Welcome to Bill's Beer Wall! I'm Bill Wolski, an avid drinker, collector, and reviewer of beer, that sweet nectar that man learned how to make over two thousand years ago, and is still perfecting. As is the case with the evolution of things like art and literature, the influences of time, geography, and culture can be felt in the wide varieties of beer that are available today, some of which trace their roots back to the earliest and most primitive of recipes. Though the world of wine continues to dominate the palate of the connoisseur when it comes to the idea of sophistication, value and collectability, beer has staked a solid claim for itself in the way of small American craft brewing companies in recent decades, and the enthusiasm with which their creations are consumed by everyday folk. These people are to whom this blog is dedicated: common, ordinary men and women without pretense or deep pockets, who thirst for the knowledge of knowing where they can get great beer.

I grew up in North Royalton, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. I've been a beer drinker since 1996, when I turned 18 and went to college. Early on, I yearned for something with more flavor than the yellowy, mass-produced stuff that was made with rice. In 1998, I was employed as a grocery bagger in an upscale store in Akron called West Point Market. They boasted a wine selection of over 10,000 varieties, and 4 wine experts who wanted nothing to do with the dreck lurking in the beer aisle. When I was asked to stock the shelves, I remember being approached by a customer who asked me for a recommendation. In order to further my knowledge in the field, I began buying different kinds of beer and taking them home to sample. I've been an afficionado ever since.

My father is an avid beer drinker like me. Growing up in his house, whenever he brought home a bottle that he found unusual or unique in some way, he'd put it on top of his kitchen cabinets for display. As I began expanding my tastes, I began doing the same thing, only I included a bottle of every different beer I tried. The tops of my cabinets filled up quickly. By 2002, the beer wall broke the century mark. Soon after, I was no longer using my cabinets as shelves. At the time of this writing, I own over 300 unique beer bottles, and, of course, my collection continues to grow. Over the course of the coming months, I'll be uploading pictures of the multitude of beers I've enjoyed over the years, as well as the fond memories that accompany them.

Na Zdrowie -- that's Polish for Cheers,

Bill