First Year of STL Hops
September 8, 2008 9:52 am Beer Love, Site DealingsI can’t believe it’s already been a year. I started this site a year ago basically to sound off about beer and also provide a little information for beer lovers in the area. I know I’ve said this a ton of times, but I’m really amazed what this site has become. It’s not longer just a single crazy beer nerd and some of his ramblings, but 385 posts and 1400 comments later this place has become a full-fledged community of beer enthusiasts. I’m really proud of the site and the people who have come aboard for the fun. So, I thank everyone who has stopped by and added something to this community. Thank you.
Now, what’s missing? Is there anything you’d like to see more of? Is there something else that could be done? I’m always up for suggestions, ideas, and criticism and would like some feedback on what could be done to make STL Hops more valuable to you. So feel free to let lose, I’ve got thick skin.
Also, two other little notes that will hopefully be of some interest to some of you. First, the STL Hops Anniversary party will be on October 24th at the Schlafly Tap Room, the total cost will be $15 per person and all proceeds will be donated to Stray Rescue of St. Louis. I’ll have more information about this event to all of you soon. The second item is that I’m in the middle of finishing a new logo for STL Hops which means I may have some swag for people to buy (at cost) in the near future.
Once again, thank you for making this first year so successful.
Tags: anniversary, beer nerd, party, schlafly, stlhops, suggestions, tap room
Adrian_B :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 10:17 am
Congratulations! This site is an almost daily stop for me.
Andrew Huerter :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 10:51 am
Woohoo! I remember meeting Mike at HOP in the City last year when I was doing the brewing demonstration.
Congratulations and cheers!
Dave :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Well-deserved congratulations, Mike! Many happy returns of the day.
Tony Linson :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 11:29 am
Congratulations and thanks for a great site. Your efforts to keep up on the beer scene in STL is greatly appreciated by this father of three who has no time to check out the pubs and breweies myself anymore. Your site has helped me locate special beers and new stores. When I do have the rare occasion to get out I now know exactly where to go to maximize my beer time. Thanks for the great effort.
Sneagrams :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 11:34 am
Great job, Mike!
This is a 5 a day stop for me!
And for swag, gimme stickers and buttons! I’m but a simple man.
Looking forward to many years to come.
Cheers
Sam H :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 11:46 am
Woot! Love the site and don’t have any real complaints other than there hasn’t been a real second STLHops get together.
I’d be interested in a sticker and a t-shirt, I’m simple.
This site is a daily stop (if not hourly, depending on the forum), if I had to make one suggestion, maybe have a “Beer of the week” feature on the main page, and every week either you (or selected members) can review said beer. I think that first timers and lurkers looking to get into the craft scene would be intrigued by it and would see a new beer each week that isn’t something crazy (Pliny, KBS, etc) and has a honest review from a different source each time.
mattb :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 11:55 am
Great work, Mike! I’ve had your site bookmarked for about 6 months now and it helps keep me sane during the workweek.
I like the “Beer of the Week” idea, mostly because I’m one of the visitors that hasn’t gotten to know all the obscure breweries and beers quite yet.
Put me down for a t-shirt!
Bill :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
Happy Anniversary! Keep up the good work. I really appreciate the St. Louis focus, useful and educational content, lack of editorial comment, and non-condescending approach which is appreciated by someone such as myself who is not an expert but who really enjoys a good beer! Thanks.
BMock :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Congrats Mike on a one of a kind site for STL beer nerds! I’m going to miss the aniversary party, but I look forward to the monthly get togethers.
I’m thinking a t-shirt, sticker pack, and a patch would be my purchases. Knowing you, I would guess having the logo on a pint glass will not be an offering.
Ian :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 12:55 pm
Congrats, Mike.
Monkeyknife :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
Happy Year One!
They grow up so fast. *sniff*
Sneagrams :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
Great idea BMock!
Branded glassware(for those of us who still enjoy branded glassware!)
Hee-Hee
obscuredbyfloyd :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
i would be proud to wear stl hops swag. great job with the site, i may not always have a lot to say, but i visit at least once a day.
r
Paul :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
Congrats also….
I think the beer (or brewery) of the week is a great idea also. I know you have said that you do not want to do reviews on your site. You could just use the “commercial” description though. It could help educate on some of the small and lesser known brands.
Paul
TWCP
scottyp :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 4:14 pm
i loved this site from the first day i was googling and came across it. i myself learned a GREAT deal about the local scene so for every new person that stumbles across it, they too may be blown away by our passion. i LOVE the idea of a beer or brewery of the week although i think we have a mini version of it in the “what did you have last night” thread. now if only i didnt get firewalled from the site at work….
Ericstl6 :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
Mike,
I am so glad I found this site this past year! Hopefully you realize how much we all appreciate everything you put into it!
Count me in for whatever swag you are thinking about, just remember us bigger guys if it comes to shirts!
Mike :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
I’m a big dude myself, so no worries.
Carl :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 6:08 pm
Congrats Mike! Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s a great resource to the St. Louis area craft beer junkies.
C
Lorno :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
Mike …
Congratulations on the milestone, but — more importantly — thanks again for your enormous contribution to the St. Louis beer-lover community.
You introduce us to great bars, help us find great beers, and host wonderful gatherings where kindred spirits can toast our mutual love of malt (and hops!) beverages.
You’ve made a significant positive contribution to the quality of life for your readers. Long may you blog!
Dan D. :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 7:41 pm
I’ll 20th the congrats, Mike. Thanks for such an entertaining site. I also think a “beer of the week” is a cool idea, but if you’re not interested in reviews, maybe it’s an idea that could take off in the forums.
I’ve learned a ton about beer this year, and I owe a good percentage of it to you and the others on this site. Thanks!
Derek Bean :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 8:30 pm
Congratulations Mike!
Thanks very much for everything you’ve done this past year, and continue to do for the local beer enthusiast community!
Joe Kopp :
Date: September 8, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Congratulations Mike! Thanks for all the work you’ve done. Hope this year is even better for you!
Chuck S. :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 4:45 am
I enjoy the crap out of this site, visit it every day. Congrats on 1 year!
Chuck
mike :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 6:48 am
only a year? that’s truly impressive growth, and i aughta know…
you’re doing fine work, and i check the site every day myself. because i’m looking for more ideas to steal.
keep it up.
dan george :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 8:00 am
Nice work Mike! It’s only been one year? Crazy…You’ve covered a lot of ground in that short time.
dan g
Shawn Connelly :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 10:01 am
Congrats to you, Mike! You’re doing great work. One of these days we’ll have to actually run into one another at a STL beer event. Cheers,
Shawn
Ryan Russell :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 11:41 am
I’m worse, I made Stlhops.com the homepage on the family computer
KellyR :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 11:47 am
I’m so glad this site exists! I’m here at least once a day. I’ve learned a lot. Thanks so much for your hard work, Mike! Keep it up!
Brennan Greene :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
Well done my friend, STLHops is our homepage also here at the Tap Room. I’ll try my best to have an extra tasty cask ready for the event. Any suggestions?
Sam H :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
I’m not Mike, but how about a cask of pure squeezed hop juice?
Sorry, the Pliny is getting to my head….
Ericstl6 :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
Boy I was really hopin either Brennan or Drew would throw out the special cask idea for the party!
Drew Huerter :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Since our APA has cracked the top ten APAs on BeerAdvocate, we should do something special to celebrate that, as well!
scottyp :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 8:02 pm
whoa, that’s way cool.
STL Hops 1st Anniversary Party | STL Hops - A St. Louis Beer Blog :
Date: September 15, 2008 @ 9:37 am
[…] 15, 2008 9:37 am Mike Beer Events I dropped a little nugget of information in last week’s anniversary post, but it’s time to let the cat out of the bag. On October 24th at 7PM, STL Hops will be […]