After winning the Canfest 2011 trip and I reading this article about ethics by Pete Brown, I was reminded that I need to re-iterate the standards of this blog to either re-assure or horrify whoever is kind enough to read it.
1. I do receive the occasional free beer. But ALL beers get reviewed on their taste ALONE. I will endeavor to always note if I have received a beer for free but if I forget or am too hasty on the publish button then note that the default applies.
2. The same goes for any beer event I cover. Due to the kindness of the people in this industry and the fact that I blog for free (at this point), expensive events that are out of my financial reach are sometimes accepted in order to attend and write about them. But they do not get free passes if poorly run.
3. All editorial decisions are mine and mine alone. No one holds sway over anything I write. If there seems to be more positive coverage about a brewery or a beer it is due to the fact that I like what they are doing, they are in close proximity to me and I visit them regularly or that they have regular PR that I feel is important or noteworthy.
4. Currently, the advertising on this site is a test to see if it generates revenue. How I utilize ads may change in the future or they may disappear all together. Whichever way the winds blow, I will make sure that ads look like ads and are not hidden or embedded anywhere.
5. I also write a weekly post for FoodGPS about beer and I compile the Weekly LA Beer Blast for that blog. I carry all of my standards to wherever I write. I do this and my blog simply to educate people about craft beer and to promote it as much as I can.
6. There is blatant “homerism” to where I grew up – Portland and where I live – Los Angeles. You, as the reader, will have to read between any lines when I post about either place.
Thank you for wading through the boilerplate. We can now resume regular posts.