civilization

From left to right: son Ben, daughter RaeAnne, daughter Jade, grandson Coleton, Shira’s mother Malka, daughter Shayna, daughter Leeyah Mother’s Day is a very special time around here. Our very own Shira Bliss is an extraordinary mum, raising five beautiful children of her own, so she understands what mothers go through very well. That’s why we go out of our way to make our Mother’s Day tours very special ones for hardworking moms and their grateful kids. Jean “Shep” Shepherd, the humorist best known for penning and narrating “A Christmas Story,” once famously proclaimed that “beer is the mother of us all.” We agree that beer is a wonderful invention, and one that’s even been credited with helping create civilization. So, what better way to treat your mother on Mother’s Day than to introduce her to the delights of the mother…

  We've already mentioned that this is one of our favorite times of year, from the Easter egg hunts to the buds on the trees.  We're also pretty sure we've mentioned wine's particular role in the spring season's rites and rituals, but since Easter (and springtime in general) is all about beginnings, today we're going to talk about the integral role beer has played in human history: helping spark civilization. That's right. Your humble glass of beer isn't just a delight, nor is it a brew reserved for sailors and ruffians (although, really, was it ever?) It's the reason everything, absolutely everything, exists as you know it.  The theory goes thus: ancient Sumerians discovered that they could ferment barley, and were so happy with the results that they retired from their nomadic ways to cultivate it. There was enough enough…