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| Van Havig |
Hometown: - Since 1988 – Portland, Oregon (Don’t blame me for my parents living in Orange County, California when I was growing up).
Favorite Beer: Yes, beer IS my favorite.
Favorite Beer Haunt: The Victory on SE 37th and Division.
What was the first craft brew you ever tried? What did you think? Tough one – that was a long time ago. I would guess it was a Bridgeport Blue Heron or perhaps a Full Sail Golden Ale (remember that one?) I remember really liking it, actually – and thinking I had some sort of sophisticated palette as an 18 year old. HA!
Do you homebrew? If yes, favorite homebrew to date: I haven’t in about 16 years. It’s like how mechanics don’t work on their own cars. Sorry.
How’d you hear about the pdxbeergeeks? Emily Engdahl shops at my wife’s store.
What does being a beer geek mean to you? Having an understanding not just about beer flavor and style, but also an understanding of the cultural relevance of beer. Beer has to be understood within it’s own cultural development, as part of a larger human experience. In other words, don’t just judge a beer on it’s flavor (strangely enough).
If you could change one thing about beer culture in the US, what would it be? Besides the above disassociation of beer flavor from it’s cultural context? By which I mean that ALL beers have merit provided they are well made (which means that they taste as the brewer intended and nothing more). Anyway, to answer the question, I’d want people to get away from the “more is more” perspective and enjoy subtle beers as well as “extreeeeeeeemmmee!” beers.
What do you love about Portland’s Craft Beer scene? All my friends who make beer here.
Where can we find you on the web? I’m usually hiding from the internet.
