Alan McCormick of Growler Fills on BBC14

Back when I first posted various bloggers’ thoughts on the 2014 Beer Bloggers’ Conference, I mentioned that three folks had answered a bit more thoroughly than the rest, and I would share them later. As I tackle NaNoWriMo, the time is now. The first set of answers is from Alan McCormick of Growler Fills. Alan moderated this year’s “Ethics in Beer Blogging” panel, and then spent a fabulous lunch with me discussing ethics in beer. Thus, he was absolutely on my list of folks I was curious about. When I got his response to my email, the opening paragraph let me know I had some useful information to share.

Enjoy!

Alan McCormick: In my answer to the first question I took the liberty to explain the answer to a question you did not ask.… Continue reading →

Thinking about Beer Blogging

As I mentioned a couple posts back, I recently attended a conference for beer bloggers (aptly, if uninspiringly, named “Beer Bloggers Conference”). It was my first time attending, and not long after, I was trying to assess if I wanted to go back, and if it’d been what I’d expected.

I have still not figured it out, but I realized that the answers to four questions might have been useful back when I was trying to decide to attend in the first place or not. So, I emailed thirteen other bloggers and asked those questions after this year’s con. Ten folks’ answers are fairly short, so I’ve included all of those in this post. For the three bloggers who answered one or more questions with greater depth there will be a post each in November (while I work on NaNoWriMo again).… Continue reading →

Giveaway: Beer Bloggers Conference Swag

My last post mentioned I have recently returned from San Diego, and alluded to the fact that there was a conference and some beer in my life while I was there.

Yup. I went to Beer Bloggers Conference in San Diego this year. It was my first time attending this conference, and I had a nice time. I also, as you can imagine, brought home a few things. However, I realized that more fun than bringing home things just for myself was bringing things home to give away. I gave some glassware to my friend Nicky, and decided to give the rest away to a couple of readers here.

So! For this giveaway, it’s very simple. One lucky reader will receive the Lagunitas dog “mason jar” glass pictured above, as well as the Firestone Walker bottle opener.… Continue reading →

Four San Diego Photos

Not necessarily the best, but since I just got back from San Diego, I thought I’d show you four fun photos I took.

I suspect this will be Bill’s favorite photo. It shows just how far I’ve come since the days we started dating and I didn’t like coffee. Now I’m taking the hand-grinder, aeropress, and whole beans when traveling alone. My friend Jen had a comment on that. (She’s not wrong to wonder.)

I have no idea how large the brewery who makes this beer, Warsteiner is, but I know they are German (though that page is USA), have been passed down to (through?) their ninth-generation of owner, and make a damn tasty pilsner. Not as hoppy as some would prefer, possibly from too big a brewery for some (there was some implication of that around), and with a faintly funky aroma.… Continue reading →