Along the lines of old memories surfacing, there are two guys that I very much looked up to when I first starting brewing. These guys were very patient with me and answered all my questions. There was a few months when every time I saw one or the other of them all I would talk about was beer and brewing.

Jay worked at the same place as I and we ran into each other often. I would chat him up about this beer or that, my plans for what to brew next, how to do one thing or another. He copied a couple articles about fruit beer for me that culminated in my Cranberry Wheat. One of my best beers, I think. Well, that and my Ring of Fire Wheat.

Frank works as an assistant brewer, and years ago he was my Laboratory Instructor for Animal Diversity in college. I’d run into him both at his place of work as well as get togethers of that circle of friends. I started feeling really bad for Frank because honestly, every time I saw him I would talk about beer right after the “Hi”. I can’t imagine how annoying that could be! He never seemed to mind though.

The next pint of IPA is raised to you guys, if or when I see you again I’ll buy you both a beer.

Any one else remember influential people when you started brewing?

Cheers!
Tony