The Session No. 84: Alternative Beer Reviews

This month’s Session* topic is hosted by Oliver Gray, creator and author of the award winning blog Literature and Libation. For the 84th Session, he asks us to branch out.  As Oliver notes, many beer bloggers (and I’ll add beer lovers in general) tend to get caught up in the cataloging of beer via incessant…

The Session No. 83: Against the Grain

This month’s Session* topic is hosted by Rebecca of The Bake and Brew. Rebecca, who smartly wears a helmet when jumping off light posts, asks about influence.  More specifically: How much is our taste or opinion of a craft beer affected by what friends and the craft beer community at large thinks? What beer do…

The Session No. 80: Is Craft Beer a Bubble?

This month’s Session* topic is hosted by Derek Harrison of Its Not Just the Alcohol Talking. Derek asks, “Is Craft Beer a Bubble?”  More specifically, Derek sets the stage this way: It’s a good time to be in the craft beer industry. The big brewers are watching their market share get chipped away by the…

The Session No. 78: Your Elevator Pitch for Beer

This month’s Session* topic is hosted by James Davidson of Beer Bar Band. James asks us to develop an “elevator pitch” for beer under the following scenario: You walk into an elevator and hit the button for your destination level. Already in the elevator is someone holding a beer…and it’s a beer that annoys you…

The Session No. 77: IPA: What’s the Big Deal?

This month’s Session* topic is hosted by Justin of Justin’s Brew Review. He raises the topic of “IPA: What’s the Big Deal?” and writes: For quite some time now, I’ve been wondering what makes the India Pale Ale (IPA) style of beer so popular. Don’t get me wrong–I thoroughly enjoy it and gladly participate in…

The Session No. 76: Compulsion

This month’s Session* topic is hosted by Glen Humphries, a journalist and beer columnist who also writes at Beer Is Your Friend. He raises the topic of “Compulsion” and writes: Like most beer fans, I tend to buy way more beer than I can drink. I can have a fridge full, plus a few boxes…

The Session No. 75: Uh . . . .

I like The Session, a/k/a beer blogging Friday.   It’s an opportunity once a month for beer bloggers around the world to write about a common topic. A different blogger chooses a topic and “hosts” that month’s session, providing a round up of all the responses.  Topics range from the whimsical to the serious and…

The Session No. 74: Finding Beer Balance

This month’s Session* topic is hosted by Bryan Roth, a beer enthusiast and homebrewer, who writes at This is Why I’m Drunk. He raises the topic of “Finding Beer Balance” and writes: Beer is more than the alcohol that goes into it – it’s the passion, history and community. Beer is also just one of…

The Session No. 73: Beer Audit

This month’s Session* topic is hosted by Adam at Pints and Pubs. He raises the topic of doing a beer audit  and writes: Once or twice a year I take a beer audit. I open cupboards and boxes and just have a good look at what’s there. . . . .  So, I’m interested to…

The Session No. 72: How We Love Beer

This month’s Session* topic is hosted by Ryan Newhouse, fellow Missoula Craft Beer Week creator and occasional contributor here at Growler Fills, through his Montana Beer Finder site.  Ryan came up with a Valentines Day theme and asks us all to explain how we love beer. He writes: Think of this topic and discussion in…