Newspapers, Blogs, and Beer
In a strange reversal of the norm, I was made aware of an internet resource by a print medium. Sitting down to eat my breakfast, I flipped open the day’s issue of the local rag. The first thing I turn to in the Monroe Evening News is the opinion section, because I find it’s the best way to get a feel for what’s actually happening in town — columns about local politicians, letters to the editors showing how people feel about last week’s news, and so on.
Today, the feature opinion was… a blog. In a startling fit of technological savvy, the Monroe Evening News had reprinted a blog entitled “If You Seek Great Beer, Look Around You” from the blog Michigan Beer Buzz. Now, having perused the website myself, it makes sense — the blog is hosted by a site run by the Monroe Evening News, called “Monroe Blogs.” But of course, this fact is also interesting. My local paper is getting involved in online alternative media. It’s even sponsoring it. It seems like an excellent symbiosis, and something that other papers should consider. By setting up a central site where community members can write about the goings-on in their community on a regular basis, the paper gains (1) the goodwill of the citizens, (2) potential material for opinion columns (like this), and (3) a finger on the pulse of the community. For the same reason that I read the letters to the editor to find out what people in Monroe really think, the paper can read the blogs they host. The paper has created a sort of an online town square.
(On a side note, glancing through the articles on MI Beer Buzz, I did a double take when I saw an article with this quote, and the attribution: “Great Lakes, great brew.” -Jack Hittinger, Hillsdale Collegian. I knew Jack in passing in undergrad, and he’s penned a great article also talking about Michigan beers. It’s a small world.)
Another great reason for posting the blog article in the print paper is that it consists of an exhortation to Monroe bars to carry more Michigan-brewed beer. Though I had the pleasure of enjoying many a fine Michigan barley soda while in undergrad and beyond, I never realized that my native state has such a fine brewing industry. But despite this brewing industry that rates its own blog, very few bars in Monroe carry Michigan-brewed beers. I can vouch for this fact from personal experience — I’ve been to many a bar in the Monroe area, and the selection is sadly limited. So, cheers to Sarah, Kevin, Rob, and John at Michigan Beer Buzz. Here’s to Michigan beer, and to the hope that I’ll be hoisting a tasty, Michigan-brewed Bells instead of a Killian’s next time I’m at the local watering hole.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I hope I am doing a better job introducing you about the local craft brews in Northern Virginia than I did in Michigan. Can’t make a trip home without stopping at the Grand Rapids Brewing Co., Founders, and the newer GR brewery, Schmohz has been the first stop the last few times I’ve flown home.
Thanks for highlighting the Michigan Beer Buzz blog. I’ll have to visit it regularly and pass on tidbits back home. Also looks to have some great links I’m going to have to explore. E.G., apparently the Kalamazoo Gazette (home of Bell’s) also launched a beer blog. http://www.mlive.com/kalamabrew/
May 20th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Wow, this post was so good that it drew a response from the great Whistler. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
May 21st, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I remember many a wonderful day on the Sigma Chi porch enjoying Dogfish head. Dwight was the first person to ever give me a sip. They actucally have Bells out here, but it is hard to find and typically around 9 dollars for a 6-pack. Still worth it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Thanks for noticing Jay. Beer, especially those hand crafted in Michigan usually does the trick. Just found out today that an Alexandria retailer just started carrying brews from the New Holland Brewery in Holland and will be doing tastings on Saturday. I’ve got a six-pack of a Michigan brew on the line in the Wings-Pens Stanley Cup Finals.