Why is "beer journalism" so bad?

Are you refering to Warren? I've sat with him also for a beer (ahem plus) once and he's a really nice guy.

 

I remember Tommy Keegan called us over to a table on the brewery side of the pub, and introduced us to him, and we spent a wonderful few hours telling stories and sharing beer. I am so bad with names, I want to say his name may have been Warren.

 

Just how many journalists can continue to fawn, worship and praise Shaun Hill as the "world's greatest brewer?!"
Great that the guy has achieved success, but the steady stream of overblown articles are a big part of the reason many Vermonter's don't even bother visiting the HF brewery, what with the crowds, waiting, and measly growler fill limits that are cash only.

 

Good reply, makes a lot of sense. My one quarrel would be that I have yet to see a real good example of fine beer journalism. 100% of what I see appears to have been written by me when I was an angry english writing major (that didn't last long) freshmen prick who knew he liked 'good' beer but didn't really know what 'good' beer was yet.

On the other hand, most of the beer journalism I see is posted on this website for the soul purpose of derision.

Edit: *sole

 

Or, as a good friend recently said to me, "you know how I hate people and they seem to be everywhere these days". He's quite a joker!

 

Journalists often have to write articles about topics they know little about.So they cast around for information and there's the rub. Much if not most of what's available regarding beer is untrustworthy even if written by professional beer writers.It may also be out of date.Then of course the publishers might want to place a twist on the story.

 

Kendall and his uninformed wife are part of the problem. They know people, places and events. None of them have any formal beer education. They could not tell you how or why diacetyl appears in beer. They like all brewers because it leads to free beer and sense of self importance. Before you claim yourself as an all source beer mecca in a state like Washington you better have some knowledge. Have you ever heard them provide negative feedback.? Nope. Becuase they are oppurtunists....

 

Additioally, I have received a great amount of feedback from my original post
calling out piss poor beer bloggers....thanks for confirming what many agree yet won't vocalize.

 

Yes, there's plenty of good wine journalism. Not the least of it is that wine publications are better established and cater to somewhat higher-profile clientele. It also helps that people who run wine columns in non-specialty publications tend to have been doing it for decades. Now, in another decade this may well change, as the old wine journalists die out. But, for now, there is no shortage of established wine writers. Beer "tasting" is still a novelty. Most publications will sooner review cocktails than beer. There's still the perception of college males and after-work blue-collar alchies chugging beer by the case. Plus everyone wants free reviews. The results are unmistakable. The real question is whether beer journalism is on the way up or down. Certainly, if it is reflective of general journalistic trends, we're in trouble.

 

Pick and choose. To know good writing is to see all of the junk and choose. Here on BA, I know that a great number of people here are smart and trustworthy, and great sources of information. This is a valuable resourse. I'll get that HD'n R to you soon. Cheers.

 

Like was mentioned the same goes for music reporting. There are tons of great, unheard of bands out there and the drive-by media tries to get involved and has no idea what they are talking about (unfortunately they have a lot of readers). There are some great beer publications, so read them- why is this even being discussed- who cares what the newly appointed beer writer from the Boston Globe thinks? Back in 1980 when I was drinking Sierra Nevada and listening to Joy Division- not liking what everyone else liked was cool, who cared or even thought about what the mainstream media was commenting on? Read the Ale Street News, Yankee Brew News et al.

 

Yes sir. Ale Street News is fantastic and if I had something to advertise, I'd be glad to pay them double.

 

OK, have to admit I did not read the entire thread before posting this but what if there were a Craft Beer TV channel that had regular news programs, brewing/pairing/tasting competitions (a la Food Network), etc., etc. Personally, I'd definitely watch a daily or weekly news program about upcoming releases and beer-related happenings. And I'll watch any beer-related show, regardless of how douchy the hosts or how bad their accents are. It'd be cool, too, to have a show where a bunch of experts review the same beers and compare notes or something. Hey, why not regional weather-type "beer reports" where they tell people what beers to expect, where, and when? OK, so that might be a bit pie-in-the-sky (but then again, maybe not).

If you think the idea sounds great, send me a million bucks and it's yours. If you think it's stupid, let me explain by saying I had a few beers before posting this so please forgive (half-pours of Melrose and a Hop Vader at Beachwood BBQ, and an 8oz. pour of BCBS at Whole Foods--thanks for asking) and yet you're still reading so the joke's on you!

Cheers!

 

Ted Turner had that kind of idea. That bastard is still crazy.