40 Years in Beer (Book III), Part 92: Pentecostal pews, beer judging exams and Bixology (2001-2003)

Previously: 40 Years in Beer (Book III), Part 91: New Albany’s brewing history, prior to NABC resuming it. It would be perfectly reasonable of the reader to ask how the following three topics fit together in this “40 Years” narrative: A classic 2001 journey into the heart of the Rust Belt to rescue church pews for Public House reuse The 2002 Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) class and exam A road trip with Diana to Davenport, Iowa in 2003 to visit Bix Beiderbecke’s grave The answer is elegantly simple: “Nothing at all” ― apart from beer being consumed during each segment. Let’s begin and end with the road trips, with a test I was never supposed to pass in the middle. — Tom in 2006; photo by Jim Bell. During the busy time just prior to the NABC brewery’s debut (link), and for a good while afterward, Tom Henderson filled the role of Public House junior handyman and jack of all trades. Kevin Richards remained the “big guy,” so Tom was like a little brother, always eager to get things done; building storage shelves in back, helping transport brewery equipment to its new home, and basically being indispensable. Tom was the impetus for the famous (now former) Rich O’s church...Read more