I miss Mum

Today is my fourth wedding anniversary. It was eight years ago on roughly this day that my wife and I, then just "cyber-friends", first expressed our true feelings for each other.

As I got to know my wife and her family, I found out that her mother had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. I drew the picture/cartoon here for her to show my support.

My wife's mom, my mother-in-law (or just plain old "Mum" as we all called her) was very supportive of my relationship with my wife and was totally instrumental in arranging our marriage.

We lost mum a few weeks ago (9/1/08) to the cancer. For whatever reason, even though this is the day I married my wife (whom I absolutely adore), I can't help but think of Mum this year. I miss her a lot.

At last! A taste of the Dirty Hairy Lite IPA!!!

Well, the time finally came to have a taste of that wonderful brew! How will all the hard work turn out?

The Malted Hops Jedi Master did another great job with the labels (that is my little nephew pictured). I was giddy to get the bottle opened and try a cold pour!




Mmm...would you look at that? The color turned out to be a lot more amber than I had originally thought, but boy did it turn out nice! It was a very full bodied beer with a load of subtle, little carbonation bubbles. The malt and hops were really nicely balanced, and it made for a very smooth and delicious draught of beer.

It was a once in a lifetime (well, until we brew it again!) chance to try the ale we had brewed that 4th of July. It's gone now, but it will be remembered forever.

(Consequently, yes, that is a bottle of Glenlivet 18 year single malt scotch in the background...perhaps the only thing that could overshadow a good homebrew!)