Comments on: Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Most Influential Beer People

By: Øl-nyt: Ølfestival, Krenkerup Bryggeri, Ølsmeden osv. « Beerticker.dk

Øl-nyt: Ølfestival, Krenkerup Bryggeri, Ølsmeden osv. « Beerticker.dk — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:46:37 +0000

[...] øl folk i følge Brookston Beer Bulletin. Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Most Influential Beer People (Brookston Beer [...]

By: Tom Bedell

Tom Bedell — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:02:49 +0000

I see dead people on this list, suggesting its historical nature, as well as current. I have no argument about any of these names, and think you have the top three rightly pegged. But if we’re talking historical influence, I think you have to include Matthew Reich, the force behind New Amsterdam. It was Reich who really ushered in the notion of contract brewing, which Koch emulated. (Way back when, Sam Adams looked like a direct knock-off of New Amstersdam.) Contract brewing was fairly controversial at first, but it helped keep some regional brewers like Matt going, and I think ultimately led more drinkers to craft brews.

By: Paul Hightower

Paul Hightower — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:47:43 +0000

Are we forgetting President Jimmy Carter, who signed the bill legalizing homebrewing in 1979? Without thousands of homebrewers tinkering, I doubt we’d have a craft beer industry at all.

By: Sean Paxton

Sean Paxton — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:22:59 +0000

What about Big Daddy?

By: michael Reinhardt

michael Reinhardt — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:17:39 +0000

I really miss Bert Grant’s Imperial Stout. There was some really good stuff coming from him!

By: easong

easong — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:16:22 +0000

I nominate Vic Kralj, proprietor of the Bistro, host of the most excellent beer festivals, and the single greatest promotor of highly hopped ale in the Bay Area.

By: Brad - BeerInBaltimore.com

Brad - BeerInBaltimore.com — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:12:16 +0000

I’d put Greg Koch (Stone Brewing Co.) at least in the “others” list, simply for the fact that not only is he the founder/CEO of “The Greatest Brewery in the World”, but also the mouthpiece for the latest “I Am a Craft Brewer” movement. Someone had to sort of take charge and he’s been handling the task quite well IMO.

EDIT: damnit, I must’ve overlooked his name at first glance… he’s already on your “others” list.

By: The Professor

The Professor — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:39:41 +0000

Very good list indeed. My one quibble is singling out Jim Koch as a great marketeer (which he unquestionably is), but neglecting the fact hat the product he was marketing was a very fine product. I think he deserves a lot of credit for making a good beer that is widely available and even serving as a gateway beer of sorts for people just discovering that there is a world beyond Budweiser.

Other than that, the list is right on the money.

By: J

Wed, 06 May 2009 01:38:03 +0000

Stan, nah I couldn’t bump you or Stephen. You’re right about Charles, but I couldn’t figure out who I’d take off the list, either.

By: Stan Hieronymus

Stan Hieronymus — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:35:36 +0000

I'd be happy to take my name off the others list and - per the suggestion of Stephen Beaumont when Rick Sellers posted something similar a couple of years ago and insert Mark Silva and Pat Hagerman. Obviously biased but we're chatting here about beer on this Internets thingy. I don't know who you bump from the Top 10 but Charles Finkel belongs in that part.

By: Gary Frank

Gary Frank — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:01:34 +0000

Great list! There are many I could list, but this is a great list and thanks for listing Carol Stoudt a great lady.

By: Breweryrep

Breweryrep — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:16 +0000

Not ten but the tens of thousands of beer people that drink our product on a daily basis. Without them we would be nothing.

By: beerinator

beerinator — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:05:08 +0000

Jay Brooks!