NHC Thanks

[gordonstrong]

Thanks to all in the BN army for the great time at NHC. From the Session to the Grand Banquet, it was one hell of a week. Fave moments:

The Sunday show was as fun in person as it sounds on the radio. Justin is a pro, and the crew was great to hang out with. Glad to hear so many of you liked it.

Got to meet some new friends. Chad, Sven, Push -- you guys always took the time to talk with me all week even though you were working the conference.

Can't praise Tasty and his crew enough. Randy was hopping around like a hummingbird on crack; I got tired just watching him. But the beer was always where it needed to be, and my competition entries were obviously treated well.

Loved the BNA4 party. J and Push doing gangsta rap -- priceless. Glad that lots of people introduced themselves to me. Made me feel welcome. Great beers too. But that bus; did someone hotwire it in Tijuana?

Big thanks to everyone who cheered and came up after the awards. Hope you got a pour of the Utopias. We went through that in about 3 minutes. Everyone who stopped by got some. Mufasa got the last pour. Getting props from a pro like that was sweet.

Biggest shout out goes to my brother Jamil. A real class act, a tough competitor, and one of the nicest people I know (unless you throw peanuts at him). And I'm sorry, but anyone who scores 5 second round medals did NOT get his "ass kicked". Like I said on the Sunday show, it can be a crap shoot. I was just lucky to get a hot hand when I needed it. Maybe it was because I wore my lucky MrMalty.Com shirt to judging. Just to correct one post, this was my second Ninkasi -- just like Jamil (and Joe Formanek and Curt Hausam).

The AHA took a picture at the end with Jamil and I with our medals. I hope that turns out, because that's a memory I want to keep long after I hang up the mash paddle.

Oh, and I hadn't posted this anywhere, but I did get propositioned by that hooker after the banquet in the elevator. Gary didn't mention that as part of the prizes, so I passed. Since when do homebrewers pay for anything?

Hope you can all make Minnesota; should be a great time. Later.

[BDawg]

Great meeting you in person, Gordon, and congratulations again. Well done.

Did Shat mention that that hooker was in fact Crazy Bitch?

[InsaneInTheGrain]

I got to try your 3rd place Scottish ale...

I was working as a steward for that style. Later I read the results of who brewed what and saw your name.

Damn fine beer!

[Mylo]

Great to meet you, too, Gordon. I told Justin afterwards that "bringing it strong" should now be changed to "bringing it Gordon", in your honor.

Thanks for your support of the BN, BJCP, and the rest of the homebrewing community. I look forward to hearing more from you from time to time - be it in print, or out of a set of speakers tuned to the BN.

PROST, brotha!


Mylo

[SacoDeToro]

As I sit back and think about the individual efforts put into making this event possible, I'm amazed. But beyond that, I believe that this is truly a collective effort worthy of awe. Everyone in the homebrewing community deserves a pat on the back and a good homebrew. Very few things in life can bring this kind of shared joy, wonder, and passion. For those in the know, life doesn't get much better; For those who don't, for fuck's sake get them off the macro swill!

[TapItGood]

Great meeting you Gordon and Congratulations on the Ninkasi. That is no small accomplishment. I had no idea BrewStrong was named after you. It makes sense now. And as Julian so eloquently put it....
Suck it all you s

[Push Eject]

Gordon, you are a friggin MAUN.

Great to finally meet you in person. Watching you and JZ drive away together with big, fat smiles on both your faces on Sunday was SO priceless (until the parking attendant jacked you up; then it was hilarious!).

LOVE STRONG. BREW GORDON.

[Sven]

Gordon,

Hearing you on the BN in the past you've always sounded like a fun individual but being in this industry I know that what seems like sincerity and interest can be easily faked for periods of time and I had always imagined you in person as being some sort of self-righteous, holier than thou, pompous prick.

I could not have been more wrong.

Gordon, your kindness, generosity, and willingness to teach and share are unmatched. You always had a smile and the time for anyone with questions all week long, the BJCP is fortunate to have you as President. It was a pleasure to meet you, drink with you, hang with you, and get to know you.

Sláinte
Sven

p.s. Thanks for the Utopias