This week’s column marks the one-year anniversary of AJW’s Taproom. An idea hatched by Bryon and I at the bar of the Devil’s Backbone Brewpub in Nellysford, Virginia has resulted in a year’s worth of reflection and commentary that I have found both exciting and constructive. For the last 52 weeks, every Friday, a Taproom column has appeared on this site. Along the way I have written about course records, flow, rules, Hal Koerner, prize money, brain research, the Barkley, Western States, and a wide variety of other rambling topics. To be honest, AJW’s Taproom has given a voice to some of my deepest on-the-run ruminations. In short, it’s been a blast!
Celebrating the first anniversary of AJW’s Taproom at the place of its conception.
The fundamental idea of the column has been to provide a weekly check-in place for runners. A Friday Happy Hour, of sorts. A place where a topic could be explored that you might want to discuss and expand on during your next group run or over a couple of pints at your local watering hole. Of course, I’ve had the added fun of introducing a Beer of the Week each Friday and even though some readers have been a bit put-off by my bias toward India Pale Ale in general the commentary about beer has been a nice complement to the commentary on running. It is not our intent, necessarily, to generate commentary or foment controversy in this column. Rather, by giving iRunFar.com an editorial component we feel we are expanding our foundation and providing helpful food for thought.
Looking ahead to Year Two, we are excited to continue what we’ve started. As most readers have noticed, the columns in the Taproom tend to fall into two categories: first there are the analytical discussions about such things as prize money, course markings, and race results and then there are the reflective pieces on patience, acceptance, contentment, and the like. I enjoy both types of editorials, but would like to know from readers what you’ve enjoyed most in this first year of the Taproom. Additionally, in Year Two I am hoping to create a new free podcast series, “the Best of AJW’s Taproom” in which we create some audio files of some of your favorite articles. More on that later…
So, here’s to another great year of AJW’s Taproom! Thank you one and all for reading the column and being such loyal supporters of iRunFar.com
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from 3 Floyds Brewing Company in Munster, Indiana just down the road from my brother’s house in Chicago. 3 Floyds’ Alpha King is a loaded American Pale Ale that tastes a little bit like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on steroids. It’s just barely sessionable with a nice sweet start and a kick at the finish. It’s not available too many places, so if you find some buy a bunch!
Call for Comments (from Bryon)
- What have been your favorite AJW’s Taproom articles this past year?
- Any particular type of article that tickles your fancy on a regular basis?
