In “Meet a Member,” we highlight the people who make up the North American Guild of Beer Writers. It’s a chance to learn more about the wide collection of journalists, podcasters, bloggers, and vloggers who cover the industry. See and archive of these Q&A profiles.
Where can people find you on social media?
- @sdbeernews (Instagram, Twitter)
- San Diego Beer News (Facebook)
Where can people find your work?
- www.sandiegobeer.news
- www.ranchandcoastmagazine.com
- www.craftbeer.com
- San Diego Beer News on YouTube
What topics do you regularly cover?
Beer, brewing, food, restaurants and travel…but most of all people. I feel very fortunate to have a career that allows me to focus on the things in life that I’m passionate about. It’s a lot of work, but it’s so rewarding to funnel my time and energy into subjects that mean so much to me. The people I meet along the way greatly enrich the experiences my work affords me. I am blessed to get to do what I do and never take it for granted.
What topics would you like to cover more in the future?
Beer and breweries that are located outside of San Diego. First and foremost, I want to remain an authority on my hometown, its breweries and world-class beers. That will always be my primary beat, but it’s always a pleasure to check out other regions and get a feel for what their craft-beer scenes are all about.
People should consider me an expert on ____ … and why:
Finding beer experiences that match readers’ palate wherever they are because that’s how I approach my beer-centric travel pieces and writing, in general, digging deep to present the full scope of what a brewery has to offer, from its beer styles to its environment to the people behind the bar and the business.
What’s a favorite thing you’ve created in the last year?
The San Diego Beer News Awards. My hope was to create a localized Great American Beer Festival celebrating local brewery’s beers, venues, staffers and accomplishments on an annual basis. Having launched the first SDBN Awards in 2021, we went a virtual route with the awards ceremony, bringing in brewery owners and employees, local media personalities and members of the craft-beer scene to announce the winners. This year, we’re going to have an in-person ceremony on March 29 at North Park Beer Co. that will be open to industry folks and beer fans alike. It’s going to be a lot of fun and a great way to show love to the people who have made San Diego’s reputation for beer so stellar. I can’t wait!
What’s the last great thing you read or heard? (beer or not)
Someone who covers beer and brewery news in another region was kind enough to tell me that San Diego Beer News is the “gold standard for regional beer-industry coverage”. That meant a lot to me, as do supportive comments from other writers and people who just love beer and breweries.
What’s a fun fact, hidden talent, or something you enjoy that has nothing to do with beer?
I love to hike and endure running as a beer-calorie-burning activity, and this year I logged over 2,100 miles doing both activities. Maybe this year I’ll add time on the Peleton to the mix. (Are they still making those?) I also play guitar, bass and drums, and all three are far less taxing than my daily sweating and physical challenges. Ha!
