History

So long and thanks for all the beers

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Okay, so this goodbye. Or maybe not. Maybe it’s just a hiatus. I’m not really sure. What I do know is that I don’t plan on writing any new blog posts for some time. Why? Well, because it doesn’t really excite me any more.

You see, I don’t make any money out of this blog. I do get some free beers and the occasional complimentary tickets to events but their monetary value wouldn’t come close to being adequate compensation for writing this blog. And that’s fine, Beer is Your Friend was never intended to be a money-making venture (in fact I knocked back a few offers of advertising on the site), it was always done for the love of it. Because I enjoyed it.

As is the case any time you do something just for the joy of it, when it stops bringing you joy then it’s time to start doing it. Over the last few months, coming up with fresh content for the blog felt more and more like work. In the last few weeks, I’d been toying with calling it quits, only to change my mind – it’s hard to run a line under something you’ve been doing for six years.

Yeah, I started this blog way back in 2012, and in that time there has been 1670 posts published (counting this one). So I’ve had a good run.

What finally pushed me over the edge was trying to take notes on a beer last Saturday. I won’t name the beer or brewery, though there was nothing at all wrong with it. It was a style I’ve had quite a few times before and I found myself at a loss to write down anything new or interesting about the beer. That’s when I knew it – I was worn out and no longer wanted to write about beer every week for no money.

So I’m not going to. I still like beer an awful lot and will definitely keep drinking the stuff and scoping out bottle shops to see if they’ve got anything new. I just won’t be writing about it.

And that actually feels good.

So thanks for your support over the years. The fact that you read some of the crap I’ve banged out over the years and got some amusement out of it really means a lot to me.

Categories: History

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13 replies »

  1. Nothing wrong with stopping a thing you do for fun if it isn’t fun now, it can be great for your soul. I know it was good for me.

    That being said, expect your fans to be all “please sir, I want some more”.

    Reply

    • I know what you mean. I don’t have any regrets with making the decision, which must mean it was the right thing to do.
      I’d be fine with readers asking for more – means I was doing something others found worthwhile.

      Reply

  3. damn, really liked your stuff! I think you gave very honest reviews and were always transparent. Understand the decision though, now you can sit back and just enjoy a brew or two without thinking about it:)

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  4. Thanks for your insight and considered comments over the journey. Will miss those old beer ads.

    The books have been fun & informative

    Prost

    Reply

  6. Yep – I know what you mean.
    Whilst I haven’t always hit “like”, i’ve always enjoyed getting the email or FB. I’ve been in awe of your output.
    At same stage you’ll have to join us on the Back of the Ferry. Goodonya.

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  7. Totally understand but still not happy. I will really miss your honest take on a rapidly expanding industry. Thanks for the great reads and I hope you still do the occasional post about issues that matter. Awesome job.

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  8. Hey Glen, I think I know the feeling and I’m sorry it’s all become a bit of a drag. I subscribe to so many ‘Beer News’ but have always looked forward to yours in my inbox the most. Especially the Thursday Quotes and the ‘5 Things About’ segments. If you’re ever in WA, please pop by The Dutch Trading Co., where I work; I’d love to have a yarn. Hope you’re enjoying the sweet release but I also hope this isn’t the last we hear of you. So long, and thanks for all the fish!

    Reply

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