Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

Lisa and Brandon Boldt are the  owners of Primitive Beer in Colorado.  They bill themselves as Colorado's first exclusively spontaneous, barrel-fermented beer blendery. And in a state that has claimed its fair share of firsts, that’s a pretty big deal, especially after you taste their beer. You kinda wonder why we had to wait so long. When they opened their doors in 2018 the made a splash on the local scene for their Méthode Traditionnelle ales, as well as the packaging – maybe you’ve seen their beer in a box. But even their bottled offerings are starting to pop up around the country and would certainly be coveted at bottle shares – if those were still a thing.  And one to look out for is a collaboration they did with Beer Kulture, called Peach On A Beach. It’s a  blend of two and three-year aged spontaneous beer matured on Colorado-grown Allstar Peaches and Tahitian-grown vanilla beans in two freshly emptied Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrels.Get ready to listen in. Here come the Lambic Police. 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: Lisa and Brandon Boldt of Primitive BeerSponsor: The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Lambic, Gueuze, Colorado, Tradition, Beer in a box

Show notes from host John Holl: “I’ve been thinking a lot about pints and specifically what I missed as I spent time at home and away from normal beer related things in 2020. I’ve really missed draft beer. I’ve missed settling into favorite tables or stools at familiar bars, scanning a list and ordering something new and exciting or flavorful and reliable.   Over the course of this past year, I’ve talked with a lot of brewery owners and brewers about how COVID-19 has impacted them and changed the brewing industry, but today I want to talk about bars and what the pandemic has done to them.   As I got to writing this there was an article in the Wall Street Journal that chronicled the plight of bars and restaurants across the country amid restrictions and shutdowns.   There was one quote in particular that stuck out to me, from Aaron Gregory Smith, the executive director of the United States’ Bartender’s guild: "This is the worst crisis to hit the industry since Prohibition," he said. Like you, I miss travel and I miss going to bars that feel familiar even if I visit only once or twice a year or every few years. A good feeling and well-appointed bar is an extension of the publican and today on the show I’m honored to be joined by three of the very best in the country:  Polly Watts of the Avenue Pub in New Orleans, Michael Roper of Hop Leaf in Chicago, and Chris Black of Falling Rock Tap House in Denver.  All three are thoughtful, passionate, and knowledgeable and each have been kicked while down this year but are doing their best to stick it out.  We spoke shortly before Christmas, with Chris in Denver, Michael in Chicago and Polly in London, where she was visiting her daughter. I had some questions in mind before we started, but quickly realized that since all three were friends and had a lot on their minds and so I just hit record and let them at it.” 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: Chris Black, Michael Roper, Polly WattsSponsor: The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Bars, Craft Beer, Travel, Kegs, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, Staffing, 2021

Show notes from Host John Holl:"As this year limps to a close I was thinking of what usually brings me joy in and around the beer space and It’s getting together with good friends over pints for general business chat as well as a proper bullshit session.  Since we can’t get together in I thought that this could be a good format to bring together some of my favorite people for a chat about the year that was and to share some stories.  So on the show this week is author Melissa Cole, her new book is called “The Little Book of Lager” and it’s available now where books are sold.  Christopher Shepard is the senior editor of Craft Brew News, published by Beer Marketers Insights.  And Greg Avola is one of the founders of Untapped.  I wanted to talk a little business, have a little fun, and generally see where their heads were as this year comes to a close.So, get a beer, get comfortable and let’s have some fun."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: Melissa Cole, Christopher Shepard, and Greg AvolaSponsor: Cigar City Brewing Tags: beer, craft beer, Untappd, Lager, London, Hard Seltzer, Trends, Glassware,This episode is sponsored by: Cigar City BrewingMaduro Brown Ale: Among the darkest colored and most complex cigars made in Tampa’s Ybor City is the maduro, made with an overripe wrapper and exhibiting chocolatey and earthy flavors. We draw inspiration from these sophisticated cigars and from Tampa’s cigar-making history with Maduro Brown Ale, a Northern English Brown Ale brewed with flaked oats. Full in body and silky on the palate, Maduro Brown Ale’s chocolate and espresso notes are rounded out by toffee-like qualities and a light woody hop presence. Enjoy Maduro Brown Ale with chicharrones, ropa vieja, or a fine hand-rolled cigar.

Mitch Steele is a brewmaster that everyone looks up to. He’s had a storied career in beer, worked at prominent breweries, developed some of the beers we all still know and drink today, today he is the brewmaster at New Realm Brewing, a company he helped found that operates a brewery in Georgia and one in Virginia.  He is a teacher that many in the brewing industry turn to for advice and inspiration, but Mitch – he’s earned his place in the first name club of brewers – is still very much a student. He’s curious, a relentless tinkerer, and on the hunt for new flavors, new ideas, and ways to make his beers the very best they can be.  There’s a lot to learn from him and he always seems happy to share. 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: Mitch Steele of New Realm BrewingSponsor: Cigar City Brewing Tags: beer, craft beer, California, Stone, IPA, Experimental Brewing, Stout, Georgia, Virginia, New Realm, Tripel, Quad, Hazy IPAThis episode is sponsored by: Cigar City BrewingFancy Papers IPA: Just as handsome designs printed on fancy papers and applied to cigar boxes are used to entice cigar lovers, we use Strata, Sabro, and Idaho 7 hops to draw in lovers of fruit-forward Hazy IPAs.

Laura Ulrich is the small batch brewer at Stone Brewing Co. and is our guest today. Yes, Stone Brewing is one of the larger craft breweries in America, and has succeeded over the years with in-your-face marketing and a fondness for West Coast IPA. But like most breweries their size, there is a smaller component, experimental batches that might one day become larger releases, but that serve the pubs or speciality accounts.  What’s it like, warts and all, to have a job where the beer carries a familiar brand name, but the liquid might not be what some customers expect? We’ll get into it.  Then we’re talking about Pink Boots, where Laura serves as president of the organization. From how she came be involved from the start, to its evolution, and where she would like to see it go.  Education is key to elevating the whole segment, something the organization has put front and center. Get a beer and listen along. This is a fun 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: Laura Ulrich of Stone Brewing Sponsor: Cigar City Brewing Tags: beer, craft beer, California, Stone, IPA, Experimental Brewing, Stout, Pink Boots SocietyThis episode is sponsored by: Cigar City BrewingCentral to Mayan mythology is the story of twin brothers named Xbalanque and Hunahpu, the Hero Twins. After the Twins’ father was murdered by evil deities from Xibalba, his corpse became a cacao tree that spawned our two Heroes. Epic adventures followed, culminating in a journey to Xibalba to avenge their father’s death. Vanquishing their enemies handily, the Heroes then ascended unto the heavens where they became the sun and the moon 

Show notes from host John Holl:"I’m both excited and bummed to have Hugh Sisson, the founder of Heavy Seas beer on the show today. Excited because Hugh is a thoughtful, engaging, and dynamic figure in beer who has worked tirelessly to foster and grow an industry and has been a mentor for many. Bummed because I had hoped to do this interview in person.  But, you know, Covid. It’s likely better to be apart because if I was at the brewery I’d likely have one too many pints of IPA.  He’s been in beer a lot longer than most, with Heavy Seas and a brewpub, named Sissons before that. He and his dad successfully worked to get state legislation changed to make professional brewing easier in Maryland, and he continues to stay involved and be an advocate for an industry he cares deeply about.  This week the brewery, officially licensed as Clipper City, but going under the Heavy Seas name turns 25. It’s an odd year to have a milestone birthday but the brewery is continuing its tradition of releasing a big, boozy monster of an ale – and we’ll talk about that.  Hugh is also looking forward to reopening the taproom when it’s safe to do so.  A few years back when I was on a book tour I did a signing at Heavy Seas for a few hours and watched as happy patrons came in for pints and a tour. Hugh led several of these tours himself and would start off with a very specific reading.  Since he hasn’t had an audience for a while, I thought it would be good to let him stretch those muscles. Let us pray."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: Hugh Sisson of Heavy Seas BrewingSponsor: Cigar City Brewing Tags: beer, craft beer, wine, brewpubs, distribution, Maryland, Baltimore, IPA, Cask AleThis episode is sponsored by: Cigar City BrewingThe world needs heroes, and in our home state of Florida only a very special hero will do. A hero with a shark tooth around his neck, a Grim Reaper tattoo on his arm, and a rap sheet longer than his mama’s mustache. A hero who’s forgotten more about amateur taxidermy and alligator rasslin’ than you’ll ever know. What better way to pay tribute to our beloved Florida Man than with a big ol’ Double India Pale Ale brewed with a nearly-criminal amount of hops and a moderate bitterness that just about matches Florida Man’s general disposition. This hopped-up whopper of a beer is big in character and guaranteed to sear itself into your memory, just like “the world’s worst superhero,” Florida Man. 

Thanksgiving is going to be different this year here in the United States but for many of us, smaller crowd sizes does not mean different foods or different beers. This week we talk with Hutch Kugeman of the Culinary Institute of America on how to plan out beer and food pairings, what to think about if you’re thinking about a cooking education, and the current state of the hospitality industry. 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: Hutch Kugeman of the Culinary Institute of AmericaSponsor: Cigar City Brewing Tags: beer, craft beer, food pairings, New York, supporting local, educationThis episode is sponsored by: Cigar City BrewingTropical and bright with a full palate of flavor and a potency designed with moderation in mind, Jai Low IPA lowers the intensity of a typical India Pale Ale while maintaining the highest quality and hop flavor possible. All the qualities found in the finest IPAs, including citrus aromas and flavors, bread-like maltiness and a moderate, snappy bitterness are found, making this beer a deceptively tempered addition to Cigar City Brewing’s line-up of hop-forward creations. 

Show notes from host John Holl:"I’ve known Tom Troncone since before I was writing about beer. We were competing reporters at newspapers in the New York Metro area. The nature of our jobs, covering crime and breaking news, often meant that we would be hanging out at crime scenes in the middle of the night. We were always friendly, but we’d work to beat each other’s brains out in the paper the following day. When I started writing about beer I discovered that Tom was a homebrewer as well as a big beer fan. He knew all the whales and where to find them, and was at all of the important releases, and bottle shares.  All along he was harboring the idea of opening his own brewery, and finally decided that it was time to leave journalism behind and open his own brewery, Muckraker, based in the northern part of New Jersey where he can focus on spontaneous beers from his coolship, local ingredients, and barrel aging.  It occurred to me that this kind of brewing was just right for an old ink stained wretch like Tom. As reporters we don’t dictate the news, but simply follow the story where it goes. It makes sense to understand the beat you’re covering so you can have context, but you just have to let events unfold.  Spontaneous ales are like that.  Nature, not a recipe dictates the way."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: Tom Troncone of Muckraker BeermakerSponsor: Cigar City Brewing Tags: beer, craft beer, spontaneous ales, Belgium, New Jersey, hard seltzerThis episode is sponsored by: Cigar City BrewingNative to the Basque region of Spain, the game of Jai Alai involves players launching a ball from a curved mitt called a cesta in an attempt to outsmart and outmaneuver their opponents on a court called a fronton. Native to Tampa, Florida, Jai Alai IPA is a bold, citrusy and balanced India Pale Ale that involves six different hop varietals used generously in a 7.5% ABV beer. While the number of frontons in our home state of Florida has dropped since the sport’s peak in the mid-1980’s, Cigar City Brewing pays homage to the sport and the dedicated players and patrons who keep this Florida tradition alive with its flagship ale. Look for notes of orange peel, clementine and light caramel to share the story and sunshine of Florida with beer lovers across the globe. 

This week, as Drink Beer, Think Beer celebrates its one year anniversary, we’re glad to welcome J.C. Tetreault of Trillium Brewing Co. to the show.  Tetreault has packed a lot into the eight years his brewery has been open.  He’s helped establish beer styles, he’s had tremendous growth, has been the subject of intense scrutiny where he’s had to defend the brewery and its reputation, and throughout it all he’s been tinkering, and making moves, adapting, and trying to keep his thoughts on his passions and what brought him to beer in the first place.   One year ago the show was in Belgium, in a barrel cellar talking about foam. So we wanted to come back to that word along with some other F-words with Tetreault. That includes fans, festivals, and the 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: Jean-Claude Tetreault of Trillium BrewingTags: Beer, Craft Beer, IPA, Massachusetts, Agriculture, Saison, Foam, Beer Festivals

Orpheus Brewing in Atlanta is the fun, familiar story of a home brewer who wanted to go pro and did. Head brewer and CEO Jason Pellett has a background in music but fell in love with beer making and wanted to bring something special to his city when he and partners opened up the brewery seven years ago. He’s seen the brewery evolve over time and while he has come to embrace some traditions, and holds some things sacred he is also not afraid to mix things up in either of his roles. This means pushing the envelope of flavor but also making sure the bones of the business are solid.Among its recent initiatives is a leadership diversity program that is underway to bring the beer industry along with the times and to make sure the brewery is doing its part. 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: Jason Pellett of Orpheus BrewingTags: Beer, Craft Beer, IPA, Atlanta, Coolship, Saison, Brewing Diversity