How would you like a job that consists of tasting all kinds of new beers, wines, scotches, tequilas, gins or cocktails, visiting new bars and searching out new breweries? That’s what drinks writers do, and the field is growing fast, thanks to the current explosion of interest in craft beer, creative cocktails, new varietals and cuisine in general. No longer the province of stilted critics who sip and spit Chardonnays with nose held high, or crotchety elders who insist Scotch must be served in a dark den outfitted with plaid, booze journalists of all types are flourishing.

On Thursday, May 24, four of the region’s best-known scribes will be holding a panel discussion hosted by the Drexel Publishing Group. From 3:30–4:50 PM, interested folks can attend the free session in the Mandell Lobby at 33rd and Chestnut Streets. Holding forth on typing about tippling will be:

• David Wondrich, a spirits historian credited with helping launch the classic cocktail renaissance and author of Imbibe: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash;
   
• Lew Bryson, managing editor of Whiskey Advocate, prolific journalist and star of the upcoming American Beer Blogger TV show;
   
• Jason Wilson, columnist for The Washington Post and Philadelphia Daily News and author of Boozehound: On the Trail of the Rare, the Obscure, and the Overrated in Spirits; and
   
• Amy Zavatto, contributing editor to Imbibe, writer for Foxnews.com and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Bartending.

The event is sure to be well-attended, so arrive early to secure your seat.