We’re so happy for Sherry’s series debut and the release of From Beer to Eternity, the first Chloe Jackson Seaglass Saloon mystery!
News Flash: Threadandstiches is Ramona DeFelice Long’s winner! Congratulations, and please check your email.
So dish on beer, Wickeds – if you love it, what’s your favorite? Do you have a history with beer? Have you outgrown it or grown to adore it? Go. And yay, Sherry!
Julie: Congratulations Sherry! I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for a while. I’m a big fan of beer, and have enjoyed going to beer gardens here and in Europe. I have a few friends who are really into beer, and I love going out (back when I could) and trying different types, including sours, shandys and IPAs.
Edith/Maddie: Julie, I knew you would be first to chime in on beer! I’m so excited for Sherry and to pick up my copy of the book at my local indy bookstore. Since I met my Hugh in 2004, I have become a connoisseur of India Pale Ales – and hops. The hoppier the brew, the better! But sour beer? I run screaming. Can’t tolerate the stuff. And when I think back to when we thought Michelob or Coors was a great beer, I’m flat out embarrassed.
Jessie: Super congratulations to you, Sherry, on the new series! What fun! I have to confess, I am not a fan of beer. I know there are all sorts of beers out there but so far, I haven’t found one I enjoy. If I were to visit the Seaglass Saloon I would love to order a glass of shiraz or sauvignon blanc, a bottle of hard cider, a dry martini or, my favorite thing of all, champagne!
Barb: I’m not a beer drinker, either. Since we’re in the Florida panhandle, I think I’d opt for something tropical–margarita, mojito, pina colada–at the Seaglass Saloon. But whatever was in it, I would lift a glass to you, Sherry. Congratulations on the start of a new series!
Sherry: Thanks to all of you, dear Wickeds. Your support during my writing journey has made it so much more fun. I turned to you with rants, fears, and joys. I can’t imagine my writing life without you. Funny story about beer — my dad would give me sips when I was little and I liked it. We were on vacation in Minnesota with friends. My dad ordered a beer, our friend ordered a beer, and I ordered a beer — I was three. I don’t drink beer as often as I once did (ahem, college), but I do still enjoy it occasionally.
Readers: Favorite beer? Have you ever been to the Florida Panhandle? Or just offer Sherry a big congrats!
IMHO, Jessie and Barb were just plain wishy-washy. It’s not that I’m not a fan of beer, or not a beer drinker, or even that I don’t care for it. I loathe the stuff. If someone was holding a gun to my head it would be like the old Jack Benny joke where the robber points a gun at him and says, “Your money or your life.” After a long pause, “I said, your money or your life!” Benny, of course replies, “I’m thinking! I’m thinking!”
But while I can’t stand beer, I’m a big fan of Sherry’s books. I’m about a third of the way through and I’m really, really loving it (except the beer stuff, of course). I’m not a bar person, but the Sea Glass Saloon seems like a place I’d enjoy spending time … if nothing else to watch Vivi go from cranky to crank Prime on Chloe. (If that last bit didn’t make sense to you, don’t worry, it’s a mathematician thing.)
So, huge congratulations, Sherry. This looks to be a fantastic new series. One question, though. Have we seen the last of Sarah Winston? I certainly hope not. Frankly, I’d love to see Sarah turn up at Emerald Cove on vacation.
Lee, did you like beer when you were younger, or is this an always thing?
Hi Edith,
No, I never liked beer. I literally cannot swallow it. Once, we were visiting family in England, and they had invited us down to Blakeney on the southeast coast if I remember correctly. And they had laid on the fatted calf for us in their local (and quite elegant) pub. And as the piece de resistance, they brought out their local brew for us. I knew I HAD to drink it. The only alternatives were to drink that beer (and warm beer at that) or risk restarting the Revolutionary War.
I tried. I really did. I got one swallow down and became painfully aware that if another swallow or beer went down my throat, it and its friend who got there first would end up on the table with most of the luncheon.
They were very nice about it, and got me a shandy instead, but I could tell that there were hurt feelings, and relations with that branch of the family have never been the same since. Absolutely true story.
I’m a wine guy. I like a light Chardonnay or a Sauv Blanc for sipping on a warm evening. With food that’s hearty enough to stand up to it, I like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Pinot Noir, or a nice Zinfandel or Beaujolais with lighter foods.
I don’t often drink hard liquor, but I’ll admit a soft spot for the girlie tropical drinks when I’m in the tropics, so bring on the Margaritas and the Pina Coladas and anything else made with rum and fruit juice. Yum! (But this will be just our secret. Can’t risk ruining my reputation.)
Thank you, Lee! I’m so glad you are enjoying From Beer to Eternity. Sarah will be back in December in Absence of Alice — thanks for asking!
Hooray! I’m very glad to hear it.
I’m not a drinker at all so I don’t have a favorite beer.
However, one of my favorite bands is Iron Maiden and a few years back, they (in partnership with an English brewer) came out with Trooper Ale. It’s named after one of their all-time tracks. The band was involved in every step of the process of creating the drink which is unlike a lot of other bands who just slap their name on whatever beverage comes out.
It was a huge success upon its launch and they’ve expanded into a couple more offerings now as well.
If I was going to make a beer purchase, it would be this one. However, it would just be for the souvenir of it rather than to drink it.
That’s so cool, Jay!
I don’t drink, so no favorite beer for me. I have been to the Panhandle several times, but usually just passing through. And huge congrats to Sherry!
Thank you, Marla! If you ever get a chance stop at one of the beaches — they are stunning.
Not a big fan of beer, but love the Panhandle. If I was to have a beer, it would be at the gorgeous old beautiful polished vintage bar at the Gibson Inn in Apalachicola.
Apalachicola — that whole area is so refreshing. It reminds me of how Destin used to be!
I am not really a beer fan. Never found one I liked, despite friends trying very hard. Oddly, I wrote a character who is a big beer aficionado. Go figure.
Never been to the Florida panhandle, either.
Congrats, Sherry!
Laughing at “despite friends trying very hard.”
They have! I’ve tried more micro-brews and locally brewed types than I want to admit.
Congratulations, Sherry!!! I’m so happy for you!
As for beer, I’ll pass. (More for those of you who love it, right?) I’m with Jessie. Break out the champagne!
I love sparkling wine — it’s my go to and not just for special occasions unless weekdays ending in “y” are special occasions!
Congratulations Sherry on the release of ” From Beer to Eternity”!
Thanks so much, Kay!
Congratulations, Sherry. I had a refrigerator magnet that said, “Beer is food.” I loved beer. My nickname in the mid 70s was “six pack” because that’s how I drank it, a six pack at a time. Now, I don’t touch carbonated beverages, so no more beer for me. The irony is that my in-laws own a Belgian beer import business and I could have as much as I want!
That is fascinating!
Woohoo, Sherry! I’m sorry I missed your quilt post yesterday, but wanted to say how much I admire the one you shared, and applaud using it for your characters’ names.
Both my husband and I have German heritage, and neither of us like beer, especially the hoppy types. I bet we don’t have three beers apiece in any given year. I grew up with my dad having local beers, and my German grandfather walking to the beer garden a mile away every day to fill his gallon jug with draft beer. He and Grandma kept aluminum tumblers in the freezer for drinking it.
However, when I was in Austria and the Czech Republic I found that I do enjoy Pilsner types. So that’s now my baseline for ordering at the multitude of breweries we find ourselves visiting with our kids, who do enjoy beer. I usually ask for whatever they have on tap that is closest to that type.
What an interesting story — love picturing your grandfather walking to the beer garden!
Congratulations, Sherry! I am looking forward to reading this and I am sure I will enjoy it – as long as you promise to keep writing about Sarah! I am not a beer drinker, I am a beer taster. My husband LOVES beer, and everywhere we have ever been, we have to find a bar, restaurant or joint that has a good selection of beer so that he can try them out. I have gotten into the habit of tasting his beers just so I know what he is talking about, and I can tell if he will like it (the hoppier the better). We have a cabinet full of beer glasses that advertise his favorite beers and places to drink beer – everywhere from Germany to CA to Guam.
What a cool collection! The next Sarah book — Absence of Alice comes out in December!
Congratulations on the release and new series. From Beer to Eternity is next up on my Kindle.
Not so much on beer. That’s my husband’s thing – and we have a beer cooler in the house. He prefers German brews but since we can’t get them in Maine, it will be Shipyard. I used to drink Old Peculiar. It’s a Brit Beer that has gotten harder to find and I learned about it from the Martha Grimes Richard Jury mysteries. When we ski at Sugarloaf I’m willing to slug back a Shipyard IPA, beyond that, I’m all about pinot noir and champagne!
I did several market studies in the Panhandle in the early 1980s when I worked for an accounting firm. When we were on the run from Irma, we headed for Destin. Had a great time. Did you know the original Hog’s Breath Salon was in Destin? I had thought Key West, but nope.
If only we’d all had the foresight to buy land in Destin in the 80s! Sadly the Hog’s Breath in Destin closed!
I’ve been a beer drinker for a looooooooooooooooooong time. Back in the early 70’s my brother and I would go out 2 or 3 nights a week to “The Red Garter” in Greenwich Village. It was a Dixieland Jazz club. We would drink watered down beer by the pitcher. After a while I even talked the drummer into letting me sit in for him..
These days I have THREE beers in the fridge. Lone Star beer (from Texas) in honor of my daughter Sharon who is a Ft. Hood graduate and still lives in Killeen. Yuengling Black & Tan for dinners with beef, or to use in stews. Lastly I have Carona Extra (La Cerveza Mas Fina) which is a very crisp beer that goes with almost anything.
I’m looking forward to reading Sherry’s new book as soon as I can get my hands on it. I’ve blown this months book budget and my SS check doesn’t come in till Aug 12th. A very looooong time from now. LOL
I love that you sat in for a drummer! So cool!
No, I haven’t been to the Florida panhandle. I’ve been to Orlando (does that really shock you?) and Fort Lauderdale, but that’s it. I’d love to go back and see more.
As to beer, I don’t drink alcohol, so I don’t have a favorite. Honestly, the smell doesn’t even appeal to me.
Laughing about Orlando! The panhandle is a whole different world!
Like many others here, I’m not a drinker at all, but when I did drink, I liked bock beer the best. When I was little my mom, who definitely was a drinker, would let me suck off the foam from the top of her glass.
I’m looking forward to reading Sherry’s book and enjoying the beer vicariously.
I hope you like the book!
Blue Moon. Yes many times to the panhandle. And my dad and grandpa would give us wine and beer with Sunday dinner. Italian traditions. Cannot wait to read the book!
Thank you! I love Blue Moon with an orange slice!
I have never gotten myself to like beer. My husband likes the dark beer and he will try the different flavored beer also. I always try them myself. But, I always make a funny face after trying. Lol!!! My husband calls me a wuss. 😂😂
That’s funny. I think beer is an acquired taste!
Congratulations
Ever have a beer float?
I have not — unless it was a root beer float!
When I was a kid, I hated the smell of beer but tried it since it looked like ginger ale. VERY DISAPPOINTED! Dad said it was an acquired taste, and I said Why bother? Still anxious to read the book.
Love the Why bother?! I hope you enjoy the book.
Congratulations on the great start to the new series! Luvin’ it!
I like beer, but it doesn’t like me. I would get raging headaches after only a sip or two. Turns out I’m allergic to the hops, as was my Mom. However, the guys in the family not only drink it, but some have made it, and they admit, with varying levels of success.
I’ve been to the Panhandle and couldn’t get over the sugar sand, so unlike the Jersey Shore sand.
Happy Launch Day!!!
Thank you, Patti!
Root Beer