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Truth in beer reporting and other novel concepts
Brandon, I agree with you in principle. Not all beer is mind-blowingly amazing, but I'd challenge you with an idea. The craft beer world thrives on its friendly, inclusive tradition rather than an elitist atmosphere where quaffers look to the experts first to see if they should like the beer first. I read a comment that drew me to the awful review of Wet 'N Reckless and I was stunned that someone in your position would take to the offensive in such a way. In craft beer circles, you'll find people who like all flavor profiles (remember, even Brett is an off-flavor technically) and being demonstratively sour (ha!) on a brewery suggests a hierarchical view of craft beer. Look at all the wonderful breweries doing collabs with little guys, competitors, and homebrewers. They're not afraid to work together because craft beer is a very wide spectrum and that is exactly how the industry works. There are the big guys who have experience and consistency near to a macro and there are the young 'uns who are still cutting their teeth. We don't need "Top 10 Craft Breweries in San Diego" because that is counter to the congenial beer culture we have and it is phenomenal. You know, when I hear brewers talk about their competitors, it's never "don't drink that trash" it's "yeah, their thing is more of an experimental approach." So should beer writing. Be descriptive man, not judgmental. Rather than good/bad, there is a whole range of descriptions one could use to describe the way a beer tastes. It isn't that you have to "say something nice or nothing at all" it's that just slamming a poor outfit for being in your view bad doesn't help your reader. Of course you are the seasoned journalist and are entitled to your opinion but so are your readers.— August 13, 2013 10:31 p.m.