The human mind is a strange thing. I bet the title of the post got you singing or thinking about Chuck Berry. Isn’t it strange how we learn to associate one thing with another? Almost instinctively, who we are comes out…sometimes when we least expect it. I was driving through Pasadena with my wife this morning, and I saw an Indiana license plate, which I immediately recognized. As I approached, I realized that it was from the exact county where I lived for most of my life. In an instant I was missing “home” and my family. I thought about my parents, my brother, sister, niece and Max (my parent’s dog). All that came flooding back to me in a moment. Did I subconscieniously miss home? I wasn’t in any particular frame of mind of already missing home. But it was raining, which is somewhat rare in Pasadena, and I tend to be more contemplative during those times.
Memories got me thinking. I love the weather here. It’s not cold or snowing. There are mountains. It’s sunny most of the time. I can get to the ocean in less than an hour. But for some reason, I miss the flat ground in Indiana. I miss the snow and cold. More specifically, I miss the wood stove. Sitting by it, drinking some hot chocolate. Petting Max. Of course, I’m going to tie beer into this discussion.
There are all sorts of new and exciting beers around California. Some would argue that this is Mecca for beer. I really can get some coveted brews. Like the warm winter, some of you may be coveting some of the beer I can get (and vice versa). Yet, sometimes, as Dorothy says, “There’s no place like home.” I got thinking about Three Floyds (one of the top breweries in the U.S.), Dark Horse, Bell’s, Founders, Brugge, Upland or any number of good brews that I could easily obtain in Indiana. I simply began casting aside some of the glamor here for the simplicity of home. Of course, this is somewhat context dependent. The list I noted above may be glamorous or commonplace, depending on where you are. But, for me, in this moment, there’s no place like home. I’d love to be able to take a Three Floyds beer for granted right now. Metaphorically, where is “home” for you when it comes to beer? We’d love to know.
Texas is “home” for me, when it comes to beer (surprise!).
That’s where I learned to fly, metaphorically. I can still remember “Old Man Mondays” over at Duddley’s Draw. Shiner Bock on tap is much better than it is in the bottle. Shiner is probably the oldest, if not most well-known micro/craft brewery in Texas. For a while, their other offerings were mediocre at best, but Shiner Bock always stood head and shoulders above the rest. Now, though, I get a sample of their new stuff (usually one new anniversary beer a year). Their supporting cast has matured, and grown up to be good beers. I really miss sipping on a pitcher of Shiner Bock.
Other breweries are really starting to pop up and put out some good stuff. Real Ale in Blanco, TX has some delicious stuff. I really enjoy their Full Moon Pale Rye Ale. Live Oak probably puts out the best hefeweizen I’ve had from an American brewery. I’m anxious to try more stuff from the folks at Southern Star Brewing also.
Like you, Mike, I’m in something of a beer mecca. The Northwest is full of good beers and good breweries. Here, local is king, and it’s easy to forget about stuff outside our region, save for a few like Stone. I have a lot of good beer at my fingertips, but sometimes I just wish I could knock a few pints back of Shiner Bock.
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It sound cliche, but it is actually Milwaukee, Wisconsin. That is where I have had some of the best beer experiences of my life, including having my first ever Belgian brew with my brother Jim. Milwaukee is a great beer city, and it has been a great beer city for craft and mega brewery alike. You can find just about anything beer in that town, and I love it. Whenever I think of “Home” Milwaukee is where my head and heart goes.
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Even though I generally dislike New Jersey, from a beer perspective we have it pretty good and I can’t complain. Do we get everything, no. But being sandwiched between NYC and Philly, there isn’t much that we can’t get.
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beer_scientist Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 10:42 am
I’m sure the selection is great. I miss some of the stuff I used to be able to get in Indy. I’m sure NY and NJ have some pretty nice selections from which to choose.
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Born and raised in Portland, I could see myself sitting at Saraveza on a rainy night or at a McMenamin’s on a Sunday afternoon. I miss the season-ality of beer that you lose in sunnier climates. Thank goodness that L.A. has got good beer bars now.
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beer_scientist Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 10:40 am
I’m glad there’s some good stuff here, too. Honestly, I don’t know if you could have grown up in a cooler beer place than Portland.
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Though I live in my hometown of Toledo, OH…my beer epiphany occurred in springfield, MO. Here in Toledo, certain things trigger my memory of springfield (smell of cigarette smoke, a humid day, hanign out with friends) and I find myself pining for the good old days of sitting in Pappys drinking New Castle by the pitcher with some greasy onion rings.
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Mike, We all miss you and your wonderful wife. I indeed miss hanging out with you and tasting all kinds of beer. I really never tried alot of different beers until you encouraged me to do so. Thanks! At times I have to fight off the temptation to sample some of the beer you left behind in my care. Then, I think about when you come back for a visit and how we will all get together and enjoy. Hurry up I’m thirsty! Though I have been many places in this country and missed out on the beer expeirince, I guess that would make home in Indy also my home for beer.
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We miss you, too. I’m afraid I would have to kill my own dad if he sampled some of my rare beers. Don’t worry. We will be drinking plenty of stuff. Some cellared, some new, some homebrewed. I can’t wait to get together. I’ll see you in April and I hope both of us will see you in June. I think Indy is a good beer home. Three Floyds was just rated the best brewery on another popular beer site. Either way, you have Kahn’s and some other truly great beer places around you.
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