Chipper recommends: A top 10 beer blog list

For as long as I've been a blogger I've relied on other blogs in my subject area to inspire me and to give me ideas for writing my own. I currently subscribe to 135 beer related feeds. Some humorous, some beer news feeds, some personal beer blogs and several professional beer blogs. The more beer blogs and feeds I subscribe to, the less time I have for blogging myself! While I tend to skim over many of those blogs, there are a handful of them that I take the time to read carefully each day.

The following beer blogs are some of my own personal favorites. Perhaps some of these may help inspire you as well. These aren't listed in any particular order other than alphabetically.

Chipper Dave's Top Ten Beer Blogs

Appellation Beer - This is the blog of author Stan Hieronymus. Stan wrote the book "Brew Like A Monk: Trappist, Abbey, and Strong Belgian Ales and How to Brew Them". Stan came up with the idea for a monthly beer blogging day which ended up being called "Beer Blogging Friday". This feature has grown in popularity and is now a part of the monthly blogging routine for many beer writers. Stan's blog covers a wide variety of stories from the beer industry and has been doing so for nearly 4 years.

Beer Activist - Chris O'Brien writes this beer blog from the point of view that you can drink great beer and save the world at the same time. Chris has published a book in 2006 entitled: "Fermenting Revolution: How to Drink Beer and Save the World". His blog takes up where his book leaves off. He writes about beer and it's global impact from an environments point of view. Chris is also passionate about homebrewing and brewing coffee. Every would-be brewer should check out this blog and see what you might be doing to the world brew wise.

The Brew Basement - I found this site from another blog when looking for information about aging beer. Jason (the author) has taken up a personal study on how aging affects the quality of the beer he drinks. Jason doesn't buy just one of a particular beer but several and samples them again and again over a strict scheduled calendar. He enjoys aging all kinds of beer. From just reading his notes on some of my favorites, it makes me think about building my own beer cellar and aging my own brew. Some beer would be much better off sitting in a dark cool corner for many months before opening.

Brookston Beer Bulletin - Jay Brooks is a professional beer writer and puts out a quality beer blog that is followed by many in the industry. Jay (or J) really loves his beer. He even has a wedding photo inside a brewery and went on brewery tours during his honeymoon. J is always up on the latest beer news and is one of the first places I go to when looking for what's happening in beer, especially around the San Francisco Bay area.

Charlie Papazian - Beer Examiner - Considered by many to be the Godfather of homebrewing, Charlie Papazian is an internationally known activist of beer and homebrewing. He is the founder of the Brewer's Association and well known author of several books on brewing your own beer including: "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing" (several editions), "Microbrewed Adventures" and "The Homebrewer's Companion". Charlie most recently took up blogging for the examiner.com and writes nearly every day about the goodness of beer. If ever there was an world ambassador for beer, it would be Charlie.

Dr. Fermento - I admit it. I fell for this blog initially by the name itself. It reminded me of a radio show I use to listen to called Dr. Demento. But this blog is not about silly things, but rather a light hearted look at the world of beer from an Alaskan point of view. Dr. Fermento is the alter ego of writer James Roberts. James writes for Celebrator and also the Anchorage Press. Many of the pictures of Dr. Fermento have him wearing a crazy hair wig and a white lab coat that make him look like a mad scientist. Crazy or not, this guy loves his beer and travels around not only Alaska but also much of the beer world looking for and commenting on great beer. Always a great read.

Fermentarium - This blog is written by a fellow Coloradoan that goes by the name of Deege (or DJ). Deege is an avid homebrewer of not only beer but also wine and mead. He has a lot of visibility on the web and is a presence on many social networking site. Deege writes about the world of beer as he sees it but some of his best stuff comes from his expertise in homebrewing. As a budding young (cough) homebrewer, I find myself looking here for tips on homebrewing. I like the personal feel of his blog. He likes to keep up on as much beer news as I do.

Liquid Diet - This blog started up most recently in January 2008 but is actually the 4th reincarnation of itself. Jack Curtin has written for several beer publications including: Celebrator Beer News, American Brewer, Mid-Atlantic Brewing News, and Ale Street News. This blog focuses mostly on the Philadelphia beer scene but is also a wealth of information on beer and the industry in general. I read Jack's blog for news but also for his commentary on beer.

The Thirsty Hopster - OK I admit it. At first I thought this blog was just about one woman's fancy with beer, but little did I realize that Jessica Jones (JJ) is a true beer encylopedia and quite the beer enthusiast. JJ lives and blogs on beer from the Bay Area and is currently traveling about the world exploring the world of beer. JJ has sponsored beer tastings and has been busy homebrewing herself and educating her friends and the internet on the joys of beer. Don't let her youth fool you, she knows her beer.

What's on Tap - Here's another blog that I came to like quickly. William Brand pen's What's on Tap from a Californian's point of view. His blog is part of the bayarea.com network of sites. William writes about many of the same beers I frequently imbibe. I've enjoyed comparing tasting notes to his on many occasion. William covers the west coast beer scene well. He probably has the type of job I'd love to have someday - getting paid to write about beer.

Have a favorite beer blog you'd like to share?  Post it in the comments below.