Every few years I like to revisit the topic of how I approach this column.
I do this for several reasons: First, there are probably new readers who might find the information interesting or useful. Second, I often get suggestions about what to write about via email or from readers I see out and about. Last but not least, it’s good for me to remind myself of my goals and (loose) rules I have set for this weekly feature.
Let’s start with new readers (and by new, I mean ones who have discovered this column in the past few years). Welcome! As I have said many times over the 17 (almost 18) years I’ve written Beer Nut, I am always humbled and honored that you take even a small part of your week to read my words. Everyone has opinions and viewpoints, and I am sincerely grateful that you are willing to read mine.
As you will see, or have seen, this is not a beer “review” column in which I rate beers according to some star system or whatever. In fact, I rarely rate beers at all. This is mostly because I’m a subjectivist, especially when it comes to arts and/or crafts, and one man’s ceiling is another woman’s floor, and all that sort of thing.
For example, a beer that I find delicious may land quite differently on your palate. Not because either of us knows more; it may simply be a case of having different tastes. I love a good IPA. I know plenty of folks who find them unsavory. On the other hand, sours turn me off, but there are clearly a large percentage of beer fans who love them. In other words, to each their own.
I do, however, often describe a beer’s flavor as best I can, using the standard adjectives that are often employed in beer writing (albeit with my own particular twists). I also sometimes may do an A-B comparison between two beers for a specific reason, and may say one is better – in my opinion.
When it comes to readers’ suggestions, please know that I take them seriously and will consider what you say. There is a lot of beer knowledge out there, and I’m always willing to learn. But let’s address a few common ones:
“You should write about (insert brewery name)”: I wish I had the time and column space to cover every brewery. But with a new brewery popping up every 17 minutes or so, (OK, I’m exaggerating, but you know what I mean), it’s impossible to even mention them all. I only have 52 columns a year, and I like to write about a wide variety of beer topics.
“You should write about local breweries more”: Well, in fact, I write about them quite a bit. In the 40 columns I’ve written this year before today’s, I’ve at least mentioned local breweries in about half, and 10 were either specifically or largely about local (sometimes regional, but nothing too far afield) breweries or beer. I love the local/regional scene, but I also don’t want to be too provincial.
The above two suggestions also include suggestions that write about some new brewery that just opened. I’m torn about this: It’s always exciting to see a new brewery. But since I can’t, as I said, write about every brewery, it’s hard to decide. There is (or was, back when I was a beat reporter) an unwritten rule above covering the openings of new businesses. This was because editors wanted to make sure the business would survive long enough to warrant coverage. Statistics show that 20% of small businesses fail in their first year, with another 30% faltering by Year 2. So I tend to be cautious.
So what do I do with this column? Along with items mentioned above, I try to find interesting stories, trends and, yes, beers, that you might not have encountered. I try to keep the mix varied and lively. That means local coverage, for sure, but there’s a big world of craft beer out there. I can’t get to it all, but I hope what I do write either enlightens or entertains you.
Thanks for reading!
"do it" - Google News
October 03, 2021 at 04:03PM
https://ift.tt/3BbfFTy
Beer Nut: What I do and how I do it - MassLive.com
"do it" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2zLpFrJ
https://ift.tt/3feNbO7
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Beer Nut: What I do and how I do it - MassLive.com"
Post a Comment