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Ben Keene on Muck Rack

Ben Keene

Seattle
As seen in: Medium, USA Today, Bandcamp Daily, The Village Voice, Gear Patrol, VinePair, Frommer's, Craft Beer, Beer Advocate, All About Beer Magazine and
Covers:  beer and brewing, restaurants and dining, cider and craft spirits, hiking and biking, outdoor adventure, domestic and international travel, books
Find me on @bluesky. Writer/editor with bylines in @craftbeerbrew, @newschoolbeer, @vinepair & @sip_magazine. Former @beeradvocate editorial director. He/him.

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Ben Keene’s Journalist Portfolio

Bavaria's Abbey beer trail beckons

Bavaria's Abbey beer trail beckons

When it comes to beer, Munich's enormous Hofbräuhaus and the city's annual Oktoberfest celebration loom large…

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The Road to Enlightenment

The Road to Enlightenment

By Ben Keene / Photos by Michael Piazza Inspiration has a way of turning up when least expected. For Ben Howe…

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Military Veterans Join Ranks with the Craft Beer Industry

Military Veterans Join Ranks with the Craft Beer Industry

Across the country, soldiers, sailors, and pilots continue to return from two, three, or four tours of duty i…

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Holiday Guide: Beer, Wine, and Cocktail Books

Holiday Guide: Beer, Wine, and Cocktail Books

Take away the gift giving, the cheesy music, the elaborate window displays, and a few fleeting days off from …

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Stories in Stone: Walking Vietnam's Long Wall

Stories in Stone: Walking Vietnam's Long Wall

Was there really a "Great Wall of Vietnam" a few hundred years ago? One curious traveler sets out to see if i…

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Thailand Travel: the Wineries of Khao Yai

Thailand Travel: the Wineries of Khao Yai

In the hills of Khao Yai, a clutch of vineyards is emerging as the hub of the fledgling Thai wine scene By Be…

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Articles

Meet Me in the Middle: In Praise of Mid-Strength Beer

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By Ben Keene
| The Beer Connoisseur Verified
First things first. I should get this out of the way: I’m a dad. And as anyone who’s a  parent knows, kids will change you. Perhaps that reality alone informs my view of the current beer market. Or maybe it’s the fact that I’m over 40 years old. I was an avid beer drinker during some or all of the IBU wars, the pasty stout era, the haze craze, the short-lived sour resurgence, and the current boom in non-alcoholic options.
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Getting Over Your Fear of Commitment: Why We Should be More Loyal to the Beers We Love

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By Ben Keene
| The Beer Connoisseur Verified
At Georgetown Brewing Bodhizafa IPA and other favorites have earned "Full Time" status At Georgetown Brewing Bodhizafa IPA and other favorites have earned "Full Time" status Spend any amount of time at a bar, restaurant, or bottle shop in Western Washington and you’re bound to notice it: Bodhizafa IPA, the flagship beer from local powerhouse Georgetown Brewing Company.
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Simplify to Succeed: Why Breweries Should Release Fewer Beers

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By Ben Keene
| The Beer Connoisseur Verified
It’s hardly a secret that craft beer’s production volume is on the decline. After ending up down 1% in 2023, it fell to -4% in 2024. Most predictions have 2025 one or two points lower still. The Brewers Association explains the situation as a “painful period of rationalization,” and while that may ring true, it’s a far cry from the optimistic tone that the trade organization took in years past.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

The same one I've got now: freelancer.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Back in high school.

How is social media changing news?

By offering countless new story ideas every day.