Featured Beer Blogger: SHANE HOLLAND
INTRODUCING: SHANE HOLLAND
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!
AUTHOR OF: PASSION BEER
*Beer Blogger Interview*
Full name: Shane Holland
Internet nickname: kabaa/kabamodern
Twitter handle: @passionbeer
Name of blog: Passion Beer
Current location: Philadelphia, PA
*Background “Snapshot”*
1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Reading, PA and moved outside of Reading for high school.
2. What sports if any did you play growing up, through college and beyond?
Throughout elementary school, middle school and into high school I played baseball. In high school I ran track, also.
3. How old were you when you had your first beer?
Honestly? I was about 20. No lie. I really didn’t care for beer (I had TASTED a beer when I was young) at all. I think that gave beer a bad stigma in my mind.
4. If you can recall, what is the story of your first beer? Where did you have it? What style and brand was it?
The first beer I ever had was a Samuel Adams Boston Lager at my friend’s apartment in college. It was pretty rough. I wasn’t used to drinking beer and to be introduced to such a flavorful beer as your first beer was quite the experience. It may not have gone down too well at first, but the taste for finer beer obviously grew on me.
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 attended Penn State University and received my Bachelors of Science in Information Science and Technology. I didn’t really partake in many (if any) extracurricular activities the college had to offer due to work and some other college events….
*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 was definitely at Craft Ale House in Limerick, PA. I was starting to develop a stronger and more in-tune palate for craft beer when I went there one night with a bunch of my friends (actually, two of them are my other writers at Passion Beer). My friend Mike suggested I try the SlyFox Royal Weisse they had on tap. Being quite open to try new beer (and having not tried a LOT of craft brews at the time), I went for it. I think the first thing that came out of my mouth after I tasted the first sip was “Wow. Wow. That is amazing.” I think that beer really was a game-changer for me. It lured me in even further to the absolutely amazing craft and art that is craft beer. Thank you SlyFox. And Mike, of course.
2. Have you have additional craft beer epiphanies since the first? Detail as many of them as you wish:
I don’t know if I’ve had any since. I’m sure I have but I know, for certain, that I’m waiting and anticipating one. I’m waiting for that craft beer epiphany in the stout-realm. I really haven’t found any stouts that have made me turn a new leaf. While I’m not completely against stouts, they’re not my favorite – by any means. I need something to come along and give me an epiphany like the Royal Weisse did. Please!
*Beer Blog Background*
1. How long have you been writing your beer blog?
About two weeks – we’re fairly new!
2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?
My growing love for craft beer. My friend Mike and Nick have always been adventurous in trying craft beer and got me involved too. I think I wanted to take our love for craft beer to a new level. Not just talking about it amongst each other but writing about it for the world to read.
3. Why did you chose the name of your blog?
I chose Passion Beer because I felt it was a perfect way to describe how I felt about beer. I was passionate about this amazing liquid. In fact, I felt so obligated to explain what really having a passion for beer was (considering the blog name), that I wrote an article about being passionate about beer. It fit well with the website.
4. What are you personal goals for your blog? What do you hope to achieve with it?
My personal goals are obviously to gain an audience that can help me and my writers spread the word about craft beer and microbreweries. Not only do we want our viewers to read what we have to say, we want to open their minds to this amazing world we’re a part of. Too many people are used to seeing the same beer commercials and the same companies taking up too much real estate on the shelves. Our goal is to make our readers look past the Miller Lite and Coors Light and look into the craft beer. That’s where the best beer is at, hands down.
5. What is one of the coolest things that happened to you as a result of being a beer blogger?
I think the absolute coolest thing so far was, within my first week of opening my website I was on a radio station in West Chester, PA talking about PassionBeer.com! How cool is that? That was made all possible by Mary from WC Dish. Thanks so much!
6. What are you top 3 favorite beer blogs/beer websites?
Well besides Passion Beer, I’d say: Beer Advocate, BeerNews.org and of course DrinkWithTheWench!
*Beer Talk*
1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?
Wheat Ale, IPA and Irish Red Ale
2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?
SlyFox, Dogfish Head and Victory
3. If you could work with or for any one brewery, which one would it be and why?
I’d probably choose Dogfish Head. I’ve seen Beer Wars and Sam looks like the coolest, most down to earth owner I’ve ever seen. Not to mention their beer is absolutely some of the most delicious brews I’ve ever had. Please, choose me DFH!
4. Are you a homebrewer? If yes, what is the most unique and interesting beer recipes you’ve brewed as a homebrewer?
N/A
5. Do you have any beer certifications (BJCP, Cicerone, Siebel, American Brewers Guild)?? If so, what are they?
N/A
6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?
Mmm, there are so many but I love having a nice Pale Ale with some roasted pork. Also, you can’t go wrong have a nice porter with some dark chocolate!
*The Personal Side*
1. What is your current day job?
I work at Godiva Chocolatier as a Systems Support Engineer. I essentially monitor and ensure our infrastructure is running smoothly.
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 become a college professor, hands down. I’ve always wanted to teach and feel that’s what my personality is best suited for. In the near future, I do plan on going for my Masters degree which would enable me to teach at the collegiate level.
3. Are you married? Children?
Not married, no children but happily taken.
4. Outside of beer and writing, what are some of your other hobbies?
I enjoy web design, video games, travelling, socializing with my friends and girlfriend and enjoying life!
*Off The Beaten Path*
1. If you were a style of beer, what style would be an why?
I’d be an Irish Red Ale. It’s my heritage. Oh and I love Irish Reds.
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?
That’s such a difficult question. Unfortunately, I have yet to try all the beers out there. So, before I died, I’d like to carry on my quest to try new and interesting craft brews. I’d have someone pick me out something I’ve never tried – I guess I would TRY to compile a list of everything I have tried first…
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?
I think I’d make The Beer Wench an IPA. It has such a strong name it needs a nice, bold, hop-flavor like an IPA would deliver.
4. . If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
As creepy as it sounds I would want the power of invisibility. How cool would that be?!
5. What is one of the craziest things you have ever done and lived to tell the story?
I went abseiling off an absolutely enormous cliff in Ireland. It was incredibly breathtaking but absolutely terrifying at the time. I’d do it again in a heartbeat though.
6. What are your thoughts on bacon?
One word: absolutelyFUCKINGincredible.”
SPECIAL THANKS TO SHANE FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!
CHEERS!
