Ok guys, my offer to trade beer for razors went over like a lead balloon. Sorry if anyone felt insulted by the offer, it wasn't meant to be insulting and if it was taken that way I want to correct the misimpression.

*HOWEVER* (there's always a "but" isn't there?) just to share a little bit of very good news, and just so you guys don't think I was offering old milwaukee quality beer or something... 3 of my beers just took medals in the first round of the national homebrewing competition regionals last weekend. I took a first place for my scottish 70 shilling, a first place for my california common, and a third place for my oatmeal stout. Those three beers now move up to the second round finals in Florida in two months.

In addition, I took a day of vacation from work yesterday and spent all day brewing my 70 shilling recipe at a 465 gallon batch size with a professional brewer for a local brewpub, and they'll be selling my recipe on tap in about two weeks I had a *great* time and learned SO much from this guy it blew my gourd. This guy does his brewing extremely hands-on, has zero automation and does it all by feel, experience and knowledge of his equipment and processes. I was completely floored by the level of skill and talent he had... every single drop of the beer we brewed was hand crafted, just like all his products. I definitely have a new level of respect for his product after helping out for the day.

So... now does anyone want to trade beer for old razors that I can use for honing practice? (heh heh heh... sorry couldn't resist. I'm not serious, I've learned my lesson).

-- Gary F.