Sheridan Beer

Stories...We've all got'em.

I like stories...not necessarily the kind you read in a book, but the kind that tell of people and the experiences they've had. We all have a dad, crazy old uncle or grandpa who is full of, uh, stories...Everytime you talk with them you find yourself caught up in some crazy story about some crazy thing they've done.

My Grandpa Pearce was one of those guys. He always had a story about something. It was pretty neat. It kind of helped keep things in perspective. You could always go to him and he had 10 stories for everything.

I'll never forget one time - I was about 17 or 18. I was getting ready to go backpacking in Wyoming. I was headed for the Bighorn Mtns. outside of Sheridan. Before I left, he and I were talking about the trip and I told him where I was going.

"Sheridan?" he said with an inquisitive look. He leaned back in his chair - tipping the Dinklage Oil cap he always wore with his arthritic finger. He stared into the distance as if he was remembering yesterday. "Boy, I could tell you stories about Sheridan. I remember when I was a cowboy out in Nebraska - we'd always drink Sheridan Beer. I'll tell you what, that was the best beer.

"He seemed to forget he was talking to a 17 year old...he leaned over to me, so Grandma couldn't hear..."If you think about it, when you're there, pick me up some." He gave me a wink, it didn't matter that it had been about 50 years since he'd last had it - or since it was probably brewed at all.

"I don't think they'll let me buy it," I responded.

"Oh, right. I suppose not."

That's the great thing about having lots of stories. If you have enough, you can actually tell stories about telling stories. :)