"Charlie Papazain" news and stories

Homer Simpson longs for beer. Photo: rodricg, Flickr

Homer Simpson (OK, a human in Homer duds) will cut the ceremonial opening ribbon at this year's Great American Beer Festival, event founder Charlie Papazian revealed on his blog this week. "Giving Homer Simpson a pair of scissors at a beer festival is pretty risky," Papazian quipped, "but it might be worth the risk if we can teach him a bit about respecting beer."

Can Homer learn to "respect" beer? He's spent 20 years drinking Duff, Springfield's fictional Budweiser-esque macro equivalent, in quantities a live-action human would consider excessive. For years though, the GABF -- which takes places in Denver this September -- has served to introduce new stateside brews to folks from all over the world. As appreciation for craft brewing has grown in recent years, so has festival attendance. Part of that growth must come from people who previously preferred big-time brands. Maybe Homer will be the next convert?

Just as long as he doesn't get stuck drinking Fudd (the rival beer drunk by denizens of neighboring Shelbyville)!

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Most people assume the drinking is the best part of being a beer blogger, but those people don't understand the excitement I feel scanning the blogs for news, opinions and drunken ramblings. Hmm... Actually, maybe most people are correct. But I still managed to find interesting stuff to share from this week.

1. Numerous beer blogs were chattering about two articles posted by The Zythophile discussing "A short history of yeast." Very informative. May a little too very.
   
2. Utah Beer complained that "Prohibition is Back!" in Utah as flavored malt beverages are being taken off shelves. He didn't provide a link, but a quick Google search revealed the facts behind the de facto ban via an article in the Salt Lake Tribune.
3. Brewvana attempted to come up with 10 reasons to go straight from the bottle. Honestly, I don't agree with half of them, but it's an intriguing discussion to be had none the less.
4. Brew Blog informed me that Coors Light overtook Budweiser as the 3rd most popular beer on supermarket shelves. Dare I say there is not much on Earth I'd rather drink less than a Coors Light.
5. Musings Over a Pint speculated whether brewery shirts might replace the concert tee. Hmm? They've definitely proven themselves as a good replacement for your 2005 Greek Week t-shirt.
6. Beer Examiner Charlie Papazian discussed judging beer competitions including some great links on getting your Beer Judge Certification and the 2008 Beer Style Guidelines (PDF file).
7. A link on Sybeeritic lead me to this article about MillerCoors donating equipment to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to start a new brewing course. Just what the students in Madison need, another way to get beer.
8. And to end on a personal note, Joe Sixpack reported that the new Yards Brewery is finally up-and-running. My hometown of Philadelphia is one of the best in America for craft brews and during my time there I probably put down more Yards' product than any other. There's still no target date for when the brew pub will be open on the premises, but I can't wait to drop down and check it out when it does.