#57: John Holl | Beer Edge

We put a temporary hold on the Monday Morning Ratings War this week to welcome John Holl himself - our nemesis // respected veteran industry journalist we hold in particularly high esteem - for a virtual conversation!
In all seriousness, John is part of the very short list that makes up the top echelon of journalism in the beer industry. His extensive resume includes authorship of countless articles in the industry's leading magazines (All About Beer, BYO) and multiple books, one of which - Drink Beer, Think Beer - shares the name of the podcast he currently hosts which ultimately made this all happen in the first place. In this eclectic conversation, John puts the uncomfortable level of reverence Matt and Noah have for him aside, and walks us through his entry into journalism, his move to focus exclusively on beer, and the ways he's adapted to a media landscape that has changed just as rapidly as the industry it covers. We also get into John's approach and perspective to journalism itself and how he balances objectivity within it, dissect the relationship between deadlines and hangovers, and discuss how the beer industry slowly but surely seems to be spurring more positive and broader conversations about its own narrative.
While found the perspective of one of the most highly-regarded people covering the our industry extremely insightful and hope you do as well...John Holl is still our rival. But this conversation might have shifted our approach in the ratings arena from that of a starred general to more of a multi-cause telethon operator.
Bring on the ratings, PERIOD!(?) ......................................................................................................Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill