I brew. I’m pretty good at it.

This would be about the time my daughter had the party.

I had just capped the last bottle, slipped it in the case and picked up both used double-thick 24 bottle Budweiser Beer Waxed Cardboard shells when Becky said, “Where are you going to put it?”

“With the rest.” That got a pout.

I carried the two full shells to her bedroom and stacked them against the wall with the other one hundred and twenty cases.

Sixty one five gallon batches... 122 cases. In her bedroom. That wall isn’t insulated and the beer was cold.

Ah ... an explanation. I saw that look.

I was going to University ... the third ... or fourth ... hold on ... Ferris College, no ... Berkeley, yeah California.

Berkeley was first... 1960/61. I was expelled.

Then Ferris State ... umh, Big Rapids, Michigan 1962 ... yes, yes, yes. Suspended and asked to not come back.

Then Michigan State University of Agriculture and Applied Science (1955–1964) ... that would have to be 1963. Tossed out of the dorms.

Gimme a minute ... I needa think.

Lemmesee, married in 1966, children ... three.

David IV ... also called Four ... or IVy.

Cherish Rebecca, Becky.

Charles William II, Deuce.

umh ... UWM ... Milwaukee, Wisconsin ... escorted off campus... 1975.

Montana State. Bozeman 1985. almost graduated. yeah.

Berkeley, Ferris, MSU, UW, MSU. Five ... huh, Yeah, fifth time.

So ... Becky had graduated Fergus County high school when she was 16 ... scholarships ... and all that jazz. Since continuing education in Montana meant, pretty much, University of Montana in Missoula, Montana ... or ... Montana State in Bozeman ... she had to choose.

Daddy was going to MSU ... she chose Bozeman.

She turned 17, first semester.

Freshmen lodge in the dorms, unless their parents reside within driving distance. I lived in Roskie Hall on the 5th floor ... driving distance ... They put her in Roskie ... on the 3rd floor. A floor of girls!

I went to University with my daughter.

Things progress ... they always do. I moved out ... got an apartment across the street from the dorms ... got an evening job ... read a book... Make yer Own. College student ... beer ... student ... beer... Make yer Own. ... Hmm.

I was well into the brewing when Beck moved out and in. Out of the dorms ... and in ... to my spare brewery ... err ... bedroom.

She is tiny... 85 pounds ... size 1 shoes ... but 200 pair. What she lacked in size she made up in volume...

“Daddy?”

“Yes?”

“You work this weekend?”

“Yes.”

“Can I invite a few girls from the dorm?”

You know what I said.

125 freshman girls? You bet. Girls away from home ... away from parents ... and ‘My house ... my rules.’

She only invited her pod.

Two days in she called, “We’re out of beer.”