| |  From a Master Brewer, a Master Beer, August 25, 2010This review is from: The Last Bartender (Paperback) With
"The Last Bartender," from Anthony F. Lewis comes this master tale. Set
in the not too distant dystopia, "The Last Bartender" chronicles the
exploits of Justin Gardiner, a sharp shooting bartender turned brew
meister.
Justin,
bar owner Sam, and local guitar hero Larry, have all been put out of a
job as new federal regulations have shut down their Flushing, Queens
establishment. When Justin has a house party fueled with homebrewed
beer, local goombah Johnny V. becomes very interested in wort Justin
has been cooking up since he put his claim in for an unemployment
check. And so Justin, Sam, and Larry begin their entry into the market
for beer despite its being outside the legal paradigm.
From
the get-go, their brewing operation is a success, and expansion efforts
have quickly tapped out all the available space in Justin's home.
During a keg party at the American Legion hall, Justin hears of an
abandoned upstate resort that is going to be auctioned off at a tax
sale. With Johnny V.'s underworld connections, further rapid expansion
of the brewing business is quickly realized.
Johnny,
Sam, and Larry quickly set up the available brewing equipment in the
kitchen of the resort. Since the Sherriff of the local county was
involved in the sale, Sam invites the local blue light gang to enjoy
some libations. All decide that it should be a regular weekend thing,
and the resort becomes a cops only speak-easy.
Things quickly
spiral out of control, with a maelstrom of cops, mafioso, and snipers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, with its spirit of adventure,
rebellion, and mafia figures. "The Last Bartender" has a few enjoyable
tangents which tie together very nicely at the climax of the book.
Unlike the beer of the same name, "The Last Bartender" truly is a
Meister Brau, and its author is a master craftsman. |
