Let's talk about cobbing

I know that when you start a small business that consumes a great deal of your time and passion, you typically end up in the evening exactly where you began the day - thinking and talking about IT. That's an occupational hazard I guess.

But what I've grown to dislike about this particular business is that even if you can put IT aside for an evening or weekend, some people cannot. If I were a carpenter, I doubt whether folks I run into at the market would ask me about the last load of lumber I used. Well I don't think they would. Don't misunderstand, I appreciate the genuine interest and concern, but frankly I'm often tired of discussing beer and brewing.

It's funny, but I was so proud of our little project when we first started it (I'm still proud today btw), that I was a little upset if my friends didn't ask me how things were going. I still love brewing and beer and the friends they have introduced to me. But do me a favor, the next time you see me, let's talk about cobbing.

Four brothers

It is the best of times, it is the worst of times, it is the age of wisdom, it is the age of foolishness. With apologies to Dickens, I would like to tell you a story of four brothers. I know these brothers, some better than others. They're not all related, well, at least not all to each other. The first two own a heavyweight beer importing company (which shall remain nameless). Their names are not important, but for now, let's just call them Dan and Will. These are the brothers that we have to thank for access to some of the best beer in the world. They are passionate knuckleheads, these brothers. They also know more about beer than almost anyone else I know. They have been called arrogant and pigheaded (not by me). Myself, I prefer to overlook any negative aspects of these brothers and instead focus on the good, and there's lots of good. Except for a perceived weakness for hoppy beers (except XX Bitter), these brothers are one of the best things that ever happened to us (the thirsty beer lovers).

The other two brothers started a little internet community which also shall remain nameless. This little community changed the better beer world and made it amazingly tiny (not a simple feat). Let's call these brothers: Todd and Jason. They are also some of the most passionate folks I know regarding beer and its appreciation. They are also, like the previous siblings, stubborn and opinionated. But again, the good they have done and inspired far outweigh the failures of the mammal human. I like this community and the people who frequent it.

Maybe it's because these two sets of brothers are very different, or maybe very alike, that they do not seem to get along with each other. There are undoubtedly issues and circumstances that I do not know or understand. Some wrongs were probably done. Oh, so big deal. For me, the guilty truth is that I don't give a damn if these guys get along. As long as I keep getting great beer from Europe and I'm able to talk and share these beers with other beer lovers, I'm happy.