Beer Blogger Interview

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!

INTRODUCING: DALE MISKIMINS

AUTHOR OF: SODAK BEER

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Dale Miskimins
Twitter handle: sodakbeer; drhobo11
Name of blog: SODAKBEER
Current location: Medary Creek Farms, Elkton, SD

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Kimball & Mitchell, SD

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

Little league baseball. I played some other sports through Jr. High including football and wrestling. I am a klutz and was never very good. I played trombone in the band through high school. I played some intramural volleyball in college and beerball at class parties in vet school.

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

My Dad would give me sips from his Hamm’s beer at family cook-outs.

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 probably had my first beers during the State Basketball tournament during my junior year in high school. My buddies and I stayed with an aunt in Sioux Falls. It was probably Schlitz – a typical fizzy American lager.

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 attended the University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, one semester with a chemical engineering major. Next I transferred to South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, for my pre-veterinary studies. I didn’t play sports, but was a regular patron at Horatio’s (Hort’s) bar! Buckhorn, an especially nasty lager beer, was the cheapest drink of choice at that time.

After two years I was accepted at Iowa State University, Ames, IA, where I spent the next four years completing my veterinary degree. This is where I played some intramural volleyball. Breaks from class were often spent at That Place, a local watering spot with peanuts to help to soak up the beer. I was a member of Omega Tau Sigma, a veterinary fraternity (there were some good parties with live bands during those years). I returned to ISU after 3 1/2 years of mixed animal practice to earn a Masters degree in veterinary pathology.

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:

My first pint of Pliny the Elder at the Falling Rock Tap Room, Denver, CO, during the 2008 GABF. The combination of hops really impressed me, and this is still my favorite.

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

I enjoy the ongoing search for new and interesting beers. A few other beers that have impressed me include Furious, Gordon, Arrogant Bastard, St. Bernardus Abt 12, and Fresh Hop.

Beer Blog Background

1. How long have you been writing your beer blog?

Since January 2010 – I am a newbie!

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I have been reading other beer blogs for a couple years and decided to try my hand at doing one. It has been a challenge getting started. I hope to publish my thoughts on beer from a northern great plains perspective.

3. Why did you chose the name of your blog?

Sodak is an abbreviation for South Dakota. Most of the “SD” combinations are already associated with San Diego.

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

I want to share information about craft beer with others and learn more about beer myself. I want to have fun. I also want to learn more about publishing and blogging. I’m not a good writer, so this effort will hopefully help!

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

Appearing on episode 46 of the Hop Cast! I have enjoyed meeting other beer fans through Twitter. This interview is also at the top of the list!

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

The Hop Cast, Drink with the Wench, and TwoBeerQueers. I have enjoyed the Wench’s interview series and have been following some of the other bloggers that have been featured.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

IPA, Hoppy Amber, and Imperial Russian Stout.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Surly, Three Floyds, and Oskar Blues.

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

Dogfish Head because they make good and interesting beers. I met Sam last summer at the Great Taste of the Midwest, Madison, WI, in the Three Floyds booth. I was wearing a Dogfish Head t-shirt and he was working at the booth. He called out “nice shirt”. I then realized it was Sam Calagione! We shook hands and it was the highlight of the day.

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

I have made a couple batches with malt extract. They weren’t anything outstanding, but were certainly drinkable. I plan to get together with some local homebrewers to learn how to brew with grain. I started growing hops last year and plan to add some more this season.

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

Not yet, but I am reading “Tasting Beer” by Randy Mosher in preparation for the Cicerone Server test.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Sierra Nevada Torpedo and pizza.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Veterinary pathologist at the Animal Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, and cattle rancher.

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?

After I win a record Powerball jackpot, I would retire, build a brewpub and travel.

3. Are you married? Children?

Married to Sue – 20 years this spring. Three grown kids (three grandchildren so far!). Three dogs – the newest is a chocolate Labrador Retriever puppy, Bully (partly named for Bully O’Sullivan of TBQ).

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

Hunting, farming, gardening, reading and listening to music.

Off The Beaten Path

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

I would be an IPA because they can be complex and they can be a steady, everyday beer choice (think Two Hearted Ale from Bells). I never tire of them.

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?

I would have a bomber of Pliny the Elder because it was my first craft beer epiphany and it is still my favorite. It would be a fitting last beer.

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?

I would make a Rye Pale Ale with some of my home grown hops. It would have a rich citrusy hop aroma and a nice malt balance. Rye malt would give it a spicy finish – just like the Wench!

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

I would want to be like Superman. He has super strength and can fly. I would wear a special suit made out of craft beer stickers and coasters to shield me from kryptonite.

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

I ate raw mountain oysters at a college kegger once.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I love lots of bacon on BLTs when there are fresh homegrown garden tomatoes. It is one of the end of summer highlights each year. Add a good IPA and I am happy!

SPECIAL THANKS TO DALE FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!