Ben Keene

Poolside in Cayo with a Belikin Stout float? I could get used to this. #Belize

Drunken Seahawks Fans Climbing Space Needle

Drunken Seahawks Fans Climbing Space Needle

There isn't a lot of draft beer in Belize, so I was happy to stumble across a tasty alternative to the ubiquitous lager: Fever Grass Witbier. It's just as refreshing as a traditional Belgian wheat beer, but with an added zing from lemongrass (known locally as fever grass) tea.

Facts.

February means trading IPAs and rainy days in Washington for rum drinks and beachy high jinks in Belize.

Super specific hops history question: Does anyone know of records/sources on whether the ash fallout from the Mount St Helens eruption in 1980 had any impact on Yakima's hop crop that year? I found reference in a Nat Geo from the following year that mentioned ash coating hop yards, but little more.

I'm here for the revival of balanced, mid-strength beers that industry insiders predict for 2026, but I like mine with a dash of experimentalism. Or an element of surprise. Case in point: Urban Family's Ubey, a Cream Ale with toasted coconut, ube, and vanilla. 5.3% ABV and delightful.

One more big game to win!

ICE Just Bought a Massive Warehouse in Hutchins Faith leaders call the 1-million-square-foot planned detention facility—originally designed as an Amazon warehouse—"disturbing."

Your tax dollars are secretly being used to build prison camps to unlawfully hold Americans because, according to ICE, “We need to get better at treating this like a business, like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings.” www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...

Ooh, I haven't tried that one but have heard of its greatness. And glad to hear Brewer's Fork is hanging in there. My last visit was back in 2019!

There's just something beautiful and beguiling about a smoked #beer on a winter evening. Who's had a good one lately?

A taste of the past and one of Rogue's more interesting projects IMO. Packaged in 2019, this whiskey was finished in newly charred Oregon oak barrels that previously held Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout for 9 months. Uniquely delicious.

"A vibrant city depends on vibrance in the public sphere.”

In a world that seems to be getting darker, I'm trying to follow the light into 2026.

Love the creative approach here! Many an adventurous Chicagoan is sure to make this a go-to drink this month.

YouTube video by The Daily Show Shock and awe, indeed #DailyShow #Iraq #Venezuela #JonStewart

youtube.com/shorts/j0k3Y...

A pretty sweet spot when the sun is out, to be sure.

If your name's on it and it's not too far away, I don't think it's weird.

US Strikes Venezuela, Says it Will ‘Run’ Country On the night of January 2, the US military conducted strikes on Venezuela, and took into custody the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores.

After decades of repression, Venezuelans deserve a prompt transition to a rights-respecting democracy, led by Venezuelans, where their freedoms and right to participate in free and fair elections are respected.

Read HRW’s statement on US strikes on Venezuela:

A fine way to arrive and smart first stop!

Welcome back to Seattle!

Here's hoping your holidays have been the merriest! May the Christmas cheer (in this case @block15brewing.bsky.social) last until the end of the year.

The 26 Best New Breweries of 2025, According to Beer Pros As a writer, finding negative narratives in craft beer is a breeze. Sales are declining. Closures are climbing. Let’s blame all those IPAs! Or Gen Z! Or THC! Instead of focusing on deflating news, tho...

Breweries aren't opening as often as they used to, but plenty of interesting new beer businesses opened their doors in 2025. My friend Josh asked me to pick one for this @vinepair.com piece, and I chose Henceforth, in DC, where I grew up. vinepair.com/articles/bes...

I loved that one too!

I enjoy tea beers too, but it's often hard to know how those flavors will express in a beer. Interesting indeed!

Perseverance personified.

😁

Die Hard is a #Christmas movie. And in this house @boulevardbeer.bsky.social Rye on Rye is a Christmas beer.

Yeah, I really enjoy the seasonality of particular styles and ingredients. This one was fun and festive for sure!