Justin's Beer Notes

So, here’s how we’ll do things.

It’s really a simple equation. I’ll bring you my opinion, I’ll bring you the opinion of others on these here Internets. And I’ll bring you the opinion of the people I’m enjoying a beer with.

But beyond that, I’ll try to educate a little, because nobody wants to read solely about what I think. That wouldn’t be good reportage.

Therefore, my blog posts will include each of the following:

About the style: A little about the style of beer, where it’s from, how popular it is, etc.

About the brewer: Whether it’s a giant macro, a tiny micro or a brand from some far flung region of the world (like Cleveland!)

About the beer: A more specific description of the exact beer I’m sampling, including its smell, taste, head maintenance, color, drinkability, mouth-feel, etc.

Outside ratings: Ratings from the two places I trust the most, Beer Advocate and RateBeer

ABV/IBU: A look at the alcohol by volume and International Bittering Unit rating

The Beer Tweet(tm): If I only had 140 characters to describe this beer, it would be…

Final rating: A ranking on the 100-scale of how much I liked/disliked the beer.

And, with that, my rating of the Harpoon UFO White I posted yesterday will come up later today.

I like beer. I like writing. So, I’m going to write about beer.

Hello. I’m Justin.

I’m a Washington, D.C. based journalist who works at the local affiliate for a major national television network. So, in layman’s terms, I write for a living.

I also really, really like beer. And not in a frat boy “WOO BEER!” kind of way - I treat my beer like many treat their wines. I’ll go to great lengths to get and try good, new beers (or get my hands on great ones that are tough to find).

Therefore, in a effort to chronicle the great - and not so great - beers that I’m experiencing, I’m going to share them with you. I hope to give some context on what style of beer it is and where it’s from, how much I (and the people I’m enjoying it with) like it and some ideas on what to perhaps pair it with.

Your input is also essential. I want to hear your opinions on the beer I’m drinking and other ones you think should be tried and featured.

So, as they say in Germany, prost! This should be fun.