Monday 2 August 2010

Slightly Excited



Sometimes I read blogs where the word "excited" is used as a descriptor for things, some of them seemingly so minor or mundane, that you wonder what would happen if something genuinely cataclysmic happened to the writer. Would they physically explode with joy and wonder? Then you chide yourself for being a boring old fart, a dyed in the wool cynic and consider how lucky the author is to be young enough, either in body or soul and so emotionally open to new experiences, to the extend that they use a word, that as you get older, duller and blunted by life, seems to be find few scenarios for genuine use. However there is nothing emotionally mature in being a killjoy, so definitely a little slack should be cut, for it is precisely this sense of wonder and enthusiasm that beer and beer writing needs. It should be embraced and encouraged, for some of it at least, is the future.

Lately too, I have detected that despite falling comment numbers, that our collective blogging has rightly been overwhelmingly positive in promoting good beer however the writer defines it and feel that in itself is exciting. The Great British Beer Festival is presently a catalyst for many good pieces on beer, both here in the blogosphere and elsewhere in the national press. I think beer is on a roll at the moment and there is a chance to press home advantage. That's exciting too.

So, as I pack my belongings for London, I am excited to be part of it all. I'm looking forward to GBBF and have a feeling in my water that it's going to be the best ever. I'll see friends, old and new, talk beer with them, exchange ideas and thoughts, gain insights and hopefully, also have a bloody good time See? Excited three times in one piece. It's a red letter day! Beer and friends are always worth a modicum of anticipation and I'm sure it will live up to expectations.

I can't wait.

9 comments:

ZakAvery said...

It's nice to hear that a stalwart like yourself also thinks that beer is on a roll. I think that too, and also think that the momentum is inscreasing.

Tandleman said...

Mark. Umm?

Eddie86 said...

Can't agree more - beer is definitely on the up

Martin & Heather said...

From the other side of the world I can confirm that craft beer aka real ale is on the up. Beervana in three weeks will prove that when thousands hit Wellington for homegrown quality beers. Meanwhile membership of SOBA (society of beer advocates) the local CAMRA flavour, has doubled in numbers in a year.

Mark, Real-Ale-Reviews.com said...

I'm so excited I'm taking only a toothbrush and map of London!

"Eddie Rowles" said...

I've just spent the weekend helping out with the wetstock delivery at GBBF - incoming barrels - which was great fun.

It has been my first experience of volunteering at the GBBF and there is an enormous amount of work being done to get it up and running.

I'll be working on BSF on trade day - probably Belgium/Dutch bar - so you won't be far away...

Velky Al said...

I would love to be going to the GBBF, but I will be contenting myself with our local county fair, where I have entered the homebrew competition and am hoping to at least not be laughed out of the venue. Excited? Not really, more nervous as I have never done this stuff before.

DJ said...

I am excited about the future for beer at the moment. There is more and more experimentation and microbrewers in this country are starting to follow the US craft brewers lead in creating more innovative styles. Good times

http://beerdemon.blogspot.com/

Impy Malting said...

Lovely to spend a bit of time with you at the Festival. Beer is on a roll, indeed. It's a very exciting time.