My blog n'at

Everyone who donated or walked with us on Sunday, I love you! We raised a team record $840 to help out March of Dimes!  If you’re new to this, both of my sons were preemies (32 weeks and 35 weeks) and required care. My oldest was in the NICU for 28 of the longest days of our life as he went from 3.2 pounds to 5 within a month. My youngest was at 6lbs exact when he was born but my wife still had serious complications from the 26 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing. It was because of the March of Dimes and those kickass nurses at the Mercy NICU that we have 2 healthy boys.

Sunday was a bit emotional. Our oldest, who we brought to the first walk at 7 pounds, wasn’t just walking in less than 3 years, he was running. Our son who for the first few months of his life on a heart and lung monitor not even 3 years ago was as racing around with other boys his age and older. Seeing this development was breathtaking.

The weather was overcast for most of the day and a slight shower as we crossed the 16th St bridge made things a tad soggy but it cleared up fast and didn’t leave anyone dreary. I’m proud of my boys and what they’ve been able to accomplish so far. Owen is still too young to know whats going on but Teaspoon is startring to get an understanding of helping others and its walks like this that are not only a great way to get exercise and explore Pittsburgh but also teach kindness at a young age. Someday they’re realize we started walking for them and now we’re with them and to help other babies who need some additional care.

What amazed me too is that from the donations we received this year (thank you again everyone!), the majority were from people I have never met in person but chatted with online. The fact that those whom never met me and only know me from either Twitter or craftbeer/social media functions think that much of us to donate to our team. Blows my mind and we really are humbled

If you’d like to keep up to date on next year’s walk join the Facebook group Team Derda Bros!

I have about 5-6 posts going on in my head I’m going to try and pound out at lunch today or after homework tonight. Here’s something to hold you over because I haven’t already filled your feed with videos of my kids.

Its day 2 of craft beer week and I issued a challenge on Twitter/facebook in which response has been pretty cool so I’m making the same challenge here. I want you to go out and drink at least ONE craft beer this week. I’d prefer it was someone local to you but in some cases you don’t have much choice. Come back here or go to Facebook and post what you thought of it.

Here are some random beer facts.

• On average I drink 1-2 beers a week and its usually to write a review (with 2 kids aged 2yr and 4mo my time is limited so I make it count)
• I haven’t had a macro beer since December 25th
• My first beer was Golden Anniversary (I still have the bottle) that I swiped from my parents when i was 15.
• My first craft beer was Erie Railbender
• My first night in Pittsburgh my brother took me to Valhalla. It was my first time in a place that made beer and I asked for a Rolling Rock. I was also 22. suck it.
• Favorite beer is Southern Tier Unfiltered Gemini
• Favorite style is a double IPA
• Most expensive bottle I ever drank was $475 (original bottle of Sam Adams Utopias MMII) and of course that was on You Tube
• I have 20 bottles of beer I’m currently aging with the average at 2yrs.
• I once owned a beer fridge but it met an untimely end. Another will be purchased.
• I own a homebrewing kit but have yet to use it. I’m waiting for the rain to stop and Lushie to go away for a weekend because apparently it smells.
• I have ideas/partial storyboards on 3 different documentaries I’d like to film someday. All dealing with beer in Western PA. I fear that Sebak may hunt me down though.

Today kicks off American Craft Beer Week in Pittsburgh and for nothing more than shameless self promotion here is a quick piece I wrote on it.

Pittsburgh is in a unique position. We have 8 breweries in Western PA with most being located in SWPA and there are smaller breweries starting up it seems monthly. Starting a brewery isn’t a fad and takes a considerable investment so each time you hear of one popping up take into consideration that this person believes 100% in the art and craft that they make. Its like any other business, you have a passion for something you think may work and wont invest your future in a halfassed plan. Well you could and if you have that money lets talk because i can help spend it.

Pittsburgh is still warming up to the idea of craft beer in mainstream market. I know Penn has been around for 20 years and blah blah blah but hear me out on this. 5 years ago when I helped launch Should I Drink That it was almost impossible to find a decent craft beer in a bar that wasn’t specifically made for that business. There were bars on the South Side who would stock a few bottles but now we’re seeing craft beer at ballparks and most of your restaurants are at least carrying Victory or some local offering from Penn, Churchbrew or Rivertowne.

This week I ask that you get out and visit some of these breweries or when you’re out to eat give a craft beer a try. If you’re not sure what you might like feel free to ask me either here or on twitter. Join our community on facebook and you’ll really get some good suggestions for fans. There are douchebags out there who will look down on you for what you may currently drink so screw them. This is what YOU like. I can offer suggestions on what you may enjoy drinking but I won’t think anything less of you for not liking it. No matter what you do there are elitist jagoffs who think they’re above everyone else. These are also the miserable pricks who have lost the understanding of craft beer. Drink it and enjoy however you want.

Cheers Pittsburgh! Lets make this a great week.

I’ll make more posts about Pittsburgh and craft beer this week. I’m geeked to talk of how great this city really is when it comes to kickass beer.

I don’t usually write posts as soon as I hear news but this time I have to. Today MegaBus will begin service in Erie and while yinzers may go “Erie? really?” let me point out a few things for you. If you’re familiar with MegaBus you already know that prices start at $1. I’m not joking, ONE DOLLAR! You can’t even get a city block on that much gas in your car. Honestly if you want a great overview of it check out this story from KDKA’s Jim Lokay.

Here’s where it gets good. The total trip is 2 hours long and the drop off point is Presque Isle Downs. It’s a C-A-S-I-N-O with HORSERACING! If you get tired of the casino or you’re like me and don’t gamble, there is Erie’s mass transit which also picks you up at the casino and takes you downtown and to the Bayfront. I encourage anyone who takes the trip to consider making a weekend out of it and in fact the tourism groups for both cities should plan a trip deal around it. “If you’re coming in from “x” via megabus to our city here is what you can do in 1 day..” I think I missed my calling somewhere as a trip planner.

If you’re traveling Pittsburgh to Erie your day can look like this on July 9th for a 1 day trip.

1. Leave from Pittsburgh at 7:15am, arrive in Erie at Presque Isle Downs around 9:35am
2. Stretch, play some slots and hit up the buffet.
3. 3pm is post time for the horse races
4. Catch the 5:40pm EMTA into town
5. 6pm get off at 13th and State Street and walk 2 blocks to BrewErie for dinner and craft beers brewed on site or ride the bus down to the lake and have dinner on the bay while watching the sunset
6. 8pm catch the EMTA back to the casino and you’ll have 1 hour left to gamble before your 9:35pm bus takes you back to Pittsburgh by midnight. If you’re not exhausted yet you still have time to hit up a couple bars in Pittsburgh.

If you don’t want to hit up the casino the EMTA will take you into downtown Erie where you can either walk around or catch a taxi to Presque Isle and spend the day at the beach.  Honestly with this plan there should be some kinda shuttle to Presque Isle from downtown. If anyone in Erie knows of one, leave it in the comments.

total travel price for 1 person – $6.50 (plus bus fare which is $1.10 one way)

If you’re traveling Erie to Pittsburgh your day can look like this on July 9th for a 1 day trip.

1. Leave Erie at 2pm and arrive at 4:10pm in Pittsburgh at 10th St and Penn Ave (Convention Center)
2. Walk around the Strip District or through downtown checking out the city and grabbing a bite to eat
3. 7:05 Pirates vs Cubs
4. Game should end around 9:30-10pm. Post game you can head back into the city for a beverage or a walk around the cultural district. Maybe catch the T for a trip to Station Square and ride an incline to see the city
5. Return to the convention center for your pick up at 11:30pm to return to Erie at 1:45am Sunday

total travel price for 1 person – $6.50

The trip from Erie to Pittsburgh is more ideal if you want to spend a weekend or come down for an event at night and head back. Pirates and Penguins fans will be able to take advantage of this since both PNC Park and Consol Energy Center are walking distance (CEC is a tad of a hike). If there is a show in town that you want to see, the arrival at 4 is perfect to find a place to eat and relax before the curtain raises. If you want good craft beer check out Sharp Edge Bistro on Penn. Its pricey but you’ll have Belgian beers available you’ll never find in Erie.

By no means should you take my suggested schedule as gospel. Everyone has different tastes but this just shows you what is now available at a VERY LOW price if you want to get away for a day or 2.

By the way craft beer loving yinzers, Beer on the Bay is coming up in Erie. MegaBus may give a whole new meaning to beer run and I think SIDT may have a plan for you.

cheers!

It was 5 years ago on May 5th that the first episode of Should I Drink That was released. Since then the show has been downloaded over 1.25 million times,  featured in countless print/radio/tv outlets across the country and are recognized as an entertaining and educational resource for craft beer advocacy.

What started as 2 drinking buddies talking into a webcam one night in 2006 has blossomed into a cult following with fans all over the world. We felt a need for a show where you could listen about craft beer without the snobbishness and ask questions that you may shy away from because some self proclaimed beer expert was belittling you.

We do this show out of passion. Craft beer is meant to celebrate innovation, flavors and exploration of your own palate.  You’re supposed to have fun with it and not be some elitist prick looking down on people. We offer suggestions on what you may or may not like but that is the beauty of craft beer, everyone’s taste is different so don’t ever feel ashamed for what you like. Craft beer is made for your enjoyment, not for judgement.

Because of this show we’ve been able to experience craft beers from all over the world that the average drinkers never will. We’ve made very good friends and love every single one of our fans!

I’ve always beat around the bush and avoided answering a lot of questions about the show. Not because I didnt know the answer or was ashamed, just some things I didn’t feel like sharing or wanted to make shit up. So here you go, answers to a lot of the questions we get. If you have any feel free to leave them for me in comments.

1) Where did the show name come from?
The original name was going to be “monkeys with hand grenades” or “operation: shortbus”. We sent emails back and forth trying to figure out which one was best. We picked “Should I Drink That?” because it was the most popular thing we would be asked at bars. We knew each show would be able to answer that question.

2) What is with your names?
We decided right away to not use our real names. Not for privacy but hearing from “Doug and Brad” is kinda boring and craft beer is about having fun. Its entertaining. Brad has always had a sick sense of humor so sickpuppy just fit. Father Spoon comes from the podcast which inspired SIDT called The Real Happy Hour. I’ve been called “spoon” since college so the “father” part came from a forum post over there where I started forgiving people for stupid things they did while drunk but the penance would be a drink. I still have the fake collar I made and took a pic wearing that coined the name. You can thank a man named Kurt Johnson.

3) How long did we expect it to last?
Not more than a couple shows. We got rocked that first show and sickpuppy had to go close on his new house that next morning. I think we had material for 3 shows and figured after 5 that would be it because we would run out of material. Our stats went from a couple downloads from friends to a few hundred. Every anniversary we say “only one more year…”, Obviously we never listened

4) DFH 120 chug. What don’t we know?
a) Dick Hammer is a real paramedic and no that’s not his name. In fact he didn’t have one until I blurted it out b) The “10 minutes later” was filmed on my shitty digital camera and was 100% real. It really messed with my head. c) That was  filmed on Good Friday and I had fasted the entire day (I’m catholic).  We shot it at night. d) I had threats against me because of it e) Dogfish Head emailed us about it. Sam and his crew said they loved it and invited us to the brewery. Suck it haters! f) There were 18 pages in the ratebeer.com forums wishing I would die or was dead. we have a pdf of it somewhere g) the video has been viewed over 50,000 times. h) One guy on you tube hated me so much because of it he made a series of videos mocking me. Apparently I really pissed him off.

5) Random facts

• Over 1.25 million downloads. Number of those that are my wife – 0.
• I’ve lived in 3 different places in that time. “Studio B” was a running joke with us. We’ve only recorded there once and it was a garage.
• Studio B is in fact being built, thats no shit. I’m trying to figure out the power I need right now.
• I can’t drink most stouts without getting sick.
• Since the start of the show I’ve lost my dad, gained 2 sons, bought a house, won a car and got my first gray hair.
• Because of the show I learned the skills for my current profession
• I wouldn’t be where I’m at professionally and in a new career if it wasn’t for the show.