how many people actually take that as my only answer. Most people end the conversation saying, ‘That makes sense,’ or ‘Oh, so it is in your blood.’ But last night at the pub I shared a moment that helped define why I became a brewer.
Our brewery reached its 4000th brew in August and to celebrate it we held a Brewer’s Dinner to release it to the public. Interested beer folk paid a certain price to hang out with the brewers, drink beer in the brewery which is a rare occurence, and have a wonderfully prepared meal paired with wonderfully prepared brews. For three+ hours I got to be surrounded by simple folk who simply like beers and good food…people like me.
For those of you who know me personally, I do not do things for personal gains. This includes brewing as a career. I do things to see how it affects people, to see the smile on their faces when a good brew is consumed. I brew because as a craftsperson I do my part to keep a culture on a path. Brewing aids my immediate community. My kids, if I have ‘em, can take over for me as I age (this includes ‘lil T in Saukville or my neice and nephew in their part of the world.) My pub can be a place where the community can meet. In Native American circles, it is called taking care of the Seventh Generation. We do not do things for our generations. What we do affects the Seventh Generation.
So as I was on the way to my front door, I thought to myself, ‘This is why I became a brewer.’ It is as simple as that. There is no shiny answer. There is no glamourous answer. I am a brewer for YOU. And I hope that my product reflects that. So go hug a brewer today…and enjoy their fine wares.
Prost!
the confucian brewer