Discovery vs. Scholarship

True love begins with discovery, not scholarship. However scholarship goes far in nurturing your appreciation for that which you love. I am talking of course about beer. I made a discovery last week while driving through the Canaan Valley area of West Virginia. I noticed a wooden builing off the road with a sign that said something about beer brewing. I was enjoying homemade ice cream with my kids at The Purple Fiddle when it struck me that the soft, bluegrass playing on the stereo was strangely familiar. (Click on the title above to hear a sample) It was a wonderful rendition of Jimi Hendrix' Little Wing done by the The South Austin Jug Band. While strolling around the shop half memorized by the music I notice a refrigerator while three beer taps protruding through the door. This caught my attention because I am an armature beer brewer myself. I was informed that the beer was made at the very same establishment that I drove by earlier. That evening a few of us patronized the afore mentioned establishment. There was live Bluegrass being produced by two local huckleberries in the corner, the beer was exquisite and the scene was made complete with the entrance of two of the oldest, ugliest and smelliest dogs to disgrace the Mountain State.

So beer and Bluegrass are two of my loves and (much like the people in my life) I fell in love with them upon first discovery, I did not learn about them first. I knew what I liked about beer before I knew how to make it. I knew what I liked about my wife before I figured out why she is the way she is. However, after discovery I have learned more and more about my loves and this is essential to continuing enjoyment.