Did you know that in the wine country, beer has surpassed wine as the favorite drink outside of the home? A 2010 study done by Makno for Assobirra found the number of Italians drinking beer while eating out had more than doubled since the previous year and beer had overtaken wine as the preferred beverage enjoyed outside the home (World Atlas of Beer 2012).

More and more Italians are consuming beer. And why not? Apart from the U.S., Italy is the most interesting and creative beer country in the world, combining the traditional beer cultures of Europe with the unique Italian touch, from Baladin’s purposefully-oxidized Xyauyu` to the beautifully blended Beersel Mattina collaboration with Tre Fonteinen and Del Ducato.
Italy's craft beer movement has accelerated in the last few years. They are today, where the Uninted States was 15 years ago. Fifteen years ago a handful of men, Teo Musso, Agostino Arioli, and Leonardo Di Vincenzo crafted a mark on the Italian culinary culture. Their pitch has fermented from 20 microbreweries in 2002 to nearly 500 today.

One of Italy's most impressionable mark on the taste buds of beer lovers has been the chestnut beer. Yes, chestnuts. How very Italian, no?

So next time you're at your favorite beer store, ask about Italian Craft Beers. 

Cin Cin 

 

 

My massive project, the memior of Ron Gonen, is nearly complete. I've spent five years working on this memior about Ron Gonen, an international thief who escaped Interpol and made his way to Manhattan in the early1980s where he became a highend coke dealer. His success got the attention of what would become known as the first Israeli mafia. After turning state's evidence he was hidden away for 20 years in the Witness Protection Program.

There is already a very well written book by David Copeland about Ron Gonen's years as a coke dealer, but this memior encompasses his entire 25 years as a criminal. It's a page turner. Ron Gonen's life as a thief is probably my favorite part. His cu

I will be doing a reading at the Mercury Cafe, 20 Oct. @ 7pm of my story Cold Feet from the wonderful Fast Forward Press, the first all flash fiction press ever with the likes of:

Chase Townsley
Evon Davis
Nicholas Morris
Jamey Trotter
Amy Braziller
Jon Olsen
John Kuebler
Nate Jordon
Shari Jones
Erin Virgil
Rob Geisen
Nancy Stohlman
Kona Morris
John Jaramillo
Shelby Jaffe
Jonathan Montgomery
Meg Tuite
Katharyn Whynograd

If you've not heard of these people, look them up. They are some extraordinary folks and I'm very excited to be in a room with all of them. I will be surrounded by friends, family and some great writers.

The new release of Fast Forward, the only publication solely devoted to flash fiction, is out! Check out my story Cold Feet and come to the reading on Saturday, Oct. 20th at the Mercury Cafe in downtown Denver.