This morning, Sierra Nevada announced that is ready to open its new swanky taproom–The Torpedo Room–in Southwest Berkeley this November.This is a very exciting announcement for those of us (ahem *me*) that live, work and play in the neighborhood.

I work around the corner, suckers!!

Okay, so it is probably important to note that Sierra’s new taproom is literally, literally one block from my work. As in, I walk out the door, take approximately 20 steps, and BOOM. I’m there. And if I skip, I can get there even faster. And who are we kidding, I will be skipping, if not running, over there everyday after its opening. No passing go, no collecting 200 dollars.

The Torpedo Room will have 16 taps, all pouring unique and limited Sierra Nevada beers. Sierra Nevada will host educational tastings in the taproom, as well as the occasional craft-centric event dedicated to beer science. Because of licensing requirements (I assume), all draught beer will be served in taster flights. Guests will also have the option of filling growlers to go, as well as purchasing six-packs, cases and individual specialty bottles. Light snacks will accompany beer flights, but there won’t be a full food menu.

Cause ghosts dig beer too.

But the opening of Sierra Nevada’s new taproom isn’t the only beeralicious project that has got Berkeley beer geeks sitting on edge. Southwest Berkeley is also the very proud home of a new all-sour barrel-aged brewery aptly named The Rare Barrel. Oh, The Rare Barrel, how do I give thee the justice thou deserves?

I love unicorns.

Picture a fantasy land where the sun is always shinning, rainbows are always in the sky and unicorns are playing freely and peacefully with dragons and fairies. Imagine a world where dreams really do come true and sour beer runs through the land like water. This is The Rare Barrel.

Oh yes, they fancy.

Okay, but for real. The Rare Barrel is going to be a magical place. The entire focus of The Rare Barrel will be on sours and they have created a space specifically dedicated to the conditioning of barrel-aged sour beers. High ceilings, a moderate climate and plenty of space–the barrels will have an ideal home for developing amazing and unique sour beers.

And where is this magical land of sours and pixie dust? Three blocks from my apartment and about 1 mile from The Torpedo Room. Yes, kids. That’s right. I can hop, skip, jump, run, bike or walk to both places in a matter of minutes. And that is a beautiful thing.

Brewers on barrels. Doesn’t get much sexier than that.

But sour beers and rare Sierra samplers are not the only beertastic things going on down in Southwest Berkeley. It is also home to the largest craft beer cooler in the East Bay. And we aren’t talking about a few refrigerators. We are talking about a beer cooler the entire length of a grocery store isle. It is so big, I can’t even capture it all on my camera phone.

ZOMG! Beers for days!

Southwest Berkeley also boasts an eclectic range of bars, from dive to fancy, that feature awesome and, often times, very special craft beer selections. In fact, my really good friend Josh was recently hired to renovate the beer program at an Old-Fashioned Hofbrau and Sports Bar located in the the historic Southern Pacific Railroad Depot on Berkeley’s 4th Street. Josh is well-known amongst local craft beer drinkers for his previous work, revamping the craft beer list at a popular NY-style pizza place near the UC Berkeley campus.

This is what my hometown beer world will look like.

Speaking of weird and awesome things that happen in Southwest Berkeley–my favorite dive bar within stumbling distance of my apartment recently tapped Firestone Walker’s Parabola. Not sure who exactly was in charge of tapping the keg that night, but let’s just say there may have been a bit of miscommunication with the staff. Said bar ended up pouring $5 pints of Parabola–and news of it spread like wild-fire throughout the local beer geek community.

Don’t ask me how that night ended, cause I don’t remember.

And there is always the fact that I live in Southwest Berkeley, with a rather healthy beer cellar. Not saying that everyone and their mother is invited to come drink my cellar, but I’m always willing to pop open a few fun bottles with friends who visit the area. Especially, those who bring tasty treats for my mouth in either the form of suds or pig parts.

Supplication for days.

As hip and cool as Southwest Berkeley is becoming, I probably should tout the awesomeness of the other neighborhoods in Buzzerkeley as well. Just a wee bit north from all the Southwest Berkeley beer action, you can find two of our city’s more well-known breweries–Trumer and Pyramid. Technically speaking (for all the sticklers out there), Pyramid is no longer privately owned, so by definition of the Brewers Association, they are not a *craft* brewery. But, I still feel that their presence in the area should be noted.

IPAX FTW!

But the beer fun doesn’t stop below San Pablo Ave. Head up towards Central Berkeley, where the UC Berkeley campus is located, and you will find a mecca of craft beer offerings including Berkeley’s oldest brewery–Triple Rock–the only East Bay bar to receive weekly keg shipments of the ever-coveted Pliny The Elder and the oldest liquor store in Berkeley (76 years and counting), which boasts one of the most extensive craft beer bottle selections in the area (including weekly shipments from RRBC).

It’s always Pliny o’clock in Berkeley.

Well, as you can tell, I have mad pride for Berkeley’s craft beer scene. And if you think the beer scene sounds cool, you should also check out our food scene. Some say California cuisine and the Slow Food movement were born in Berkeley. And I believe them. Berkeley: come for the beer, stay for the food.

Mmmmm fried things.

Let me know if you ever come to my neck of the woods! I’d be more than happy to show you around! Hit me up on Twitter @TheBeerWench, on Instagram @thebeerwench, or send me a message on Facebook! Cheers!

Taste and tweet about Oktoberfest beers with talented women in the craft beer industry on Oct. 4

In honor of the world’s largest beer festival, Whole Foods Market is teaming up with yours truly to host a mini-Oktoberfest celebration live on Twitter. We  partnered with four U.S. craft breweries that share two things in common – all produce an awesome American-style Oktoberfest beer and all have women tweeting behind the brand.

On Oct. 4, from 7-8 p.m. CST, join Whole Foods Market (@WholeFoods) and me (@TheBeerWench) as we taste and tweet through four delicious American-style Oktoberfest beers with amazing and talented women in the craft beer industry. Tweet alongside beer professionals, beer enthusiasts and foodies to learn more about Oktoberfest traditions, cooking with beer, beer pairings, and the integral role women have played in the history of beer.

To participate, pick up one or all of the featured Oktoberfest beers and tweet your experience using the hashtag #WFMBeer. Every 15 minutes, the focus of the tasting will shift to a different beer. The schedule is as follows:

7:00 p.m. CST: Left Hand (@LeftHandBrewing) Oktoberfest
Woman behind the Twitter avatar: Emily Armstrong
7:15 p.m. CST: Victory Brewing (@VictoryBeer) Festbier
Woman behind the Twitter avatar: Karen Noonan
7:30 p.m. CST: Great Lakes (@GLBC_Cleveland) Oktoberfest
Woman behind the Twitter avatar: Marissa DeSantis
7:45 p.m. CST: Flying Dog (@flyingdog) Dogtoberfest
Women behind the Twitter avatar: Erin Biles & Holly Manthei

If you can’t find one of the recommended beers above, simply ask your local Whole Foods Market beer specialist to make an Oktoberfest recommendation and then join the conversation on Twitter. Just don’t forget the hashtag #WFMBeer.

Interested in learning more about women craft brewers? Check out Whole Foods Market’s featured film during its Do Something Reel Film Festival this month. “The Love of Beer” is a documentary that follows women as they struggle to end stereotypes, handle their rising fame and raise a family in the craft beer scene. The film is available to digital audiences with exclusive filmmaker interviews on iTunes and other platforms for $3.99 in standard definition and $4.99 in HD. Visit dosomethingreel.com for more information.

Participation is limited to those 21 years or older.

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If you have any questions on how to use and track hashtags, do not hesitate to contact me or leave a comment below. Here is a site that provides basic information for tracking hastags. Personally, I think Tweetdeck is the best tool to use when trying to follow and participate in a #WFMBeer tasting. Just add a column to your Tweetdeck searching for #WFMBeer, and you will get a live stream of all the people talking about the live tasting.

Screen Shot from Tweetdeck

Once again, if you have any questions about participating, do not hesitate to contact me!!!!

Cheers!

It’s no secret that I have a love for Twitter that borders on obsession of the Fatal Attraction kind.

I have various criteria for following people. Some I follow because of recommendations from trusted friends, some I follow because I have met them in person, some I follow because they work in my industry — but often times, I just follow people because they have really fun & creative Twitter handles.

I recently took it upon myself to create a list of the most puntastic beer-themed Twitter handles. And yes, puntastic is a “word” according to the only dictionary that matters (Urban Dictionary). And someone even has the @puntastic Twitter handle, which in itself is rather puntastic.

Although I’m certain there are many puntastic Twitter handles out there that I might not know about, here are some of my favorites! Please note that this is NOT a ranked list, Twitter names are listed at random. Also note that the list was chosen SOLELY based on the creativity of the Twitter names, NOT the quality of Twitter posts by the users (heck, some of them barely tweet). However, I can say that most of them are definitely follow worthy, so if you aren’t following anyone on the list, definitely give them a chance!

20 Puntastic Beer-Themed Twitter Handles

1. @brewforia

Play on the word euphoria. And considering beer’s euphoric effect on the body, the double meaning really works.

2. @brewniversal

Play on the word universal. Something that is existent or operative everywhere or under all conditions. The greatest part about beer is that one can brew it anywhere in the world, making it truly brewniversal.

3. @beervana

Play on the word nirvana. A transcendent state of perfect happiness — precisely the state of mind I find myself in after a few beers.

4. @BrewYorkNY

Play on the city New York, New York. If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere. It’s up to you Brew York, NY.

5. @BREWBACCA

Play on the Star Wars character Chewbacca — the sexiest Wookie in the galaxy. I’ve turned into Brewbacca after a few too many beers. Rrrrrrr-ghghghghgh!

6. @brewtress

Play on the word mistress. A long-term female lover and companion of beer. What woman doesn’t want this title?

7. @hoptopia & @brewtopia

Play on the word utopia. A world of hops and brews sure sounds like utopia to me. How soon can we get there?

8. @hoperatives

Play on the word operatives. A secret agent, spy, private investigator of beer. The name is Wench, Beer Wench. I’ll take my beer-tini shaken, not stirred.

9. @TheHoparazzi

Play on the word paparazzi. Online photojournalists who specialize in candid photography and exploitation of beer celebrities in 140 characters or less. I’m your biggest fan, I’ll follow you until you love me. Hopa-hoparazzi

10. @BREWPUBLIC

Play on the word republic. A form of government in which the supreme power rests with the people — or in this case, beer. I pledge allegiance to this beer…

11.@Beervangelist

Play on the word evangelist. One who preaches the gospel of craft beer. Accept Craft Beer as your Lord and Savior and repent your yellow fizzy beer sins!!

12. @hopcircles

Play on the word crop circles. If aliens come to our planet and make hop circles, I’m going with them. TAKE ME TO YOUR BREWER.

13. @Hopapalooza

Play on the “word” palooza. Urban Dictionary has at least 7 different definitions of the term, but my favorite is a wild crazed out mutha fuckin party that no one will forget. Who doesn’t love the idea of a hopapalooza?

14. @hopsandrobbers

Play on the game cops and robbers. But instead of chasing down robbers, hops are on a mission to tag fizzy yellow beer drinkers, bringing them onto the “good guy” team.

15. @Brewgasm

Play on the word orgasm. The moment of most intense pleasure while drinking beer. The beer climax. I think I had a brewgasm just thinking about it.

16. @DoctorBrew

Play on the TV show title Doctor Who. Who needs human companions when you can explore time and space with a couple of brewskies? Twitter really is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.

17. @MaltyByNature

Play on the hip hop trio Naughty By Nature. Who’s down with H.O.P.? Yeah you know me.

18. @apunkybrewster

Not just a play on words, but literally from the sitcom Punky Brewster. Bonus points for the handle being run by a real brewer. Holy Macanoli! Punky Power!

19. @brews_clues

Play on the TV show Blues Clues. The shows goals were to empower, challenge, and build the sell-esteem of preschoolers while entertaining them. Beer works the same way on adults.

20. @BarleysAngels

Play on the TV show Charlie’s Angels. Good morning, Angels. Good morning, Barley.

__________________

Cheers!

In honor of Earth Month, Whole Foods Market (@WholeFoods) and The Beer Wench (@TheBeerWench) are encouraging friends and fans to toast to organic beers with their Apr. 10 “Save the Planet, Drink Organic” Twitter Tasting.

The organic beer-themed tasting takes place on Twitter from 8-9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Apr. 10. The tasting, featuring four organic beers from some of the world’s most respected and innovative brewers, includes:

• 8 p.m. ET: Dupont — Avril (led by @belgianexpert): The brewer’s favorite beer. Light in alcohol, full in flavor. 3.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).
• 8:15 p.m. ET: Samuel Smith — Strawberry Ale (led by @merchantduvin): Smooth malt and aromatic strawberry flavors merge together in an elegant fashion with fresh, ripe strawberries. 5.1 percent ABV.
• 8:30 p.m. ET: Bison Brewing — Honey Basil Ale (led by @bisonbrew): Creatively infused with fresh, organic whole leaf basil and organic clover honey. Crisp and herbaceous with a hint of sweetness. 6 percent ABV.
• 8:45 p.m. ET: Hopworks – Rise Up Red (led by @HopworksBeer): Mahogany smooth with mild caramel sweetness, balanced by local Cascade and Centennial hops for a crisp finish. 5.8 percent ABV.
• 9 p.m. ET: After party (free for all!)

Every fifteen minutes, the focus will shift to a different featured beer as brew masters take questions from Twitter fans and share stories about the beers and the breweries. To follow the conversation, use the hashtag #WFMBeer. At least one, if not all, of the beers listed above should be available at most Whole Foods Market stores that sell beer.

Participation is limited to those 21 years or older (duh!).

Twitter Beer Tasting FAQs

What is a Twitter beer tasting?

A Twitter beer tasting is a virtual event where people simultaneously taste beers together, and share their tasting notes in 140 character or less messages on Twitter.

What do I need to do to participate?

At the bare minimum, all you need to participate is a Twitter account and a beer in hand! For each #WFMBeer Twitter tasting, a particular theme is selected by Whole Foods and The Beer Wench. Participation in the Twitter tasting is enhanced when you follow the theme.

How do I follow the conversation?

All people participating in the Twitter beer tasting are encouraged to use the hashtag #WFMBeer in all of their tweets. If you have Tweetdeck or Hootsuite, we recommend that you create and dedicate an entire column to the hashtag, so you can follow the conversation as it happens!

What if I can’t find any of the beers on the “official” list?

You can still participate! Just find a beer or two that fits into the theme and join in. The theme this time around is organic beer — if you can’t find one of the delicious organic beers listed above, just look for the USDA organic logo on the beer shelf in a Whole Foods Market near you!

What if I have questions about the beers that I’m tasting?

You are in luck! Representatives from each of the breweries selected will be on Twitter during the entire event to lead the tasting and answer your questions. All of the representatives are listed next to the beers in the schedule above.

Is it okay to join the conversation late?

Of course! Better late than never!!!

Have more questions? Send me a tweet @TheBeerWench, or leave a message in the comment section below!!!


BERKELEY, Calif. (December 13, 2011) — Whole Foods Market (@WholeFoods) has teamed up with social media maven and craft beer evangelist, The Beer Wench (@TheBeerWench), on a series of virtual beer tastings to be hosted LIVE on Twitter.

 The themed series will take place every two months.

The first tasting in the series is scheduled for Tuesday, December 20 from 7 to 8 p.m. EST. In honor of the holiday season, winter ales have been chosen as the theme. All it takes to participate is a Twitter account and a seasonal winter beer in hand. To join the conversation, participants merely need to attach the hashtag #WFMBeer to all of tweets during the event.

“Whole Foods Market is one of the best brands on Twitter, and they do an amazing job connecting with and engaging their audience. Every week, they host really fun discussions about food and wine with their followers,” said Ashley Routson, beer expert and founder of DrinkWithTheWench.com. “For selfish reasons, I felt that craft beer deserved to be thrown into the mix.”
Whole Foods Market and The Beer Wench are joining forces with four craft breweries across the country, all with delicious holiday or winter beers available at various Whole Foods Market stores. Every fifteen minutes, the focus will shift to a different featured brewery as brewmasters actively answer questions and share stories about the beers and the breweries.

“Whole Foods Market’s store beer buyers are some of the most passionate people in our company, and our shoppers tend to seek us out for our adventurous selection of local and craft brews,” said Michael Bepko, Global Online Community Manager at Whole Foods Market. “Taking our experts and knowledge online with The Beer Wench to connect to some new beer connoisseurs is a natural extension of the community we work hard to create in our stores.”

The December 20 virtual craft beer Twitter Tasting schedule is as follows:

7pm EST: New Belgium (@newbelgium) Snow Day
7:15 EST: Deschutes (@DeschutesBeer) Jubelale
7:30 EST: Bison Brewing (@bisonbrew) Gingerbread Ale
7:45 EST: Dogfish Head (@dogfishbeer) Chicory Stout
8pm EST: After party (free for all!!)
Participants are encouraged to tweet along while enjoying one of the craft beers listed above. If unavailable, they can simply choose another favorite holiday or winter craft beer. Suggestions from The Beer Wench, most of which can be found at a local Whole Foods Market, include:

21st Amendment (@21stAmendment) Fireside Chat
Anderson Valley (@avbc) Winter Solstice Ale
Great Divide (@greatdividebrew) Hibernation Ale
Great Lakes (@GLBC_Cleveland) Christmas Ale
Karl Strauss (@Karl_Strauss) Dos Turtles
Ninkasi (@Ninkasi) Sleighr
Odell Brewing (@OdellBrewing) Isolation Ale
Sierra Nevada (@SierraNevada) Celebration Ale
Sweet Water (@sweetwaterbrew) Festive
Weyerbacher (@Weyerbacher) Winter Ale

For more information on the virtual tasting and the beers, check out the official EventBrite page: http://wfmwinterbeer.eventbrite.com/

# # #

About The Beer Wench


Known amongst the craft beer community as The Beer Wench, Ashley Routson is a self-proclaimed craft beer evangelist and social media maven on a mission to advance the craft beer industry through education, inspiration and advocacy. Ashley currently is the “Director of Awesomeness” at Bison Brewing in Berkeley, CA — where her responsibilities include everything from brewing to marketing, sales, PR, and being an all around ninja. Ashley is also the founder of DrinkWithTheWench.com and BeerMixology.com.

About Whole Foods Market® 


Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company’s motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 64,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 14 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2011, the company had sales of more than $10 billion and currently has more than 315 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:
Behind the Twitter Avatar Series

Are you curious about the men and women “hiding” behind Twitter avatar of the world’s most beloved craft breweries? Well, you are not alone. The Wench has gone behind the scenes to reveal and introduce you to the individuals who possess the ever coveted social media positions in the craft beer industry.

As you can probably imagine, running the social media for a craft brewery can be a tough job for any one person, especially since most of us are also juggling 5 million other hats at the same time. Many breweries already featured have more than one person working behind the Twitter avatar (heck, even I tweet for my boss from time to time). Mothers Brewing has two rockstars rockin’ behind its avatar. Meet the Jeremy and Holly!

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Behind the Twitter Avatar: @MothersBrewing

Jeremy Wicks

Brewery: Mothers Brewing
Locoation: Springfield, MO

What is your “official” position with Mother’s Brewing?

Director of Sales and Marketing/Eternal Optimist

What is your favorite beer from Mother’s Brewing?

…. always a tough question. I would probably say Sandi. It’s wheat beer made with some unmalted wheat, but we add in grapefruit zest and whole bunch of cascade hops. It’s very sessionable, but packs huge flavor. I can drink that beer (a lot of that beer) any time of the year.

What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

….. another tough question…. I do love big Imperial stouts with sweets like tiramisu, cheesecakes, or chocolate anything.

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

I don’t think I would be an actual style. I think I would be more of a flavor or hybrid style. Something with a big hop bite, yet balanced with soft malt. Maybe even a little spice added in or a touch of fruit. Something complex yet very drinkable. That sounds about right.

And last but not least, what does craft beer mean to you? Craft beer, to me, is a culture based around creativity, innovation, art, fun, sharing and so much more. Craft beer is community and friendship. It is a constant journey to make great beers and make people happy along the way.

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Behind the Twitter Avatar: @MothersBrewing

Holly Yvonne Mills

Brewery: MothersBrewing
Location: Springfield, MO
Personal Twitter Handle: @hollyvonne

What is your “official” position with Mother’s Brewing?

Renaissance Woman/Marketing & Sales

What is your favorite beer from Mother’s Brewing?

… all of them? But if I had to pick one I’d go Foggy Notion, Mother’s sherry barrel aged Ozarks barley wine.

What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

IPAs & spicy anything…Thai, Vietnamese, Cajun, chilaquiles…I can continue if you’d like

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

Mother’s Holy Mole (chile chocolate ale)… a lil’ sweet, a lil’ spicy & a lil’ bit of an adventure

And last but not least, what does craft beer mean to you?

Craft beer triggers many emotions and memories for me so here’s a snapshot: local, awesome pairings, art, friends, travel, serendipity, family, best career ever and lots of love.

Sad to admit I’ve not yet tried a beer from Mothers Brewing, but after following them on Twitter, I am definitely making a concerted effort to stalk them down! Cheers!

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:
Behind the Twitter Avatar Series

Are you curious about the men and women “hiding” behind Twitter avatar of the world’s most beloved craft breweries? Well, you are not alone. The Wench has gone behind the scenes to reveal and introduce you to the individuals who possess the ever coveted social media positions in the craft beer industry.

Behind the Twitter Avatar: @FirestoneWalker

Lee Shepard

Brewery: Firestone Walker

Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Personal Twitter Handle: @LeeShep

What is your “official” position with Firestone Walker?
Social Media and Communications Guy is what I prefer.

What is your favorite beer from Firestone Walker?
Oh God do I have to pick just one?! If so, I’d have to say that the Unfiltered DBA is my favorite. I usually drink it when I’m here at the brewery tasting room because it’s the only place you can get it around here. It’s always a tough choice between UDBA and Double Jack when I’m getting my growler filled.

What is your favorite beer and food pairing?
There’s definitely the perfect beer for any food, so it’s hard to identify a favorite. Tonight I had a Tri-tip sandwich and a DBA which is pretty standard for around here but awesome nevertheless. But I have to say that anything the Home Brew Chef brings to the table at one of his dinners always blows my mind.

If you were a style of beer, what would you be and why?
I’d have to say I’d be a Pilsner. A sessionable beer that’s easy to drink and enjoyable and pretty much gets along with everybody. A Pilsner, to me at least, is the type of beer (at least one of them for sure) that you’d want to drink by the beach or on the lake, which is fitting because that’s where you can find me most days here on the Central Coast. That is when I’m not tweeting, liking, commenting. Or plotting with our kick ass Marketing Crew on one of the 300+ events we coordinate every year.

And last but not least, what does craft beer mean to you?
The craft beer revolution is derived from what homebrewers, from the last few generations, have led us toward, and its grassroots and punk rock, and I totally dig the fact we are bringing such great products to market. As an industry we are a great community, full of bright personalities and super motivated people. I’m honored to be a part of it and I truly enjoy learning more about the beer industry and brewing every day. The artisanal, quality-centric approach that craft brewers take is something I feel good supporting.

Amazing award winning beer, check. Amazing people, check. Adorable tweeter boy, check. Yep, Firestone Walker is the cat’s meow. And my sentiments towards them has never been and will never remain a secret. XOXO

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:
Behind the Twitter Avatar Series

Are you curious about the men and women “hiding” behind Twitter avatar of the world’s most beloved craft breweries? Well, you are not alone. The Wench has gone behind the scenes to reveal and introduce you to the individuals who possess the ever coveted social media positions in the craft beer industry.

Behind the Twitter Avatar: @foundersbrewing

Sarah Aldrich

Brewery: Founder’s Brewing
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Personal Twitter Handle (if applicable): I never use it…

What is your “official” position with Founders Brewing?

Marketing Coordinator

What is your favorite beer from Founders Brewing?

It changes daily/weekly based on my mood/time of year/what I’m eating. Is that vague enough? Ha.

What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Spicy food and hoppy beer OR Porter/Stout with dessert OR any good beer with good cheese. I love cheese.

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

Some sort of Pale Ale probably…citrusy, floral, but with a hint of bite. I’m probably considered the nice girl around the brewery, but I have a bit of a bitter temper…

And last but not least, what does craft beer mean to you?

Beer that is brewed with one goal in mind: to push the boundaries of what we collectively think of as great beer, no matter how difficult it is to brew, no matter how rare or expensive the ingredients are, no matter if we think there is a “market” for it. It’s about individuality and personality, both of the beers themselves and of the craft beer enthusiasts who enjoy them. I could get super mushy and cheesy and say that it’s about living in the moment, because that’s all we have, so why not enjoy the best beer with the best people while listening to the best music, etc? It is cheesy, I guess, but that’s what gets me up each morning: doing what I can to help educate people about our products, of which I’m very proud, and to help more people enjoy more happy moments over a beer.

WOOT! If that isn’t a good reason to be a craft beer drinker, I don’t know what is! Thanks Sarah! Keep on rockin’ the social media world!!!

DRINK WITH THE WENCH PRESENTS:
Behind the Twitter Avatar Series

Are you curious about the men and women “hiding” behind Twitter avatar of the world’s most beloved craft breweries? Well, you are not alone. The Wench has gone behind the scenes to reveal and introduce you to the individuals who possess the ever coveted social media positions in the craft beer industry.

Behind the Twitter Avatar: @Ninkasi

Winter James Gibbs Archibald III Esquire

(Winter Gibbs)

Brewery: Ninkasi
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Personal Twitter Handle (if applicable): @thepongwiz (pretty much just a live feed of blip.fm. Kinda boring.)

What is your “official” position with Ninkasi?

Assistant Art Director and Social Media Guru

What is your favorite beer from Ninkasi?

Quantum Pale

What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

PBR and pizza

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

I’d probably be a sour beer of some kind cause I’m notoriously a fairly grumpy dude.

And last but not least, what does craft beer mean to you?

Essentially I think it’s cool to be a part of a industry that has so many passionate people in it. Craft beer is all about the attitude and as we say around here, “Beer is Love”

Awwww, agreed. Beer is Love. And you are freaking adorable. Thanks to Winter for rockin’ out social media for Ninkasi!

The voting round for the Top 10 Social Media Breweries is now live.

Please visit the –> SURVEY MONKEY <– link to participate in the poll.

Each voter must give a score from 1 to 5 on 3 separate measures for each brewery.

The top three winners of each measure will be aggregated and the OVERALL top 10 breweries will be named according to overall point totals.

May the best brewery win CHEERS!