Beer Sessions Radio (TM)

Jimmy gathers once more at Threes Brewing in Gowanus, Brooklyn. This time with Author- Peter Kaminsky and Chef/Restaurateur- Alex Raij. Our guests share with us their backgrounds and long-time friendships while dining on local tacos and discussing cooking, fly fishing, and more. Alex Raij is a first generation Argentine-American who grew up in the Midwest, attended culinary school, and lived in Milan and the Pacific Northwest before falling in love with Basque chef Eder Montero. Together, they have opened five restaurants. Alex distinguishes herself by creating dishes that capture a sense of place without giving up a sense of personal intimacy. What emerges are stories of connection and intersection across landscapes and timelines that are delicious, inimitable, and authentic on all levels. Peter Kaminsky’s writing career began at National Lampoon where he was managing editor in the mid 1970’s. As a food author and journalist, he is a frequent contributor to Food and Wine magazine. He wrote Underground Gourmet for New York Magazine for 4 years and his culinary work has appeared in the Food section of the New York Times over the last 25 years. He has co-authored 20 cookbooks including 7 Fires with Francis Mallmann, The Elements of Taste with Gray Kunz, Ultimate Tailgating with John Madden and, due in 2026, On Goose Cove: Recipes From The Heart of Maine with Devin Finigan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy calls up to Maine for the final episode of Craft Malt Month. Here we meet Joe Rinaldo, Director of Sales at Blue Ox Malt and Katie Miller, Head Brewer of Good Fire Brewing. We learn a bit about the relationship between Blue Ox Malt and Good Fire Brewing, making grisette with "cool corns", the legal and scientific limits of using corn, and how to get creative with smoking malts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy gathers at the Penn Station Concourse in Manhattan with BR Rolya (Beer Consultant), Noah Levin, Phil Laurelli, and Justin Phillips of Beer Table. In this episode, we learn a bit more about the start of Beer Table, all the Belgian beers that they offer, how their beers (and tin fish) are selected, and we even get a few words from some loyal patrons.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy invites Scott Ramsey and Adrian Luna to a gainful discussion about Cider season in the Empire State. Scott is the Executive Director, and Adrian is the Membership and Communications Coordinator for the New York Cider Association. The conversation starts with the impact of the pandemic on the small business Cider Industry, then moves to the evolution of Cider Week over the years, the diversity of ciders, Cider Feast and plenty more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy hops a train to Gowanus, Brooklyn, to visit Josh Penney of Threes Brewing. The duo discuss Josh's new role as head brewer, the modern IPA, intentional brewing, and winning awards!-Josh Penney, the newly appointed, award-winning Head Brewer at Threes Brewing, the beloved Brooklyn-based brewery and community space. With his extensive background in the craft beer space and his current position at the helm of one of New York’s most respected craft breweries, Josh can provide a unique perspective into the evolution of the industry over the years, and what he’s most excited to bring to the taps at Threes today. Josh’s tenure at Threes is defined by innovation, intentionality, and an unwavering commitment to quality. He joins the team after an acclaimed run as Head Brewer at Highland Park Brewery in Los Angeles, where he helped lead the brewery to multiple World Beer Cup awards and four gold medals at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival. Highland Park also took home the coveted “Brewery Group Brewery and Brewer of the Year” title under his leadership.His inspired approach to brewing is on full display in Threes most recent releases, which includes the West Coast Pilsner Don’t Blink, an aromatic hop-driven brew with notes of tropical fruit, and the Luger Lager, a Bavarian brew launched in collaboration with New York’s iconic Peter Luger Steakhouse. The brewery even expanded into hard seltzers and NA options like their Plot Twist hop water – another indication of exciting innovations to comeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy's second episode for Craft Malt Month has us meeting Jeff Bloem from Murphy & Rude Malting Company and longtime friend of the show, Emily Hutto, with RadCraft. Right from the get, we learn a little something about the origins of Craft Malt Month, Virginia malt farms, estate beer, and challenging the industry norms.Please visit https://craftmaltmonth.com/ to learn more about how to support your local grain supply chain.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy dials up Hillary Barile, farmer/maltster at Rabbit Hill Farm Malt, and Sean Towers, Co-Founder of The Seed: A Living Beer Project. With both businesses based in New Jersey, the chat begins by comparing local malts with mainstream malts, then develops into a conversation about barley malt varieties, Atlantic City's resurgence, smoked malts, and more! This episode marks the 1st of 3 malt-focused shows for September as Craft Malt Month.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy heads down South to the Jersey Shore to meet with Dave Gill and Jessie Chase at Wildwoods BBQ. Dave is the co-owner of Wildwoods and Jessie is the founder of The Social Medium- a communications agency based in Paris and New York. Dave shares how he got his start at Hometown BBQ, incorporating Australian BBQ techniques, consulting in Bogota, and what it takes to win Brisket King NYC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy takes a call with heritage hog farmer/ pit master Tank Jackson, chef and livestock instructor, Mike Lapi, and Jesse Hirsch, food and agriculture journalist at Offrange. The fellas get into how they got to where they are, the passion involved in hog farming, the teaching process of butchery, and the importance of finding a use for the whole animal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy welcomes David and Sarah Martell of JMASH Cider and Hilltop Orchards, as well as Ronald Sansone of the Connecticut Cider Association and Spoke & Spy Ciderworks. During this discussion, we learn a ton about owning/operating a three-in-one orchard, cidery and winery business, sustainable agriculture in New England, Apfelkorn, and the importance of relationships and networking among cider makers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.