This was the most fun I've had listening in a while. Not only did Mazen have lots of unique and interesting beer/brewing info, but he also helped cleanse the palette of my world perspective by showing me how distorted my perception of Lebanon was. I like to think of myself as well-read and aware, but I realized during the interview that everything I know about Lebanon was learned 22 years ago in a 5th grade social studies class.
The picture that Mr. Hajjar painted of Muslims, Christians, and "pretty-much atheists" all identifying themselves as "Lebanese first" could be held up as a rubric to which the people in my local community ought to aspire. There is so much tension in central MN between a largely Muslim immigrant population and a largely evangelical Christian community that I rarely look through a local newspaper without reading an account of violence committed by one side against the other.
I know it was a joke question, and I laughed when I heard it, but when asked "who drinks more, the Christian or the Muslims?" Mr Hajjar dismissed the question. Not because he was offended, or a prude. It just wasn't answerable. Before they allow any doctrine or establishment divide them, they are united as Lebanese.
I know it's early, but this guy has my vote for guest of the year. He removed one of my blind spots. And he inspired me to brew beer that features ingredients unique to my region. And he was funny.
And God bless Evil Sam.....
