EP-127 J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham of Randolph College

At this point of the American brewing industry, it’s safe to say beer is
many things to many different people. It can be nothing more than a drink
or maybe something to be discussed, but at an increasing rate, it’s also
become the core of serious study.

J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham is many things. She’s a teacher, writer,
homebrewer, community activist, and more. In many ways, beer finds itself
at the center of her wide-ranging universe. As Assistant Professor of
Communication Studies at Randolph College, she teaches on topics of media
and technology, but she’s also long examined the connections between beer
and its place in American culture, often through an analysis of people and
histories that tell the beneficial and challenging sides of the industry.

For generations, beer has acted as a foundation for so many other aspects
of our lives. It’s not just a packaged good or something poured from a tap,
but a major piece of our social structure, for good or bad. J.’s work
provides context to the stories and myths that surround this beloved
thing—a fermented beverage that can bring people together and, at times,
push them apart.

With a complex history and culture, beer is a way to better understand the
psychological and social realities that surround our lives. It’s a part of
who we are, and, as J. shared with me, there’s not always easy answers to
the difficult questions beer can raise—as a product or focus of academic
study.