Drink With The Wench » craft beer blog

Featured Beer Blogger: KARL KLOCKARS

The Beer Wench — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:49:31 +0000

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 is a very special interview day, as my interviewee is celebrating his blog’s 1st birthday today! Very few blogs last longer than a month, let a lone a year. Karl and his team’s hard work has really paid off, as evidenced by successfully hitting the one year marker. So join with me in raising a glass of delicious craft beer in honor of the Guys Drinking Beer Anniversary!

INTRODUCING: KARL KLOCKARS

AUTHOF OF: GUYS DRINKING BEER

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Karl Klockars
Twitter handle: @karlklockars
Name of blog: GuysDrinkingBeer.com
Current location: Lincoln Square/Albany Park, Chicago

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Wheaton, Illinois, about 35 miles west of Chicago.

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

N/a.

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

“Had” is tough. “Tasted” probably goes back to when I was a kid, and hated it because I didn’t know better. (Also because I think Dad’s brand used to be Coors.)

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 was at a New Years party at a friend’s house when I was 15. We stole a can (one can!) of Miller Genuine Draft from a cooler in the garage and passed it around the four of us. It was predictably terrible but we didn’t know any better.

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

Loyola University Chicago and North Central College in Naperville. I basically lived at the radio station when I wasn’t in class or working.

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:

There’s been more than a few over the years, but the first real significant one, and the one that really led to this whole craft-beer-aficionado thing for me was probably finding Oberon. My wife is from Michigan and I couldn’t figure out what the big deal about it was. However, I sat down at a bar with a few bottles of it one afternoon while watching a baseball game (White Sox vs. Tigers, most likely) and my brain finally wrapped around the appeal. Now I spend a considerable portion of my springtime figuring out where and when the best “first Oberon of the year” moment will present itself.

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

Oh, man. The epiphanies don’t really stop, do they? I’ve been so focused on American craft beers for so long that it took me forever to start figuring out the appeal Belgians (I know this is pretty bass-ackwards but it’s just how I work), but I just finally broke through that barrier after a recent night at the Hopleaf.

IPAs took a while to get used to but after an afternoon of a half-dozen Goose Island IPAs I finally had my palate readjusted to ‘em. There’s an epiphany and a “holy shit” moment for almost every style.

On an non-beer front, I think I’m finally figuring out what the deal with gin is. Always hated it until recently. Now I’m up to tolerating it.

Beer Blog Background

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

It’ll be a year for GDB on April 1st. I’ve been writing about beer, dining, food, nightlife, culture, travel and all other things Chicago for a few years now for a number of online and print publications around town, though.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

Ryan, Andrew and I were sitting down one evening, enjoying any number of fine craft beverages. They were ones, if I remember correctly, that Ryan had brought back from a work trip to Michigan that we couldn’t otherwise get in Illinois. Beers from Shorts, a Nemesis from Founders, a Batch 9000 from Bells and the like. One of us said something to the effect of, “Ryan, you should really start a blog about this stuff.” The rest, as they say, is history.

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

Here’s basically how it went: There was an email string about 8 dozen emails long where the three of us were throwing around possible names, including all sorts of clever plays on beer styles and how it’d relate to Chicago and all that jazz. I was at work at the time and without thinking (and with more than a little frustration with the creative process) wrote something like “We should just call it ‘Guys Who Like Beer and Drink Beer And Write About Beer That They Drink’ or something.”

And so it began.

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

My favorite part of having all these reviews online is being able to go back and see what I thought about a beer months in the past, and comparing to what I think of it now, what I think of how it’s aged, if I even like it any more. If I sat and just took notes on them without publishing them anywhere, I don’t think it’d be the same thing. I find myself being surprised by my own thoughts after going back and re-reading what I wrote from months before and seeing how it lined up or changed over time.

As for what to achieve, I won’t rest until I get that interview with President Obama about his homebrewing gear.

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

Not necessarily a direct result of being a beer blogger, but related – I got the chance to talk to Sam Calagione and Anat Baron, respectively of Dogfish Head and Beer Wars, for the podcast series I produce. That was fun.

What’s been bigger has been the opportunity to help affect change in the Illinois legislature with our “Save the Craft” campaign. It’s been amazing to see how this little plan snowballed with just a few posts and emails into something that’s gotten a ton of press coverage and blogosphere support. Beyond that, making connections with all the people that have joined us with “Save the Craft” has been priceless.

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

Oh, man. Beeriety is a great one. Beernews.org has been a huge help. I’m really digging There’s a Year In My Beer as well. There’s so many out there, tho.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Sours are still king for me, and have been for a while now. Before that I was all about the DIPAs (Double Crooked Tree in particular). Finally, I’ll include one style I love but don’t see nearly enough of: Chile/spicy beers. Beers like Rogue’s Chipotle Ale, Ancho-chile porters, New Holland’s Mole Ocho. Love those.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Three is tough. Top ten would probably be easier, but I’ll play along.

Let’s go with Shorts, Founders, New Glarus. Ask me again in a week and I’ll probably come up with a completely different list.

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

We’ve covered John Niedemeyer when he was with Right Brain and doing some ridiculously inventive (honey basil beer, asparagus beer, etc.) and interesting stuff. He’s working on opening a new venture in Traverse City that I’d love to assist with.

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

Nope. If and when I ever get a garage and a few hundred bucks burning a hole in my pocket, though, it’s on.

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

None.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

There’s a ton out there, but the one that’s coming to mind first and foremost? Nothing pairs with a good beer like a good burger, and a Spotted Cow paired with a burger from Fred’s in Burlington, Wisconsin is about as close to a personal nirvana as I can imagine.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I recently left my job as a radio producer with a major Chicago radio station to focus on freelancing and seeing what else is out there in the world. So, if anyone’s hiring…

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 someone would throw a ton of money at me to basically drive around from brewery to brewery and document it in some way, shape or form ( all while visiting national parks, baseball games, restaurants and the like), that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

3. Are you married? Children?

Married yes, kids no.

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

Continuing to support my wife’s growing addiction to video games.

Off The Beaten Path

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

I’m mostly Swedish and Finnish so I’ll start by making myself a Sahti. I’m part German so let’s fortify that with a Hefeweissen, and then the Irish in me demands some stout presence.

So basically, a Stou-ti-weiss.

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?

Easy question: The Brewdog “End of History.” First, they’d go broke trying to buy it. Second, I’d be so far gone from the 55% ABV I wouldn’t even notice being made dead.

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?

Sounds like it’d be a nicely carbonated citrus-y saison, with a little bite of pepper and a sour kick at the end. Kinda like a liquid Sweettart.

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

As someone who spent a ridiculous amount of time playing role playing games as a teenager, this is another gimme: Invisibility and intangibility.

5. 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 are up on this one yet.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I’m glad that the culinary world has moved on from its collective freakout over it. The world doesn’t need bacon air fresheners and bacon breathmints and baconnaise. Just eat the stuff.

SPECIAL THANKS TO KARL FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your blog!

CHEERS!

Featured Beer Blogger: KATE WHITTLE

The Beer Wench — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:00:18 +0000

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

INTRODUCING: KATE WHITTLE

AUTHOR OF: POOR DRUNK AND HUNGRY

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Kate Whittle
Twitter handle: @bananafofate
Name of blog: Poor, Drunk and Hungry
Current location: Missoula, Montana. Yes, the “River Runs Through It” place.
Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?
On a small farm in rural Montana.
2. What sports if any did you play growing up, through college and beyond?
I’m you’re classic “awkward in gym class” nerd. Except for field hockey. I kick ass at field hockey.
3. How old were you when you had your first beer?
Eighteen years old. (I was a sheltered kid.)
4. If you can recall, what is the story of your first beer? Where did you have it? What style and brand was it?
It was a PBR at some house party. As a freshman girl, I thought I was super cool.

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’m about to finish my degree in journalism at the University of Montana. Most of my other activities are, er, classified information.

Craft Beer Epiphany

Every craft beer enthusiast has at least one pinnacle craft beer experience that completely changes ones perspective on beer. I refer to this mind-blowing moment as a “craft beer epiphany.”

1. What was your first craft beer epiphany? Recall as many details about it as you can:
I don’t know if this counts anymore since they’re owned by Coors, but a friend bought me some Blue Moon a few years ago. I was like, “damn, this is way tastier than the crap I’ve been drinking at parties.”

2. Have you have additional craft beer epiphanies since the first? Detail as many of them as you wish: I think when someone explained growlers to me

Beer Blog Background

1. How long have you been writing your beer blog?
I started up my cooking/booze blog a little after January of this year. Poor, Drunk and Hungry started as a food column for my school paper, the Montana Kaimin.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?
I have so much more drunken rambling than is fit to print.

3. Why did you choose the name of your blog?
It sums up the college experience, I think.

4. What are you personal goals for your blog? What do you hope to achieve with it?
I aim to become the Martha Stewart of inebriated country bumpkins. Yes, I aim high.

5. What is one of the coolest things that happened to you as a result of being a beer blogger?
People come up to me in bars and argue with me about beer and tacos. Totally amusing.

6. What are you top 3 favorite beer blogs/beer websites?
Lessee…Beer Wench, of course, the Grizzly Growler, and the web site for the Kettlehouse brewery, which is about four blocks from my house, so I always check to see what’s on tap.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?
I’m all about dark beer: porters, bocks, stouts.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?
This is a tough one. I’d say Missoula’s Big Sky and Kettlehouse breweries, and Angry Hank’s in Billings, MT.

3. If you could work with or for any one brewery, which one would it be and why?
I also really admire Bayern Brewery in Missoula for being a traditional German-style brewery: they still follow the Reinheitsgebot brewing law. It would be neat to learn the old-school methods.

4. Are you a homebrewer? If yes, what is the most unique and interesting beer recipes you’ve brewed as a homebrewer?
No, sadly…

5. Do you have any beer certifications (BJCP, Cicerone, Siebel, American Brewers Guild)?? If so, what are they?
Nope… “college student” is my only certification.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?
Beer and chili.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?
Student/journalist/intern at various publications.

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?
Host an irreverent cooking show on the Food Channel.

3. Are you married? Children?
Nope…

4. Outside of beer and writing, what are some of your other hobbies?
Knitting, jumping into mosh pits, arguing.

Poor, Drunk & Hungry: Cookies from Montana Kaimin on Vimeo.

Off The Beaten Path

1. If you were a style of beer, what style would be an why?
I think I’d be a really strong IPA. You know, a little bitter, and some people can’t handle it, but still really awesome.

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?
Would definitely brew a nice, rich scotch ale. No floofy ingredients.

4. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
I’d have the ability to pack a large amount of things into a small, weightless bag, ala Mary Poppins. Also, a magical refilling growler and the ability to snap my fingers.

5. What is one of the craziest things you have ever done and lived to tell the story?
Moved to Los Angeles for a summer. I will never do that again.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?
BACON GOOD.’

SPECIAL THANKS TO KATE FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

Featured Beer Blogger: KYLE “THE BEER GUNNER”

The Beer Wench — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:48:53 +0000

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

INTRODUCING: KYLE

AUTHOR OF: THE BEER GUNNER

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Kyle
Twitter handle: @BeerGunner
Name of blog: The Beer Gunner
Current location: Brooklyn, NY

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Richmond, Virginia

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

I love sports. I grew up playing baseball, soccer, basketball, and golf. Though these days I usually prefer to have a beer in hand while watching.

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

I was a sophomore in high school…so about 15 or 16.

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 went to a friends house whose parents were out of town and we got someone’s older brother to buy us some beers. I think it was miller lite. So it’s a pretty typical scenario.

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 James Madison University where I studied Geographic Science and Anthropology. I was involved with the Geography Club, the Student Conservation Association and a few study abroad programs.

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 very first one I ever had was probably Sammy Smith Oatmeal Stout. That beer completely changed the way I thought about beer. I remember telling my dad that it was like thanksgiving dinner in a bottle when I was a senior in high school.

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

Rochefort 10 was my first Belgian that I absolutely fell in love with. I had my mom buy me that beer on Christmas as a stocking stuffer for a few years while I was in college.

Lately, I’ve gotten into the sour lambics by Cantillon. At first I did not really have the palate for them but now I can’t get enough…and I love sharing that style with others who have never experienced it before.

Beer Blog Background

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

1 month

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

Well…I’ve been toying with the idea of starting a bar…and I’ve always loved craft beer so it just seemed like a great way for me to document all the new beers I try and increase my knowledge of the beer world.

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

My grandfather was a tailgunner in WWII…so I guess you could say it was a homage to him. Plus I just like the imagery it brings to my mind.

4. What are you personal goals for your blog?

What do you hope to achieve with it? I hope to learn as much as I can about beer…maybe get some ideas for a future bar venture…meet some fellow craft beer lovers…and share some good times with good people.

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

Well…I have not been at it for too long…but all my friends are starting to bring me beers from different places they go on their travels…and I have a lot more impromptu beer tastings at my apartment in Brooklyn.

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

Simply Beer, The Brew Noob, and Hoptopia are ones I check out pretty regularly…plus they all live in the NYC area so it’s nice to see what they are drinking and what’s new in NYC.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

This is always changing depending on the season but right now I’d have to say Imperial Stouts, IPA’s, and Lambics.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

I’ve been drinking a lot of Founders lately…I love most of their offerings. They are usually in the top 3. Other than that it depends on the day.

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

Sixpoint brewery in Brooklyn because I could ride my bike to work and I really like the direction they are heading with the Mad Scientist series and their new line of lagers.

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

I’ve brewed a few batches. The one that I probably enjoyed the most was a coffee stout.

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

No. I just drink a lot of different styles and have a lot of tastings…though I might consider it in the future.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

A stout with any kind of rich chocolate desert

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Cartographer

2. Are you married? Children?

No and no.

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

Outdoors, food, traveling, sports

Off The Beaten Path

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

Tripel because it is a classic style that goes well with any situation…yet has a menacingly high ABV…and several layers of complexity.

Westy 12 because I have not had one yet.

3. If I contracted you to brew a beer (or design a beer recipe) called “The Beer Wench” — what style would you chose and what, if any, extra ingredients would you add?

I’d brew a nice crisp well balanced session beer like an English Bitter served in a cask so you could wench all night long…

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

I’d like to destroy all hangovers.

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

I’ve hitchhiked all over the Middle East and Central America…so that has led to a few different crazy stories…which are too long to tell here…maybe we could grab a beer first?

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I like it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

SPECIAL THANKS TO KYLE FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

Featured Beer Blogger: CHAD MCNEAL

The Beer Wench — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 20:48:31 +0000

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

INTRODUCING: CHADRICK MCNEAL

AUTHOR OF: THE BEER FAN

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Chadrick McNeal
Twitter handle: mcnealc31
Name of blog: The Beer Fan
Current location: Lima, Ohio

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Wapakoneta, Ohio

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

Growing up I played baseball and basketball, CYO basketball in high school. I played a lot of intramurals in college including softball, basketball, floor hockey, soccer, and flag football. Since then I have played a little bit of rec league softball and sand volleyball. I have been known to be quite the defensive beast at dodgeball, too.

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

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

Busch Light. Had it at a party in college. There isn’t much of a story to it. I didn’t like it and it took a long time to choke it down. It actually took me a while to develop a taste for beer.

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 college at Bowling Green State University and studied Telecommunications. From there, I went to Syracuse University and studied Broadcast Journalism.

Outside of classes, I spent a lot of time doing radio sports for our college station, working part time in radio, and I was also in marching and other bands.

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 craft beer epiphany was probably the first time I hadGreat Lakes’ Eliot Ness. I liked Killian’s and Amberbock but wanted to try something different. I was blown away! I didn’t know beer could taste that good. It was so rich and full of flavor, and looked gorgeous. Plus I’m a big fan of the movie The Untouchables, so I thought the name was cool, too.

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

When I moved to where I live now, there was a store that had a huge selection of craft and imports you could buy by the bottle. I liked what I was trying, but I didn’t really know what I was doing. That’s when I started reading about different styles, different breweries, things like that. I wouldn’t say there was one exact moment, but a collection of trying new beers, then figuring out what I was trying and why I liked it.

Beer Blog Background

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

I started about a year and a half ago but took about a year off when the only worthwhile place to get craft beer in town closed. Luckily, a new wine shop has started carrying craft beer that you can buy by the bottle. I live in a town that’s pretty sheltered when it comes to craft beer. I have gotten laughed at by a bartender for ordering a Killian’s because they didn’t have anything “that fancy”.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I wanted to keep track of everything I’ve tried. I found that with a lot of other reviews sites I either don’t agree with the ratings, the reviewers’ palates are much more adept than mine, or the descriptions are thesaurus-filled descriptions that didn’t say anything.

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

I’m a fan of beer!

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

I just want to get some more ideas and reviews out there. Things have really taken off since I joined twitter. It’s been really cool to make connections with more bloggers, find more craft beer sites, and find out about more breweries. I would like to do more than reviews, but I’m not sure what yet.

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

It’s happening right now!

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

Beeradvocate.com, craftbeer.com, and there a ton of others I check out often. RSS feeds are pretty wonderful for that.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Porter, Stout, Bourbon Barrel

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Great Lakes Brewing Company, Stone, Breckenridge Brewery. Founders is making a run, but I haven’t had enough to put them in the top 3.

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

I’m going to cheat and name two. Great Lakes, because it was my beer epiphany, I like the Cleveland connection, I haven’t had a beer from there I haven’t loved, the variety is endless, and they’ve got killer names.
But since my last name is McNeal, I think McNeill’s Brewery would be a good fit!

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 have a new batch of Holiday Ale fermenting right now. This is just the fifth batch I’ve brewed, and it’s got the potential to be the best. I am still using others’ recipes, but I think I’m ready to branch out on my own next. Perhaps a vanilla porter.

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?

Beer and meat! Steak, burgers, bacon.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I’m the production director for a group of 5 radio stations. I am also the afternoon drive DJ on our classic rock station.

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?

Eventually, I want to own a craft beer and homebrew store. But before that, I’d love to work some kind of marketing/promotions/PR gig for a brewery.

3. Are you married? Children?

Nope. I’m not ready for a wife or kids right now. But hopefully some day.

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

I have been acting in community theater for a little more than a year and I love it! I’ve been in five shows so far and have played very different characters. It’s quite a thrill to be in front of the audience in that setting, Some of my closest friends and the people I spend the most time with, I have met through the theater.

Off The Beaten Path

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

Probably a spiced holiday/Christmas ale. I’m big, warm, there is some surprise if you dig, and I’ll do a lot of things just because I think they’ll be fun for others.

Great Lakes’ Eliot Ness. It was my first craft beer and still one of my favorites.

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?

Likely an Oktoberfest/Marzen style. That’s what I think of when I hear “Beer Wench”. Something smooth, but full of flavor. However, I would think some kind of spicy hops would be a nice touch, too.

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

Supreme mental powers. Being able to get whatever I wanted just by wishing! For the good of the world, of course.

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

I once had a man standing on my shoulders while juggling flaming batons. That was pretty wild!

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I would like some. Do you have any?

SPECIAL THANKS TO CHAD FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

Featured Beer Blogger: CODY JOHNSON

The Beer Wench — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 23:28:40 +0000

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

INTRODUCING: CODY JOHNSON

CO-AUTHOR OF: HEBREW MEN’S BREWING SOCIETY

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Cody Johnson
Twitter handle: Codysseus
Name of blog: Spirit of Brew
Current location: Reno, NV

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

The beer mecca of West Valley City, UT

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

It would be easier to state what sports I did not play. Officially I played football, basketball, baseball, golf, wrestling, power lifting and track and field. I played football at the University of Nevada, Reno in college.

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

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?

Again, we’re talking about the beer mecca of Utah here. Actually the first beer I can really remember was my dad’s homebrewed porter. I had it in our home in West Valley.

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

University of Nevada, Reno. I studied Engineering Physics and played football starting all four years…I know, a combination that one cannot fathom, but it’s a true story, I swear!

Craft Beer Epiphany

Every craft beer enthusiast has at least one pinnacle craft beer experience that completely changes ones perspective on beer. I refer to this mind-blowing moment as a “craft beer epiphany.”

1. What was your first craft beer epiphany? Recall as many details about it as you can:

I had been drinking craft beer for a while when I had my first real epiphany. It happened Thanksgiving 2006 in Portland, OR when my future brother-in-law showed up with Dogfish Head’s 90 minute IPA. I was already on to IPAs at the time and they had quickly become my favorite style. The 90 minute IPA sealed the deal for me. To this day, I judge every IPA by this brew. While it is bigger than your standard IPA, it, to me at least, is the benchmark of the style, or anything wanting to be near it.

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

I think the next one would need to be Belgians. I chased IPAs so hard for so long that I almost passed on the style when I had a Chimay with my dad. Once I had it, I was hooked and every time I’d be on a business trip to Boise, ID, I’d find bitter creek because I knew they had Chimay on draft. Chimay Cinq Cents is still my favorite, but I find this to be probably the old world’s best style, or a very close second to the best the Germans have to offer.

I have had more than three, but my third would need to be into the mind-blowing realm of sour ales. People have ventured into Lambics as if they were some sort of poor-man’s version of “bacterial” beers, but there is a world of beauty in sour ale and complexities that can elude even the most well-trained beer connoisseur. While I have had a number of them to date, I think the most numbing is still New Belgium’s Lips of Faith Series sour.

Beer Blog Background

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

Collectively, we have been producing the Spirit of Brew for almost two years now. It is published monthly.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

The guys and I wanted to expand our influence to those around us who were also interested in talking about beer. Since we had a good local Email group we started it that way and then started posting issues on the web.

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

Oddly enough, HeBrew Men’s Brewing Society started out as an attractional group within our church…hard to believe, I know. This is where the inspiration for both the logo and the group name came into play.

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

My main goal is to make sure that our following has some interesting articles to read as well as something educational in each issue. I actually act as the editor of it, so my articles aren’t typically the more interesting ones, I prefer reading the other guys more than my little quips and sections.

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

Seeing people around me get more excited about beer and then actually having the guts to venture into brewing on their own. I like the fact that we inspire guys to try something new, fearlessly.

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

Beer Advocate
Northern Brewer (because I’m there a LOT)
All About Beer

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

IPA, Barleywine, Belgian ales (with lower esterification)

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Dogfish Head, Stone, Nogne O

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

I think I’d have to choose Dogfish Head. Sam Calagione is always pushing the limits of what beer can be. The guy is so exploratory and willing to try anything.

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

Yes. We just brewed a sweet stout with Juniper Berries rather than hops. It’s a little sweeter than typical, but it was a nice adventure. So far, I think that the most unique thing that I’ve found is actually mead. The first mead we brewed was so bizarre and unique I was blown away. Next would have to be our Novemberfest.

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

Not today.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

I love bold flavors so that’s probably why I stick to bold beers. I would have to say today I could go for a 90 minute IPA with mango habanero chicken.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I am a partner in an appraisal management company.

2. If you could change your career at this very moment, without any restrictions on what you could do, what would you want to do and why?

I will never retire and I love my work. I would love to own a brewery with a “brew-farm” on the side. That and I’d have to work our pub!

3. Are you married? Children?

Married with a son and a daughter…my wife just racked her first hard cider this week.

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

My family is the most important thing to me. I coach football, love to weightlift and I am a voracious reader, having typically three or four books going at a time.

Off The Beaten Path

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

I’m a big guy and I’m really friendly with people I don’t even know so I probably fit real well into the category of American lager…without the beer gut of course, but nearly everyone can drink me.

I thought I might want a beer that’s hard to find…but sometimes, you just need to have the beer that you appreciate the most. To date, I still have not found that IPA to take the place of my beloved 90 Minute IPA.

3. If I contracted you to brew a beer (or design a beer recipe) called “The Beer Wench” — what style would you chose and what, if any, extra ingredients would you add?

I think the Germans have “beer wench” down. So it’d have to be an Oktoberfest, but we’d need to definitely throw out the Reinheitsgebot for reality and put some spice in that baby to make a real Winter Warmer.

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

The ability to stop time.

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

Crap, I don’t think I’ve done anything crazy enough to answer this…squat 820 pounds??? Does that count?

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

The most versatile edible known to man.

SPECIAL THANKS TO CODY FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

Featured Beer Blogger: RYAN HOPKINS

The Beer Wench — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:13:58 +0000

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

INTRODUCING: RYAN HOPKINS

AUTHOR OF: THOUGHT OF HOPS + CO AUTHOR OF: HEBREW MENS BREWING SOCIETY

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Ryan Hopkins
Twitter Handle: Grandpubah
Name of blog: Thoughts of Hops, Hebrew Mens Brewing Society
Current location: Reno,NV

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Cali Bay Area

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

Amateur table tennis

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

That I can remember; 10, actual first beer contact; 1

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

Post fishing drive home, my dad cracked a Budweiser (yes he was driving, but this takes place in Missouri) and offered me a drink. I accepted the can and pounded it, handing him back an empty can.

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

University of Nevada, this means Reno, the only University of Nevada. The other one id UNLV

Craft Beer Epiphany

Every craft beer enthusiast has at least one pinnacle craft beer experience that completely changes ones perspective on beer. I refer to this mind-blowing moment as a “craft beer epiphany.”

1. What was your first craft beer epiphany? Recall as many details about it as you can:

I can distinctly remember the aerosol of hops that blasted me in the face as I opened my first Lagunitas IPA. The blast woke from a catatonic slumber induced by mass quantities of Keystone and Natural Light. The beer world changed from here. Malts were more rich, hops were more ass kicking, and I began to see colors that never existed before. This is the point that I realized how amazing and how much of an adventure beer could be.

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

That there can be magic in lighter beers. In the last couple of years I have learned to appreciate the pot of gold like experience of finding a big well crafted pilsner. I had discounted these styles as being bland and uneventful. After beating the crap out of my taste buds for year with big IPA’s, I had a Trummer Pils and the light went on. I realized how great these subtle beers can be and how much of a craft it is to create something so great without having to beat someone over the head with fruit additions, pounds and pounds of hops, or locally roasted espresso.

Beer Blog Background

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

Hebrew Brewing; a couple of years. Thought of Hops; a couple of months

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

A love a beer and wanting to share my feelings on the subject with people who haven’t asked for my opinion.

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

My name is Hopkins and I love hops. I spend large chunks of time thinking about myself and beer. It just made sense.

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

I hope to share my beer world with others and to do it in down to earth douche free way.

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

Beer Advocate
The Brewing Network
drinkcraftbeer

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Sours (all types), IPA’s, and Stouts

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Deschutes, Dogfish Head, Haandbryggeriet

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

Dogfish, because they seem to be so adventurous and willing to explore areas that others don’t travel

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

Novemberfest (Oktoberfest/Porter hybrid)

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

One day

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Marketing Sales

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?

Retire, so I could drink and focus more on beer.

3. Are you married? Children?

Married, one daughter, one en route

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

Bike riding and Lucha Libre

Off The Beaten Path

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

Id be a Sour Ale, because like the beer, I am a little weird, always funky, and really surprising the deeper you dig.

Whatever Brew Dog currently makes that strongest. Anything to help me forget

3. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I love it with eggs, on doughnuts, in beer (one of my dreams), and with more bacon.

SPECIAL THANKS TO RYAN FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

Featured Beer Blogger: JEFF BULL

The Beer Wench — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:23:02 +0000

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

INTRODUCING: JEFF BULL

CO-AUTHOR OF: HEBREWING

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Jeff Bull
Twitter handle: @hebrewbrewing / @bullseyebrewco
Name of blog: HEBREWING
Current location: Reno, NV

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Lakewood, California

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

Played some unofficial sports, like Disc golf, and basketball (recreationally)

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

Ooh, at the good ole age of 19

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 co-worker took me to a bar near where we lived, for my first Black & Tan. And yes, it was Guinness on Bass

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

Did a 3-year stint at Cypress College (Cypress, CA). Was enrolled in the computer science program, but realized pretty quick that wasn’t for me. Since I worked full-time, there wasn’t a lot of time for ‘recreational’ activities, but did find some time for amateur photography. Oh, had a blast in the Forensics club at that school as well.

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:

It definitely hit me when I was in Seattle, WA for the first time. Headed down to Pike’s Market, mostly to see the fish mongers throwing their catches all over. At this point, I wasn’t home brewing, and definitely knew very little about Craft beer. Noticed a brewery inside the market (the Pike), so of course I needed to drop in. Ordered their sampler, and had my first taste of a Scotch Ale. That beer blew me away! Honestly had no idea that beer could be that flavorful, or complex; Pretty much knew, right then, that I had just found a new love/passion.

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

First Saison (La Merle) and first IPA (Dogfish Head 60-minute)…both solidified one major characteristic of Craft beer: No style is set in stone. Every brewer has his/her own take on what a style should taste like, and that makes me want to try them all so much more.

Beer Blog Background

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

Being on the board of HeBrew Men’s Brewing Society, my primary role has always been the ‘tech’ guy…since its’ what I do full-time. I’m not much of a code writer, but thoroughly enjoy keeping content up-to-date & relevant, at the group’s site (hebrewbrewing.com). Started my own [personal] blog sometime ago, but have only recently pushed on it heavy. Discovering the benefit(s) of the twitter-verse, and other social networks really helped me to realize how much fun it can be to join in on the Craft Beer conversation.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

Home brewing…definitely. Brewing in my garage, on a relaxing evening, is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had; Wanted to be able to share that with anyone who is interested in listening.

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

Lol, pretty simple…my last name is Bull….so, bullseyebrewing.net was born. Cliché? Probably….does it matter….nah!

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

Biggest focus of any blogging, tweeting, podcasting I do is to help promote our brewing group, and bring anyone interested in brewing at home to a helpful information base. Home brewing is my passion, and as a group, we really want to reach out to people….give them an unassuming place to learn more about it. For my own blog? Just have a good time. Brewing at home isn’t stopping, anytime soon, so why not chronicle whatever I can!

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

Meeting some truly awesome people! Heck, got a chance to meet (gratuitous name drop) @thebeerwench, @Lost_in_beer, @abbijayne…all in one night! Also, have had an opportunity to talk about that one thing we all love, Craft Beer, with many great people on the web. That makes this all worth while!

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

1. Brookston Beer Bulletin
2. Yours for Good Fermentables
3. DRAFT Magazine

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Saison, Scotch Ale, IPA

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Dogfish Head, The Bruery, Knee Deep Brewing

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

Definitely the Bruery. Had a chance to visit their tasting room (Placentia, CA) last year, and try brews like Mélange No.6, and Black Orchard on tap. For such a new, and relatively small operation, can’t imagine how innovative their brew masters must be, to come up with the variations they do. Just to be a fly on the wall would be a treat.

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

Yep, and loving every second of it. Well, I’m sure most people wouldn’t think a Hefeweizen was very unique, but I have a recipe that includes steeping with sweet-dried orange peel (after the boil). Such a simple ingredient gives the brew a nice citrus flavor, without overpowering it.

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

Not right now, but it’s on my to-do list for the next 5 years.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Hmm, it’d have to be either Porter and German-chocolate cake….OR, a good Kölsch with a well basted plate of ribs

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Network Specialist for Harley-Davidson

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?

Start a brewery, no question! I love it….you get to be creative, innovative, and just have fun with something you love. How could that possibly be a bad thing?!

3. Are you married? Children?

Nope & Nope

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

Working projects around the house, Reading, and Cycling

Off The Beaten Path

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

IPA. Bitter & robust, always a reminder to an imbiber not to take you lightly

One of the only beers I may never get a chance too…Pliny the Younger

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?

Would be a Black Belgium. Possibly a little spice (coriander, clove, cinnamon)…would draw people in with it’s smooth look, but remind them quickly that it’s not a brew to underestimate

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

Ok, well, in my first car….’72 Duster (yep, Al Bundy’s car)…decided ‘hey, you know what would be fun?!’ let’s go driving around southern cali, at 60mph, in a rainstorm. Of course, when your 17, this sort of thing seems like an epiphany right? So there we are, racing around Long Beach, well over the speed limit, in a car with only drum brakes, when I lock all 4 wheels up, and proceed to slide through an intersection…sideways. This wouldn’t have been nearly as freaky, except that it was a red light for me. As soon as we made it through, the car straightened out…brakes unlocked, and was back on the road. Ahh, good times!

5. What are your thoughts on bacon?

It, along with butter, cheese, and garlic, makes everything better. Pork fat rules!!!!!!!

SPECIAL THANKS TO JEFF FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

Featured Beer Blogger: RENEE M. DELUCA

The Beer Wench — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 11:08:35 +0000

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

INTRODUCING: RENEE M. DELUCA

AUTHOR OF: THE BREWER’S DAUGHTER

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Renée M. DeLuca
Twitter handle: @BrewersDaughter
Name of blog: The Brewer’s Daughter
Current location: Chagrin Falls, Ohio (35 mi southeast of Cleveland)

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Clinton, MD, just outside of Washington, D.C.

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

I was on the tennis team as a backup in high school, but mostly kept score. I was captain of the pom pon squad (kind of a sport), and I can still do my routine to “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” but that requires a certain amount of beer.

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

I remember sipping the foam off the top of beer cans at neighborhood crab feasts as a pretty young kid.

4. If you can recall, what is the story of your first beer?

I drank Michelob Light in high school because that’s what my boyfriend bought. I kept time to Styx songs with my class ring on the side of the bottle in his car when we were out riding around. I wanted to drink Lowenbrau because of that commercial, “Here’s to good friends, tonight is kind of special…” but that was considered expensive.

5. Where, if applicable, did you go to college?

The University of Akron (undergrad) and Miami of Ohio (graduate)

What did you study?

Communications/English/Political Science

What additional activities, organizations, sports did you partake in during college?

I was on the staff of the campus radio and TV stations, the yearbook, and I’m an Alpha Gam (AGD). I had a radio show at the underground radio station and my on-air name was Rae-baby and I played a lot of punk rock. And I did the daily 4:00 news on the FM station.

Craft Beer Epiphany
Every craft beer enthusiast has at least one pinnacle craft beer experience that completely changes ones perspective on beer. I refer to this mind-blowing moment as a “craft beer epiphany.”

1. What was your first craft beer epiphany? Recall as many details about it as you can:

I started drinking the Great Lakes Brewing Company’s beers in the early 90s. They rolled out in 1988 in Cleveland, and I quickly heard about how awesome their beers were, and gave them a try. Dortmunder, Elliott Ness and of course Christmas Ale changed my beer palate forever.

2. Have you have additional craft beer epiphanies since the first?

When I learned that Jack McAuliffe, founder of the New Albion Brewing Company, was my father, I’d say I had a beer epiphany of sorts. It’s a long story* I’ll get around to sharing on my blog someday, but when I learned he was my birthfather and had started this whole craft beer thing in the U.S., it was a revelation: I knew I had beer in my blood! (*The short story is that I’m a reunited adoptee, and I learned Jack was my birthfather about 10 years ago. We’ve been getting to know each other ever since.)

Beer Blog Background

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

I started it in early September.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I had been playing around with the idea for some time, and the phrase “the brewer’s daughter” was knocking around in my head. On the occasion of Sierra Nevada Brewing releasing Jack & Ken’s Ale a few months ago, I met up with some of the Sierra Nevada reps in my area to tap a keg, and they were interested in my story. And I was really interested their journeys to beer as well. We had so much fun toasting Jack and talking about craft beer, I decided I wanted to continue to meet beer people and write about them and this path I’ve found myself upon.

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

I think it speaks for itself!

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

I don’t want to be another blogger who rates beers with stars—there are plenty of those, and they have their place. I really want to talk about craft beer as an industry and an interest—with special attention to the people in craft brewing. I *love* beer people! I noted in my very first post that I wanted to hear from other craft beer lovers, and to feel like we were sitting on bar stools getting to know each other at the local pub. Sure you’ll find some recipes, a few reviews, and travelogues too. But I think the real meat of my blog is going to be in writing about the people I meet along the way. (When can I interview you, Wenchie? ) Two favorites so far: Mendocino Brewing Company’s head brewer Gary O’Flangan; and brewmaster Andy Tveekrem, who is opening his own venture in Cleveland very soon. He was the head brewer at Dogfish Head for five years.

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

When I started my blog I also started my BrewersDaughter Twitter account. (I had been tweeting for a couple of years under @ReneeDeLuca and I still do.) Tweeting with all the beer folks introduced me to Gary O’Flanagan. When my husband Paul and I were out in Northern California recently, he invited us to the brewery for a tour, and he pulled out some of Jack’s old equipment for us to see. (Jack went to work with Mendocino Brewing after New Albion folded.) That was really cool. Also I participated in my first amateur home brewing judging during Cleveland Beer Week.

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

I’m learning a lot at Craftbeer.com, and the Craft Brewers Association website. And I love the voice of The Beer Wench.

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

I love a good Amber Ale, seasonal ales, and barleywines.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Gotta go with Great Lakes, Mendocino, and Sierra Nevada.

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

I would love to work with Mendocino Brewing Company because of their history with Jack.

4. Are you a homebrewer?

Not yet, but Paul and I are going to get started soon.

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

I want to take the BJCP course this year.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

I love a good strong beer with a really stinky cheese.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I’m the media relations specialist for Kaiser Permanente Ohio region.

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 love to be a spokesperson for craft beer—whether that’s a brewery or an association, I’m not sure. But I’ve been in media/marketing for 25+ years, and I’d love to apply that to my passion.

3. Are you married? Children?

My husband Paul and I have two kids–my daughter, Ali, who is 16; and my stepson Matt, who is 13. We’ve been married 8 years and the kids have really been together for as long as they can remember. We have an awesome time together.

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

I love to read, and at one point belonged to two monthly book clubs. I’ve got that down to one these days. I also volunteer for Adoption Network Cleveland—I’m all about advocating for open records for adult adoptees. My husband and I love to go see live music, and fortunately we have a great music scene in Cleveland. Come visit the Rock Hall!

Off The Beaten Path

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

I’d be an amber ale, I’m some shade of red-haired most of the time.

Jack & Ken’s Ale, as a tribute to my father, who brought me to this path in life. And it’s damn tasty.

3. If I contracted you to brew a beer (or design a beer recipe) called “The Beer Wench” — what style would you chose and what, if any, extra ingredients would you add?

I’d make you an amber ale too—since you’ve gone red! And I’d add some spice in there, because you definitely have the spice of life down pat!

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

I’d love to be able to cut through red tape and bullshit in a single bound.

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

I rode my bicycle 100+ miles around Lake Tahoe in one day. It was part of the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. They don’t call it America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride for nothing, but that was pretty crazy of me. I can’t believe I lived to tell. Those downhills were terrifying!

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

There can never be enough bacon.

SPECIAL THANKS TO RENEE FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

Featured Beer Blogger: TRACY CORNELIUS

The Beer Wench — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:15:34 +0000

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

INTRODUCING: TRACY CORNELIUS

AUTHOR OF: THE PISSED LIBEERIAN

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Tracy Cornelius
Twitter handle: @PissedLibeerian
Name of blog: The pissed liBEERian
Current location: The 253 (Tacoma), WA

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Small town girl from Camano Island, Washington.

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

I played on a bowling league at the ripe age of 12. I still bring it up to this day (16 yrs later) if I ever go out bowling with friends. I like to talk up my skills so I’m picked first for teams then amaze them with my gutter balls.

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

I was 22 years old. Yes, you read that right, and in case you are wondering, I am making up for lost time now. At least, I completely surpassed the era of drinking cheap beer, and I can have whatever I want whenever I want.

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

By the time I decided to start drinking, it wasn’t really a big deal since I wasn’t trying to get away with anything, so I don’t recall my first beer.

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 tri-majored in Psychology, English and Anthropology through Washington State University’s Distance Degree Program. You might be asking yourself at this point, “What the heck would someone do with that kind of degree?” The truth is I don’t know either. I find it humorous that the pissed liBEERian got her university education from the biggest party college in the state while never setting foot on campus and hardly touching a drop of alcohol til she was out of college.

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:

June 19th, 2010… I remember the day, well. Attended the Brewer’s Festival in Kenmore, WA for the first time. About halfway through the day I handed over my little wooden token to the Schooner Exact booth and had my first taste of Seamstress Union Raspberry Wheat. I call it the non-fruity fruit beer even guys like it! I think I spent an additional 10+ tokens getting more Seamstress Union that day. I couldn’t get enough, and it started me on the journey that has brought me here today. Once that pink hued liquid hit my mouth, I was bound to never be the same again.

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

I would say following the Seamstress Union encounter, my most note worthy craft beer epiphany was at Seattle International Beer Fest over 4th of July weekend in 2010. Sunday featured a special pour from Delaware’s Dogfish Head Brewery. On tap was the 120m IPA, World Wide Stout, and a Black and Tan made from the two called Heaven & Hell. My partner in crime and I were first in line and felt like festival celebrities. Had to make a dash out to the car to collect more glasses after we did the math: 2 people, 2 glasses, 3 beers = Epic Fail.

This was my first experience liking an IPA, and the whole event was just so surreal. It was an amazing weekend, and the Heaven & Hell was to die for. I enjoyed it to the very last drop and even got back in line for another round, which we barely got before the kegs blew. After SIB, I was committed to advancing my palate and integrating IPAs into my collection of loved beers.

Beer Blog Background

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

My first post was on August 2nd, 2010. A craft beer mission statement of sorts.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I was having too many ale-induced/inspired adventures and had to start keeping some kind of a record. I really got into trying new craft beers and having the time of my life with friends in the process. My whole world has been different since the beginning of the summer, like something out of the Matrix. Seamstress Union opened my eyes as if I had chosen the red pill (or pink in this case) and now see the Real World.

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

I work for a library + I love beer + I enjoy random English slang (hence pissed instead of drunk) = the pissed liBEERian

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

I hope this blog mostly entertains and informs those who read it. I’m trying to spread the word about the greatness of craft beer (especially local craft beer) and maybe convert a few people to the dark side. Since I find myself so amusing along with the random experiences that happen while drinking, all I can hope to inspire is a few chuckles along the way.

If I could make a blog related wish, it would be to get paid to do what I do. Go out, drink & review beer, and make a living in the process. If someone wants to offer me a job in marketing for their company, that would be amazing too. You haven’t seen obsessed until you’ve seen me enthusiastic about something, I go ALL the way with it.

At this time, I will totally settle for meeting a host of awesome people in the business and enjoying life one pint at a time.

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

Free stuff and lots of attention! That’s what comes from having a fortunate face, a big rack, and being a chick who is really into beer tasting as a hobby. The blog is becoming more widespread locally and around the globe (it warms my little liBEERian heart to see blog hits in places like Slovenia, Australia & Turkey), so I am getting more recognition personally. I’ve gotten free tickets to events and free beer, lots of random swag, and the opportunity to get to spend time with some really cool folks who own/run breweries around the Northwest.

When someone comes up to you in a bar and says “Hey, don’t you have a blog?” all I can think is “It’s pretty damn awesome to be me right now.”

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

99 Bottles’ Shopkeeper Blog
Beer Blotter
Blogfish by Dogfish Head

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Barleywines, Wheats and India Pale Ales. This last one (IPA) was a hard won battle. Initially, I could hardly stand to have an IPA in my mouth, let alone swallow it. It took me two solid months of drinking IPAs because I wanted to like them, and now I do. Love ‘em.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Schooner Exact of Seattle, WA
Dogfish Head of Milton, DE
Big Al of Seattle, WA

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

Without a doubt, Schooner Exact. They are a small brewery that started up during 2006 in Seattle owned by Heather and Matt McClung with brewing help by Dave “Hutch” Hutchinson. Due to being so awesome, they were both able to quit their day jobs to run the brewery full time. Kudos to them, living the dream! They are friendly and down to earth people who I have had the pleasure to get to know over the last few months. It started with my obsessive pursuit of Seamstress Union which caused me to email the brewery on a regular basis to find out where kegs of it had been recently delivered to Tacoma, WA.

They seem like a close knit organization and you gotta love a group of people with a sense of humor. Take for example their beer, The Shocker. A delightfully enjoyable combo of 2 parts Raspberry Wheat and 1 part King Street Brown. They brew over a dozen varieties of beer including seasonals and special-event beer. They are as fun to chat up in their tasting room as they are to hang out with at events.

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

I see so many interesting beers that are being made, and I can’t get my hands on all of them. I think it would be fascinating to become a home brewer at some point, maybe when my life slows down a bit. Possibly once I hit the big 3-0 I’ll feel some need to become domesticated and that includes making my own brew. For now, I will just enjoy the fascinating creations of others. There are plenty to try!

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

Sadly, I do not. However, I do possess a bar towel from CAMRA though, Campaign for Real Ale. A group that promotes good-quality real ale and pubs, as well as acting as the consumer’s champion in relation to the UK and European beer and drinks industry.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

It’s simple but does the trick–pizza and beer. To me, they will always be a perfect match. Maybe a nice pesto and artichoke pizza with a mild IPA. I am hoping to add some more knowledge to my plethora of brain waves and enlighten others, so I am currently working on putting together a 10 course menu featuring a variety of beer selections. The book that has been my savior in planning this event: “He says beer, She says wine” co-authored by Sam Calagione and Marnie Old.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

My 2 day jobs include working for the library system (bet you think I pulled the ‘liBEERian’ thing out of nowhere ’cause it’s hot, right?) and a local university as an online technical liaison.

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’ve never felt like I was on one solid career path since growing up so my interests shift greatly at times. Although I love what I currently do for a living, I would really like to pursue a career in Marketing or PR. I’ve learned a lot about myself this last year and have realized that I have some skills and/or attributes that would probably lead me to a lot of success in this field. Being a spokesperson or marketing for a company I truly love and believe in would be a dream come true. I have been told that I am a marketing persons dream when it comes to events and fun things going on. I’d do anything if I have a reason. IE Beer Punch cards. I think I could be great at creating these events. I am intelligent and creative and personable which I think are all assets to this particular field.

3. Are you married? Children?

I am not married and have no kids. As a woman who is almost 30 you may be thinking I’m ugly or that something is wrong with me, but neither is true. I assure you it is by choice. I am not in any hurry to settle down, I am enjoying my life with virtually nothing holding me back from doing what I want to. The other things will come when they are meant to, if they are meant to.

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

When I’m not blogging it up or doing empirical research for the blog, my free time is usually divided between reading and exercising. Gotta work off all those beer calories somehow! I am hoping to participate in a marathon & a triathlon in 2011. Time with family and friends are my first priority, and I will always find enough hours in the day to try and do it all.

Off The Beaten Path

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

An IPA. They are always the most inventive and uniquely named beers (I have about 20 different nicknames) plus you never really know what to expect when you go to drink one. The nose could be floral or citrusy: Is she wearing Victoria’s Secret Pink or Clinique today? The tastes can range from mild to extremely bitter: Will she be sweet and adorable or a little crazy and sexy? Don’t even get me started on the mouth feel…

A Schooner Exact Seamstress Union Raspberry Wheat. It’s my favorite beer in the world. Although many would choose an ale more profound or complicated, it is not only the taste of SU that appeals to me but all that it represents. The flavor would not only explode on my tongue, but it would remind me of: what it has been to learn about and love beer; the people I have met and befriended because of my beer pursuits; and the best summer of my life being full of love and laughter.

To me it is the equivalent of hugging a diary or licking a photo album, it takes me back.

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?

A brew called “The Beer Wench” would have to simply be a Barleywine. Sweet and smooth going down but will knock you on your ass once you’ve finished with it. Extra special ingredients… a surly smile and a hair toss on her way out the tavern door.

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

Without a doubt, TELEPORTATION. Gas prices are a killer, and I spend most of my time in my car since my life is so nomadic at the moment.

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

Wow… now that’s a loaded question. Let’s just say that every time I’ve gone to the Top of Tacoma bar in the 253, it’s led to an ‘experience’. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great place to drink and dine. Randomness seems to ensue whenever I hang out there.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I have never been a huge lover of bacon. My desires usually lean toward a big, fat, juicy sausage. However, now that I’ve gone all vegetarian like in the last 6 months let me just say this: I’m super happy for people who are bacon obsessed. You can find it everywhere and in everything. It must be a dream come true.

BIG THANKS TO TRACY FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

Featured Beer Blogger: JASON THALMAN

The Beer Wench — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:47:43 +0000

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

INTRODUCING: JASON THALMAN

AUTHOR OF: THE GREATEST BEER OF ALL TIME

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Jason Thalman
Twitter handle: @TGBOAT
Name of blog: The Greatest Beer Of All Time
Current location: Oswego, IL

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Westmont, IL

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

Soccer, Football, Wrestling, Cycling and Track

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

I Plead The 5th…probably 1 ½ – 2, I was notorious for swiping beers of end tables.

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 believe it was in H.S. and it was a Killian’s Irish Red. Nothing too exciting, friends parents out of town and it was what I could sneak out of the fridge without my father noticing.

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

Out of High School I attempted to attend a local Community College and hoped to become a professional photographer and due to the brain cell killing qualities of Macro Brews I didn’t attend much and decided to get my ass straightened out by enlisting in the Marines. About two years after getting home from the Marines, I went to College Of DuPage and earned an Associates in Marketing and one in Management.

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:

It was October of 2002 and my sister was attending Colorado State University in Fort Collins. My folks decided to take my kids and have my wife and I go see my sister for family week. We made the 17 hour drive and pulled into Fort Collins around 8:00ish and asked the lady at the front desk of the hotel and she told us about a little Mexican place around the corner. We got there and were seated quickly and were brought menus.

There were a bunch of beers listed on the menu of which I was familiar with except one. Fat Tire from New Belgium Brewing Company. I proceeded to ask the waitress “what the hell is Fat Tire?” She looked at me as if I had 10 heads and replied, “you’ve never heard of Fat Tire?” I responded, “No.” She then stated, “well, have you heard of Coors?” I figured WTH and ordered a Fat Tire. I was blown away and amazed and asked her where the heck was New Belgium located and she told me about 4 blocks up the road and that we should take a tour while we were in town.

The next day the wife and I proceeded to head over to New Belgium, we took a quick self walking tour of the brewery (of which I had no clue what the hell I was looking at) and then sat at the counter and were kindly greeted by one of the craft beer baronesses. She placed a tray in front of me and my wife and started bringing glasses. It was one amazing brew after another and my life has been changed since. My favorite at the time was their 1554 Brussels Style Black Ale which is now known as 1554 Enlightened Black Ale. We purchased 2 Cases of beer, 2 Shirts, 2 glasses, stickers, a visor and walked out $255 lighter. That day changed my life. I refer to this moment as getting my Craft Beer cherry popped!!

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

The second was when I had my first Hopslam from Bells, at that point I had never tasted anything so amazing in my life. There are only two other craft brews that have had the same euphoric effect, Dogfish Heads Squall IPA and Oskar Blues Columbian Supreme.

Beer Blog Background

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

Since December of 2009

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

Tired of the standard CSI treatment of Craft Beer. I believe that it turns off the average beer drinker and has the potential to turn of people that would be willing to explore Craft Beer. There is too much snobbery from some of the websites I’ve visited and I wanted to create a fun alternative.

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

I am a person of extremes, The Greatest Beer Of All Time just seemed right.

4. What are you personal goals for your blog?

What do you hope to achieve with it? My only goal is to spread the gospel of Craft Beer and hopefully generate some ad revenue someday so that I can at least break even. This is one expensive hobby!! I also hope to create some interactive options on the site as soon as I can put some scratch together to get some web development done.

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

Being sent beer to review, unsolicited and getting to tour Mother Earth Brewing Company in Kinston, NC and meet Josh Brewer. They have a great thing going on over there!! Meeting and getting to speak with Greg Koch from Stone Brewing and he asked to use a phrase I came up with for Saison Du Buff. I also enjoy corresponding with different representatives from breweries across the country.

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

I really dig

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

This is really tough to answer…IPAs, Pale Ales and Porters

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Founders, Breckenridge and Two Brothers Brewing Co. They consistently produce my favorite brews to consume on a regular basis.

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

Oskar Blues, I took a tour while being in Denver for GABF and fell in love with the place! Plus I dig the whole Can Revolution!!

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

Yes, I love home brewing and it has helped me understand beer on a much more technical basis. I developed a recipe for a dry hopped Irish Red that is to die for, amazing!!

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

Nope, as it was once said, “There is no such thing as a beer expert, only beer drinkers with opinions.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

This may sound strange but Cracked Black Pepper Triscuits and New Belgium Brewing Co’s Ranger IPA.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Marketing/Advertising Consultant

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 start a brewery in a heartbeat!

3. Are you married? Children?

Married to a very loving & understanding woman for over 14 years and have three daughters, Lauren (13) and twins Isabelle and Elise (10).

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

Yoga, Running, Photography, Playing Guitar and Theater.

Off The Beaten Path

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

Another tough one, I’d have to say Porter. Cheesy Answer…because I’m sweet, have a ton of character, easy to get along with and not too in your face.

It’s a toss-up between Dogfish Head’s Squall IPA and Oskar Blues Columbian Supreme. It would depend on how I felt at that moment but it would be one or the other. Maybe if it’s Spring or Summer the Squall IPA and Fall or Winter the Columbian Supreme. Two of the greatest beers ever brewed!

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, I’d go 100 IBUs +, Dry Hop the hell out of it, Oak Age it and brew it with fresh Grapefruits. I love em’ bitter!!

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

The ability to read minds. I’d love to truly know what people’s deepest and darkest thoughts are because I’m twisted like that.

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

I trained for and completed the Chicago Marathon, it was one of my greatest personal achievements. Rewarded myself with a tattoo of the shoe print (life size) on my side with 26.2 (miles) my bib number and my time.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

Bad bacon sucks, gourmet fresh bacon is second to none. Reams Meat Market in Elburn, IL has the best bacon ever!

SPECIAL THANKS TO JASON FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!