Featured Beer Blogger: JASON ZEISLOFT

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: JASON ZEISLOFT

AUTHOR OF: A BEER IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE FRIDGE

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Jason Zeisloft
Twitter handle: JayZeis
Name of blog: A Beer in Hand is Worth Two in the Fridge
Current location: Baltimore, Maryland

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up on a farm outside of a small town in Pennsylvania.

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

Through high school, I played soccer, basketball and baseball. In college, I played varsity soccer for all four years.

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

Most people do not believe me, but I was 21 before I drank. I lived a life that was based around sports and when I wasn’t at practice or work, I was playing something for fun at the park.

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

Junior year of college, we would go down to the bar for cheap booze night, I would go and play pool with my roommates and other friends. My one buddy said that he would buy for the rest of the night if I wanted, so I had him grab me a Yuengling (central PA, that is what we drank). I tried almost every beer I could find, trying to find the beer that I would like the best.

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 Susquehanna University, a small private school in central PA.

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 brother went to college with me, and he would always go to the Selin’s Grove Brewpub. After I started drinking, we headed down to hang out. Their beer blew me away (compared to all the other stuff found in town, there was no comparison. Even years later, there is no comparison.) Ever since I started drinking, I have been crazy about finding the next beer, or my perfect beer. While I have found many that I absolutely love, I still want to find the next great beer.

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

Walking into Max’s Taphouse in Baltimore, I was blown away. I had never imagined the number of taps or beers that could be available. I soon found a good friend who loved beer, and our weekly ritual started. Last summer, I attended the Michigan Brewer’s Guild Summerfest with my brother. Many of the brewer’s there tried different things (like Jolly Pumpkin’s Weizen Bam with Hibiscus, or Walldorff’s Strawberry Rhubarb Cream ale). It helped me realize that there is no limit on what a brewer can do.

Beer Blog Background

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

I started my blog in March, 2009, almost to my 1 year anniversary.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I do PR for a living, and enjoy writing. I enjoy beer. Good combination.

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

The name of my blog was actually the reason I started it. One of my best friends and I were sitting at Max’s, and we were talking about the 500+ beers that they have in the fridge, so I looked at him and said, “This beer in my hand, so better than any two in the fridge.” (or something to that effect)

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

My goal of the blog is to come up with personal observations, write some helpful reviews, talk about events, and just give my person opinions. It is also great to connect with other bloggers to see what they like and what they feel about what I like.

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

Not much. Meeting the beer people from around the area is always fun, but it didn’t happen just because of the blog.

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

BEER IN BALTIMORE – I like Brad’s ideas, and that he keeps on top of what is going on in my area.
BEER ADVOCATE – I like to see what other people think about the beer I am drinking, even if I disagree with them. It also helps me to identify the flavors that I cannot describe (I don’t have the best palate.)

The next blog I find and any of the other 50+ blogs that I follow. I do read almost all of them. Lost in the Beer Aisle, So Yeah, Dood, The Beer Babe, Pencil and Spoon, The Beer Wench, Musings Over a Pint, etc.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Flemish Red (anything sour, really), Imperial IPA, and Belgian Dubbels

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Selin’s Grove Brewpub, Jolly Pumpkin (hopefully we can get it in Maryland at some point), and Troegs- Nugget Nectar is a great beer, and love their Scratch Series

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

I would love to work for Troegs- close to where I grew up, love their beer

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

Not yet, I am going to start brewing when we move out of the city. Soon I will be brewing an octoberfest with my brother (experienced homebrewer) for my wedding.

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

I don’t, something I look forward to doing though.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

It may not be the “correct” pairing, but when I had a Nugget Nectar and a Porterhouse steak, it was the greatest day ever (favorite beer, favorite food).

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I do Public Relations for a non-profit association. I do writing, graphic design, invoicing, event planning, print layout, video editing, etc.

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 would love to do Public Relations (Media Relations) for a professional sports team. It has been what I wanted to do, since I declared my major in college.

3. Are you married? Children?

Not married yet (October 2010), but we do have the cutest almost 2 year old Yellow Lab.
Outside of beer and writing, what are some of your other hobbies? I try to play soccer as much as possible. I am my Dodgeball team captain, and lead my team to a second place finish this past season. Any other sports are also a possibility. I play recreation softball and football.

Off The Beaten Path

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

I would be a pilsner. I may not be the most exotic, or special, but most people like me, and want me to stay around. And on the right day, I would be the perfect beer for the day.

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?

Yuengling Lager, It holds more memories for me that any other beer. (It is the beer that my friends and I drink, when we are drinking from noon to sleep. Those were some of the best times in my life, and I would want to remember that before my time expires.)

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

I would want to fly. Because flying would be awesome. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to fly?

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

Back when I was growing up, I was a skateboarder, had a halfpipe in the backyard and everything. I loved just skating on the road, getting from place to place. We (my brother and I) thought that it would be a good idea to go down a rather steep hill. When I saw him crash ahead of me, I knew I needed to get off the board. I found the side of the road was a nice hill with grass. It made my crash better. I would remember that crash for years as it was also our training hill in high school soccer.

5. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Bacon makes everything better (I always have bacon in my freezer, just in case).

SPECIAL THANKS TO JASON FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!