Beer Sessions Radio (TM)

Inspired by the Bowl of Zole Brooklyn festival, this episode is all about corn and Mexican alcoholic beverages. This week Jimmy is joined by Gabriel Velazquez Zazueta, Agave Educator at  TUYO; Tom Pavlich, Division Manager at B. United Importers; and Patrick Dacy, owner of Dukes Liquor Box. Together they go over the foundations of Mexico's craft beverages, including how corn gets processed, which spirits come from which plants, and how we might evaluate "authenticity" in agave spirits.If you're new to Agave spirits and you want the real  101 course, Gabriel and Patrick put together a great article to get you started. Plus, Tom's shares how B. United is applying lessons learned from importing Italian and Japanese beers to their more recent Mexican imports.Beverage List: La Brü, Maíz Azul Monstruo de Agua Cerveceria, Nochtli Casa Leon Rojo, Mauthia Mezcal Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by SimplecastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Jimmy on his inaugural visit to Buffalo, NY with our guide Ethan Cox, co-founder and co-owner of Community Beer Works. Returning guest Ethan is an esteemed brewer, beer judge, beer history writer, and overall authority on beer in the state of NY.Ethan details the journey from homebrewer to Community Beer Works, which started after he got immersed in Irish pub culture while studying abroad. After coming back to Boston, the next step for Ethan was buying a beer making kit. From there, Ethan trekked up state to Buffalo, NY where he joined local home brewing clubs.There was only one brewery in Buffalo when Ethan moved there - all the historic breweries in town went out of business in the early 70’s - and he saw a gap in the beer scene that needed filling. That took the form of Community Beer Works, which started as a nano-brewery (just 3 half-kegs per batch!), but has grown into an award-winning institution of Buffalo’s West Side.If you want to dig deeper into Buffalo beer, check out “Buffalo Beer: The History of Brewing in the Nickel City”, by Mike Rizzo and Ethan Cox.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This special episode was taped live on location at Flounder Brewing - one of the busiest brewery taprooms in New Jersey. Situated on a 250-year old farm in Somerset County, they share the property with their neighbors Bellemara Distilling and have become an incredible craft beverage destination. Jimmy was joined by “Flounder” himself, Jeremy Lees; Cam Winkelstein, Head Distiller of Bellemara; and Melonie Marano, Somerset County Commissioner Deputy Director. They talk about everything from barn historians to smoked beers.Plus, learn how to snag a sweet t-shirt by checking out craft beverage makers around Somerset County through their “Sip & See” program!All this and more, live with BSR in Somerset County, NJ!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on BSR, a Brooklyn rendezvous in Massachusetts! Jimmy is joined by former Brooklynites Sarah Real and Mike Dell'Aquila of Hot Plate Brewing Company in Pittsfield, MA. After listening in to the NYC Beer Bar Buds episode, the pair had to get in on the BSR action! They reached out to Jimmy, and now they’re here to talk about building a brewery from a dream.After some quick shout outs to the Bierwax and Beer Witch bars in Brooklyn, the gang settles in to discuss the journey to Hot Plate Brewing; taking home brewing to pro brewing, coloring outside the lines of technicality, breaking down styles, the excitement and terror of opening a new brewery, and making friends all around the world through brewing beer “potions”! Get away from it all in Pittsfield, Mass - grab some headphones and grab a glass!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Jimmy decides to host a book club on Beer Sessions Radio with Claude Jolicoeur — the author of “Cider Planet: Explore the Producers, Practices, and Unique Traditions of Craft Ciders and Perry from around the World.” Inviting Boutique Wines’s Paige Flori and @hardciderguys’s Adrian, the gang will serve you a three-course meal of cider history with a side of Jimmy’s superb French techniques. For our first course, you will be served Claude’s journey as a writer and cider maker from his first book to the stories behind “Cider Planet.” Paige then cooks up a plate of her education as a cider enthusiast/retailer/up-coming certified pommelier and an app of question for Claude titled “Is Cider a Beer?” Claude also shares with us the French and many other traditions around the world, before Adrian jumps in with his intro and how he’s learning to join the big league of cider through the minority scholarship at the Cider Institute of North America. After a short break, entree is now out with a toast to Farnum Hill Ciders — for being on Paige's gigantic apple tree tap and in Jimmy’s hand. We’ll now dig up the possible first apples in the world from Kazakhstan, before talking Roman’s conquest and prohibition along with their impact on cider making. A dish of hand-crusting apples and acidity balance will also sit neatly on our delicious table. Last but not least, ice cider is up for dessert and will be served with the special “Je m’appelle Jimmy” syrup. At the bottom of the bowl, you might be able to find the secrets to how Paige keeps up with all the things she has in store and Adrian’s next location for cider tasting. Grab your spoon and have a taste of our cider planet right now!Photo Courtesy of Claude Jolicoeur.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy returns to Roberta’s studio to chat with the Bushwick All-Stars — Sake King Shinobu Kato, Beer King Jesse Ferguson, and Pizza King Brandon Hoy. The gang gets stared at by newcomers at Roberta’s while talking community spirits and locality in beverage programs in Bushwick/E-Wib/Robertaville.The episode starts off with a standup comedy session about Zoom and the lack of microphones at the studio, before we get to brief introductions by Brandon, Jesse, and Shinobu along with their organizations — Roberta’s Pizza, Interboro Spirits and Ales, and Kato Sake Works. They then dive right into the part of Bushwick where they are all located with the nickname E-Wib and its pre-hospitality history. Jesse also tells us more about his neighborhood tribute Bushburg pilsner, while Shinobu recalls how the local community helped him grow through the pandemic. Brandon also jumps in with the story of the Mahalo At Ya Boi — Interboro-brewed specifically for Roberta’s and its locals. The conversation then moves into the world of Sake, where Jimmy gets schooled on Sake Bomb and gets so nervous that he keeps on touching the mic. Right before the break, Brandon reveals the secrets of the craftsmanship approach at Roberta’s. Last but not least, we’ll dive into the spirits and drinks they are all sipping at the studio. Jesse brings with him on his bike a 3-year-old straight malt whisky and a special amaro, while Shinobu talks more about his upcoming new place that you won’t want to miss out on. Grab your spirits anyway and become a virtual local of Robertaville!Photo Courtesy of Matt Patterson.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on BSR, it’s a studio session! Make that a studio party! Jimmy and friends take Roberta’s. Get cozy and crack a brew with Chris Maestro, co-founder and co-owner BierWax Queens and BierWax Brooklyn; Yahaira Gil-Maestro, co-owner BierWax and BierWax Queens; Kevin Bradford, co-owner of Harlem Hops; Kim Harris, co owners Harlem Hops; and Christa Sobier, owner of Beer Witch.After two years of folks drinking at home, Jimmy and this esteemed group of NYC proprietors discuss the value of a warm, accepting spot to drink and gather. Listen to reflections on other valuable tenets of BSR like partnership, growth, serendipity, community, education, representation, and of course, NYC CRAFT BEER!Grab some headphones and join the party!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy drives down South for an exclusive talk with the influencers of the Black craft beer movement — Ale Sharpton and Mike Potter. While Ale is a beer writer slash expert slash critic slash personality, Mike is also the founder of Black Brew Culture slash Fresh Fest slash Blacktoberfest. The gang will follow the rise of Black craft breweries as well as the details of Ale’s and Mike’s individual projects serving as steps on that ladder.The episode kicks off with a catch-up session with Ale and his journey in the Piano Keys World — his collaboration with New Belgium. He also gives us a peek into the growth of Atlanta’s beer scene through legislation and minority brewing movements. We then get to meet Mike and two outstanding brewers from Blacktoberfest — Dirtbag Ale’s Tito and Beale Street Brewing Company’s Kelvin — along with their paths on the craft beer way and what they are brewing for this upcoming Blacktober. Additionally, we’ll also dive into an analysis of the ups and downs of the Black beer scene in U.S.’s Southern cities, before coming back to Ale’s efforts to shine light on the small guys. After the break, we’ll come back with Kelvin's private session with his exclusive trivias and stories on Elvis. Jimmy attempts to make his endings consistent by going around the room asking people their favorite beers for the week, before Mike closes out with details about Blacktoberfest (October 1st in St. Louis, 15th in Atlanta, and 22nd in Durham). Hop in the car and tune into our show while driving to Blacktober, Jimmy’s waiting for you!Photo Courtesy of Ale Sharpton.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Beer Sessions Radio welcomes back Jaega Wise and her book “Wild Brews” - the only book twice featured - along with biologist Paul Mankiewicz, to spill all about water. We shall start off with a brief re-intro by Jaega, and Paul’s intro of his work with water. Jaega will talk more about her time at water school, before giving you exclusive tips for your first batch. We’ll also discuss alkaline and all the bad things that can happen with beers when you get the water wrong, before Paul jumps in with a history lesson on the NYC water system. Jimmy also tries to get involved with a pretty obvious question about hardness, while Jaega and Paul geek out way too hard on the term “scale.”Later on, we come back to the recipes in “Wild Brews” and Burton-on-Trent unique eggy pale ale. The gang also touches on climate change, with its impact on water and the craft beer scene. Last but not least, Jimmy finally finds a consistent way to end the show by bringing back the question-for-other format, before Jaega tells us the same dumb question everyone keeps asking about her book.Grab your goggles and waterproof headphones before joining us on this deep dive!Photo Courtesy of Miles Willis.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on BSR, Jimmy gets schooled on yeast and the history of bread and beer traditions! We welcome Lars Marius Garshol of Norway, an author and researcher in yeast and traditional farmhouse brewing; Pete Lengyel-Fushimi, NYC-based craft brewer and Jimmy’s go-to scientist; and Eric Pallant of Pennsylvania, Author of Sourdough Culture.We start by diving into Norwegian Kveik Yeast strains, known for their extremely high temperature tolerance. This allows for turbo-speed beer fermentation, which incorporates historically significant, ancient traditions. Eric compares those traditions to tracing back his sourdough starter to the time of the industrial revolution!Later on, Pete applies the scientific method to Eric and Lars to try and pry some of the secrets of fermentation out of them…Grab some headphones, press play, and get ready to break down and bubble up!Photo Courtesy of Lars Marius Garshol.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.