If you love good beer, homebrewing is definitely worth the effort. The initial costs aren't THAT much($100), and the cost of actually making the beer is comparable or less expensive than buying good beer.(about $50 per 5 gallon batch, which is equivalent of 2 cases) In general, the homebrew community is welcoming, friendly, and always encourages new brewers. And there's an answer to pretty much every problem out there on the internet, or at your local brew store or homebrew club.

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier, one of my favorite beers ever, is from Bamberg, and is probably the "smoked ham" beer you speak of, though I just think it tastes like liquid campfire. Jealous you can get it straight from a tap.

"How well can an angry dwarf carrying a shield and a hammer sneak past a sleeping boar? Answer: Not very." But it wasn't the dwarf who woke up the boar, now was it, Mr. "IT SMELLS LIKE DWARF SHIT"? Great series, as always. You guys have an awesome group, and I loved seeing more role playing this time around. "No. Jim votes no." (after hearing about the possible loot) "Jim votes yes." Oh, and is there a law that says you can't have math skills if you have art skills? Gabe and Scott are HORRID at math. :)