Featured Beer Blogger: BRAD CHMIELEWSKI

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

Curious what goes on in the minds of your favorite beer bloggers? Well, The Beer Wench is and she has embarked upon a mission to interview as many beer bloggers that she can — from all over the world. Are you a beer blogger? Do you want to share your story? Send me an email!

Welcome to the second of two beer blogger interview series editions featuring the brilliant (and adorable) minds behind one of the hottest internet beer-themed video podcasts: Hop Cast.

The format of the show involves Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder reviewing two beers from a specific state, brewery or style. Viewers also get tidbits of information about the brewing process, ingredients, packaging. Many episodes feature a guest who brings on their favorite beer to share with the hosts.

INTRODUCING: BRAD CHMIELEWSKI

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Brad Chmielewski
Internet nickname: beerad / digitalhitchhiker
Twitter handle: @beerad
Name of blog: Hop Cast
Current location: Chicago

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Grew up in Warrenville, IL which is about 40 minutes west of Chicago.

2. What sports if any did you play growing up, through college and beyond?

Just skateboarded, Columbia College Chicago didn’t have any organized sports teams.

3. How old were you when you had your first beer?

I must of been 17 or 18, guess it wasn’t that long ago but feels a lot longer then that.

4. If you can recall, what is the story of your first beer? Where did you have it? What style and brand was it?

I’m sure it was whatever the cheapest thing the person I knew at the time could get there hands on.

5. Where, if applicable, did you go to college? What did you study? What additional activities, organizations, sports did you partake in during college?

I went to Columbia College Chicago, I studied television post production.

Craft Beer Epiphany

Every craft beer enthusiast has at least one pinnacle craft beer experience that completely changes ones perspective on beer. I refer to this mind-blowing moment as a “craft beer epiphany.”

1. What was your first craft beer epiphany? Recall as many details about it as you can:

Getting exposed to what Goose Island had to offer, it kinda opened my eyes to what beer could be.

2. Have you have additional craft beer epiphanies since the first? Detail as many of them as you wish:

The first time I had Portland’s Hair Of The Dog, Fred and Adam blew me away. Just about every time I have a beer from Hair of Dog I am blown away, Alan is a magician.

Beer Blog Background

1. How long have you been working on Hop Cast?

Ken and I have been doing the Hop Cast since, August 8th 2008.

2. What inspired you to create Hop Cast?

I had a previous video podcast called ChiHookah and that sort of faded away and I knew I wanted to do another video podcast at some point. Ken and I found ourselves drinking a lot of amazing craft beers together and we wanted an outlet to share. At the time we knew of only a few beer bloggers, we didn’t realize what a large community it is.

3. Why did you chose the name Hop Cast?

Love hops!

4. What are you personal goals for your blog? What do you hope to achieve with it?

There was never a real goal, it’s something both Ken and I have a great time doing. If we are able to make some money to at least off set beer costs, we wouldn’t mind that. We really just enjoy meeting all the great beer people.

5. What is one of the coolest things that happened to you as a result of being a beer blogger?

One of the highlights was when Shaun O’Sullivan was in town and he showed up with a growler of Monk’s Blood to share. This was a rare treat especially since this was a beer that you currently can not get in Chicago.

6. What are you top 3 favorite beer blogs/beer websites?

I try and keep up with as much of the craft beer happens as I can so BEER NEWS dot ORG and BRUISIN ALES are really great for that. And can’t forget Drink With The Wench.

I also love checking out what’s happening with some of the home brewers like HOPFRENTREADER and FRESH BREW LOG

If I have the time and I’m someplace where I can sit back and listen or watch I try and check out TWO BEER QUEERS, NEW BREW THURSDAY, and BEER GENOME

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Double IPA, Barleywines, Plisners.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Hair Of The Dog, Three Floyds, & Surly

3. If you could work with or for any one brewery, which one would it be and why?

Hair Of The Dog and it’s not just because all of their beers rock. It would be great to live in Portland, I love to vibe out there and the coffee and beer selection is rarely beat.

4. Are you a homebrewer? If yes, what is the most unique and interesting beer recipes you’ve brewed as a homebrewer?

No, have brewered with Ken once and that was a Hop Cast episode.

5. Do you have any beer certifications (BJCP, Cicerone, Siebel, American Brewers Guild)?? If so, what are they?

Thinking about getting something, still kinda planning that out.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

A good stout and vanilla bean ice cream.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Motion Designer for Daily Planet ltd

2. If you could change your career at this very moment, without any restrictions on what you could do, what would you want to do and why?

I really love motion graphics, I am really happy with what I’m doing right now. But I know it’s something that I can’t do for the rest of my life. If I had the money I’d love to be a travel blogger, going around the world sampling beer, coffee and experiencing different cultures and telling everyone about it.

Spring Show Reel – 2009 from Brad Chmielewski on Vimeo.

3. Are you married? Children?

I have been engaged to Maeve Price for a few years now.

4. Outside of beer and writing, what are some of your other hobbies?

Anything to do with design, also dig photography and all things food related.

Off The Beaten Path

1. If you were a style of beer, what style would be an why?

Lots of layers here so something barrel aged and high in alcohol

2. You were caught smuggling beer illegally, which has now been made punishable by death. Right before you are sent to the executioner, you are offered one last beer. What beer would you chose and why?

Three Floyd’s Gumballhead. It’s good, it’s light and brings back great summer memories.

3. If I contracted you to brew a beer (or design a beer recipe) called “The Beer Wench” — what style would you chose and what, if any, extra ingredients would you add?

Belgium Strong Ale

4. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

Flash style speed

5. What is one of the craziest things you have ever done and lived to tell the story?

No comment

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Are there any other thoughts besides it being amazing?

SPECIAL THANKS TO BRAD FOR HIS ENTERTAINING PODCASTS AND GREAT INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!