American Hop Convention
Jan 25, 2012 Beer, Events, Good People
Goschie Farms
An open letter of thanks to Ann George and the Hop Community that was present at the American Hop Convention last week. It was my honor to get to give the banquet talk. Mixed crowd of farmers, brokers, brewers and more engaged folks, all for the pursuit of hops.
I’ll be posting the talk soon, which will be accessible to anyone who wants to download it.
Cheers to the growers, producers, breeders, researchers, and brewers who are ensuring high quality hops for our delicious beer. Thank you.
Tags: American Hop Convention, Ann George, farmers, hop breeders, hop growers, Newport Beach CA, researchers, scientists
More Quotes
Jan 19, 2012 Beer, Good People
[Nebraska Brewing is an] “experiment gone well.” – Kim Kavulak, Nebraska Brewing Company, GABF 2011 Media Luncheon
Swig & Stitch Menu
Jan 18, 2012 Beer & Food, Education & Training, Good People
Thanks to the engaged guests, hospitable host (38 Central) and terrific collaborators for another successful Swig & Stitch last night.
I’m honored to be part of this successful and enlightening regular event with Fabric of Vision. WEB is involved to bring more beer to life.
As I promised to the guests, here’s the menu we enjoyed.
- Fish Brewing, Wild Salmon Pale Ale
- Guinness Stout
- Sam Adams Boston Lager
All these beers were enjoyed with a plateful of yummy goodies:
- Aged cheddar, hard Italian salami, head cheese, sopressatta, sesame cracker, grilled roulade (eggplant & roasted red pepper), Italian olive, candied walnuts, almonds
Cheers & see you all next month!
See – beer goes with everything.
Tags: 38 Central, Boston Beer Company, Fish Brewing, Guinness, Medford OR, Swig & Stitch
Beer Diplomacy
Jan 17, 2012 Celebration Worthy, Good People
Cheers today to those who are diplomatic, practice diplomacy and exercise class and tact in the beer community.
Cheers to beer diplomacy
I want to take the time today to highlight a few that are on our “Beer Diplomats” list. We don’t pick favorites – we simply like to highlight those thoughts, ideas, progressions and people who make for a welcoming beer community environment.
To me and to Women Enjoying Beer, these folks exemplify being open-minded, charitable, progressive, smart, savvy and fun to be with and learn from.
These people are never arrogant, self-righteous, pompous or otherwise the antithesis to what we believe the beer community can, should and (for the most part) is.
- Lisa Morrison. She’s positive, well versed, smart, open-minded, and classy.
- Jay Brookston. His sense of the big picture, broad range of interests (like this post), and thoughtfulness speak highly of him.
- Julia Herz. Energy personified, passion, spunk, and intelligence.
- Kim Jordan. Mindful, savvy, sharp, and connected to her crew and Mother Earth.
- Steven Pauwels. World view, classy, dedicated, engaging, and fun to talk with.
This is the first group that immediately jump to mind. There are thankfully hundreds of remarkable people in the beer community – from the most beginning consumer to the most experienced professional.
Pints up to all -
Festival Enhancement: Invite Women Enjoying Beer
Jan 5, 2012 Beer, Education & Training, Events, Good People
Our New Years glass is up to those who see the value of having WEB at their events and festivals. A few of those individuals include: Chris Crabb, Chewie Burgess, Steve Bahr, Patti Araas, Tasha Butz, Gayle Chisholm, Mary Ridderbusch, Hilary Kemmling, Stevie Caldarola, Nancy Johnson, Eriel Hoffmeier, James Book, Kristen Muraro, Ken McMullin, Lucy Saunders, Bradley Latham. I am most likely forgetting some. Know we’re grateful for everyone who’s in this arena.
Thanks!
They see WEB as a contributor, as the educators we are, as the researchers that we are – all feeding the beer community. And they’d be right. Thank you to them.
Educated consumers are good consumers for everyone. We’re your specialists to call for all kinds of crowds: female, male, mixed.
As marketing specialists as well, we can help advise and guide, augment and make your efforts go further with many previous successful past events to drawn on.
Even if you have staff members that do this planning, bringing in a fresh perspective and burst of energy can help them refresh, rethink and plan for an even more successful event.
For those who are looking to enhance their beer focused events, WEB is an excellent choice. We’ll speak, teach, conduct crowd pleasing tastings & pairings, and further enlighten the world about the incredible and simply amazing beverage we know as beer. The enthusiasm we bring and positive energy, diplomacy and good humor is worth every penny.
Find out what some have said about having WEB involved.
One Festival at a time.
When you’re interested in talking to us about how we can enhance your success, call soon – 2012 is filling up fast!
Tags: bradley latham, chewie burgess, chris crabb, eriel hoffmeier, gayle chisholm, hilary kemmling, james book, Ken McMullin, kristen muraro, Lucy Saunders, mary ridderbusch, nancy johnson, patti araas, steve bahr, stevie caldarola, successful festivals, tasha butz, WEB at events, WEB at festivals
Beer (And…) Womanifesto Decree
Jan 1, 2012 Beer & Food, Celebration Worthy, Events, Good People, Women and Beer
It occured to me early this morning that I never published the Decree I wrote and then delivered in honor of the Beer for Boobs Brunch 2011 (during GABF & Denver Beer Fest time).
The remarkable, smart, gracious, thoughtful and classy Stevie Caldarola of Ladies of Craft Beer and Freshcraft hosted this beerific benefit brunch. The hosts were great with it, the crowd participated and gave us a round of applause afterward.
Enjoy the decree this New Years day ~
Beer For Boobs Womanifesto, this 30th day of September 2011
Decree
We, the Women of the United States, in Order to maintain a healthy body, establish self examination, ensure comfortable clothing, provide for the common good health, promote the general Welfare of breasts everywhere, and remain proud of our chests and ourselves and our gender, and establish a more perfect Boobion, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Boob For Brunch America:
Article 1: All boobs deserve proper care and maintenance to ensure healthy adventures in the world at large
Article 2: All boob hosts are to be proud of their boobs and the boobs of others for as long as they are able to do so.
Article 3: I take it as my personal mission to support all boobs everywhere and also support the care and treatment of boobs less fortunate
Article 4: I will not stand by and let anyone malign any boobs for any reason. They are all deserving of respect and good will.
Article 5: I will respect and protect the boobs of myself, my family and my friends as needed and called upon to do.
Article 6: I will support the good health of boobs the world over, as a Goodwill Boob Ambassador, exercising diplomacy and Advocacy.
Ginger & Stevie with the Booby Prize, 2011
So with the above to be true, I hereby bequeath Stevie Caldarola the 2011 Beer For Boobs Booby Prize award for her efforts in extolling the boob virtues we are all here to support. [custom decorated bra]
Everyone raise your right hand and repeat after me:
“I _____,
Do swear to uphold and extol
The rights of healthy boobs everywhere.
I promise to be
Available to those in need
When they call upon me to help.“
Cheers!
Festival of (Beer) Tree
Dec 12, 2011 Celebration Worthy, Events, Good People
We recently participated for the first time ever in the Festival of Trees. Suffice it to say – we’ll do it again!
Generous donors, happy buyer (live auction item), and fun reactions from all walks of the crowds. It’s living permanently now here.
Special thanks to my friend and supporter Eileen for setting it all up with me. Another special thanks to my colleague Kari for helping us get into the event in the first place!
Enjoy these pictures and cheers to a safe, tasty and peaceful holiday ~
Tags: 2011 Festival of Trees
What Makes a Beer Community Healthy?
Nov 30, 2011 Good People, Something To Think About
Inclusion is important
Making sure all members of it are invited to the conversation, invited to share a beer with no preconceived notions or expectations. This includes:
- Consumers at every level of beer interest and knowledge
- Brewers and brewery professionals
- Vendors and suppliers, growers and manufacturers
- Distributors of all kinds of beer (like the flavors or not, it’s still beer)
- Retailers, both on premise and off premise
- Ancillary partners like festival organizers and other supporters
They are all links on the chain that makes the pull successful: quality beer that everyone can safely enjoy. Break a link or leave one out and the chain is weaker for it.
Maintain the chain, keep pulling.
Gathering Great People
Nov 28, 2011 Celebration Worthy, Events, Good People, Women and Beer
A shout out today to the recent donors of goods and for their generous support of WEB. Let me explain.
WEB is in business, like many others are, and we all need to make a living. We rarely ask for donations of any kind from anyone – rather, we talk with people and their businesses, find out where they are at and if there’s a complement between the entities.
Nick Matt and other panelists at a CBC in recent years has really stuck with me. It was to the effect that breweries get asked constantly for donations of beer for this, that and everything else. While some requestors are gracious and understanding, more often than not requestors have no idea what a beer oriented business may be about. They are very focused on getting what they want for their fundraising, auction, and raffles.
Gathering Glass Studio
This isn’t to malign – it’s to enlighten: every organization that has a literal or virtual door is a target for a donation request. Having been with other companies before founding WEB I know well what the front line is like – to get asked and asked and asked.
And I tell you what. When I was growing up I had to raise money to pay for my marching band trips, Girl Scout events and the like. I’ve been on the knuckle side of the door-to-dooring and calling those who knew our family. I’m done asking.
So it’s with particular gratitude that I’m thanking those who have blown us away with the donations they’ve chosen to make to WEB for an upcoming community oriented benefit. We approached them to simply find out IF they donate, what they do (if they do) and how it works. All came back with generous contributions to make this long standing community event fruitful.
Women notice and appreciate those who give back, provide support and make things happen.
Supporting your local causes usually means asking for donations. We’re grateful this holiday season for their unhesitating generosity. Thank you.
- Gathering Glass Studio - 24 (5 different designs) orange hand blown glass ornaments + one 22 ounce mug
- Brewery Supply and Rastal – 24 gorgeous stemmed beer goblets
- Briess Malting – beautiful jars of different roasted malted barleys
- Summit Beverage Distributors - 3 boxes of fun beer swag including women’s shirts, beer signs and coasters, glassware and other goodies
- Standing Stone Brewing Company – a beer tasting for 6 and several water bottles (our theme is WEB with an emphasis on the 4 ingredients of beer)
- Brewers Publications – 2 terrific beer books from their great line up
- Lallemand yeast – Cascade Wine Services
- Indie Hops - plentiful samples of whole cone hops and fragrant pellet hops
- All About Beer magazine - multiple subscriptions to this good monthly beer read
- Lisa Morrison, The Beer Goddess – for a copy of her mouth watering new beer guide book
- Fabric of Vision – provided us a nice discount on the few fabric oriented items we purchased to decorate
- Alpha Beta Hops – beautiful Cascade hop bines
I’d also thank some intrepid helpers: Kari, my events & festival development colleague; Eileen, good friend and huge WEB supporter, and Paige, with Jackson County Master Recycling program to help me clearstream this event.
Rest assured I’ll write a follow up post on the results of the event, with pictures.
