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: LEE WILLIAMS

AUTHOR OF: HOPTOPIA

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Lee Norman Williams
Twitter handle: @Hoptopia (and) @LeeWilliams
Name of blog: Hoptopia
Current location: Brooklyn, NY

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Bristol, England

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

Tennis and… is Super Nintendo a sport?

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

About 13 or 14, yes I was on the young side – a reminder that legal drinking age is 18 in the U.K.

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 am pretty sure my first beer was a Kronenbourg (none of that fancy 1664.) My Dad always had lots of French beer on hand and I would occasionally steel them to try.

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 West England, were I gained a BA in Media, Communications and Advertising. Is Sony PlayStation a sport?

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 first craft beer epiphany occurred in Philadelphia in the early 2000’s. Up to that point I had been drinking beer without paying much attention to what it was – mainly standard British and American pub ales – Boddingtons, Guinness, Budweiser, Newcastle Brown etc. – around that time in Philly though I started spending a lot of time in music venues, many of which happened to have decent bars, I forget exactly which venue it was, but someone handed me the first Sierra Nevada Pale Ale I’d ever had and literally within seconds it was as if my beer appreciating blinkers were torn from my face and all was revealed.

The Sierra was so fresh and different, it give me pause enough to contemplate that there might actually be a story, a brain and a process behind the ‘booze’ in my hand. From that point on I’ve paid attention to every single beer I’ve ordered. That little green labeled bottle of Sierra really birthed my appreciation of beer, though.

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

Hundreds, nay thousands! Far more than I can possibly do justice to. One recent beer epiphany has been my stumbling across Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project – their brews are incredible.

Pretty Things founder and brewer Dann Paquette has a phenomenal amount of brewing experience on both sides of the Atlantic and Pretty Things has the potential to be a huge and influential player in the craft beer world.

Beer Blog Background

1. How long have you been writing HOPTOPIA?

Since Halloween 2009.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I wanted to start funneling my obsession of sampling as many new beers as possible in a more tangible, productive and useful direction.

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

1.) I wanted something short and easy for people to remember.

2.) I wanted a name that basically conveyed the idea of ‘beer heaven.’

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

I believe all goals should be ambitious and my goal for Hoptopia is definitely ambitious. The primary goal is to create the most comprehensive, colorful and straightforward beer guide on the internet, a resource interesting to existing craft beer enthusiasts, but more importantly a resource that is approachable and useful to the millions of curious and often bewildered craft beer newbies out there.

The craft beer industry must continue to eat macro brew market share and it can only do so if a whole lot more people stop buying macro brews and switch to craft. I believe Hoptopia can play a role in encouraging more people to check out craft beer in a more active and dedicated way.

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

This interview is pretty darn cool, thanks for having me.

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

BeerNews.org is a brilliant resource. I love what Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder are doing with Hopcast, their approach to craft beer is spot on. Life for us established beer nerds would be a lot more difficult without Beer Advocate, so that has to be my third choice.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Russian Imperial Stout, Saison, IPA

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Besides Pretty Things, I’d have to say 21st Amendment, Mikkeller, Nogne O

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

I’m not really interested in working for a brewery. I think I can serve a better purpose as a purveyor for the entire craft beer industry – I’m a great example for others as I didn’t discover craft beer until well into my twenties and after years of drinking only macro brews.

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

Homebrewers rule, I am not one.

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

Classrooms send me to sleep. Kudos if you do work towards these certifications though, that’s pretty awesome.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

There are many combos within this, but Dark Belgian ales with the right kind of pungent cheese is hard to beat.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I am the Assistant for the Creative department of an independent global PR firm called Edelman in New York City – it’s a very demanding, logistics heavy job that keeps me on my toes for 9-10 hours a day. I love the people I work with.

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 don’t worry too much about my next career steps. I’ve discovered that if you’re confident, work as hard as humanly possible – and I’m talking 18 hours a day hard, 7 days a week hard – and if you never bullshit people, doors and opportunities have a tendency to open up for you whenever you need them to. What this means for me in 2010 and beyond… well, we shall see, it’s always exciting and at the end of the day, that’s what really counts.

3. Are you married? Children?

I am not.

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

I love food and wine – I still have my training wheels on with both, but love learning about them. I also love the business of business, the ins and outs of building and managing businesses successfully… it fascinates and excites me.

Off The Beaten Path

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

Probably an IPA, because I’m fresh, can be abrasive and am always looking forward to the future by constantly evolving – think: Triple, Black and fusion IPA’s.

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?

Oscar Blues Ten FIDY Imperial Stout. Why? Because however many cans you drink in a lifetime it’s never going to be enough – the stuff is amazing and puts a smile on my face.

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

I wouldn’t want superhuman powers, seems too much like cheating, I’d prefer manmade powers – like those of Iron Man / Tony Stark, he’s rich, suave, sarcastic, unapologetically obsessed with his passions… and he can fly! – I respect all of those traits…. especially the flying.

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

Immigrating to the U.S. is pretty damn crazy in the grand scheme of things – the word ‘adventure’ cannot even begin to describe saying goodbye to your family, leaving the place you grew up so you can create a new life for yourself half way around the world. It’s not for everyone.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

One word – ambrosia.

SPECIAL THANKS TO LEE FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

I made sure to fully charge my HD video camera before the dinner. What I forgot to do was turn the camera off. And unfortunately, when I arrived at the dinner my camera was dead. So I had to resort to using a FLIP camera, which was not ideal. But what can you do?

I understand that the video is long, by “internet” standards. In my opinion, although I’m not particularly interesting (or visually appealing) to watch, Sam is a great interviewee and has given me 19 minutes of compelling material.

Without further ado, I present The Wench’s Interview with Sam Calagione!

Interview With Sam Calagione from The Beer Wench on Vimeo.

I recently had one of the most amazing beer experiences of my life.

No I’m not talking about the beer — which was amazing. Or the food — which was also outstanding.

I’m referring to the opportunity to meet both Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head, and Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada. And let me just say one thing, these dudes are rockstars.

Prior to the Life & Limb dinner, I had the opportunity to meet Sam at the Great American Beer Festival. Naturally, as with all beer festivals, Sam was too busy to chat. BUT, he was gracious enough to take the time to say hello and snap some photos with me.

Although I had met Sam before the Life & Limb dinner, it did not prevent me from being wickedly nervous prior to our interview. Many of my friends can attest to my jitters in the weeks leading up to the dinner. But oddly enough, the moment Sam arrived at the restaurant, all of my nerves were put at ease. Sam was extremely congenial and from the moment we shook hands hello to the moment we shook hands goodbye, I felt right at ease.

And then of course, there was Ken Grossman — another major “celebrity” in the beer world. As soon as he arrived, Sam introduced us and we shook hands. Ken was extremely approachable and I had a blast talking to him before, during and after the dinner. Ken is definitely a man who truly loves life. There was not one moment in which he wasn’t smiling. No joke. This guy did not stop smiling.

Well as much as I’d love to gush on and on about meeting these two spectacular men, this article is not about me swooning over two of the greatest brewers in the country. Sigh. Shall we talk about the beer?

For it’s first ever collaboration, Sierra Nevada chose to team up with Dogfish Head to develop wo collaborative beers: Limb & Life (a draft-only beer) and Life & Limb (available in 24oz bottles and limited draft). Mutual respect, admiration, and none-too-few shared glasses of beer led to the collaborative idea.

THE BACKGROUND: The beers-Life & Limb, and Limb & Life-are dedicated to the family of beer drinkers and enthusiasts worldwide who continue to support the little guys, iconoclasts, entrepreneurs, and pioneers who risk life and limb to shape the vibrant craft-brewing community. Over the years, the two brewers-Ken Grossman and Sam Calagione-have become friends in the industry. They quickly realized how many similarities they share. Grossman’s history as a craft-brewing pioneer and his radical approach to brewing are echoed some fifteen years later by Calagione-through his boundary-pushing innovation and tireless promotion for the cause of craft beer.

Both men started out as home brewers obsessed with beer-making. Both share deep values of sustainability and responsibility. Both share the desire to pass their breweries on to the next generation, and both started out small-from humble beginnings-and built vibrant, creative, beer-centered and fiercely independent breweries, despite the long odds.

Below is a great video of Sam Calagione describing the story behind the Life & Limb collaboration, filmed by Draft Magazine.

Shall we move on to the actual event? Good plan …

The evening started out with Ken & Sam tapping the inaugural kegs. Hearing the kegs tapped was music to my ears. Although both kegs were tapped at the same time, the Life & Limb was reserved for dessert and we were all served the Limb & Life first. (BUT! I was one of the honored few to sip from the Holy Grail — aka Sam let me try some of his Life & Limb from his glass)

FIRST PAIRING: Passed Hors D’Oeuvres w/ Limb & Life

Unfortunately, I have no picture to insert because I was too busy mingling, drinking beer & noshing on the apps. However, let us discuss the pairing …

THE FOOD =

THE BEER = LIMB & LIFE

Limb & Life is a companion to the big beer-an acorn off the larger tree. It is a 5% ABV small beer-a low-gravity beer made using the residual sugar as “second runnings” from the first larger brew, fortified with American hops. This is a session beer. Its big brother is a sipper. Limb & Life will be a limited draft-only product, a prelude to the bigger beer.

The Wench’s opinion? PLEASE SIR … can I have some more? (And trust me … I did)

Life & Limb TASTING NOTES

• APPEARANCE: Fairly clear, brown. Great head. Lots of carbonation.
• AROMA: Hops dominate the aroma, yet there is a subtle hint of the maple syrup, rich roasted malts & wood (which I know now to be “birch”)
• TASTE: Wow. I mean wow. This beer is too easy — way too easy. The malt is perfect — slightly malt notes with hints of maple. Hops are definitely the key player in this beer — yet, they are not overwhelming.
• MOUTHFEEL: Light-to-moderate in body. Very smooth. Carbonation is perfect.
• OVERALL: This is one of the best session beers I’ve ever tasted. Why? Because it has a great balance. There is a significant malt and sugar presence, yet the hops take center stage — without being too dominate.

THE SECOND PAIRING

THE FOOD = Seared Ahi Tuna, Hearts of Palm, Jicama Salsa, Citrus Vinagraitte

THE BEERS =

• Sierra Nevada Kellerweis: Kellerweis is one of the only American Hefeweizens made using the traditional Bavarian style of open fermentation. This difficult and labor-intensive technique adds uncommon depth and flavor complexity. This hazy-golden hefeweizen is deeply flavorful, refreshing and perfect for a sunny day.
• Dogfish Head Festina Peche: A refreshing neo-BerlinerWeisse fermented with honest-to-goodness peaches to (get this!) 4.5% abv! Below is a video of Sam talking about Festina Peche…

THE VERDICT = The Ahi tuna was rubbed with some sort of red pepper, chile, black pepper spice blend. The Ahi tuna was super fresh (bright magenta/purple) was perfectly cooked (just barely seared). The hearts of palm and jicama salad with citrus vinaigrette was a perfect accompaniment with the spice from the tuna. Although both beers were entirely different from each other, each added a different depth to the dish. My favorite pairing, however, was the DFH Festina Peche. I thought that the acidity in the Festina Peche helped to cut the spice on the tuna and complimented the citrus vinaigrette very well.

THIRD PAIRING

THE FOOD = Crispy Skin Five-Spiced Poussin, Snap Peas, White Corn Pilaf, Sweet & Sour Sauce

THE BEERS =

• Dogfish Head Midas Touch: This recipe is the actual oldest-known fermented beverage in the world! It is an ancient Turkish recipe using the original ingredients from the 2700 year old drinking vessels discovered in the tomb of King Midas. Somewhere between wine & mead; this smooth, sweet, yet dry ale will please the Chardonnay of beer drinker alike.
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, is a delightful interpretation of a classic style. It has a deep amber color and an exceptionally full-bodied, complex character. Generous quantities of premium Cascade hops give the Pale Ale its fragrant bouquet and spicy flavor.

THE VERDICT = The Poussin was cooked extremely well — the skin was delightfully crispy while the meat remained extremely juicy and fell right off the bone. The white corn pilaf was rather plain and I did not care much for it. I really did enjoy the chemistry between the 5 spice blend on the Poussin and the sweet & sour sauce. As for the beers, they happen to be two of my all-time favorie beers. Although Midas Touch is one of my “epiphany” beers and one of my all-time favorite DFH beers, the Sierra Nevada pale ale made a better pairing for this dish. The clean, crisp refreshing hops helped to cut the spice and syrupy sweetness of the dish.

THE FOURTH PAIRING

THE FOOD = Wokked Tourenedos of Beef Tenderloin, Sweet Onions & Peppery Cress

THE BEERS =

• Sierra Nevada Celebration: The long, cold nights of winter are a little brighter with Celebration^® Ale. Wonderfully robust and rich, Celebration^® Ale is dry-hopped for a lively, intense aroma. Brewed especially for the holidays, it is perfect for a festive gathering or for a quiet evening at home.
• Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron: An unfiltered, unfettered, unprecedented brown ale aged in handmade wooden brewing vessels. The caramel and vanilla complexity unique to this beer comes from the exotic Paraguayan Palo Santo wood from which these tanks were crafted. Palo Santo means “holy tree” and it’s wood has been used in South American wine-making communities.

THE VERDICT = The beef tenderloin was cooked very well. It was juicy and the spice blend in the sauce was a great combination of heat and sweetness. It was interesting to see two very different beers being paired with this dish. Prior to being served, I had already made up my mind that Palo Santo Marron would make the better pairing with the meat. But oddly enough, I actually preferred the Celebration Ale with the dish.

THE DESSERT PAIRING

THE FOOD =

• Valrhona Dark Chocolate Semifreddo
• Flourless Cocunt Run Cake

THE BEER = LIFE & LIMB

Life & Limb is a 10% ABV strong beer that defies style characteristics-brewed with pure maple syrup from the Calagione family farm in Massachusetts and estate barley grown on the Grossman “farm” at the brewery in Chico. The beer is alive with yeast-a blend of both breweries’ house strains-bottle conditioned for added complexity and shelf life, and naturally carbonated with birch syrup fresh from Alaska; it is the first beer we know of ever to use birch syrup in the brew. If stored under good conditions, this rich, full-bodied beer should age well for years.

VERDICT= I was honored enough to get a sip of the Life & Limb right after it was tapped. Despite its rather hefty ABV, Life & Limb was extremely smooth and very well balanced. Oak, maple and malts definitely dominated the aroma and taste of the beer. Finish was pleasantly dry. This was BY FAR the best pairing all night. The dark chocolate semifreddo was so rich and amazing and the beer complimented it perfectly.

Overall, I had an amazing time at the beer dinner. Big thanks to both Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada for putting together the event. Also, big props to both breweries for collaborating on two spectacular beers!

Cheers!