Go away a few days and links worth pointing to and/or commenting on sure pile up. Some have sparked ideas for longer posts in the next few days. Even so the list got long too fast so I’ve tried to minimize my musing:
– As you’d expect, lots of recaps on 2007 and predictions for 2008, so I won’t try to list them all (with apologies to the majority of beer bloggers). Start with the first of three posts at A Good Beer Blog. Also, Stephen Beaumont declares 2008 “the year of beer and food” at his website, and has a list in progress at That’s the Spirit blog. He’s going to be writing about wood, and that’ll be my excuse to do the same here.
And as only Jay Brooks can, he recounts his Top 10 Beer Stories of 2007 (he got about half right – just kidding, Jay) and his predictions for 2008.
I’m partial to predictions — they make a jumping off point for good conversation — and may comment on Jay’s later while looking for more (like when Jon gets his posted). But I’m even more partial to resolutions. Several out there, including a particularly bold list from Lew Bryson.
Notice No. 4:. Re-dedication to the Session Beer Project. Like he’s got a choice. As Jeff Bell (Stonch) pointed out Imbibe magazine has taken note with a feature titled “Smallville” and decorated with a picture of Lew. You can read the story here.
– On to the sommelier/Cicerone front. The Cicerone Certified Beer Server Exam is now available online. So you are going to see people adding a “Certified Beer Server” signature wherever people use online sigs.
I’m late getting to this (since Jeff Bell pointed to the Times Online Love Lager marketing section six weeks ago), but did you envision there would be a time you’d see a story headlined A day in the life of a lager sommelier?
The first specialist beer sommelier is yet to appear, but as knowledge of beer and demand for the better versions increases, it’s only a matter of time.
That’s already happening in the United States. Not sure this is relevant, but Slate claims American sommeliers are better than French ones. Is there a beer analogy? Not interested in flag waving, but the enthusiasm of those who sell and serve craft beer.
– Miller CEO Tom Long indicates that brewing giant could be shopping for a craft brewery (or two). From Brew Blog:
“There are opportunities for acquisitions, and we’re talking with folks right now. We like that space, we believe in it. … [W]e will definitively be pursuing other craft plays, if we can find one at a reasonable price. In fact, if you know of anybody who needs an angel, who is willing to give them a lot of room, like Leinie’s being a business within a business, let me know.”
Two syllables: Cel-is.
– The January Wired magazine includes a full page advertisement for Blue Moon White near the front of he book. Having been in multiple Western states gas stations last week I noticed that almost every one sells Blue Moon, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Samuel Adams Boston Lager and New Belgium Fat Tire.
No kidding, thanks for killing Celis, Miller, and one of my favorite beers and intorduction to Belgian-style beers, Celis Pale Bock.
Yes, I know someone else makes it, but I miss the Texas made stuff.
Nobody puts a session beer gun to my head, nobody! I is doing this because I wants to do it.
Can’t handle the pressure of a photo that prominent in a national magazine? I want mine signed.