Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

By now, you might be familiar with Troy Casey and his beer career. After graduating from the University of California at Davis he took a job with the company then known as MillerCoors, working in their Colorado brewery in the A.C. Coors division. It was a research and development facility where they would test out various recipes, noodle around with new ones and see if anything stuck that could eventually be scaled up to the big production brewery.  It's a brewer’s dream. Great equipment, access to ingredients, and some of the smartest beer science minds at arm’s length. It also allowed for some creative license. While there he got the idea to brew a lambic-style ale and assembled it, barrels it and let it sit, testing it compulsively, until it was ready.  It lit a fire in him and soon enough he and his wife Emily decided to open their own brewery where he could embrace sour and wood, play with fruits and let the style of beer that had captured his heart thrive and grow.  The response was immediate with fans coming from around the country to visit the brewery in Western Colorado and lining up by the hundreds at beer festivals.  As you’ll hear, the brewery has since grown and new styles have joined the mix, but there is still a twinkle in his voice when he talks about the style that started this part of his career. This Episode is sponsored by:World Beer AwardsI’m honored to serve as a co-chair of judges for the U.S. portion this year and we’re bringing experienced, fair-minded, and engaged judges to Washington D.C. later on this summer to blind taste beers and to hand out medals. The World Beer Awards ensures that each beer is judged both rigorously and fairly to give it its best chance in the competition. If you’re a professional brewer, Learn more about the competition and categories and sign up to enter at WorldBeerAwards.com.   For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Troy CaseySponsors: World Beer Awards and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Sour, Wood, Climate Change, Festivals, Fruit

On this episode of This Week in Rauchbier special co-host Erik Lehto talks about home brewing rauchbier and the smoke beer scene in Sweden. Then we're joined by Bill Cherry, the founder and brewmaster of Switchback Brewing in Vermont who shares stories and the inspiration behind the brewery's Flynn on Fire Series. As always, Bart Watson of the Brewers Association joins the show to talk about the smoked beer stats we all look forward to each week. Finally, we have a brewers roundtable to talk about alternative smoked beverages including NA beer and seltzer. Adrian Beck-Oliver and Simon Burhoe of Kit NA Brewing in Portland, Maine are joined by brewery consultant Ethan Cox. 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.Music for this episode:NewsSting by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4124-newsstingLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Hosts: John Holl and Erik LehtoGuests: Bill Cherry, Adrian Beck-Oliver, Simon Burhoe, Ethan Cox, and Bart Watson.Tags: beer, craft beer, rauchbier, smoke, April Fool's Day

It’s great fun to have Mirella Amato on the show this week. I’ve had the good pleasure of knowing her for years and have enjoyed her writings and keen insight into the proper way to pair beer and food.  Amato is a Master Cicerone, as well as a Doemens Bier Sommelier. She the also the author of Beerology: Everything You Need to Know to Enjoy Beer…Even More, which is available where books are sold.  Recently the sensory and craft beer consultant launched a new online course through her website, Beerology. It’s called Mastering Beer and Food Pairing, and on this episode we talk about the course along with opera, current trends and tastes, and finding the right beer to match a mood. This Episode is sponsored by:World Beer AwardsI’m honored to serve as a co-chair of judges for the U.S. portion this year and we’re bringing experienced, fair-minded, and engaged judges to Washington D.C. later on this summer to blind taste beers and to hand out medals. The World Beer Awards ensures that each beer is judged both rigorously and fairly to give it its best chance in the competition. If you’re a professional brewer, Learn more about the competition and categories and sign up to enter at WorldBeerAwards.com.  Early bird discount rates are available through April 1, 2022. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Mirella AmatoSponsors: World Beer Awards and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Food, IPA, Hazy IPA, Kettle Sours, Pairings, Opera 

I’m excited to have Sam Tierney on the show this week. He’s been running Firestone Walker’s Propagator in Los Angeles for the six years it’s been open and has unique insight on creating small batches that could one day be scaled, experimenting with ingredients, and finding the sweet spot for drinkers.  He’s a passionate brewer who takes the role seriously and is constantly trying to find ways to improve upon techniques and processes.  As the brewery location nears another anniversary he reflects on how hops have evolved in beer and what it takes to stay fresh but not lose sight of history and tradition. This Episode is sponsored by:Jack's AbbyThe first stop of 2022 in our Lagers of the World series takes us to Akureyri, Iceland. Our conversations with Einstök Beer led us to brew a Jóla Bock, which is a popular Christmas beer that lives up to the exceptional Christmas spirit in the country. Of course we're a little late for Christmas, but Bocks are still a wildly popular style this time of year and we can't wait for you to try Destination: IcelandFor more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Sam TierneySponsors: Jack's Abby and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, IPA, California, Tradition, Hops, History, Recipe Development 

Show notes from host John Holl"A few weeks ago I was in Rochester judging the New York State Beer Competition and on the last day of judging, my pal Lew Bryson walked into the room wearing a shirt that asked: "Got Milktubes?" It was from Human Robot, a Philadelphia brewery that has leaned in hard on its love of lagers. When the brewery opened two years ago in the site of the former St. Benjamin brewing, it didn’t get the full splash that it deserved due to the pandemic, but it has slowly built a local and vocal fanbase that stop by for beers and are quick to bend the ear of any beer enthusiast that will listen.  Growth is coming quickly to this brewery, as you’ll hear from Head Brewer Andrew Foss. We spoke after the company opened its second location and Foss will be heading up brewing at both, focusing on lagers, kettle sours, and juicy IPAs."This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Andrew FossSponsors: NZ Hops, ProBrewer and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Barrel, New York, Tradition, Patience, History, Recipe Development 

Show notes from John Holl: "If you’ve been listening to this show as well as Steal This Beer over the last few weeks there’s been a focus in and around the Rochester, New York area breweries.  Rochester is of course well known for Genesee Beer, but over the last decade has emerged as a craft beer destination, fueled by small breweries who are paying careful attention to recipes, integrating into the local fabric through art and music, and giving chefs a chance to shine in the kitchens.  Among the many bright spots of the city’s beer scene is Strangebird.  It opened in January 2021 inside a sprawling yet solid building that once held a food co-op and immediately impresses with its well designed taproom, barrel aging space, and impactful kitchen.  Micah Krichinsky is a founder and brewer. He’s a student of biochemistry and microbiology and a graduate of the Master Brewer’s Program at the University of California at Davis. His career before Rochester had him at Capitol City Brewing in Washington, D.C. and then later at at Dogfish Head in Delaware, where he spent five years.   Eric Salazar is the brewery’s Director of Wood Aged Beers. His career started back in the 1990s at New Belgium Brewing Co. where, as you’ll hear, he learned to work with barrels and to trust and respect microbes.  Both of the brewers found their way to Rochester by way of their significant others, and are not only putting down family roots in the city but also long-term plans for the brewery and fostering the local beer scene.  They spoke with me from the bar where they were happily popping bottles, and I started off by asking about lessons learned from working at older breweries and the benefit of having nearly full careers before starting something of their own." This Episode is sponsored by:Stomp StickersStomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code CRAFTBEER15 for 15% off your first order.NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuests: Micah Krichinsky & Eric Salazar Sponsors: NZ Hops, Stomp Stickers, ProBrewer and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Barrel, New York, Tradition, Patience, History, Recipe Development

Show notes from host John Holl:"When you think about Great Lakes Brewing, Edmund Fitzgerald Porter likely comes to mind. It’s the flagship beer of a brewery that has helped shape craft beer in America and fostered the career of many in the industry. There's more to the Cleveland, Ohio than that one flagship and the brewery has been working to adapt to changing palates and trends.  For insight on what's been happening at the brewery and what is on the horizon, I’m joined this week by Mark Hunger the brewmaster And Michael Williams, the brand coordinator who works in the brewery’s marketing department.  We’re talking about history and the future, recipe development, flavors, and shifting consumer tastes. I start off by asking Mark, who has been around since almost the beginning, about his title and how to came about." This Episode is sponsored by:Stomp StickersStomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code CRAFTBEER15 for 15% off your first order.NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuests: Mark Hunger & Michael WilliamsSponsors: NZ Hops, Stomp Stickers, ProBrewer and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Porter, Pubs, Ohio, Tradition, Holidays, IPA, Lager

Brewers tend to get excited when Jeff Bagby is around. As one of the most awarded brewers in the country and a staunch voice for classic styles and  well balanced beers, he extolls pleasures of creating lagers and ales that lend to a good time.  After a career that saw him on the brew decks of noted breweries like Stone and Pizza Port, where he was the director of brewing operations, he and his wife opened up Bagby Beer Co. in 2014 in a 8,500 square foot location that is not only home to the brewery but a restaurant, with plenty of areas suited for both meals and long evenings tucked into pints.  In an interview years ago said that when the brewery opened it didn’t even have an IPA on tap, focusing instead on lagers and other ales. Hoppy beers have come into the mix, but he’s still focused on session beers, drinkability, and keeping traditions alive.  As he explains on this episode the pandemic has been brutal to the business. There’s no sugar coating it. From government restrictions and unfulfilled promises, to customer interactions, staffing shortages, rising costs of labor and goods, and the day-to-day worry that comes from owning a small business, he’s been knocked around. A lot.  Bagby walks us through it all and doesn't hold back. This Episode is sponsored by:Stomp StickersStomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code CRAFTBEER15 for 15% off your first order.NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future.Athletic Brewing Co.Athletic Brewing Company’s innovative process allows them to brew great-tastingcraft beer without the alcohol. From IPAs to stouts to golden ales and more, they offer a full selection of beers starting at only 50 calories. Now you can keep your head clear and enjoy the refreshing taste of beer anytime, anywhere. Place an order today atathleticbrewing.com and get free shipping on two six packs or more. New customerscan also get 10% off their entire order with code BeerEdge10. Limit one per customer.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Jeff BagbySponsors:   NZ Hops, Stomp Stickers Athletic Brewing, and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Lager, Labor, California, Festivals, COVID-19

While the announcement a few years back might have surprised some, internally at Other Half the move into a brewery space in New York’s Finger Lakes region, just south of Rochester made sense.  The brewery had done a number of popups in the area and consumer reception was strong. When a brewery sitting on eight acres suddenly closed in the town of Bloomfield the brewery jumped at the chance, foregoing a city location for a more rural one.  This presented the opportunity for the brewery to push deeper into mixed fermentation and gave Felipe Higgins, who had worked previously in the brewery’s Brooklyn location, a chance to move north and focus on beers that deeply interested him as a brewer.  He’s really leaning into the local flora and giving the brewery’s coolship a good workout and between foraging and working with local farmers he’s finding new ingredients to incorporate into beers – many of which have been brewed over the last three years but have yet to be released to the public.  Felipe also talks about the clean program, how the IPAs and other beers being produced differ from the other brewery locations and compliment the overall portfolio.  This Episode is sponsored by:Stomp StickersStomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code CRAFTBEER15 for 15% off your first order.NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future.Athletic Brewing Co.Athletic Brewing Company’s innovative process allows them to brew great-tastingcraft beer without the alcohol. From IPAs to stouts to golden ales and more, they offer a full selection of beers starting at only 50 calories. Now you can keep your head clear and enjoy the refreshing taste of beer anytime, anywhere. Place an order today atathleticbrewing.com and get free shipping on two six packs or more. New customerscan also get 10% off their entire order with code BeerEdge10. Limit one per customer.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Felipe HigginsSponsors:   NZ Hops, Stomp Stickers Athletic Brewing, and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, New York, Mixed Fermentation, Coolship, IPA, Farming, Craft Malt

Friendly bets have become popular under the backdrop of the Super Bowl. Mayors of cities that host game-bound teams engage in banter designed to boost tourism, friends take on each other, and small businesses go toe to toe and show off team pride.  Breweries are no different. This year as the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California we welcome on three breweries engaged in such a bet.  The terms of the bet weren’t firmed up before recording this show and slowly get hashed out, if not completely resolved by the end. Spoiler alert: there will be costumes.  On the show this week, joining via zoom from their respective breweries are Lynne Weaver, the founder and owner of Three Weavers, a brewery in Inglewood, that, as you’ll hear, was briefly part of Canarchy, the brewery group recently purchased by Monster Beverages. She brought the company back to independence before that deal was closed.  She’s joined by her brewery neighbor Teo Hunter, a co-founder of Crowns and Hops, a brewery that started on social media, gained a grass roots following and has been working hard to bring change to the beer industry through action. And representing Cincinnati is Matthew Steinke the director of sales at Rhinegeist Brewing, one of the state’s larger breweries and a source of local beer pride. There are barbs and jabs thrown throughout this show, and they wind up steering the topics, and sharing experiences. We start off with the run up to the game, and Inglewood, which is hosting the game for the biggest night in American sports.  Editor's note: An earlier version of this episode misidentified the Ohio team playing in the Super Bowl. The game-bound team is the Cincinnati Bengals not the Cleveland Browns. The episode has been updated.  This Episode is sponsored by:Stomp StickersStomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code CRAFTBEER15 for 15% off your first order.NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future.Athletic Brewing Co.Athletic Brewing Company’s innovative process allows them to brew great-tastingcraft beer without the alcohol. From IPAs to stouts to golden ales and more, they offer a full selection of beers starting at only 50 calories. Now you can keep your head clear and enjoy the refreshing taste of beer anytime, anywhere. Place an order today atathleticbrewing.com and get free shipping on two six packs or more. New customerscan also get 10% off their entire order with code BeerEdge10. Limit one per customer.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Lynne Weaver, Teo Hunter, and Matthew Steinke Sponsors:   NZ Hops, Stomp Stickers Athletic Brewing, and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, California, Ohio, Football, Super Bowl, Hops, Business, Diversity and Inclusion, Tigger