Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:16 pm
Okay, since I shat on the soundboard, let me offer my constructive criticism. (It should be noted that I'm behind in the podcasts, and I haven't gotten to the point where Justin has nixed the idea. I'm sorry, I didn't realize the conversation had already happened.)
First, I think you're an awesome producer. You've booked some great guests, you respond personally to every email I've sent you, and Brew's Line is probably my new favorite segment on the show. It's genius and it continues to be funny. You were a major improvement over Shat, and he wasn't bad. Since you've come around, the whole thing feels less like a podcast and more like something I would hear on XM radio or something. You guys have done a great job splitting the focus between home brew and commerical brew and other various guests since you started airing the criticisms that you guys weren't a "home brew show" anymore.
However, one place I think you're somewhat weak is that you are the voice of inexperience. This isn't a bad thing, you're the voice for the guy who doesn't brew but is thinking about it, or has only a few extract brews under his belt. You should be the guy asking the stupid questions, putting things in baby talk, and making sure that Joe Schmoe, who is trying to figure out whether he wants to spend $150 on a brewing kit, knows what he's getting into. I don't know you, but I feel like you're just trying to improve the show, and I feel (with the obvious exception of my previous complaint) you could do this by participating in the conversation, which is often where I feel it's weak. I'm not saying you have to do this every week, but if you genuinely don't understand something, I like it when you speak up and have someone break it down for you. I've been brewing for 3 years and I still consider myself pretty new at it. I like not having to look up a particular term in Palmer's or Papazian's books.
But thanks for bringing back Beer News, thanks for the interviews you do, and thanks for your efforts in at least trying to keep the show as good as it deserves to be. You guys do good work, and I'm proud to recommend you to people who are trying to get into brewing (albeit with a slight warning about language). The BN is my club, and it probably always will be.
