THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 16, 1995 TAG: 9508150087
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
MIKE ADAMS THINKS beer is the perfect food. But not just any beer. Adams is a connoisseur of worldwide micro beers.
He likes beers that are uniquely bottled. He likes to learn about their history and how they're made.
And yes, he likes the variety of tastes that abound from beer to beer.
So Adams has formed The Beer Lovers Club in Smithfield for others of discriminating taste, those who want to experience micro brews and learn with him.
The club meets at 7 p.m. the last Friday of each month at Bon Vivant Gourmet Market in Smithfield.
Adams started the club several months ago, after he opened Bon Vivant, which features a variety of beers put out by micro breweries. He wants to generate interest in the endless varieties of brews that come from all over the world.
``These beers are so specialized that they're almost like wines,'' he says. ``And people are fascinated with them. But when they look at the rack in the store, they can't make up their minds on which one they want to buy.''
So Adams has been collecting names and phone numbers of people who do buy the specialized brews, calling them and inviting them to a taste test at the store.
At the July meeting, 30 people attended, seven of them women, he says.
The group tasted five beers, and a speaker talked about the history of each beer and how it was made.
Varieties of micro brews seem to be endless. Alcohol content ranges from 3 percent to 11 percent. And prices range from $1.20 to $2 per bottle.
The most offbeat beer sold at Bon Vivant is Ed's Chili Beer. Each $1.95 bottle has a jalapeno pepper floating in it, making it spicy hot.
``It's not at all what you think of when you think of a beer,'' Adams says.
And for those with milder tastes there is a variety of wheat-based and other grain-based beers.
``The one thing all these beers have in common is that they have no preservatives,'' Adams says. ``They're healthy. There's no fat. It's the perfect food.''
Name: Mike Adams.
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? Rural living.
Birthdate/hometown: March 21, 1956, in Newport News.
What's your fondest childhood memory? Trips to Florida with family.
Family status: Married to Kate Bouvier. No kids.
Pets: Four dogs and two cats.
What was your first job/worst job? Bagger at Farm Fresh. I look for the best in every job.
Occupation: Sales representative for Commonwealth Cunningham Food Brokers and owner of Bon Vivant Market.
If you had a choice, what other type of work would you be doing today? Herb farmer.
Favorite food/drink: Anything my wife fixes; Abita Turbo Dog Beer or McGuigan Black Shiraz wine.
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? Tour the national parks in Washington State or Utah.
I can't resist: ice cream.
Few people know that . . . I teach competitive race walking.
Most embarrassing moment: A surprise stripper at an office birthday party.
If you won the lottery, what would you do? I would build a bigger building for Bon Vivant and take a long vacation.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? Take life one day at a time, and look for the positive.
What do you think is the best thing about yourself? I'm an optimist.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be? I'm pretty satisfied with myself.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Opening Bon Vivant.
One last comment: I want to thank all my friends for their support these last few months. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB