This morning Draft magazine posted about a store that is opening that is purely a beer apparel store. Now not to get off on the wrong foot, I like my craft beer clothing and gear as much as the next beer geek. I suggest to craft beer community keep your eyes on the ball, the business of making great beer.

It reminds me of the late 1990s in some respects that people were so interested in the quick buck that they forgot what truly matters is making amazing beer. The tshirt, the lip balm, the hats are all mementos to help your recall and celebrate a great experience with the beer, but if the beer isn't memorable all those things are marketing junk. In a society that is so advertising driven we don't need more junk. So enjoy the gear but remember it's about the beer.

Another year, another teach a friend to brew day. This year we have been making more of a push to reach out to beginning brewers in the Raleigh-Durham area. A full days events is planned at American Brewmaster with 2 brewing demonstrations, local brewers talking about making beer, games, food, and some prizes as well. Speakers from Lone Rider, Aviator and Big Boss breweries and most of them, pretty sure all, started as homebrewers before making the move professionally. This carnival atmosphere for the day we hope to show how easy it is to make beer. So if you are in the Triangle area and want understand more about the process I invite you to stop in and say hello.