A Five-Star Saga

How Riley the Dog (and Sour Beer) Saved the Day at Shades Brewing

We recently received a review on our Google business page that left us laughing out loud and thoroughly entertained! This isn’t your typical five-star feedback—it’s a full-blown saga featuring Shades Brewing, a mischievous dog named Riley, and an unexpected journey into the world of sour beer. We’re thrilled to share this delightful story on our blog and can’t thank Mike McCardell enough for his creativity and dedication. So, without further ado, enjoy this tale of mischief, resilience, and, of course, a love for the sourest brews around!

Mike McCardell, a man of simple pleasures, lived for the lip-smacking tartness of a good sour beer. And the sours from Shades Brewing, with their funky, complex flavors born from wild fermentation and barrel-aging, were his absolute favorite.

But Mike, a generous soul with a soft spot for stray animals, had one weakness: his beloved dog, Riley. A mischievous mutt with a penchant for chaos, Riley was the apple of Mike's eye, despite his tendency to chew furniture and chase squirrels up the curtains.

One sunny afternoon, while Mike was enjoying a glass of Shades' "Peach cobbler" on his porch, disaster struck. Riley, in a fit of canine curiosity, snuck into Mike's study. Papers flew, pens were chewed, and in a moment of sheer, unadulterated chaos, Riley managed to transfer all of Mike's funds into a dubious online venture promising to turn squirrels into diamonds.

The venture, predictably, went bust. Mike, blissfully unaware of his impending financial doom, was happily humming along to the birdsong, contemplating the delicate balance of brettanomyces and lactobacillus in his beer.

It wasn't until he received a rather stern letter from his bank, informing him of his newfound zero-balance status, that the gravity of the situation hit him. Shades Brewing, his sanctuary of sour satisfaction, was suddenly out of reach.
Dejected but determined, Mike refused to let his love for sours be squashed by Riley's financial shenanigans.

He knew he had to take drastic measures to save both his beloved brewery and his furry friend from being relegated to a diet of kibble and tap water.
With a heavy heart, Mike approached the stoic brewmaster of Shades Brewing, and confessed his predicament. known for the brew masters sharp wit and even sharper sours, surprised Mike with a hearty laugh.

"A dog, you say? Took all your money for a squirrel-to-diamond scheme? Well, that's a new one!" the brew master chuckled.
Seeing the genuine despair in Mike's eyes, the brew master, who secretly harbored a soft spot for the man and his unwavering dedication to the brews, offered him a deal.

"You work for me," they proposed, "learn the craft, help me brew the sourest, funkiest concoctions this side of the kingdom, and your tab at Shades will be forever cleared.

Mike, overwhelmed with gratitude, accepted with fervor. He threw himself into the art of sour brewing, mastering the delicate dance of wild yeasts and bacteria under the brew masters watchful eye. He scrubbed barrels, cleaned equipment, and even volunteered to taste-test the most experimental brews, his taste buds tingling with the thrill of each new flavor.

News of Mike's situation spread through the land, drawing in curious patrons and fellow sour enthusiasts. They flocked to Shades Brewing, eager to witness the man who had lost his fortune to a squirrel-diamond scheme.

Mike, with his infectious enthusiasm and newfound brewing knowledge, became a local legend. He even started incorporating foraged ingredients into his creations, inspired by Riley's adventurous spirit (and frequent forays into the local woods).

One day, Mike unveiled his masterpiece: "Riley's Ruin," a sour ale bursting with unexpected flavors, a testament to his resilience and the chaotic charm of his canine companion. The beer was a sensation, attracting even the attention of a wealthy duchess with a penchant for exotic pets and sour ales.

Impressed by Mike's story and the unique brew, the brew master invested a small fortune in Shades Brewing, ensuring its future and securing Mike's position as resident brewer and sour aficionado.

And so, Mike McCardell, the man who lost his fortune thanks to a mischievous mutt, became the savior of Shades Brewing, proving that even the most chaotic of canine interventions can lead to unexpected triumphs, especially when fueled by a passion for truly sour beer.

As for Riley? He remained blissfully unaware of his role in the saga, happily chasing squirrels and occasionally sneaking a lick of spilled "Riley's Ruin," much to the amusement of the patrons.