JANUARY 1, 2000: North Carolina-- Marty Nachel is the prolific author of "Beer Across America" (1995), "Beer for Dummies" (1996), and "Homebrewing for Dummies" (1997). HBA had the opportunity to catch up with Marty for a fews words... HBA: Marty, give us a bit of background info? Marty: I was born in Chicago and have lived in the south suburbs for all but 4 years of my life; those 4 years in my youth were spent living with my family in Monterey, Mexico. I was only 6 years old when we moved there, and 10 when we moved back. But I do have vivid memories of sitting with my folks in the expansive beer garden at the Cuauhtemoc Brewery in Monterey, though.

Marty Nachel

HBA: How long have you been writing?

Marty: I began freelance writing in the Fall of 1987. Starting around 1982, I developed a keen interest in beer and brewing. I began reading as many books as I could get my hands on and subscribed to as many beer-related magazine and newsletters as I could find. Displeased with the level and depth of the information available, I decided I could write as well (if not better than) as many of the people writing about beer back then. I have no formal education in journalism, but I always had a knack for writing. Most of my articles were first-person accounts of my beer and brewing experiences (my wife and I traveled a fair amount back then).

Prior to launching my writing "career" I had been a tradesman for 15 years, and, in fact, I still supplement my income by dabbling in welding and sheet metal fabrication. These skills have lent themselves well to my homebrewing hobby.

HBA: What was your first published article or book on beer? Marty: I wrote a lengthy article about the famous Berghoff family restaurant in Chicago and the recent return of its beer to the local market (in 1987) for All About Beer magazine. HBA: How did you get started? Marty: I have had a long-standing interest in beer and brewing history and the market was definitely ready. When the opportunity came along, I jumped headfirst. Back in 1994, I had been writing the newsletters that accompanied shipments of beer to members of Beer Across America Beer-of-the-Month Club for a couple of years. A few of these newsletters ended up on the desk of a book producer in New York. He contacted Beer Across America who then referred him back to me. He envisioned a great publishing arrangement between Storey Communications, Beer Across America and me, wherein I would author a beer guide, published by Storey, and marketed through BAA's beer-of-the-month club. With his guidance, "Beer Across America- A Regional Guide to Brewpubs and Microbreweries" became a reality in 1995. HBA: Which is your favorite beer book? Marty: Michael Jackson's original "World Guide to Beer" was the book that I learned the most from, but I really enjoy his latest "Ultimate Beer".

HBA: Which is your favorite book of the books you've written? Marty: Without question, "Beer for Dummies". I had a lot of fun doing the research for that book. Not surprisingly, it has also been my most successful. HBA: How are you books received outside the US market? Marty: "Beer for Dummies" has been reprinted in Swedish, Danish, Finnish, German and most recently in Turkish. BFD is also sold in the English language in Britain and India. As of October 1999, "Beer for Dummies" has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide. "Homebrewing for Dummies" has sold just about 30,000 copies and "Beer Across America, about 20,000 copies. HBA: How else are you involved in the beer industry? Marty: I've been a member of the groundbreaking Chicago Beer Society since 1984, the founder and current elder statesman of the Brewers of South Suburbia (BOSS) homebrew and beer appreciation club.

I'm a charter member of the North American Guild of Beer Writers and I continue to write freelance articles for various print and electronic publications.

I've been an active BJCP judge since 1986, a beer evaluator at the World Beer Championships in Chicago since 1994 and was a beer judge at the Great American Beer Festival in 1998. In 1998 I instituted the BOP Brew-Off, an annual national beer competition for the owners of Brew-On-Premises across the United States.

Marty hard at work evaluating beer at the World Beer Championships in Chicago.

HBA: What are your thoughts on the beer industry? Marty: When I wrote my first book the industry was very dynamic, very exciting; incredible growth was taking place. But today it has become less dynamic, less exciting, but more stable and more mature. Even though complete market saturation never really happened, a necessary shakeout is taking place. HBA: How long have you been homebrewing? Marty: I made my first batch of beer in the Summer of 1985. HBA: Remember what is was? Marty: Of course- a guy never forgets his first woman, his first car or his first brew. It was a pale ale.

HBA: What were your first homebrew experiences?

Marty: I was enthralled with the fermentation process and was very proud to count myself among the homebrewing community. Unfortunately, my beers were mediocre at best and I found very few converts to share my passion with. Today I brew about 5 or 6 times a year. Not only is finding the time to brew difficult, I can't find the time to drink all that beer. Inevitably, I run out of empty bottles by the end of the brewing season.

HBA: Any advice for the novice brewer?

Marty: "Relax, Don't worry" Oops- that one's been taken. How about "Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize!"?

HBA: What's next? Another book? A website?

Marty: Good question. I'd love to write another book but publishers have turned their back on the beer and brewing category. Besides, what's left to write about? A website is definitely in order, although recent efforts to build one are on permanent hold for a variety of reasons. Meanwhile, I will continue to write for various publications- both online and offline,and I will continue to focus on the Brew-On-Premise industry and the BOP Brew-Off .

Marty! Thank you for spending time with us, and good luck in your future endeavors!