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: SCHNEIDER MIKE

AUTHOR & HOST OF: BELCHING MONKEY

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Schneider, Mike
Twitter handle: @schneidermike @belchingmonkey
Name of blog: BelchingMonkey
Current location: The Triangle of Awesome (Boston, Austin and Seattle)

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Willoughby, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland that is full of character, history and boredom.

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

Mostly soccer and hockey. I also skateboarded quite a bit although I was terrible. Now I love skiing and soccer.

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

I started drinking beer at age 6. My dad let me have the first sip of his first beer of every evening. I was his drinking buddy.

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 full beer was a Michelob Dark. I had it at the lake in my neighborhood. I drank it pretty fast and my friends were worried because I had never taken them up on the offer for a beer. I was 16. I felt nothing and had no trouble drinking it because I had been sipping beers since I was 6 years old.

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 Miami University, I majored in Accountancy and MIS. I was in a fraternity and spent most of my time with intramural hockey and an improvisational comedy troupe. I also deejayed weddings and sorority parties to make money. I sucked at college. I had no idea what it was about. I did not realized that it was about experimentation and experiences, however I did begin my transformation from beer drinker to beer snob. I drank a metric shit-ton of Old Milwaukee. I majored in the wrong thing. I had a long-distance relationship and I put way too much pressure on myself to do who-knows-what. I did, however, have an amazing time at Goggin Arena watching CCHA hockey.

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:

In college, I started out drinking a lot of swill like Busch Light Draft, Hudepohl’s, Old Milwaukee and Bud Light. They got me drunk and the additives always made the hangovers particularly terrible. Not only did I want more from the taste, I was not into being drunk. I liked beer, but I was convinced that it did not need to taste like someone hooked your tongue up to a pair of jumper cables, so I created “good beer night” with my roommates. At the time, I had no clue what that meant. At the time my palate thought Miller Genuine Draft was Lagavulin 21 or Drie Fonteinen Ouede Gueze, in other words, about as good as it gets.

We went to the package store with my mates and we each picked a six pack of something we thought would turn us from drunk pussies to Thundercats. My roommate Andy picked Moosehead and the guy who was old enough to buy picked up a six of Samuel Adams Boston Lager. I do not even remember what I picked. I think it was Spaten, which is awesome, but I took one sip of the Sammy and had an out of body experience. I saw two rainbows, a unicorn and Elle Macphereson naked. I had never had anything like it and wanted to find out more about Boston Beer Company.

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

I have them all the time. This could get long. #twss

Even though I discovered Samuel Adams and Guinness in college, it wasn’t until I got my first job that I tried anything pricier. I grew up in the Midwest and most people teach you that change is bad. For instance, I always wanted to learn Chinese as a kid and would ask people if I could. They would say no way kid, it’s too hard. I got caught up in that Backstreet Boys, Chevrolet and drumsticks-on-Friday lifestyle a little until one day I came across 4 packs of another Samuel. Samuel Smith.

I bought 4 Oatmeal Stouts and took them to my ex fiancée’s house to drink with her brother and father, who were Dundee Honey Brown sessioneers. We all took a sip and spent the next hour talking about the flavor. I felt so sophisticated that I turned on fucking PBS and we watched Masterpiece Theatre or Bob Ross or something.

Great Lakes Brewing Company provided several epiphanies, but it wasn’t until I started drinking Double IPAs that I realized that some bottles actually contain magic. Great Divide Brewing Hercules, Avery Majarajah and of course the Tony-Hawk-meets-Wayne-Gretzky-Harry-Potter-Mother-Theresa-Bill-Gates-and-Michael-Jordan of beers, Pliny the Elder.

Beer Blog Background

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

Since 2008 off and on.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I wanted to create content about something I was passionate about. Gary Vaynerchuk takes credit for getting me started in my appearance on WLTV and he definitely was a major influence. I also credit Gregory Ng of Freezerburns. When we worked together at a Boston ad shop, he got me into social media. We invented a few cool loyalty programs and an LBS system that failed because we tried to do it with passive pings before anyone had a smart phone. I also credit my dad for getting me into beer in a way that led me to believe it was just another good thing in life versus a taboo thing that I had to have against the wishes of authority.

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

I guess I wanted to be different from the rest of the beer bloggers and vloggers and I wanted it to be a brand that could be more than a website or a show about beer. On the surface it looks like don’t take myself all that seriously, but I actually do. I’m not a big belcher and I identify more with bears and tigers than monkeys, but I told Greg the name and we both couldn’t stop laughing about it so I bought the URL.

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

I want to be the Gandalf of Beer. This story is evolving. I used to just think of it as a lab, but now I take it very seriously.

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

Cool things happen all the time. The coolest is when someone at a pub or package store recognizes me and say they like the show. I also like when people want to drink a beer with me. Being on Wine Library was amazing because I’m kind of Vayniac – and Wayne Gretzky has been on Wine Library!

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

Total beer focus?
I like what’s going on over at Hoptopia. Of course Mutineer Magazine provides good beer perspective with authors I like. Josh Christie’s site Brews and Books is an interesting juxtaposition. I also use Beer Advocate all the time, but I think that’s more out of necessity than lust.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

This is like asking me which kid I like the best or to pick one album to listen to on a desert island. American Ambers, Double IPAs, Wild Ales

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

I do not have three favorite breweries. I have thirty three or more. I discover new ones that I like all the time. Dogfish Head, Great Divide and Anderson Valley are all very special to me, but there is a whole list of others that wind my gears.

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

BelchingMonkey Brewing Company of course.

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

No

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

I sure do not.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Pumpkin beer and Turkey

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Technology evangelist and strategist for a marketing consultancy.

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 like risk. I would do something in technology or venture capital. I also dream that I am in the restaurant business a lot, but I do not know why. I am usually making burritos.

3. Are you married? Children?

Yes and yes

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

I love soccer. I play as often as I can. I am obviously also very interested in tech and gadgets. I play video games when I have time (rarely). I like to hit the gym to stay fit. I’m also into BBQ.

Off The Beaten Path

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

An Imperial IPA. I am big and bold, but am an acquired taste and I am not for everyone, but once you get to know 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?

Please bring me a Brew Dog “End of History” and a cigar. At an inconceivable 110 proof, I believe I could create some sort of explosion and escape.

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?

Beer Wench would be a Wild Ale with a wall of sourness. Those who are able to unlock the secrets find crisp plum tartness and unexpected richness and tannins due to pinot noir barrel aging. The bitterness would give way to an unexpectedly sweet finish, but only to those who are patient enough to wait.

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

flying, invulnerability, speed, x-ray vision, extraordinary pain threshold and liquor tolerance, abilty to detect Pliny in a 10 mile radius

either that or I’d just be Spider-man. That is who people say is my super hero doppleganger

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

I once drank a whole 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew in a sitting. I also split my head open during an improv sketch. Chic threw a rabid cat at my face. I did a “Kramer” fall, thrashed around and hit my head on the lip of the stage. Lots of blood.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Please may I have some more?

SPECIAL THANKS TO MIKE 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. For 3 months now, Drink With The Wench has been interviewing beer bloggers from all over the country.

In honor of April Fool’s Day, The Beer Wench has decided to do a parody on her interview series. Hopefully, it is well received and at least one person finds some entertainment value in it… even if it is only my mother.

THE WENCH PRESENTS:

An April Fool’s Day Spoof

FEATURED INTERVIEW: IF GARY VEE WAS A BEER BLOGGER

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Gary VAY-NER-CHUK
Internet nickname: Gary Vee
Twitter handle: @garyvee
Name of blog: Beer Library TV … aka THE THUNDER SHOW … aka The Internet’s Most PASSIONATE Beer Program.
Current location: New York, NY

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Technically, I was born in Belarus and grew up in New York, NY. Half of my childhood was spent working in my parent’s liquor store and the other half was spent peddling baseball cards for cash.

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

Sports? Me play sports? Have you seen me? I’m practically a midget! I would have gotten killed …

I prefer to limit my sports involvement to pure fanaticism … Jets Jets Jets!

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

I did not have my first beer until I reached the legal age of 21. Why? Because I was a little goody-two-shoes. Well that, and my parents put the threat of God in me.

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 experience ever actually drinking beer was doing a keg stand on my 21st birthday. I think it was PBR … but then, my memories of that night are very hazy. But I do remember that PBR did, in fact, taste like carbonated piss water. And trust me, I would know. I have tried it.

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:

After immigrating from Russia, my parents started their own liquor store in NYC. I got really bored while working the cash register so I started reading all of the late Michael Jackson’s beer books. No kids, I am not talking about the (also late) pop sensation and child molester Michael Jackson. I am referring to The Beer Hunter.

Because tasting beer was technically illegal and I was too much of a wimp to sneak sips of it from my parents, I set out on a mission to train my palate “backwards”. To study various flavors associated with beer, I chewed on fresh hops, dried hops, various levels of toasted barley … and even more obscure things like grass, dirt, rocks, tobacco and wood. I probably consumed more New Jersey grass in my teens than any lawn mower.

The flavor profiles of certain beer styles were much harder to “recreate” than others. My worst experience training my palate backwards was with “The Gueuze.” The descriptors for the gueuze said barnyard, horse blanket and lactic acid.

Much to my distain, I set out to mimic the gueuze style as best as possible. I licked a horse saddle, nibbled on a horse blanket that had remnants of manure on it, quickly shoved some sweet hay in my mouth and then washed it all down with a swig of apple cider vinegar.

The real epiphany came when I actually got to drink a real gueuze. I may have gone a little extreme with the whole “backwards” palate training experience. I don’t think I will ever need to chew on a manure stained horse blanket again any time in the near future!

Beer Blog Background

1. How long have you been running Beer Library TV?

I launched Beer Library TV in February of 2006.

2. What inspired you to start Beer Library TV?

I was sick an tired of all the beer snobs taking the THUNDER out of beer. All of the negative reviews and ratings on various beer forums really irritated me. I mean cmon now, this isn’t the wine industry! The craft beer industry does not need arrogant beer elitists scoring beer and dictating market trends. Ratings are, well, over-rated. IMO. Leave ratings to the wine industry.

3. Why did you chose the name Beer Library TV?

Drink With The Wench was taken …

4. Why did you chose a beer vlog over a wine vlog? Your parents store obviously sold both beverages…

Are you seriously asking me this question? EVERYONE knows that beer is the finest beverage on earth. If Jesus had turned water into beer instead of wine, the world would have been a much better place. IMO.

Also, beer is way cooler than wine because when we taste beer we actually swallow it. What is up with all those wine geeks spitting out wine? Hello! Somebody call in the booze patrol, that is some seriously criminal wastage of alcohol!

5. What are you personal goals for Beer Library TV? What do you hope to achieve with it?

First, I want people to try different beers. How can you have a favorite if you only know a few? Second, I tell people to trust their palates. If a beer appeals to your palate, then it’s a good choice. Don’t feel pressured to like popular brands or what experts recommend. Buy what ‘brings the thunder’ for you.

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

Hello! Have you not seen my appearances all over National TV? I am kind of a big deal. I was recently named on AskMen.com’s list of the Top 49 Most Influential Men of 2009. Booyah bitches!

Also, there was this one time during my book tour that I was molested by The Beer Wench with a rubber chicken. His name was Don Quixote. And I’m not gonna lie. It was kind of hot.

7. What is your favorite beer blog/beer website?

Errr, obviously my all time favorite beer website is Drink With The Wench. No brainer!

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

How does one chose a favorite star in the sky? I like my beers to be like me — bold and complex (Oak-aged Imperial Stout), funky and wild (Gueze), but still down to earth and approachable (Scottish Mild).

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

I prefer the little guys (like me!) and the under-rated underdogs (like the Jets!).

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

I would probably work for Dogfish Head Brewery. Like them, I am quite “off-centered.” Oh, and they might be the only brewery actually crazy enough to let me with for them. Well, maybe BrewDog would be crazy enough to hire me … but then, those guys kind of scare me and I think that I would end up dying from alcohol poisoning if I had to work there.

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

I don’t believe in stuffy beer certifications.

5. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

BACON and Rauschbier = slam dunk. I also enjoy Lucky Charms with a nice Framboise.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I spend most of my days CRUSHING IT — all over the interwebs.

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 own the Jets and CRUSH IT in the Super Bowl.

3. Are you married? Children?

Married? Sometimes … I “work” about 15 hours a day. Last time I checked, I had a wife named Lizzie.

Children? I have a daughter Misha … and I think she is mine, but I never got the results back from the blood test.

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

JETS JETS JETS!

I used to collect baseball cards, but then I realized that collecting baseball cards does not get you drunk. Or laid. So I switched to beer.

Off The Beaten Path

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

I would be an Imperial IPA, continuously hopped for 2 hours and dry hopped 4 times in fermentation then aged in Bourbon Barrels and spiked with Brettanomyces at bottling. Doesn’t make any sense does it? Sounds crazy right? That is EXACTLY why it fits my personality. BIG BOLD, in your face, over the top and absolutely wild. Yes, that is the GaryVee style of beer.

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?

Garret Oliver’s illusive Bacon Beer.

3. If I contracted you to brew a beer (or design a beer recipe) called “The Beer Wench” — what style would you chose and what, if any, extra ingredients would you add?

A bacon gueuze. Don’t ask me how it’s made. But that is what I would make as a tribute to The Wench.

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

You know the kid in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory who gets shrunk down and then gets zapped into the TV? That is kind of what I want to be able to do — except with the Internet. I want the power to actually climb inside my computer and live not just ON, but IN the internet.

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

I survived getting molested by The Beer Wench with a rubber chicken. I have had nightmares about it ever since …

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Bring on the THUNDER!

HAPPY APRIL FOOL’S DAY!

CHEERS!

OH, and BTW. The rubber chicken molestation of Gary Vee? That soooooo happened…

A year ago, I would never have predicted that I would  be where I am today. If someone was to tell me that I would have met all of the people that I met, traveled to all of the places that I traveled, and experienced all of the things that I did, I would not have believed it.

Let us rewind it back and look at 2009:

Still living in Orlando, in MASSIVE transition, working at Seasons 52 — high-end seasonally inspired fresh grill and wine bar. At this time, The Wench seriously studies for Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Wine certifications. At this point, wine is The Wench’s profession and beer remains her hobby.

The last weekend of January, The Wench travels to California for the ZAP Zinfandel Festival. Met SEVERAL of my twitter followers over the course of a few days. Drank lots of amazing vino, took a day trip to Napa. Trip was way too short.

Drink with the Wench turns ONE on February 7th!

Towards the end of the month, The Wench attends the first dinner in a series of Twitter Taste Live dinner party tweetups at Dolce Debbie‘s house in Tampa, FL. The theme was Italian wines & Italian foods and was co-hosted with Matt Horbund from A Good Time With Wine.

At the beginning of the month, The Wench co-hosts a Twitter Taste Live with Dogfish Head.

The rest of the month is rather uneventful.

The beginning of the month starts out with a BANG. The Wench tri-hosts THE FIRST EVER Twitter Taste Live Beer vs. Wine Dinner at Dolce Debbie’s house in Tampa, FL. Dolce Debbie planned and cooked a beautiful five course menu, Matt Horbund paired four of the dishes with a wine and The Wench paired the same dishes with a beer. The verdict? A tie.

The Wench announces her desire to work in the beer industry by announcing The Wenchternship. No one bites and the project is quickly abandoned.

Things take a turn for the worse when The Wench gets in a bad car accident. Car accident results in several weeks off from work and 2 months of daily physical therapy.

Car accident results in a mini-depressive episode and a significant reduction of blog posts.

Plagued by a series of unfortunate an undesirable events in Orlando (including the car accident), The Wench is “saved” when she gets invited to live with Dolce Debbie and her husband Barry Frangipane in Tampa, FL. Without hesitation, The Wench moves to Tampa.

Things begin to look better for The Wench. She begins to gain momentum.

Happy Birthday to The Wench. Ashley turns 26 on June 13th. Dolce Debbie hosts the party of a lifetime in honor of the birthday twins — The Wench and Aging Backwards.

Early in the month, The Wench attempts to enter what she calls “No Man’s Land” by writing a series of posts featuring linear pairings between beer and wine. Although widely popular, the series is short lived — with potential to be revived in the new year.

The end of the month brings an invite by Samuel Adams to attend an expense paid trip to Charleston, SC in July to attend a beer dinner at The Culinary Institute.

Things get REALLY exciting this month.

The Wench flies to Charleston, SC to attend a Samuel Adams beer dinner at The Culinary Institute of Charleston. She has the honor of sitting next to Samuel Adam’s head brewer, Bob Cannon, for the duration of the dinner. Following the dinner, The Wench lands her very first brewer interview with Bob Cannon. She also interviews the head Chef of the beer dinner.

At the end of the month, Ashley find herself back in Wine Country, CA for the 2009 Wine Bloggers Conference.

While in California, Ashley takes her first trip to Twisted Oak Winery in Murphy’s. It is here where she develops an obsession for the River of Skulls and meets the love of her life, her rubber chicken aptly named “Don Quixote.” After a day full of wine tasting in the town of Murphy’s, drinking gueze, feasting on tri-tip, swimming in the creek and wine blending, The Wench spends a wonderful night sleeping underneath the Twisted Oak Winery Twisted Oak Tree.

It is in this moment that The Wench has an epiphany and starts thinking about moving to CA.

Day one of the Wine Bloggers Conference reunites Ashley with many of her Twitter friends from across the country as well as gives her the opportunity to meet new followers. She also gets to meet the boys from Mutineer Magazine.

Day two of the Wine Bloggers Conference is EPIC. The day starts with Bloody Marys and ends with Absinthe. Bus Number Four becomes legendary.

Day three of the Wine Bloggers Conference gives Ashley the confidence she needs to make her declaration to move to CA. The gears start turning and she starts plotting a cross country trip with instant BFF Shana Ray.

This month is one of complete chaos and absolute insanity.

The Wench officially decides on a whim to pick up everything and move across country — with no job, prospect of a job or place to live.

Burnt out and needing an adventure, Shana Ray makes the spontaneous decision to book a flight to Florida and make the drive across country with Ashley. After hours of brainstorming, the ambitous pair create PROJECT Y-INE — the first social media expose focused on researching the beer & wine consumption behaviors of Generation Y.

After analyzing all possible routes across country, The Wench decides that the southern route would be the most ideal. She reaches out to her Twitter & beer blogger contacts in each city, setting up as many events allow the way as possible.

Even before the trip details are complete solidified, Ashley makes the spontaneous decision to plan a trip to the Midwest just days after her assumed arrival in California.

Shana flies in to Tampa on the 14th. Dolce Debbie hosts a bon-voyage dinner for The Wench at her favorite Tampa restaurant, Pellagia.

With tears in her eyes and a Starbucks gift card in hand, The Wench packs up her car, hugs her “parents” Debbie and Barry goodbye and embarks upon the cross country adventure of a lifetime.

First stop: New Orleans. The Wench meets up with fellow beer blogger, The Beer Buddha at The Avenue Pub. There she also meets Matt Austin and the entire team of NOLA Brewing Co. The first night took a turn for the more awesome (and worst in Shana’s case) when the ladies found themselves visiting the “exclusive” favorite watering hole of the NOLA locals — Snake and Jakes Christmas Club Lounge.

Day two in NOLA started out slow. The girls did not find themselves leaving the house until late afternoon. Matt Austin plays tour guide through the French Quarter. The Wench gets her palm read and buys the most kickass pirate hat. Dylan Lintern of NOLA Brewing Co. invites The Wench and posse to join him and his brother for a potluck beer tasting at their house — complete with a full L shaped bar, 6 taps and a digital karaoke machine. The tasting is epic. Events from that night inspire Matt to start writing his own beer blog: I’m Pouring.

Second stop: Houston, TX. The girls spend the night eating pizza and drinking local beer with Amy and Joe Power from Another Wine Blog. The night is capped off with chess, chocolate and vino. The next morning, the ladies find themselves visiting NASA.

Third stop: Austin. The girls almost never leave. Here they meet the most infamous @baconator from Twitter. He foolishly allows the girls to take over his house for 3 days. The trio of trouble makers then proceed to take Austin by storm. Local beer blogger, Chris Troutman of Beer Town Austin, organizes two beer events for The Wench: The Draught House Over A Pint Episode and Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que tour and tasting. Local food blogger, Jennie Chen of MisoHungry Makes it With Moonshine concocts some amazing beer desserts for the events.

The girls decide to stay in Austin and extra night and, as a result, spend 16 hours on the road driving to the Fourth stop: Phoenix. The Wench’s Uncle Terry Simpson hosts the girls for two nights.

Fifth stop: Los Angeles. Here The Wench meets up with fellow beer blogger, Chris Spradley of Breweries, Bars and Beer Food. Chris organizes a beer dinner at The Library Ale House which is followed by amazing beers at the Daily Pint. The next day, Chris hooks The Wench up with a video interview with Brian Lenzo at Blue Palms Brewhouse in Hollywood. The ladies cap the L.A. experience with a wenchmade (Whole Foods style) dinner party with Twisted Oak wines for Chris and the lovely bloggers from Hipster Enology.

After a scenic drive up Highway 1, the girls finally end the trip with beers at the Russian River Brewpub in Santa Rosa. They are joined by several wine country celebrities, including Rick Bakas of St Supery, Hardy Wallace of Dirty South Wine and Josh Hershberger of Pinot Blogger.

Whereas August was legendary, September is monumental.

With barely two weeks of California sunshine under her belt, The Wench whisks off to the Midwest for a 10 day beer extravaganza. The trip begins in Chicago and then works it way up to Wisconsin for Milwaukee beer week, a few beer dinners and The Great Lakes Brew Fest — where The Wench serves as a “mini mascot” and gets to lead the Pirate Parade.

The trip ends in Chicago where The Wench has the opportunity of a lifetime to have dinner at The Hop Leaf with Ray Daniels of the Cicerone Certification Program. Right before she jets back to California, Ashley grabs a few beers and a pizza with a small group of dudes (who would ultimately come good friends) that call themselves the #gents. One #gent in presence was the one and only Mr. Ken Hunnemeder from HopCast.

After less than 3 days back in California, the jet-setting Wench finds herself on yet another plane — this time to Denver for the Great American Beer Festival. Over a 5 day span, The Wench drinks her body weight (and then some) in amazing American beer from all over the country. She is reunited with old friends as well as has the opportunity to meet many of her Twitter friends in real life.

It is in Denver where Ashley first meets for the first time in person one of her best friends and fellow beer bloggers, PJ Hoberman from Starting a Brewery. She also meets Tim Cigeleske of Draft Magazine’s blog The Beer Runner, Chipper Dave of Fermentedly Challenged, Larry McIntosh of Madhouse Larry, Stef Ferrari of Girls For The Advancement of Craft Beer, Sarah Huska and many many others.

In addition to meeting several bloggers and tweeters, Ashley is honored when she gets to meet industry celebrities such as Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head, Rob Tod from Allagash, Vinnie & Natalie Chilurzo from Russian River, Greg Koch from Stone, Steve Parkes from the American Brewers Guild, Dan Del Grande from Bison Brewing, Joey Redner from Cigar City, Patrick Rue from The Bruery and so on and so forth.

October is the month of wine. Thanks to her amazing friends Thea Dwelle of Luscious Lushes and Shana Ray of Breathe Media, Ashley attends several wine blogger events all over Sonoma & Napa Counties. The wineries include, but are not limited to: KAZ Winery, Micheal Schlumberger, Benziger, BV Vineyards (where Ashley partakes in a grape stomping competition), Arista, Rubissow (where Ashley helps harvest grapes), Conn Creek, Bella, Rodney Strong, Papa Pietro Perry, ZD, Titus and several more.

Ashley even gets the honor of sitting in on an episode of Wine Biz Radio — where she is deemed “The Being of Pure Id” by its host Randy Hall.

Mid month, Hardy Wallace of Dirty South Wine hosts his annual Taco-Toberfest. Ashley also takes a trip into San Francisco where she attends a Tequila tasting for the U.S. launch of Don Roberto Tequilas.

Later in the month, Sondra Bernstein from the girl and the fig rolls out the red carpet for The Wench and posse at her restaurant. The group follows up an epic lunch by attending a book signing with Gary Vee from Wine Library TV. Ashley proceeds to drink lots of wine and molest Gary Vee with her rubber chicken — Don Quixote. Oddly enough, Gary Vee doesn’t seem to mind and, in fact, seems to like it.

After a few weeks choked full of wine and food events, The Wench finds herself back on a plane to the Midwest — this time for the Great Lakes Craft Brewers and Water Conservation Conference organized by Lucy Saunders of BeerCook.Com. There she gets to rub elbows with many brewers and beer industry movers and shakers.

October ends with a St Supery tweetup on The Napa Valley Wine Train. Costumes optional.

There is only one word for November — EPIC.

Hardy Wallace kicks off the month by hosting two of the finalists from Top Chef Season 6 — Eli Kershtien and Kevin Gillespie — for a few nights of food & wine debauchery in Sonoma County.

Early month, Ashley finally gets to meet her “big sister” from Twitter, Taylor Shaw aka The Art of Beer. This fateful meeting ultimately triggers Ashley to book a flight to San Diego for beer week.

On November 8th, Ashley experiences a major climax in her life as a beer writer while attending the Life & Limb Release Beer Dinner in San Francisco. At the dinner, Ashley gets the once in a lifetime opportunity to interview one of her greatest and most respected beer mentors, Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head. She also gets to spend some quality time with one of the most respected and successful craft brewers in the industry, Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada.

Mid month, The Wench finds herself jet setting yet again in the name of beer. She heads down to San Diego for some of the most epic beer events of her “young” life. In San Diego, she meets up with her big sister Taylor Shaw and new best friend PJ Hoberman as well as many of her other great Twitter friends such as Alex P Davis, Jordan & Renee Rounds, Kristen & Martin Emde and the super sexy team of boys from New Brew Thursday: Stephen Johnson, John Holzer, Brad Kohlenburg.

The event highlights of San Diego Beer Week include: Meeting Dr. Bill Sysak, the 10 year vertical tasting of Double Bastard at Stone World Bistro, Lost Abbey Art Show & Beer Tasting, Firestone Walker 13th Anniversary tapping at Stone World Bistro, special VIP Twitter dinner with Greg Koch at Suite and Tender, Green Flash 7th Anniversary Festival, a VIP tasting of rare beers from Dr. Bill’s collection at Stone World Bistro, Belgian Beer & Cheese Pairing at Stone World Bistro and the Lost Abbey Rare Beer Tasting & Dinner.

At the end of the month, Ashley is invited to spend Thanksgiving with two of her amazing wine maker friends: Alan Baker and Serena Lourie of Cartograph Wines. Thanksgiving is a tremendous gourmet feast complimented by a stellar lineup of wine and beer.

Times, they are a changing. REALLY REALLY fast.

First of the month, Ashley gets the opportunity to meet the one and only Shaun O’ Sullivan of 21st Amendment. He brings samples of his newly released Monk’s Blood.

On a whim, Ashley throws caution to the wind and takes the first level of the Cicerone Certification Program. Without studying or any preparation, The Wench passes the test and becomes an Certified Beer Server.

Early in the month, good friend Baconator visits Ashley & Shana for a week. Lots of wine, beer & food debauchery go down. Ashley gets the rare opportunity of a lifetime to have dinner at The French Laundry. Here she has the most intense food and beverage experience of her life. The Master Sommeler, Christopher Hoel, pairs 7 our of the 9 courses with both beer and wine. He chooses wine from her two most favorite regions in the world — Chateauneuf Du Pape and Piedmont — as well as two of her favorite beers of ALL time — Russian River’s Pliny the Elder and Consecration. That night will go down in history.

Drink With The Wench begins to heat up and gain momentum when Ashley decides to do a series of articles featuring interviews with fellow beer bloggers. The series is tremendously successful and will continue into the new year!

Things get really exciting around mid-month when Ashley’s “little brother” Brian Kropf of Mutineer Magazine visits from the East Coast on an Army leave. Taylor Shaw and Stephen Johnson travel up from Southern California to attend a series of beer events hosted in Brian’s honor. The group starts by reeking havoc on 21st Amendment on the 21st. They then take the North Bay by storm: Lunch at Russian River Brewing Company followed by a tour and tasting of Lagunitas Brewpub. Many “celebrity” beer writers come out for the Lagunitas event. They include: Shawn Paxton of The Home Brew Chef, Mario Rubio of Brewed For Thought and Jay Brooks of Brookston Bulletin.

After almost three months of “dating” a Berkeley Brewpub – Triple Rock Brewery & Alehouse – Ashley finally gets an official offer on December 30th to become the new Assistant General Manager.

On New Years Eve, The Wench is officially moving to Berkeley. And on New Year’s Day, The Wench will officially kickoff her career as Assistant General Manager of Triple Rock Brewery & Alehouse. As fate would have it, Ohio State is also playing in the Rose Bowl that day. January first is shaping up to be the most monumental launch to a new year in the life of The Beer Wench.

Special THANKS to my girl, Shana Ray. Without here, I might not be where I am at today. Our cross country trip was legendary. I’ve enjoyed every moment with her since then and look forward to more in the future! Cheers!

Also, big thanks to everyone who has made an impact in my life in 2009. I would not be the person I am today without meeting all of you — whether our friendship be in the virtual realm, the real world — or both. I love each and every person that has touched my life in some way shape or form. Thank you!

CHEERS!