Yes, that’s my computer at the top of the post. Yes, official business here at DRAFT HQ often unfolds via sticky note. And, yes, that is most certainly Luke Skywalker shredding the guitar. The force is strong with my computer. Let’s get with the basics.

Name: Christopher Staten
New title: Beer Editor
College focus: History/Anthropology (with a casual focus on beer’s role in historical events/accidental drinking habits of Australopiths)
9-5: First newspapers, now magazines
Weirdest interview: Grace Slick
Last beer consumed: Odell Red Ale
Most exotic locale with beer: Islander IPA, Singapore
Last great foreign pint: Hop Back’s Summer Lightning, The Ten Bells Pub, London.
Last great concert: Of Montreal, Halloween, Baltimore
Little known fact: I’ve got a personal bet for what happens to me first: bald or gray?

So that’s me in a beer nutshell, but I’m more interested in you. Of course, that’s not going to happen unless I provide grade-A intel on the craft beer scene to coax you out of the woodwork. On with the Mission Statement:

Here at the Beer Editor’s blog, expect fresh, researched musings, interviews and news about craft breweries around the world. We’re going beyond the magazine, getting real close with the folks that hand-craft the brews you spend face-time with, and, on occasion, we’ll indulge the off-topic conversation that goes hand-in-hand with a round of pints. Discussing late hop additions and yeast strains is great, but so is me trying to convince you that ELO is not a guilty pleasure, but a legitimate, street-cred-worthy band best listened to at maximum decibels. We’ve got a crack team brainstorming regular weekly departments, and they’re going to be good. Stay tuned.

Announcement No. 1: The Mailbag
Each week on this Friday post I’ll answer your questions — any question — whether they’re beer related or otherwise. What’s the next New Glarus Unplugged Series beer? What the hell is a metheglin, and why should I care? What beer does Charlie fake drink on “Two and a Half Men”? What is a human paraquat? Drop me an email and I’ll post it, with the answer, in all its glory.

Announcement No. 2: Live Chat
Like James Cameron, we’ve waited for certain technologies to catch up to our vision, and now they have (years ago). Watch for updates from Web Editor/Guru Noah Davis on draftmag.com; you’ll know when it’s coming. Line up for a chance to chat one-on-one with your favorite brewer. Occasionally, we’ll open up the live chat for just you and me. This is your chance to get up in my business.

Announcement No. 3: I’m on the TeeVee (not really)
We sample a lot of beers here at DRAFT. We also get tired of talking to just each other about them. YOU ALREADY SAID GRASSY HOPS. Each Friday we’ll post a new video with our mugs on camera tasting a brew: New beer. Aged beer. Future beer. (Future beer?). We will prime you for happy hour.

So, my newfound friends, this isn’t just the beginning of a blog, but the beginning of a beertiful friendship. And, like I said before, ELO is badass — if I knew I could stage dive with a cello, I would have rethought the guitar.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itv6Kt8M-v4[/youtube]

Drink well this weekend. I’ll see you back here on Monday with some new mind-blowing content.

SEND ME SOME EMAIL.