Show notes from John Holl: As we’ve talked about on the show in the past, there are serious conversations and allegations happening in the beer industry, specifically, these days, around the treatment of women. Sadly, many of these stories are not new, but a lot of them have not been publicly talked about, until a few weeks ago when women started sharing their stories on social media.  There’s been a lot of talk, hopefully a lot of listening, some changes, and work towards meaningful action.  Laurie Porter is my guest this week. She’s the co-founder of Smog City, a brewery with several locations in Southern California that has helped shaped the Los Angeles Beer Scene over the last decade. She's on brewing industry advisory boards and guilds, and has focused, in her words, on every aspect of her company except the brewing.  But this week Smog City is set to release Total Boss, a red IPA made by the women of the brewery to spark a conversation about misogyny, sexism, assault, and more happening in the beer space.  Porter has spent a lot of time thinking about this and from the brewery’s beginning has tried to focus efforts to make Smog City a safe place and one where people are happy to work and feel like they can do their jobs without fear.  Still, these last few weeks have gotten her thinking about where things are, where they were, and where they can be." This Episode is sponsored by:BriessBriess is the leading supplier of specialty malt to craft brewers.  They offer the broadest product line in the industry, including a wide range of roasted malts that add flavor, color, and character to beer.  Their experienced operators handcraft every batch of roasted malt to ensure the product you get is consistent.  Check out BrewingwithBriess.com for beer recipes using roasted malt.  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. We’re in it together. Lawson's Finest LiquidsThe brewery is  guided by five pillars – Excellence, Authenticity, Fun, Community and Innovation. These values are represented in their product quality, work culture, guest experience and charitable giving. The SIP, their Social Impact Program, is the Lawson’s Finest way of building impactful connections and strengthening our communities while creating memorable experiences. 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: Laurie Porter of Smog CitySponsors:  Briess, Lawson's Finest Liquids, NZ Hops, and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Red IPA, Los Angeles, News, Action, COVID-19, Women, Employment

Zack Adams was invited onto the podcast this week to talk about his Grodziskie, a 3.2% smoked ale that he brewed with help and guidance from Live Oak Brewing, and a beer that utilizes specialty smoked malt from a local farm. Before all that, however, we spend time talking about how his taproom has evolved and adapted since COVID-19 began. Adams, the owner and brewer of Fox Farm Brewery in Salem, Connecticut also fills us in on the brewery's spontaneous beer program and the developing house culture that will have a prominent place in the tasting experience. Recorded via zoom just after the 2021 4th of July holiday weekend, Adams opens up on inspiration and making beers that appeal to his palate and how he brings drinkers along for the journey.  This Episode is sponsored by:BriessBriess is the leading supplier of specialty malt to craft brewers.  They offer the broadest product line in the industry, including a wide range of roasted malts that add flavor, color, and character to beer.  Their experienced operators handcraft every batch of roasted malt to ensure the product you get is consistent.  Check out BrewingwithBriess.com for beer recipes using roasted malt.  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. We’re in it together. Lawson's Finest LiquidsThe brewery is  guided by five pillars – Excellence, Authenticity, Fun, Community and Innovation. These values are represented in their product quality, work culture, guest experience and charitable giving. The SIP, their Social Impact Program, is the Lawson’s Finest way of building impactful connections and strengthening our communities while creating memorable experiences.  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: Zack Adams of Fox Farm Brewery Sponsors:  Briess, Lawson's Finest Liquids, NZ Hops, and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Spontaneous Ale, Rauchbier, Hospitality, Travel

Ryan Kilpatrick's Fiction Beer Company was part of the third wave of craft breweries that opened in the U.S coming up on a decade ago. He’ll tell the story of the brewery in a minute, but in my visits to his place in the past I’ve been struck with the comfortable feeling, the diverse tap list, and the general engagement of the staff.  That usually comes from ownership, so in this podcast, recorded over zoom, we talk about how to retain employees, how they approach recipe development, and some of the recent collaborations he’s done. It’s wide ranging, and like a good book takes some twists and turns. This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.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: Ryan Kilpatrick of Fiction Beer Company Sponsors:  NZ Hops, The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Denver, Falling Rock, Coffee, IPA, Collaborations, Pride, Books

Show notes from John Holl:"I’m really excited to have Latisha Cook on the show this week. I’ve had the occasion to talk with her in the past and her passion for beer, for sparking conversation, collaborations, and a drive for a more inclusive beer industry and community is infectious.We’ve talked about the need for diversity and diverse perspectives on the show before and Cook has been at the forefront of several initiatives for several years now. The latest way Beer Kulture is advancing opportunity is through the Sparks Foundation. It will be giving four $5,000 grants to four deserving black men per year, she says.  “The intent is for these grants to give a boost to Black men so they can launch their visions,” Cook said when announcing the initiative. “But it also goes beyond that to help these men build a family legacy. Generational wealth isn’t seen as often in the Black community the way it is in other communities. If access to traditional funding is a problem, it’s hard to create something that can extend beyond one person’s lifetime. Hopefully these grants help Black men begin to create legacies that endure for generations.” In this episode we talk about the foundation and opportunities, generational wealth, and all the other things Beer Kulture has going on, but first, because not everyone is familiar with the organization, I started off by asking her to give a little background on how the organization started."For more information on the Sparks Foundation, or to apply for a grant, visit  https://www.beerkulture.com/sparksfoundation. Applications will go live June 1st and remain open until July 16th. Beer Kulture will announce the first grantee on August 1st. This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.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: Latiesha Cook of Beer Kulture Sponsors:  NZ Hops, The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Education, Diversity, Beer Kulture, 

There is a lot happening with Joel Stickrod of Barrique Brewing & Blending these days. He's moved from a modest barrel-storage space into his own taproom in the heart of Nashville and is bringing his beer vision to the people. Originally the brewery was focused on wild ales, usually blended, often fruited, and those remain on offer. The new space has allowed him to branch out in to lagers and pub ales done in his style and he has plans on the horizon. In this conversation, recorded over the phone in June 2021, he talks about his journey and house culture, shares his thoughts on blending, his passion for historical styles and local ingredients. There might also be a celebrity stopping by his brewery one of these days. Tune in and find out.  This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.Jack's Abby Craft LagersFor our next stop on the Lagers of the World tour, we went down under to discuss lagers with Johnny Latta from NOMAD Brewing. We learned a lot about how the climate is a huge influence on what they brew and drink especially when it comes to indigenous crops. So that’s where we honed in to make this beer. We hope you enjoy this one of a kind lager inspired by culture and conversation.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: Joel Stickrod of Barrique Brewing & BlendingSponsors:  NZ Hops, Jack's Abby Craft Lagers, The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Nashville, Wild Ale, History, Lager, Pub Ale, Fruit

Narragansett is a brewery that has been around since the late 1800s. It was a revered New England lager brand that, after prohibition went on the wain, and eventually closed down. It was revived about 15 years ago by a group of passionate investors, and has seen such tremendous growth since its rebirth that it is now in the top 30 of craft breweries in the United States. The growth was largely built on the backs of contract production brewing for lager, a coffee stout, shandies, and a few other styles. Over the last few weeks the brewery has opened its first permanent location, that will serve as a Narragansett gathering place and a brewery to showcase innovation.  At the helm of the brewdeck is Lee Lord, she’s been in New England brewing for her entire career, working for storied and well-established brands like Cambridge Brewing Co. (where she brewed at Mystic Brewing Co.), Smuttynose, and the since shuttered Watch City.  There’s an allure to working for well established brands where a culture is already in place, she says, but a challenge that comes with working on a brand new system and being tasked with moving a brewery forward while new history is being written. She spoke to the podcast via phone in Rhode Island about her career and the last few weeks of getting the system dialed in and beer ready for the people.This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.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: Lee Lord of Narragansett Brewing CompanySponsors:  NZ Hops, The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Rhode Island, Cream Ale, History, Lager, Gruit

Any beer lover that has been to Seattle over the last three decades has likely stopped into The Pike Brewing Company. Near the iconic market of the same name, the brewery was founded by Charles and Rose Ann Finkel in 1989.  Part brewery, part pub, part museum, this welcoming spot has worked tirelessly to deliver on quality and flavorful pints and pushing forward a local experience.  Charles and Rose Ann helped shape the way beer is perceived herein the United states, starting with their import company, Merchant Du Vin in the 1970s.  The company has been through a lot in its 30 plus years, and while looking forward, Charles also uses history as a guide. In this interview, recorded over zoom, he talks about the evolution of the brewery, how he approaches beer and food pairings, the importance of local, and shares insight into being an owner, and what the future holds for this iconic brand.  Covid impacted the brewery, of course, and this episode starts there, but this year also was his first without Rose Ann, who died nearly a year ago. The two were inseparatable and a constant presence, side by side at the brewery, at tastings, events, conferences and more. Her presence is felt in his words in his conversation.  This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.Athletic Brewing Co.At Athletic Brewing Company their innovative process allows them to brew great-tasting craft 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 at athleticbrewing.com and get free shipping on two six-packs or more.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: Charles Finkel of Pike Brewing.Sponsors:  NZ Hops, Athletic Brewing Co., The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Seattle, Pale Ale, History, Stout, Museum, Writing, Food, Legacy

As mentioned briefly last week, Brienne Allen of Notch Brewing has been sharing stories of women in the beer industry. So far hundreds of women have come forward with stories of abuse, harassment, and worse by men in and around the brewing industry.  Among the news and the announcement was a statement from Laura Dierks the founder of Interboro Spirits & Ales in Brooklyn, New York. In a signed note she said the  brewery was postponing their upcoming Pils City festival because two breweries that have come under fire had been invited to participate.  “We cannot stand aside when some colleagues are physically or emotionally unsafe, feel unsafe or not respected for their intellectual contributions in our community, regardless of who they are externally," she wrote.  Dierks and Jesse Furguson founded the brewery in 2016, and have turned into one of the most respected and inventive breweries in New York. Known for their beers, the company’s spirits program is also known for great recipes as well, including a canned gin and tonic cocktail. A whisky will soon be released.  Dierks has been speaking out on social media about the treatment of women in the industry. This is a difficult subject that can’t be ignored and she offers up her own experiences and how the brewery is looking to be a leader in the space going forward.  She spoke to the show via Zoom from Brooklyn. This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.BriessBriess is the original craft maltster, and currently offers the broadest product line in the industry. Briess’ barley is grown in the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming and Montana, where warm days, cool nights, and floodwater irrigation yield some of the highest quality barley in the U.S.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: Laura Dierks of Interboro Spirits & AlesSponsors: Briess Malt and Ingredient Co., NZ Hops, The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, New York, Harassment, Women, Craft Beer, Assault, Pilsner

Mike Patterson and Emily Vides are the couple behind of Small Change brewing in Massachusetts. The contract brewery turned three earlier this month and in the time it has been distributing beer it has gained a strong reputation for reliable and flavorful ales, including styles that are often overlooked, like milds. It's a story of a homebrewer who went pro, but also of collaboration, artistic expression, communication, music, and harmony. From navigating the pandemic and customer interaction over zoom, to thinking about how can labels are really like album cover art, spend some time with this Massachusetts-based brewery that is doing its part to add to the beer industry.  This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media. BriessBriess is the original craft maltster, and currently offers the broadest product line in the industry. Briess’ barley is grown in the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming and Montana, where warm days, cool nights, and floodwater irrigation yield some of the highest quality barley in the U.S.Athletic Brewing Co.At Athletic Brewing Company their innovative process allows them to brew great-tasting craft 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 at athleticbrewing.com and get free shipping on two six-packs or more.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: Emily Vides and Mike Patterson of Small Change BrewingSponsors: Briess Malt and Ingredient Co., NZ Hops, Athletic Brewing Co., The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Contract Brewing, Mild, Pale Ale, Massachusetts, Art, Music

Notes from host John Holl:"A few weeks ago I headed down to Asheville, North Carolina for a few days to help out with photography on a new book I’ve been working on. I didn’t have a lot of time for social or other visits, but I made it a point to make my first stop in the state at Zebulon Artisan Ales.  Mike Karnowski is the man in and behind the brewery, it’s a small haven he started after a career brewing for others, and that started out running a homebrewing shop. Here at the brewery he does things his way, but also with historical accuracy and reverence.  Over the years he’s worked with beer historians to release period-accurate beers that really offer a snapshot in time and reveal long forgotten flavors and how beer has evolved.  A few weeks ago on the show with Em Sauter and Don Tse we were talking about date coding beer styles, and that’s something Mike is doing. You’ll even had a chance to try them for yourself soon enough.  We sat down at his taproom bar on a day when he’s usually closed. It was a brew day, and he’d already been at it for hours."This Episode is sponsored by: BriessBriess is the original craft maltster, and currently offers the broadest product line in the industry. Briess’ barley is grown in the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming and Montana, where warm days, cool nights, and floodwater irrigation yield some of the highest quality barley in the U.S.NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media. 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: Michael Karnowski of Zebulon Artisan AlesSponsors: Briess Malt and Ingredient Co., NZ Hops, The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Hops, Bottles, History, IPA, North Carolina