Who is Dr. Bill Sysak?

Man I still suck with this reply button.

 

That is a bold guess. Have you asked him who gave him the nickname?

True, it could have been him acting as a jerk. Was it? Were the people offended? Or was it some fun participation for the crowd? I am not asking how you felt about it, but how the participants felt about it. I am not asking how the group of tickers at the table near the crowd felt about it. But the people actually hanging out with Bill.

I envisioned him acting like a Rock Star to a bunch of fans. Silly? Yes. Would I be super excited about it? No. Do I have a problem if others think it is funny and enjoy it? No. I have the same feeling about Greg crowd surfing and his megaphone. Not my thing, but if others enjoy it and he is having fun so be it. No need to be so serious

 

A lot of times, when one takes a serious tone, they unknowingly display an envious one instead.

I can't help but notice everytime Rev. Lovejoy's wife says "won't someone think of the children!" all serious like, its usually something really cool she is envious of.

 

yep... people on ba commented on it as well.

i don't even know what you're getting at.

why? the two aren't opposed at all. i thought it was a move that lacked class, and arguing about it in front of a crowd would have solved nothing, especially when people who don't know him are enamored of him. again, the fact that the incident is being defended now shows (admittedly in hindsight, yes) that my actions were judicious.

 

I'm saying your serious tone might actually be an envious one.

I'm definitely envious of Dr. Bill. And I'm totally cereal.

 

this conversation is making me question whether i'm being mocked. being spit on is fun participation, and expressing my displeasure with it is jealousy? is this bizarro world?

 

you are such a girl

 

rule 30!

 

If I recall correctly per prior threads, the guy posing as a girl called the girl posing as a guy a girl?

 

My head hurts. See rule 30.

 

If rule 30 is legit, I have a crying game scene to go re-enact.

 

OMFG ... You'll notice from my lack of post numbers, that I typically ignore the BA forums .. but having had this particular post called to my attention, I have no choice but to comment.

A little background .. My name is Stephen Johnson, I am the host of New Brew Thursday - the show that Dr. Bill does a Master Pairings segment on each week.

First off. I have known Bill as a personal friend for more then 2 years now. He took an early interest in our show and provided help with our pairings and other beer information, with no compensation. He later expressed an interest in coming on the show and has done the segment on the show each week, without pay, and spending his own money and beer on each of the episodes.

Secondly, his nickname. 95% of his close friends do NOT call him Dr. in normal conversation. Some call him Doc affectionately. He came into the beer community while still serving in the military and working in an ER. So OTHER PEOPLE back then gave him the nickname "Dr." which has stuck with him through his time in the beer community.

Thirdly, the "spitting" incident. It NEVER happened. I was at that Sour Fest.. What happened was that he opened an old, and obviously infected bottle of Rodenbach grand Cru that someone brought to the bottle share ( a bottle share, BTW, the he organizes every year and fro which a majority of his personal beer is poured from his cellar ). When the bottle opened it gushed and yes he plugged the bottle and let it mist out over the 4 or 5 people in the general area .. Something he, and many others there, thought was hilarious. He later, because of people bitching on BA about it who weren't even there, apologized to anyone who may have been offended by it. He didn't spit on anyone... sheesh

Lastly, I have to say that having been friends with Bill over the last couple of years has not only shown me some of the most awesome sides of the craft beer community but allowed me to sample beers that people only dream of tasting. I have more then 1400 unique beers that I have checked into Untappd with and I would say with conviction that more 60% of those were provided to me by Bill, from his own cellar, and his own dime with never even a hint of obligation tied to it. He is simply one of the most generous, with beer and knowledge, beer people in this community.

It's BA forum posts like this that are the reason that the majority of the online beer community has lost all respect for people on BA.. You all are making wild assumptions and frankly insulting statements about a man who is largely responsible for the growth and recognition of craft beer in this country, and for that you should be ashamed!

Calm down, have a beer, and get over it.

 

This is the Worst Thread on BeerAdvocate.


since the remodel at least.

 

INTERNET ANGER!!!

 

At least it is mainly just one person being an ass. One person has to ruin everyone's fun

 

I wouldn't get all worked up over anything Leviathan says. He has always come across as a complete troll to me.

 

He isn't a troll or an ass, he just was in regard to this thread.

No man's life work or worth should be driven by a bad moment in isolation that is not in conformity with his overall character and/or accomplishments. Yes, I know many would say this is his MO, but I disagree, his points usually have some merit to them, even if I disagree with the conclusion or manner he went about it.

Failure to abide by that maxim in regards to his thoughts (re: Dr. Bill), is what got Levi into the doghouse. . . let's not fall into another cliche about two wrongs not making a right type of thing.

 

Great thread, A+++++, would read again

 

I don't think you did anything wrong .. you asked a perfectly valid question. It just the assumptions and insults that followed.

I'd also agree that the overall attitude on this post was positive, with some glaring exceptions..