After two intensely disappointing elections, I finally have had some of my faith in the American electorate restored. The last eight years have shown us clearly what happens when our vote is guided by fear and ignorance. I have my fingers crossed that the next eight will be a demonstration of the effects of hope and intelligence, and that people will remember the difference, and not go down that old dark road for a long time to come.

In related beer news, Larry Bell (of Bell’s Brewery) is growing some of his own ingredients now, to deal with the aforementioned shortage, and there’s probably going to be more of that. There will need to be if America’s craft brewing industry is going to keep growing at 12% annually. Other brewers are branching out (hedging their bets?) and going in to the hard liquor business. It’s a busy time to be brewer!