– Tara Hun-Dorris –

My mom is a huge tennis fan.

I know my co-blogger and son Gabriel would tell me that’s probably not the best opening for a hockey blog, but stick with me. Even at 81, my mom lives for all the tournaments but especially the Grand Slams. She knows all about the players, their style, their injuries. She is a fan in the best possible sense.

I took her to the US Open for her 65th birthday. While I was wandering about the grounds, I spotted frowny faced Jimmy Connors (the ex of my mom’s all-time tennis hero Chris Evert) signing autographs. So I queued up and got my mom his autograph. She was underwhelmed when I returned with chicken scratch on a piece of paper, and I found the experience dehumanizing. Connors didn’t smile or interact. Or even acknowledge my “thank you.” He just looked blank and faraway. I imagine even in the era before cell phone cameras being a celebrity was exhausting. But if you’re going to disengage while sitting at an autograph table marker in hand, just don’t bother!

That experience with Connors put me off of autographs, particularly from sports heroes. The exception being book signings, where I’ve found much more impressive people like Dorothy Allison, Jon Meacham, and Edwidge Danticat willing to talk, listen, share stories, give advice, and smile with genuine joy and engagement.

Since my hockey fanatic 14-year-old son Gabriel wasn’t with me and my friends are supportive of Canes Express and our ‘Canes as the home team but not truly hockey fans, I didn’t wait in line for a Jordan Martinook autograph at the September 10 Marty Party beer launch.

But maybe I should have.

Because Martinook might be worth it. Even my tennis-obsessed mom would enjoy this hockey hero.

Martinook is a man of the people. He was graciously, patiently interacting with fans of all ages, clearly enjoying himself. He appeared to be listening as much as he was talking. When he accidentally bumped my side as I walked from the bar back to my friends, he apologized. He seemed genuinely happy to be among his fans celebrating the launch of his new beer Marty Party by R&D Brewing – makers of Storm Brew.

The party, hosted by Bowstring Pizza and Brewery and R&D Brewing was a good time and family friendly for a beer launch (I would’ve brought Gabriel had I realized). There was beer, pizza, very good live music from BackBurner and Four Founders, yard games, ‘Canes raffle items (sadly, I didn’t win that #48 jersey!), and a dunk tank because Martinook seems to be a man of the people and a good sport off the ice.

The non-VIP $18 entrance fee was money well spent, and Marty Party brews were a reasonable $5.

The event was well attended but not overcrowded (we couldn’t get a table but had plenty of room to stand), the music was a great mix of covers and (surprisingly good!) originals, it was humid but not blazing hot, and the rain even held off. My only complaint is that they had the small area divided into VIP and regular for no real reason aside from ticket price. Martinook graciously mingled on both sides of the divider line (see pic below), and it just seemed a silly way to cordon people apart (and if I’d paid the extra $40 for “VIP” access, I probably would’ve been cranky about the set up).

But how does new brew Marty Party taste?

We’re all used to Storm Brew’s taste of American lager filtered through a well worn shoe. I don’t mean that in a bad way. When it was $5 at PNC, I was a fan. At $7.50 last season, I mostly just doubled down almost literally and bought a $14 glass of wine. So I was thrilled to attend the launch party of a second ‘Canes themed beer and enjoy a pint.

And the stuff isn’t bad.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Corona went wild down in Cabo and hooked up with Bud Light Lime? The answer I suspect is something close to Marty Party. It’s a super limey easy drinking lager. I would totally pay $5 for the stuff at PNC this season (although I have no reason to think it will be that generously priced). And kudos to our friends at R&D or whomever came up with the Stanely Cup shaped keg topper! I’d love to borrow that for my upcoming house party. But since I doubt that’ll happen, let’s just raise our glasses of Marty Party and toast Martinook, his teammates, and the upcoming season.

Go ‘Canes!