Beer Diary...

This is a serving tray I got at the Tuesday market I've pretty much given up on trying to get malted barley in Mexico. I've done innumerable internet searches, questioned everyone I've met in San Miguel, sent e-mail inquiries to Mexican breweries and NADA. The other day while waiting at the counter at the local pizzeria , I asked the owner/Italian/ex-patriot if he knew anything. "No," he says "but if anyone in San Miguel can help you it would be Enselmo , the head chef down at Bella Italian Resturant . So, with the new hope of positive info I set off for ' Enselmo '. Enslemo is a small man with a tall white chef hat fussing away in the kitchen of Bella Italian. He is kind and patient enough to entertain my questions. He was indeed very knowledgeable and hopeful even claiming to have brewed himself back in Italy for the Octoberfest . Unfortunately, he assured me that malted barley was not to be had in Mexico. "No one uses it except to make be...

My brew sculpture on Whidbey, I miss it Well, I'm about to wrap up here in San Miguel de Allende and head back to the States. I've boxed up what little beer making equipment I want to return with and all but a few of the homebrews are left to drink. I have saved a couple to take back to the mescalaria when the owner and his partner are around. They are suppose to be in town today or tomorrow and will be bringing with them a list of all the material suppliers. I am hopeful that that list will have a malted barley wholesaler on it. In the mean time, I am feeling complete here and ready to get back to work at earning money. There is something about work that gives my life a sense of purpose. I would like to get past that need for meaning but for now it's what I have and so I have to use it. I am also excited about firming up my commitments with a couple of colleges that I have proposed teaching brewing at and also re-connecting with old friends. We leave for Mexico city ...

There's a little place on Calle Umaran called the Mezcaleria La Botica. It's two blocks down from the Jardin (central plaza) and easy to miss if you walk too fast. It has no sign to call your attention. The owner, Mauricio, swings opens a couple of sagging wooden doors around five in the evening exposing a small quiet room with a half dozen metal tables with folding chairs that have the Corona emblem embossed on backs, gratis I suppose because of the advertising. The cluster together on the black and white tiled floor in front of a standing bar that runs the length of the back wall. The bar separates the customers from a wide selection of mezcal, some of which is displayed in small, squat clear bottles that you can purchase and take home. They are lined up neatly across several glass shelves. Below, large bottles of the same are mounted to the wall for dispensing shots to drink on the premises. Mauricio is a friendly outgoing guy that becomes quite animated when he's on the...