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: JENNIE CHEN

AUTHOR OF: MISOHUNGRY MAKES IT WITH MOONSHINE

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Jennie Y. Chen, not to be confused with the other 5,000 Jennie Chens out there.
Internet nickname (if applicable):PookieSoup or MisoHungry
Twitter handle: @MisoHungry, @AustinDogFrndly, @ATXDriveClean
Name of blog: MisoHungry Makes it with Moonshine
Current location: Austin, TX

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Port Lavaca, TX (Port of the Cow)

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

Formally, cross country through high school. Informally, skating. Does Crossfit count as a sport? It’s more like self-inflicted pain.

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

20, I was at an Human Behavior and Evolutionary Society Conference in 2002. I had just finished my first talk to the research community.

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

More to question three: I’m sure it was some nasty generic beer, though I’m not sure which. I was hanging out with some British colleagues who were drinking like fish, and the beer was so bad I couldn’t stomach it.

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 the University of Texas at Austin majoring in psychology. I’m currently in the social psychology doctorate program (though my research field is behavioral neuroendocrinology) at Texas A&M University in College Station. I finished my Master’s in 2005, still working on my doctorate.

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 gateway beer was Yuengling. I was at another Human Behavior and Evolution Society conference in Philly in June of 2006. A colleague insisted that I have a Yuengling even though I refused. Only beer I had before was that nasty stuff in 2002.

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

Yes, 512 Pecan Porter and Sam Adam’s Utopia. DogFish Head Midas Touch and Brooklyn Cuvee de Cardoz really made me think about flavor combinations.

Beer Blog Background

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

I started a cooking with booze website 3 years ago. It morphed into a blog about 10 months ago.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

People would ask me about my recipes, so much so that it was just easier to email them a link to the recipe. Things kind of morphed from there.

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

Misohungry is a phrase that my sister and I have been using for almost five years. It kind of stuck. My other nickname for the longest time is “PookieSoup” after my late pet turtle. Her name was Pookie.

4. What are you personal goals for your blog?

What do you hope to achieve with it? My personal goals for the blog is to have fun, let myself experiment with flavors, meet really awesome people, and to inspire others to create and enjoy food as much as I do.

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

Um….. what hasn’t been cool? Great American Beer Fest! Beer pairing dinners. The people. I can’t think of one single coolest thing.

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

Drink with the Wench of course!

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Hefe, Porters, and Belgium Golden Ales

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Live Oak (Austin), 512 (Austin), Yuengling (Tampa).

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

I actually wouldn’t want to work for a brewery. I don’t mix work and play. I’d love to work with a brewery, but not for a brewery.

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

Nope.

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

Nope.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Just one? Oh man…… this is difficult. Chimay Grand Reserve and Grilled Quail. 512 Bruin with a juicy medium cheeseburger and caramelized onions. 512 One with spicy sweet potato fries. DogFish Head Midas Touch with whatever Restaurant Jezebel is going to serve. Restaurant Jezebel’s creativity with spices is perfectly executed and fantastic with unique and beers with depth of flavor.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I’m a grad student in behavioral neuroendocrinology, the director of support services at a consulting firm, adjunct professor at a local college, and I do some content writing.

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?

Hm… that’s tough. I really like what I do now. However, multiplying my income by 10000 would make me even more happy. I’d like the money to use towards my research.

3. Are you married? Children?

Nope. My children have 4 legs each, and they are really hairy. Woof Woof.

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

Skating, dog training, dog judging, dog handling, baking, cooking, eating, crossfitting, and hypermiling.

Off The Beaten Path

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

Lambic Framboise. I like berries. Mmmm…. Raspberries…

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?

Sam Adam’s Utopias, because I want to be very wasted when I’m put to death.

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?

Curry, cuz you’re spicy!

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

Teleport. I need to be in 10000 places in a short amount of time. Plus, it’ll save on airfare.

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

I’m pleading the 5th on this question.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Get it in my belly!

SPECIAL THANKS TO JENNIE CHEN FOR AN AMAZING INTERVIEW!

(AND FYI — HER RECIPES ARE TRULY AMAZING! CHECK OUT HER SITE!)

CHEERS!

Today I was extremely excited, humbled and honored to learn that one of my favorite craft brewers in the country, Todd Parker, released a new beer inspired by … well, The Beer Wench (aka me!).

The beer was inspired by a Featured Beer Tweeter interview that Todd did with me back in December. One of my questions in the interview was:

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?

Todd responded:

It would be a Belgian IPA with Brett to dry it out, it would be spicy, yet fruity, with tons of flavor. It would ring in at 7.5%, and everyone would wonder what else is in there (because I will have accented the beer with other spices like black, white and red pepper, cardamom, and coriander).

The actual beer brewed was slightly different from the original idea.

The Beer Wench

(brewed by: Todd Parker of Copper Canyon Brewing Co.)

This beer came about from an interview I did with a Beer Blogger who writes under the name The Beer Wench (and tweets under it too). Like her, this beer is blonde, spicy, and a little bitter (actually this beer is a lot bitter). This is a newer style of beer called a Belgian IPA. This style came about when a Belgian brewer decided to try to replicate American IPA’s. These beers are very one dimensional- Hoppy! There are hints from the Belgian yeast as a spicy component. This beer although lighter bodied, rings in at 8% abv.

The interview can be found HERE.

Food Pairings: this beer goes well with spicy dishes.

Similar Beers: La Chouffe’s Houblon, Flying Dog’s Raging Bitch

I really enjoy the fact that a beer similar to The Beer Wench is Raging Bitch. What does that say about me? Well, I’ll let you be the judge of that!

Big thanks to Todd for making my day … and quite possibly my year!

CHEERS!

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: CHAD POLENZ

AUTHOR OF: CHAD’Z BEER REVIEWS

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Chad Polenz
Twitter handle: Chad9976
Name of blog: Chad’z Beer Reviews

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Schenectady, NY

2. What sports if any did you play growing up, through college and beyond? what does this have to do with beer?

How old were you when you had your first beer? can’t remember exactly. I know I would ask my dad for a taste of beer when i was a kid but I never liked it.

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

Oh, this is a long story. Although on the heels of the last question: I never really liked beer until I was into my mid 20s. Even as an underage youth at parties or whatever I’d drink half a Coors Light and get sick of it.

4. 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 SUNY Morrisville 1996-97 and got an associate’s in journalism. In 2001 I enlisted in the navy and did 6 1/2 years active duty. In 2008 I went back to school full time at the University at Albany and got my bachelor’s in English. I am currently working on my THIRD degree in networking through ITT Tech.

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 don’t think there was ever a specific moment or ephinany. Like I said, I never liked beer because my only exposure was to crap with the word “light” or “ice” in the name. After I turned 21 and went to bars with my friends I’d always try to find the least worst beer they had and for a while I thought Guinness was awesome. After I joined the Navy and I was able to go see other countries on the other side of the planet I’d try their beers and be like “wow! this tastes way better than the stuff I’m used to!” When I got home I hit up the Navy Exchange “Package Store” which had a pretty decent selection and I’d make it my goal to try a new beer (especially one I’d never even heard of) every time I went. For a while I was convinced Sam Adams, Saranac and Magic Hat were the best beers on the market (and considering that I bought them at a market I guess I was right).

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

After I got out of the Navy and moved back to NY I was delighted to find that there was a beer store only a few miles from my house that carried over 1200 beers from around the world AND they would let you mix your own six pack! I befriended all the guys that worked there and they would give me advice on what to buy and what to avoid. Thanks to Westmere Beverage Brew Crew I was able to discover Dogfish Head, Stone, Rogue, Southern Tier, Brooklyn, Unibroue, and a ton of Belgian beers.

Beer Blog Background

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

Well my “blog” is pretty new. I’d been writing reviews of various things (mostly movies) for epinions.com since 1999. In May of 2008 I just kind of got a hair up my ass one day to give beer-reviewing a shot since I was becoming such a fan of craft beer I thought I’d write about it to “spread the word.” In October of 2008 I got another hair up my ass to start doing video reviews on YouTube and was pleased to discover there were a few other beer vloggers on there as well. It didn’t occur to me to put all my text reviews and video reviews in one place at ChadzBeerReviews.com until 2010.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

Well, I’m a writer by nature and I’m a very opinionated person too. I actually made a living as a film critic before I joined the Navy but after I joined I didn’t have the time or opportunity to do movie reviews anymore. Plus I was getting sick of movies but I knew I wanted to review SOMETHING and since I was discovering craft beer at the time I thought I could write about that.

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

Because I’m not a very creative person at all. “Chad’z” is a nickname I’ve had since high school and even when i was doing my movie reviews back in the 1990s my movie-review web site was called “Chad’z Movie Reviews.” LOL

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

Well, my YouTube page has been growing expotientially over the last six months or so – I’m not entirely sure why. I guess people like my videos the best. And honestly I do want to make “partner” on youtube and I think I’m coming pretty close to doing that. I’m thinking once I hit 500 beer reviews I might be able to shop them around to publishers for some kind of a book/dvd combo of my video reviews.

I mean, my basic goal of blogging and vlogging is to get the word of craft beer out there but if I can make a few bucks in the process (or basically break-even after my expenses) that would be pretty cool. In a perfect world I would be the next Michael Jackson – a guy who gets paid to drink and review beer but I doubt that will happen.

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

Being able to meet a lot of cool people both on the internet and in person. I’ve traveled quite a few times to meet and review beers with other beer vloggers. I also got to not only meet, but HIRE internet superstar (or at least I consider him one) Brentalfloss (best known for his 8-bit video games “with lyrics” videos). There are still many other beer vloggers and bloggers out there I would love to meet but I don’t always have the time or the money to travel to see them.

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

Oiy, there are so many to choose from it’s hard to narrow it down to my top 3!

My #1 would be my friend Jay (aka Jays Beer Reviews) since he is the one that twisted my arm to go to Brew Crew and get into REAL craft beer and showed me how the supermarket stuff I liked, while better than Bud, Miller and Coors, was really just yuppie drink. He does very informative AND entertaining video beer reviews.

#2 would probably be Gary & Melissa “Imasofat”. They are a husband & wife duo that are craft beer loves but don’t consider themselves critics or connoisseurs or whatever. But they make really funny videos AND they’re able to effectively and accurately describe and review their beer in the process. I met them once and they are awesome!

For #3 it would be about a 20-way tie for my favorite blogger so let’s just say Beer Advocate because it’s such a great resource for beer lovers.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

India Pale Ale; Pumpkin Beers; Chocolate Stouts

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Southern Tier, Rogue, Dogfish Head

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

Any of the good ones!

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

No. I dont really have the space in my apartment for the equipment or the time to do it.

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

I’m currently in the process of applying for a few of these. Not sure how long it takes or what it entails.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Not really big into food pairing because I’m not a foodie. I do like a really hoppy IPA with something spicy or pumpkin ale with pumpkin pie.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Full-time student. Part-time Navy reservist.

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?

Own my own beer store (or a chain of them!)

3. Are you married? Children?

nope, nope

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

I collect (well, READ, really) Batman comic books. I have too many to count. I also collect Beastie Boys merch (bootlegs, rare international releases, vinyl, etc). I like sports a lot too, especially football, hockey and baseball.

Off The Beaten Path

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

No idea

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?

Probably Southern Tier’s Choklat – it’s super tasty and at 11% ABV it would give you a nice healthy buzz.

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 think Middle Ages already brews that beer.

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

See my answer to the “hobbies” question – LOL!

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

Fighting in the second Gulf War.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I save it for special occassions.

SPECIAL THANKS TO CHAD FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

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: TAYLOR

AUTHOR OF: THE PERFECTLY HAPPY MAN

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Taylor (no last name por favor)
Twitter handle: @thePHman
Name of blog: The Perfectly Happy Man
Current location: Chicago, IL

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Oak Park, IL

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

Soccer and volleyball.

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

Though I sampled my dad’s beers from time to time as a kid, I had my first legitimate beer at 19.

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 had my first brew—a beautiful Guinness Draught—at an Irish pub in Seville, Spain during a semester abroad. Legit.

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 Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, and graduated with a B.A. in English.

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:

Though I haven’t been into craft beer for very long, I have already had a few beer epiphanies. The first came when I first poured a glass of Three Floyds’ Alpha King: it blew my mind from the second I smelled it. I had no idea beer could contain such incredible flavors and smells. The citrus and caramel notes combined to deliver a sweetness I’d never smelled before. Needless to say, Alpha Kind remains one of my favorite beers to this day.

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

My most recent epiphany came on the back of Dogfish Head’s Palo Santo Marron. I’ve been a big fan of tawny ports, and the insane pedigree of that beer further broadened my horizons and gave me an alternative beverage to enjoy while smoking cigars. You can’t argue with Dogfish Head.

Beer Blog Background

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

I conceived, designed, and launched The Perfectly Happy Man with a good buddy of mine in December 2009 … only a couple of months ago. That’s how long I’ve been reviewing beer.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

We started The Perfectly Happy Man for two reasons: community and aesthetics. We realized we had a small group of people who enjoyed beer and talked about it often—even brewed it at home—and it would be a good idea to figure out a way to stay connected. Furthermore, most of the existing beer sites/blogs and reviews we were reading online felt way too cluttered and highbrow for “commoners” like ourselves. Hence, The Perfectly Happy Man was born.

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

There’s an ancient Egyptian proverb (that may or may not be real) that proclaims, “The mouth of the perfectly happy man is filled with beer.” It seemed as fitting a name as any and we rolled with it.

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

Our biggest goals are to have fun with beer and never treat its exploration like a job. We’re out to educate others and ourselves about the wonders of the stuff, and hopefully show people that it is much more accessible than it appears. And we want to also put our chips down for responsible decision-making when it comes to beer … to own beer, not get owned by it.

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

Like I said before, I haven’t been blogging on beer for very long, but it’s been awesome to experience the cheer of the extended beer community. We’ve been on some tours, talked with some brewers, and had some great conversations. Being on the web has allowed us all to make some great connections. At The Perfectly Happy Man, we’re all about people, so that’s been a huge bonus.

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

Jury’s still out on that one … time will tell. I dig any site that does things differently than everyone else. In the beer world, that’s rare. We’re still trying to figure that one out ourselves.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

This changes all the time. Currently I’m high on IPAs, APAs, and Brown Ales.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Easy. Three Floyds (IN), Dogfish Head (DE), and my local Chicago favorite, Metropolitan Brewing.

3. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

I love rocking Old Style and a brat or Maxwell Street Polish at Wrigley … Go Cubbies!

The Personal Side

What is your current day job?

I work downtown Chicago for a creative web firm.

Off The Beaten Path

1. 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?

Rogue Dead Guy Ale. So much flavor, and also, it’s called “Dead Guy Ale.” What could be more appropriate?

2. 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?

“The Beer Wench” … hmm … the British might shed some light on this one. I’d go with a standard English Ale. But brewed with cheap perfume.

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

Years of pondering this very question have led me to a final choice: shapeshifting.

4. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Savory and versatile. Bacon makes terrible cooks seem not so bad.

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: GENEVIEVE SHULER

AUTHOR OF: THE HOPS HONEY

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Genevieve Shuler
Twitter handle: @TheHopsHoney
Name of blog: The Hops Honey
Current location: NYC

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

NW Jersey until I was 9, and then Oneonta in upstate NY

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

I tried my hand at karate, soccer and softball… and quickly conceded the fact that I was born a dancer, not an athlete! I did ballet as a kid & then tap & jazz all through school… oddly enough, I’m a complete klutz on the street (or, dear lord, a staircase…), but strap on a pair of dance shoes & give me a routine & I’m totally fine!

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

I think I was a senior in high school…

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 was NOT a partier in high school (total goody-two-shoes band/theater/dance geek & loved every minute of it!), but I had a crush on a boy so I went to a party along the river under the highway overpass with a friend, and said crush gave me a beer… though, come to think of it, I’m pretty sure it was some form of cider…

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 Hartwick College in Oneonta (mom taught there so it was tuition-free!) and had a double major in Management & Spanish Education. I was an RA and campus tour-guide, and some-time member of the Orchesis dance club… and I co-taught a freshman seminar course and directed a children’s musical theater program in the town over… Cooperstown… you may have heard that there’s some great beer from over there! While I may not have had time for sports, clubs or greek life… I did get to spend 2 months in Spain and 1 month living in Puerto Rico while I was in college, which were definitely the high-points of my college experience! (PR in January is MUCH better than upstate NY!)

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:

During college I was definitely a beer neophyte, and just drank whatever was in the keg or ordered in rounds at the bar, but somewhere around my junior year I saw a new beer on tap at the Black Oak Tavern in my hometown of Oneonta and decided to give it a try… It was Sierra Nevada, and I immediately fell in love! At the time there weren’t many bars that were carrying it on tap, but if I ever saw it there was no doubt what I was ordering. Still, for many years this beer and a few Long Trails here and there were the only ‘good’ beers I drank… until…

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

… August 23, 2007… my friend Orry knew how much I loved Sierra Nevada, so he took me to the Blind Tiger in NYC. The night before they’d had a Sierra Nevada event that featured at least 17 taps of different SN brews. My jaw about hit the ground and I called my step-father to exclaim, “OMG, Timmy! I’m looking at 17 different taps of Sierra Nevada… I didn’t know they had this many!!!” That was the day that opened my eyes to the possibilities of the world of beer… and I was hooked!

Beer Blog Background

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

I’m still a blogging-baby… I started the blog 4 months ago, in September, 2009!

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I was starting to get really into beer and none of my friends were as interested and I wanted to journal my experiences with learning more about beer, and wanted a forum from which to have a dialogue with other beer-lovers… and a friend of mine had recently started her own blog with great success & that gave me the confidence to try my hand at it!

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

I’m definitely a hop-head, and I wanted the name of my blog to convey that A) I was a girl writing about beer, and B) well, that I was writing about beer! (Some discarded but discussed runners-up included Lady Lager, Imbibarella and FemAle… I think I made the right choice!)

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

Really I just wanted to see who else was out there talking about beer, and I was so blown away by the community that I’ve discovered out there, so part of my goals have already been achieved, just by being part of the discussion! My other two goals are truly to continue to learn more about the world of craft beer, and more importantly to try and encourage more gals out there to venture into the wonderland that is craft beer!

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

Getting to meet other people within the community has probably been the best result of the blog thus far. Instead of just being another body in the bar, being able to say that you’re writing about beer lets people know that you’re serious and that you want to be a part of and help advance the craft beer industry/community, and it’s been so amazing just to see how everyone I’ve met is so passionate, so welcoming, so open… and so dedicated to sharing, communication and collaboration… it’s been beautiful to discover!

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

I swear, this is not ass-kissing, but… DRINK WITH THE WENCH,  HOPTOPIA & THE VICE BLOG

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

IPA, Hefeweissen & Sours

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Elysian, Green Flash & Dogfish

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

I don’t think I’d want to work with or for any particular brewery at this point, simply because I’m enjoying getting to become familiar with as many breweries as I possibly can without bias! Although, it must be a serious kick to work with/for Sam at DogFish…

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

I know that a lot of people say they’d homebrew if they had a bigger apartment, and then someone counters with “well you really don’t need THAT much space to start small…”… but hey, you at least need to have a kitchen, right? Given that my apartment is 105 sq. feet, I’m going to have to wait until my next apartment before I can start homebrewing… but I definitely plan to! (see… the NY Post saw how small my apt is!)

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

Nope – not a one! Maybe someday…

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

CHEESE! I’m totally, 100% addicted to cheese… so the fact that beer & cheese pair together so beautifully is a truly incredible (read: delicious) gift!

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I’m the Marketing Coordinator at a non-profit that raises money for a basic science research institute in Israel.

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’d open up a brew-pub in Vermont with a B&B above, and a farm down the road to help sustain the restaurant… le sigh…

3. Are you married? Children?

Not yet… and not yet… but I’m currently accepting applications!

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

Living in NYC I love being able to check out theater, concerts, movies in the park in the summer and, of course, singing show tunes at Marie’s Crisis! I’m also big into camping & traveling, and lately I’ve managed to combine the two quite successfully!

Off The Beaten Path

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

I’d definitely be an IPA… a strong flavor that not everyone can appreciate, but those that love an IPA are true devotees… full to the brim with hoppy bitterness, but with a sometime-sticky, sometime-floral sweetness that catches you off guard…

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?

A Sierra Nevada Pale Ale… the beer that started it all for me should, rightfully, be my last…

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?

“Bad to the Bean”… a hoppy IPA made with espresso beans for a caffeine jolt as well as some fiery chilis!

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

Teleportation – that way I could visit any brewery at any time without regards to vacation time or finances! (I could also visit any beach in the world on a random weekend when I need a break!)

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

I did a hike into the FL Everglades over spring break in college & camped out overnight… with an alligator breathing outside my tent during the night… the hike ‘out’ was definitely much faster than the hike ‘in’!

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Given that I’m stuffing my face with this roasted bacon, apple, onion & cheddar melt right now… I’d say I’m a fan! Oh, and when I stopped being a vegetarian after 8 years, it was the first thing I had!

SPECIAL THANKS TO GENEVIEVE FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

BEER CHICKS RAWK!

CHEERS!

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!

photo credit: Jonathan Koshi

INTRODUCING: JEFF MCCLURE

AUTHOR OF: GOLDEN GATE BEER BARS

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Jeffrey McClure
Internet nickname (if applicable): Troy McClure SF
Twitter handle: @troymccluresf
Name of blog: Golden Gate Beer Bars
Current location: San Francisco

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Richmond District of San Francisco

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

Baseball in grammar school. Lost the 1992 CYO championship game at Larsen Park playing catcher when a fat kid barrelled into me & knocked the ball loose to score the winning run.

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

First in a bar was at 18…

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

…a Bass at Dave & Busters in Union City. It was part of a meetup for the Straight Dope Message Board. Didn’t tell my parents because they watched Oprah and knew everyone on the Internet was an evil pervert.

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 took a few courses at CCSF but nothing substantial. Took a photoghraphy class, and an improv class and helped build sets a bit, as I did theater the last three years of high school.

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.”

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

I’m not entirely sure I had what could be called an epiphany. I learned to drink at Trad’r Sam at 26th & Geary when I was NOT A SECOND YOUNGER THAN 21, that’s fer sure, even though I had my 21st birthday party there and everyone already knew me. It’s hardly a beer mecca, but as I’d burn out on Scorpion Bowls and Grasshoppers, I’d start cycling through the better offerings, which were (and I’m pretty sure still are) Anchor Steam, Sierra Nevada Pale, and Red Hook ESB. I didn’t know much about beer besides that the usual Bud/Miller/Coors offerings were fucking awful, and that even at around 22 years old, I really didn’t need to get drunk that badly.

I did start to realize that I was really preferring microbrews, both for taste and for the more forgiving effects the next morning compared to Trad’r’s other offerings. Speakeasy (specifically their marketing) caught my eye, and I found some at Blackwell’s Wine Shop on Geary, and Prohibition’s my go-to beer ever since. It’s pretty ubiquitous in SF now, but back then, you’d only find it in places that put some effort into the beer selection, and I’d always take a look around and see what else was available, trying them from time to time, and it all just snowballed over this decade from “hey there’s a brewpub, let’s try that sometime” and “Budweiser only? Uh, I’ll just have a Diet Coke” to leaving every city I visit (even if it’s for just a weekend) an expert on their beer bars and “HOW THE HELL DID I JUST DROP A HUNDRED AND THIRTY DOLLARS AT CITY BEER?!”

Beer Blog Background

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

Started organizing ideas in May 2009 and jumoped around the various blogging services before landing at WordPress in late June.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

Whenever I travel, I try to cobble together a good list of beer destinations from Yelp, BeerAdvocate, Beer Mapping and sites like that, but if you don’t know a city, a huge list of bars is daunting to sift through, and Yelp reviews can be fickle. Plus standards for what is called a “beer bar” vary wildly- in SF Beer Mapping, Pig & Whistle and Gestalt are on equal footing with places like Toronado & Monk’s Kettle. This always frustrated me, so I figured I could at least try to solve this problem by taking the best parts of all these sites and getting them in one place, so someone visiting SF can find a pub with a bunch of west coast IPAs that he can bring his kid to, or find a nice restaurant with a sour beer or two he can bring his spouse to for a special occasion. Tie in transit, maps, and try to present a (mostly) unbiased snapshot of the place so people can get a good idea of the places they might enjoy without having to try to find the average of 200 Yelp reviews.

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

Pretty self-explanatory, but I thought “San Francisco Beer Bars” would sound too generic, plus that’s what everyone’s SF page is titled. Had to include something San Francisco-y in the title, though, as I’m one of those obnoxious natives who capitalizes “The City” and means it. Plus I wanted something easily memorable and Googleable.

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

I really want to make the best single site to help a beer lover plan a trip to San Francisco, whether people stay on my site or use it as a starting point.

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

Well, I was interviewed for something for the first time since high school; that’s pretty spiffy. Plus it’s nice being in the loop of new breweries and bars opening up. And if Yaeger become the next Michael Jackson, I have an autographed copy of his first book.

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

BeerAdvocate, Beer Mapping (as I’ve always been a map geek), and probably Brian Yaeger’s Examiner site. Though I follow many, many more (86 Twitters and 54 RSS feeds at the moment).

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

West Coast IPAs, sours, and amber/reds. When people call me and say “Hey, I’m in Portland/Chicago/Pittsburgh/etc, want me to bring you back some beer?” that’s what I tell them.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Speakeasy, RRBC, and Drake’s, though the third spot is often occupied by my latest discovery.

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

I guess I’d have to say Speakeasy, as I like their hops, and I know some of those guys. Then again, maybe someone like Richard Brewer-Hay of Elizabeth St Brewery, trying to bring even more awesome beer to what’s already an awesome beer town.

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

No, but I’ve sat in with other friends as they brewed. I don’t have the room in my apartment, nor frankly the ambition, and luckily I live somewhere where you can’t throw a rock without hitting an awesome beer. Almost literally, as I live right between Toronado & Lucky 13. My friend Vince in Santa Rosa did brew one of my favprite all-time beers, a honey wheat which isn’t even a style I generally like at all.

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

I don’t suppose “Bay Area Beer Blogger” counts. Nor a half-completed stamp card from 99 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall in Santa Cruz?

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

I know this makes everyone wince when I say it, but I am so *not* a foodie. That said, I’ve had great meals at places like Monk’s Kettle- I have to summon all my willpower to keep myself from going in for a beer and a pretzel eveytime I walk by- as well as pretty creative pairings at places like T-Rex in Berkeley, which makes beer cocktails (they have one that’s Racer 5 with vodka and hot sauce- fantastic!). I’m also beginning to develop a decent palate for cheese, which will hopefully open some culinary doors for me.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Desk jockey at a clinic. Data input, phones, all that stuff that drives a man to drink.

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’d be either a great baseball announcer on the radio, as I’ve been listening to the Giants on the radio my whole life and love it dearly, or Zane Lamprey because he and Pleepleus have the best job in the history of everything.

3. Are you married? Children?

No and no.

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

I’ve been into photography for some time now, though I’ve definitely tapered off in the past year. I’m also a bit of an SF history buff.

Off The Beaten Path

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

Probably a sour. Scary and unapproachable at first, but it just might grow on you.

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?

Hrm. I think I’d say Magnolia’s Proving Ground on cask. It’s already a wonderfully complex, hoppy beer, but putting it on cask just adds so much more to it. I’m always disappointed when they don’t have it.

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?

As I tell people, I’m the bar guy, not the beer guy. I leave the beermaking to the many who do it well. But if I had to, all I can be sure of is that I’d dry hop the crap out of it. I love beers that actually smell like a hop (Drake’s Denogginizer, Victory’s Hop Devil).

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

Most people would say that not getting hangovers isn’t a superpower, but they haven’t had one of my hangover from the past few years. You can only drink so much Propel with Alka-Seltzer in a morning. Barring that, teleportation. I hate flying but enjoy traveling.

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

I once ate a live cat. No, not really.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I like it but it’s reached Whedon-esque levels of fanboy obnoxiousness. Yes, it’s awesome, but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SHUT UP ABOUT IT.

SPECIAL THANKS TO JEFF (OR IS IT TROY) FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

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: JOE

AUTHOR OF: BEER AND JOE

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Joe DontWantMyCoworkersToReadThis

Twitter handle: @beerandjoe

Name of blog: Beer and Joe

Current location: Ridgefield Park, NJ www.beerandjoe.com

Background “Snapshot”

1.        Where did you grow up?

Glenville, NY

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

Football in high school till my knees went bad. No big loss, I played left bench

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

Oh boy, 14 or 15. Not of legal drinking age I know that for sure.

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

A few buddies of mine all slept over at my friend Brian’s house. I forget who but someone brought enough beers so we each at one. Pretty sure it was Labatt Blue. After one we all thought we were tripping haha

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 the Art Institute in Philadelphia PA. It was an art school so no sports or anything like that, our schools mascot was a pretzel. I didn’t really like beer in High School but when I went to college I was too embarrassed at parties to turn it down so I forced myself to drink it, eventually growing to like it. The rest is history.

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 didn’t venture too far outside of Coors Light and Labatt until after I graduated from college. In fact for most of college my buddies and I would usually knock back a couple of St. Ideas 40’s to get going. But after I graduated and started working I found a local bar near my office that some co-workers and I would frequent. I tried a Sam Adams Oktoberfest there one day based on a buddy’s recommendation and the rest as they say is history. From then on I tried every beer I could get my hands on.

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

Once I started getting into Dogfish Head’s beers it really showed me how different beer can be. They put out so many interesting beers and try some really out there stuff, it’s pretty impressive and is pretty inspirational to my homebrewing.

Beer Blog Background

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

Little over two years now, although a few months back my buddy who hosts my site switched providers and I lost over a years worth of work. Back up everything people!

2.       What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I had done a couple blogs with a good friend of mine before, usually about just random stupid crap that was on my mind. People seamed to find it pretty funny and my wife though I should write about beer. She’s usually right about things.

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

My names Joe and I like beer. Seemed kind of obvious and apparently I’m not very creative.

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

If there’s one thing I’ve been annoyed about in the craft beer community it’s how series some people can take things. Beer geek not snob, and I hate when people talk down to someone else for their beer choices. I don’t care if someone wants to drink a Bud, whatever makes them happy but it would be great if I could open them up to something different. I want my blog to be fun and not too serious. I don’t know nearly as much about beer as a lot of other people so I’d rather just make someone laugh at my review.

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

Any time I get a note from the brewery I write about I think it’s pretty awesome. Climax brewing in NJ emailed me a while back, those guys put out some great beer.

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

• BEER TOWN – Been a member for about 6 years now. Good stuff
• NJ BEER – Represent NJ!
• DRAFT MAG – Pretty good magazine which can also be pretty funny

Beer Talk

1.        What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

IPA, Stout and Brown Ale. But I really like everything

2.       What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Dogfish Head, Flying Dog and Southern Tier but really there’s too many to name

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

Dogfish Head for sure. There have been many times I’ve looked on their site for job openings and told my wife we’re moving. She’s always been supportive of m life for beer and knows how much it would mean to me so she’s up for the move. Sam if you’re reading this Email me!

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

I am. I don’t get to do it as much as I’d like to but over the years I’ve made some beers I’ve been pretty proud of. Just this past summer I made a mango Wheat which I think was the best I’ve made to date. I also found out that I have a sever allergy to mango peels after peeling 10 pounds worth. For those of you who don’t know mango peels are actually pretty similar to posy ivy. I found out the hard way, learn from my mistakes!

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

About 5 years back I decided I wanted to get out of the field I was in so I got my bartenders license. I’ve only bartended once but thinking about becoming a bartender at least once a day, usually at work.

6.       What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

That’s a hard one to answer. I like a good stout with dessert. Really any time my wife and I go out to eat and I find a good beer selection I get excited.

The Personal Side

1.        What is your current day job?

I’m a studio manager for a consulting firm

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?

Either own a brewery or beer bar. Someday…

3.       Are you married? Children?

Married, no kids

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

I run, or at least when I can, did this last years NYC marathon. I watch a lot of horror movies which got me involved with writing for Bloody Good Horror, http://www.bloodygoodhorror.com. I also sit in on their podcast every week.

Off The Beaten Path

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

Now we’re getting deep. A stout maybe? Because people think it’s heavy but is really very drinkable. I’m not sure what that means exactly but people usually avoid sitting next to me on the bus, my wife says I always look angry but I’m a really nice guy.

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?

Anchor Steam’s Christmas Ale. Not because it’s my favorite beer but become it comes in a magnum bottle and I’m going to want to take as much time as possible drinking it.

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?

That’s a hard one. I’d probably just got with raspberry wheat because that’s what my wife likes and I assume are women like what my wife likes.

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

I’m not sure I’d want the pressure of having to save people so I’d really just like the power to sleep in, I can’t remember the last time I’ve slept past 9.

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

I don’t know if it’s crazy but running the NYC marathon this past November was pretty nuts. It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m really proud of my accomplishment. I wrote about my training on my site and issued a public challenge to Alanis Morissette, she never responded but I’m pretty sure she was reading.

6.       What are your thoughts on bacon?

Love bacon, and not in the hip way everyone loves bacon now. When I was a kid my parents would make me a pound of bacon every Sunday for breakfast because I loved it so much. Yeah I know that sounds awful but it was great and I’m a better person because of it today. I love bacon, I’d like to take it away on a romantic getaway.

BIG THANKS TO JOE (WHOSE LAST NAME SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS) FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

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: MAGGIE HOFFMAN

BEER AUTHOR FOR SERIOUS EATS

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Maggie Hoffman
Twitter handle: @maggiejane
Name of blog:

• I write a weekly beer column for Serious Eats
• I also write for the food blog Pithy and Cleaver

Current location: New York

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

The suburbs of Portland, Oregon

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

The summer before my junior year of high school, I was an exchange student in France, and my host sister took me out with her and her friends. We drank beer that was mixed with fruity syrup, and I tried (and failed) to keep up with the conversation en français.

3. 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 Princeton and studied American history, specifically 19th centuraly American women’s and religious history. I sang in a coed a cappella group. I ate and studied and hung out at Terrace, which is known as the most grubby and interesting of Princeton’s eating clubs (essentially co-ed fraternities, though only the officers live there full time.)

Craft Beer Epiphany

Every craft beer enthusiast has at least one pinnacle craft beer experience that completely changes ones perspective on beer.

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

I first got really excited about beer when I brought my now-husband (then boyfriend) to Portland and attempted to show him everywhere cool in my hometown. Portland is pretty close to beer-nerd heaven, and we were both totally wowed by all the delicious things we tasted.

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

I continue to have amazing beer experiences—most recently, I was able to set up a pairing session with the chocolatier from Bespoke Chocolates. We found some truly incredible matches and it was eye opening for all.

Beer Blog Background

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

I’ve been writing for Serious Eats since early October 2009.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

Serious Eats is a great food site, but they didn’t have a beer columnist. I really wanted to write for them, and I really wanted them to have weekly articles about craft beer!

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

Almost everything on the site is “Serious” something or other.

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

We’re trying to systematically explore as many varieties of beer as possible, to find as many amazing beer and food pairings as possible, and to encourage readers to try great beers they’ve never had before. Readers of Serious Eats are really into food, but they may not realize how much they’d like beer if they forayed beyond their standard six-packs.

It’s also really great to gather my friends together to have craft beer epiphanies—writing a pairings column can be a revelation for everyone involved. We usually have five or six people over and order a million dishes at a time and just keep opening bottles—they pretty much always go home totally impressed with what we tasted and jealous of my beer-writing gig.

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

One of the unexpected amazing things has been being able to meet the entrepreneurs behind the small breweries. I am so inspired by all the brewers following their dreams, and so glad we can do something to help these small businesses succeed.

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

I love what Lee is doing over at Hoptopia. It’s such a great resource. I also like reading Beervana to hear what’s going on in Portland. For number 3, I usually check Beernews.org to find out about new releases, etc.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Depends on what day it is! As a Northwesterner, I am pretty loyal to IPAs, and especially love them when there’s a bit of a floral/fruitiness going on. I’m a big fan of American ESBs as well. But I can be impressed by any well-made beer. I’m not a huge imperial porter fan, but maybe I just haven’t found the right one.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Oh, that’s hard. Founders, for sure. (Founders? Are you reading this? Come to New York!) Recently, I loved the cans from Ska. And I’ve had such good stuff from Ballast Point.

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

The guys at Fullsteam are so cool, and I’m so pumped about their efforts to make a plow-to-pint brewery. Local beer with local ingedients that’s meant to pair with local food. I’m all about it.

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

I live in a 450 sq foot apartment with another person. Home brewing is NOT a good idea for us.

5. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Most recently, we had a single-estate dark chocolate truffle with Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout. It’s a pretty sexy pairing.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

By day I design book interiors for St. Martin’s Press. Some of them are cookbooks, some of them are really awful mysteries and “urban fiction.”

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’d love to write full time!

3. Are you married? Children?

Newly married! My husband, Matt, is a great asset in beer blogging—he’s great at translating tastes into words, and has an incredible memory.

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

I love to cook, I love collecting cookbooks and magazines. I love to throw dinner parties. And I love to check out new (and new-to-me restaurants in New York.)

Off The Beaten Path

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

Maybe a Belgian Dubbel: a little brooding, a little decadent.

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?

Something with fresh hops, straight from the conditioning tank.

3. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I’m a fan. I like fresh pork belly too. Though I’m also a big fan of guanciale and I’d like to see that become more commonly available. Bacon is so last year.

SPECIAL THANKS TO MAGGIE FOR A KICKASS INTERVIEW. BEER CHICKS RAWK!

CHEERS!

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: CARLA COMPANION

AUTHOR OF: THE BEER BABE’S BREW REVIEWS

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Carla Jean Companion
Internet nickname: The Beer Babe
Twitter handle: @beerbabe
Name of blog: The Beer Babe’s Brew Reviews
Current location: Portland, ME (As of December 21st!)

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Syracuse, NY

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

I was never a “run back and forth chasing a ball” type of person, but I was geeky enough to actually direct the pep band that played at our high school football and basketball games. In college (University of New Hampshire) I got really into competitive target archery after joining the archery team. I placed second place regionally and won several state/local competitions. I haven’t hung up my bow just yet, but I shoot a lot less since I have taken over coaching the UNH’s archery team.

3. How old were you when you had your first beer? If you can recall, what is the story of your first beer? Where did you have it? What style and brand was it?

I know I had my first sips of wine as a little kid at the table with my parents. I don’t remember my first beer experience, but if it was a sip of my parent’s Bud Light I am betting it wasn’t a pleasant one. Not sure on the age.

4. 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 the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH and got a B.S. in Marine & Freshwater biology. At UNH I was a resident assistant (RA) and joined the archery team. I also was the “on-line editor” for the college newspaper, The New Hampshire. After a few years in a corporate job un-related to my degree, I went back to school because I wanted to teach people about science, and I just got my M.S. in Environmental Studies : Environmental Education from Antioch University New England this July.

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.”

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

This one took me a while to figure out. I can’t remember when it was that I decided that beer was not a vile beverage that my dad and grandfather liked, but I do remember when the spark of passion for craft beer hit me.

After I had started drinking different beers and getting used to their tastes after college, I had a friend that told me about Dogfish Head IPAs. They have three different IPAs, 60, 90 and 120 minute IPAs, corresponding to the amount of time that the beer is dry-hopped. (Which, at the time had to be explained to me – complete with a photograph of “Sir Hops Alot”) Essentially, however, the brews are very similar, with a different amount of malt added just to round out the hops. My friend got a hold of a bottle of 120 minute IPA and we had a side-by-side tasting of 60, 90 and 120.

I can’t tell you how intrigued I was that the same ingredients in slightly different ratios could produce such drastically different, but somehow linked beer. And I couldn’t believe that anyone would consider that beer ingredients could produce something as insane as the 120 minute IPA, or that hops could have such a range of delightful flavors. I was hooked, and really wanted to explore those subtleties within a beer style, not just compare different beer styles to one another.

Beer Blog Background

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

I started in May of 2007, so I am right at about 2 and a half years.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

In 2007 I moved to a duplex that was in walking distance of a convenience store that had a surprisingly large and frequently updated selection of beer. Living with five other roommates meant that I could bring home a six pack of a beer that I’d never tried before, and we could sit around debating the relative merits of each beer.

We tried anything and everything that we could find, and kept a bottle from each of the beers we tried. After a year of doing this, we had collected a little over 100 bottles. But as we were packing them up to move out, we realized that there was very little that we remembered about each beer, and that we might have to try them all again to find the ones that we truly enjoyed.

So as an organization tool and supplement to my own memory, I decided to write up my thoughts on the beers on a blog, and The Beer Babe’s Brew Reviews was born.

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

Hhm… its an alliteration that’s pretty easy to remember, but I think I was dubbed “the beer babe” by a friend of mine once he found out how much I knew about beer. People have been asking me a lot about it lately – and I keep trying to tell them – hey – its not that I really think I’m some hot babe, it just kinda worked.

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

I really like exposing people to an ameteur-turned-intermediate adventurer type of writing – and not getting too jargony or snobby. I will start homebrewing soon (I know I promised that to readers last year but I’m really going to start soon.)

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

There have been a lot of really neat things that I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing as a beer blogger. I got to be a “beer expert” at a brewer’s dinner for the Maine Brewers Festival, I’ve met and talked with lots of local and non-local brewers, I’ve met several people from Dogfish Head Brewery (including Sam Caligione) that knew who I was or had read my blog, and in general I’ve just gotten to try a lot of really awesome beers that I don’t think I would have had access to otherwise (like Atlantic IPA, Brooklyn Black Ops, etc.) To pick one moment is really tough!

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

I love The Aleuminati because they really got me initially connected with the craft beer loving’ world and they’re all great people. Beer for Chicks is awesome, too, if not just for the fact that there are hundreds of beer-loving women on there that give me faith that I’m not too weird. But The Beer Wench, Here for the Beer, Dr. Beer Love, Ratebeer, Drink Craft Bee definitely make the list.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Ugh. I knew you’d ask a “favorite” question at some point. It changes for me, like, daily. But I do usually love Russian Imperial Stouts, Hefeweizens and certain IPAs. I’m across the board, and frankly, I’ll try anything – so tomorrow I might have an entirely new favorite.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Dogfish Head Brewery (DE), Allagash (ME) and Stone (CA) because they make some damn fine beers. Brooklyn, Goose Island, Unibroue and others also fit into the top 10 somewhere.

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

Dogfish Head, because Sam seems like a really laid-back guy to work for. Or Stone, so I could live in California and get to hang out at their awesome brewery there.

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

I plan to be soon! Haven’t gotten together the equipment (and it is insanely difficult to find homebrewing stuff near me.)

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

Nope.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Redhook ESB and flan. Just try it – its awesome.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I work for the University of Maine doing teacher professional development, educational research and social networking. We run workshops that pair scientists and educators helping the scientists to communicate their research more effectively, and helping educators to bring more current scientific research into their classrooms.

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 think I would stay doing this, honestly. Its really my passion.

3. Are you married? Children?

Neither. I’m happy, though, and that’s what matters.

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

I’ve already mentioned archery, but I also love photography, collecting antique science books, listening to and collecting vinyl records (though I’m hating that now because I have to move about 20 boxes of them up four flights of stairs… not fun.). I also do freelance graphic design (mostly for non-profits) and have in past positions helped design exhibits for museums. I also recently learned to ski, and I also enjoy recreational target shooting with a 22 rifle, and I know how to do a lot of common car repairs. So I’m a bit of a tomboy for a babe, but hey, its fun.

Off The Beaten Path

1. 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’m temped to say “La Fin Du Monde” here but that’s a little cheesy. If they could get me any beer at all I’d probably ask for Kate the Great (Russian Imperial Stout) or Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA.

2. 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?

Since I don’t know much about brewing, I can only guess here, but I think that because the “wench” implies a pirate-like nature I’d probably brew a spicy IPA. Or I could just bring you a bottle of Middle Ages Brewing – Wailing Wench for you to drink.

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

I would really like the ability to pause time. So I could get tons of things done but not spend any time actually doing them.

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

I took a class in graduate school called “Alpine Flora” which is essentially studying the teeny weeny flowers that grow on top of mountains. For the class, we had to climb Mount Adams (5774 ft) and Jefferson (5712 ft) and spend a few days in the mountains. It was probably the most physically challenging thing I’ve ever done – we had 60lb packs, steep trails and hot weather, and I was out of shape.

It was gorgeous, but I was unprepared since I’m not usually a mountain-hiker. My shoes were cheap and apparently not ready for the strenuous nature of the hikes either because after the third day of walking pointy rocks, completely split in two. Both of them. Which meant that the only footwear that I had to descend the steep, slippery trails was a borrowed pair of sandals and some wool socks.

I carefully made my way down the mountain, and managed not to tumble completely down the side or break an ankle. I was wicked lucky.(for pictures and a more detailed story, check out

5. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I want to learn to cure it, because at a DrinkCraftBeer beer dinner, they supposedly had HOP CURED BACON that I must – at some point in my life – try.

SPECIAL THANKS TO CARLA FOR BEING AN INSPIRATIONAL FEMALE BEER BLOGGER!

CHEERS!

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: JOSEPH LEMNAH

AUTHOR OF: HOPFENTREADER

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Joseph Lemnah
Twitter handle: HopfenTreader
Name of blog: HopfenTreader
Current location: Mid-Atlantic

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Essex Junction. A small town ten miles east of Burlington, VT.

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

Played a little of everything growing up. Soccer, football, basketball, tennis, baseball, and hockey.

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

Can’t remember, but remember I didn’t 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?

First beer I’ll take as a nice way to say, “first time drunk”. In which case it was in Montreal age 16, drinking Labatt Blue, Molson Export and soaking in St. Catherine St. Sorry mom.

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

Took classes at Community College in Vermont and the University of Vermont but decided to not continue with higher education and travel cross country instead.

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:

It was Blind Faith brewed by Magic Hat. I was 19 or 20 and didn’t really drink. I had older roommates who bought all the Vermont craft beer so I started trying them all. Blind Faith I single out because I was enjoying the Otter Creek Copper and Long Trail Ale, but the Blind Faith I tried a few times and didn’t like. Then one day I tried it and had that first acquired taste moment, thinking “oh, I see”.

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

Sour and Funky beers. More of a love at first sip moment though with sour beers such as, Duchess de Bourgogne.

Beer Blog Background

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

Started writing it Jan. 09’

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I was inspired by all the great blogs that existed.

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

On Page 47 of Randy Mosher’s Radical Brewing book there is a picture in the upper right hand corner of an old pair of leather shoes. Caption reads, “The shoes of the Hopfentreader, from the hallertauer district”. For me the name has become to symbolize part of my brewing pilgrimage.

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

To document a digital home brew journal.

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

Doing cross country collaborative home brew offs. One with Simply Beer and 7 others, and another, Jan. 24th #xbrew with 9 others.

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

• Appellation Beer
• MadFermentationist
• RyanBrews

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

IPA, Stouts, Saisons

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

pass

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

Jolly Pumpkin. Barrel fermentation, bugs, blending, sounds fun.

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

I just brew what inspires me, check out my blog and see if anything is unique and interests you.

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

Intensive Brewing Science & Engineering Diploma from American Brewers Guild 07’

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Brown Ale and Burger, White/Saison and Mussels, IPA and curry. I like the classics.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Been brewing professionally since 2006.

• Nov 06’-o7’ Old Saratoga Brewing Co.
• Nov 07’-09’ Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
• Presently at Evolution Craft Brewery

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 did that already…but at this point I’m looking to start my own brewery.

3. Are you married? Children?

I’m still young.

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

Anything outside, kayaking, hiking, skiing, tennis.

Off The Beaten Path

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

The origin of style came from brewers of the past using the ingredients they had available to make something quaffable. Limited by a combination of local water, grains, hops and process differences, created uniquely different beers in the old world. These ingredients and water “limitations”, created English Porters and Pales, German Doppelbocks and Weizens, and Czech Pilsners.

Beer styles created from using what was available, in theory, making the best of what you have. Brewers of old didn’t set out to create the above mentioned beer styles, I believe they set out to brew quaffable beers which created the styles.

Today brewers control water profiles and have access to the malt, hops and even yeast that these beers were created from. It is fun to recreate and clone beers, but the challenge that inspires me is to blend the old traditions at the same time brewing something uniquely my own. Using different grains or spices to twist the style. It’s a true highpoint of international craft beer style offerings available today. What was the question?

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?

Home brew, of course.

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?

We’d have to sit down over a few pints before I could determine that. I can’t contract brew blind.

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

Heat and Chemical proof, so I could stir the mash with my arms and shower in hot caustic.

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

So far, life.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Bacon is ok, but rendered pork belly fat used to fry pommes frites is better.

SPECIAL THANKS TO JOHN FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!