If you’ve been reading this blog for more than five minutes, you know that I am a recent transplant to Western Maryland from New Jersey. I moved here for work and don’t have any family or other connections to the area. While we’ve made a few friends here (mostly from my wife meeting other Moms) it’s not like my social calendar has been filled up.

My wife happened to find a brochure on Frederick’s Original Ale Makers, a homebrewers club that meets at the local BOP and homebrew supply store. I guess she was concerned for my mental health, so she brought it home and insisted that I go to the next meeting.

I was a little hesitant. I mean, I’m still really a beginner at brewing my own, still working with extract kits and haven’t taken the plunge into any all-grain recipes. These guys must know way more than me.

Well, I don’t know what I was worried about. I went to the meeting and introduced myself. I wasn’t the only person there for the first time, either. Everybody was friendly and enthusiastic about brewing and nobody made fun of me for still using extracts. In fact, I ran into a guy who graduated a year after me at the rival high school in my hometown in New Jersey.

Is there anything in this world that can turn strangers into friends faster than beer?

I’m looking forward to the next meeting. I’ll have my membership dues in hand and, I hope, a sample of my currently brewing stout to share.