Where's The Heart?

Because, apparently that's where my home is.

I have two loves:  my family and my career.  Unfortunately, 6000 miles separate the two.

I'm just finishing up my first trip back to the states, and what a whirlwind it has been.  I've brewed three times, done four beer transfers, represented SFB at a beer festival in Madison, and had a nice birthday dinner for my father.  Now, I'm treating myself to a wonderful glass of Rodenbach Grand Cru and contemplating the fortune of my situation and the opportunities that abound. 

This journey is only just beginning.  Now that I have a feel for how this is all going to work (and thanks to my assistant Natalie, and the support of the owners of the brewery), I am truly looking forward to the future.  I am confident that brewery operations will run smoothly in my absence, and things seem to be falling into place on the other side of "the pond".  I'll be back in Germany on Thursday, and a grain shipment from Weyermann malt will arrive at my house on Friday.  At that point, I can fire up my home brewing setup and start tinkering with some of the things I've learned from my newest brewing friend, Bernhart.

Additionally, Mrs. Brewmaster has set up trips to Rome, Dublin and Vienna over the next three months, and you can bet I will try to check out as many breweries as I can during these visits.  These will be extended trips, but I think I can sneak in some 3-4 day ventures into Brussels, Heidelberg and Munich when the wife's not looking!

With that, I plan to regale you with continued stories of my adventures.  Stop in to the brewery to try the Doppelbock.  It's going fast.  Next month we'll debut our Envy IPA and I will be very interested in your feedback.  I won't be in attendance at the tapping, but we may do some technological experimentation and see if I can be there electronically!  If not, Natalie will do just fine.

Cheers!