Longer ago than I care to recall, my wife threw a surprise 30th birthday party for me. Unlike most surprise parties, this one really was a surprise. She also managed to get just about all of the people dearest to me to the restaurant where it was held, even though many of them had a significant distance to travel.

Among the gifts were a gift certificate to Hop & Vine in Morristown, New Jersey. Ron had started homebrewing within the last year and I, well, coveted the delicious, fresh beer he was able to create. As a result, I’d expressed to my wife and others several times that I’d like to try homebrewing myself.

Honestly, I didn’t think anything would ever come of it. But, there it was: a large dollar amount reserved for me at the local homebrewing and winemaking supply store. There was nothing for it but to give it a whirl.

A few days later I went to the store not really knowing what to expect. Oh, sure, Ron had talked about what he’d been doing, but it isn’t like he invited me over to help him brew or anything. (Okay, so he lived over three hours away.) When I got there I told Barbara (or maybe it was Julianne) what I was there for. She asked me what kind of beer I was looking to make. I don’t recall what I said, but she immediately set to collecting the equipment and ingredients for my first kit. I know she asked if I had any questions, but I think I was too dumbstruck to actually have any. She gave me the Hop & Vine Beginner Homebrewing instructions, went over them with me briefly, then cheerfully sent me on my way.

Ah, the instructions. They made everything so clear and seem so easy. So easy that I have used them ever since. I haven’t had a batch of beer go bad on me yet. Admittedly, I haven’t made that many batches, and it was a long time between the first few and my latest two, but these instructions have been like a security blanket. (I like them so much, in fact, that I’ve transcribed them from the wrinkled and stained paper I have to a page to share with the world.)

Both Barbara and Julianne were always helpful, encouraging, and ready to answer questions. On my second batch, after having transferred my wort from the primary to secondary fermenter, I accidentally pushed the stopper all the way into the carboy. I was in a panic! I didn’t know what to do. I had no experience with this, and it sure wasn’t in the instructions. So I called up the store. I explained my predicament and she told me to cover the neck with a plastic bag and come on in. She gave me a new stopper, told me to leave the other stopper in until after I transferred the beer out for bottling, and even suggested how to get the stopper out. (A bent wire coat hanger, natch.)

Not long after that they moved from Morristown to Lebanon, New Jersey. I don’t know the reasons behind the move, but I know that they weren’t going to get the same kind of walk-in traffic in a strip mall along US highway 22 as they were in the middle of historic Morristown. I visited them there a couple of times, but my brewing slowed and then stopped as I changed jobs, started a family, and made a couple of moves myself. Still, I was quite saddened when I heard they’d closed. I think that not having that familiar place and those friendly people who I “knew” was a significant factor in me not brewing for a long while.

I’m sure some of you reading this will be quick to point out that your local homebrew supplier is just as friendly and helpful. I don’t doubt it. But for me, this was my first encounter with the “homebrewing scene” and I had no expectations or prior experience. I’ve gone ahead and introduced myself at my new local homebrew supplier, and they seem friendly and I’m sure they’ll turn out to be just as helpful. But they’re not my first homebrew supply shop.

Wherever you’ve gone, Hop & Vine people, you’re missed. A toast to you.