Editorial: Our commitment to open and transparent journalism begins with disclosing any potential conflicts of interest.

If you look up integrity in the dictionary you will probably review something that sounds out of a Marvel film or a classic Superman serial. For journalists, integrity is something we have in short supply, particularly during a time when people in power (both financially and politically) impune and demean those who report on the events and people of our time. Couple that with a nearly anemic pool of reporters and writers associated with traditional broadcast and print media, and you can understand why I’m concerned for the state of traditional journalism.

When I‌ started this ‘blog’, I‌ began with the mission to inspire those who wished to support “craft beer” by publishing insightful articles filled with events, people or places. But like all who are not affiliated with a traditional multimedia organization, it has been a struggle to maintain original content, which is why today we publish press releases from those same businesses we might otherwise have reported on. Occasionally, we will publish original articles centered on everything from personalities to “beer guides” (focused on travel, beer suggestions, or food pairings) but overall this website has remained on autopilot.

Because of this, I have avoided direct engagement with you the reader associated with my extracurricular activities where beer is a primary inspiration. After all, do you really care that I‌ have a favorite dive-bar, a favorite brewpub, or favorite taproom? But this website is going through a sort of midlife crisis which is why I’m making some changes to how we communicate with you the reader.

For starters, I think it’s important to promote transparency as it relates to businesses we support. More specifically, those businesses in which we have an active reason for financially supporting. I‌ think it’s important that we not only demonstrate our support of the industry but also inform you whenever we might have a conflict of interest towards a business. To that end, starting today, you can expect us to tag every story with a note at the bottom regarding our relationship to the brand. There is a catch to this transparency, specifically how much transparency we provide.

By my definition, the following are grounds for transparency.

Brewery Club Memberships. With the exception of “free” memberships, I‌ will let you the reader know if I’ve paid for entree in exchange for discounts, exclusive-access, or limited-time events. Examples of "free" membership include everything from punch cards to brewery night raffles and other visit-based memberships.

Bottle Clubs. By my definition, these are akin to mug club memberships, in that you are granted privileges not easily available to the public. This includes breweries like Floodlands or De Garde, which either provide exclusive or limited-access to beers not available to the public. Currently, I am not a member of any bottle clubs, with the exception of Tavour which is (of course) free to anyone who wishes to register.

Investment. More obvious but in the event, I provide an investment either through a third-party service, such as Kickstarter, or direct investment, I will let you the reader know. At this time, I’m currently not an active investor in any organization or business.

Employment. Not even sure why this is here other than to say, yes. Yes, I will let you know if I‌ am on the payroll of a business. This includes performing work as a copyrighter or photographer, where compensation has come in the form of cold, hard, cash.

Samples. It’s a fact that on occasion, a brewery or business will reach out to supply us with a beer or product as part in exchange for a potential review or promotion. In both print and broadcast media, as well as social media, samples are the oldest of exercises by which a business gets its product in front of you the reader. In following or visiting my website I‌ will inform you whenever I receive free goods.

Free Access. Whether it’s a beer festival, brewery dinner, or limited-attendance event, I will always let you know if ever I promote or write a review where a business has provided me access.

Also, here’s what won’t be declared.

Frequent visits. Whether you wish to, believe it or not, there are some bad actors brewing beer today. I’m not talking about beers which are not exciting, rather I’m addressing breweries that distribute beers with gaping technical flaws. Because of this, I tend to favor breweries that choose quality over greed. In that same vein, I also support businesses that maintain clean lines, a welcome atmosphere, and above all a diverse list of beers from local, regional, and domestic breweries. However, whether I‌ visit the local Applebee’s (which I‌ don’t) or IGA (Independent Grocers Association), is irrelevant because we are still consumers at heart.

Now that I've gotten everything on the table, here's Day 1 of my commitment towards transparency. The following breweries, including years of membership, have received financial investment either as a one-time purchase or annually.

Since 2014. Elliott Bay Brewing Company - Seattle, WA, via their one-time payment of $50 for a glass-etched mug.

Since 2016. Reuben's Brews - Seattle, WA, via their Reuben's Crew membership. Those interested can follow the brewery's social media accounts for the next, annual, registration period.

In the coming weeks, I will begin the process of updating any articles associated with these businesses, based on years of membership.

I look forward to your continued support and will do my best to ensure the Northwest Beer Guide is honest with you the reader.

Paul Orchard,
Founder and Contributor
The Northwest Beer Guide (formerly, The Pickled Liver)