CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 23 Mike Ramos realized the next step in his passion for beer was to make his own, so he did research online and found a home brewing kit. I f anyone asks me what's the best musical instrument, I say the violin. No other can draw such a range of emotions from the human heart. I always wanted to play the violin. So, roughly 10 years ago, I ignored everyone who told me I was too old to begin learning how to play one and shut myself up in a room with a violin my father gave me. Aer about 10 minutes of sawing the bow across the strings like a lumberjack, I turned to see my young daughter staring up at me with her big brown eyes. She was grinning from ear to ear. "Sounds like cats in a blender," she said. She was right. at's exactly what it sounded like. She had apparently inherited my knack for descriptive and cogent vocabulary. But I didn't give up. My pursuit to become better and my passion for the instrument, along with a healthy dose of possibly misplaced confidence, helped me pull a sweet sound from the violin. Eventually, I was invited to a few gigs and performed before audiences. ere were days I wanted to throw my violin in the dump, but perseverance paid off. Pursuing what we're passionate about is not about obtaining perfection; it's about the pursuit. Chasing a dream is a big part of being human and what makes us — well, us. I encourage everyone to pursue their heart's passion this year. If I can learn how to play the violin at age 41, then anyone can do anything. Mike Ramos, craft beer connoisseur Mike Ramos was born in Puerto Rico, but for the past 14 years, the 41-year-old Air Force veteran has called Fayetteville home. Ramos is passionate about trying new cra beers. Nine years ago, he was standing in line at a popular brewery and burger place in Durham and decided to try the porter. "You've really been liking those dark beers," his wife said. "I hadn't noticed, but my taste in beer had begun to change," says Ramos. "It was exciting to try new beer and to know what kind of flavors you can explore, knowing you're going to taste a hint of chocolate or coffee or coconut or vanilla or molasses," says Ramos. "You can even taste how clean the water is in a beer." Ramos soon needed another refrigerator to hold the variety of beers he enjoyed exploring, so he purchased a separate fridge for his hobby. "With a family of six, real estate in the fridge becomes valuable," he says with a chuckle. Ramos enjoys frequenting several places "I think pursuing your passion, no matter what it is, is an important part of who you are. If you don't pursue your passion, it's an unfinished life." – Mike Ramos in Fayetteville to supply his hobby. But he has become a regular at Grapes & Hops on Ramsey Street, a shop that specializes in premier beer, wine, and cigars. "ey're very friendly and knowledgeable about their beer. I'll walk in and say, 'Whatcha got?' and most of the time they have tried the beer and give me hints on

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