One of the themes that re-occurred throughout EBBC2012 was that of influence. It's taken for granted that as bloggers, we have the potential to influence opinion. As a result of this, and moving up the food chain, it's logical then that interested parties might seek to influence bloggers. The ethics of this was a topic that ran through many of the discussions over the weekend, from the obvious (should bloggers take freebies?) to the slightly more considered (how can I take freebies and retain some integrity?). As Allan Wright of conference organisers Zephyr Adventures pointed out (to slightly uncomfortable silence), we'd all accepted Molson Coors' offer of sponsorship when we turned up - nobody refused to take the cheque on principle (although whether The Ormskirk Baron was actually able to cash his cheque, given it was made out to "The Ormskirk Baron", is still unclear)
The question of influence is also applicable to the question of why we actually blog. We all believe we have something worth saying (as Tandleman sums up with customary pithiness here), but the question of who we are saying it to, and why, is perhaps still unclear. This was brought into sharp focus after the Q&A session that Mark, Marverine and I held, when Allan Wright (again) asked "has anyone ever emailed a brewery to let them know that you've written something about them?" More uncomfortable silence. Don't the Americans have a splendidly pragmatic approach to stuff? The coup-de-grace of "then why are you doing what you do?" hung in the air, unasked and unanswered.
But of course, a few beers makes everything OK. The incredibly lavish dining event (merely calling it dinner would be selling it a bit short) that Pilsner Urquell hosted on the second evening was a chance for everyone to sample their superb unfiltered pilsner, served straight from the wood. We were also well-fed, dressed in PU polo shirts, kidnapped and transported to another venue, and FORCED to drink more unfiltered pilsner under the supervision of The Thirsty Brewmaster. I found myself leaving early that evening - I wish that I could say it was down to some sort of principle, but the events of the evening meant that I just needed the sort of solitary relaxation time that you only get in a hotel room on your own.
We need to take it as read that blogging is about influence. As bloggers, we want to influence people, and because of this, people want to influence us. But how these things happen, and to what end, is perhaps still a bit uncertain.
I'm still chuckling at the Ormskrk Baron cheque now..
ReplyDeleteI personally took a lot from those sessions, in fact those where we all interacted as a discussion group were definitely the most interesting and at times informative. We may not have all agreed but certainly had food for thought.
On the "circle jerk" everyone there had a fair share of freebies corporate or otherwise and I'll happily wear my PU shirt away from the event for example. I was their guest and they treated me exceptionally well but I'd hope I'd remain subjective should I ever have to review their beers in future.
My big bugbear isn't about accepting a free beer, I will and have done so but will always try to be honest & give honest views, it's about openly asking outright, "give me some beer & I'll write a review", thumbs down from me.
I honestly think it's horses for courses. As I said at the conference, I've accepted hospitality, written some reports about my experiences, and then been sniped at for it. I honestly don't mind, and I satnd by pretty much everything I've said. Everyone has their own line, and they are all in different places.
DeleteConversely, not everything that I do and say is via the medium of this blog - the craft beer world isn't just about blogging and tweeting, however much it sometimes feels like that.
I was put off the first European beer bloggers conferenece by the fact that for quite a while the agenda for the only contained things like 'thank the sponsors' and 'go to our sponsors tasting session/meal'. That Molson Coors were prepared to pay for the tickets this year actually made it more appealing - at least you didn't have to pay to sell out! Mind you I still didn't go.
ReplyDeleteAs I say above to Phil, everyone has their limit. And of course, accepting sponsorship isn't the same as being obliged to write a puff piece, or saying things you don't believe - you can still say that something's crap if you truly believe it is.
DeleteTrue, but as we know free beer tastes better and is sure to influence what you say. I can remember all the glowing reports about the 'classic' White Shield, when as far as I was concerned it was still in its sweet brown gloop phase.
ReplyDeleteStill, I'd never say no to free beer myself.
I'm not sure I agree with the whole "free beer tastes better" line. I've given very honest feedback to brewers whose beers have been badly brewed and/or poorly bottled, and those were free samples. And I also know quite a few people in the business who stock the output of sub-standard breweries because they hit a certain price, and are always available. Sometimes expediency gets the better of people.
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