We drink the beer, so that the kids don’t have to. . .
41 Responses to “About”
There are categories for both style and brewery on the right-hand side of the page, but they are all mixed together. If you notice, you will find categories such as “Lagunitas” and “Chimay” alongside categories such as “Pilsner” and “Dunkelweizen”. So, I think that the breakdown that you need is there. It is a bit more complicated for me to break it up so that you click on “Style” and then go to a list of styles, which may be what you actually want. And, because it is more complicated for me, I probably won’t do it – at least not for a while. As it is, I think the information is at your fingertips as long as you go into the thing knowing what brewery or style you are looking for.
Okay – so that wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.
I hope you’re happy.
Is there any intent to start giving out grades or stars for these beers. Then, to improve even the categorization on the right, you could also quickly find the Ben’s favorites in the style you’re interested in. Thus preventing the need to read through each one in the category to find which are most highly spoken of. Maybe even consider having rankings for various aspects of the beer. I hope you haven’t already done this as I have spent little time on the site so far.
We’ve debated on this topic, and we’ve always decided that grading is a bad idea. There’s such a wide variety of beers, and then an even broader range of subtleties within the varieties – it just seems like putting a number on a beer is simplifying things too far. I don’t want to rob a beer of its redeeming qualities by giving it a grade of 2 just because I don’t like a particular attribute. However, you’re right – as we get into more and more reviews, it gets a little overwhelming to read through all of the reviews just to find one that sounds pleasing. A number grade would make things a lot easier to wade through. I dunno – maybe me and Matty will talk it over and see if we feel like going through 216 reviews to assign number grades.
Hi folks, wanted to share with you our blog that has two videos of how beer is made:
check it out here:
Hey guys,
I’m really enjoying the website and being another Triangle resident, am proud to see other craft beer aficianados live in the area.
Most of my beer tasting samples come from the local Total Wine or whatever I can fit in my luggage when traveling. Do you get most of the beers you sample from somewhere in the area? If so, I’d love to know where so I can go stock up.
Also, I’ve noticed the IPA showdown included some local breweries (Edenton, Carolina Brewing). Any chance you’ll be incorporating some more local ones like, Red Oak, Top of the Hill, and Carolina Brewery anytime soon?
Keep on chuggin.
T.J. – We’re glad that you’re enjoying the site! We certainly enjoy the work that goes into making it… The vast majority of the beers we drink come from either Sam’s Blue Light in Durham or The Good Beer Store in Chapel Hill. These two have, from my experience, the best beer selection anywhere within a few hundred miles. Plus, the staff is generally well educated and can provide recommendations when needed. Sam’s may have a slight edge in sheer quantity of beer, but The Good Beer Store occasionally draws in a few oddball offerings that you won’t find anywhere else – it’s really worth hitting them both. As for local beers – sure, we’re all for trying as many local brews as possible. Most of our tastings go on in the comfort of home, which rules out many of the beers from Carolina Brewery and Top O’. But, perhaps it would be a good exercise for us to come out of the cave now and again. Thanks again for the patronage, and feel free to chime in any time with commentary!
-Ben
PS – If you haven’t yet, you should also check out Milltown in Carrboro. It’s a new beer bar and, while a tad expensive, they have an amazing selection.
Can you write about Dead Guy
Found your blog through Bryce Eddings’ About: Beer site. Nice. I like the categories. Keep up the good work.
Shawn
Shawn – Glad you enjoy the site! We try to update often and keep a steady stream of reviews. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it! 
Feel free to contribute all you like, and we appreciate the comment. I’ll be sure to check out your Beer Philospher blog.
Thank’s for the site. I’m from ” Mozambique ” and i would like to Know
how, where, to get beers from there??
THANK’S for your help. LUIS
Thanks Ben. I know what you mean about the reviews … I probably have over 300 that I’d like to post to the Beer Philosopher site, but haven’t had the time.
I admire your effort!
Shawn
Hey,
My two cents: avoid the ratings. If you give ratings — stars, numbers, mugs, whatever — people are going to short-cut to the ratings and not really read what you have to say. They’ll protest that they won’t…but a lot of them will. Is that what you really want? It sure seems like it’s more about the writing for you. So…write. Don’t enumerate. Just my opinion, take it for what it’s worth.
Rock on.
Lew
I am a UNC grad as well, class of 2001, and I am actually geting ready to move back to Chapel Hill with my wife in about a month.
We are moving from DC, and I have been a little scared about leaving the amazing selection of beers at my fingertips up here.
What are the current laws in NC, and can the local beer joints pour a high ABV like a DFH 90 minute IPA? I know you mentioned that Tyler’s poured a 90 when they had the Dry Hopper…
Not to sound like an alcoholic, but I enjoy a high ABV beer, and would hate to have to stay at 5% like in SC.
Should I stock up before I leave?
Love the blog, and maybe I’ll run into you guys some time in the future.
You’ll be glad to know that NC has gone from it’s previous abysmal beer selection a few years ago to now being quite a haven for craft beer drinkers. A little less than 2 years ago, practically a decade of lobbying paid off so that NC’s abv cap was lifted from 6% to 15%. With the lift, a flood of excellent high-abv craft beers have found their way into our state. While you still can’t find ultra-high-abv beers like the DFH 120-minute IPA or the Sam Adams Utopias, you can get a ton of great beer, up to and including gems like the DFH Olde School Barleywine Ale.
And, you’ll be in especially good company in Chapel Hill. We have two fabulous beer stores (The Good Beer Store in Chapel Hill and Sam’s Blue Light in Durham) and a number of great craft beer bars (Tyler’s, Milltown, The Federal, etc). This is probably the best place to be for a craft beer fanatic in the Southeast, so I think you’ll be pleased. However, on the trip through VA, you may want to stop and stock up on anything you need that breaks the 15% abv barrier.
Keep enjoying the site, and feel free to contribute all you like!
-Ben
Great to hear, thanks for the info.
Looking forward to the return to Chapel Hill.
Keep up the good work on the blog.
Thanx for the daily reminder that there is always another beer out there worth trying.
I represent beermonthclub.com and I have to tell you these are the best beer reviews I have ever seen. I was wondering if I could interest you in link exchange. I could write a review of your blog and was hoping you could make mention of our site.
If I wanted to send you a beer to sample where would I send it?
Mike, I don’t know if Ben has replied to you via personal email so if he has I am probably reiterating what he has said. If he hasn’t I think I speak for both of us when I say I think we can arrange something. What started out as a beer blog amongst a few friends has blossomed into quite an endeavour and one that Ben and I take very seriously. Our recent posts have been tatinted a bit by the short “Boone Beer Fest” reviews but given that many of them were written during the beginning of our inagural year I hope you won’t hold that against us. We certainly appreciate your patronage and interest in our site as we’ve found it the comments on our reviews are the most entertaining and rewarding. When we started we never would have thought anyone would take us seriously. If you don’t mind please post some contact info and Ben, the brains behind the project, will get back to you. Thanks again!
Cheers–Matt
hey matt, sounds great if you could email me at mike(at)asisness.com that would be great.
Beermaster,
My wife, who loves beer as much as she loves me, was recently diagnosed with celiac disease, which, as you know, prohibits her from consuming many grain-based products. We are currently looking for gluten-free beers and wonder if you have ever tried any yourself or have heard anything about them.
If not, perhaps that could be a new avenue of review for you. (note eloquent usage of assonance)
Scott,
Seriously, dude? That’s a bummer. As I think you know, my father is also a celiac, so I can definitely hook you up with some tasty recipes and restaurant info to ease the transition, ’cause I know it ain’t easy. I haven’t actually tasted any gluten-free beers, although perhaps this will be an excuse to try some out. Also, I know that either the April or May edition of Beer Advocate magazine had a whole article about just gluten-free beers. Unfortunately, I don’t have a copy – but you may be able to get one from a beer store or some pubs. Also, I happen to know that there is now a beer festival dedicated solely to gluten-free beers, only you gotta go to the UK to attend. However, their website is a pretty good resource for any celiac: http://www.glutenfreebeerfestival.com/ – again, unfortunately, most of the beers they list are only available in the UK. Regardless, there has certainly been a surge in availability of gluten-free brews in the US, you just might have to seek ‘em out. Actually, you should probably talk to your local beer store. As much business as you’ve given them in the past, they may be willing to special order some things for you.
Excellent website!
Thanks guys!
Hi Guys,
I really enjoyed reading your reviews. Being a beer lover (you can keep the wine) I look forward to learning about & trying new brews every chance I get.
I am also writing to say “hi” to whichever of you is the Stamper. I work w/your dad & enjoy picking on him every day! Tried to get him to bring ya in to work to meet us, but he declined. (Think he’s afraid we’d embarrass him) If ya ever saw the Count Stampula pic, well, that was me who did it.
Next time you’re in WI let me know & I will offer beer suggestions from the area! We Wisconsinites know how to find the beer!
Though this isn’t about beer-itself, it does sort of deserve to be shared:
Mike, that’s actually really funny. It’s things like that, that make me wonder if the person that hung the sign is incredibly witty with a smart sense of humor or if he/she is just a complete idiot. Sadly I believe 9 times out of 10 it is the latter making it slightly less funny because I was taught not to laugh at the mentally challenged.
Thanks for the post
Hi Guys: I was in Boston a few weeks ago, and had a beer that made me think of you and your site. We were at the Boston Beer Works in preparation for a Red Sox game and got really hooked on their blueberry beer. It was really light, almost like a summer ale, with a fabulous blueberry taste. It also had fresh blueberries (we’re talking 20 berries) that sank from the top and then floated back up. They zoomed around like crazy. I don’t think you guys have tried it, but if you go to Boston, check it out. Miss you and send lots of loves!
Brooke, believe it or not we have had that beer, just never reviewed it. Ben may have had it more than once, seeing as how he has been to Boston multiple times, but as for me I had it during our beer trip this past May. Beer works was one of the last stops on a full day of drinking so the details are a little hazy but I do remember the blueberries. I also remember we were talking to Scotty Fresh on the phone and yelling at the tv like idiots as we watched the Kentucky Derby. Anyway…You are correct that it’s very light and extremely tasty. Hope your big ‘ole dog is doing well. Thanks for the post.
–Matt
So here I am in France surrounded by beers I don’t know, most of which are likely the Bud Lights and Miller High Lifes that have not made your blog. Any suggestions for French beers? We also seem to get quite a lot of Belgian beers here. Any thoughts on 1664, Kronenbourg, 86 Bavaria, Leffe? Merci Beaucoup!
K-Bomb! Hope you’re enjoying your time across the pond. Frankly, I wasn’t the beer geek that I am now during my time in France, so I didn’t explore the craft beer scene too heavily. However, I can tell you that I did drink a lot of Leffe and Grimbergen during my time there. And, there was also some sort of brown ale with a bird logo (pelican? stork?) that I quite enjoyed. Apart from that, you’ll look like a typical Frenchman if you put back a lot of 1664 – that seemed to be the most popular during my time, although it’s a tough name to say in French…
What up KB…The Leffe is a tremendous beer. I’ve got a bottle in my fridge, just haven’t reviewed it yet. Give it a try, I think you’ll enjoy it very much.
So since there is no posting action, I’ll keep going. I am now in Bratislava, Slovakia and enjoying a Starobrno Tradicni. Earlier I had a Slaty Bazant. Both of these pints of beer cost me $1 a piece (at a restaurant and a hostel, meaning the price was hiked up). They are not fancy beers, but they are better than a bud heavy finest of the worst equivalent in the states. Also, for those who don’t know – Budweiser started in Budvar, Czech Republic (fact checkers, please confirm) and Budweisers are way better here than in the USA cause they come from Czech instead (already confirmed by this fact checker). So anyway, if you need some analysis of Eastern European beers, I am on a 7 countries in 7 days tour and plan to have at least a pint in every place. Please tell me my proposed salary and I will be glad to review
Hello,
Question about your Blog
I am writing in the hopes of opening up a communication channel with your blog (if you are interested).
We are a blog and website that is frequently writing about topics that are beer and spirits related (usually from a label perspective).
We are always looking for interesting content/posts to mention and link to on our blog and website. As such, if you post something you feel is very unique/interesting on your blog, please let me know via return email.
We are happy to give it a mention on our blog and send a link to it your way.
We are serious about quality content and I think that our content generation is creative and high quality (ie. we don’t blogspam).
Here is a link to something that we did recently that has generated a lot of interested:
http://etiquettesystems.com/beer_labels.html
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Keith
keith.bradbury@etiquettesystems.com
I like your website and I’ve bookmarked it for future viewage.
Your command of the Queen’s English is envied by your humble reader. I do a beer review every Saturday night myself. I’ll be sure to get your opinion when selecting a candidate.
Please visit: SixPackTech.com.
Thanks and keep doing what you do best.
Dear Seven Pack:
Since you are one of the country’s foremost beer bloggers, I thought you would enjoy the following article and sidebar from Capitol Hill’s premiere newspaper, The Hill, about how beer has been used as the ultimate running mate on the presidential campaign trail this year (as in it’s no longer about kissing babies for the photogs, it’s about knocking back a few brewskis at the local bar to attract voters – BEER is the new baby!) —
For the sidebar, I paired the presidential candidates and their spouses with beer recipes befitting their public personalities from my new cookbook, The Ultimate Beer Lover’s Cookbook, which is the largest beer cookbook ever published:
Article: http://thehill.com/cover-stories/drink-up-2008-06-25.html
Sidebar: http://thehill.com/cover-stories/beer-and-the-campaign-trail-2008-06-25.html
If you have any questions, or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me –
Enjoy!
John
Hi there!
Over here at the marketing department at Magic Hat we have been enjoying your periodic blogs featuring our beers and would like to thank you! We are always coming out with new beers and programs and would love to keep you in the loop if you are interested. Our newest and greatest beer coming out will be Participation Lager featured in the Participation 12-Pak. Write me back at krissy.leonard@magichat.net if you are interested in learning more or would like to sample this new beer.
Thanks,
Krissy Leonard
Curator of Curiosities
krissy.leonard@magichat.net
Magic Hat Brewing Company
802-658-2739
Thanks for the wealth of info on beer you’ve assembled here – priceless!
Hello, may I have an email address to send updates on my clients brewery and beer, BuckBean.
Thank you for your time.
Michael Landau
Hey Michael,
You (and anyone else who wants to get in touch with us) can feel free to contact me at ben (at) sevenpack (dot) net.
Thanks!
-Ben
Care to comment?
Dude–can we have the categories broken up into “Style” “Brewery” etc.? Here’s the scenerio: I know I’m in a particular mood for a certain type of beer, but I’m not sure what. As it stands, I have to comb through a laundry list that includes a mix of breweries and a few other random categories, and it’s hard to keep track of the different styles offered. But if there were a category list, I could look through and remind myself that I really want to try a different kind of Pilsner.