Thoughts on the Advanced Cicerone Exam

So, optimistic Certified Cicerone, you think you are ready to take the Advanced Cicerone Exam? Be afraid. Be very Afraid. I was in the inaugural group of suckers candidates to sit for the first exam on February 2nd in Chicago, but held this post publication until now, March 30, 2016. Today, a group from the … Read more

Krewe de Shaffer: King Cake in a Glass

When Rachel Schaffer Lawson wanted to celebrate her law firm’s fifth anniversary, she knew a special release beer was the way to do it. Schaffer Law Firm practices law in a variety of areas, but alcohol law accounts for over one-third of the business and is growing, so beer just makes sense. Rachel got the … Read more

Bubble, Schmuble

Congratulations, America. You now have more breweries than anytime in your history. We finished 2015 with 4,144 breweries (Brewpubs plus Local/Regional/National breweries). Almost every day you’ll hear someone say we have too many breweries now. They’re wrong. And why does no one ever says we have too many restaurants? Openings of new restaurants are celebrated. … Read more

Yes, I am a Beer Evangelist

I’ve read articles and posts decrying beer geeks using the term “beer evangelist” to describe themselves. You know what? I pretty much agree with them. It’s a strange way for most beer lovers to describe themselves. Even so, I am one. Evangelist is an ancient Greek word which literally means “to bring good news.” And … Read more