Not all beer conferences are fun and games. Some are actually serious events where serious issues, problems, and potential solutions are discussed.

One such serious issue affecting the brewing industry is WATER CONSERVATION.

Just last month, I had the honor and opportunity of attending the Great Lakes Craft Brewer’s and Water Conservation Workshop in Rochester, NY. The workshop was a follow-up to the Water Conference, which I also attended in November 2009. Both were organized by the well-known beer cookbook author and active environmentalist, Lucy Saunders.

Several representatives from breweries of every size from all over the country attended both events. Although at times way over my head, the presentations were impressive and extremely interesting. Presentations and panels cover systems for water conservation, water auditing, wastewater treatment and recycling in brewhouses and brewpubs, and the economics of water pricing in the Great Lakes.

Attending both events has definitely expanded my knowledge and understanding of the brewing process as well as helped me to understand the current state of fresh water in the world. I have become somewhat of a water conservation evangelist. I love talking about everything that I learned from the speakers and presenters at each event. I want breweries to change, to grow, and to conserve!

There is no better time to advocate water conservation and sustainable practices than during Earth Month. During this time, people tend to be more interested in the environment. And with Earth Day just hours away, there is no time like the present to bring people’s attention to water.

This morning, Stephen Beaumont published my article about water conservation in the brewing industry that I, oh so playfully, called “Water Is A Big Deal, Dude.”

Here is an excerpt:

In the brewing industry, water is a BIG deal. But not just because 90% of beer is comprised of it; that’s only half of the story. Water is a big deal because the brewing industry wastes A LOT of it. Depending on the brewery, it takes roughly 3.5 barrels (low end of spectrum) to 10 barrels (high end of spectrum) of water to produce ONE (yes, one) barrel of beer.

Despite the common misconception, water is finite. Although water covers roughly 71% of the earth’s surface, only 3% of it is freshwater, most of which is trapped in ice caps, glaciers and groundwater. The sad reality is that less than 1% of the earth’s water supports ALL life on land. And the even sadder reality is that we humans use 50% of all available freshwater annually.

Read more at THE WORLD OF BEER.

The next time you visit your local brewery, ask them what they are doing to conserve water. If the answer is nothing, tell them to contact the local water utility for a water audit and encourage them to look into water conservation measures. There are options for all breweries of all sizes!

CHEERS!

Those of you who have been following my blog (and actually reading its content) know that I have immense admiration and respect for the well-known beer writer, Stephen Beaumont of World of Beer (among many many many things).

In fact, I have been known to cite Stephen as one of my mentors and greatest inspirations in the beer industry. Not only is he extremely well-traveled, well write beer expert — but, he is also an awesome person to ‘hang’ out with in real life. Brilliant, yet unpretentious.

Stephen not only played a witness to one of my most epiphytical moments in my beer drinking and writing career, but he was also a key player in the (life-changing) beer experiences of the evening.

Rewind back to May of 2008.

My website was a mere 4 months old. I was a wine connoisseur and restaurant industry guru with an intrigue for beer. A novice at the time, I had no idea what I was getting myself into — and this I learned really fast during my fateful trip to Chicago for the National Restaurant Association Show.

I had many monumental (i.e.: life changing) experiences during those three short days.

For one, I stopped being a vegetarian and returned to the carnivore world that I had left behind in college. But nothing will hold a candle to the beer epiphanies I had while in Chicago.

Long story short, Stephen Beaumont was not only present but he was a key factor in the most memorable and arguably most impacting night in my career as a beer writer and beer connoisseur. It was that night when I decided to make beer my life.

And since then Stephen and his writing has served as an inspiration to me. He is, essentially. my mentor and someone that I aspire to be like one day.

Which brings me to the purpose of this post. I am happy to announce that Stephen has taken me under his wing as the “first official assistant/contributor/social media expert/provider of keen insight” at World of Beer.

Stephen, I am honored to be your wench … errrr I mean the Wench of World of Beer.

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: STEPHEN BEAUMONT

AUTHOR OF: BLOGGING AT WORLD OF BEER

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: Before I dive straight into my interview with Stephen, I feel it important to note how important and impacting he has been on my development as a beer writer and beer connoisseur. I had the honor of meeting Stephen while visiting Chicago for the 2008 National Restaurant Association Show. We met through a mutual friend at Goose Island — where Stephen was the first person to introduce me to the “Saison” style of beer.

That night ended up being one of the most memorable, eye-opening and educational experiences in my early beer writing days. It was on that fateful night that I had my biggest “beer epiphany” after tasting my first gueze. I will never forget that night or forget meeting Stephen. Although he did not know it until now, Stephen will always have a special place in my heart.

So without further ado, meet Stephen Beaumont — the exemplary beer writer, inspirational mentor and crazy Scotch-loving (exceptionally good-looking) Canadian.

Beer Blogger Interview

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Stephen L. Beaumont
Name of blog: Blogging at World of Beer (Despite what Jack Curtin might believe, this is a temporary place holder while I pull together a redesign of the World of Beer website.)
Current location: Toronto

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Montreal first, then Oakville (a Toronto suburb) and then Toronto

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

I was a competitive swimmer

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

10 or so, but I had my first watered down wine at the age of 4

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

It was at a restaurant in Maine, of all places. With my family.

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

York University in Ontario, where I graduated with a B.A. (hon.) in Pol Sci. (I tell people that you do three things when studying political science: you write a lot, you talk a lot and you drink a lot. This naturally set me on the road to my present career.)

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:

The beer was Hoegaarden White, brought back for me from the town of Hoegaarden back when Pierre Celis was still brewing it. It changed my perception of beer completely.

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

Every good beer is an epiphany in its own right. I never stop learning or appreciating.

Beer Blog Background

1. How long have you been writing your beer blog– Blogging at The World of Beer?

Blogging for a year or so, but World of Beer itself dates back to, I think, 1996 or 1997.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

See above.

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

The blog name came from the website name, of course, which in turn came from the fact that the few other combinations I had tried were already taken, including my name. Since I travel the world in search of great beer, World of Beer seemed apt.

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

Honestly, I haven’t the foggiest.

5. In addition to your World of Beer website, you have also written for various other sources as well as published a book. Please feel free to detail as many of these as you wish:

I’ve been writing about beer (and spirits and travel) for about 20 years and have written or co-written six books.

My latest is The beerbistro Cookbook, which was inspired by the 6 year old beer cuisine restaurant in which I’m a partner. I have also contributed to several other books, most recently Ben McFarland’s new World’s Best Beers, and contribute regularly to ten magazines and irregularly to several others.

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

Way too numerous to mention, but tasting a Thomas Hardy vertical back in the mid-1990’s and drinking a seven year old bottle of the very first brewing of St. Lamvinus with Jean-Pierre Van Roy at the Cantillon brewery have to rank right up there.

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

I decline to mention, mainly because I enjoy so many.

Beer Talk

This might sound a bit pompous, but I would rather expound upon beer for a bit than answer your listed questions. Because, you see, I can honestly state that I enjoy almost any beer style when it’s done well, from west-coast American hop bombs to the elegant subtlety of a kölsch. Truly, I believe that there is a beer for every occasion, and an occasion for every characterful beer.

What I think a lot of people miss when they are talking about beer style likes and dislikes is that context can affect perception in very real ways, and not liking a specific beer or style in one context should not preclude liking it in another. I have seen people who can’t stand lambics fall in love with the style in Belgium, and people who shun hoppy ales enjoy them with the right food combination.

One of my favourite such stories concerns my beerbistro Cookbook co-author and the executive chef and principle owner of the restaurant, Brian Morin. Way back when I was first introducing Brian to some more esoteric beers, one he simply couldn’t wrap his head around was Rochefort 8, which I regard as one of the world’s finest beers for pairing with chocolate. Didn’t matter to Brian, though. He just couldn’t see the appeal. Then we went to a local Belgian-style café and at the end of the meal I ordered us Rochefort 8s and slices of flourless chocolate cake. He took one bite and a sip and I could see the light bulbs going off. He looked at me, smiled and said, “Okay, I get it!”

I have never wanted to work in a brewery because I see how hard brewers work, often for too-low pay and a general lack of appreciation. I’m happy with my pen and notebook, thanks.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Beer 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?

I honestly wouldn’t change. I love my job.

3. Are you married? Children?

Married for a year-and-a-half, no kids.

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

Travel and eating and drinking figure high in my list of pursuits. (See why I love my job?) I love watching a good football, sorry, soccer game, live or on the tube, and enjoy reading. I also exercise rather reluctantly, running mostly, to keep off the weight.

Off The Beaten Path

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

You’re kidding, right?

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?

Distilled beer, aka single malt. Probably a Bowmore for sentimental reasons.

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?

You’re kidding, right?

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

Flying would be cool.

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

Becoming a full-time freelance beer writer.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Warm and fuzzy. (My thoughts, not the bacon!)

SPECIAL THANKS TO STEPHEN BEAUMONT FOR BEING AN INSPIRATION TO MYSELF AND OTHER BEER WRITERS!

CHEERS!