It's with a touch of sadness that I'm writing this post today, I was just getting started on what I was hoping to put into and get out of the guild. I've finally been offered a job, a good career opportunity in my field with a start date on the 5th of October. That's the good news, the bad is that the position is in Prince Edward Island so I guess September was my last meeting for a while, possibly ever. I was hoping to pop in and share one more beer with everyone and thank you for all your help and instruction, but with preparations I've been too busy to get away to come to Glens BBQ. I'm glad that was a success too.

This is the depressing part; as I'll be going from a growing brewing community with a tremendous knowledge base and access to everything brewing-wise to one much less so, the only brewery on the island is a pub and access to grains might be either by mail order or a drive to the mainland. It's good that the internet gets out that way so I'll be sure to keep abreast of the goings on online. I am very impressed by the way things are developing with the website and hopefully participation grows the way the membership is. It's been awesome to see packed houses at the last couple of meetings so hopefully that continues and you keep kicking ass in competitions.

I've learned a lot in the last year and improved my process but I feel I was just getting started. I was looking forward to taking the BJCP training and helping out more at the next ABC, maybe judging. I will keep sending entries to the comps and keep trying to improve, but it will be more of a solo effort than what I've been spoiled with here.

Any way, thanks for all the advice and free beer, I'm glad to have met all of you and to know that there are more geeks out there like me than most realize. If your wife forces you to come out my way to see Anne of Green Gables, drop her off and come by for a pint or two, I should be up and running by next spring.

Cheers all,

Ian Smith