Brian Alberts
@brewedculture.org
Historian, writer, dad studying the cultural history of beer. Footnotes and pizza both Chicago style. He/him
Saw a Utopia on a grocery store shelf for the first time. I'm a little intrigued because I've never tried it before, but $300 is a bit out of my range.
December 6, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Saw a Utopia on a grocery store shelf for the first time. I'm a little intrigued because I've never tried it before, but $300 is a bit out of my range.
Reposted by Brian Alberts
Two independent studies found that AI chatbots were better at persuading voters than political ads. The most persuasive bots also lied the most. This is something that humans working in psyops have known for decades. AI is psyops at scale. www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/04/1...
December 5, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Two independent studies found that AI chatbots were better at persuading voters than political ads. The most persuasive bots also lied the most. This is something that humans working in psyops have known for decades. AI is psyops at scale. www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/04/1...
Reposted by Brian Alberts
Anchor Brewing is not leaving San Francisco and reopening plans are still in the works.
Timeline:
July 2023: Anchor abruptly closes
May 2024: Anchor acquired by yogurt king
June 2024 - Dec 2025: 🦗 🏏
sfstandard.com/2025/12/05/a...
Timeline:
July 2023: Anchor abruptly closes
May 2024: Anchor acquired by yogurt king
June 2024 - Dec 2025: 🦗 🏏
sfstandard.com/2025/12/05/a...
Fact check: Anchor Brewing is dormant but not departed
A niche beer publication reported that the famed brewery isn’t staying in the city–but owners say otherwise.
sfstandard.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Anchor Brewing is not leaving San Francisco and reopening plans are still in the works.
Timeline:
July 2023: Anchor abruptly closes
May 2024: Anchor acquired by yogurt king
June 2024 - Dec 2025: 🦗 🏏
sfstandard.com/2025/12/05/a...
Timeline:
July 2023: Anchor abruptly closes
May 2024: Anchor acquired by yogurt king
June 2024 - Dec 2025: 🦗 🏏
sfstandard.com/2025/12/05/a...
Reposted by Brian Alberts
In their confirmation hearings, RFK Jr pledged he would not be anti-vax, Hegseth said he respected women serving in leadership positions in the military, and Bondi said she would not weaponize DOJ against Trump’s political enemies.
December 6, 2025 at 2:20 AM
In their confirmation hearings, RFK Jr pledged he would not be anti-vax, Hegseth said he respected women serving in leadership positions in the military, and Bondi said she would not weaponize DOJ against Trump’s political enemies.
I feast on Christmas Carol adaptations every year, and it's always the Marley scene that separates good versions from bad.
That, and young Scrooge's temperment during the Fezziwig scenes.
That, and young Scrooge's temperment during the Fezziwig scenes.
‘I wear the chain I forged in life,’ replied the Ghost. ‘I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you?’
~Jacob Marley
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
#PhantomsFriday
~Jacob Marley
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
#PhantomsFriday
December 5, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I feast on Christmas Carol adaptations every year, and it's always the Marley scene that separates good versions from bad.
That, and young Scrooge's temperment during the Fezziwig scenes.
That, and young Scrooge's temperment during the Fezziwig scenes.
Indiana's 2nd oldest brewery, Lafayette Brewing Company, is closing this month.
This won't make the splash that Rogue did, but LBC was a local treasure. Fond memories there.
non-paywall link: archive.ph/lvIet
cc @timothyjlombardo.bsky.social @ppospisek.bsky.social @castrohistorian.bsky.social
This won't make the splash that Rogue did, but LBC was a local treasure. Fond memories there.
non-paywall link: archive.ph/lvIet
cc @timothyjlombardo.bsky.social @ppospisek.bsky.social @castrohistorian.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Indiana's 2nd oldest brewery, Lafayette Brewing Company, is closing this month.
This won't make the splash that Rogue did, but LBC was a local treasure. Fond memories there.
non-paywall link: archive.ph/lvIet
cc @timothyjlombardo.bsky.social @ppospisek.bsky.social @castrohistorian.bsky.social
This won't make the splash that Rogue did, but LBC was a local treasure. Fond memories there.
non-paywall link: archive.ph/lvIet
cc @timothyjlombardo.bsky.social @ppospisek.bsky.social @castrohistorian.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian Alberts
If we can only have art from people who "aren't in it for the money" that means we can only have art from privileged middle-class dilettantes. Making art being a viable career is responsible for nearly all worthwhile art, and if it's not a viable career any more we will get drastically less of it.
December 4, 2025 at 3:13 PM
If we can only have art from people who "aren't in it for the money" that means we can only have art from privileged middle-class dilettantes. Making art being a viable career is responsible for nearly all worthwhile art, and if it's not a viable career any more we will get drastically less of it.
Reposted by Brian Alberts
i made a video about the president's gutter racism against somali-americans and how a scandal became a smear became a call for de facto ethnic cleansing
Donald Trump’s racist attack on Somali Americans
YouTube video by Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:59 AM
i made a video about the president's gutter racism against somali-americans and how a scandal became a smear became a call for de facto ethnic cleansing
Reposted by Brian Alberts
HBOMax has started showing a 'remastered' 4K Mad Men and they’ve messed things up so during Roger’s oyster vomit scene you can now see the crew men with the vomit hose on the right
December 2, 2025 at 11:28 AM
HBOMax has started showing a 'remastered' 4K Mad Men and they’ve messed things up so during Roger’s oyster vomit scene you can now see the crew men with the vomit hose on the right
Reposted by Brian Alberts
when someone tells me not to use em dashes because AI uses em dashes
November 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
when someone tells me not to use em dashes because AI uses em dashes
Reposted by Brian Alberts
KW friends! One more screening of What Ales Us? before the end of the year.
My pals at Short Finger Brewing will be hosting it on Sunday, December 14th. Event starts at 1.30pm.
bdiversitygroup.com/upcoming-eve...
My pals at Short Finger Brewing will be hosting it on Sunday, December 14th. Event starts at 1.30pm.
bdiversitygroup.com/upcoming-eve...
What Ales Us? Screening and Q&A — B Diversity Group
Stay Tuned For More Info
bdiversitygroup.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:33 PM
KW friends! One more screening of What Ales Us? before the end of the year.
My pals at Short Finger Brewing will be hosting it on Sunday, December 14th. Event starts at 1.30pm.
bdiversitygroup.com/upcoming-eve...
My pals at Short Finger Brewing will be hosting it on Sunday, December 14th. Event starts at 1.30pm.
bdiversitygroup.com/upcoming-eve...
Reposted by Brian Alberts
Fingers is like no other drinks publication out there. I don't score wines, review whiskeys, or wax poetic about craft breweries. I publish adversarial reportage and analysis on the business, politics, and culture of drinking in America—especially the money/power shaping it. Just one recent example:
The anatomy of a right-wing booze grift: www.fingers.email/p/the-anatom...
December 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Fingers is like no other drinks publication out there. I don't score wines, review whiskeys, or wax poetic about craft breweries. I publish adversarial reportage and analysis on the business, politics, and culture of drinking in America—especially the money/power shaping it. Just one recent example:
Reposted by Brian Alberts
I’m not very good at self-promotion, but here’s a repost for the Sunday readers out there 🙂 There’s a claim that is being repeated more often of late that cyder was a different and superior drink to cider. In this long read (perfect with a cup of tea or a glass of cider) I debunk this modern myth.
Modern Myth-Busting: The Cyder Controversi
Barry debunks the myth that ‘cyder’ and ‘cider’ are different drinks, tracing the spelling history and enduring cultural heritage of cider.
cider-review.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I’m not very good at self-promotion, but here’s a repost for the Sunday readers out there 🙂 There’s a claim that is being repeated more often of late that cyder was a different and superior drink to cider. In this long read (perfect with a cup of tea or a glass of cider) I debunk this modern myth.
Reposted by Brian Alberts
Roughly 6 ounces of snow so far in New Ulm
November 29, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Roughly 6 ounces of snow so far in New Ulm
Will be buying the book based on this excerpt. This concept sounds phenomenal.
maureenogle.com/the-price-of...
maureenogle.com/the-price-of...
November 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Will be buying the book based on this excerpt. This concept sounds phenomenal.
maureenogle.com/the-price-of...
maureenogle.com/the-price-of...
Reposted by Brian Alberts
I VERY much dislike using SM for self-promotion, but…
My new book is THE PRICE OF PLENTY: A HISTORY OF MEAT IN AMERICA.
A lengthy excerpt is available at Maureenogle.com
Buy at bookshop.org, B&N, Kobo, Amazon
Pass it along…..?
My new book is THE PRICE OF PLENTY: A HISTORY OF MEAT IN AMERICA.
A lengthy excerpt is available at Maureenogle.com
Buy at bookshop.org, B&N, Kobo, Amazon
Pass it along…..?
Maureen Ogle
Maureen Ogle. Historian. Author. Ranter. Idea Junkie. Books include: AMBITIOUS BREW: A History of American Beer; KEY WEST: History of An Island Of Dreams.
Maureenogle.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I VERY much dislike using SM for self-promotion, but…
My new book is THE PRICE OF PLENTY: A HISTORY OF MEAT IN AMERICA.
A lengthy excerpt is available at Maureenogle.com
Buy at bookshop.org, B&N, Kobo, Amazon
Pass it along…..?
My new book is THE PRICE OF PLENTY: A HISTORY OF MEAT IN AMERICA.
A lengthy excerpt is available at Maureenogle.com
Buy at bookshop.org, B&N, Kobo, Amazon
Pass it along…..?
Reposted by Brian Alberts
This is one of the most important exposés published in WSJ in several years, and it derives from intercepts and analyses by foreign intelligence services studying the conduct of Trump and his inner team. It's first and foremost a wake up call to the people of the United States.
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
www.wsj.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
This is one of the most important exposés published in WSJ in several years, and it derives from intercepts and analyses by foreign intelligence services studying the conduct of Trump and his inner team. It's first and foremost a wake up call to the people of the United States.
Reposted by Brian Alberts
Why are universities paying money to fascists when they could just use said money to support their faculty to do their research without fascist money? It’s so fucking stupid.
November 29, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Why are universities paying money to fascists when they could just use said money to support their faculty to do their research without fascist money? It’s so fucking stupid.
Reposted by Brian Alberts
Succotash. Tamales. Cornbread.
Foods we call “American” often have Indigenous roots.
In Ep. 426, Michael Wise helps us see Native cuisine—hidden in plain sight.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/426
Foods we call “American” often have Indigenous roots.
In Ep. 426, Michael Wise helps us see Native cuisine—hidden in plain sight.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/426
Episode 426: Michael Wise, Beyond the First Thanksgiving: Indigenous Agriculture and the Hidden Science of Native Foodways
Discover how Wampanoag and Cherokee farmers shaped early America through Indigenous agriculture, Native foodways, and hidden science.
benfranklinsworld.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Succotash. Tamales. Cornbread.
Foods we call “American” often have Indigenous roots.
In Ep. 426, Michael Wise helps us see Native cuisine—hidden in plain sight.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/426
Foods we call “American” often have Indigenous roots.
In Ep. 426, Michael Wise helps us see Native cuisine—hidden in plain sight.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/426
Reposted by Brian Alberts
How Republicans commemorated Thanksgiving in 1869--with a multi-racial/multi-ethnic gathering of people at a table with a centerpiece celebrating universal suffrage and self-government, and with an engraving of Castle Garden, the pre-Ellis Island point of disembarkation for immigrants.
November 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
How Republicans commemorated Thanksgiving in 1869--with a multi-racial/multi-ethnic gathering of people at a table with a centerpiece celebrating universal suffrage and self-government, and with an engraving of Castle Garden, the pre-Ellis Island point of disembarkation for immigrants.
Holy cow.
It's worse than originally reported. Rogue Brewery files for bankruptcy. Over $16m in debt. In the wake of abrupt closures, the State is reaching out to assist impacted employees. washingtonbeerblog.com/rogue-brewer...
Rogue Brewery Files For Bankruptcy, Over $16 Million in Debt
More info about the abrupt closure of Rogue Brewery. Debt worse than originally reported. State is reaching out to impacted employees.
washingtonbeerblog.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Holy cow.
Reposted by Brian Alberts
DOGE was always a very thinly disguised con to dress up data theft and extraction class destruction of federal corporate oversight as innovative, and it's important to remember that part of the reason it worked so well is that the press helped legitimize it
hey don't be so hard on yourselves; it delivered oceans of sensitive government and citizen data to billionaires
Musk’s DOGE Quietly Killed Off After Delivering Almost Nothing
The agency disbanded eight months ahead of schedule.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
DOGE was always a very thinly disguised con to dress up data theft and extraction class destruction of federal corporate oversight as innovative, and it's important to remember that part of the reason it worked so well is that the press helped legitimize it
Reposted by Brian Alberts
The first 2025 Diversity in Beer Writing Grant story is live:
“Michigan Hops: The Women Behind the Bines” by Brenda Marshall on CraftBeer.com
Thanks to Hollie Stephens, Beth Demmon, @kbernot.bsky.social, Adam Dulye & @allagashbrewing.bsky.social for the support!
#beerwriting #diversityinbeer
“Michigan Hops: The Women Behind the Bines” by Brenda Marshall on CraftBeer.com
Thanks to Hollie Stephens, Beth Demmon, @kbernot.bsky.social, Adam Dulye & @allagashbrewing.bsky.social for the support!
#beerwriting #diversityinbeer
Michigan Hops: The Women Behind the Bines
Explore the stories of the women driving Michigan's hop industry, from field to greenhouse to lab, and defining what makes Michigan hops special.
www.craftbeer.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:44 AM
The first 2025 Diversity in Beer Writing Grant story is live:
“Michigan Hops: The Women Behind the Bines” by Brenda Marshall on CraftBeer.com
Thanks to Hollie Stephens, Beth Demmon, @kbernot.bsky.social, Adam Dulye & @allagashbrewing.bsky.social for the support!
#beerwriting #diversityinbeer
“Michigan Hops: The Women Behind the Bines” by Brenda Marshall on CraftBeer.com
Thanks to Hollie Stephens, Beth Demmon, @kbernot.bsky.social, Adam Dulye & @allagashbrewing.bsky.social for the support!
#beerwriting #diversityinbeer
I was advised to go to grad school in history riiiight about there.
November 23, 2025 at 1:03 AM
I was advised to go to grad school in history riiiight about there.
I've been hyped for this book like 6 years now. This book deserves to launch a thousand collab beers.
Well... 999, since one's already been done 🍻
Well... 999, since one's already been done 🍻
Just sharing the copy edit version of the table of contents of my forthcoming book which now officially has an ISBN number…. 🍻📖🌿
November 23, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I've been hyped for this book like 6 years now. This book deserves to launch a thousand collab beers.
Well... 999, since one's already been done 🍻
Well... 999, since one's already been done 🍻