Michael Kiser of Good Beer Hunting

[FTowne1]

Well, sure, if I was an unthinking, bi-polar human being only capable of either bashing or metaphorical rainbows, I suppose that'd be an issue. In between that wide gulf you've created is where most writers would work to understand the context of those decisions, find a way to respectfully challenge some of those decisions, and express an opinion that was both fair and appropriately critical. If we're still talking about Goose/AB, we've done that plenty: here, here, here, here and here.

There are also twelve other writers and an independent Editorial Director in GBH's network that have no connection whatsoever to Goose or AB. That's my burden, not theirs.

But I don't know what world you come from, so maybe you're more used to yes men and crazy people who just want to watch the world burn. Over here, we're more than capable of handling the pressure of someone wanting a positive review and not giving it to them, like adults.

And the irony is that because of that very normal ability, we actually get hired again, by many different people, that see us as reasonable, responsible, and honest people that they can trust. If I hired someone who only gave me these metaphorical rainbows instead of the actual critical input I needed, that's the person I would fire. I understand the cynical expectation you have of how the world might work, but for people who are serious about growing a business and improving their performance, you've got it backwards. In my experiences in the beer world, rainbows get you fired and questioning decisions gets you hired.

 

[goodbeerhunting]

You should be a politician.

If aiming for a fair and thoughtful discourse makes me a politician in your eyes, I wouldn't be surprised. The whole world seems to want their writers to take sides these days. Which is ironic because those same people criticize those writers for taking sides. What people really seem to want is literature that confirms their prejudice and anyone outside of that gets disqualified as being on the other team.

I started my career working on innovation programs for Miller and AB. I've known those people long before I understood or invested professionally in the world of craft beer, which ultimately peaked my interest and gave me something that was more than intellectually stimulating, but also cultural and emotional. To me they were always on a spectrum, and operated in a connected network of dependencies for better and worse. And I've maintained that perspective because that's how most professionals see the world of beer —even those who dislike some aspects of a company like AB still respect and engage with other aspects of AB. Or MolsonCoors, Constellation, SABMiller, or Heineken, etc.

So I think people are first upset that I never picked sides with GBH. To this day I do work with large multi-nationals and tiny little start-ups. And more and more often, the people I work with move between those worlds as well. But once some readers decide that I'm on the "wrong side", they cherry-pick whatever relationships they want to disqualify me as a voice, and ignore the great diversity of my relationships that show I'm invested in all aspects of the beer business, big and little, producer and distribution and retailer - I'm invested in the health of the entire network. And that's what I'll defend - the growth and health of the industry - not any one player.

But none of that deals with the central issue - beer consumers more than any industry I've worked in want people to take sides. And anyone willing to try and maintain a reasonable middle stance for the sake of progress gets looked at with suspicion. And now we've elected a President who essentially campaigned on that premise. It'll pass. Who knows, maybe it'll even be the fever that eradicates the illness.

 

[goodbeerhunting]

Glad we've addressed that topic. I knew it'd be top of mind for many of you and I hope my answers illuminated my world view, even if they didn't align with your own. I don't expect any consensus — but hopefully we can respect the differences of opinion. Here's what I want you to know is true of me and GBH in general:

- We recognize that there are clear conflicts of interest in many directions (not just with AB and Goose)
- We choose to move forward anyways, being mindful of those conflicts and working to protect our work from it
- We've broadened our network of writers and hired an independent editor to manage our editorial more independently
- Given the opportunity to address an important topic in the industry, we'll always take it regardless of the apparent conflicts
- We value and encourage your skepticism, and we'll continue to work to eradicate the cynicism as best we can
- GBH is a diverse network of people with varying opinions and perspectives. Many of the concern you guys have are dealt with internally as well on a weekly basis. And because we trust each other and share the same goals and vision, we make responsible decisions that help us do our best work

Other topics I could be useful on:
- starting and running a business specific to the beer industry
- balancing teams at a strategy and creative agency with an editorial arm (super unique)
- unique collaborations we've been part of
- new projects we're looking to launch
- industry trends, challenges, debates
- other valuable roles in the beer world that are often invisible (and hiring!)
- pricing, formats, portfolios, market strategy in general
- geographical similarities and differences in beer

 

[FTowne1]

Between last night and this morning, how much cocaine have you consumed?

 

[goodbeerhunting]

Between last night and this morning, how much cocaine have you consumed?

lol - I've got two toddler boys - I don't need cocaine to skip sleeping.

In fact, we're heading to the Nature Museum now. Back later.

 

[kevanb]

Still waiting on those movie reviews

 

[RedCoffee]

The question on everyone's mind:
Are you a grit or a grain kind of fella?

Hey ******, you think this was some kind of joke? The topic is "Ask Me Anything" and this qualifies as anything.

 

[middlebrow]

What are your thoughts on the closing and reconceputalizing of clybourn to ditch the quaint English feel and make it like everything else? Why must everything have Edison bulbs?

Thoughts on the recent rash of hometown breweries stopping? Symptom of an impending bubble or natural attrition?

 

[Lansman]

Other topics I could be useful on:
- starting and running a business specific to the beer industry
- balancing teams at a strategy and creative agency with an editorial arm (super unique)
- unique collaborations we've been part of
- new projects we're looking to launch
- industry trends, challenges, debates
- other valuable roles in the beer world that are often invisible (and hiring!)
- pricing, formats, portfolios, market strategy in general
- geographical similarities and differences in beer

So...

1) You're doing this in an attempt to drum up more business.

2) You acknowledge the conflict of interest with the most polarizing portion of your work, claim it isn't a significant portion of revenue, and still continue to cash checks from ABI.

3) Have noted multiple times that folks have some mysterious hidden agenda against GBH essentially because they don't understand X portion of Y business.

4) Claim not to be a journalist or writer per se but can't help but link articles proving some point about proper grammar or some such.

I'll save you the response. I get it, I just don't understand.

 

[olympuszymurgus]

Micheal-

How dare you pretend to be an adult who understand nuance, conflicts of interest and profesionalism. I demand all beer writers and industry people to operate in a black-or-white world where In-bev is evil(except when I'm doming Rarez) all craft is great and making money from working your ass off to make great content is not allowed.

Yours Truly-
Joe

 

[Stubs]

dontdrinkbeer is the only beer blog worth a damn.

 

[Snarf1]

dontdrinkbeer is the only beer blog worth a damn.

 

[Os]

I must say... so far so good from all sides... I expected no less from TB

 

[tikk]

I must say... so far so good from all sides... I expected no less from TB

I actually expected worse.

 

[Os]

I actually expected worse.

yes and no... I think TB can be fair... I know some people have a bias (not saying it is with or without merit)... but the premise where we allow links to be posted to sites like GBH or DDB... and they come in and post here knowing their are people who are not big fans of theirs.... it lends to some sort of civil conversation...

I've disagreed w/ Michael on twitter a few times, yet we get along just fine...

 

[Snarf1]

I've disagreed w/ Michael on twitter a few times, yet we get along just fine...

You are nothing if not a sycophant.

 

[middlebrow]

Who's not a fan of dontdrinkbeer ? Someone who hates clean toaster ovens and comedy?

 

[Os]

You are nothing if not a sycophant.

not sure what advantage I get from generally getting along w/ people... but hey, I'm okay with who/how I am

 

[eb1]

 

[Stubs]

You are nothing if not a sycophant.

Speaking in anagrams, you'd be a tan psycho.

 

[Os]

Speaking in anagrams, you'd be a tan psycho.

well, I am spanish...

 

[Stubs]

well, I am spanish...

Not you, Gabe is the tan psycho.

 

[Snarf1]

Not you, Gabe is the tan psycho.

You're half right.

 

[ForkAndSpoonOperator]

When is the last time a fart was not a fart?

The topic is "Ask Me Anything" and this qualifies as anything.

 

[goodbeerhunting]

dontdrinkbeer is the only beer blog worth a damn.

No argument here.

 

[goodbeerhunting]

What are your thoughts on the closing and reconceputalizing of clybourn to ditch the quaint English feel and make it like everything else? Why must everything have Edison bulbs?

Thoughts on the recent rash of hometown breweries stopping? Symptom of an impending bubble or natural attrition?

What are your thoughts on the closing and reconceputalizing of clybourn to ditch the quaint English feel and make it like everything else? Why must everything have Edison bulbs?

Oh man. I'm going to mourn the loss of that wooden bar along with so many others. I knew they were planning a redesign, but I was praying the bar would somehow be spared. I feel an intense need to get in there and document it for my own sanity. The renovations that John Hall did awhile back were interesting, but ultimately not to my personal preferences either. And he admitted to as much - he was looking for a younger audience to get in there. I suspect some of this re-design will feel similar. But the Fulton taproom is impressive in it's own way. And it makes sense that they want to create a look & feel across all their pubs globally. Man, that's a tough decision to make though. With the English-inspired story being so central to Goose'a founding, that'd be enough for me to want to keep it somewhat preserved even as other needs are addressed.

 

[Stubs]

No argument here.

I had a whole thing written up about passivity, ddb reviews etc. Then I said eff it.

 

[goodbeerhunting]

Thoughts on the recent rash of hometown breweries stopping? Symptom of an impending bubble or natural attrition?

Are there more than Ale Syndicate and Arcade? That's sort of a unique scenario, but also indicative of the many shaky business plans out there. I'm not a fan of the bubble talk, largely because I think there are many breweries that will fail under their own extended weight and bad management before they ever get hit with market pressures. I'm also baffled how they haven't had a brewers license for months, but Little Richie just hit the shelf?

 

[goodbeerhunting]

Hey ******, you think this was some kind of joke? The topic is "Ask Me Anything" and this qualifies as anything.

You can ask.

 

[goodbeerhunting]

So...

1) You're doing this in an attempt to drum up more business.

2) You acknowledge the conflict of interest with the most polarizing portion of your work, claim it isn't a significant portion of revenue, and still continue to cash checks from ABI.

3) Have noted multiple times that folks have some mysterious hidden agenda against GBH essentially because they don't understand X portion of Y business.

4) Claim not to be a journalist or writer per se but can't help but link articles proving some point about proper grammar or some such.

I'll save you the response. I get it, I just don't understand.

1. I thought this was a barter-based community.

2. The conflicts are self-evident. I've described in-depth how we think about and handle that. Your Discman is skipping.

3. Literally just said the opposite about a "mysterious hidden agenda." It's also self-evident that plenty of people don't understand the business, despite our trying to illuminate it in every way possible. Take your child to work day is coming up if you'd like to sit at my desk with me. "Don't touch that."

4. We all took grammar in elementary school. A journalist that does not make.