Although the undefeated Ohio State football team is ineligible for the BCS Bowl Game Series, it is sill one of my favorite times of year. Forget the ball dropping in Times Square, the highlight of my New Years celebration has been, and will always be, the Rose Bowl.

In my opinion, very few things in this world pair best with (college) football than craft beer and artisan potato chips.

As a slow foodie, champion of sustainability, and lover of all things salty and crunchy, Kettle is my favorite brand of chips. And, it was my favorite even before I became friends with the company and started this project. In fact, our friendship became through sharing my love of Kettle Chips on Twitter.

Kettle Chips is not only my favorite brand because of its delicious range of flavors, but also because they make chips using only the finest all-natural, non-GMO ingredients (I’m super against GMO’s). They do not use trans fats, MSG, artificial colors or flavors, or any ingredients that you cannot pronounce or need to Google to find out what they are.

But that’s not all folks. In 2007, Kettle Brand® opened the first LEED® Gold certified food manufacturing plant in the U.S. They also use both wind power and solar power to fuel the plant and 100% of the waste vegetable oil from the Kettle production process is converted into biodiesel. For more information on Kettle’s sustainability initiative, visit this link.

In honor of the BCS Bowl Game Series, I partnered with Kettle Brand® to create 5 kick-ass craft beer & chip pairings for each of the major 5 bowl games. (Technically, only 5 games – Rose, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, Championship Game – are a part of the BCS Bowl Series. The other games are considered to be “invitationals.”)

So, without further ado – let’s kick off the series with my favorite one of them all – the Rose Bowl.

Rose Bowl 2013 – Stanford vs. Wisconsin

Nicknamed “The Granddaddy of Them All” – the Rose Bowl is the oldest bowl game. The Rose Bowl hosts the Big Ten and Pacific-12 conference champions unless they are involved in the national championship game.

Rose Bowl Kettle Chip: Cheddar & Beer

Who can resist the hearty flavors of the Midwest? Robust and malty beer notes are layered on this chip with extra sharp and tangy cheese for a perfect balance that goes down smooth. Limited 30th Anniversary batch.

Rose Bowl Beer Pairing: American Pale Ale

Two words come to mind when I think of Wisconsin – cheddar & beer. Its no secret that beer loves cheese – especially sharp flavored ones like cheddar. For this particular chip, I went with a classic American Pale Ale. The malt flavors in the beer directly compliment the malt flavors in the chips, while the pine and citrus notes in the American hop varietals shine with the salty and fatty flavors from the Cheddar cheese. This is also a perfect match-up for the Rose Bowl since California (home of both Standford and the Rose Bowl) is technically the “grandfather” state of the American Pale Ale.

Wisconsin Fan Recommendations: New Glarus Moon Man Pale Ale, LakeFront Cream City Pale Ale, Horney Goat Hopped Up N’ Horney, Sprecher Extra Pale Ale.

Stanford Fan Recommendations: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Firestone Walker Pale 31, Stone Pale Ale, 21st Amendment Bitter American.

Wench’s Rose Bowl Pick:Wisconsin

Although Stanford did a badass job of upsetting USC early in the season and then dethroning Oregon later in the season, my heart and gut always has me cheering for the Big Ten. Wisconsin may have looked weak earlier in the season, but after annihilating Nebraska (70-31) in the Big Ten Conference Championship, I’m quite certain that have what it takes to win in Pasadena. Not to mention, Wisconsin’s loss of a head coach just might be the best thing that has happened to them all year. The return of legendary coach Barry Alvarez almost guarantees the Badgers a win in the Rose Bowl. My pick goes to the Big Ten Badgers.

Stay tuned for my Kettle Brand chips & craft beer pairings for the other 4 games – Orange, Sugar, Fiesta & National Championship!!

CHEERS!

Okay, so I haven’t been going to the Great American Beer Festival for nearly as long as most of my colleagues in the beer industry — but, this doesn’t mean that I don’t have the scoop on the best events surrounding the big fest. Some events are more exclusive than others, and some events are definitely more expensive than others. But, it is my mission to share the wheres and whens to be during GABF with my fellow beer geeks.

GABF Event Radar

Pucker Up Poker Run

The Who: Avery Brewing Company & Denver Off The Wagon

The What: Crazy bar to crawl five of Denver’s premier pubs! At each stop, you will get a 4oz. pour of a rare, barrel-aged sour beer, a 6oz. pour of a palate cleansing beer, and a playing card. Best hand at the end of the crawl will win a super kick-ass prize.

The When: Friday October 12th 11am-5pm (ish)

The Where: Start at Falling Rock Tap House at 11am, and split up into groups to visit Lucky Pie Pizza & Tap House, Highland Tap and Burger, Euclid Hall, and finish at Star Bar.

The Cost: $45

The Tickets: http://www.ticketalternative.com/Events/20628.aspx

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!

BISON BREWING RELEASES “SAISON DE WENCH”

Some people get birthday cakes, others get birthday beers.

– For Immediate Release —

July, 13 2011 –Berkeley, CA – Bison Brewing is excited to announce the newest release in its draft only “Beer of the Month” series, Saison de Wench.

Brewed in honor of her birthday, Saison de Wench is the first recipe that Bison Brewing’s Ashley Routson (also known as The Beer Wench) had a hand in developing, from start to finish. Starting with Dan Del Grande’s gold-medal winning Farmhouse Ale recipe as a base, the Saison de Wench recipe was inspired by spring flowers, rainbows and unicorns – But more importantly, using botanicals in the brewing process.

Brewed with a classic blend of specialty malts and wheat, Saison de Wench is an unfiltered, slight hazy, medium-bodied ale with a notably floral aroma and herbaceous flavor from the addition of herbs, flowers and spices.

Rose, the flower of June, served as the main focus of the recipe, with over 10 pounds of dried organic roses used in several stages of the brewing process. Floral aromatics were enhanced with the addition of hibiscus, which also gave the beer its pinkish hue and slightly tart flavor. To further increase tartness with a zesty lemon flavor, lemongrass was incorporated into the recipe. Last but not least, in order to enhance the spicy phenols from the yeast, Saison de Wench was spiced with pink peppercorns, a spice made from dried berries that yield pepper-like characteristics.

“ Whimsical notes of rose petals, hibiscus and peppery spice dominate the aroma. Balanced by a soft malt sweetness and moderate hop bitterness, Saison de Wench is refreshingly tart with a dry, spicy finish. Although delicious on its own, Saison de Wench pairs beautifully with delicate seafood dishes, ceviche, sushi, shellfish, fresh cheese, charcuterie, summer salads and chilled soups.” – Ashley Routson, Director of Awesomeness at Bison Brewing.

As with all of Bison Brewing’s “Beer of the Month” release, Saison de Wench is extremely limited and only available on draft. It is recommended that orders be placed as soon as possible. For all press inqueries and orders, please contact Ashley@bisonbrew.com.

Cheers,

The Bison Brewing Team

I have attended and even hosted several beer dinners and beer pairings events, with each and every one being unique and special in its own regard. But I must admit that this particular dinner was one of the most unique and intimate I’ve experienced to date. Black Star lined up a super long banquet table right on the brewery floor next to the fermenters. The normal lights were turned off and the brewery was lit by candles and soft spotlights that illuminated the fermenters.

Aside from myself, the owner, brewmasters and maybe a few others — most of the group had never attended a beer dinner before. And many of them weren’t even familiar with the concept. Observing everyone’s reactions and expressions during the dinner was probably my highlight. Don’t get me wrong, the food and beer experience was amazing. But what was even more amazing was watching people experience the perfect synergy between beer and food for the first time. And I guarantee it will not be the last.

As with most food and beer related events that I attend, I often find myself too preoccupied with taking pictures of my food, taking notes on the pairings, as well as instantly posting my pictures and descriptions to Facebook and Twitter. One would assume that I would know better by now that half of the beer dinner experience is living in the moment and engaging with others and not living virtually on electronics and mobile devices.

I was once told at a really fancy beer dinner, “Funny how ANTI-social social media makes you, huh Ashley?” Touche my friend, touche.

Not familiar with my addiction to social media and incessant need to post everything I eat and drink, my surrounding neighbors were slightly confused by my obsessive-compulsive picture taking behaviors and lack of social engagement with the group. But this all changed once they realized who I was, why I was there, and what I was actually doing. However, the group was too lively and engaging for me to bury my head down in my laptop and phone and so, even before the first course was finished, I retired my mobile devices and virtual realm and joined the real life excitement.

The dinner itself was extremely impressive. It consisted of 5 courses, each paired with a different Great Northern Brewing Company beer. My notes are as follows….

FIRST COURSE
Ancho seared flank steak with an espresso mole sauce served on a sweet potato fritter paired with FRED’S BLACK LAGER.

Paring notes: The chocolate and coffee malt notes in Fred’s Black Lager complimented the espresso and cacao of the mole sauce while the light dry body of the lager helped to cut the spice from the ancho and balanced the heaviness of the dish. The sweetness of the fried sweet potato enhanced the malt character of the beer, but the light dry body of the beer cut the fat and oil. The overall earthiness of the dish paired really well with the roasted flavors in the beer. This was definitely a hit in my book.

SECOND COURSE
Spinach salad with goat cheese, orange supremes and candied pecans tossed with a honey-lemon poppyseed dressing paired with WHEATFISH WHEAT LAGER

Pairing notes: To start, I must admit that this was my first experience with a wheat lager. The texture and flavor of the beer was similar to wheat beers brewed with ale yeast, but the esters were not the same (actually, there were no esters). The beer was uniquely clean. As for the pairing, this was definitely a slam dunk. The salad, like the beer, was light, fruity and slight tart. This was an extremely refreshing pairing — one that I wouldn’t mind enjoying on a daily basis!

THIRD COURSE
Coconut-red curried shrimp soup garnished with fresh cilantro and peanuts paired with GOING TO THE SUN IPA.

Pairing notes: OMFG (really, it was that good). The soup was creamy and rich, without being too heavy. The heat from the curry was softened by hints of coconut milk and cooled by the cilantro. The crunch of the peanuts added a nice texture. The IPA was beautifully balanced, mostly pale malt base with a bit of crystal for coloring with Cascade and Centennial hops used for flavor and aroma. I’m a big advocate of pairing IPAs with spicy food. The pairing could not have been any more on spot.

Side note: As a student of beer, my latest preoccupation and obsession has been learning about hops and how they affect the flavor and aroma of beer. My favorite game to play is “name that hop.” And more and more these days, I also have been playing “guess the malt bill.” After tasting Going To The Sun for the first time, I wanted to take a shot at both games. (I think I scared the brewmasters a bit by bombarding them with questions.) I missed one of the hops (I said Chinook instead of Centennial), but other than that I wasn’t too far off.

FOURTH COURSE
Jerk chicken breast over black beans and rice with jicama slaw and pineapple salsa paired with BLACK STAR DOUBLE HOPPED GOLDEN LAGER

Pairing notes: This pairing was a fiesta on the tongue. The acidity from the pineapple salsa and the earthiness from the rice and beans were nice compliments to the heat from the jerk chicken. The beer was light-bodied, but extremely flavorful for a pale lager. Overall, the Black Star lager was definitely the star of the pairing, bringing a nice malty sweetness that complimented all the flavors of the dish.

FIFTH COURSE

Chocolate and cheese platter with smoked sea salt chocolate, bacon chocolate, aged swiss cheese, and manchengo paired with SNOWGHOST WINTER LAGER.

(Pardon the picture, I totally missed the ball on taking a pic of the last dish. This is a pic of the Yeti “Beer Wench” who snuck into the brewery during our dinner and was gracious enough to refill our glasses…)

Pairing notes: Can one really go wrong when pairing chocolate, cheese and beer? The bacon chocolate was absolutely amazing, but then, we all know that the Wench is obsessed with bacon. The SnowGhost winter lager was one of my favorite beers of the night, rich roasted malt flavors and slight hints of coffee — an excellent beer to pair with chocolate.

Whereas the food and the beers were great, it was the energy of the guests that really made the dinner special. Speeches were made, and lots of cheering, hooting and hollering happened all night long. Every single person at the event was happy to be there and extremely proud to work for or with Black Star.

Needless to say, I was a little blown away by the experience. And I was more than blown away with the rockstar treatment I received. The Black Star crew treated me as one of their own, always making sure I had a beer in my hand and constantly checking in to make sure I was doing okay.

Good people. Good food. Good beer. What more could a girl want in life?

CHEERS!

The goods news is that, after three years of relocating and traveling all over the country… three years of maintaining my blog for a negative income… three years of blood, sweat,  and many many many tears, three years of meeting amazing people, making awesome friends and acquiring some of the most knowledgeable and talented mentors… three years of understanding employers and parents… three  years of volunteer brewing, working the bottling line, washing kegs and tanks…

Three years of having a direction, but not really having a final destination….

And now, I have achieved one of the greatest feats yet.

I landed a job with a brewery.

But, I didn’t do it alone. I would never have gotten to this point without all of you — all my friends, fans, followers, family, “internet family” and all the brewers and beer industry professionals who took me under their wing and taught me everything I know. And most of all, I would not have done it without Daniel Del Grande — the man that finally took a chance on the rowdy, fire-spitting Beer Wench. A gesture that he will never regret.

I am now currently gainfully employed by Bison Organic Beer. As for what I will be doing, stay tuned… can’t let all my secrets out of the bag yet!

And so on this joyous 3rd anniversary of Drink With The Wench, I raise a toast to all of you who helped to mold the person that I am today. And most of all, I raise my pint glass to Dan.

And for good ole’ times sake, let’s remember why I chose to drink craft beer…. CHEERS!

I am a Craft Beer Drinker from New Brew Thursday on Vimeo.

CHEERS!

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

Curious what goes on in the minds of your favorite beer bloggers? Well, The Beer Wench is and she has embarked upon a mission to interview as many beer bloggers that she can — from all over the world. Are you a beer blogger? Do you want to share your story? Send me an email!

INTRODUCING: 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?

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?

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.

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?

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!

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

Curious what goes on in the minds of your favorite beer bloggers? Well, The Beer Wench is and she has embarked upon a mission to interview as many beer bloggers that she can — from all over the world. Are you a beer blogger? Do you want to share your story? Send me an email!

INTRODUCING: THE BEER WENCH

AUTHOR OF: DRINK WITH THE WENCH

Beer Blogger Interview

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

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Craft Beer Epiphany

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And the rest is history.

Beer Blog Background

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

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

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

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

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

This is a really tough question. American or European?

American (in no particular order) =

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

European (in no particular order) =

• Drie Fontien
• Westmalle
• Orval

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cicerone Certified Beer Server!!!

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

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

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

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

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

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

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

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

3. Are you married? Children?

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

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

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

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

I am also getting into both scotch and cigars.

Off The Beaten Path

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

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

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

2. You were caught smuggling beer illegally, which has now been made punishable by death. Right before you are sent to the executioner, you are offered one last beer. What beer would you chose and why?

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

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

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

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

Yeah, that sounds pretty cool to me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I am utterly obsessed with it.

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

CHEERS!

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

Curious what goes on in the minds of your favorite beer bloggers? Well, The Beer Wench is and she has embarked upon a mission to interview as many beer bloggers that she can — from all over the world. Are you a beer blogger? Do you want to share your story? Send me an email!

INTRODUCING: MICHAEL BERGMAN

AUTHOR OF: MIDWEST MICROBREWS

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Michael Bergman
Twitter handle: mwmicrobrews
Name of blog: MidwestMicroBrews
Current location: Green Bay, WI

Background “Snapshot”

1.Where did you grow up?

I grew up along the beautiful shores of Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan.  It’s a small college town, with a independent spirit… as well as a great brewpub in the Vierling.

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

I didn’t have my first beer until I was 28 years old!   I dabbled in harder stuff during college, but I spent the better part of my twenties as a pretty hardcore straight-edge, anti-alcohol, vegan, pretentious prick.  By 28, I learned to calm down about a lot of things that I was so passionate about, and began to accept that having a beer didn’t make me a slave to alcohol.

3. 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 lucky enough to have had a great beer for my first beer.  I was living in Salt Lake City at the time, just a few blocks from the excellent Squatter Pub & Brewery.  I ordered the Provo Girl Pilsner because of the name.  It was love at first taste.   I didn’t know anything about beer at the time.  I wouldn’t have been able to tell you the difference between a stout and an IPA.  What I did know was that this was a damn good drink and look at that, they make eight other kinds, too!  I think I’ll see what those others are about.

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

I began college at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, but when I switched majors from Theatre to Philosophy, I started taking more and more of my classes at the University of M*ch*gan (*choke*spit* GO BUCKS! *ahem*) in Ann Arbor.   Most of my studies were on late 19^th and early 20^thCentury German and French philosophy (Husserl, Heidegger, Nietzsche, Sartre, etc.

Craft Beer Epiphany

Every craft beer enthusiast has at least one pinnacle craft beer experience that completely changes one’s 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:

Having had a great craft beer as my first beer, I assumed that I just liked beer, not necessarily craft beer.  It wasn’t until I had a Heineken that I realized that I didn’t like ALL beer.  No offense to anyone who likes Heineken, but I thought it was just an awful, awful thing to have in my mouth.  If that had been my first beer, I don’t think I would have ever had another.  In a way, it was through drinking a crap beer that I realized that my tastes tended toward the fuller, bigger tastes and feels of craft beer.

Beer Blog Background

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

I started MidwestMicroBrews in January of 2007.

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

I’ve always been a fan of the “eat local” philosophy.  When I became interested in craft beer, it was natural for me to want to drink the beers that are produced locally.  Luckily, I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin now, where there are two excellent brewpubs within a mile of me: Titletown Brewing Company and Hinterland Brewing Company, as well as easy access to the dozens of other great craft brewers of Wisconsin.

I started MidwestMicroBrews as a simple way to promote the great brewers of this part of the county.  At its foundation, it’s a directory of the craft brewers in the Midwestern states.  The added content, like our Featured Brewer profiles, reviews, and beer news, have always been secondary to the directory.

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

I sometimes regret the name, since I know that the term “microbrew” is passé, but I liked the alliteration of it better than MidwestCraftBeer.  I’m a sucker for alliterative titles, I guess.

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

I want to expand on our Featured Brewer profiles and offer more industry news as well as reviews, but as a dad of a nine-year-old and a five-month-old, I’m struggling to find the time.

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

Being asked by the organizers of the Great Lakes Brew Fest to sponsor the Michigan Beer Pavilion was really cool.  I helped get Michigan brewers to attend.  I also ended up spending most of the day of the festival pouring for the always-awesome Jolly Pumpkin of Dexter, MI.   Spending a day sampling and talking beer with great people like The Beer Wench and Todd Parker of Copper Canyon Brewery was truly a treat.

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

• Jay Brook’s Brookston Beer Bulletin
• The Beer Babe
• Drink With the Wench

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Imperial/Double IPAs (the hoppier the better), Imperial Stouts and Scotch Ales.

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Brewpubs:

• Titletown Brewing Company
• Copper Canyon Brewery
• Arbor Brewing Company

Brewers:

• Central Waters Brewing
• Bell’s Brewery
• Jolly Pumpkin

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

That’s a great question.  I would love to work with Central Waters Brewing.  Not only are they a cool group of guys, but they are really progressive in their attitudes toward the environment, which I fully support.   Among other initiatives, they’ve recently become Wisconsin’s first green-powered brewery, having installed 1,000 square feet of solar collectors.  Very cool.

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

I’ve never been a homebrewer, and I doubt I’ll ever take up the hobby.  Not only would it be tough to do in our two bedroom, 4^th floor condo, but I really like supporting the great brewers that are already out there.

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

No certifications.  I’m purely an amateur enthusiast.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Wicked-hot Thai curry with a big DIPA.  Mmmmmmm… nothing better.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

I’m a photojournalist for the ABC affiliate here in Green Bay.  I fell into TV News after college.  I thought I would do it until I figured out what I wanted to do when I grew up.  Ten years later, I’m still trying to figure that out.  It’s been great for me, though— I’ve seen a lot of the world, and more importantly, I met my wife at my current station.

2. Are you married? Children?

I married my beautiful wife Kathryn in July of 2008, and we welcomed our baby boy Declan in July 0f 2009.  I also have a nine-year-old son, Ashton, from my first marriage.

Off The Beaten Path

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

An Imperial Coffee Stout brewed with an insane amount of caffeinated coffee.  It would also have to clock in over 10% ABV.  I fully embrace my mild bi-polar disorder, so a beer that pulls you in two different directions at the same time seems rather fitting.

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?

For years now, there is one beer that never ceases to put a smile on my face: Hopslam from Bell’s Brewery.  If I could have one of those in me, I would die a content man.

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

It would have to be a bold beer, something that really punches you in the mouth.  I’m thinking a Dry Hopped IPA with just a pinch of Ohio-grown, peat-smoked malts on the backbone to give it a little smoky taste.

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

I would have the power to stop time around me, but be able to move around within that frozen world.  That way I could put people into strange poses and predicaments and then unfreeze time to watch their reaction.   I suppose I could use my power to find bin Laden, but putting Ann Coulter and Keith Olbermann in bed together would probably be my first priority.

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

My sons may one day stumble across this, so I better not share those stories.   Let’s just say if you wake up in Cleveland having lost the last four days of your life, it’s time to get a new LSD dealer.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I’ve been a vegetarian since my early teens, so… no bacon for me.  I understand the appeal, though.

SPECIAL THANKS TO MICHAEL FOR HIS AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!

The Beer Blogger Interview Series

Curious what goes on in the minds of your favorite beer bloggers? Well, The Beer Wench is and she has embarked upon a mission to interview as many beer bloggers that she can — from all over the world. Are you a beer blogger? Do you want to share your story? Send me an email!

INTRODUCING: BRAD KLIPNER

AUTHOR OF: BEER IN BALTIMORE

Beer Blogger Interview

Full name: Brad Klipner
Twitter handle: @BeerInBaltimore
Name of blog: BeerInBaltimore.com – respecting good beer in and around Baltimore, craft beer cheerleader of the world.
Current location: Baltimore, MD

Background “Snapshot”

1. Where did you grow up?

Baltimore, MD

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

Played and sucked at soccer from 10 yrs old through sophomore year of HS

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

Roughly 13 years old

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

A sip of Natty Boh (National Bohemian) while sitting outside on the front step with my late grandfather. Tasted AWFUL at the time! And then of course bad beer throughout high school and college.

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

Community college, business studies.. dropped out after 2 years to pursue a sales position… moved into a big comfy corporate job, was with the same company for just under 12 years; just laid off last month.

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:

First real beer that had me “turn the corner” and onto the path of righteous beer was Golden Monkey from Victory Brewing Co. I purchased it at a big wine/liquor store which also carried lots of craft beer singles. Honestly I bought a bottle because of the label. It’s a freakin monkey with 4 arms and a big eye on its belly. Of course I was buying it. But the taste! Oh my God. For such a big beer, it was full of flavor and so drinkable. I told friends and family it was like drinking banana bread.

That was the day I not only became a craft beer lover, but also a craft beer cheerleader. I began attending beer festivals JUST to drink Victory’s Golden Monkey and preach to the masses about how good it was, as well as chat with the folks from Victory. I was in love. That Belgian style tripel had me then seeking out true Belgians (Orval, Delirium Tremens, Chimay, Rochefort, etc. were some of my faves), then it was onto the amazing US craft beer scene where I found that many breweries here in the States are making some of the best beer on the planet.

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

I’d say the next big craft beer epiphany was the “Drink Fresh, Drink Local” movement; thanks in most part to a local beer rock star, Tom Cizuaskas. Beer is best when it’s fresh, so you’re doing yourself a favor by purchasing local beer. You’re also helping the local economy and if you’re a true beer geek, there’s a good chance you’ve met some of your local brewmasters, local brewery sales reps, owner, etc… so you have a connection with those folks who you know are busting their tails to help keep these smaller, local breweries going… all while providing good beer. But in the grand scheme, it’s really about supporting good, flavorful beer, period.

Beer Blog Background

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

Since March 24, 2009

2. What inspired you to start writing your blog?

Good beer! There were a number of quality beer blogs that I followed for a while and have personally been so passionate about good beer, that I too wanted to join in and begin writing and cheering on craft beer. And while my site is called BeerInBaltimore, it’s also about the overall craft beer scene, not just tied down to only Baltimore.

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

Not the most clever name for the blog, I’ll admit… but it’s self-explanatory. Though Baltimore is a great beer town with a rich history, so people in this town are beer drinkin’ people and I thought the site would be a good way to spread the gospel of good beer to them and I’m proud of that.

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

Honestly, the original goal was to cover the beer scene in Baltimore’s suburbs. There were already a handful of local beer blogs which covered everything going on downtown, but I felt like I could represent the burbanites as far as pointing them in the right direction, where to find good beer outside the city’s limits. Unfortunately, there isn’t much going on in terms off good beer in Baltimore’s ‘burbs, so the goal has shifted to good beer in ALL of Baltimore, as well as covering local breweries and craft beer news throughout the country/world that I feel is worthy of sharing.

Like I said above, we cover the local beer scene as well as beer-related news that interests ALL craft beer fans.

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

Being interviewed by the Beer Wench, duh! Oh and meeting tons of amazing people in the beer industry. From beer bloggers, writers and drinkers – to brewery owners, brewmasters and good beer bar owners/managers. There’s a special bond we all share and it’s great to chat with any of those folks over a pint or three.

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

My Google RSS Reader is filled with about 50 beer blogs from around the world, but here are my faves:

• YoursForGoodFermentables (Tom’s a fairly local guy who’s done it all in the beer biz and is a huge fresh/local beer and cask beer advocate)
• Brookston Beer Bulletin (Jay Brooks always comes hard with original and entertaining pieces)
• Drink With The Wench (Ashley’s site has come a long way in a short time and I can tell you that right now, I’ve got 4 tabs open from her site, because I still need to find the extra time to read her SD Beer Week recaps and watch her interview with Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione. This chica is passionate about beer and seems to be traveling every week, driven solely by good beer… and trying to land a job in the biz!)
• BeerScribe (Andy is a madman who could likely write for 7 straight days without stopping, his articles are always in-depth and interesting)
• ThankHeavenForBeer (Nate and Mike are good dudes who also bring lots originality and thought to the table, very interactive and passionate)
• And the “beer Bible” – BeerAdvocate. Ok that was more than 3, sue me!

Beer Talk

1. What are your top 3 favorite beer styles?

Hmm, a smooth yet big barleywine (English or US), Double IPA, Belgian Quad and as of late – barrel aged anything

2. What are your top 3 favorite breweries?

Heavy Seas (Clipper City Brewing Co.), Stone Brewing Co., Southern Tier Brewing Co.

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

I’d have to say Clipper City Brewing Co. (Heavy Seas), since they’re the biggest and best local brewery. Not to mention they’re doing some really big things this coming year and it’d be very exciting to be a part of it all.

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

Not a homebrewer. Best quote I’ve heard concerning this question (you don’t have to publish this): Not a homebrewer, but I love good beer. I also love women, but I’m not a gynecologist.

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

Not yet.

6. What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

A big barleywine and the funkiest cheese I can find.

The Personal Side

1. What is your current day job?

Dad to my 1 year-old daughter. Fell victim to a recent round of layoffs after nearly 12 years with a large telecommunications company which can now be called NBC.

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?

My passion is craft beer. No other true hobbies. I could see myself back in the marketing world or even sales, but only for good beer. And as the saying goes, “Do what you love. When you love your work, you become the best worker in the world.”

3. Are you married? Children?

Married 5 years with one child (17 months old)

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

Being the best father I can be, always making my daughter laugh, enjoying time with my family (including my awesome dog), passionate Baltimore Ravens fan.

Off The Beaten Path

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

Orval, a style of its own!

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?

An aged St. Bernardus ABT12. Pretty much my “perfect beer”.

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?

Lots of Brett yeast and enough IBUs to blow out your eye sockets.

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

Ability to fly. No doubt.

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

One I can publicly share? During my college years, I broke into a private swimclub late one night while in college with 5 friends (2 girls, 3 guys), a backpack full of beer and skinny-dipped… until we got busted by cops… then had to go back and rescue one friend who got so scared, she climbed a tree naked and sat up there for an hour.

6. What are your thoughts on bacon?

I tried to hate on the bacon explosion in the past, but bacon freakin rocks. Just keep the crazy bacon concoctions to yourself (the bacon-infused vodka for example, noo thanks!) Just give me some tasty crispy bacon and I’m good.

SPECIAL THANKS TO BRAD FOR AN AWESOME INTERVIEW!

CHEERS!