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!

INTTRODUCING: JEFF KUPKO

AUTHOR OF: KUPKO’S MIND. BOTTLED

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Jeff Kupko
Twitter handle: @jeffkupko
Name of blog: Kupko’s Mind. Bottled
Current location: Harrisburg, PA

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

I was born in Camp Hill, PA, which is a suburb of Harrisburg. Following college, I moved back into the area, but on the other side of the river (East Shore vs. West Shore rivalry).

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

I played, and still do, soccer since I was four. Other sports that I dabbled in were basketball, track, baseball, and wrestling.

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

I believe I was 16 when I tried and did not like it.

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

My first beer was trying a sip of my dad’s Old Milwaukee one night when we were eating crabs in our garage. That sip was enough for me to say that I was never going to drink beer again as I hated the taste. Well, it turned out that I was wrong on that exclamation.

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 graduated from the University of Pittsburgh as a civil engineering major. While there, I was very active as a Pitt Pathfinder giving tours around campus. I also made Homecoming Court as a senior.

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:

I always drank Yuengling due to its availability in Pennsylvania, and even though it is somewhat considered craft, I wouldn’t recognize that as my epiphany. I would have to say it would come in the form of trying my local Troegs brews, especially Mad Elf during the holidays. I recall walking into a local bar and reading that this beer had honey and cherries in it. I don’t recall much of the rest of the evening as I was not prepared for an 11% alcohol bomb.

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

Well, it took some time, but I finally came around to sours. I believe this is a form on palate evolution, but I am in love with sours now. It all happened when I gave some of the Jackie O’s sour beers a try while sharing with some friends, and I was amazed at how much I loved them. Now my wallet will never forgive me for my new love.

Beer Blog Background

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

I started my blog in January of 2009. It started as a way for me to put my thoughts down somewhere, but within months it turned into a cataloging of my craft beer experiences and tastings.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I wanted to improve my English skills, especially since I was an engineer. I found that I was much more willing to write about something that I enjoyed, and I was able to drink!

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

The name of my blog is inspired from the movie Blades of Glory, where the quote goes as follows:

Chazz: Mind-bottling, isn’t it?
Jimmy: Did you just say mind-bottling?
Chazz: Yeah, mind-bottling. You know, when things are so crazy it gets your thoughts all trapped, like in a bottle?

I took it as a way to get my thoughts out of my mind, but then it evolved into writing about beer. The bottled part took a whole new meaning at this point.

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

I hope to continue reviewing and cataloging my beer experiences. I enjoy writing about beer and, even more so, drinking beer. In the long turn, I would hope it would present me with an opportunity to get paid to write about beer or beer events on a part-time basis.

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

The coolest thing that is a result of being a beer blogger is meeting beer people. I constantly am meeting new people that are excited and passionate about the beverages that they love, and that is what makes this community great. Nothing can compare to the opportunities of meeting beer people at events such as Great American Beer Fest or Extreme Beer Fest.

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

1. Hoptopia
2. Beer News
3. Drink With the Wench (not a suck up move)

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

1. Double IPA
2. Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout
3. Kolsch

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

1. Troegs
2. Stone
3. Dogfish Head

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

I would like to work for the new Pizza Boy Brewing (@pizzaboybrewing) as the owner Al is just starting off his new project. It would be great to follow a brewery from inception to reception in the market place. Al knows his beers and has been running his pizza shop very well for many years, and is my go-to location for beer. Furthermore, he has enlisted for McKenzie’s brewer Scott Morrison, who has made amazing beers in the past.

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

I have not yet begun to homebrew, but I am aiming for beginning to brew this winter.

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

No.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

For me, you cannot go wrong with buffalo wings and a hoppy pale ale.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I am currently a Professional Traffic Engineer employed in the Harrisburg area.

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 own a bottle shop in Pennsylvania with a limited number of taps and a fresh and local deli sandwich offering. I’ve considered starting it several times, but have not pulled the trigger yet.

3. Are you married? Children?

I am not married, nor do I have children, but I recently became engaged to my lovely fiancée Janine.

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

Are there other hobbies besides beer? I do run a lot and play soccer, mostly to burn the calories of my beer intake.

Off The Beaten Path

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

I would be a Kolsch because I am neat and clear, and if I had any impurities in me, you would be able to tell right away as they can’t be hidden.

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?

Russian River Redemption… here’s hoping.

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 choose a Russian Imperial Stout, seeing as it is well regarded and flavorful. I would add Jalapenos to give it edginess and use wet hops to make you aware of its fresh style.

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

I would be Batman (already am- ask the barcode tattoo) and I would use the Bat Cave as one hell of a beer cellar using Bruce Wayne’s money.

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

Well, I frankly don’t remember the story, but it was told to me after the fact. During spring break of senior year, I played a game of asshole with grain alcohol and Gatorade. Needless to say, I blacked out, but my friends didn’t want to leave me in the room when they went clubbing. They tried to throw me in the shower to sober me up, but I gave them a funny grin, brushed away the hands holding me up, said “too many hands,” and took off sprinting through the hotel. I learned about moderation that day.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Bacon is heaven. However, my fiancée does not eat pork, and I pretty much refuse to eat turkey bacon, so we have discovered something wonderful: beef bacon. I highly recommend trying it, as it is just as good as pork bacon in my opinion. I’m just here, spreading the gospel of beef bacon.

SPECIAL THANKS TO JEFF FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!