Once upon a time, a philosophy PhD student in New York met another philosophy PhD student in New York. He inched his way up to her during an Aristotle class and invited her over for dinner. She turned him down once, twice, and on the third time she gave in. So it began. She had decided on a career in publishing. He had decided on a career in teaching. He was getting down with Emerson, she was swimming in books; they were finishing their degrees and everything was wonderful.
But then. Just as she began to write her dissertation, he was accepted to the one school that she never thought (in this life, the life after, or the life after that) she would move to: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. The. Absolute. Middle. Of. Nowhere. Or so she thought. Apparently, however, they were in love, so she put her career in publishing on hold, they packed up all their belongings, stuffed them into a UHaul, and they moved from a city of 20 million people to Makanda, Illinois, population 450.
The only problem? No good beer.
So begins the tale of a philosopher who decided to try the impossible: starting a microbrewery in southern Illinois…
Send questions, comments, and pictures of your favorite microbrew to shebrewsgoodale [at] gmail [dot] com!
Well – It seems you have the marketing in place as well. Nothing like a catchy well written blog to pique interest. I remember fondly the first sip of a nice brown ale on a hot day. Now I will live vicariously through you and your adventure. Let me know when you need samplers. I have many willing friends, clients and colleagues who would line up to sample a new brew.
Cheers! It seems we have things in common, no? Not least of which is geography.
Always happy to learn about fellow (better) beer-lovers in So IL.
Holy Shamoley! I must have missed an email somewhere – I didn’t even know this blog existed! That has got to be one of the best “About Me”‘s (horrible grammar, I know) I have ever read.
Hi Marika,
So glad you left a comment on my blog as it led me to yours! I am a burgeoning beer geek so I’m definitely looking forward to reading all your posts!
~Kimberly
Hi Kimberly, I’m glad I stumbled onto your blog, as well. Looking forward to learning about all the local food news in St. Louis through your site(s)!
It is interesting to learn that there is another beer lover that is a philosopher that can give Shawn a run for his money. Just joking Shawn. I appreciate your efforts to create good beer right here in my beloved southern Illinois. All I’ve done is try to get it imported.
Blessed be the Beer.
Thanks, Reverend. We can use the importing as much as anything else. Cheers!
Hi Marika – I enjoy your blog. I’m an ex-SIU student now living in Springfield. I write for The Ale Street News and will be down for the Big Muddy Monster Brewfest on the 23rd. If you are going to be there maybe we can chat a bit.
Hi Kevin,
Great to meet you! I will be at the Big Muddy Brew Fest. Shoot me an e-mail, I’d love to meet and chat!
Hi Marika!
What a great blog! I really enjoy all your recipes and the fact that you find the best beer to fit that meal… or the best meal to fit that beer. Awesome blog! And awesome initiative to brew your own!
Ciao!
Chiara
Hi Chiara!! I didn’t realize it was you until about 10 seconds ago (read about the wedding and that you’re in DC and it all clicked!). Love your blog! I’ll be following your posts…
A presto! Marika
Hey Marika, Congrats on the win in the big muddy home brew contest. It was nice to meet you and talk for a bit. Hope to see you guys down here in Memphis for our contest!
Thanks, Ben. Congrats on your wins, too. It was great to meet you and I look forward to taking a trip to Memphis!
our contest is going to be on Saturday February 18th. If you get anybody interested in coming down just send me a email so we can plan for them to judge. Our contest info is on the bjcp page in case anybody needs it.
Blog post on the big muddy home brew win???
oh I forgot to tell you if you want to meet Gordon Strong and hear him talk he will be in Nashville TN on november 4 & 5!
Would love to see you guys out at Friday June 1,2012 for Brews-A-Palooza at The Pavilion in Marion, IL. Beer tasting, wine tasting, vendors, and an after party with live music. Hope to hear from you soon
Sarge and I want to learn to brew beer. Your blog is so refreshing. (Pun may be intendend.)
Let me know if you need any advice… I’ve got a ton of it bottled up! (Pun may be intended!)