Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

As a drinkers, it’s hard not to get excited when you hear brewers talking about ingredients. The passion, the exploration, the flavor. There is so much the main ingredients in beer bring to the glass. This week it’s a trio of brewers talking about how they approach ingredients, from hop selection, to heirloom corn in lagers. It was recorded in front of an audience of brewers at the annual Schilling Oktoberfest in New Hampshire, and the panel includes: Maggie Pinto left a successful job in home infusion pharmaceuticals to pursue her dream of brewing beer. She enrolled in a craft beer brewing program at a local college, found a job at a small local brewery (Fidens) and worked her way up from the taproom and can sales. Now, she brews beer every day of the week! Frank Zagami is Co-founder/Head Brewer of Deciduous Brewing Company in Newmarket, NH with his wife Maryann. Founded in 2014, he is striving to brew exceptional beer within all styles. And Spencer Longhurst is a graduate of the American Brewers Guild's Brewing Sciences and Engineering Program. Growing up in the Canadian Rockies, Spencer has cultivated a diverse brewing career having lived and brewed in Canada, the UK, Australia, and the United States. Currently, he serves as the Head Brewer at Barrique Brewing & Blending in Nashville, Tennessee, where he specialises in open-fermented mixed culture beers and continental lagers. With a strong commitment to using local and seasonal ingredients. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Maggie Pinto, Spencer Longhurst, Frank ZagamiSponsors: All About Beer, Denver Rare Beer TastingTags: Corn, Lager, Brewing, Hops, Ingredients Photo: Zac Porter

Last weekend in New Hampshire, amid the revelry of the Schilling Beer Co. Oktoberfest – a festival I’ll say should be on your radar for next year – I got together with some brewer owners from around the country to record this conversation. There is a lot of uncertainty in the industry these days and folks are trying to figure out the path forward in real time. Talking with and listening to smart people offers up a lot of perspective. Guests Peter Kiley is Brewmaster and Co-Owner of Monday Night Brewing, and is an award winning brewmaster, winemaker and distiller from Atlanta, Georgia. From Monday Night’s inception, Kiley’s creative vision, recipe development and multifaceted approach to alcohol production have set the groundwork for the brewery’s worldwide notoriety. Kiley is a founding member of the MBAA Georgia chapter, a member of The Hop Quality Group, a published scientific author and has presented at both The World Brewing Congress and The Craft Brewers Conference. Tom Beckmann is the Owner and Head Brewer of Goldfinger Brewing Company in Downers Grove, Il. Upon graduating from the World Brewing Academy Master Brewer's Diploma program through Siebel Institute of Technology and Doemens Akademie in Munich, Germany, Tom became a production brewer at Lagunitas Brewing and later worked several years as a pub brewer at Emmett's Brewing Company. He established Goldfinger Brewing, an exclusively lager beer producer, in the summer of 2020 and has acute experience with lager brewing as well as what it is like to scale up a small, lager-centric, craft brewery. Jeremy Grinkey, co-founder at Everywhere Beer Co has spent 20 years in the alcohol industry. Having spent half of that time making wine on the Central Coast of California and the remainder of that time managing beer production. Before co-founding Everywhere with a few industry colleagues, he was the Director of Production at The Bruery. Everywhere Beer Co was founded in 2022 and is focused on growing its community and delivering fresh beer as well as esoteric offerings to its dedicated fans. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Jeremy Grinkey, Tom Beckmann, Peter Kiley Sponsors: All About Beer, Denver Rare Beer TastingTags: Business, Lager, Brewing, Economics, Photo: Zac Porter

https://staustellbrewery.co.uk/A conversation on the importance, process, and tradition of cask ale, with Georgina Young the brewing director of St. Austell Brewery. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Georgina Young Sponsors: All About Beer, Denver Rare Beer TastingTags: Britian, Drinking, Bars, Pubs, Cask Ale

Myths are everywhere in beer. We don't know when certain breweries were actually created, when some brewing styles were invented, or we have preconceived notions of how certain things should be. In reality, they are not true at all. Beer writer Jeff Alworth has a phrase for some of these: romantic facts. Some are semi-accurate but the truth is stretched slightly, which hurts no one and helps create legend and lore either around a specific brewery or a brewing process. Alworth lays out a list of these romantic facts for this episode of the All About Beer podcast to dig through in a fun and engaging interview about what is the "truth" of beer and does it really matter?This Episode is Sponsored by:Estrella GaliciaEstrella Galicia is an independent, family-owned brewery in northwest Spain, founded in 1906.Estrella Galicia Cerveza Especial is a world class lager, brewed using the finest Spanish malts, locally cultivated Galician hops and the best brewing practices, in a state-of-the-art facility in La Coruña . Recognized around the world for quality and exceptional character. Estrella Galicia is “A beer like no other.”Hosts: Em Sauter and Don TseGuest: Jeff AlworthSponsors: Estrella Galicia, All About BeerTags: Myths, Beer, Lager, AlePhoto: By John Holl

In Pub for All Seasons: A Yearlong Journey in Search of the Perfect British Local (Headline, 2024) Adrian Tierney-Jones deftly unpacks what makes these locations so special, while also sharing details of his own life. The result is a page and calendar turner that helps reveal how different times of year bring out different experiences. It will inspire readers to get out of the traditional comfort zones and experience the Pub in all kinds of weather. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Adrian Tierney-JonesSponsors: All About Beer, Denver Rare Beer TastingTags: Britian, Drinking, Bars, Pubs, Travel

There is no shortage of excellent places to drink in New York City, and on this episode, we're talking with Karla and James Murray, the photographers behind a new book Great Bars of New York City: 30 of Manhattan’s Favorite Storied Drinking Establishments (Prestel). For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Karla Murray and James MurraySponsors: All About BeerTags: New York, Drinking, Bars, Photography

Author Josh Noel talks about his new book Malort: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit. It's a story of stubbornness and luck, determination, underground appreciation, and mainstream popularity. The wormwood liquor is easy to hate but should be wonderfully appreciated. It is a uniquely Chicago story, and there is no one better than Noel to tell the story. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Josh NoelSponsors: All About BeerTags: Chicago, Malort, Bars, DrinkingPhoto by John Holl

There’s some really fun beers happening inside of a small Rhode Island brewery. This week, it’s a conversation with Cheyne Tessier of Origin Beer Project about low abv beers, art, and establishing a home base. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Cheyne Tessier Sponsors: All About BeerTags: Rhode Island, ABV, Lager, IPA, Hop Water, BusinessPhoto by John Holl

A conversation recorded in Providence, Rhode Island with longtime brewmaster John Mallett, formerly of Bells Brewery who is currently happily retired. It’s a chat about brewery safety, building recipes, and insight from a career that impacted so many. Last week I was in Rhode Island to help judge the inaugural Rhode Worthy Beer Cup. It was happening along side the state brewer’s guild conference. John Mallett, the long-time Bells Brewery brewer and production manager was giving the keynote. He’s an Ocean State Native, and was kind enough to take some time to cross the road after his talk and sit down with me for a conversation at the newly opened Buttonwoods Brewery location. If you don’t know Mallett, maybe you’ve been living under a rock. In addition to his work at Bells, which spanned more than 20 years, helping develop and shepherd many of the brands beloved beers to market, he’s also the author of Malt: A Practical Guide from Field to Brewhouse (released by the Brewers Publications in 2014). He served on many boards and technical committees, including the Master Brewers Association of the Americas, Brewers Association, Hop Quality Group – of which he was a founder - and American Malting Barley Association.Mallett retired a few years ago but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have anything left to share or teach. He is passionate about brewery safety, and finding ways to bring creativy, knowledge, and passion to an industry that he has loved for so long. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: John MallettSponsors: All About BeerTags: Rhode Island, Bells, Safety, Hop Quality GroupPhoto by John Holl

It’s a conversation about both history and modern beer with Alan Pugsley, the long-time brewery consultant who helped launch so many beers in the early days of the craft movement and more recently has gotten into the gluten-free beer space. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Alan PugsleySponsors: All About BeerTags: Maine, Brewing, Gluten-freePhoto by Dave Delsonno

As it continues to do important work, reach milestones, and look towards the future, the National Black Brewers Association has put out a report detailing its accomplishments. Kevin Asato, the executive director is here for a conversation. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Kevin AsatoSponsors: All About BeerTags: Lager, Brewing, Associations, Membership, Growth, NB2APhoto by NB2A.ORG

Shaun O'Sullivan of 21st Amendment Brewery interviews Chuck Silva of Silva Brewing on this bonus episode of Brewer to Brewer.This Episode is Sponsored by:Firsd TeaFirsd Tea is a proud sponsor of the Brewer to Brewer podcast. Firsd Tea has been working with brewers on a wide range of teas and botanicals in popular and successful beers. Firsd Tea combines flexible order sizes with the experience you need to create innovative and successful craft brews. They get you the most direct-to-farm tea selection so you are working with flavorful and consistent products. You can find out more about Firsd Tea’s collaborations with brewers and tea ingredients by visiting firsdtea.com or email [email protected]: Shaun O'SullivanGuest: Chuck SilvaSponsor: Firsd Tea, All About BeerTags: Brewing, IPA, California, IngredientsThe following music was used for this media project:Music: Hip Hop Intro 06 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9533-hip-hop-intro-06License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://linktr.ee/taigasoundprod

A few weeks back Dave Haydysch of Lone Rider Beer began posting shots of himself on social media in the hospital after being admitted for breathing problems. It turns out it was exposure to malt dust that landed him there. He’s been part of the North Carolina Craft Beer Industry since 2010 when he got his start at Fullsteam Brewery in Durham, NC. In 2016 Dave was brought on to develop and lead brewing operations at Mason Jar Lager Company. He is now leading brewing ops at Lonerider Brewing in Raleigh and co-brewing with the team at Fortnight Brewing in Cary. Dave is an active member of the NC Brewers Guild and sits on the Education Committee for the Guild. On this episode he walks us through his career and the last several scary weeks.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Dave HaydyschSponsors: All About BeerTags: Lager, Brewing, Safety, Malt, BrewingPhoto by John Holl

Lew Bryson is on the show this week. He’s a long-time writer in the beer and whisky space, a voice of reason, and honestly just a force of good and positivity in an otherwise dreary world.I’ve been fortunate to call Bryson a friend for the better part of 20 years now. As a writer starting off in the beer space he was one of a few that was generous with his time, advice, and expertise. That’s not a unique to me experience. Lew has helped so many better understand drinks and culture. He’s kind and intelligent with the kind of resume that can only come with being among the very best. He was managing editor of Whisky Advocate magazine for 20 years. He is the author of Tasting Whiskey, and Whiskey Master Class, and writes a column for Craft Spirits Magazine. His work has appeared in countless publications, including a long stint in All About Beer. Bryson is a Kentucky Colonel, and a member of The Order of The Writ, an honorary association of the bourbon industry. He lives in central Pennsylvania, which is the topic of his podcast, “Seen Through A Glass." – a show you should tune into regularly. A few months back we were approached by Rich Colli of Varga Bar to do an event for Philly Beer Week. It was great fun, pouring and talking about whisky and beer. Before all that we sat down at Victory Brewing in Philly, to talk about writing, careers, home bars, and more. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Lew BrysonSponsors: All About BeerTags: Lager, Whisky, Home Bars, BooksPhoto by John Holl

Don Tse takes over hosting duties on this episode recorded live at Forever Lager. He talks with a trio of brewers about decoction mashing. This is a fun, entertaining, and engaging listen. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: Don TseGuests: Zach Adams of Fox Farm, Eric Larkin of Cohesion Brewing, and Shawn Cooper of Halfway CrooksSponsors: All About BeerTags: Lager, Brewing, Malt, Mashing, DecoctionPhoto by John Holl

This week is a conversation recorded at Notch Brewing, during the Forever Lager Festival. In a moment you’ll hear from the brewers Wild East Brewing, Working Draft, and Dovetail, a bunch of cool brewers doing cool things. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Jenny Pfafflin of Dovetail Brewery, Clinton Lohman of Working Draft Beer Co., and Brett Taylor of Wild East Brewing.Sponsors: All About BeerTags: Lager, Brewing, Rice, Hazy IPA, FestivalPhoto by Andy Crouch

This is the second of several shows recorded live during Forever Lager, a festival held by Notch Brewing in Brighton, Massachusetts. Guest host Andy Crouch takes a deep dive into the culture of brewing in New England with a trio of respected, and well-known brewers: Tod Mott of Tributary Brewing, Will Meyers of Cambridge Brewing, and Paul Sayler of Zero Gravity Brewing. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: Andy CrouchGuests: Tod Mott of Tributary Brewing, Will Meyers of Cambridge Brewing, and Paul Sayler of Zero Gravity BrewingSponsors: All About BeerTags: Lager, Brewing, Pilsner, Hazy IPA, FestivalPhoto by John Holl

A panel discussion on lagers recorded at the Forever Lager '24 Festival at Notch Brewing. Featuring Khris Johnson of Green Bench Brewing, Ben Howe of Otherlands Brewing, and Tom Clark of Berwick Brewing. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Khris Johnson, Tom Clark, Ben HoweSponsors: All About BeerTags: Lager, Brewing, Pilsner, Hazy IPA, FestivalPhoto by Andy Crouch

An episode of Camp Rauchbier recorded at Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. with head brewer Logan Ackerley. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Logan AckerleySponsors: All About BeerTags: Rauchbier, Poconos, Brewing, LagerPhoto by John Holl

We’re talking about beer education this week with the two new owners of Cicerone Jason Pratt and Dan Imdieke. From where it was, how to avoid misinformation, and how to get everyday drinkers involved, they will share their insight and plans for the organization.Host: John HollGuests: Jason Pratt and Dan ImdiekeSponsors: All About BeerTags: Education, History, Brewing, CiceronePhoto courtesy of Cicerone

If you listen to this show regularly, you’ve likely heard me talk about some of our other podcasts, like Brewer to Brewer and the All About Beer podcasts. If you search All About Beer on your favorite podcast platform, you’ll find them. You should also go to AllAboutBeer.com and read some of our recent articles, including an interview with a Massachusetts brewer, making beers through grief, and a hot take on hazy IPA from Andy Crouch. This week, I’m glad to bring you an episode of the All About Beer podcast with Em Sauter and Don Tse on how the 2024 hop crops are shaping up. That’s coming up next, and I’ll be back with an original episode of this show next week. In the meantime, to support our work in the beer space, please go visit patreon.com/allaboutbeer. We mean it when we say a few bucks go a long way, and there is an option for breweries and industry-affiliated companies to get involved. ---Right now around the world, the hops industry is in two modes: In the Northern Hemisphere, the hop farmers are prepping the poles for twine, making sure the bines that start to grow are the perfect plant to make the arduous climb up, and are preparing the farm for the busy season ahead.While in the Southern Hemisphere, harvest has been over for weeks, so the hop farmers are composting, cleaning the kilns, and are taking a well deserved break. On this episode we talk to two hop farmers, Eric Desmarais of CLS Farms in Yakima, Washington and Andrew Sutherland, hop farmer at Oast House Farms in Upper Moutere, New Zealand about what they are currently doing around their farms and the differences seasonality makes.This Episode is Sponsored by:Estrella GaliciaEstrella Galicia is an independent, family-owned brewery in northwest Spain, founded in 1906.Estrella Galicia Cerveza Especial is a world class lager, brewed using the finest Spanish malts, locally cultivated Galician hops and the best brewing practices, in a state-of-the-art facility in La Coruña . Recognized around the world for quality and exceptional character. Estrella Galicia is “A beer like no other.”Hosts: Don Tse and Em SauterGuests: Eric Desmarais and Andrew SutherlandSponsors: Estrella Galicia, All About BeerTags: Hops, Yakima Valley, New Zealand, FarmingThe following music was used for this media project:Music: Awesome Call by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3399-awesome-callLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://incompetech.com

This is the second episode recorded live before an audience at Funk Fest, the great event put on by Embrace the Funk and Yazoo Brewing in Nashville, Tennessee. Tomme Arthur of the Lost Abbey talks about the evolution of sours and funky, of tradition and exploration. Host: John HollGuest: Tomme ArthurSponsors: All About BeerTags: Travel, Funk Fest, Sour, Brettanomyces, Wild, RecipesPhoto by Brandon Jones

This is another episode recorded live before an audience, this time at Funk Fest, the great event put on by Embrace the Funk and Yazoo Brewing in Nashville, Tennessee. Phil Wymore of Perennial Artisan Ales joins the show for a conversation about stouts, barrels, condiments, and whiskey.Phil Wymore is the Co-Founder of Perennial Artisan Ales in St. Louis, MO, established in 2011. Prior to opening Perennial, Phil spent time in Chicago as the Cellar Manager of Goose Island, the Head Brewer of Half Acre, and attended the Siebel Institute. In 2021, he started Passenger Foods, a one-person operation that makes chili crisp. In 2023, he co-founded Common Ritual, an independent bottler that discovers extraordinary whiskies produced by underrepresented distilleries.Host: John HollGuest: Phil WymoreSponsors: All About BeerTags: Travel, Funk Fest, Stout, Barrels, History, St. Louis, Goose Island, WhiskeyPhoto by Brandon Jones

This the third of three episodes that was recorded during the Little Beer IV festival hosted by Good Word Brewing and Duluth, Georgia. This panel features a trio of brewers who talk with All About Beer Podcast Co-Host and noted author Don Tse about how malt is the most important ingredients for little beers. From heritage grains, to stalwarts, a look at how grains bring out flavor in small beers and why it should be better appreciated. Host: Don Tse Guests: Amanda Cardinali, Ryan Ziarko, Brett SchweigertSponsors: All About BeerTags: Travel, Little Beers, Malt, CulturePhoto by John Holl

This the second of three episodes that was recorded during the Little Beer IV festival hosted by Good Word Brewing and Duluth, Georgia. This panel features a trio of cask beer experts who talk with All About Beer Publisher Andy Crouch about the very best of the process. Host: Andy CrouchGuests: Steve Hamburg, Todd DiMatteo, Neil CallaghanSponsors: All About BeerTags: Travel, Little Beers, Ales, Cask Ale, CulturePhoto by John Holl

This episode is kicking off a trio of shows that was recorded at the just concluded Little Beer IV festival hosted by Good Word Brewing and the city of Duluth, Georgia. This panel, which was presented live during the fest, features a trio of brewers all talking about the process, culture, and general greatness of low abv ales and lagers. Guests include: Zach Adams of Fox Farm Brewery, John Branding of Wheatland Spring + Brewery, and Todd Boera of Fonta Flora. This Episode is Sponsored by:Visit the Wonkas of tea beer at booth 2390. Firsd Tea has teas and botanicals to create new colors, flavors, and textures to craft beer and hard teas. Firsd Tea even has beer and cocktail recipes with popping boba. Step into pure imagination at booth 2390 at the Vegas CBC or email [email protected]. Malteurop Malting Company is North American proud with premium grains from field to flavor. Their selections include Base, Specialty and Distillers malt varieties. Stop by their Booth #2143 at the Craft Brewers Conference in Vegas!Host: John HollGuests: Zach Adams, John Branding, Todd BoeraSponsors: All About BeerTags: Travel, Little Beers, Ales, Brewing, CulturePhoto by John Holl

Las Vegas will be the focal point for many brewers in the coming weeks as the Brewers Association hosts its annual Craft Brewers Conference, World Beer Cup, and Brewers Expo. For those traveling to sin city – either as brewing professionals or curious drinkers – this episode will offer up all the tips to make the most out of your drinking time on and off the strip. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.This Episode is Sponsored by: Visit the Wonkas of tea beer at booth 2390. Firsd Tea has teas and botanicals to create new colors, flavors, and textures to craft beer and hard teas. Firsd Tea even has beer and cocktail recipes with popping boba. Step into pure imagination at booth 2390 at the Vegas CBC or email [email protected]. Malteurop Malting Company is North American proud with premium grains from field to flavor. Their selections include Base, Specialty and Distillers malt varieties. Stop by their Booth #2143 at the Craft Brewers Conference in Vegas!Host: John HollGuests: Wyndee Forrest, David Pascual, and Dan PixleySponsors: All About BeerTags: Travel, Casinos, Beer, Las Vegas, DiningPhoto art by Canva

Jack Hendler and Joe Connolly discuss their new book Modern Lager Beer: Techniques, Processes, and Recipes. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Jack Hendler and Joe ConnollySponsors: All About BeerTags: Lager, Tradition, Fermentation, Germany, LandbierPhoto by Brewers Publications

Welcome to This Week in Rauchbier for April 1, 2024. Our Rauchbier spotlight is trained on Caleb Michalke of Sugar Creek Malt in Indiana. He's working to bring rauchmalt of distinction of discerning brewers and distillers. Then Rick Lyke, our rauchbier sherpa and the founder of the Pints for Prostates Campaign, shares his inspirational journey into smoked beer and offers his unparalleled insight and advice to breweries regarding smoked beer. Then Bart Watson of the Brewers Association joins us to share the latest growth and success of Rauchbier in the marketplace. Enjoy these audio smoky delights. Thanks to Hagen and Bill for the inspiration to do this show. Hear the genesis of This Week in Rauchbier on episode 5 of Drink Beer, Think Beer.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Caleb Michalke, Rick Lyke, and Bart Watson.Tags: beer, craft beer, rauchbier, smoke, April Fool's DayMusic for this episode:NewsSting by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4124-newsstingLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On this episode it's a deep dive on what goes in to making a great IPA. Steve Parker of New York’s Fiden’s Brewery joins the show. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Steve ParkerSponsors: All About BeerTags: New York, West Coast IPA, Mosaic Hops, Mouthfeel Photo by John Holl

How do beers evolve over time? And how does patience, curiosity, trust, and creativity work to the benefit of bother brewery and brewer? Wayne Wambles, the (now former) long-time brewmaster of Cigar City, is here to talk about his career, a return to homebrewing, and how specialty ingredients work best when added to a solid beer base.Wambles has started a brewery consulting service and can be reached at [email protected] . For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Wayne WamblesSponsors: All About BeerTags: Florida, Stout, IPA, Homebrewing, Consulting, Creativity Photo courtesy of Wayne Wambles via Facebook.

It's beer and weather together on this episode of the podcast as Boston CBS Meterologist Eric Fisher joins the show. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Eric Fisher Sponsors: All About BeerTags: Weather, Treehouse, Blizzard, Travel, Boston, Eclipse

It’s a bit of a departure on the show this week as we’re talking about spirits with long-time beverage writer Aaron Goldfarb. He has a new book out: Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits. Goldfarb has been a journalist for over a decade, frequently writing on the subjects of cocktails and drinking culture for such publications as the New York Times, Esquire, Playboy, PUNCH, and VinePair, and has had features written about his career in the New York Times, Forbes, and the Boston Globe. His previous books include Hacking Whiskey, named a finalist for Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards Best New Book, and Gather Around Cocktails. In 2020, Tales of the Cocktail named Goldfarb the Best Cocktail & Spirit Writer for the year. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, daughter, son, cat, and a lot of bottles of booze.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Aaron GoldfarbSponsors: All About BeerTags: Booze, Books, California, Tequila, Bourbon, Cocktails

It’s a trip to the Ocean State and a conversation with Morgan Snyder, the head brewer and co-founder of Buttonwoods Brewery. From world-class small-batch lagers, to an expansion, and the wonder of saison, this episode covers it all and more. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Morgan SnyderSponsors: All About BeerTags: Beer, Lager, Saison, Rhode Island, Growth, Cocktails

Homebrewing has been a source of passionate online chatter over the last week after the American Homebrewers Association announced it would put its annual Homebrew Con on “hiatus” in favor of smaller events and demonstrations located within the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.Julia Herz, the executive director of the AHA is here, to explain the change. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Julia HerzSponsors: All About BeerTags: Beer, Homebrewing, Conference, Festival, Denver

There’s a lot to love about beer. And that can be tough to remember at times. So in honor of Valentine’s Day, we've asked three enthusiastic folks - Aaron MJ Gore, Annette May, and Tom M. - to come on and share what makes their heart flutter when it comes to lager and ale. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Aaron MJ Gore, Annette, May, Tom M.Sponsors: All About BeerTags: Beer, Cask, Love, EducationCover art: AI image created by Canva.

There are some trends worth paying attention to these days around the beer space. One of them is THC seltzers. They are popping up on menus in certain states alongside IPA and lager.THC Seltzers are taking off. On this show last year Scott Selix of Lua and Climbing Kites talked about his brewery's entry into the space. Their beverage is being contracted out of Minnesota’s Fair State Cooperative Brewery, which also has its own line of seltzers. The brewer putting in the work to make and develop these is Joe Wells. Wells has been in the craft beer industry for over a decade, from California to Canada and the last five years at Fair State where he serves as Head Brewer. On this episode he talks about how these THC seltzers are made, how they came about in the first place, and what the market is doing in response to their availability. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.This Episode is Sponsored By:The Best of Craft Beer AwardsAttention brewers: registration is now open for the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards. Now in its 10th year, this is a BJCP sanctioned event judged by fellow brewers, professional judges, and industry leaders. Judged in Oregon, it’s the third largest professional brewing competition in North America and is a chance to have your hard work evaluated and rewarded. In addition to traditional styles, new this year is the smoothie sour style category, and the collaboration competition. Learn more and register your beers through January 31, 2024 by visiting www.BestofCraftBeerAwards.com/registerHost: John HollGuest: Joe WellsSponsors: Best of Craft Beer Awards, All About BeerTags: Beer, Seltzer, THC, CBD, Hemp, Business, Growth

A conversation with Chris Shields, the Director of Education at Rhinegeist Brewery.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.This Episode is Sponsored By:The Best of Craft Beer AwardsAttention brewers: registration is now open for the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards. Now in its 10th year, this is a BJCP sanctioned event judged by fellow brewers, professional judges, and industry leaders. Judged in Oregon, it’s the third largest professional brewing competition in North America and is a chance to have your hard work evaluated and rewarded. In addition to traditional styles, new this year is the smoothie sour style category, and the collaboration competition. Learn more and register your beers through January 31, 2024 by visiting www.BestofCraftBeerAwards.com/registerHost: John HollGuest: Chris ShieldsSponsors: Best of Craft Beer Awards, All About BeerTags: Beer, Education, Food, Ohio, Hospitality, Business, Growth

There’s a lot happening inside the walls of Cleveland, Ohio’s Noble Beast Brewing. All of it is good. On this episode it’s a conversation with owners Shaun Yasaki and James Redford about food, hospitality, creativity, and tradition. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.This Episode is Sponsored By:The Best of Craft Beer AwardsAttention brewers: registration is now open for the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards. Now in its 10th year, this is a BJCP sanctioned event judged by fellow brewers, professional judges, and industry leaders. Judged in Oregon, it’s the third largest professional brewing competition in North America and is a chance to have your hard work evaluated and rewarded. In addition to traditional styles, new this year is the smoothie sour style category, and the collaboration competition. Learn more and register your beers through January 31, 2024 by visiting www.BestofCraftBeerAwards.com/registerHost: John HollGuests: Shaun Yasaki and James RedfordSponsors: Best of Craft Beer Awards, All About BeerTags: Beer, Bars, Food, Ohio, Hospitality, Lager, Rauchbier, Flanders Red

There are some iconic beer bars in America, and on the Mt. Rushmore is Hopleaf, the venerable Chicago institution. Michael Roper, its long-time publican, who recently announced his retirement is on this episode. Late last year Roper, who founded the Hopleaf in Chicago in 1992 announced that he’d be retiring from the bar. He’ll stay involved in various ways, as you’ll hear shortly, but the day to day is now the responsibility of others. His retirement came on the occasion of his 70th birthday, we recorded this a week after. It’s hard to overstate the importance of the Hopleaf in terms of beer bars in America. Located in the city’s Andersonville neighborhood it has been the place for a well curated and uncompromising beer list and an equally thoughtful food menu. Roper will walk us through the history of the bar and thoughts for the future of hospitality, and along the way gives us a reason to strive for better bar experiences. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.This Episode is Sponsored By:The Best of Craft Beer AwardsAttention brewers: registration is now open for the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards. Now in its 10th year, this is a BJCP sanctioned event judged by fellow brewers, professional judges, and industry leaders. Judged in Oregon, it’s the third largest professional brewing competition in North America and is a chance to have your hard work evaluated and rewarded. In addition to traditional styles, new this year is the smoothie sour style category, and the collaboration competition. Learn more and register your beers through January 31, 2024 by visiting www.BestofCraftBeerAwards.com/registerHost: John HollGuest: Michael RoperSponsors: Best of Craft Beer Awards, All About BeerTags: Beer, Bars, History, Chicago, Hospitality

This episode features a conversation with the legendary Teri Fahrendorf, the long-time brewmaster and founder of Pink Boots Society. She’s here for a wide ranging conversation about her career, brewery safety, recipe development, creativity, and forging a path in the beer industry.After a storied career in beer, Fahrendorf recently entered a working retirement. She’s helmed breweries, judged competitions around the world, and founded the Pink Boots Society, which she later ran for nearly a decade. She’s been a safety advocate, outspoken critic, historian, and sounding board in her more than 30 year career. After countless brew days and then a turn selling raw ingredients, she’s focused today on her art, crafting pottery from her studio in the pacific northwest. It’s another creative outlet for this one-time computer programmer who forged a career through determination and will when the craft brewing industry was still in its infancy. She joined the show in early January 2024 to share some stories and insights, more of which can be found on her her blog and website terifahrendorf.com Fahrendorf isn’t leaving beer completely – she says she still plans to judge competitions and stay involved in various other ways, but for the first time since the 1980s bee is not her primary job focus. This seems like a good time for an introspective. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.This Episode is Sponsored By:The Best of Craft Beer AwardsAttention brewers: registration is now open for the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards. Now in its 10th year, this is a BJCP sanctioned event judged by fellow brewers, professional judges, and industry leaders. Judged in Oregon, it’s the third largest professional brewing competition in North America and is a chance to have your hard work evaluated and rewarded. In addition to traditional styles, new this year is the smoothie sour style category, and the collaboration competition. Learn more and register your beers through January 31, 2024 by visiting www.BestofCraftBeerAwards.com/registerHost: John HollGuest: Teri FahrendorfSponsors: Best of Craft Beer Awards, All About BeerTags: Beer, Bars, History, Education, Pink Boots

Lets ease into the new year with a panel discussion from some of my other All About Beer podcast hosts and colleagues. We’ll discuss thoughts and trends for 2024, and have some fun reminiscing on 2023 along the way. Today on the show I’m joined by some of the voices and bylines you’ve come to expect from All About Beer. It’s not quite our holiday office party, but it’s a chance for us to get together for a good time and to talk about what we’ve experienced on the job and what might be on the horizon. For this episode I’m joined by Andy Crouch, the publisher of All About Beer, Don Tse better known as the Don of Beer, and Em Sauter, better known as Pints and Panels. Together they co-host the bi-weekly All About Beer Podcast. Plus, Sarah Jane Curran, the host of Beer Me! Radio, who joined our podcast group in 2023. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.This Episode is Sponsored By:The Best of Craft Beer AwardsAttention brewers: registration is now open for the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards. Now in its 10th year, this is a BJCP sanctioned event judged by fellow brewers, professional judges, and industry leaders. Judged in Oregon, it’s the third largest professional brewing competition in North America and is a chance to have your hard work evaluated and rewarded. In addition to traditional styles, new this year is the smoothie sour style category, and the collaboration competition. Learn more and register your beers through January 31, 2024 by visiting www.BestofCraftBeerAwards.com/registerHost: John HollGuests: Andy Crouch, Em Sauter, Don Tse, Sarah Jane CurranSponsors: Best of Craft Beer Awards, All About BeerTags: Beer, Bars, Draft Beer, Conversations, Hospitality, Resolutions

Beer bars play an important role in delivering a world class experience while offering a curated list that can surprise, delight, or just be a comfort. This is our annual episode where we check in on the state of beer bars with thoughtful publicans. So, What is the state of beer bars in America in 2023? Two bar owners, Jeff Bruning and Devin Cox, share their experiences and insights. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Jeff Bruning and Devin CoxSponsors: ProBrewer, All About BeerTags: Restaurants, Beer, Bars, Draft Beer, Conversations, Hospitality

It’s our annual end of the year wrap up with writers from around the globe who cover the beer industry. You’ll hear from Matt Kirkegaard, Christopher Shepard, Brandon Hernandez, and Melissa Cole. Listen in as these venerable journalists discuss the trends of 2023, give analysis on the news, and offer insight that impacts all beer drinkers. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Matt Kirkegaard, Christopher Shepard, Brandon Hernandez, and Melissa ColeSponsors: ProBrewer, All About BeerTags: Festivals, Beer, Hops, History, Conversations, Non-alcoholic beer

This is our second annual show dedicated to homebrewing. Drew Beechum and Denny Conn are here to talk about what’s happening with the hobby, to answer a listener question, and to spread some holiday cheer. Conn and Beechum are longtime homebrewers and noted personalities in the space. They are the co-authors of Simple Home Brewing and Experimental Homebrewing, which is also the name of the podcast they co-host. This Episode is Sponsored By:ShopifyShopify’s already taken the cash register online, helping millions sell billions around the world. But did you know that Shopify can do the same thing at your retail store? Give your point-of-sale system a serious upgrade, with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/drinkbeer and take your retail business to the next level today.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Drew Beechum and Denny ConnSponsors: Shopify, All About BeerTags: Homebrewing, Cans, Hops, History, Festivals, Conventions

Last week, Westbound & Down Brewing announced that it had acquired two breweries, Aspen Brewing and Capitol Creek Brewery’s brewpub, both in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. The deal, says Jake Gardner the Director of Brewing Operations at Westbound & Down Brewing Company, is part of a plan the brewery has been eyeing for a while. There was a desire to expand in a meaningful way, while still staying true to the brewing ethos that has guided Westbound and Down since it opened in 2015. We’ll talk business and the growth projections, and how Aspen’s 7,000 barrel capacity, and Capitol Creek Brewery’s brewpub will blend with the existing infrastructure. But we’re also going to talk about IPA, barrel-aged beer, and how the brewery wants to be great at all that it does. That goal squares with Gardner’s background. He started professionally brewing at Breckenridge Brewery in 2011 before transitioning to Hogshead Brewery where he worked his way up to head brewer in 2013. While working at Hogshead he connected with three mug club members who ended up becoming partners in opening Westbound & Down Brewing. This Episode is Sponsored By:ShopifyShopify’s already taken the cash register online, helping millions sell billions around the world. But did you know that Shopify can do the same thing at your retail store? Give your point-of-sale system a serious upgrade, with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/drinkbeer and take your retail business to the next level today.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Jake GardnerSponsors: Shopify, All About BeerTags: Colorado, Craft, Restaurant, Growth, IPA, Barrels

From consumer preferences, to growing a company, I’m excited to have David Moore and Andy Joynt of Big Grove Brewing on the show this week. As the brewery expands through Iowa and is eyeing other states, we will talk about flavors and creativity, and finding ways to stay nimble in a challenging industry.Joynt has been the director of beer for Big Grove Brewery for 7 years and became an owner in 2020. He is responsible for all beer that is made at Big Groves five different operations that includes two production facilities as well as three smaller taproom breweries. Under his leadership Big Grove has become the number one top selling craft beer in Iowa surpassing Blue Moon and Leinenkugels. Big Grove has also captured multiple awards including World Beer Cup, GABF, and US Open Beer. Moore spent the first six years at Big Grove as the chief operations officer and became an owner in 2020. He recently moved to chief growth officer where he will oversee the company’s advancement in new markets for taprooms, distribution, as well as all new business divisions. He is also the CEO and owner of Climbing Kites, Iowa first and top selling THC infused beverage company. This Episode is Sponsored By:ShopifyShopify’s already taken the cash register online, helping millions sell billions around the world. But did you know that Shopify can do the same thing at your retail store? Give your point-of-sale system a serious upgrade, with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/drinkbeer and take your retail business to the next level today.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Andy Joynt and David MooreSponsors: Shopify, All About BeerTags: Iowa, Craft, Restaurant, Growth, Flavor, Hospitality

Sam Masotto of Bonn Place Brewing in Pennsylvania is here for a conversation about hospitality, food, and fun. It’s a special episode, recorded at the brewery in front of an enthusiastic crowd. This Episode is Sponsored By:ShopifyShopify’s already taken the cash register online, helping millions sell billions around the world. But did you know that Shopify can do the same thing at your retail store? Give your point-of-sale system a serious upgrade, with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/drinkbeer and take your retail business to the next level today.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Sam MasottoSponsors: Shopify, All About BeerTags: Pennsylvania, Craft, Mild, Sandwiches, Saison, Flavor, Hospitality

From creating a thoughtful space that puts beer and food front and center, to one of the newest frontiers in adult beverages: THC and CBD, Scott Selix of Lua Brewing is here to talk about his growing brewery and the evolution of hospitality. He is Co-Founder of Lua Brewing in Des Moines as well as Lua’s sister company, Climbing Kites, a THC Sparkling Water brand. He also runs HYFR Hospitality, a hospitality company based in Des Moines, which just opened a new restaurant. Either/Or, where this episode was recorded. Scott was the President of the Iowa Brewers Guild from 2019-2023. This Episode is Sponsored By:ShopifyShopify’s already taken the cash register online, helping millions sell billions around the world. But did you know that Shopify can do the same thing at your retail store? Give your point-of-sale system a serious upgrade, with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/drinkbeer and take your retail business to the next level today.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Scott SelixSponsors: Shopify, All About BeerTags: Iowa, Craft, Lager, IPA, THC, Flavor, Hospitality

Today it’s a visit to Des Moines, Iowa for a lively conversation with two of the state’s leading brewers, the guild director, and historian Maureen Ogle.Last week I was in Iowa to speak and spend time at the state’s guild annual conference. It had been several years since I was there and I wanted to get a better handle on what is happening in the state – and it’s a lot. What is happening there is important to the industry as a whole, and worth a listen. My guests are: Dave Morgan is a small town Iowa native, that attended and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Business Administration in 1998. After graduation, he jumped into the hospitality industry, opening and operating multiple food and beverage locations before transitioning into the craft brewery scene in 2012. He leads the team at SingleSpeed Brewing Co, operating 3 locations (Brewery+TapRoom), all located within the state of Iowa and has been a member of Iowa Brewers Guild Board since 2020, currently holding down the incredibly important / do the least position of Vice President. Noreen Otto is a Wisconsin native who relocated to Iowa to attend college and law school. After graduation, she worked in a number of political roles. She then spent 7 years focused on state and federal policy for Hy-Vee, Inc. as Vice President Government Relations. Her work focused on retail business issues. Noreen also served at the Chief Administrative Officer for specialty cheese maker, Maytag Dairy Farms before joining the Iowa Brewers Guild as the Executive Director in fall of 2021. She lives with her husband and two sons in Newton, where she sits on the Jasper Community Foundation and library board. Noreen can be found making cheeseboards when she isn’t trying to understand Minecraft. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a Finance degree in 2009, R.J. Tursi spent time with relatives in southern Italy, working at their winery and learning what it means to be passionate about your work and craft. In 2012, R.J. and his parents, Bob & Amy Tursiopened Exile Brewing. Over the past 11 years R.J. has guided Exile through the relatively easy growth of the 2010s, earned his Advanced Cicerone Certification, and is currently helping Exile navigate the more tumultuous waters of the 2020s. and Maureen Ogle is an historian and the author of Ambitious Brew: A History of American Beer. This Episode is Sponsored By:ShopifyShopify’s already taken the cash register online, helping millions sell billions around the world. But did you know that Shopify can do the same thing at your retail store? Give your point-of-sale system a serious upgrade, with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/drinkbeer and take your retail business to the next level today.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Dave Morgan, RJ Tursi, Noreen Otto, Maureen OgleSponsors: Shopify, All About BeerTags: Iowa, Craft, History, IPA, Lager, Flavor