Is it just me, or is genuine camaraderie hard to find these days?  The virtual world may seem a viable avenue for fellowship, but it is generally fleeting.  Don't believe me?  Ask your Xanga account...  Of all the social networking venues I've been a part of, none have afforded such a real sense of camaraderie as this site and I value the interaction of readers and  fellow bloggers. Thus said, when Peter from SimplyBeer suggested a beer bloggers brew off, I didn't think twice about committing my participation.  The participating bloggers were: Aaron – Captain’s Chair(@captainschair) Derek – Luther Public House(@LutherHaus) Erik – Top Fermented(@topfermented) Ethan – Geek Beer (@geekbeer) Joseph – Hopfentreader (@hopfentreader) Michael – Thank Heaven For Beer (@heavenlybrew) Nate – Thank Heaven For Beer (@THFBeer_nate) Peter – Simply Beer (@simplybeer) Thomas – Beer Genome Progect (@TomBGP) I'll be honest...when Peter published sent the participants the base recipe, I was a tad deflated, as Porters (yes, I am aware it is a broad style) aren't necessarily my favorite style.  In fact, the only "porter" I've brewed was more like a dark Roggenbier.  But, the recipe was solid and I was in it for the community brewing, and besides, each brewer was allowed to alter the recipe in one way, ...

L'Chaim, indeed.  Although the ladies might feel left out due to the fact that there is no Bat Mitzvah beer to drink, let's give He'brew a break and try this beer anyway.  This 13th Anniversary Ale is huge.  13 hops, 13 malts (and still Kosher?), and 13 percent ABV sounds like a lot of beer to drink.  But you may be surprised because it's not that big on expense: $5.99 a bottle at Whole Foods is a steal for a 22oz bottle.  I know that my store on Arroyo Parkway is stocked up, so I'm sure that a Whole Foods (or other fine retailer) near you carries this beer.  Won't you pick it up and sip with us this Saturday?  I'm sure sure will be saying Mazel Tov to He'brew for another fine beer.  We'll see!