Bob Klein and other beer writers

[hops99]

So, one of the beer gifts I received from my wonderful wife today was a Bob Klein book: The Beer Lover's Rating Guide. I remember getting a Bob Klein beer calendar a few years back, and eliciting some heated feedback from my friends about BK's rambling beer descriptions in the calendar. My question to all of you is: What do you think of Bob Klein's writings, and who is your favorite beer writer out there?

Personally, I don't know how to take BK. On the one hand, you can't question his passion for beer, and he's certainly tried ALOT of different beers. On the other hand, his beer descriptions are an enigma at times. For example, he describes the Affligem Noel Christmas Ale: "as soft and buttery as the mouth of a champion bird dog". Huh? Or, he refers to Banks Beer lager as having a "tenacious blandness" and "low-grade temperament". Temperament? Tenacious blandness - isn't that kind of like having a healthy sickness?

Furthermore, his beer ratings, to some, would be considered pretty controversial. Arrogant Bastard an average 2.3 out of 5, which incidentally is the same rating that he gave Falstaff? Alaskan Pale Ale unfinishable? Sierra Nevada Bigfoot terrible? Victory HopDevil an average 2.8, just a hair above Miller High Life? Dogfish Head Shelter Pale Ale bad, finishing behind Olympia and Pabst?

Still, the book is peppered with some neat beer facts, and is well organized. Is BK the ultimate poser, or is he for real? I'm not sure, but I can say that Michael Jackson is still my favorite beer writer, with Lew Bryson and Stan Hieronymous (sp?) close behind - plus there are many others who are terrific.

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by hops99
So, one of the beer gifts I received from my wonderful wife today was a Bob Klein book: The Beer Lover's Rating Guide. I remember getting a Bob Klein beer calendar a few years back, and eliciting some heated feedback from my friends about BK's rambling beer descriptions in the calendar. My question to all of you is: What do you think of Bob Klein's writings, and who is your favorite beer writer out there?

Personally, I don't know how to take BK. On the one hand, you can't question his passion for beer, and he's certainly tried ALOT of different beers. On the other hand, his beer descriptions are an enigma at times. For example, he describes the Affligem Noel Christmas Ale: "as soft and buttery as the mouth of a champion bird dog". Huh? Or, he refers to Banks Beer lager as having a "tenacious blandness" and "low-grade temperament". Temperament? Tenacious blandness - isn't that kind of like having a healthy sickness?

Furthermore, his beer ratings, to some, would be considered pretty controversial. Arrogant Bastard an average 2.3 out of 5, which incidentally is the same rating that he gave Falstaff? Alaskan Pale Ale unfinishable? Sierra Nevada Bigfoot terrible? Victory HopDevil an average 2.8, just a hair above Miller High Life? Dogfish Head Shelter Pale Ale bad, finishing behind Olympia and Pabst?

Still, the book is peppered with some neat beer facts, and is well organized. Is BK the ultimate poser, or is he for real? I'm not sure, but I can say that Michael Jackson is still my favorite beer writer, with Lew Bryson and Stan Hieronymous (sp?) close behind - plus there are many others who are terrific.

As far as the reviews go, I always try to remember that it's all relative to the mouth and the mood of the taster. I look for reviews that are more in line with my perception of a beer's taste.

[chazwicke]

I know you mentioned him already but I will second Lew Bryson.

[steveh]

Hmm, favorite beer writers - Fred Eckhardt and Michael Jackson, Charlie Papazian, Lew Bryson, K. Florian Klemp and (blatant suck-up coming here) our very own Stan Hieronymus!

Seriously, I'd been reading Stan's stuff for some time and was thrilled when I discovered he was our admin here. Check out his new article on the Double IPA style in the latest All About Beer, it's a great overview of the style's history - as well as great tasting notes. And the quote about hops and craft brewers from an A-B asst. brewmaster is priceless Stan!

S.

[chazwicke]

I have followed Stan's writings along with Daria's as they traveled about the world sampling brews. I was sad to hear that they were slowing down but it is understandable. There are some other good writers out there such as Stephen Beaumont, Greg Kitsock, and Ben Meyers.

[chazwicke]

Almost forgot Roger Protz!

[Summer]

Well, my favourite beer writer is definitely Michael Jackson. But hey, any new info on beer is always good!!:) Right?

[Brewologist]

"tenacious blandness" and "low-grade temperament". Temperament? Tenacious blandness - isn't that kind of like having a healthy sickness?

In this case the blandness just lingered I guess, but that in itself is odd. Blandness doesn't usually linger like a bad aftertaste.

I received a Beer Calendar written by Bob Klein, with reviews and "Quaff Quotes," "Beer Facts," and "Lager Lingo" included on most entries. Some were funny, but some were completely off the mark. For example, his description of a bottle conditioned beer as a "Beer aged in the bottle..." "Live yeast added just prior to bottling allows fermentation to continue, resulting in a fresher and softer mouthfeel."

What about the carbonation? That's the purpose of bottle conditioning anyway!

I agree with you about his beer descriptions and reviews, they can be rather strange.

[beerking]

Interesting discussion. Can't say I am a fan of Bob Klein's writings. I got his first calendar, and found about half of the reviews interesting, the other half were comical. I was never sure if that was his intent.
As to best beer writers...twenty years ago there were really only 3, MJ and Fred E, and Charlie P. in exactly that order, and Charlie was really only writing in Zymurgy then.
So many out there now. Fred E was my second favorite for a long time, and I still enjoy his older stuff, but I have been finding his newer writings (mostly in AAB) to be ramblings of a sort.
Today, I would definitely agree with Stan and Lew as tops on the list (in the interest of full disclosure, it didn't hurt my opinion of Stan's writings when he quoted me in Brew Like a Monk). Stephen Beaumont comes to mind as well.

[chazwicke]

I'll second Lew. His writings are thoughtful and insightful. I've known him since the early 90s before the WWW when we were on a Prodigy beer board. His writings have only gotten better and better. His guides are helpful and useful as well.

[MeridianFC]

Up high, high on a mountaintop gazed at by many is scribe is the writing of St. Michael Jackson. Few dare take the path that leads to the heady heights his words bide at. The scholarship, humor, critical faculty, advocacy, and insight are at this point simply unmatched. Probably will remain that way.

Other writers of great quality with opinions I hold close and whose work I use as standard reference; Lew Bryson, Roger Protz, Fred Eckhardt and Charlie Papzian. These are the elder statesmen of the field.

The young guns I admire and read regularly would consist of Kitsock and Hieronymous.

There are others I haven't read enough of to comment on. There are a few whose opinions I generally don't cotton to but whether or not that makes them less of a craftsman with the pen I will need to reflect on.

[steveh]

As to best beer writers...twenty years ago there were really only 3, MJ and Fred E, and Charlie P.

I'll brag on by saying I enjoyed a wonderful blind-tasting session hosted by these gentlemen in Portland, OR at the ABA conference (1997?).

Also shared a few pints with Fred in Chicago at the Real Ale Festival a few years back, what a great guy to talk beer with!

AFA Lew, he's a hack -- I mean, look at who he's using for sources these days... ;)
http://lewbryson.blogspot.com/2008/09/like-i-keep-saying-two-words.html

S.

Man -- this thread is nearly 5 years old!

[steveh]

AFA Lew, he's a hack --

Aw c'mon -- I threw that one out to be swatted at, no one takes the bait? :p

S.

[beerking]

I was looking for the joke, but the link you posted took me to Lew's most recent posting, so I did not get it.

[steveh]

I mean, look at who he's using for sources these days... ;)

Read the first full paragraph closely...

S.

[threecb]

Read the first full paragraph closely...

S.

and know what the "h" in steveh stands for...

[beerking]

and know what the "h" in steveh stands for...

I see it now. But I already knew what the "h" was for.
To be honest, with the comment about how old the reference was, and the date of the posting, I didn't even bother to look at the actual post.

[steveh]

To be honest, with the comment about how old the reference was,

Eehh -- the comment on how old the post is was a footnote. Lew's posting was yesterday -- keepin' up wit' the times! ;)

And once again, who can trust Lew with the sources he's relyin' on? :D

S.

[dparsons]

Back to the calendar/book thing:

My response to when somebody comments on an item of this nature that may or may not be highly respectible is to respond something like "yep, my wife gave that to me for my birthday. Isn't she thoughtful!" All subsequent negative comments hastily disappear.

[Brewinfo]

Good grief, this is the conversation that wouldn't die!
I enjoy Stan and Lews writing, no one can touch Michael because no one can paint a picture and pull you into the moment like he did. I hope someone can step up and fill those beer-culture shoes someday and I'm always on the look out. I've seen a couple people that are up and coming but in todays blog-o-crazy world I don't know if anyone could ever gather the audience of fans MJ had.

[steveh]

I don't know if anyone could ever gather the audience of fans MJ had.

It's the timing too. When MJ started (or became most popular) it was also the dawn of the craft age. MJ was the first professor, and now the community is flooded with desciples, good, bad, & in-between.

S.

[chazwicke]

And once again, who can trust Lew with the sources he's relyin' on? :D

S.

I used to help Lew with his Mid Atlantic beer column at Malt Advocate back in the early 90s. I think he credited me in a couple issues.

[steveh]

I think he credited me in a couple issues.

That's what I'm talkin' about! :D

S.

[chazwicke]

And I'm agreeing and offering up FURTHER proof :)

[steveh]

Maybe we're the new generation of "experts," but we don't know it..? :eek: :p

S.

[dparsons]

Maybe we're the new generation of "experts," but we don't know it..? :eek: :p

S.

Lots of people read your posts Steve. Just don't take it too seriously. Nothing worse than an expert who thinks he is.

[steveh]

Just don't take it too seriously.

I guess smilies don't mean anything anymore these days -- that last post was nothing if not self-effacing... trust me.

S.

[dparsons]

I guess smilies don't mean anything anymore these days -- that last post was nothing if not self-effacing... trust me.

S.

:(

.......

[TBIM]

I have the The Beer Lover's Rating Guide by Bob Klein. I've been having it since the late 90's. I really enjoyed it and still read it.:)