Some of the beer-based blogs I read have been participating in asking head brewers what four people they would like to sit down and have dinner with – past or present, living or deceased.  I figured I’d bite and give my list (The General from my blog also suggested this topic).  While there are living people that I would like to have a dinner conversation with, I decided to only include deceased people from the past 200 years since this is a fantasy list anyway.

Hunter S Thompson – My all time favorite writer.  I channel his energy when writing.  The creator of “gonzo” journalism, his tales of life experiences, mixed in with the lunacy of having his senses altered with whatever illicit drugs he could get his hands on made for extremely entertaining writing.  I’d like to get his take on how he dealt with living in the Aspen area (albeit in a very remote area away from the city) when it transformed from a podunk rural western town to a plastic confection of the uber-rich, ultra elite and all the stores that followed in order to cater to that stratosphere of people.  He hinted at his derision of those people in some of his books but I’d like to get 4 or 5 gin and tonics in him, present that topic and then watch the verbal fireworks.

Winston Churchill – I’d like to get his thoughts on how he felt when an enemy was invading his country.  The man was a virtual quote machine and I doubt he’d be at a loss for words at any point during dinner.  I’d also like to see who would win in a drinking battle with him and Hunter S Thompson.

Mark Twain – He was my favorite writer until I discovered the drug-soaked screeds and biting political analysis of Hunter.  Twain was one of our country’s best satirists and humorists.  He, too, was a quote machine and I’d like to pick his brain on a range of subjects but none moreso than his rankings of U.S. Presidents of his time.  I'm sure he'd have a few choice words about the leaders in charge back then.

My last pick might surprise some.  He’s not a hero of mine but I think he would be a perfect addition to the conversation due to his comedic sense and he’d also bring some levity to the table if Churchill winds up being an angry drunk.  Phil Hartman was one of the unsung stars on Saturday Night Live.  His range of impressions that he mastered was nothing short of comedic genius.  Like a lot of SNL alums, he died way too early when his coke-addled wife killed them both in a tragic murder-suicide.  At my dinner party, Phil would be the perfect person to chime in during any prolonged lulls in conversation.

I reserve the right to change this list at any point.  The only person who would for sure be invited to any and every dinner party would be Hunter S Thompson.