One of my favorite things about beer writing is how, ultimately, it is not very important. I say that as someone who has spent more than half his days over a number of years trying to get a decent bit of beer writing out the door. But it's the very lightness makes for a great opportunity to catch a moment or turn a phrase. That headline up there is from the notorious R to the S and his giddy glee at finding really good beer at a really good price... even if he has to escape the greying hordes on the next table who start to fart as well as avoid a semi-comatose bloke slumped by the fire escape. Beautiful.
In 2007, I dubbed it the Beer Blogging Explosion when it was actually still such a few few people. Now there are to masses of blogs - like the one run by a guy called Denis from Oxfordshire who seems to run to a pub every other day, take a photo and review what he finds. Craig's doing it. I don't really run a blog roll to capture the links - but you do wonder about all the folk who like to go about thinking about beer and then try to put it into words. Not always deep necessarily but there's clearly an obsession or two on display as well as a good bit of beer pr0n as often as not.
It is most heartening to read these sorts of blogs because there is no aspiration to the voice for beer in relation to [insert a region or gender or something else] nor is the person blatantly working towards a consulting career. For a while there, I thought this sort of personal relationship based diary was going away. Too many pro bloggers. Not true. Biggest problem these days is how to find them.
Comments
Craig - October 6, 2011 8:33 AM
Hey, Thanks for the shout out!
Denis Borodin - October 6, 2011 9:57 AM
I take offense at your description: I've been keeping statistics and I run (quite literally 40-50 miles per week) into a pub I haven't visited previously on average every 1.33 days (32 hours). I've made exceptions to the count for pubs that change names completely (but not just management) and for pubs that are out of business as long as I mark the visit with a suitable tipple (I've started carrying a flask of bourbon in my running pack).
Thanks for the mention.
Alan - October 6, 2011 11:07 AM
Denis! I can't control the offence taken by others but, given what I wrote, I can only assume your forgot the smiley face emoticon as part of your drollly dry humourous comment. I would note than you have added for me the third obsession of statistics to your mania for running as well as the fact that you seem to be, like the rest of we good beer bloggers, a drinker with a writing problem.
Important question: what quality the bourbon?
Denis Borodin - October 6, 2011 11:25 AM
Rotgut, but at least it's well shaken by the time it is used; the two prime suspects are...
Clarkes ( http://1pumplane.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/clarkes-bourbon/ )
and
Sainsbury's ( store brand http://1pumplane.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/sainsburys-brand-bourbon/ )
You can find Turkey and Maker's here, but they are quite dear. In the pub, you might get 4 Roses or Beam but they will argue with you when you send back Jack Daniels (and don't get me started on their penchant for putting sweetened cola based drinks into your glass when you clearly asked for bourbon and soda).
Craig - October 6, 2011 11:28 AM
All that running and bourbon drinking, Denis is doing is fine. However, have you read Craig's blog!? It's insiteful, concise and amazingly witty. I have heard he's a devil with the ladies, too. It must be his dashing good looks and boyish charm.
Alan - October 6, 2011 12:45 PM
Even here in Canada, Denis, the price of bourbon is a national shame. While I end to make a Manhattan which may stun the readership, I do like it with the good stuff - at least Makers Mark. But when you then go a few miles south and see that what we buy for $45 is on the shelf for $28, well, one does ask the gods above why, why, why.
Craig got mentioned only to boost the references, by the way. An old trick of the lazy writer.
Craig - October 6, 2011 2:08 PM
Wait a minute?!
Alan - October 6, 2011 2:37 PM
Did I forget the emoticon?
Reluctant Scooper - October 6, 2011 6:31 PM
The Notorious R to the S?
Like a pound of bacon
I drop and sizzle
At the sight of a scoop
That's on the dizzle.
It tickles my pizzle.
Word
Craig - October 6, 2011 10:24 PM
Yeah, you guys aren't white at all.
Alan - October 6, 2011 10:51 PM
Pink with brown spots. Deal with it.