Beer Sessions Radio (TM)

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy talks to Brent Manning from Riverbend Malt House in Asheville, North Carolina, about their process of producing high quality craft malt at a large scale. The duo discuss the trends in craft beer, craft malt, and the future of a more sustainable beer industry. Grab your green headphones and dig in on the convo with us right now!Brent kicks off the episode with a brief introduction of his environmental consultant background, and how he turned to craft malt through his craft beer passion. He’ll also give you a glimpse of the early day struggles with his ‘artisan’ kiln, before introducing us to the fanciest equipment whose name Jimmy can’t even pronounce. Brent continues to present us with a more local and more creative future for malters and brewers nationwide, before diving into Craft Malt Week this Sept. 27, organized by the Craft Malsters Guild, where he is the founder and president.After a short break, we will return to a discussion on distilleries using craft malts and Brent’s experimentations with different types of grains. He’ll also share an exciting trend of brewers converting to using locally sourced and malted grains as a triumph against international maltsters, along with a crazy story about a couple from the Netherlands who came to a Craft Malt Week. Last but not least, Brent closes the show with an amazing growth report for South East craft beer and malt, along with his mission being a bridge between farmers and brewers nationwide. Photo Courtesy of Brent Manning.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 Good Word Brewing’s Todd DiMatteo and the author of “The Craft Brewery Cookbook”, John Holl. The gang will talk beer and food in all the ways that you can, accompanied by all the trivia stories that Jimmy can come up with.The episode starts with an introduction for John and his latest cookbook, which is an exciting collection of recipes from brew pubs all around the country. He will also tell us about the experimental nature of beer and food pairings, as well as his travel to Todd’s cozy tap room in Duluth. And that’s when Todd will chime in with his thoughts on John and the cookbook, before our writer goes back to raving over the acoustics at Good Word. The gang then moves on to talking about All About Beer, where John just took over as editor, and their intention to cover all things important to beer pros and drinkers alike. Last but not least, Todd will tell us more about his upcoming festival Les Bon and the beer dinners included in it, before Jimmy shares his exclusive veal brisket carpaccio story. Todd also talks a bit more about his next Little Beer fest on April 15, 2023, before we discuss John’s old book and approach to exploring the world of food and beer that definitely does not involve the tap. Grab your headphones and take over with better beer trivias than Jimmy’s right now!Photo Courtesy of John Holl.HRN is home to transformative exchanges about food. Our 35+ member-supported food podcasts empower eaters to cultivate a radically better world. This month, we’re asking you to join us. Become a monthly sustaining member at heritageradionetwork.org/donate.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 finally gets a break from the online world with an in-person visit to Plant Pub by the famous Fenway Park. Sitting down with Pat McAuley, one of the pub’s co-founders and a plant-based athlete, they will attempt to show you a new future for pub and pub food that’s growing in Boston. The episode kicks off with Pat’s introduction to the beer world at Russ Heissner’s Barrel House Z and his journey from a meat-eating college football player (who happens to look like Julian Edelman) to a plant-based activist. He’ll then move on to talk about the 350-seat location that they are sitting in right now, waiting for Jimmy’s classic burger and fries made entirely out of plants. Pat will also share more about Plant Pub’s approach with plant-based food, which is focused on making these dishes more accessible through familiar language and menu items. He also shows appreciation for his head chef Mary Dumont and the team along with his partners Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni and Matthew Kenney.After our short break, the gang will talk about Pat’s podcast, where he interviews nutritional experts and people who went through the same journey as he did (with the first episode featuring his own mom). They also discuss the health benefits of a plant-based diet, and just how well it goes with craft beers. Last but not least, Pat shares how he’s supporting local farmers and brewers, as well as his worries for the first Red Sox game at the pub this Friday. Grab your headphones right now and pray for Plant Pub!HRN is home to transformative exchanges about food. Our 35+ member-supported food podcasts empower eaters to cultivate a radically better world. This month, we’re asking you to join us. Become a monthly sustaining member at heritageradionetwork.org/donate.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.

Inspired by Lew Bryson’s article, “What Stout Has Become Has Led Me Back To Porter,” Beer Sessions Radio will welcome Lew himself and Todd DiMatteo from Good Word Brewing to talk porter and classic English beer in this week's episode. Lew will be sure to ramble about the thorough story of dark beers, and fulfill Jimmy’s purpose when inviting him, while Todd will add his perspective as a brewer of the classics. Jimmy kicks off the episode by asking Lew his reasons behind an article about porter. Besides being asked by his boss to do so, Lew reveals quite a few interesting memories he had with porters — and his appreciation for how it made Myrtle beach bearable. Todd also shares his take on porter, before publicly apologizing to Lew for sending him the wrong batch of summer ale. We will then move onto a history of English beers in its own lifetime, as well as within the American craft beer movement.Last but not least, the gang goes deeper into porters and styles, as well as the role of a beer critic in the craft beer industry. Lew shares his thoughts on why people read his writing, before Todd explains why he prefers sending beers to writers for organic marketing. Todd will also share a glimpse into his Little Beer Festival this past April, before the gang come back to the discussion of, "why English beer?" Grab your headphones right now and be a part of our lively discussion on Beer Sessions Radio!HRN is home to transformative exchanges about food. Our 35+ member-supported food podcasts empower eaters to cultivate a radically better world. This month, we’re asking you to join us. Become a monthly sustaining member at heritageradionetwork.org/donate.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 adds to a cidery summer with an intergenerational conference where the legends meet rising stars in the New England cider world. In this episode, we will welcome Steve Wood from Farnum Hill Ciders and Eleanor Leger from Eden Ciders — the legends — along with Bird Dog Cider’s Peter Endres and Easthampton Cider Project’s Josh Bromage — the legends-to-be.The episode kicks off with a brief introduction for our guests before we get to know Steve, who has been in the industry since 1965. We then move on to Eleanor’s collaboration with Steve as well as her own cider journey. The newbies finally chime in with their origin stories, with Josh’s time in Ireland and Pete’s childhood in the heart of New York state’s apple country.The gang finally geeks out on one another and turns the episode into a Q&A session. Paradoxically, the rising stars ask legends about the industry’s future outlook, while Steve and Eleanor learn more about Pete’s and Josh’s love for classics and communities. Grab your headphones and sit down with us in this cozy discussion right now! 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 two homeschooled brewers — Jeff Lyons from Endless Life Brewing in Brooklyn, and Jaega Wise from Wild Card Brewery in East London, who also happens to be the author of “Wild Brews.” The gang will bang out lessons on homebrewing and sour beers, before revealing the secrets to the water section of Jaega's latest book. The episode starts with Jaega’s and Jeff’s introduction to the homebrewing world as well as their backgrounds outside of the beer industry. While Jaega grew up in the Midland region in UK, noted for Burton-on-Trent, with a CAMRA beer festival as her first, Jeff hung out with the Beer Judge Certification Program gang in the back room of Jimmy’s No. 43. Jaega also shared her unexpectedly perfect journey to beerdom, studying chemical engineering and going to water school for her previous job in water treatment. She went on to explain the keys to controlling what she considers the most underappreciated ingredient in brewing — water. The gang then goes deeper into sour beer and the history of homebrewing, with Jimmy admitting to only being able to make “the no hygiene beer” inspired by the Victorian era’s Tudor. They also discuss the revival of cask beers along with the brewing scene in London, with a tiny surprise about water in Scotland and whisky distilling. Grab your headset and listen in on the secrets right now!Photo Courtesy of Jaega Wise.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 welcomes the legends of the cider world — James Asbel from Ciders of Spain, Peter Mitchell (not British) of Headwater Cider Company and Ronald Sansone from Spoke + Spy Ciderworks, who just so happens to also be the president of the Cider Institute of North America. The gang will discuss Spanish cider and its making methods, before traveling through space and time to investigate the historical and geographical developments of ciders.The episode kicks off with a vivid introduction into Peter’s 2000 trees orchard and his motto of “grow what you press, press what you grow,” James’ discovery of Spanish ciders, along with Ron’s love for dry still cider. The group also talks about cider making in different regions from Spain, to the Pacific Northwest, to Franklin County and the overall New England area. Last but not least, Ron leads us down the history of cider in the United States — how it started out as “the bad boy” in prohibition and became the outcast when people were rewriting the law of alcohol. James also digs deeper into Spanish cider making, the ubiquity of ciders in Spain and how he chooses his products, before Jimmy declares his running for office with the slogan, “chickens in every pot, ciders on every corner.” Catch us right now and vote for Jimmy 2024!            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 flies spirit to Europe for a meeting with three European cider makers — Oliver’s Cider and Perry’s Tom Oliver, Pilton Cider’s Martin Berkeley from the United Kingdom, and Berryland’s Vitalii Karvyha from Ukraine, who recently lost his cidery. The gang sit down to talk cider techniques and tasting, as well as discuss the cideries, community, and events in the UK. Help rebuild Berryland with the American Cider Association here.The episode starts with the three sharing their cider making ingredients and techniques, along with their experience at the Bristol Cider Salon. While Tom and Martin are the events’ organizers, Vitalii is among the most beloved vendors with his distinct wild fermentation along with his variety of apples and peels. Tom shared their journey from attending the Franklin County Cider Day and seeing the reception that cider got, to coming back and receiving the blessing for their name, before inviting international vendors including Bausman Cider’s Christine Walter, Seattle Cider’s Scott Katsma, and Eden Cider’s Kris Kazaks. We also dive deep into what makes for good ciders with Tom’s tannin cider talk, Martin’s keeving techniques, and Vitalii’s abundance of resources and skills.Last but not least, Tom goes into the making of London Cider House, a UK cider bar/retail shop in the historic Borough Market. Martin will also share more about his strategy of collaborating with your competitors in business, while they both tell us their favorite bottles. Grab yours and join us right now on Beer Sessions Radio! 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 Dave McLean from Admiral Maltings in Alameda, California. Founding Magnolia Brewing Company in the 1990s and Admiral Maltings in 2017 with Ron Silberstein and Curtis Davenport, Dave proves to be among the ranks of fearless pioneers in the wild world of craft beer.Jimmy kicks off the episode turning back to Dave’s early days in the industry. Discovering craft in the parking lot of a Grateful Dead concert, Dave moved to the West coast and learned how to brew through the UC Davis Brewing Program. He then takes us through the craft beer landscape at the time, while talking about Magnolia, cask beer, and the community spirit of the industry. The gang then goes deeper into craft malt and beer styles. Dave shares his journey to becoming a maltster along with his true goal of localizing beer production and connecting breweries, maltsters, and farmers into one welcoming community. Last but not least, he will share the three best beers and whiskies made out of premium malts from Admiral Maltings. Grab your headphones and find out what they are!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, we return to our live studio at Roberta’s Pizza upon our guest’s special request. Jimmy sits down uncomfortably before he welcomes Em Sauter, the author of ‘Hooray for Craft Beer!,’ and James Tai, a ‘random guy sitting at the bar’ who is helping local bars and restaurants improve their service. The episode kicks off with Em’s and James’s background in the beer world and their experience with the Cicerone Certification program. Em also shares her cartooning background with an MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies, along with her first beer job selling cigarettes and Budweisers to cement factory workers while dusting the Belgian beers that no one ever bought. Jimmy props them to give away their ‘legend’ Master Cicerones, but will he reveal his?We’ll then dive deeper into the content of Em’s book, ‘Hooray for Craft Beer!,’ as well as her illustration and research on Pints and Panels, a website providing materials for levels 1 and 2 of the Cicerone certificate. Em tells Jimmy more about the history and the importance of beer in our world, as it has inspired so many technological developments. Finally, the gang talks more about Fox Farm Brewery where Em works part-time, while tasting their Altra Volta Three-Year Blend paired with Roberta’s Beesting and Beastmaster.See more of Em’s illustration on her Instagram and read her rants about the Red Sox on her Twitter! 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.