A Fluffy Beer Drinking Squirrel For Your Amusement...
Look…I know that this blog is kinda a mix of beer related stuff, and recently I was asked “So do you like review beer or something?”
So I thought it prudent that I explain thoroughly what the hell it is that I’m trying to achieve here, and it might not exactly be traditional…
Firstly, what I am NOT:
I am NOT a top notch, taste with my eyes closed, spit in a bucket (yes I’ve seen BEER folks do that too!), and rating by some some number system type of beer dude. While I will review some beers when in the mood for it, or especially for someone in particular, I am not an all out reviewer, it’s something I don’t do all too much of, and you’re better following YOUR OWN damn palette and what YOU like over what someone else likes anyway. Though if it’s a bud light…we got problems friend.
I am NOT a traditional “blog about my soft and squishy feelings on beer” type of guy either. I will get all soft on you and embrace my IPA’s and Trappist Belgians from time to time in a lovers embrace, but it’s not what I set out to do. Most of rants and raves will be more in the way of the people, bloggers and brew masters that I meet. Not in the usual “So I saw a bottle of DogFishHead and felt euphoric”. Although yes, that is true and does happen all the time.
I am NOT trying to sell my own beer. I might extend an offer to ya from time to time that I find awesome but even then I don’t peddle beer. I don’t brew my own stuff, and while I want to get into that I see that turning into a horrible, horrible mess of an affair. I’m a bit too impatient I think.
So what the hell am I? What the hell is it that I want to accomplish with damn beer blog? (See how I did that? Just now. With the words, and the title of my blog? Eh…never mind)
I AM a seriously passionate and border line obsessed beer junkie. Ok screw it, I am obsessed with beer. If I could ever fill a pool with beer it would take me months of deliberation to figure out what I want it filled with. I love beer, and all things beer. I don’t think it’s an amazing thing, I simply think that if God existed…this is what he would want us to drink.
I AM going to peddle the idea, the passion and the culture of beer to ya until I’m blue in the face. Because I think Michelob Ultra is the root of all things evil and that if you’re calorie counting you should look into a diet Smirnoff Ice or some shit. This is a place for beer, not crap…beer. Respect the time, mastery, blood, sweat and tears that go into this art.
I AM here for this other intention. An intention that I feel so strongly about that I just have to be the “Facebook & Twitter rash” of every beer loving motherf**ker out there. The intention and goal is pretty damn simple. Create and have groups created all over the country where Beerlings can officially gather and more importantly…MUCH more importantly and more dear to my heart…meet other seriously passionate beer folk. Bloggers, brew masters, just that guy or gal that loves beer. I want to meet you all, gather you all up all over the world and have you all meet each other. This is my dream.
I held my first get together a week ago in Austin, and I left there completely charged, and in awe of the people I met and new beers I tried. You can read more about how it went and how to join us by going here: First Austin Beer Meet
I have no bigger passions or obsessions than what I call my big three; People, Food, Beer. That’s it for me folks…
…and perhaps…just perhaps…through our eventual growth and rise…we might just save a Bud Light drinking soul or two…
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I can totally dig your concept. My site is not a review site, either, but I focus on where you can go to find good beer. If you know what good beer is, you get the point.
After all, anyone can go to the corner store and buy a 12-pack of Bud, but there’s a hell of a lot of beer in the world that’s worth the trip.
That’s what it’s all about about….
I’m in Dallas currently and I’ve driven down to Austin JUST to pick up beer that I couldn’t find anywhere here, nor did I want to wait for online. This country and world especially are full of incredible beers and breweries, that are not just worth the trip for the beer alone, but also to witness first hand what goes into making it all happen and the incredibly passionate and hard working people behind it all.
To sit there on a porch, with the Cascades or Rockies in the background, on a cool and crisp fall night. Talking to the brew master himself and listening as he tells you his whole story and the struggles of this now even moderately famous yet successful brewery…all while drinking a few pints of their beers to me evokes more than just the feeling of “oh that’s good beer”. I think I said this already, but beer is incredible, but people are who make it all happen and a pint or 10 is always best enjoyed with others.
That’s why I love your concept so much and love your site. I hope to some day just spend a year out on the road traveling the entire country for beer and food and helping to raise this countries awareness on it all…and more importantly meeting, gathering and giving the tools to all other passionate folk to do the same….
Ilya
Ilya,
LOVE this post. This is exactly the type of place that makes me so happy and is the reason we started ibrewtoo.com. We want to connect as many people as possible that have their own blogs with each other and grow the community.
I occasionally have to travel to Dallas for work and one of my roommates here in Chicago moved to Austin two months ago and is actually in town right now for a wedding we went to over the weekend. I’ll tell him to look you up and let you know next time I am down. Maybe you can give me some tips on where to find good beer around the big D.
Jake,
Thanks SO much for you comment! I really appreciate you taking the time out to read this post and comment on it!
I’ll be checking out your site right now and I just might have you to hit you up even further! We’ve spoke a couple of times on Twitter…you’re the New Belgium fan!
You HAVE to let me know when you’re in Dallas next time, I’ll buy you a pint or two, show you some neat spots!
If you’re friend is in Austin, tell him to join our KaBoga meet group! We’re actually all getting together at the Draught House Pub tomorrow and if he wants to swing on by just have him RSVP (the group and all that is free)! Would love to meet him when I’m down in Austin next time anyway…show how great the beer culture is down there!
Again, thanks for the comment Jake!!!
Ilya
Like the others, I totally agree with you. On my site I do “review” beer, but I say what I like and dislike about it. But overall- the beer is tasted by the individual. When I have a new beer, I look forward to that new experience. When I break open a different beer, I want to share it with friends. I have a passion for beer that my fiance doesn’t understand, but she accepts and that my friends love because of the beer I bring home.
Overall, just like you, I am a beer junkie- I have my opinions, and love listening to others opinions. (that might be why I actively follow 80+ blogs).
Cheers to your site.
JayZeis
A Beer in Hand is Worth Two in the Fridge.
Jay,
Thank you so much for your comment and taking the time to actually read through my post here!
I was recently at your site, as I’m sure you know
I have no problem with beer reviews, and believe me I spend plenty of time reading through them. Of course as you know already, I agree with you completely regarding an individual’s tastes. There are beers that are rated at well over 95 + on RateBeer for example, that I think should be at a rating of about 59! But again, it’s about that individual.
The only time I ever start developing any “beer snobbery” is when a person simply refuses to every try anything other than their Natural Light and starts to bash anything that’s not what they know. I just take offense to that on behalf of all the men and women that put so much time, effort and passion into creating great craft beer. I mean hell, even I can enjoy a Miller Light from time time when nothing else is around or it’s the only thing available when with company.
Of course…I share your passion for beer. Great beer, made with passion, shared with other great passionate people is right where it’s “at”. Having the ability to bring it to others, and meet new people over great beer is my life’s passion.
Your opinions are and will always be welcome here. Doesn’t matter if we agree or disagree, I would love to hear your opinion and take on things on a consistent basis. After all, agreeing all the time just isn’t fun anyway.
By the way, will you be making it out to the first Beer Bloggers Conference later this year by chance?
Again Jay, thank you so much for the comment and the time you took out of your day to read my post, and respond to it. I greatly appreciate it!
Ilya
I wanted to go to the Beer Bloggers Conference, but it isn’t making it into the budget for this year. I am getting married and just bought a house, which took up our savings and any extra money we have. Hopefully, the conference will be a hit and I can get to it next year. Maybe an East Coast conference.
@Jay,
I hear ya loud and clear on that one! Had to make room in my budget for it this year….damn monthly beer bill
I’m sure it will all go down again next year. Everything is already buzzing about it. And yes, if they put it on the East Coast next year that would be amazing!
Oh and by the way…CONGRATULATIONS!!
Ilya
Great post. Great site. Just added your feed to my list of beer blogs I read.
I totally echo the feeling on reviews. I have to admit though that most beer blog writers and readers look at me like I’m crazy when I express my distaste for blogs solely devoted to reviews or blogs that take their opinions way too seriously. Go to BeerAdvocate people. They are doing a better job of aggregating reviews!
SirRon recently posted..Pay Attention to the Man behind this Promotion
@SirRon
Great comment and thank you tons for it!
I know the feeling! I can’t exactly say that I look down upon review blogs or with look at them with distaste, but it’s just not what I want to do and I feel there’s just far too much out there in the beer world and beer culture then just beer review and scoring of beer. There’s just so much behind it all. It people first, beer second, and that can mean so many things.
Plus, let’s face it, there are so many blogs out there that just review beer. But that being said, I still do visit plenty of them and enjoy reading people’s take on different types of beer, styles etc. Would much have people engaging in their passion of beer than doing nothing at all. At the end of the day, if that’s what you love to do, then that’s what you should be doing.
And thank you for adding my feed!! It means a lot to me that someone else out there gives a crap about what I have to say and what I do!
Ilya
@Ilya
You are more diplomatic than I am. There are a lot of really bad blogs out there, but I’m only talking about the ones that take themselves very seriously AND are bad. I have no problem with people publishing their thoughts and passions.
So while I’m not afraid of being critical, I make a conscious effort to compliment the things I like… like your blog here (and by the way, the blogs of some of your commenters are very good as well… some of them I’ve been reading for a while).
Enough about what we don’t like to read though! Thanks for the effort. It’s appreciated.
SirRon recently posted..Pay Attention to the Man behind this Promotion
@SirRon
Wait…I actually think we DO agree then in that case!
I’m very much in that same boat. But those who run blogs and are how Josh from Lost In The Beer Aisle Would call it “engage in beer douchery” all the while producing horrible content while looking down upon the world…yes I’m vocal about those as well!
Or when certain bloggers refuse to drink anything other than IPA’s because it’s served in “bitch glasses” aka…anything but a regular pint (not even an English pint glass). And yes, this is a true story! I had some words I assure you.
So yes we’re on the same boat here!
You’re completely right. My commentators are awesome and many of them…oh hell most of them…are far more experienced and knowledgeable about beer than I am. I’m extremely thankful that they take the time out to share their thoughts or helpful advice.
And again, thank YOU!
Ilya