James Murren is the winner of the 2020 Gold Award in the Column category for his Earn Your Beer series in Adventure Sports Journal. The annual award is handed out by the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)–Western Chapter, with judging facilitated by The Missouri School of Journalism, University of Missouri, home of one of the world’s first journalism schools (1908).

Founded in 1955, SATW is a professional organization comprised of the travel industry’s most experienced journalists, photographers, editors, broadcast/video/film producers, bloggers, website owners, public relations experts and hospitality industry representatives from the United States, Canada and beyond. Its mission is “to inspire travel through responsible journalism.”

The Western Chapter represents members in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and Mexico.

The judges, faculty members at the University of Missouri, commented the following about the Earn Your Beer columns:

“Okay, so the premise is a little off-kilter – teaming up exhausting adventure sports with craft beer. These well-written columns are fast-paced, fun and really will get you off and exploring natural areas, with a cold brew as your reward.”

Said Murren on receiving the award: “I am both surprised and deeply honored. The idea that writing about outdoor adventuring and independent craft brewing, that it comes together and is recognized by experts in the field of journalism, and my peers, goes beyond anything I imagined when I started this gig. I am especially grateful to Matt Niswonger and the Adventure Sports Journal editorial team for taking a chance on my writing.”

“We are thrilled with this award and thankful to James for his passion and hard work with the Earn Your Beer columns. He really took the concept and ran with it. This award serves as validation that people can relate to the challenge of earning their beer. Thanks James and thank you SATW for recognizing this column,” said ASJ editor Matt Niswonger.