Member Shout-Out #2

Meet George DeMet: A member since April 2015. 

WHY WE LOVE HIM: George has been a regular for so long...and is such a thoughtful, interesting guy! During our months back in the alley, and during the build-out of the Tap Room, we often drafted him as a Focus Group of one, and all his advice was sane, generous and useful.  For an example of his interesting thinking, check out his Six Weeks without Facebook post. (Just don't bail on following us on Facebook!)

Here's what he has to say: 

FAVORITE BREW: I’m a big fan of European-style beers, so Back-Alley Abbey and Cumulus are my perennial favorites, though the Barrel-Aged Lapwing is also a special treat

BREW REQUEST: Given how good Cumulus is, I’d love to see Sketchbook's take on a Dunkelweizen. My wife is a big fan of the Sparta cider, and I think she’d really enjoy a Sketchbook lambic.

WHAT GEORGE APPRECIATES: One of the things that I’ve always loved about Sketchbook is its family-friendly atmosphere. I have two small children of my own, and it’s great to be able to bring them by the tap room and know that they’ll not only be welcome there, but that they might even get the chance to meet other kids as well.

STORY: Last summer, Sketchbook ran a very small batch of Ripe Now with hand-picked juneberries that was available for one weekend only while supplies lasted. It had been a long day for me and I was pretty tired, but I rode my bike over as soon as it went on sale to make sure I didn't miss out. On the way home, as I opened the gate to my back yard, I dropped the howler and it shattered, spilling fresh juneberry porter all over my back yard. I immediately turned around, rode back, and sheepishly purchased another howler before going back home to clean up the mess. Since that day, I’ve always wrapped my growlers and howlers in multiple layers of cloth shopping bags to avoid another “Juneberry Incident”.  

ETC: I live only a few blocks away from Sketchbook, and it’s wonderful to have such a great brewery within walking distance from my house. As someone who also owns a family-run, bootstrapped business, I also really admire the community-oriented approach that Sketchbook has taken to building its business and can fully appreciate how much time and effort, and passion has gone into it.