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: ANDREW DUNFEE

AUTHOR OF: HIPPO LANE

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Andrew Dunfee
Twitter handle: @adunfee
Name of blog: Hippo Lane
Current location: Denver, CO

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Pickerington, OH. It’s a suburb of Columbus. It was all farms once. There are now two high schools. I think the football coach is gone. They put in some street lights, a few signs, made it real pretty.

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

I played basketball during lunch in high school. Junior year I realized sweat is not hot. 13 years later (aka 6 months ago) I realized, again, that basketball is fun. I now play in a league and shower after the games. They have liquid soap dispensers.

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

Three.

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 think this guy said, “Here, drink this. It’ll put hair on your chest.” I remember a diving board, orange arm floaties, a pool. If that didn’t actually happen, I know there was this time when I went to a bar on the way to go camping. My head was not yet to the top of the stool. People smoked in bars back then, too.

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

Ohio University. I studied business. I wanted to study history. I really dug the Reformation and American Indians classes. I had a band called Loesha the Swan Goddess. We were very white. The last time I was interviewed was with them. It was 2001, I believe. We drank coffee and then beer. I sounded pretentious. How do I sound so far?

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 drove west on 270, an outer belt in Columbus, just past I-71 and said, “What smells like geese shit?”  I was alone, so nobody answered, but in a minute I saw it: the Anheuser Busch plant.

I’m just being dramatic. I really had a few slow epiphanies at different times. In college, the discovery of Guinness and Newcastle was my first foray into non-yellow fizzy beer. Some of my uncles liked this stuff, I think. There was a brewpub called O’Hooley’s in Athens. I tried heavier pale ales, stouts, and porters. It felt more special, somehow, to drink those beers, but still I mostly drank PBR at the Union.

After college, there was a place called The Elevator (still is) in Columbus. It’s kind of a snooty place, so at the time I was a bit of a beer snob. I learned a little and actually liked the beers; this is when I realized stout is my favorite. But I eventually felt like a douche and switched back to PBR, which seemed nice because I didn’t have to think about it and it was cheap.

Then, over the course of several months when I started to brew my own beer and read the Charlie Papazian books, I got back into craft beer big time. I brewed with a friend. He pushed us to learn as much as possible about the process and different styles. Making your own beer is a great way to distinguish the different flavors and styles and come to appreciate them. After, it’s hard to want just one type of beer.

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

There were some places that influenced me, places with massive selections of beer and a great beer environment: The Brickskeller in Washington D.C. Flying Saucer in Raleigh and Fort Worth. Falling Rock in Denver. Valhalla in New York. Toronado in San Francisco. St. James Tavern in Columbus, OH.

Beer Blog Background

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

I started this site in April, but wrote for brewclick.com for a couple months before that.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

Those guys asked me to. They knew I was writing a book, knew how to make beer, and could put down a few. I was confused at first, but got into it after doing a couple posts and meeting some of the brewers. I started to see that there is a story to be told and meaning in this industry, in offering more choices, going back to tradition and stronger local communities. After a couple of months, I wanted to write more often and have the ability to talk about other topics. So I started hippolane.org.

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

That’s not a very nice question. I know; it’s pretty stupid. It has nothing to do with beer, writing, travels, or any of the topics I try to cover. But it’s a nice image, isn’t it?

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

The things I’ve come to care about the most in the craft beer industry are the sense of pride and artisanship that goes into making great beer and the community that exists around local breweries. For many reasons I won’t go into here, I think we need more of that. I hope I can help. I try to tell stories that make people like they want to be there, like they could be missing out. In the case of craft beer, missing out on fun, friendship, pride in community, and a greater range of experiences.

On a personal level, I want to write books and screenplays. I’m working on my first novel, about 5 major drafts in. This blog helps sharpen my skills. In the future, I hope it leads to a better connection with people that might be interested in any book I write. I also want to do non-fiction books about travel, beer, and other (maybe more political) interests.

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

Every time I go out with my friends to see a new place is the coolest thing that has happened. No seriously, that’s lame. Can I take it back? Can you, like, edit this part out?

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

• http://jennandbeer.com/
• http://beernews.org/
• http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Stout, ESB, Pilsner.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Great Divide, Stone, Deschutes.

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

Brooklyn. Garrett Oliver seems like he’d be a cool boss; he wears jackets and jackets are cool. There’s a ton of tradition in the brewery, the area, I’m assuming the building. They make fantastic beers.

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 recently made a gluten-free, sorghum-based beer. After three sips, it went down the drain. My favorite, though, was a hefty imperial coffee stout. I don’t think I answered your question. Can you ask something else?

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

None. I got a certification in Java once. That’s a computer language. I just labeled myself as a dork, didn’t I? Even more so because now I’m saying things like someone’s actually talking back.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

I was going to say waffles and a stout or a lambic to be amusing, but in all actuality, that’s probably pretty damn good. A real favorite is Fuller’s ESB with Saag Paneer at the British Bulldog in Denver.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Code monkey.

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 like to be a tailor in a large department store. Because you get to look good all day. I had a job in a dressing room once.

3. Are you married? Children?

Not that I’m aware.

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

I noodle on guitars, garden some, do the weird things we do in gyms, paint, read. I’m a bit obsessed with IMDB. I have a crush on Ellen Page, but that’s not a hobby.

Off The Beaten Path

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

I don’t want to answer this 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?

Great Divide’s Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout. Is it okay that I had to look up the exact phrasing and spelling of that beer? It’s over 50 characters long.

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?

An Oktoberfest. A toad’s scrotum comes to mind. Butterscotch. I picture Germany and witches. What am I supposed to say?

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

It would definitely not be to swim really fast. Seriously, what is the point of Aquaman?

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

We started a lot of fires as a kid. We burned circles in the cornfield, threw smoke bombs down chimneys, put sparklers in the back of rocket engines, made hairspray flamethrowers, and did something utterly stupid with shotgun shells and fire; I’ve forgotten the specifics.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Great next to eggs. Terrible in salads.

SPECIAL THANKS TO ANDREW FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS! (GO BUCKS!)

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!

INTROUDCING: JAMES MARKS

AUTHOR OF: COLUMBUS BEER GUYS

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: James Marks
Twitter handle: @cbusbeerguys
Name of blog: Columbus Beer Guys
Current location: Columbus, Ohio

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Guelph, Ontario, Canada and Wexford, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Pittsburgh).

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

I was a pretty active kid. I played soccer growing up and then fell in love with running. However, its kind of a love-hate relationship these days. I ran both cross country and track in high school and inter-collegiately at Denison University.

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 was 15 years old in Puerto Rico on Spring break with my family. It was a Heineken (I know I had to start somewhere; at the time I thought I was drinking an imported treasure) and I drank it at nightfall on the beach.

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 Denison University in Granville, Ohio where I studied Political Science and Environmental Studies. I ran cross country and track at Denison (Go Big Red!); and beat the other Columbus Beer Guy, P.J. a couple of times! I know I’m going to owe him a beer for that comment.

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 remember it as if it were yesterday. It was at ‘The Sink‘ in Boulder, Colorado. They have about 20 taps and was in new to the craft beer world. The bartender poured me his favorite beer, an Avery IPA, and I was hooked. I have drank craft beer since that day and never looked back. It made me the hop-head enthusiast I am today, and it is still tough to find an IPA that matches Avery’s brilliance.

Beer Blog Background

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

We started writing our blog over a month ago. Its fun and exciting. Beer is one of our favorite things in life and we hope we’re helping and informing Columbus residents what is out in the Columbus beer scene.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

The first inspiration would be all the amazing beers that are available in the U.S. Without the amazing brewers and beer, we wouldn’t be blogging about it. The second inspiration would have to be ‘Beer In Baltimore”s blog. Their goal is to create a stronger beer culture in Baltimore and that is our goal in Columbus. We’re pretty new to this and their blog has been a great example for us; and we hope we’re a great source for Columbus and others.

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

We live in Columbus, we love beer, and we’re two guys. I guess we’re not too innovative for a couple of liberal arts college graduates! Is it to late to ask for a refund on my tuition?

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

Our first goal is to create a stronger beer culture in Columbus by informing our readers what is going on in their communities. We want to be the first to know who has what on tap, what beer stores received something really unique, and also inform our readers what bars and beers are great for them to try. As for achievement, we hope to become a great resource for our readers as well as continue our education on the craft beer world.

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

It would have to be a tie between this interview (thanks Beer Wench!) and our first Columbus craft beer tweet-up that we organized.

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

First has to be ‘Beer In Baltimore‘, they were pretty much the reason we started blogging about beer in Columbus. Plus we have a little bit of a football rivalry between his Ravens and my Steelers. ‘Beernews.org‘ is another as they allow us to read more in detail what is happening with our favorite breweries and beers. The last would be ‘Beer Advocate‘ as its a great resource for all beer connoisseurs. We also love ‘The Beer Wench’ site!!!! We get to learn about all the exciting and knowledgeable beer bloggers out there!

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

I’m a hop-head so IPA’s, but I also love an American Strong Ale, and a Quadrupel (have to love the Belgians)

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Avery, Stone, and Dogfish Head

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

It would have to be Avery Brewing Company in Boulder, Colorado. I lived in Boulder for two years and loved going to the tap room and chatting with the guys there. For such a small brewing staff, the are quite ingenious with their innovative big beers and they end up tasting amazing.

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

I am not a homebrewer. It is something I would love to get into someday, but with so many amazing breweries and beers out there, I don’t want to waste my time creating something that is subpar.

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?

It would have to be a Double IPA with a strong cheese pairing. MMMM cheese!

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I currently am studying for my masters in secondary education. As for trying to survive financially, I work part-time at Columbus Running Company.

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?

My dream is to open up a craft-beer bar. Nothing trendy or over the top; just a neighborhood-feel beer bar with the best micro-brews on tap. I hope someday I can make this dream come true.

3. Are you married? Children?

I am not married, but my girlfriend currently resides in D.C. And someday hopefully she’ll be my wife, if she takes me and my beer-loving ways. As for children, I have a 3 year old German Shepard/Chow mix named Asics. He is also a huge beer lover!

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

I am a so-called runner. I’m training for the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon currently, so we’ll see how that goes. I’m also huge into sports and can be found on the couch on any Saturday or Sunday watching my Steelers and Penn State Nittany Lions win!

Off The Beaten Path

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

I would be a Double IPA. I can be pretty cranky at times, so thats the bitter affect, but I can be sweet, which many Double IPA’s offer. Plus I have a kick in me sometimes and that matches the ABV %.

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?

Toughest question yet! I’m going to drink from my favorite brewery, and even though I’m not religious in anyway, I’m going to drink “The Reverend” from Avery’s Holy Trilogy Series. Maybe I can go to beer heaven!

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?

Well Beer Wench, it seems that everyone loves you, so I would pick something sweet. I would try to replicate something like Dogfish Head’s Fort. A nice tart fruit beer that has a kick in it. I have a feeling you’re the life of the party and you want everyone to have an amazing time, so “The Beer Wench” would be the high-alcohol jolt fruit beer!

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

If I was a superhero, I’d be Batman. He gets all the ladies, drives cool cars, and I can do the creepy Christian Bale voice pretty well. If I was a new superhero, my powers would consist of teleporting. I mean how cool would that be, if their was a beer on tap somewhere crazy in the world, I could just snap my fingers and be there! Can someone please create a teleporting machine!

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

If I told you, I’d have to kill ya, and no one wants that Beer Wench!

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

First reaction – YUM! Second reaction – I want some NOW! Third reaction – must wipe slobber from face. No, I think bacon is amazing. I think people are getting very innovative and creative with bacon these days, either using it in desserts or in other intriguing dishes. It is one of my favorite delicacies and always is a great pair with beer.

SPECIAL THANKS TO JAMES FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

GO BUCKS!

CHEERS!

During a recent visit to Milwaukee for the Great Lakes Craft Brewers & Water Conservation Conference, I had the honor of meeting Patrick F. Conway, owner of the Great Lakes Brewing Company.

Once upon a time, I had a 6 year stint in Ohio. I moved to Ohio from NY to attend THE (yes THE) Ohio State University in 2001. Ended up working there for two years post college. Columbus is where I first discovered my love for craft beer. That is the city where I became The Beer Wench.

So naturally, there will always be a place in my heart for Ohio craft beer. Especially, beer from the Great Lakes Brewing Company — probably, hands down, my favorite Ohio craft brewery. No joke.

Why? Because they make consistently GREAT beer. Must be the water …

Of course, when I noticed a group of Great Lakes Brewing boys at a table across the room from me at the conference, it became my prerogative to meet them. No expectations. Just wanted to meet them and tell them how nostalgic their beers were for me.

But, fortunately for me, the Great Lakes Brewing boys were willing to entertain the crazy craft beer obsessed Wench for some time during the conference.

So there I was … at a conference regarding sustainability and water conservation in the craft brewing industry … sitting at a table with the Great Lakes Brewing team … and I made a comment about their solar panels.The response? “How do you know about the solar panels? They are only just being built. No one knows …”

Ah ha! Despite living all the way across the country in a state that GLBC does not distribute to, I still know what is going on behind the scenes. And how? Well … that is my little secret.

Okay maybe not. Truth is, I have an “in” to information regarding Great Lakes Brewing Company. One of my all time best friends recently landed a marketing & sales job with GLBC in Cleveland. So I might be privy to some news, now and then.This is how I know that Great Lakes Brewing Co. has implemented several sustainable measures in both its brewery and its brewpub.

GLBC has a pretty powerful mission statement that really illustrates their commitment to the local community and the environment:

“Great Lakes Brewing Company is a principle-centered, environmentally respectful and socially conscious company committed to crafting fresh, flavorful, high-quality beer and food for the enjoyment of our customers. We aspire to maintain our status as the premier craft brewery in the Great Lakes region and are dedicated to uncompromising service, continuous improvement and innovative consumer education.”

GLBC owner, Patrick Conway, took great interest in Drink With The Wench and my passion for the craft beer industry. In support of my pursuit for beer, Patrick made a point to retrieve a bottle of Great Lakes Brewing Christmas Ale from his car and hand deliver it to me at the water conference. To me, this was very humbling and extremely exciting.

Now, without any further ado, allow me to present my tasting notes:

THE BEER WENCH’S TASTING NOTES
GREAT LAKES BREWING COMPANY CHRISTMAS ALE

FACTS:

Christmas Ale A holiday ale brewed with honey and spiced with fresh ginger and cinnamon. ABV: 7.5% ABW: 6.0% IBU: 40

• APPEARANCE: Brilliant clarity, marigold-orange color. Rapidly dissipating, off-white head.
• AROMA: Intoxicating hints of ginger & cinnamon — reminiscent of Christmas cookies & gingerbread. Subtle notes of caramel & biscuit malts. Slightly fruity. No detectable hop aroma.
• FLAVOR: Spicy, ginger shows through stronger than the cinnamon. Rich caramel & toasty malt character with noticeable hints of honey. Slight
• MOUTHFEEL: Medium to full bodied. Highly carbonated, rich creamy texture, slightly syrupy. Dry, bitter finish. Spice lingers. Subtle alcohol warming sensation.
• OVERALL: Balance is the key to producing a well-made spice beer. In my opinion, this beer has a wonderful balance between the spiciness of the ginger & cinnamon and the sweetness of the honey and the malts. I particularly liked the use of honey. Neither of the spices were overpowering. Alcohol level created a nice warming sensation without being to “hot” or intense. This is the first time I’ve tasted the GLBC Christmas Ale and it is definitely one of the favorites in the category. I’m kind of bummed that it is not distributed in California. Hopefully, I will get a chance to drink it again before the end of the season.

CHEERS!!!