I am officially an old man -40 years old- at least according to old standards. In reality I don’t think these standards apply to me as I still feel young, I’m in the best shape I’ve been in my life, and I have many things that make me feel alive like my family, children, work, sports… and good beer. As a matter of fact, the only thing that makes me aware I’m 40 years old is all of the experiences I’ve gained over the years and the blessings I have to count.
Speaking of blessings, my friends gifted me with a whole selection of craft beer… the best of the best. A group of them (including Al at Hop-Talk) got together to find 40 unique brews that I never had before AND were of my favorite styles. Impossible… I know. But would you believe that 38 of the 40 I’ve never tried? They were even individually wrapped!
Some that I am particularly looking forward to are: Sierra Nevada’s Harvest Wet Hop Ale, SlyFox’s Odyssey Imperial IPA, Clay Pipe’s Pursuit of Happiness Winter Warmer, Founder’s Breakfast Stout and Avery’s Mephistopheles’ Stout. And that is just a few of them.
I am now fully stocked and I can’t wait for the weekend when I get to browse my beer cellar to find something I’m in the mood for. I may not even wait that long.
All of these brews were delivered at a party my wife put together for me; a low key party with my close friends who traveled from near and far to join me in celebration. It was perfect… no over-the-hill gags and not a huge gathering of people I barely knew. We had lots of great beer and great beer food like Dubliner cheese, dried meats, garbage bread, deli pickles, etc. We had great fun doing plenty of things I don’t do often enough like playing ping pong, cards, and just sitting back to chat. It must have been more than a decade since we played The Great Dalmuti which was a blast. (and, “it is good to be the king”)
So as I begin my run at the other side of the “hill”, I have plenty of good beer to get me started; certainly more than 40 blessings to count. So let me start with my wife, my children, my family, my friends… and keep counting from there.
Which did you drink first?
Happy Birthday
Thanks Adam!
My first choice was Pursuit of Happiness Winter Warmer. Al was right, I did like it.
Now that’s a birthday present that keeps on giving!
Happy birthday and enjoy the beer. I look forward to reading some reviews.
I am only a few years behind you brother. Glad to see that you haven’t succumbed to middle-age beer girth like some people. Keep up the good work with the blog.
Happy 40th Ron. Don’t worry about the 40s. They are still great years. I’m just about finished with the 40s myself and I have no complaints. Except now you’re annual doctor visit will have an extra surprise for you.