Mainely Martha

“Try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless and above all have fun.” – Julia Childs

People cook for different reasons; some find it relaxing, some are inspired to create and some as an expression of love. I believe my passion for cooking originated from being a form of relaxation as well as an outlet for my creativity, but then after marrying and having my boys, cooking grew into an expression of love. But, it isn’t always easy…not all the recipes are successful; there is a great deal of trial and error. It can be discouraging and needs a sense of commitment and passion to continue to trudge along to get the enjoy the sweet taste of success.

Here in the Seacoast region, like most areas of the country, micro-breweries have been popping up left and right. I believe at last count there were 20 in a 15 mile radius.  And it is not simply the sheer number of breweries it is the variety of beers and each brewery’s spin to create their version. While I conjure up new cocktail recipes in my kitchen which ultimately end up being poured down the drain because they are so bad, I look at all of these brew-masters and am truly in awe of what it must take to develop a new or different beer that distinguishes one brewery from the next. And, what is the deal with the number of IPA’s? How many ways are there to brew and IPA? But I guess where there is a will, there is a way…and they are finding it.

I have put some time into sampling a variety of these brews and can say, from my perspective, there are many successes yet some fails…but can only applaud them for trying. Regardless of the brews that miss the mark, the love and passion that the brew-masters pour into their creations is evident. The fact that they have all put themselves and their creations out there speaks to the fearlessness. And I have not walked into a single one of these establishments and encountered a disgruntled brewer…how could you not be having fun.

So even if a recipe or two or three or even four are fails…keep plugging away, the pay-off of creating something wonderful can be so rewarding.

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein