Obviously I have not had a blog entry in some time now. Early this year, my dad and best beer critic Peter Roknich passed away on Serbian Orthodox Christmas, after 13 years of battling his various ailments. My dad is responsible for my love of beer, from taking me for my first brewery tour of G. Heileman Brewing Company in LaCrosse, WI, to his beer drinking stories during his time in Germany, impromptu beer tastings during college at his hotel room with Julie and Todd, to finally my first introductions into home brewing when he gave me a Mr. Beer kit for my birthday and when we brewed our first, and only batch together at Chicago B.O.P.; Rokbraü, a Bavarian Bock. Hell, he even bought me a keg of Killian’s Red for my high school graduation party.

He would always ask me about the next beer I was going to make, and would give me some great ideas. But what I miss most are the great stories and conversations we’d have over a couple beers. I still have a voicemail saved where he gave an excellent review of New Belgium’s Tart Lychee… It’s classic. He was one of my best friends and was always there for me.

This entry has been a long time coming… I just couldn’t get myself to finish it. But the beer lovers community lost one of its greats this year, and I needed to have one more toast with him. Živeo Dad… we all miss you very much.