One thing writers don’t talk about much is fear, though it gnaws at the edges of our consciousness every time we sit down to work. Instead we talk about “writer’s block,” that inability to put phrase to page, as if it were a cognitive, rather than emotional condition. It’s just fear.
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Today we visit the hidden land of Franconia, lately a font of lager types Americans are embracing. The most visible ambassador is Mahr’s oddly-named Ungespundet, a perfect example of what makes Franconia so special.
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Now women win about half the awards each year. This year they won 44% of the awards, but placed first in eight of fourteen categories. New and emerging writers have a good shot. Writers from historically underrepresented groups—in addition to the women, BIPOC and LGBTQ writers—won a number of awards.
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The club of the uninfected diminishes by the day, and it appears I’ve joined the one that grows and grows. Yep, I finally caught Covid.
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Ruvani de Silva, the daughter of Sri Lankan immigrants to the UK, posted an exceptional article yesterday about the meaning of identity and empire. I’d like to add an American footnote to the Queen.
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John Holl was in town, and after a false start, he got to drink many fresh-hop beers. I was along for the ride.
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I see you reaching for that four pack of IPAs with the geometric pop-art labels. Are you choosing it because the beer is good, or because you are aware it’s what all the cool people are drinking? Status in beer is a small thing, but it's still a thing.
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John Holl is coming to the Pacific Northwest, and I invite you to come to one of the five stops he’s making between Bellingham and Portland—including two next week in the Rose City.
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No period on the calendar is more anticipated in the Pacific Northwest than fresh hop season. Fresh hops are delightful and unusual—and fleeting. Here’s how to make the most of them.
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The languors of summer have ravaged my schedule.
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“Cold IPA” is, aside from everything else, a fantastic name. Kevin Davey discusses the important function of communication.
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This is the latest chapter in an ongoing collaboration between the Beervana Blog and Reuben's Brews. In today's post, I address a couple questions involving the hottest beer in the taproom: cold IPA. It is often presented as a new style, but is it really new—and is it really a style? All will be revealed below!
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