ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (12:18 PM)

George Wendt will be here at 12:30 p.m. ET to take your questions!

Buzzmaster

  (12:37 PM)

George is here!

Doug (NYC)

Noooorrrrrrrm!

Dave (Denver)

how long did it take you to write your book?

George Wendt

  (12:38 PM)

From the first meetings to publication was about 11 months.

George Wendt

  (12:38 PM)

But the heavy lifting, the writing was about 3-4 months. A lot of that inbetween was tweaks and re-writes.

Ben (NH)

Do you mind that everyone immediately associates you with Norm Peterson, from Cheers, the guy who sat at the end of the bar and drank beer?

George Wendt

  (12:39 PM)

Welll, a long time ago, maybe in the second or third season, I realized that if I was going to let that make me crazy, I would be certifiable in no time. But it is appreciated when people realize it's me, George playing a part.

Ralph (Florida)

So, I've always wondered about this and I finally get a chance to ask....was that real beer in the mugs you guys had on the show?

George Wendt

  (12:41 PM)

That was non-alcoholic beer. It was pretty nasty. It wasn't available in kegs and the producers wanted it to be on tap. So they took these cans of this generic non-alcoholic beer and put it into soda pop dispensers and put it in well before we would roll the cameras, so it was nice and flat. So the prop masters would put some salt in the mug to give the head a little pop. That was some serious acting to pretend I liked that stuff.

Tim (Chicago)

George, you played Norm, a Boston guy, in Cheers and were a part of the Super Fans, who were Chicago sports fans....so, which city is a bigger sports city?

George Wendt

  (12:42 PM)

Well, Chicago is a bigger city, so I think Chicago is a bigger sports city. That said, the Boston fans are quite rabid. Per capita, I'd say it's a dead heat, but given the fact that Chicago has two baseball teams and twice as many people, I'd say Chicago.

Fat Sam (Venice Beach)

How often do you get recognized --and a free beer-- when you sit down at a bar in a new town?

George Wendt

  (12:42 PM)

Fat Sam, I played you once as you no doubt are aware, in the movie Fletch. I do get offered a lot of free beers. It's a helluva fantastic perk.

victor (monroe,la)

what, is a barstool professionals guide to beer about?

George Wendt

  (12:43 PM)

It's a couple of dozen anecdotes from my life that relate to beer. It's also a bunch of fun beer facts and bar trivia and things like that. I tackle some subjects like basic bar theory, beer and fitness, beer and God, beer and golf, etc.

quinn muldoon (sside chcago )

hey uncle george what do think about da bears sighning cutler for all dat money

George Wendt

  (12:44 PM)

Oh Quinn, Quinn, Quinn. I have to much to teach you. My little butterfly.

Greg (Washington)

I'm sure you travel a lot, so what spot or part of the country is best to get a drink in?

George Wendt

  (12:45 PM)

Lately, I've been really enjoying the craft brews and they are amazing out in the West Coast. but they are also amazing in New England and all over. I'm really in awe of the passion and dedication and talent of all the craft brewers. There's almost no place in America that you can't find local awesome craft beer.

Nick (Wisconsin)

What do you think of Charlie Weis as a coach? Would you bring him back next season?

George Wendt

  (12:47 PM)

I'm just a fan. I don't understand what really goes on in the lockerrooms or the practice fields. Everyone thought that the USC game was going to be a make or break game for Charlie. But by keeping it close and exciting, it kind of made this BC game the make or break game. If they beat USC, it wouldn't matter, the BC game, Charlie's job would be safe. But another loss to BC at home, in a year when BC is more or less rebuilding with another coach, the critics are going to howl if BC wins.

Ryan (LA)

What's your favorite sporting event to grab a beer at?

George Wendt

  (12:48 PM)

I like college football the best. Beer goes with any sporting event. I'll just tell you that I enjoy college football the most followed by pro football, then hockey then basketball then baseball.

Chris A (Bella Vista, Arkansas)

Hey George! What is your fave brew? I personally am a huge IPA fan because I love the hops...plus the alcohol content isn't too shabby. Also, do you like to pair beers with food?

George Wendt

  (12:50 PM)

I'm all over the map with favorites. It depends on the day but since I've gotten older, I have moved a little bit away from the blonde beers. IPA is great. But at the end of the day, my favorite beers are free and free light.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

George, Who is your favorite sports teams?

George Wendt

  (12:50 PM)

That would be the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, but only for football. I'm more of a DePaul Blue Demon in basketball. Then of course the usual suspect for a Chicago boy - Bears, Hawks, Bulls, Sox, etc.

Paul (Lake Hiawatha, NJ)

How much beer did they give you to accept the role of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray on Broadway a couple of years ago? I saw you in that, and thought your acting was hilarious (of course), and your singing was surprisingly decent. It looked like you were having a lot of fun.

George Wendt

  (12:51 PM)

Thanks. It was great showing and great fun. Those high heels were the best shoes I ever had in my life. Seriously...they built them for me. I had four fittings.

Mike W (Chicago)

George, as a Chicago guy which is your favorite bar in the city?

George Wendt

  (12:53 PM)

I'm a South Sider, Western Avenue has got a bunch of Irish bars. It's almost comical. It's Universal Studios presents Southside Irish. When I'm downtown I like Celtic Crossing. I only lived in the Southside and Oldtown. So the Oldtown Ale House is a good spot.

Alex (Knoxville,TN)

I am turning 21 this weekend and was hoping you would recommend some beers to try for someone who is just starting out (last part added in case the parents are reading this). Thanks!

George Wendt

  (12:55 PM)

Well, you could try what I like to call the Rainbow Cone, named after an old ice cream shop in my old neighborhood. Go to a bar with 7-8 kinds of draft beer and ask the bartender to open up all the taps and run the pint glass through all the taps. That way you get a nice blend.

George Wendt

  (12:56 PM)

Girls, buy this book for your boyfriends, husbands, dads. Sons, buy this book for your fathers. Dads, buy this book for your fathers. Gramps needs a beer book. Everyone needs a beer book for Christmas. It's the perfect gift, think about it, cheap, fabulous, funny.