New Year, Old World

This is what will pass for a New Year’s Resolution Post, I guess.

In the coming year I’ll work to keep my posts shorter.
In the coming year I’ll post fewer beer sampling comments and more general beer commentary, book reviews and so forth.
In the coming year I’ll refrain from using anything but images that I myself have created.

Sorry, I can’t resolve to be funnier, or smarter – heaven knows I’ve tried that for years and I’m pretty much stuck on “barely inoffensive, mildly humorous pseudo-intellectual.” I’ve learned to live with it, so can you. For those of you who might be wishing I’d simply resolve to go away; sorry, I can’t do that either. The good news for you is that there are a bazillion really good beer-related blogs on the net for you to visit and enjoy and that’s another of my 2009 resolutions. I’ll try to post more links to other beer blogs so that in your beer journey, you can stop by here on your way to those other beer blogs!

Coming Soon to a Neighborhood Near Me: Old World Brewery

So, since I’ve already broken the first resolution, I may as well go on and fill you in on the few details I have regarding a new brewery that is scheduled to open near Beer Rant HQ in the coming weeks. I stumbled across an internet reference to Old World Brewery and while on a beer hunting errand I dropped in to find the place still under construction. Not wanting to make too much of a nuisance of myself I chatted briefly with the installation crew who appeared to be working on the material handling system to bring the ingredients to the brewing vats and then I excused myself. Exiting through the front lobby I bumped into Perry who told me they planned to brew in a couple days and that I should come back then. I thanked him and continued.

I returned in the afternoon on the appointed day to find Perry and Patrick (the owner) in the front office, Patrick on the phone to a supplier. The conversation appeared to revolve around a piece of equipment needed to complete the installation process. From the discussion, it was evident that no brewing would take place this day.

The phone call completed, Patrick stepped out into the lobby and gave me the quick greeting of a man with many things on his mind. Nevertheless, like so many good beer folk I’ve met over the last year or so, Patrick took the time to walk me through their set up, all the while discussing equipment issues with Perry and keeping an eye on the gauges and dials that lined the east wall of the brewery.

By his own account, Patrick doesn’t come from a brewing background but he strikes me as a business savvy fellow who has come into brewing in a round about way. One thing’s for sure, Patrick and Perry have their work clothes on and they’re working hard to get the beer brewing and the doors open. Old World Brewery will be the first tenant in the building and already they have installed a stage with lighting and a full drum set. The brewing equipment was purchased from a brewpub in Mississippi who lost their master brewer in 2004 or 2005. Perhaps Mississippi’s loss will be our gain. The plan at this point is to begin brewing the first batch on Wednesday, January 7th and a charity fundraising event is scheduled for January 24th.

Here’s the SuperPages Entry for Old World Brewery. Listed under “brands” is something called Sheriff Joe Scotch Ale. Hmmm. Hope that’s something they put out soon, since old Joe just got reelected. Maybe he’ll offer to come up for the grand opening! Another interesting point is the brewery’s proximity to Deer Valley Airport. Heck, pilots stopping in to top off their fuel tanks will practically be able to walk over to Old World for a pint or two before they take off on the next leg of their flight! (Just kidding.)

It’s a tenuous time and not necessarily the best time to be starting a new brewery endeavor. That said, you’ve also got to admire the truly American spirit that drives folks to create and produce under any circumstances and in any economic environment. I’ll be checking in at Old World as often as I can and will hopefully have a write up on their grand opening in the coming days or weeks. Meantime, let’s all wish Patrick and Perry best of luck with Old World Brewery!