First entry – here we go. I’ve committed to writing a blog that has a very palatable central theme - one that I love, and that shouldn’t be too challenging to expound upon on a fairly regular basis. I’m talking about beer, and all things related. Not a bad thing to write about here in Maine – one of the best craft brew states in the country, with a beer drinking population that, for the most part, keeps good beer in proper perspective. It should be fun.

I’m not a brewer by trade (but plan to be in my next life, or was in a previous life – I’m not sure yet), I don’t sell or serve beer (anymore, used to do both), and I don’t even profess to be an expert. I just thoroughly enjoy the stuff. I’m a guy that if I’m traveling, I’m looking for a local establishment, on-premise or retail – just to ask “what’s local”? Drives my wife absolutely nuts, part of the "-or for worse" for her. Sometimes that question goes over better than others. It’s a great question in Oregon, not so great in Missouri. Heck, people are shooting each other over their beer in St. Louis (see MSNBC news story “Hot Lead for Warm Beer” www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16065183/.) Probably more about the crappy beer he handed her than the temperature of said beer. And the likely fact that he smashed all her Hummel figurines in a rage with a baseball bat the week before because she sat on his last pack of smokes. I’m just speculating.

Back to the inaugural task at hand. I believe there are good beers and bad beers, and a place for both. Thankfully, it’s very infrequently for the latter. There’s simple beer and beer that works too hard to get your attention. I believe good beer can go well with good food. I believe that there are appropriate beers for certain seasons and certain occasions. And if you mis-fire on one of those, you’re either severely beer-impaired, or are so trend-settingly cool that you could convince us all to listen again to Loverboy tapes, wear Aca-Joe sweatpants and acid-wash jean jackets - and we’d absolutely LOVE you for it.
But let’s face it – brewing beer is an art form. It’s the end-result of a craftsman’s (or craftswoman’s) labor of love. Excluding the mega-producers of course – you can’t be mass produced and be an art form. Although at heart, I’m sure their brew masters have a passion for brewing and take equal pride in their results. Even if the point is missed by many of us. I’m not going to ‘rate’ beers here, per se. Rating one Maine brown ale as two points inferior to another, or as a weak offering, would be like saying the Mona Lisa sucks because it’s too dark and you don’t like the way she’s looking at you. Don’t get me wrong, you can hate the Mona Lisa – but it’s simply your opinion – I guess that’s where I’m going with this. We all like certain types of art more than others. I love oil painting, watercolor and sculpture. Can’t stand most forms of modern art – the cement blocks with the blue balls hanging from them by a string doesn’t do much for me – but some people love that stuff. Rather, a discussion on likes and dislikes is in order, what's good what's not (in my opinion), a forum to talk about all things beer – tie it in to the real world, so to speak, and maybe learn something new.

Well, consider the blog launched.

Lastly, and emphatically – let me throw my hat in the ring in welcoming Mr. Matsuzaka to Fenway Park. Man, I hope he's as good as it looks like he might be. As a tribute for the 2007 season, the Red Sox should offer Sapporo Black Label or Kirin Ichiban at all Fenway beer stations. Good Japanese beer – would actually be perfect for a ballgame. Maybe even some Fenway Sushi.

I can see it now –
“I’ll have the Spicy Tuna Roll and 2 Sapporo, please”.
“That will be $92.50”.
Ouch. I’d still love it.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!!
Scott Dutton

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