SOLVED. YA - magic -- grandpa teaches boy about magic through imagination and concentration. [s]

[Rich helvey]

I read this book about 30 years ago. A boy is introduced to magic by his grandfather who brings some barrels of cider (ale? beer?) from Revolutionary era New England into the present day. He teaches the boy how to do magic by learning to focus and concentrate on something - in the boy's case it was a brick from his fireplace. He has to be able to see and feel every last little detail of that brick in his mind.

That's all I remember. Thanks,
-Rich

[Tab]

Sounds like The Magic Grandfather

[Rich helvey]

Yup. That's it. I didn't even think the name would be so - I dunno... lacking imagination?

Thanks for the find.