Blog, rant, whatever. Microbreweries, big business, and your local store all need your hard earned dollars. Here’s the trick, though, when you walk into your local chain grocery there is only so much shelf space. Who gets the space? I’ll give you two guesses.

Here’s where we as consumers come in. Yes, there is plenty to be said for the established brands of beer. Personally, I’m a Guinness man. That said, if we want the next generation of beer drinkers to enjoy what we did not have, then we need to support the local guy and his dream to craft a spectacular brew. Who cooks better, big chain restaurant or grandma? There are things you can do to help. As I type I am enjoying a Good People Pale Ale, while not down the street local, they are within a hundred mile radius.

• When in your local big chain store – ask for the local beer every time you go in. They will catch on at some point.

• Your local pub/bar has a local – ask if they will dedicate more than one on tap. Moreover, remember that they will sell that which they think sells best. They will listen to their customers. If a bunch of your friends go in each week, then say “hey, do you have the local on tap yet?”

• There is almost a guarantee that there is a mom and pop shop that sells the local fare – we in the Huntsville area have several. I know I for one enjoy going to Liquor Express to fill a growler off the wall of taps. Get what you like. The key is to savor what wets your whistle.

So, now that you have witnessed the soap box, what are your thoughts? What is the best local beer you sampled?

Welcome to the blog that addresses the hardest hitting topics of our day. Interaction is always encouraged but the niceties will be observed at all times. A glimpse into the world of Mat Hudson literature concerns the following topics. Hopefully together we can learn and grow into heathens scared to stumble outside to check the circuits when the ball game is interrupted by a spooky power outage.

• Fermentation – Each week we will explore microbreweries, fine spirits, and frivolity. Sometimes it will just be around my home town and other times we will travel the world.
• Football – On Tuesdays and Wednesdays check for insights into college football. During the off season for America football and during important events, I will wax poetic on good old football, or as we call it soccer.
• Fear – Each weekend a different aspect of horror will be examined or reviewed. Hopefully we at TheMatHudson can steer you the readers to good books, movies, and games. Also, your feedback through polls will help us learn more as well.
• As an added bonus, days with historical significance will often be discussed. Of course, as an Ancient and Classical Historian, those events may not be as well known to the average reader.

Join us on our journey to provide insight, inspiration, and inebriation to you each week.

Cheers!

Mat