Blog homies and fellow beer writers on the ol' Internet,

Please, stop copying and pasting press releases on your websites. Please. Nothing bores me faster than plodding through the same quoted text over and over in my RSS reader.

I understand that some press releases get you excited. I know I certainly like to hear about what our storied brewing industry is up to. Don't just regurgitate the marketing, though. Give me your take on what's being presented. Put the announcement in context and tell me why it's got you fired up.

I come to your site to hear your unique voice; your own original perspective on the beer you're drinking and/or making. If I want verbatim marketing, I'll sign up for the press releases myself. I don't need to read what marketers think on your site. I want to read what you think!

Doing otherwise makes you come across as an industry sounding-board; a simple shill. I wouldn't have put you in my RSS feed if I didn't think you can do better. So, let's make a promise to each other: No more unaccompanied press releases. And no cheating with a "hey this beer looks good don't you think!?" header either! Make it interesting by making it yours.