So here it is. Finally! I bring you the culmination of years of study and the loss of many, many brain cells! The first ever post by um, err , well... me!! Let me first allow myself to introduce myself (or, something). My name is Christmas Collins: Beer Babe Extraordinaire and I LOVE BEER. And by that I mean I LOVE BEER! I sleep it, drink it, eat it, write it, dream it, and live it. My overly zealous publicist will probably tell you to read that lovely bio saying how qualified I am and why you should read anything I write. The Publicist likes to get paid. But I thought I should start out by saying a few words about myself and my very close, personal relationship with the muse we call Beer. Ahem, picture it. Santa Monica. 1997. I was a San Francisco girl living in L.A. and took a job at legendary beer bar Father’s Office.
Up until then I had a solid knowledge of wine, but I pictured beer as more NASCAR, beer bellies, and fizzy yellow macro-swill. Gross. I knew I liked Anchor Steam, but figured that was more Bay area loyalty than anything. Enter chef and noted beer aficionado Sang Yoon. He owns Father’s Office and personally took me under his wing. Sang became sort of my beer Jedi and I his padowan (I like Star Wars, so what?). He introduced me to in beers I never knew existed; Belgian Tripels, German Doppelbocks, French farmhouse ales, and amazing IPA’s from boutique breweries around the world. He taught me about the history of brewing, where it had been, and where it was going. I became a sponge, soaking up every bit of beer knowledge I could. From that then on, I was hooked like a crack whore. I had fallen for beer. Hard. And there was no going back. I was quickly promoted to manager of Father’s Office and I’m proud to say that, under my management, it was named Best Beer Bar in California. As one of the first female beer experts on the West Coast, I had the privilege of being featured as a beer expert in GQ and E! Entertainment’s the Modern Girl” Guide to Life. Although I have since moved on, Father’s Office is still rockin’ to this day. If you ever find yourself in Santa Monica, check it out. The staff are experts, the beers are stellar, and the food is heaven sent. But, like many beer writers, I digress (occupational hazard). Moving on. After leaving Father’s Office I was offered the job as Northern California beer expert for Unibroue from Chambley, Quebec.
They’re one of the best Belgian Style breweries in the U.S. and, that, along with the chance to come home to San Francisco, well, could you pass it up? Yeah, didn’t think so. I was able to expand my knowledge and work with such beers as La Fin du Monde, Maudite, Unibroue 10, Terrible, and the rest of the Unibroue beers. These are some bad ass brews, kiddies. Get to know ‘em. Then, my very most favorite brewery came a knockin’.
Oh yeah, baby. Russian River Brewing! Are you kidding me? These guys are the best of the best! And I get to work with them? Shut up. So these days, along with writing about all the other great beers out there as The Beer Babe, I have the great pleasure and honor of working every day with Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo at our amazing brewery, Russian River Brewing. Check us out. We f***ing rock! We've been knocking it out of the park with pretty much every beer we've ever done. Dude, I mean it. Our Belgians are the stuff of legends. And don't even get me started on Pliny the Elder. Yeah, um, double IPA, we wrote the book on that. In fact, our brewer Vinnie is credited as the inventor of the style and as such, is occasionally referred to as the Hopfather. I get to work with a brewing legend! Seriously, this guy gets recognized on the street in Belgium, rock star style. How sweet is that? Not to mention his amazing wife and Original Beer Goddess Natalie who has more beer knowledge in her little pinky than most men in their whole body. And while I love, love, love our beers; I know the world is full of amazing beer to be enjoyed. And I want to try it all, baby! So, I’ll try not to brag too much about our beers. It’ll be difficult.
So, boys and girls I'm on a mission. That mission is to champion all great beer, bringing it to the forefront of the modern dining experience; to educate the public about the fantastic worldwide culture, history and tradition the beer realm possesses; to discover unknown beer treasures from around the world and make them as accessible to everyone as Bud or Miller (ew.); and, of course, to find the cure for the common hangover. This blog isn’t just for women, it isn’t just for men, and it isn’t just for beer geeks. It’s for everyone*. Whether you and beer are lovers in a serious long-term relationship, if you’ve just met, or, even want to meet, this is for you. I’m a Beer Babe and I’m here to help. I have a 3 line tap system in my house just for research (and football Sundays).
So, Sit back, Strap up, and Lock it Down. 'Cause it's on like Donkey Kong. This blog is all about beer, beer, and more beer. Our process, culture, influences, heroes, myths, legend, mentors, hopes, dreams, and all that is the big, beautiful world of beer. You can't resist us. You want us on that wall (of taps). You need us on that wall (of taps). And we want you. Let the games begin.
*Anyone over 21, of course. I do not encourage or support underage drinking
As someone who both loves beer and has breasts, this is an issue that is near and dear to my heart (and my breasts). I'm sure by now you've all seen that ubiquitous pink ribbon showing up on anything and everything. Yes, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we all need to get on board. Save second base! One brewery that is going to extra mile is Russian River Brewery. Okay, okay, I know what you're gonna say. "Oh, them again? What a shocker." And I know I promised to keep the bragging to a minimum. But this is for a great cause ( uh, hello boobs.) and it doesn't fall under the "bragging" heading so deal with it.
