When I signed on for this job (well not really a job because you are suppose to get paid if it is a JOB!) I choose to write about food and the preparation of said food and maybe some recipes, etc. I think I have hit upon most food groups over the years but I have left out one of my particularly fond ones. The one made from the healthy grains of wheat, barley, rye, etc.  You know…..BEER.

Since High School I have depended on the good folks at Anheuser Busch to supply me with my weekly supply of this fine beverage….. I know… I know… I said High School.  YES, I drank beer in high school and Gin and Bourbon…. Oh now I am confessing to everything…kissing girls at the drive in… slow dancin ….STOP … I do believe the statute of limitations has expired on all of those crimes so I can now rest at night.  (DISCLAIMER  to ALL High Schooler’s today.  Times are different..things change..Don’t emulate the 60’s & ’70’s because of one fool who has the power of the press behind him!)

Now, I say that about Anheuser Busch to bring up the fact that they no longer supply me with ALL of my needs! With growth and all of the “Craft Beer” markets my taste buds have wondered some over the past several months. (Sorry Augie!!) Some I do like, some I do not!!   Just like in the standard beer market…does the names Pabst Blue Ribbon come to mind. HA!   I still go back to my Bud Man days mostly but more and more I am trying some of the newer flavors.  The fact we have some great breweries in Atlanta also helps with my choices.

I am just getting over the guilt in cutting into the production of the Cartersville Bud Plant when along comes another trend in beer drinking….The Growler…CRAZY name…..GOOD idea.  Now you can finally have draft beer at home without buying the whole keg…  The name goes back to the 1800’s so not sure how it became known as a Growler.  I would have called it  Draft Beer To GO!

In the original days a growler could have been a jug or a bucket or ANYTHING that you could pour beer in and leave with it.  In those days you could fill up one at your local pub and take it home. Well, those were the good ole days.  These days leaving a bar with a bucket of draft beer either means you are in a college town after 2 AM or you stole it when the bartender wasn’t looking. Either choose is a BAD ONE..TRUST ME.!!!!

In these modern times we must buy our Growlers at the “Growler Store”. Great concept. We, in Conyers, are now lucky enough to enjoy this new/old way of enjoying our draft as we now have one such store to help us.  Gravity Growlers is now open on Dogwood Drive right past the Cracker Barrel.  Leave there after an Old Timer’s breakfast, turn right and you are only yards away from the store.

Gravity Craft and Homebrew Supplies store has been open several weeks and is growing in popularity. As can be seen by the name of the store they also sell supplies for home brewing beer.  Now, I do think that is a long way off in my future. I am still having to live with the fact I have caused a partial layoff of the third shift at the Cartersville Bud plant due to my tasting of the Growlers.   Not sure I can take any more. Please stop by some time. I am sure the Pledger Family would love to see you.