Jersey Beer Blogs – Gonzo Gastronomy

October 21, 2009

Welcome one-and-all to another addition of our New Jersey Beer Blogger series!  Gonzo Gastronomy is a little different because Katie (who keeps shop there) writes about more than beer on her blog.  I still wanted to include her in this series because she’s Jersey-based, knows her beer, and is a hell of a good writer!  If you check out her blog, I think you’ll agree.  Read on!

Blog: Gonzo Gastronomy – The Angels & Demons of Food & Wine

What does Gonzo Gastronomy mean?
“Gonzo journalism” is a style of journalism that’s written subjectively. It pisses on the “polished” edited style favored by the media, and strives for the gritty factor. It supposes that journalism can be truthful without striving for objectivity, and given that discussing food and fine beverages is seldom about objectivity either, I kinda dig that—you dig?

Why do you write?
Because they won’t let me drive stock cars.

Are you qualified to write intelligently about food and fine beverages?
I eat—every day—and drink most of those, too. That means I have more experience in food & wine than George W. Bush had in running a successful enterprise, and it didn’t seem to stop him from becoming the leader of the free world for 8 years. So yeah, I’d say I’m qualified.

Fine, but are you a REAL writer?
Define “real”. I can’t claim to have written any critically acclaimed novels, Pulitzer Prize-winning articles or even any catchy commercial jingles. I was, however, the editor-in-chief of both my high school and college literary magazines, and once wrote a well-received short story about losing my virginity—a comedic piece. I also wrote for my local newspaper, as a sports columnist if you can believe that. Then, while in college, I worked for the Wine Enthusiast magazine—impressive, right? I didn’t actually write for them, per se, but I worked in editorial, so it’s kinda like writing, I guess, what with osmosis and all. Other than that, you can pretty much consider me a pen for hire, in search of publications as crazy as Mutineer Magazine is for appreciating my rants.

I thought this was about beer blogs?
Yes, that’s right……

Oh, you were waiting for more? I love a well-crafted brew. I can’t drink ‘em as much as I do wine or I’ll have a belly bigger than my ego, but how can you not have a passion for the golden elixir that harkens back to blurred teenage memories of passing out in the little league field dugout? I never realized beer could actually….you know….taste good, until I started brewing my own. That sent me off on a life-long hunt for quality microbrews that has since found me discussing whole-leaf hops, wild yeasts and racking equipment on deserted brewery floors, with dudes that were just happy to have someone with a pair of boobs asking them questions about fermentation methods.

Why the hell should we care what you have to say?
Good question.

Posted in Beer Blog Focus