Special Oregon Craft Beer Publications by area newspapers

The following is a letter that was sent to Guest on Tap Beer Scribes about area publications:

Hello Honorary Beer Scribes!

First, thank you for all of your amazing work of the past year. You are the biggest part of my passion! I believe that we should have more beer writing throughout the city. I believe that the Oregonian’s increase of beer writing has allotted to do with our ongoing publishing of your works. I also believe that beer writers should always get PAID for their work! Even though it is a passion, it is still work and deserves compensation!

Second, I had great dreams for this week’s publishing of “A Locals’ Guide to Beervana: Oregon Craft Beer Month: Think Oregon, Drink Oregon”. I only realized a small percentage of those dreams. I was not satisfied when the piece went to press and some of you have already pointed out the issues that I had. It was the first year’s attempted at this kind of program, so I hope that we can make next year’s much better.

Third, the Oregonian’s Oregon Craft Beer Month piece helped the cause and helped build awareness, but…. I was very disappointed in this piece for many reasons. I just thought it would be bigger better with more color and published on a Sunday for increased visibility. It, too, was a start though. What about Willamette Week? The Portland Mercury? The Portland Business Journal? Etc.

Fourth and finally, we need to improve all our newspapers publishing of Oregon Beer coverage! The problem that I see is a financial one. Lack of advertising hurt the Portland Tribune and the Oregonian. We need to encourage the beer wholesalers, retailers, brewers, and publicans to continue to support beer journalism through advertising more in the publications that support beer dialog. Please thank those that do advertise for they see the big picture! The only way to grow beer journalism is to get the support of those that make their living off of the sale of the beer itself. I am on the frontline of the financial battle trying to generate that revenue to keep these things going. It has been a hard year with two large newspaper groups producing the same type of program. With more advertising revenue, I would have been able to publish the piece in all eleven newspapers (11) see www.localdailynews.com or all of our publications! As it was, we were able to publish in 8 publications! This was great! Thank you all for everything you have done.

In conclusion, I lift my glass to this noble cause and will continue to fight the good fight. I am always looking for ideas to help make this thing work better. Please feel free to give me your input at anytime,

Cheers! Prost!

David Dronkowski
Editor and Publisher
Cell#503.957.8566
Guest on Tap
<www.guestontap.com>
e-mail: <Davedron@comcast.net>
By the way: If you have something to say about Beer in Portland, say it at <http://pdxbeer.blogspot.com/