Onbeer.org is basically one person. Jason Foster. Who is that guy?

These days there are lots of beer writers out there. I get that. Why am I different?

For one I have been doing this for a long time. I have been following the Western Canadian beer scene for almost 20 years – long before it was cool. Second, I don’t rely on this gig to feed my family, meaning I don’t take payments from breweries and can be fully honest about my opinions. I am not alone in that regard, but in this age of “influencers” it can be hard to figure out who is authentic and who is just doing it for pay. I am one of the former, and, likely, one of the originals.

That said, some people do pay me to talk beer. I am the regular beer columnist for CBC Edmonton’s RadioActive and freelance for a variety of beer publications. I also host beer tastings and beer events around my home town of Edmonton.

But mostly I am just a guy who really appreciates beer. I have been a homebrewer since the early 1990s, and in the early 2000s became a certified BJCP Beer Judge. I am currently one of the highest ranked judges in Canada.

I am passionate about beer. I marvel at the mysteries of fermentation and the frustrating intricacies of homebrewing (which I still do regularly). I revel in the flavours and aromas of beer and contend it is a more diverse and complex beverage than wine (and I defy wine aficionados to prove me wrong).

This website, onbeer.org, is about two things. First and foremost it is about keeping the public informed about the ins-and-outs of the beer scene on the Canadian prairies (plus the Territories). I will offer up beer news, some select beer reviews and insight into what is going on in this part of the world. One of my strengths is policy analysis so you will see a lot of beer geek/policy wonk stuff coming out of this site. That is just what I do.

Second, I simply want this site to be an accessible – and ad-free – place for expressing a passion about all things beer and the craft beer movement. Allow me to be, in my small way, the movement’s mouthpiece.

Please join me in this adventure. I would love to have you tag along.