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: ADAM SIVITS

AUTHOR OF: BEER GOGGINS

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Adam Lyle Sivits
Internet nickname: Mad Hops
Twitter handle: Not on it yet (trying to get @MadHops or @Mad_Hops, but they’re both taken even though neither’s been used in a long time)
Name of blog: BeerGoggins.com
Current location: Astoria, NY

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Westminster, CO, a northern suburb of Denver

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

Baseball, football, and basketball, although mostly baseball. I also bowled in leagues when I was younger, and played a lot of golf.

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

10 or 11

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 on a little fishing boat with my dad and grandpa up on Lake Kabetogama in Minnesota. I don’t recall exactly, but it was something like Bud or Old Milwaukee. I mean, we’re talking old-timey midwesterners on a fishing boat, here.

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 Colorado State, in Fort Collins. I studied journalism and wrote for the school paper. I was a sportswriter, sports columnist, and opinion columnist. I played rec basketball as well, but aside from classes and the paper, my limited free time was spent hanging with friends and partying.

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:

Unfortunately, I don’t remember what my first craft beer was. It was probably Odell 90 Shilling or New Belgium Fat Tire my freshman year of college. I do remember, though, when my dad was helping me move into an apartment with 2 friends my sophomore year (freshmen had to live in the dorms). I asked him to buy us a six-pack, and he hemmed and hawed and gave me the whole “you’re underage” spiel. But he relented, and we pulled into a liquor store blocks from the apartment. As he was going in, I said “get something good.” He came back with a sixer of Michelob. It was at that point (this was 1998) that I knew “good” American beer had yet to find its way to many, many people.

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

Probably the first time I went to New Belgium, took the tour, then sat down and tried the sampler. That’s when the complexity and nuance of craft beer hit me. Luckily, I now have a good friend working there, so when I go back I’m treated like a king. A glorious, thirsty king.

Beer Blog Background

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

Just started. Clare’s had hers (in varying formats) for a while now, and finally convinced me to start writing with her.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

Clare’s endless, endless nagging. Women don’t mess around, you know?

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

I think she explained during her feature with you, but her last name is Goggin, and a friend suggested BeerGoggins, like beer goggles.

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

Personally, I’d like to write entertaining, informative posts that spread the gospel of craft beer. I don’t think I have the most discerning palate ever (thanks to 12 yrs of smoking – I quit over a year ago), so the reviews might not be the most instructive ever. But beer news, culture, and quirky stories – those are fun.

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

Nothing yet, but we recently got contacted by Buckbean Brewery in Nevada, and I think they’re going to send us some stuff to review. So … ignore the answer to the previous question!

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

Why, yours of course! To be honest, I’ve just recently gotten into beer blogs. Even though I’ve loved beer as much as sports for a good long while, I’ve been into sports blogs (and written my own) for years. So I’m kind of a newb. But I’ve met Lee Williams (Hoptopia.com) and Peter Kennedy (SimplyBeer.com), and I think their sites are great.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

As my handle suggests, I love hops, so I’m big on IPAs. I also love a good porter or stout. Around Christmas I hung out with a good college friend, who’s homebrewing in Ames, IA. He said he had been big on pilseners lately, and since then I’ve been trying as many as possible. And as a fan of scotch, whiskey, and bourbon, I’m usually big on anything aged in their barrels.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Well, I’m emotionally attached to New Belgium, and they’ll always be a sentimental #1. Then maybe Stone, or Dogfish Head, or Victory, or Brooklyn. Can I put all Colorado breweries (Odell, Left Hand, Oskar Blues, Avery, Breckenridge, etc.) into one category? I’m a homer like that.

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

I’m obliged to say Brooklyn here, since I’m hoping to get a job there! But other than that, New Belgium. How green and progressive they are is great, and I’ve seen their employee beer wall. It’s … it’s impressive. My friend who works there has a gut. Let’s put it that way.

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

Not yet. Our place is pretty small. Hopefully soon. We helped a friend last week with his first batch. It was pretty straight-forward, just an ale with two different types of hops. I like to cook, so I’d get crazy with herbs and spices and things like honey and caramel.

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?

I don’t think there’s anything better than a smoked porter and a big, bloody T-bone with roasted garlic potatoes and steamed vegetables.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I’ve been freelancing here and there since being laid off in late August.

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 probably be the 12th man on an NBA team. You get paid millions a year to practice and be a towel-waver on the bench during games. That, or a paid-handsomely blogger who could write about awesome things, like sports, beer, and food.

3. Are you married? Children?

Not yet (WINK). Clare will read this, I know.

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

I play in an adult wood-bat baseball league here in NY – our name is the Beers! I’m also a huge movie buff. My Netflix queue is out of control right now.

Off The Beaten Path

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

I think I’d be a double IPA. I might come across as aggressive and bitter, but in the end you’ll love me.

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?

Well, aside from one of those Trappist beers brewed by Belgian monks? I hate to come back to New Belgium again, but their 1554 Black Ale is probably my favorite beer. Again, this is sentimental, as since college I’ve probably had dozens that are “better,” but this one just feels like home.

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?

Because of the ‘wench’ I think we have to go with a German style, perhaps a Kellerbier?

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

The ability to tell what song a person is listening to or thinking about based solely on how they’re tapping their fingers and/or toes. All other powers pale in comparison.

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

I don’t want to get into it, but beer was definitely a factor. And some narcotics. And driving. Man, we’re stupid in college.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Have you seen Jim Gaffigan’s 3+ minute bit on bacon? Like that, times ten.

SPECIAL THANKS TO MAD HOPS FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!
CHEERS!