Well, let me tell you what thoughts come to my mind: Creative excellence; Craftsmanship; Solemness; Relaxation; Contemplation; Contented exhuberation. Beer has gotten a bad rap in contemporary society. It has been seen as a cheap way to catch a buzz. Good beer doesn't fit these stereotypes in any way whatsoever. First of all, it isn't cheap. Second of all, for one who truly savors their beer any mood enhancement is probably caused predominately by the sheer joy of experiencing a work of art, and only secondarily by its alcoholic content. So, I designed this Tribute To Beer as my own personal way of expressing my feelings about some of the finest beers that I have tasted.

What this Tribute is, and What it is Not

This is not a history of beer. While I acknowledge and appreciate the fact that beer has a long and interesting history which goes back at least several thousand years, this tribute is about contemporary beer. If you want to read a history of beer, both Michael Jackson (no not the singer) and Stuart Kallen provide excellent histories in several of their books.

This is not an advertisement. I am not accepting any money from any brewery, nor is my goal to promote any individual product. If I respect a beer, then I will write how I feel about it. If I don't respect it, or have not tried it, than I will say nothing about it. I do include links to the breweries' websites when I know about them.

This is not a ranking of my favorite beers. While I clearly prefer some beers over others, any overall ranking of beers misses the point that certain beers go with certain moods, certain temperatures, and certain occasions. Some of the beers I write about I do not even care for the taste of. But, I respect their creativity and artistry, and if I feel that the world of beer is a better place for having them in it, then I include them in my tribute.

This is a personal story about what beer means to me. Different beers mean different things to each of us. They conjure up old emotions, they elicit grand stories, and they flow with us as we journey though life.