Considering collaboration beers are one of the fastest growing trends in the craft beer industry, it is only natural for bloggers to follow suit and work together as well. Beer bloggers Angelo De Ieso of BREWPUBLIC and Ashley V Routson of Drink With The Wench have banded together for a series of collaborative blogs posts, endearingly called “I’ll Show You Mine if You Show Me Yours” — aka a his and hers series. In our first collaborative article, we take a look back at some of our favorite moments, beers, and highlights of 2011. We hope you enjoy our banter… Cheers!

Several craft breweries made waves this year – whether it be announcing new projects, collaborations, major expansions, or other extraordinary achievements. In your opinion, what brewery was the most impressive in 2011?

Angelo: I think the whole idea of New Belgium and Sierra Nevada opening up on the East Coast or Stone opening in Europe is big news. When that actually comes to fruition, maybe in the next year or so, those will be huge. But as far as what I’ve been impressed with in 2011 is the exponential growth of craft breweries, especially village and neighborhood breweries. This gives each region within a region its own personality and flavor.

Expansions by Ninkasi, Deschutes, and 10 Barrel Brewing are quite impressive. Speaking of Deschutes and 10 Barrel, the growth of the Bend, Oregon beer scene is mind boggling. GoodLife Brewing is totally kicked ass in their first year in existence. I see many more great things coming from them. Also, Logsdon Farmhouse has been impressing a lot of palates around here. This is understandable since founder Dave Logsdon is no rookie when it comes to beer. He was an original brewmaster for Full Sail and helped start Wy’east Labs. I’m also continually impressed by Breakside Brewery and what they are turning out.

Brewer Ben Edmunds landed a GABF silver for his stout in his first year brewing pro. I am also stoked about a potential expansion from that brewery. Other noteworthy tidbits include Hopworks new Bike Bar opening, Alameda’s new expansion production facility, many new bottle shops and taprooms coming to life, and the soon to be all-star tandem that is Gigantic Brewing. Oh, yeah, and the fact that there are new breweries popping up in Vancouver,WA like that tasty Mt Tabor Brewing and soon Loowit Brewing over there. Too much to mention all around the PNW.Almost even forgot to mention the phenomenal flavors coming out of The Commons Brewery in SE Portland, too

Ashley: I agree with you that Sierra Nevada, New Belgium and Stone’s announcing the development of satellite breweries is monumental, but since they have yet to happen I cannot say they were the most impressive moves in 2011. The brewery that stands out most to me this year was Ninkasi, which experienced the greatest growth in the craft beer industry this year. Ninkasi passed New Belgium as the ‘fastest growing craft brewery’ – which is pretty damn impressive. They very successfully executed three key elements of growth: increased product production, increased sales in existing markets, expanded into new markets and states, and also expanded the product line.

What beer trend excited you the most in 2011?

Angelo: Overall growth of the craft beer industry. So many new and innovative breweries. And the small breweries aren’t the only ones getting inventive. Deschutes and Widmer are investing a lot into their geek niche audience. It’s so pleasant to see this. As far as style trends I think the wild ales are still a big one this year, as is barrel-aged brews, Belgian-style brews, and there has even been a push to highlight more lower abv styles which is great in my book.

Ashley: No time like the present to plug my latest hobby, beer mixology. A relatively new and evolving trend, beer cocktails are popping up on bar menus in most of the big cities and have been quite the buzz amongst the food & beverage writers. As both a beer expert and spirits enthusiast, this trend excites me greatly — so much so that I am launching a site dedicated to it.

I’m right there with you on the lower abv push. As someone who typically does not gravitate towards higher gravity, high alcohol beers, I was also excited to see a swing towards producing more balanced, low alcohol, session beers.

Speaking of session beers, what are 5 of your favorite sessionable beers that you enjoyed in 2011?

Ashley: Moonlight Brewing’s Death and Taxes is quite possibly my favorite “session” beer in the world. Other notable session beers I imbibed this year include Ninkasi’s Helles Belles, Linden Street’s Burning Oak Black Lager, Uncle Billy’s Helen Keller, and The Bruery’s Hottenroth Berliner Weiss.

Angelo: Burnside Gratzer, Russian River It Takes A Lot of Great Beer to Make Great Wine, Upright Todo Modo, Widmer Himbeer, Bend Ching Ching Berliner Weiss.

Of all the new beers released this year that you have tasted, what three stand out the most?

Angelo: Block 15 Golden Canary crushed it big time for me. I was over to Saraveza everyday when that beer was pouring. The perfect wild ale in my opinion. It had soft tart and creamy notes to it up front and finished with a beautiful breadiness that I look for. Similar to this was Elysian’s Mr Yuck, a wild pumpkin ale that poured at the KillerPumpkinFest I organized with the Green Dragon. I really loved Widmers Himbeer Gose when I first tried it at the Fruit Beer Fest in June. A light, tart, fruity, sessionable dandy. I had it again the other night at Roscoe’s Pub and the color and flavor from the raspberries in it are divine. My third pick would have to be Ninkasi Sleigh’r or Fort George 1811, possibly even Upright 5 — these are beers I’ve quaffed tough on, especially the last two, since they are year rounders.

Ashley: Well, naturally I have to plug myself and Bison Brewing on this question. We released some really interesting draft-only beers this year. My three favorite were probably Saison de Wench (a recipe that I helped develop and brew start to finish), Tangerine Trees and Marmalade Skies (a Belgian Tripel brewed with orange marmalade and aged in Bourbon barrels) and the Zeal Island Pale Ale (collaboration beer brewed with New Brew Thursday using only New Zealand hops). Outside of Bison, notable releases this year included Firestone Walker XV, Goose Island’s King Henry Bourbon-Barrel Barleywine, Breakside’s Gin Barrel-aged Double Wit, Cascade’s Sang Noir, Rise of the Fifth Horsemen Saison collaboration beer, and Crooked Stave’s Pure Guava Petite Sour.

What do you think was the most well-organized beer festival this year?

Angelo: I would have to say that overall the GABF is the most well-organized beer fest of them all based on sheer magnitude. Locally, I would have to tip my hat to the Oregon Brewers Festival, the largest Northwest beer fest.

Ashley: I could not agree more. The Oregon Brewers Fest marked my very first trip to Portland, which in itself made the event a stand out experience. As a brewery rep, this was by far one of the most fun events because the organizers really took care of us. For those unfamiliar with OBF, the brewers had a dinner the night before and a brewers breakfast the day of the kickoff, from which they marched us, in a parade fashion, down to the fest. Outside of this event, I have not heard of any other brewer parades. The event itself was extremely well executed. IDs were checked at the gates and there were several token stations setup around the entrance. Beer pours were paid in tokens, so over-consumption was really well controlled. The weather was also amazing, which definitely helped for the outdoor venue. Major props to Chris Crabb and her possy for awesome event execution!

Photo Source: BREWPUBLIC

Speaking of GABF, what were some of your highlights from this year’s Great American Beer Festival?

Ashley: This was my first GABF as a brewer, which is an all together different experience than attending as media (or as a volunteer or normal citizen, I’m certain). Bison Brewing entered Saison de Wench in the competition as well as poured it on the floor. I don’t think I have ever been prouder to pour beer.

Outside of the fest, though, there were some pretty kick-ass events. The best event I was invited to was a beer dinner co-presented by Top Chef winner and owner of Girl and The Goat, Stephanie Izard, and Jared Rouben, CIA graduate and brewmaster at Goose Island’s brewpub in Clyborn. The two collaborated on a beer recipe, which was also released at the event. We were greeted with cocktails and appetizers at the door, followed by, what felt like, a zillion courses of amazing food paired with equally amazing beers.

Lastly, I finally got the chance to meet the Alstrom Brothers, whom up until that point I had no relationship with, unless you count my rather harsh rants against them and Beer Advocate’s forum. Meeting the brothers in person completely changed my perception of the men, and I very humbly retract all unfounded statements I had made against them a few years back.

Angelo: GABF highlights were the following: Catching up with friends from Oregon and afar. It was nice to see our great state so well represented. The satellite events at Colorado breweries and pubs were spectacular. Seeing Oregon and Washington brewers win awards was another big highlight for me. It made me proud to  be from this region.

What was the most memorable beer event that you organized in 2011?

Angelo: KillerBeerWeek was a lot of work to organize and quite rewarding. 8 days of great events at 8 great craft beer spots around town. Others included Division Street BrewPubliCrawl, My Beery Valentine and IIPA Fest at Saraveza, as well as Van Havig Night at the Grain & Gristle.

Ashley: Virtually? Or in real life? Virtually, I had a lot of success and support for International #IPADay — a 24 hour virtual celebration of the India Pale Ale, one of craft beer’s most iconic styles. Locally, I hosted a very successful IPA Day fest, featuring over 10 local IPA’s. We were able to raise nearly 2k for a local LGBTQ charity, which was amazing.

As for exciting and buzz worthy beer events that I organized for Bison Brewing, I think that our most recent Holiday Beer Cocktail event was probably the most fun to organize and execute this year.

What are the top three beer blogs that you regularly read in 2011?

Ashley: You mean, besides BREWPUBLIC?? *wink* Honestly, this is a tough one because I am friends with so many beer bloggers and I would hate to narrow down my list of friends to a mere three. I’m a big fan of Denver Off The Wagon, a collaboration blog focused on the Colorado booze scene. As for my backyard, the Bay Area Beer Bloggers website has an aggregated feed of all the local blogs, which makes it the best comprehensive resource for the SF Bay Area. When it comes to video blogs, New Brew Thursday is my poison of choice. And of course, The Brewing Network is the best audio blog resource for all things craft beer and homebrewing.

Angelo: 2 Beer Guys from North Shore, MA. Those guys keep me updated on all the beer goings on in New England, where I am from. Beervana from Portland, OR. Jeff Alworth is an amazing wordsmith who is a pleasure to read. And number three is the Oakshire Beer Blog. Brewmaster Matt Van Wyk is a talented writer who offers the public insight into the world inside his amazing brewery. Of all brewer bloggers, he’s tops.

And last but not least, what are the three most memorable things that happened to you this year?

Angelo: 1. Connecting with Ashley Routson aka The Beer Wench. 2. The Month of May. Two of my favorite beer events happened in May: Eugene Beer Week and the Boonville Beer Fest. 3. Working at By The Bottle and Upright Brewing, two of my favorite beer places run by people I love.

Ashley: It might sound extremely cheesy to our readers, but since you already went there, I would have to say that meeting you [Angelo] tops the list. A very important second was finally landing a great job in the craft beer industry after years of struggle and kicking and fighting to get in. Lastly, the launch of International #IPADay, quite possibly the largest social media based craft beer movement, was a major personal success and a big feat for the industry in general.

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So many awesome memories and experiences from 2011!! Looking forward to having more in 2012!!! 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: THE BEER WENCH

AUTHOR OF: DRINK WITH THE WENCH

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Ashley Virginia Routson
Internet nicknames: The Beer Wench & Wenchie. (Do not even ask me how, why and when people started calling me Wenchie. The Beer Wench was meant to be a BADASS name … but somewhere along the road people decided to give me a cutsie little nickname. Crazy kids.)
Twitter handle: @TheBeerWench
Name of blog: Drink With The Wench
Current location: I am a gypsy. (But currently reside in Berkeley, CA)

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

I was born in Denver, but grew up in the town of Montgomery — just 60 miles north of Manhattan in the very beautiful and historical Hudson Valley, NY. And despite what all the the city folks love to say, I am not from UPSTATE New York. I am from DOWNSTATE.

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

I swam competitively from age 6 till I was nearly 21. My swimming career ended with a debilitating bicep injury while in college and I was forced to quit just 6 weeks before the Big Ten Swimming & Diving Championships. (I tore my bicep in the weight room and trained on it until I could not lift my arm. I couldn’t even write. It was bad.)

In middle school and high school, I was on the track team. Although sprinting was my forte, I dabbled in almost every single field event — hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put, decathalon and I’m proud to say that I was the VERY FIRST female polevaulter in my school.

After quitting swimming, I played intramural ice hockey for a quarter at Ohio State. Then my senior year at Ohio State I joined the novice rowing team. After a month on the novice squad, the varsity coach moved me up. An ankle injury was my ultimate downfall and I got surgery just one month before the season started. Instead of quitting, I ended up holding my place on the varsity squad as a coxswain. And no, I did not just yell “stroke stroke stroke” the entire time.

What else? I grew up on a river and have sweet canoeing skills.

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

Technically, I had my first taste of beer while in the womb. Apparently, my mother’s doctor told her it was safe for her to have a half of beer a day during pregnancy. And naturally, my mother indulged. My father wasn’t too thrilled about coming home to a half of a warm beer sitting on the counter, though.

To this day, my mom attests that beer sent her in labor. Whether or not this is true, is debatable. Regardless, I was born to be The Beer Wench.

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 actually remember drinking was Samuel Adams Boston Lager. My mother went to Boston College and my parents eloped in Boston. Despite the fact that my mother was born and raised in NYC, she has a weird loyalty to Boston (picks the Red Sox over both the Yankees and the Mets).

Samuel Adams was my mother’s beer of choice. Spaten was my father’s beer of choice. Those were the only two beers that I saw in my house growing up.

Speaking of Spaten and my Dad, that is a great story as well. My Dad rarely ever drinks anything other than Spaten. I’ve never known anyone so loyal to one brand of beer than my father. Our garage refrigerator is always stocked with it. Like always. My Dad brings his own beers to parties because he does not trust anyone else’s tastes. On my 21st birthday, instead of getting kegs of cheap beer for my college-aged cheap friends, he got Spaten. My Dad even brought Spaten to my cousin’s wedding.

Needless to say, I grew up being exposed to “good” beer and craft beer growing up.

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 love this question. Why? Because I love to live in the “glory days.” I am extremely proud of my achievements at The Ohio State University. I graduated with two B.A. degrees, varsity letters in 2 different sports and I was also involved in several school organizations. I guess you can call me an overachiever.

For this question, I will copy and paste from my resume:

The Ohio State University, 2001 – 2005, Columbus, OH
B.A., Psychology/B.A., Criminology, GPA: 3.6, Cum Laude

*Big Ten Scholar Athlete Award 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
*Ohio State Scholar Athlete Award 2002, 2003, 2004 ,2005
*Ohio State Varsity Swimming & Diving 2001-2004
*Ohio State Varsity Rowing 2004-2005
*Most Improved OSU Female Swimmer 2002
*Buckeye Power Club Award 2003
*Student-Athlete Advisory Board, Marketing Chair
*Romophos Sophmore Honorary (social chair)
*Bucket & Dipper Junior Honorary
*Mortar Board National Senior Honorary
*National Society of Collegiate Scholars
*Golden Key International Honor Society

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 with DogFish Head’s Midas Touch. At the time I discovered it, I was managing a restaurant in Columbus, OH. I was also studying for sommelier certification and extremely into wine. This was back in the day when DogFish Head did not have a wide distribution and its specialty beers were extremely limited and hard to find. My restaurant was able to secure two cases of Midas Touch (which back then was a lot to get).

Being the “beverage manager,” I made sure to do my research about the beer before it came in. The concept of the beer completely blew my mind. I learned that it was brewed based on an ancient recipe from a DNA analysis of scrapings from barrels in King Midas’ tomb. The ingredients themselves were so weird for beer: honey, saffron, white muscat grapes and barley.

Now you must remember, I was an uber wine geek at that time. So they idea of a “winey beer” really excited me. The flavor delivered as well. This beer completely changed the way I thought about beer and encouraged e to push my beer palate to the extreme.

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

The next beer epiphany was Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale. It was my first taste of an American IPA. It was this beer that turned me into a total hophead. Over the course of two years, while still in Ohio, I probably consumed at least one pint of it a day. No joke. My two favorite beer bars (in my early Drink With The Wench days) always had it on tap. And I used to drink it like water.

My greatest craft beer epiphany BY FAR has to be the first time I ever tasted THE GUEUZE. It was at The Map Room in Chicago in May of 2008. I was in town for the National Restaurant Association Show. Somehow my coworker stumbled upon Brian VanZandbergen of Merchant Du Vin and raved to him about me being a beer blogger.

At this time, I was a total hophead and extreme beer fan. The closest I got to drinking Belgian beers was Unibroue’s La Fin Du Monde and Trois Pistols — which are Belgian styles, not Belgian beers. And I most certainly never touched English of German beers. I wanted my crazy hoppy, big alcohol, over the top flavored beers.

You see, I consider myself to be of the “DogFish Head Generation.” I started drinking extreme beers and completely skipped over the “classic styles.”

Once Brian realized how amateur my palate actually was, he made it his mission to school me on beer. And so my coworker and I piled into his car for a memorable night of beer bar crawling and beer tasting throughout Chicago.

As fate would have it, we ran into Stephen Beaumont — renowned beer writer — at Goose Island brewery. Since then, Stephen has served as an inspiration, tremendous resource and mentor to me. Stephen was also there for my gueuze epiphany.

Long story short (okay I guess it’s a bit late for that), we found ourselves at The Map Room. Brian set us up with a line up of 8 different Merchant Du Vin imported Belgian beers. One of them was Cuvee Renee, Lindeman’s gueuze. From the first sip, I became consumed and obsessed by the gueuze.

And the rest is history.

Beer Blog Background

1. How long have you been writing Drink With The Wench?

I started the website in February of 2007. It was originally titled “The Columbus Beer Wench.”

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I am a writer. I love writing. And I happen to think that I have an affinity for it. I used to write a random stream of thoughts blog but, after a few months of doing that I decided to really focus my writing skills on one subject.

So I chose beer. Why? Well once I started studying beer, I became obsessed. After I left the restaurant for the marketing and advertising world, I still wanted to be involved in beer. I started hosting tastings and events around town. And then I started my website to help promote my events, recap my events as well as record my tasting notes and experiences.

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

Around the time I started writing her blog, I was working for a marketing and advertising agency. As a result of my job, I understood the importance of establishing a brand (as well as the proper steps of doing it).And so, I sat down one night and forced myself to come up with an Internet beer identity. I wanted something that was relevant to beer, yet playful and ‘rough around the edges’ — just like me. To me, the name Beer Wench is unpretentious and rowdy. However, don’t let the word Wench fool you. The Wench knows her beer.

As for the name Drink With The Wench, that used to be the name of the events I would host around Columbus. When I realized that The Beer Wench URL was taken, I opted for Drink With The Wench.

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

The original goal of the blog was to force me to learn more about beer. When I started it, I was an amateur. I learn best when I take notes and, more importantly, when I teach others. The blog was originally a “virtual notebook” of my beer studies as well as a resource for me to organize beer tastings and beer events where I would teach others what I had learned.

I’m proud to say that I’m no longer a novice and, at the moment, I consider myself to be a beer connoisseur. The goal of my blog now is to spread the good word of craft beer — whether it be through beer tasting notes, beer news, beer event coverage, beer industry interviews, beer & food pairings, recipes with beer.

I love writing. I hope that my blog will help me turn my hobby into a career. Ideally, I would love to write about beer for a living (aka get paid for it). Michael Jackson is a huge mentor and inspiration of mine. I have said this many times before — my ultimate goal is to become Michael Jackson meets Ray Daniels with a little bit of Anthony Bourdain thrown in. I would love to get paid to travel the world, touring breweries, attending beer events, judging beers, hosting beer dinners & beer pairings etc… and then write all about my experiences. Eventually, I want to be published as well.

So if anyone knows how to make this dream a reality, please PLEASE help a Wench out!

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

I would say it definitely has to be all the people I’ve met. I have traveled all over the country and have met a tremendous amount of important beer industry folks — brewers, writers, bloggers etc. I love the beer industry. The people in it are truly amazing. It takes a special kind of person to dedicate their life to craft beer!

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

This is a really hard question. Especially since I started this beer bloggers series. I have been finding all sorts of exciting & interesting beer websites as a result.

For news, my favorite beer resource is: BeerNews.Org

For podcasts, my favorite beer resource is: The Brewing Network

As for blogs, my “favorite” beer resource is: Brookston Beer Bulletin (Jay Brooks has been blogging about beer longer than I’ve been legal to drink. He has a HUGE archive)

I know I said 3, but I must throw in a fourth beer resource. My favorite (alive) beer writer is Stephen Beaumont from The World of Beer. He is “new” to blogging, but has been writing about beer professionally for decades. And he is damn good at it!

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

1. Gueuze — I grew up in a “dairy country” New York. The smell of barnyard funk is relatively nostalgic for me. My neighbor across the street had horses as well. I’m oddly attracted to “manure” and grassy hay smells. My favorite wine regions — Rhone, Burgundy and Piedment — are known for producing “Bretty” wines. What can I say? I heart Brett.
2. American IPA — Specifically, the American IPAs hopped with Pacific Northwest varietals. I’m a huge fan of super high alpha acid hops. Love pine, resin and grapefruit flavors and aromas.
3. Saison — Back to the “barnyard” funk obsession. I love this style because of the Belgian yeast fruity esters aroma as well.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

This is a really tough question. American or European?

American (in no particular order) =

• Russian River Brewing Company
• DogFish Head Brewery
• 21st Amendment

European (in no particular order) =

• Drie Fontien
• Westmalle
• Orval

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

Where would my skills and talents best be used and appreciated? Probably with DogFish Head. My writing in fairly witty and they “get” social media. I think it would be really fun to work in the Marketing “department” of DogFish Head. I love their creativity and passion. And I would love to work along side Mariah Calagione!

However, I have fallen in love with living on the West Coast. (Although, I would leave it for a job in the industry — hint hint). So if I was to stay on the West Coast, I would probably enjoy working for Stone Brewing Co. Same idea as with DFH. They are creative and “get” social media. And I love Dr. Bill and Greg Koch.

Can I do one more? New Belgium in Fort Collins would be an awesome place to work. I really admire their dedication to sustainability. I ride my bike every chance I get and would love to work somewhere that not only appreciates that, but encourages it. And I would love to help them take their social media presence to the next level.

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

Not yet. Being a gypsy has made it hard to aquire the proper equiptment and I have no yet had the proper room for it or storage space. Soon, though. Soon.

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

Cicerone Certified Beer Server!!!

I’m in the process of pursuing Cicerone Certification. Follow my adventures at In Pursuit of Cicerone Certification.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

My favorite pairing, by far, is beer mussels & gueuze (or saison).

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Aye, therein lies the rub. I have no day job. No income source. Sigh.

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?

As I said earlier, my ideal job would be Michael Jackson meets Anthony Bourdain. I would love to travel the world writing about beer (possibly doing videos as well).

I would also love to do social media marketing, copy writing and traditional marketing for a craft brewery. I am super bummed that I missed the opportunity to do so with Stone, but hopefully another craft brewery will create a similar position (hint hint).

3. Are you married? Children?

Oh hell no. And hell no. I want to trade my uterus for an extra liver.

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

I am still a wine connoisseur, although it has been quite some time since I’ve truly wine geeked out. I’m an avid cook and and even more avid eater. I love developing recipes with beer. I like taking beer adventures on my bike (not a good combination, I know. Hence all my scars). I also love hockey skating, but rarely get the chance.

During college football season, I spend a good deal of time watching football. I am obsessed with Ohio State Football — to a fault. I can throw a better spiral than most boys I know (but I just can’t throw the ball as far).

I am also getting into both scotch and cigars.

Off The Beaten Path

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

If I were a beer style, I would be Orval — the only beer that is its own style. My creation story is stuff of childhood fantasies (the Countess, the wedding band, the trout). I am the only Trappist beer to be dry-hopped, which makes me earthy & spicy. The Belgian candy sugar gives me an underlying sweetness.

But the real kicker, is the Brett. Since I was inoculated with Brett at bottling, I am constantly changing in the bottle. Today I taste like an English IPA, but tomorrow I might be sour and reek of horse blanket. The wild yeast makes me funky and unpredictable, Yet, since I was purposefully inoculated by the Monks, it means that there is method in my madness.

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?

Definitely a gueuze. Although Drie Fontenien is my favorite, I might go for Lindeman’s Cuvee Renee because it was my first gueuze and it holds a special place in my heart. I would die after a moment of nostalgia and great memories.

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?

Ah yes, I finally get to answer this question. I’ve been really impressed by a few people’s answers on this question. The best answer by far was by Alex P. Davis. I was going to steal his idea, but instead I’m going to make my own recipe.

The base beer would be a Saison. I would brew the beer in Colorado because that is where I was born and I want to use Rocky Mountain water. Primary fermentation would be with traditional Saison yeast. The beer would then be put into Chateauneuf-Du-Pape wine barrels (my all time favorite wine region) with Brettonomyces and Hudson Valley unpasteurized apple cider (for extra fermentable sugars … not sure if it would work because I don’t know the technical details of Brett and re-fermentation in barrels). The final product would be dry hopped with rose petals (my birth flower).

Yeah, that sounds pretty cool to me.

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

Flight of teleportation. That way I can travel the world and do all the things I dream about doing.

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

Jumped off an 80 foot cliff. I was one of those kids growing up (okay maybe I’m still that way) that tried to out-do everyone. “Anything you can do, I can do better.” Cliff jumping was a hobby of mine in my later high school days. Naturally, it was illegal and very dangerous.

My friends and I went to a new spot that we heard about. We all started on the small cliff — about 30 feet. Then me and a few others decided to bump up our game and try the 50 foot. No biggy.

I decided it would be awesome to swim across the river, climb up the steep hill and attempt to jump off the 80 foot cliff. Why? Because I had to show off. I though I was such a badass.

I slipped when I jumped and ended up hitting the water at an angle. You have to understand, water becomes as hard as concrete from that height. When I hit the water, my contacts blew off of my eyes, my wind was completely knocked out and I was completely paralyzed. I thought I was going to drown. And as a competitive swimmer, drowning is your greatest nightmare.

Some boys across the river (on the small cliff side) jumped in the water and pulled me out. I could not walk for almost a week. And the whole left side of my body was a giant black and blue bruise. My ribs were bruised. I was a mess.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I am utterly obsessed with it.

Thanks to everyone for reading “my story”! Sorry my interview was so long winded. But what can I say, I am a writer after all. And the one subject I can write a lot about is myself

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: CARLA COMPANION

AUTHOR OF: THE BEER BABE’S BREW REVIEWS

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Carla Jean Companion
Internet nickname: The Beer Babe
Twitter handle: @beerbabe
Name of blog: The Beer Babe’s Brew Reviews
Current location: Portland, ME (As of December 21st!)

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Syracuse, NY

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

I was never a “run back and forth chasing a ball” type of person, but I was geeky enough to actually direct the pep band that played at our high school football and basketball games. In college (University of New Hampshire) I got really into competitive target archery after joining the archery team. I placed second place regionally and won several state/local competitions. I haven’t hung up my bow just yet, but I shoot a lot less since I have taken over coaching the UNH’s archery team.

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 know I had my first sips of wine as a little kid at the table with my parents. I don’t remember my first beer experience, but if it was a sip of my parent’s Bud Light I am betting it wasn’t a pleasant one. Not sure on the age.

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 the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH and got a B.S. in Marine & Freshwater biology. At UNH I was a resident assistant (RA) and joined the archery team. I also was the “on-line editor” for the college newspaper, The New Hampshire. After a few years in a corporate job un-related to my degree, I went back to school because I wanted to teach people about science, and I just got my M.S. in Environmental Studies : Environmental Education from Antioch University New England this July.

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:

This one took me a while to figure out. I can’t remember when it was that I decided that beer was not a vile beverage that my dad and grandfather liked, but I do remember when the spark of passion for craft beer hit me.

After I had started drinking different beers and getting used to their tastes after college, I had a friend that told me about Dogfish Head IPAs. They have three different IPAs, 60, 90 and 120 minute IPAs, corresponding to the amount of time that the beer is dry-hopped. (Which, at the time had to be explained to me – complete with a photograph of “Sir Hops Alot”) Essentially, however, the brews are very similar, with a different amount of malt added just to round out the hops. My friend got a hold of a bottle of 120 minute IPA and we had a side-by-side tasting of 60, 90 and 120.

I can’t tell you how intrigued I was that the same ingredients in slightly different ratios could produce such drastically different, but somehow linked beer. And I couldn’t believe that anyone would consider that beer ingredients could produce something as insane as the 120 minute IPA, or that hops could have such a range of delightful flavors. I was hooked, and really wanted to explore those subtleties within a beer style, not just compare different beer styles to one another.

Beer Blog Background

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

I started in May of 2007, so I am right at about 2 and a half years.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

In 2007 I moved to a duplex that was in walking distance of a convenience store that had a surprisingly large and frequently updated selection of beer. Living with five other roommates meant that I could bring home a six pack of a beer that I’d never tried before, and we could sit around debating the relative merits of each beer.

We tried anything and everything that we could find, and kept a bottle from each of the beers we tried. After a year of doing this, we had collected a little over 100 bottles. But as we were packing them up to move out, we realized that there was very little that we remembered about each beer, and that we might have to try them all again to find the ones that we truly enjoyed.

So as an organization tool and supplement to my own memory, I decided to write up my thoughts on the beers on a blog, and The Beer Babe’s Brew Reviews was born.

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

Hhm… its an alliteration that’s pretty easy to remember, but I think I was dubbed “the beer babe” by a friend of mine once he found out how much I knew about beer. People have been asking me a lot about it lately – and I keep trying to tell them – hey – its not that I really think I’m some hot babe, it just kinda worked.

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

I really like exposing people to an ameteur-turned-intermediate adventurer type of writing – and not getting too jargony or snobby. I will start homebrewing soon (I know I promised that to readers last year but I’m really going to start soon.)

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

There have been a lot of really neat things that I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing as a beer blogger. I got to be a “beer expert” at a brewer’s dinner for the Maine Brewers Festival, I’ve met and talked with lots of local and non-local brewers, I’ve met several people from Dogfish Head Brewery (including Sam Caligione) that knew who I was or had read my blog, and in general I’ve just gotten to try a lot of really awesome beers that I don’t think I would have had access to otherwise (like Atlantic IPA, Brooklyn Black Ops, etc.) To pick one moment is really tough!

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

I love The Aleuminati because they really got me initially connected with the craft beer loving’ world and they’re all great people. Beer for Chicks is awesome, too, if not just for the fact that there are hundreds of beer-loving women on there that give me faith that I’m not too weird. But The Beer Wench, Here for the Beer, Dr. Beer Love, Ratebeer, Drink Craft Bee definitely make the list.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Ugh. I knew you’d ask a “favorite” question at some point. It changes for me, like, daily. But I do usually love Russian Imperial Stouts, Hefeweizens and certain IPAs. I’m across the board, and frankly, I’ll try anything – so tomorrow I might have an entirely new favorite.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Dogfish Head Brewery (DE), Allagash (ME) and Stone (CA) because they make some damn fine beers. Brooklyn, Goose Island, Unibroue and others also fit into the top 10 somewhere.

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

Dogfish Head, because Sam seems like a really laid-back guy to work for. Or Stone, so I could live in California and get to hang out at their awesome brewery there.

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

I plan to be soon! Haven’t gotten together the equipment (and it is insanely difficult to find homebrewing stuff near me.)

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

Nope.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Redhook ESB and flan. Just try it – its awesome.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I work for the University of Maine doing teacher professional development, educational research and social networking. We run workshops that pair scientists and educators helping the scientists to communicate their research more effectively, and helping educators to bring more current scientific research into their classrooms.

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 think I would stay doing this, honestly. Its really my passion.

3. Are you married? Children?

Neither. I’m happy, though, and that’s what matters.

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

I’ve already mentioned archery, but I also love photography, collecting antique science books, listening to and collecting vinyl records (though I’m hating that now because I have to move about 20 boxes of them up four flights of stairs… not fun.). I also do freelance graphic design (mostly for non-profits) and have in past positions helped design exhibits for museums. I also recently learned to ski, and I also enjoy recreational target shooting with a 22 rifle, and I know how to do a lot of common car repairs. So I’m a bit of a tomboy for a babe, but hey, its fun.

Off The Beaten Path

1. 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?

I’m temped to say “La Fin Du Monde” here but that’s a little cheesy. If they could get me any beer at all I’d probably ask for Kate the Great (Russian Imperial Stout) or Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA.

2. 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?

Since I don’t know much about brewing, I can only guess here, but I think that because the “wench” implies a pirate-like nature I’d probably brew a spicy IPA. Or I could just bring you a bottle of Middle Ages Brewing – Wailing Wench for you to drink.

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

I would really like the ability to pause time. So I could get tons of things done but not spend any time actually doing them.

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

I took a class in graduate school called “Alpine Flora” which is essentially studying the teeny weeny flowers that grow on top of mountains. For the class, we had to climb Mount Adams (5774 ft) and Jefferson (5712 ft) and spend a few days in the mountains. It was probably the most physically challenging thing I’ve ever done – we had 60lb packs, steep trails and hot weather, and I was out of shape.

It was gorgeous, but I was unprepared since I’m not usually a mountain-hiker. My shoes were cheap and apparently not ready for the strenuous nature of the hikes either because after the third day of walking pointy rocks, completely split in two. Both of them. Which meant that the only footwear that I had to descend the steep, slippery trails was a borrowed pair of sandals and some wool socks.

I carefully made my way down the mountain, and managed not to tumble completely down the side or break an ankle. I was wicked lucky.(for pictures and a more detailed story, check out

5. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I want to learn to cure it, because at a DrinkCraftBeer beer dinner, they supposedly had HOP CURED BACON that I must – at some point in my life – try.

SPECIAL THANKS TO CARLA FOR BEING AN INSPIRATIONAL FEMALE BEER BLOGGER!

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!

Today marks the official launch of my beer blogger interview series and I’m pretty damn excited about it. I could tell you that it was hard to chose my first interviewee, but I would be lying.

For the very first interview, I chose to feature PJ Hoberman — author of Starting A Brewery. I consider PJ to be one of my best friends, despite the hundreds of miles that separate us. I have tremendous respect for PJ’s knowledge of craft beer and talent for brewing.

So without further ado, allow me to present my friend and fellow beer blogger, PJ HOBERMAN:

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: PJ Hoberman
Internet nickname: hookedonwinter, Panther Jones
Twitter handle: @hookedonwinter
Name of blog: Starting A Brewery
Current location: Denver, Colorado

Background “Snapshot”

Where did you grow up?

Outside New Haven, CT. Every weekend in high school in Ludlow, Vermont.
What sports if any did you play growing up, through college and beyond?
Soccer, Skiing

How old were you when you had your first beer?

I was legal. To drive.

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 beer was something cheap. Probably PBR. It was with a bunch of older friends / instructors in Vermont, at some random house party. I’m pretty sure I had more than one.
My first craft beer was a Magic Hat Fat Angel. I loved it. I was about the same age. I don’t recall what the cap said, but I did save all my caps.

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

I graduated from Colorado College, class of ’06, with a degree in Psychology. Other organizations: Carnivore Club (President), Sigma Chi (Vice President, Philanthropy Chair, other roles), Help Desk (IT Support), Admission Office (Tour Guide, Event Planner, Fellow), Teach For America (Recruiter), a bunch of other involvements.

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 honestly can’t pinpoint the moment. From the very start of my beer consuming life, I’ve been surrounded by craft and macro brews. They’ve always been completely different entities in my mind, much like New Haven pizza and Papa Johns. I prefer one over the other at all times, but sometimes when you’re broke or it’s 3am and you have an urge.. Well…

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

In general, I would say… My first craft beer was in itself an epiphany. That being the Magic Hat I mentioned earlier. College in Colorado was a series of craft beer epiphanies, from my first Fat Tire to a tour of Bristol. The day I started homebrewing obviously changed my life entirely. And now, living in Denver, having a real job where I can afford beer, my understanding of beer and the world around it shifts daily.

My first post on the Hop Press was all about this, if you want to read the detailed origins of my beer snobbery.

Beer Blog Background

How long have you been writing Starting A Brewery?

My first post was March 6, 2009. So as of today, 10 months.

What inspired you to start writing Starting A Brewery?

I’m planning on opening a brewery. I’m also sort of an Internet geek. I figured, rather than telling all my friends in person or on gChat about my plans, I’d write a blog. Turns out, other people are interested in it as well.

Why did you chose the name of your blog?

I’m starting a brewery, so I figured “Starting A Brewery” was apt.

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

Information dissemination, for the most part. I like to let everyone know what’s going on. Also, I really love the input and feedback from the beer and business communities. Lastly, I like to talk a lot. So it’s a soapbox.

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

I’ve met a bunch of people and learned some great things through the blog. Between the blog and Twitter, I went to San Diego Beer Week with some AMAZING people. That was pretty neat.

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

This is a super hard question. So, I’m going to go with blogs that are updated frequently and are directly relevant to my life. Otherwise, I’ll have to list about 40. And even so, here’s 5. Screw your rules. Also, sorry to all of those I didn’t include. I love you all and will buy you a puppy.
Obviously this one (The Beer Wench is sort of cool. Sort of…)
Chipper Dave’s Fermentedly Challenged – SO much Colorado information
Brian’s Entrebrewer – Similar path as me, but further along.
Chad’s Brettanomyces – One day, I’ll understand this blog. Also, I love sours.
The HopCast – Great fun to watch, super informative, and now in HD!

Beer Talk

What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Stout, Sour (pretty much any kind), Scotch Ale

What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

What’s with all these mean rules.. Favorites, ugh. Locally? Great Divide, Avery, Bristol. Others I’d include? Stone, The Bruery, Lost Abbey, Long Trail.

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

Probably Great Divide. It’s local, I know most of the employees there, and they make amazing beer. Business wise, they’re local, they’re small in terms of visible operation, but they distribute to something like 37 states and 3 countries. I think I could learn a lot from working in the tap room, in the brew house, and in management.

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

Yes! My favorite and most unique thus far is my Rye Dry Stout. It’s made with caraway seeds, as well as flaked rye and wheat, and the normal stuff. If you take a mouthful at room temperature, you get three phases of flavor: The first is filled with the rye; that’s followed by the spice of the caraway seeds; and it’s finished off with a dry, roasted, almost chocolate feeling.
I also do a Dogfish Head 90 “clone”. It’s more just based of the constant hopping idea. Mine is much maltier. The hops are fresher if you drink it right after it’s ready, but I don’t have the complexity that DFH’s hops give the 90.

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

Not yet. I’ll probably go for the Cicerone server one, or the ABG. I’d love to go to Siebel if you’ll pay my way.

What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Pizza and PBR. I like cheese and beer. My stout with this crazy steak my roommates and I make is actually to die for. We’ve had to bury people it was so good.

The Personal Side

What is your current day job?

I make internal websites for a large marketing company. I write code. (PHP, mySQL, jQuery, if you’re into that stuff)

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’d open my brewery. No questions.

Are you married? Children?

No. Pretty sure not.

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

Skiing is pretty big. Hence the name HookedOnWinter. Cooking. Reading. Event planning. Other such things.

Off The Beaten Path

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

Sour. Sometimes I don’t smell so good, but once you try me you’ll love me. And I leave a taste in your mouth. (I have no idea what my actual answer would be)

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?

Duck Duck Gooze. A case of it.

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?

It would have to be a blend. There’s no way one recipe could contain all that would have to be in the Wench. It would be rich, probably a stout, with a few spices or something to give it some distinctive flavors. One of the components would probably be like the Duchesse. Chocolaty and sour. I’d have to throw bacon in there too. Mmm I’m going to make this now.

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

The power to never need sleep, but to be able to sleep at a moment’s notice. Then I would have more time to do things I want to do. But I do enjoy sleeping…

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

I don’t think the statute of limitations is up just yet…

Um, I dunno. College in general was pretty sweet. I was involved in a lot of the social planning on and off campus, so I have some stories. There was the time when 13 cop cars and a helicopter showed up to a party. Or the time with the cooking oil (KY was too expensive). Or.. well ya, buy me a beer and I’ll wax poetic.

What are your thoughts on bacon?

If God didn’t intend for us to eat animals, why are they made of meat?

THANKS PJ! 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: TIM CIGELSKE

AUTHOR OF: THE BEER RUNNER

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Tim Cigelske
Internet nickname: TeecycleTim
Twitter handle: @TeecycleTim
Name of blog: The Beer Runner
Current location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

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

Running, ultimate Frisbee, basketball, cycling and flippy cup

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

Five, I think.

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 dad let me try a little bit of his beer at a family party. I think it may have been Pabst Blue Ribbon, and I thought it was terrible.

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 Marquette University to study journalism. Pretty much did a lot of writing, interning for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Associated Press while I was there. I was part of an intramural 3-on-3 basketball league championship team. Still got the t-shirt from that.

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:

Not really sure I can pinpoint it to a single instance. What I really enjoyed — and still enjoy — about craft beer is how much it can constantly teach you, about taste, history, culture, science, marketing, community, etc etc.

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

Definitely going to Savor in Washington D.C. after a long day of hiking and realizing beer pairs really well with a wide variety of foods. My friends and I felt like we were in heaven.

Beer Blog Background

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

Since October 2008

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

No one (that I knew of) was writing about people who take both craft beer and a healthy, active lifestyle very seriously. Some of the biggest beer fans are know are hardcore triathletes, marathoners, hikers, cyclists, etc. I think because both people who are into these types of sports and craft beer are adventures — it’s the same personality type. What I didn’t know was how many people fit into this category. I’ve been blown away at the number of beer runners from every sport that have been featured on the blog.

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

I came up with it, not surprisingly, during a run. (A State Park in Maine, to be exact.)

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

First and foremost, I want to give voice to a group of beer lovers and athletes who don’t really have a place devoted to their dual interests quite so specifically. And through these experiences, I’d like to teach myself and others about the cool new beers and adventures that these people are constantly uncovering.

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

The cool people you’re constantly meeting, both online and in person at places like the Great American Beer Fest (where I finally met The Beer Wench!) I’ve always said there’s no community quite like a community of runners, and now I’ve found another community just like it.

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

Can I be biased? I have to say No. 1 my parent site, Draftmag.com.

The name says it all with BEER N BIKES.

I’m a big fan of Chipper Dave at Fermentedly Challenged.

And of course, the Beer Wench is awesome for a variety of reasons, and you’re giving me my first interview about The Beer Runner

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

IPAs, Belgian trippels, stouts

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Sprecher, Dogfish Head, New Glarus

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

I once spent a night shift working with a Lakefront Brewery worker for an article I was writing, and it was a fun experience. I’m not sure you can go wrong with working with any brewer. But I’d have to go with Dogfish Head, the most adventurist brewery out there.

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

No, I’m sure I’d screw it up something fierce.

5. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Honestly, tacos and Schlitz and/or PBR.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I do the social media marketing for a private university.

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?

Exactly what I’m doing right now. It’s super fun.

3. Are you married? Children?

Jess and I have been married for a bit over three years now, and we’re expecting our first baby (other than our beagle) in early May. Craziness.

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

Other than running and biking? I’m taking business classes and I read a lot of Chuck Klosterman books and articles.

Off The Beaten Path

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

Probably an Oktoberfest, thanks to my German heritage.
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?

Wow. Probably something from Sprecher, both because they have incredible beer, and it would remind me of home.

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?

Imperial IPA, with extra hops

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

People tend to usually go for the obvious superhero, like Superman. But I wouldn’t want to be Superman. Way too much responsibility. I’d like to be the Flash. You get to be super fast, without the crushing burden of society’s expectations on you.

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

I fell down a mountain (well, about 20 feet or so down a mountain) and had to be airlifted by a helicopter off the continental divide in Montana. I suffered a pretty bad concussion and had to get some stitches, but otherwise walked away OK.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

It’s been around for a long time, but for some reason bacon seems to be getting a lot of hype right now. I think bacon sculptures takes it a bit too far, but you can’t go wrong with eating the stuff. I’m a fan.

SPECIAL THANKS TO TIM 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. Are you a beer blogger? Do you want to share your story? Send me an email!

INTRODUCING: STEPH WEBER

AUTHOR OF: BREW.COOK.PAIR.JOY

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Steph Weber
Twitter handle: @StephWeber
Name of blog: brew.cook.pair.joy
Current location: Audubon, PA

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Northern NJ, in a beautiful lake town called Lake Hopatcong (Yes, NJ can be beautiful if you go to the right places! It’s not all turnpike and shopping malls.)

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

I played softball growing up, and I threw discus and javelin in high school track. But I was mostly into music. I’ve played quite a few instruments, but I mainly played piano and sang in high school and college (and I still do, in fact). I’ve been in about 15 different choirs, from regular high school choir to NJ All-State.

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

Hmmm, well, my first full beer (as in, I sat down with a can of beer and finished the whole thing) was the first weekend of college, so I was 18.

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

Like I said, it was the first weekend of college, in some random kid’s dorm room down the hall. He had a case of Miller Lite. It was awful, and I remember thinking to myself, “Well… better get used to this.”

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 Delaware. As an undergrad, I studied Math with a minor in Computer Science, then continued on to receive a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, which involved writing a grueling 110-page thesis titled “The Piecewise Log Normal Approximation and Its Application to the Kinetic Collection Equation.” It was… difficult. I also sang in a choir for two years as an undergrad, and had a short stint on an intramural softball team with my friends one spring.

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 beer epiphany was Dogfish Head Chicory Stout. I had just turned 21, so I went to a large beer/wine/liquor store. I wasn’t into beer at all at the time, but I saw an incredible amount of fancy-looking six-packs there, which piqued my interest. I had heard of Dogfish Head before, and Chicory Stout sounded pretty darn interesting. So I took a chance and picked it up. When I tried it, that was it for me. My love of craft beer began to spiral out of control right away, and life has never been the same since!

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

(Can’t think of any.)

Beer Blog Background

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

I started brew.cook.pair.joy in May 2008, so about a year and a half now.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

Well, I had just finished grad school, gotten married, and started a new job within a span of one month. I began working at a large government contractor (where I still work) and was waiting for my security clearance (read: I was being paid to sit in a room and wait for 40 hours a week). I was bored out of my mind for 6 weeks. I had been into craft beer, brewing, and cooking for a while at that point, and thought to myself, “Hey, maybe I should write some of this stuff down!” So I started a little blog on Blogspot. When I realized I was really enjoying writing, I decided to buy a domain, channel my coding roots, and redesign my site in WordPress.

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

I didn’t want to limit myself to writing about just beer or just food, but I also didn’t want a disjointed site covering two different topics. I had recently read The Brewmaster’s Table by Garrett Oliver and was getting really into beer and food pairing. Pairing quite literally brings beer and food together, and similarly brings my blog together. Beer, food, and pairing bring me joy, hence brew.cook.pair.joy.

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

I just love writing, and it’s a great creative outlet. Plus, it doubles as a journal for me, and I frequently refer back to old posts. So far, brew.cook.pair.joy, along with Twitter, have helped me to build a network in the craft beer world, which I hope to continue expanding. My husband and I plan to start up a brewpub called Twin Leaf Brewery sometime within the next 5 years (we hope), so getting contacts within the industry is definitely a goal!

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

Being approached by RateBeer.com to write a weekly article is absolutely the coolest thing that’s happened so far. I get a major kick out of seeing my face pop up on the main page of RateBeer every Friday!

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

This is a tough one, as my RSS feed is full of great beer blogs and I visit a ton of other beer sites… I frequent Probrewer.com since I’m an aspiring brewpub owner. I love skimming through the photos on Beer & Nosh. And of course (shameless self-promotion) RateBeer’s new Hop Press is a collection of some truly excellent beer writers. I’ve had a great time writing for it and reading everyone’s articles!

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

For beers that I brew myself, I’d go with ESB, Bohemian Pilsener, and IPA. For beers brewed by others, I’d say Imperial Stout, big IPAs, and beers that don’t fall into a style category. (Sorry, totally copped out on that one!)

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

These are the worst questions! I, like most other craft beer lovers, am promiscuous in my beer drinking, so it’s hard to choose a top 3 anything! *sigh* Okay, the first that pop into mind are Victory, Great Divide, aaaaand I don’t know, Stoudt’s.

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

I’ll say The Bruery, simply because their style of brewing is so completely different from my own, and I feel like I could learn a lot there.

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

As of the moment I write this, we have brewed 108 batches of beer. Since we brew about once a week these days, this number climbs pretty quickly. Again, it’s hard to choose, so I’ll go with what’s freshest in my mind. The last beer we brewed isn’t really in a style category, but I’d call it a strong Wit. A friend of the family gave us about 60 lb of Comice pears, so we added 10 lb to this Wit (the rest is being used for a pear mead and a pear cider). It’s still in the fermenter now, so I can’t say how it turned out yet!

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

Not yet, but I’m taking the BJCP exam in February (provided that they don’t run out of spots for the exam). Also, my husband and I are enrolled in the Intensive Brewing Science & Engineering program at the American Brewers Guild for 2011.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Thinking about beer and food pairing just made me crave a pork roast and an ESB. But it’s 9:00am right now, so that’s not gonna happen. Thanks a lot.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I’m a software engineer at an enormously enormous government contractor. It’s… boring.

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 open my brewpub right now at this second, and I would travel around the country to festivals with my husband to talk about our beer with anyone who would listen.

3. Are you married? Children?

Married, yes. Tim and I met at UD when we were 19 years old. Children, not yet (I’m only 25, for Pete’s sake!).

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

I cook (obvs), play piano, ski, and occasionally play Rock Band and Wii games. I recently tried to get into mountain biking, but then it got cold outside, so spring will tell if I stick with it!

Off The Beaten Path

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

I’d be an ESB. It’s got a little bit of everything. Smooth, caramelly malt backbone, a respectable amount of bitterness, floral hop flavor and aroma, goes down easy. Sometimes it’s a little higher in alcohol and catches you by surprise. Basically, all-around awesome… You can tell I’ve got great self-esteem

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?

Our ESB. I seriously could drink it all day long, I love it. It’s going to be our flagship for Twin Leaf as well!

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?

Something really bitter… Just kidding Maybe a coffee stout with some hot chiles added for a little subtle heat.

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

Teleportation. I’d see the world and waste no time traveling.

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

One of the hikes I went on in Colorado – Lookout Mountain. I’m not much of a risk taker when it comes to that sort of thing, so for me, it was pretty crazy!

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I’m probably going to get crucified for this one… but I’m not really into bacon. I’ll eat it with breakfast if it’s given to me, preferably microwaved to a crisp, but even that is a rare occasion. I think it’s kind of a silly trend… Sorry, everyone else in the world but me!

SPECIAL THANKS TO STEPH WEBER FOR BEING A KICKASS BEER CHICK!!!

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: BRIAN KROPF

AUTHOR OF: MUTINEER MAGAZINE BEER BLOG

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Brian Kropf
Internet nickname: Odiedog52
Twitter handle: @Odiedog52
Name of blog: Mutineer Magazine
Current location: Fort Bragg, NC

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Puyallup, WA, about 35 miles south of Seattle.

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

I didn’t play any organized sports, but I would snowboard on the weekends with my friends.

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

I remember sneaking sips of MGD at my Grandparents’ house when they weren’t looking and it was awful .. I was pretty young, probably less than 10 years old and I don’t think my opinion of it has changed much over the years.

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

See above.

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 community college at Pierce Community College and I took as some classes at Tacoma Community College as well. I was young, wasn’t interested and I didn’t pay attention and I decided that it wasn’t my time for college and I followed some other dreams that I had instead.

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:

For me, it would have been Unibroue Maudite. I was home on mid-tour leave from Iraq and I was visiting my brother and the Mutineer Magazine crew down in LA. My good friend and Mutineer Magazine’s Director of Sales JJ Bagley had a ton of great beer and treated me with just about every gem from his cellar from ’07 Utopias to Lost Abbey barrel-aged rarities to just about every odd and end that Southern California had to offer. One that he introduced me to was Unirboue Maudite and I fell in love with it and Belgian strong dark ales. The spiciness, fruitiness, the dark malts .. it was amazing.

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

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale was another one for me. It was such a breath of fresh air from every other IPA out there. Rochefort 8 was another one, it was an eye opener .. and it was absolutely delicious and wondrous.

Beer Blog Background

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

About a year now.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

My brother, Alan Kropf, really wanted me to start writing for Mutineer while I was deployed to Iraq and I ended up writing a piece called “Wartime Pairings”, giving readers a glimpse of a day in the life of a Soldier in the middle of combat and I talked about the food and beverages over there as well.

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

Alan chose it. He’s a huge fan of the late journalist Hunter S. Thompson and it had to do with something HST said. Also, we were looking at making a fine beverage publication that was unlike any other out there and we really just wanted to make it approachable and bring fine beverage to the masses, without the snobbery, subjective ratings, and BS.

4. What are you personal goals for your blog?

What do you hope to achieve with it? I just want to spread the word about Mutineer and keep spreading the word of people such as yourself with the same ideals in mind and change the way people view fine beverage. There’s more to a bottle of wine than a numerical rating and there is more beer out there to try than the three you see advertised during Super Bowl commercials. Our blog and magazine is still young and it can only go up and the buzz we have created by both consumers and the industry in such a short time is amazing.

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

The people I’ve been introduced to! I’ve made so many connections online, it’s unbelievable. Heck, a month ago I obviously knew who you were but I wasn’t really using Twitter much and then one day I signed up and we started talking. Two months later, I’d be coming to California to come hang out with you for a few days and drink awesome beer and build relationships with other people with the same common goals. Pretty rad if you ask me.

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

I’m a huge fan of yours, of course, and lately I’ve been really into Hop Cast’s and New Brew Thursdays’ podcasts. It’s nice to be able to sit back and enjoy your beer and just watch for a change, instead of reading.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Big IPAs, big imperial stouts, and barleywines. I’m just really into big beers right now and I’m all for some barrel aging as well.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries? Tough question. Being relocated for the Army in the Southeast, I’ve come across so many breweries I normally wouldn’t have found like Founders, Bell’s, Foothills, etc., but I think it would be Sierra Nevada, Lost Abbey, and Dogfish Head. I think that list is pretty self explanatory, but there are tons of other breweries that are right there with them.

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

Another tough question, just like the last one. Some of my favorite breweries (as listed above) aren’t on the list only because they produce some of my favorite beer, but because the people who make the beer and the story behind it them is so awesome. So it’s a tough question. But I think I’d like to work at Brasserie Cantillon and experience their culture and brewing techniques that they’ve been using unchanged since it was founded in 1900.

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

Not yet, but I plan to be once I get out of the military.

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

Becoming a Cicerone is on my list of things to do to say the least, but it won’t be happening any time soon with my current situation. It’s on a very big list of things to do for me.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

I love Sam Adams Boston Lager and sea salt and vinegar kettle chips .. I could eat it all night!

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I’m an Airborne Infantryman .. a Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. It keeps me fairly busy I guess you could say. I have about 9 months left doing this and then it will be nothing but relaxing and drinking beer and doing the magazine full time.

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?

Honestly, I just want to become a civilian again. I’m sure that sounds weird to hear, but I’m just ready to live my life for me again. I’ll be doing the magazine though.

3. Are you married? Children?

Nope and no.

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

I’m a big fan of being able to sit around and do nothing, which I think a lot of people take for granted sometimes. Besides that, I’m really into cars, family, friends .. I guess I don’t have a lot of hobbies! I need to work on that.

Off The Beaten Path

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

I’d be a blend and aged in something awesome, like absinthe barrels. Cause that would be REALLY rad and to my knowledge hasn’t been done before.. and it would be a “one and done” type deal and when it’s gone, it’s gone.

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?

23 Year Old Pappy Van Winkle Barrel-Aged Sexual Chocolate from my friends over at Foothills in Winston-Salem, NC. It’s that good.

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?

Something sweet … just .. like .. you … Just kidding. It would be bold and catch everyones attention. Someone would open a bottle of The Wench and people from across the room would hear the cork pop and they’d have to come in for a closer look and whether they would want to smell it or not, you would attack their olfactory organs, being the extrovert that you are. But what kind of beer exactly? I’m thinking .. something that probably wouldn’t fall into a style guideline. And the special ingredient would be buckeye nuts. True, buckeye nuts are considered to be slightly poisonous, but that’s a risk I’m wiling to take.

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

My job is to jump out of an airplane going 150mph at only 800 feet above the ground for a living into combat … I have plenty of stories to tell. And there is probably a story or two from the 15 months I spent in Iraq.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Love it, but I don’t have good bacon nearly enough and the bacon the Army cooks is horrible. My Grandma makes good bacon and she makes it soft especially for me .. cause she likes it REALLY cooked, like you can drop it and it’ll shatter.

SPECIAL THANKS TO MY GREAT FRIEND BRIAN KROPF FOR HIS RIDICULOUSLY RAD INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

The Beer Tweeter Interview Series

Beer bloggers are not the only people using social media to share their passion for and knowledge of craft beer. Twitter is one of the most important tools in today’s craft beer industry. Beer tweeters all over the world are influencing and impacting the way people interact with and experience craft beer. The Beer Wench has embarked upon a mission to interview as many beer tweeters that she can — from all over the world.

Are you a beer tweeter? Do you want to share your story? Send me an email!

INTRODUCING BEER TWEETER: ALEXANDER P. DAVIS

Full name: Alexander Peter Davis

Twitter handle: @AlexPDavis

Current location: Los Angeles, CA

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Santa Monica, about a 30-minute bike ride from where I currently live. I loved living in SoCal so much I’ve stayed for college and now law school. I can see myself perhaps going elsewhere for a couple year spurt or two, but I see myself ending up back here long term.

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

I played everything growing up. Football, baseball, basketball, soccer (only for a year, sports which prevent the use of one’s hands are not my bag) and even some roller hockey. I picked up weightlifting and golf in high school and still enjoy both on a consistent basis.

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

Excellent question, I have absolutely no idea. If I could remember, it’d probably be earlier than I care to admit, and the beer would likely have been awful, and drunk in great haste in order to achieve a buzz.

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

See above

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 studied History and English at UCLA and I am back there for law school, finishing up my last year, typing this while I should be studying for my impending Business Bankruptcy final. I didn’t play any collegiate sports, but I was active in Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and its attached charity organization, Push America. The only sports I played were of the intramural variety and I dabbled in student government.

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:

Now this I can remember ;^) In my last two years of college, I noticed myself striving to become a better beer drinker. I’d pick up a sixer of Sam Adams Winter Lager when the season was right and I’d grab the Holiday Classics 12-pack as well. However, these beers rarely found their way into glassware (eek!). I eschewed macro lagers and starting ordering whatever Hefeweizen was on tap at Maloney’s (the local college bar, now called O’Hara’s). However, that Hefe was ice cold and served with citrus (no doubt to cover up its less-than-awesome taste). In other words, I wanted to drink good beer, I just didn’t know how yet.

It wasn’t until I graduated that I had my true craft beer epiphany. A little ways into my two-year foray into the non-academic, a good friend of mine, Joe Moore (@jminsc76) invited me to go with a work friend of his to a bar in Pasadena called Lucky Baldwin’s. I’d never heard of it. I checked it out online, looked at the menu and my head started spinning. I was intrigued. I decided to go.

When we arrived at the bar I was dazzled and awed by the taplist. There was so much I’d never seen or heard of. I ordered something familiar whose name currently escapes me. As it turned out, that keg had just blown. So the bartender suggested a Rogue Dead Guy. I’d heard of Rogue and thought I’d give it a whirl. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t knock my socks off. I suppose I can now say this of most of Rogue’s beers (with Shakespeare Stout and a couple others being notable exceptions). I sipped and we waited for Joe’s friend. He arrived and we grabbed a table upstairs where we each ordered one of Lucky Baldwin’s signature pot pies (which are really good by the way, it’s worth a visit just for those).

As I reached the bottom of my glass I was wondering what to order next and Joe’s friend volunteered to order something for the table. I was game. About five minutes later the waitress (or bar maiden if you prefer) came back with a large bottle with a tan label bearing the name “Westmalle.” For those Belgian enthusiasts out there, you know this was the Tripel. We even got the proper glassware (a goblet, I thought this incredibly neat at the time). We distributed the golden liquid and I took my first sip…HOLY CRAP! went my craft beer neophyte brain. BEER CAN TASTE LIKE THIS!?

As I sipped and enjoyed (and got buzzed, not knowing or being conditioned to the higher ABV of the Belgian brew), we struck up a conversation with the couple next to us. Seeing that I was reaching the bottom of my glass (yet again) the gentleman in the couple suggested I try Kasteel Donker. I looked at the menu and found that the beer had a titanic ABV of 12%. I had to have it. I hastily grabbed the bar maiden’s attention again and ordered up the ale.

Dark brown and foreboding, it came out of the stubby 11.2oz bottle and into my newly fetched goblet. I took my first sip…HOLY CRAP AGAIN! If the Westmalle hadn’t thrown me hard enough down the proverbial rabbit hole, the Kasteel had me talking to the doorknob and chasing a white rabbit! I was in (slightly drunk) heaven. That night was my epiphany and I’ve been chasing the craft beer white rabbit ever since.

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

I had the hophead epiphany like most. I can’t recall a specific time or place, but I know that my taste in IPAs and DIPAs has certainly evolved and I now prefer a more nuanced, fruity, IPA with dry, earthy undertones than one that’s more herbal or grassy with a more pronounced bitterness.
My major, more recent epiphany has been with sours. My first were Duchesse du Bourgogne and Rodenbach, but they didn’t really start me down the path to a love of microbacteria and brettanomyces.

Rather, I have Mr. Vinnie Cilurzo and his fine beverage known as Consecration to thank for that. The first time I had it was on tap at Father’s Office 2.0 in Los Angeles and I paired it (rather adeptly, if I say so myself) with duck confit salad. I was in heaven. Then I bought a bottle of Rose de Gambrinus from Cantillon. Holy crap was that sour…and incredibly tasty. Then I had La Folie on tap, and OMFG! I had to try everything I could get my hands on.

Ever since, it’s been about tracking down the most amazing and rare sours I can find. There are too many to list, but like Wenchie, I enjoy the Gueuze. However, I think I’m more partial to American interpretations of sour beers. Duck Duck Gooze, Cuvee de Tomme, Veritas 004, Consecration, Temptation, La Folie (gotta love a beer that comes from giant oak vats!), etc, etc. However, I still return constantly to Cantillon, Drie Fonteinen, Boon, Rodenbach (usually Grand Cru) and others. Yay sour beer!

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Sours (see above), Barrel-Aged Strong Ales (Imperial Stout, Barleywine, Old Ale), IPA/DIPA

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Wow, talk about a tough one. In no particular order: 1) The Bruery (innovative and amazing) 2) AleSmith (do they make a less than great beer?) 3) Russian River (both Plinys and Consecration, end of conversation)

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

I’d probably work at The Bruery. I’ve met a lot of people who work for them and they’ve all been awesome. Also, they turn out well-crafted, innovative and unique beers. I think I’d enjoy myself a lot, plus I’d get to stay close to home.

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

Not yet (note the “yet”).

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

Not yet (again, note the “yet”).

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?
Something dark, sour and fruity with something fatty, savory and thick (think Rodenbach Grand Cru with Beef Stew or Consecration with Mt. Tam cheese).

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

In no particular order: 1) Beer Advocate (I’ve learned so much there and it’s really the reason my beer horizons and knowledge are as broad as they are) 2) The Bruery’s Blog (going back to the first post when Patrick hadn’t even found a location yet is both incredibly interesting and inspirational and now they post news about The Bruery’s goings on there) 3) beernews.org (I go there daily for the latest information, and I wanted to get a rise out of Wenchie by leaving her off :P)

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I am a law student at UCLA.

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’d probably own a somewhat upscale (think Stone Bistro or Father’s Office), craft beer slinging brewpub with really good food, an even better tap and vintage bottle list and I’d invite talented brewers to come brew beers on my system. Half of each batch going to the brewer and the other half going on tap at the pub.

3. Are you married? Children?

Girlfriend. No kids (thank God).

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

I love food too, and scour my surrounding area for new and unique eats. I play golf as often as I can (which isn’t as often as I’d like). I love riding my bike around town, I feel like I get much more of a feel for where I am and getting around on my own power is very satisfying. I have both deep and shallow philosophical discussions with friends and am an avid and amateur student of human dynamics. I love figuring out how and why people do things (I think my middle school addiction to Loveline has a lot to do with this). I’m also something of a cinefile.

Off The Beaten Path

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

I’d be a dark, high ABV, American Sour, like Consecration. Unique and bold, yet nuanced, I take time and contemplation to fully understand. However, once you’ve taken the time necessary to wrap your head around me, you’ll be well-rewarded…and drunk.

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?

Melange #3 from The Bruery. It’s a blend of White Oak Sap (a 100% Barrel-Aged Wheatwine), 100% Barrel-Aged Papier and Black Tuesday. It’s so complex, unique and huge in flavor. I could drink it all the time and keep finding new flavors. Plus it’s really high in alcohol, and if I’m going to die, I want to be reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally drunk.

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?

It’d be an American take on a Gueuze, probably brewed at a higher ABV than usual for the style (something like 8-9% like Mariage Parfait). Given your origins, in year one, I’d brew the base beer and let it spontaneously ferment in a field somewhere in upstate New York. Then, I’d transfer that beer to oak barrels once the wild yeast started fermenting away.

In year two, I’d brew the base beer in the Midwest and let it spontaneously ferment in a field somewhere in Ohio. Again, that beer would be transferred to oak barrels.

Towards the end of year three, I’d brew the base beer again, this time in Northern California, allowing it ferment outdoors in Santa Rosa. This would be the new lambic traditionally used to carbonate a Gueuze. Once all the beers are blended at the end of year three, the beer would have the unique character of each place it was made, but would really not be from any one place, just like our Wenchie ;^)

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

I really liked PJ’s answer, and it’d probably be mine if I were more creative, but I’m not gonna steal. I’d like to have the power that Hayden Christensen had in Jumper. I’d never have to make travel arrangements ever again and I’d be able to get an authentic expression of whatever food or drink I wanted at any given time. Of course, this is assuming there is no organization headed up by Samuel L. Jackson that’s trying to kill me.

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

I once spent ~24 hours with The Beer Wench.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

See Anthony Bourdain.

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: ERIK LARS MYERS

Author of: Top Fermented

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Erik Lars Myers
Twitter handle: @topfermented
Name of blog: Top Fermented
Current location: Durham, NC

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Northern Maine, just a stone’s throw (literally) from the Canadian border. The town next to me was the northern-most town in the continental U.S. until some unorganized territory in Michigan’s U.P. got a post office.

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

Lots of soccer. I was the girls varsity basketball manager for a while. I play a LOT of volleyball, but I didn’t do that until my 20’s.

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

Six or seven years old.

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 stole a drink from one of my grandfather’s Naragansett tallboys during a family visit once. I thought it was awful.

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 a little college in rural western New York called Alfred University. I was a theater major in college, so my main educational background is in acting, directing, and egotism. No sports while I was in college, unless you count Ultimate Frisbee on the weekends, but I was over-involved in theater. In addition to doing multiple theater productions each semester, I was heavily involved the improv theater group there, did radio plays, and I acted and directed a sketch comedy show based on Saturday Night Live which was, quite originally, called Friday Night Live.

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 bar at college that I used to go to, Alex’s College Spot, had a World Beer Tour. You gotta understand, this is the place that sold giant steins for $12. Then, on mug night, you could go in and fill it with Natty Light for $1. They had a World Beer Tour. GREAT beer. Fantastic beer. It was the first place I ever found out that beer could be something other than the swill they were serving at frat parties. The beer that I actually remember the most from that was Lindeman’s Framboise. I’m not even a big fan of the beer, but the fact that a beer could taste like that – so amazingly different from anything else I could have conceived – was really eye-opening.

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

Most of my beer epiphanies now stem from re-visiting styles or beers that I previous didn’t like, coming back at them with a fresh palate and an open mind and finding what about those beers people enjoy. The one that really sticks out was the last time I was at a sports bar and someone ordered a pitcher of Coors – the regular golden can Coors. I drank it, because he bought it, and the first thing that struck me was that I could taste hops. Not a lot, mind you. But I was so pleasantly surprised at the subtle hop flavors that I sat and drank the whole pint in utter amazement.

Beer Blog Background

1. How long have you been writing TOP FERMENTED?

I started by blog in March of 2009.

2. What inspired you to start writing TOP FERMENTED?

I was urged into it by my friends who were sick of hearing me spout on about beer in off-topic places (I also write for Intrepid Media and I’ve been struggling with NOT writing about beer, there). They now have me corralled into a spot where they only have to listen to me ramble when they want. In addition, I’ve been wanting to get a foot in the door in the beer industry for a while, since my long term plan is to open a brewery. This allows me to keep up with what’s going on, stay involved, and hopefully have a leg up when the time comes for me to open shop.

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

Well, “top fermented” is obviously a reference to ales – to which I’m partial. I also like the fact that “top” is a synonym for “best.” So the original thought was that “top fermented” would be like “best ales.” I originally saw myself reviewing beer, but I’ve since decided not to do so.

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

I’d really like it to be a source of fresh ideas for the industry. One of the things I try to do is to take a look at what’s currently going on in and around the industry and look at it with a fresh eye. My example is what I’ve been attempting to do with beer statistics – to come up with a way that non-beer-geeks can relate to beer and to hopefully encourage breweries to be more open with their consumers. The craft beer industry – as awesome and brilliant and friendly as it is, is like a giant clique. It’s got its eye turned in on itself so often that I don’t think it realizes how inaccessible it is to people who don’t want to bother with trying something crazy and new. It aspires to be a significant portion of the nation’s beverage industry, but it doesn’t really make an effort to make it easy for new customers to get involved. If I can even lean on a problem like that a little and offer a partial solution, then I’ll be happy.

I also really like debate. I love it when I say something that somebody disagrees with me on. The internet is kind of rough for it, since text is toneless and can be interpreted incorrectly, but it doesn’t change the fact that healthy debate solves more than constant reaffirmation. Sometimes, you have to be disagreed with to grow.

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

I’ve been able to, like I wanted to, get involved with the industry more. I’ve started working with the North Carolina Brewers Guild doing their website, writing for them, covering events and sort of help get them off the ground as they form. It’s been a really great way to meet industry people in the state and really get to know the small business end of the industry. I’ve also been able to start working on another top secret industry/blogging project that should make its debut in early 2010.

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

The ones I read every post without missing are:

• Andy Crouch’s BeerScribe
• Stan Hieronymus’s Appellation Beer
• Jay Brooks’s Brookston Beer Bulletin

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

It’s like choosing between children. I can’t do it. What I tend toward changes based on time of year, time of day, and how I’m feeling at the moment. The one overriding exception is that I will always go out of my way for a geuzue.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Ommegang, Allagash, and Brooklyn. No matter what these guys make it is always, always worth trying.

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

Fullsteam, and I don’t just say that because I know the guys who are starting it. They probably most closely envision my own ideas of what I’d like in my own brewery.

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 tend to try all kinds of weirdo crap. Things that have worked out for me: Basil American Wheat, Rye-Potato Saison, Peat-smoked Raspberry Porter, and Rosemary Scottish 60/-. That said, 75% of the beers that I make fall right into style guidelines. The most important thing to me is that they are drinkable.

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

I’m a Cicerone Certified Beer Server, and I’ll be looking at taking the next exam step in the spring. I’ve done seminars at Siebel for brewery startup, and I’m planning on enrolling in their short course for brewing.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Really hoppy IPA with really soft creamy cheese like muenster.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I’m currently a computer geek at a University.

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?

If I could, I would drop everything and start my brewery tomorrow.

3. Are you married? Children?

I am married. I have an adorable dog and cat combo that function as my children.

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

Volleyball. Lots and lots of volleyball. I’m also a huge fan of cooking, but I really hate dishes, so that doesn’t always get very far. On occasion, when the mood strikes me, I get out in the yard and fiddle with plants. I’m a big fan of giant tropical plants and cacti. They don’t play well together.

Off The Beaten Path

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

A porter: Soft-spoken, mild, but with moments of brilliance.

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?

With an impending execution? Tactical Nuclear Penguin. Nothing like a bomber of 60 proof beer to dull the pain.

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?

Is there danger in answering this? I would make a bacon-smoked bock.

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

Invisibility.

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

I cannot legally tell the story for this. Suffice to say that, while threatened, I have never actually had a cavity search. Living right on an international border while you’re growing up is something else. Border guards have very little patience with college kids.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I love it, but I’m afraid that with the sustained pop culture attention that it will eventually jump the shark and that there will be a bacon backlash. I think I’d prefer it remained awesome, but not overdone.

SPECIAL THANKS TO ERIK 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.