You know, if people keep sending me cooler bags to review, I’m happy to do it, especially when (like this one) it actually serves a unique purpose! The “Frosty Beer Bag” from Groovy Guy Gifts really needs to be renamed, at least for sales to craft beer folks, because it serves a particularly valuable function: it’s tall enough to transport bombers without breaking zippers or leading to weird bulges or needing to carry a larger cooler. The dimensions are about that of a messenger bag, but it’s waterproofed, and I was able to neatly fit three 22 oz. bombers and a couple of flat ice packs in bef ..read more

As many of you know, I get requests to review beer-related things fairly regularly: beer, food, refrigerators, brewing equipment, etc. So when I got a request to review something it wasn’t unusual….but it WAS unusual to have it be a selection of bridesmaid gifts and baskets. But WTH, I’m game - let’s talk about the Nantucket Weekender. I’m a sucker for a canvas bag. I have no idea why. And leather accents. It’s not enough just to look right, though, it needs to be up to some beating up. Verdict? This bag simply works. I’ve not come to expect great things from most “all-purpose” bags, but this ..read more

If it’s good enough for one go-round, I reckon it’s good enough for another: the fine folks at Groovy Guy Gifts asked if I’d review another item, and as previously discussed I’m happy to share my opinion on a product if you want me to have it, so here we are. This time it’s the “Tote a Package” (is that meant to be a play on words, as in “total package?”), and while it’s an attractive enough six-pack, it’s not the most functional thing I’ve ever used… To start, I should say that I’m a sucker for things that transport beer. I’m often bringing beer places, and I like to do so in something a lit ..read more

I don’t know how many of you know this but, by and large, blogs don’t earn money. I’ve been proudly losing money on Beer Simple for, oh, five-plus years now. In all sincerity, I’m happy to do so: despite getting to write for some of the best brewing publications in the world, it’s nice to know I can always come here as often or as little as I want and write about whatever I’d like. I’ve recently been thinking I should spend more time here, in fact. So, forewarned, forearmed, etc. And every once in a while, someone offers me a free something in exchange for a review, and (to paraphrase the gre ..read more

Enough has been written lately about how changes in social behaviors will challenge craft breweries now and in the future. Survey data from the Brewers Association, think pieces on social distancing and bars, even how rising levels of homebrewing might impact craft sales, et cetera. The picture is serious, if not downright grim: dark days are coming for service industries. My argument is a simple one, and not especially original, but I’d like to talk it through here: craft brewing needs innovation. But I don’t think it needs innovation in the way craft brewers have pursued it in the past deca ..read more

[A SCRUFFY individual in a brewery hoodie walks into a brewpub/taproom. There’s reclaimed wood everywhere, Edison bulbs, stamped steel stools, and the smell of matcha. SCRUFFY, clearly an old-school Anchor Brewing Company-style beer geek, walks up to the bar.] SCRUFFY: “Excuse me - I’m looking for this pale ale - have you seen it?” [A BARTENDER with three days of beard growth looks up with the weary expression of someone who is only ever asked to pour samples and five-beer flights.] BARTENDER [with a shake of the head]: ”No, I’m afraid not.” SCRUFFY [looks defeated]: “Well, then what about th ..read more

I swear this isn’t another piece about “Haze Craze” or its attendant controversy. Haze is part of it, but it’s really more about our reaction(s) to it. A Question of Definition (I Know - Ironic, Right?) I have a healthy skepticism of hazy beers, but before you navigate away let me elaborate a little on my specific "hazy" objection. It isn't because I object to new directions in beer, and it isn't because I don't think good hazy beers exist. I frequently order them when I'm out, because I want to see what's out there. I have two concerns, neither of which is postmodern "don't want to like what ..read more