Excellent fruity IPA, the grapes and hops perfectly complemented each other. 4/5 stars.
One of my favorite ways to drink beer is with friends. One of my favorite times to drink beer is on Sunday evenings when we invite our very good friends over. What a gift! Not only are they like-minded about social distancing, but we enjoy spending time together! As an added bonus, we share new beers each week acquired from near and far.
While our relationship began from mere circumstance, I’d like to think it was beer that brought us all together. I was beginning my craft beer exploration when I discovered that a coworker 1) liked beer and knew some stuff about it, and 2) lived in the same apartment complex. As a bonus, he was also somewhat recently married (same!) and had a sweet and adorable dog (ditto!). We started attending beer festivals together and doing beer shares at home. Through our shared we interest grew closer. After a few years and a dozen or so beer festivals, we decided that it was time our wives met each other. It was a slow start, with occasional dinners and such. Then, the proposal. My friend let it slip in casual conversation that he participated in a couple different D&D campaigns. My wife, intrigued, made some interested noises. I encouraged anything that would bring us all closer together. And, as the four of us revolved around the idea like space junk in a decaying orbit, we finally came together in a flash of brilliance. WE could try D&D! What a great way for us to get to know each other, have a shared experience, and be social without (sometimes) forced conversation!
It was lucky for us all that we launched our campaign early that year. Had we not established a weekly ritual, I doubt it would have survived the unprecedented change that March 2020 brought. As it was, we moved to video-conference gatherings until we felt safe enough to meet in person. Even then, it was a delicate conversation about social bubbles (our “couples” friendship still felt new). No one knew how long this situation would last, but we knew that we would need social connections to survive the psychological challenges it would bring. As we continued gathering each week, D&D became more of an excuse and less of an impetus. Our original campaign fizzled out like an unattended campfire. First, flames, slowly dying. Then, hot coals, burning longer but less bright. Finally, all energy consumed, cooling charcoal and ash that leaves behind a warm memory.
That’s fine, though. People and friendships evolve. We no longer need an excuse to be together, we enjoy each other’s company. We moved past the need for storylines and contrived obstacles to overcome. Now we are in a new phase, one where we can support each other through real life trials and celebrate true victories. Some day we’ll be ready to start another fantastical journey. For now, it’s enough to just be. Together.
Tributaries by Fort George Brewing
A Beer a Day 
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