Disclaimer

The information on this website is shared in good faith and is for general information only. I make no claims as to the completeness, reliability or accuracy of this content. Any action you take based on information found here is strictly at your own risk. I cannot be responsible for losses or damages suffered in connection with the use of this site, up to and including the consumption of bad beer.

From this site, you may visit other websites by clicking on hyperlinks. While I strive to post links to useful and ethical websites, I have no control over the evolving content on those sites. Links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found there. Also, be aware that when you leave this site via hyperlink, you will arrive at sites that likely have different usage policies than this one.

Free Stuff
From time to time, I receive free stuff. Sometimes it's beer in the mail. More often it's an invitation to a media-only event where beer and food are served. And, of course, there are the various festivals, many of which furnish complementary tokens and glassware to bloggers and writers. 

Once upon a time, accepting such benefits would have been viewed as a breach of journalistic ethics, particularly if the recipient went on to provide positive coverage of the beer, brewery or event in question. But times have changed. The unfunded or lowly funded world of blogs and freelance beer writers means brewers and event organizers sometimes offer freebies in exchange for coverage or possible coverage.

Keep in mind that free access to events or beers in no way ensures positive coverage. Such access merely means I may provide coverage of some sort, whether a social media post, a write-up here or a published article. It's simple: If you want me to taste your beer or attend your event, comp me. But I make no guarantee as to the type of coverage I will provide, if any.

Finally, remember that bloggers and freelancers pay their own way most of the time. I taste hundreds of beers every year, most of which I pay for. I also pay my way into many events and typically purchase extra tokens at events where I get comped. Again, my coverage is going to be the same, whether I paid or was comped.