DrFermento.Net

Dr. Fermento is the alter ego of Anchorage Press and The Celebrator Beer News beer columnist James Roberts.  In July of 2007, he surpassed his 10th year and 500th weekly column with the Press and his fourth year with the Celebrator Beer News.  The Doc is currently co-authoring a book that will be published by CAMRA and will include coverage of the brewing scene in the western United States.  Fermento’s covering Alaska. 

Fermento’s formative foray into good beer began before he was of legal drinking age when he frequented the Old Spaghetti Factory on Green Street in San Francisco between 1972 and 1978.  He would take public transportation from his home in Orinda, California to the City and would enjoy the garlic-laden Spaghetti with Red Manhattan Clam Sauce at the restaurant at least twice a week.  Things were a lot more liberal back then and the lad was freely served what quickly became his favorite beer:  Anchor Steam Beer from the Anchor Brewing Company, also in San Francisco.  After enjoying a couple of pints of this heady stuff that perfectly complimented the spicy fare, and feeling rather expansive and gentlemanly, he would customarily retire to the bar and enjoy a nightcap of Anchor Porter and chat with whoever wanted to talk about beer.  The barkeeps took note of the teenager’s love for what was then an obscure style (steam beer) and one day asked if he’d like to meet the man who brewed the beer.  With a more than normal enthusiasm, he blurted out “Boy, would I!”  The barkeep then said “Then introduce yourself to Fritz Maytag; you’re sitting right next to him.” 

The Dr. Fermento Character actually started as a costume in support of a troupe that participated in one of Alaska’s famous Miners and Trapper’s Balls.  Because Roberts is tall and lanky, he was appointed the mad scientist in charge of a heard of cloned sheep.  Although the troupe took second place in the competition, the mad scientist costume was quite a hit and the nerd glasses, pocket protector, plaid pants, un-matching socks and other accoutrements seemed natural on the big-nosed giant and countless attendees to the ball wanted their picture taken with “The Doc.”  At about that time, the Press wanted its writers and contributing columnists  to provide a picture that would be side-barred with the writer’s piece each week.  They made the fatal error of saying “It doesn’t have to be really SERIOUS.”  The Doc showed up at the photo studio at the appointed time in full Fermento regalia and a character was born.  The original and most famous inspirational picture taken at the Ball will be posted to this site in the near future. 

The Doc’s favorite foamy accomplishments include having his dollar hanging on the wall at Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse (he being the establishment’s first patron), swimming in 500 gallons of beer at Midnight Sun Brewing Company, and receiving a personal invite and visiting the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills as Dr. Fermento. 

Dr. Fermento’s singular writing objective is “To make people thirsty for good beer.”  To that end, you won’t find political rants or exposes on bad beer in his Press and Celebrator writings, but his blog is much spicier and dicier, and that’s what this website is all about. 

The Doctor is responsive and loves to communicate with people from near and far, so please contact him with your comments and questions.  You’ll likely get a response quicker than you anticipated. 

BNC (Beers N’ Cheers)
Fermento