Beer Sessions Radio (TM)

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy tunes into the Ska network with co-founders Bill Graham and Dave Thibodeau from Ska Brewing in Durango, Colorado. The gang will listen to Dave's and Bill’s latest album about their brewing, growing, and drinking process.For the first track, we have the story of Bill and Dave. Growing up together by the Front Range of Colorado, the duo started home-brewing to Ska music in high school. They then moved to Durango partly to create the Ska Brewing Co. we now know, but mostly to ski. The second track is an intro to the three waves of Ska and their favorite bands like The Toasters and The Pietasters, who might be performing at their 27th anniversary this Labor Day Weekend.Track three and four are more complex, with Bill and Dave diving deeper into the company and their beers, as well as weed legalization in Colorado and the challenges it creates for local growers and brewers. Track five increases in tempo as the gang talks about home-brewing and the importance of enjoying the process. They also touch briefly on the words written on the lips of the cans with Jimmy’s challenge for their next one. To end the show, track six takes us gardening and into Dave’s backyard for a mini-lecture on how to grow carrots.No wonder this album is top 1 on Billboard 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 on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy welcomes back Jerard Fagerberg from Episode 603: From Jack Kerouac to British Coal Miners, The History of The Workingman’s Drink. Two renowned beer culture writers, Pete Brown and Dave Infante also join us for a conversation about unionizing in the craft beer industry. The episode kicks off with Pete’s description of the pubs and private clubs in Britain, along with his solid argument about how Shakespeare, Beyonce, and Charles Dicken all share a favorite spot in London. We also get to listen to Pete’s upcoming book, “Clubland,” and the inspiration behind it. The discussion then moves back to the States with Dave and Jerard talking about unions among craft breweries, and interindustry solidarity in organizing. While Jerard brings up Fair State Brewing Cooperative as a shining example of successful unions, Dave talks about the struggles and failures that workers might face in this uphill battle. Last but certainly not least, the gang dives deep into class consciousness and its education among mainstream discord, talking about Kim Kelly’s “Fight Like Hell,” football, and what Pete calls football. Pete also talks more about the Working Men’s Club and his working-class background.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 award-winners Peter Yi from Brooklyn Cider House and Ray Sheehan who created the “Best BBQ Sauce in the World” for an in-depth discussion on the classic American pairing of cider and BBQ. The gang will introduce not only insights into the makings of cider and BBQ, but also guide us to fully draw out their flavors by pairing them together!The episode will start with Ray’s gradual yet monumental growth in the BBQ world that led him to the top of the sauce chain today, in contrast to Peter’s big swift shift to cider from the old wine palate that all started in Spain. Ray goes on to tell how he learned the fundamentals by helping local BBQ teams with the most menial tasks, before diving deeper into his book “Big Green Eggs Basics from a Master Barbecuer,” while Peter reminisces his discovery of the lost apple cider tradition that led him owning an apple orchard, providing the source materials for all his products. Sipping an old-world-style OEC pilsner, Ray will take us through his lists of BBQ-beer pairings, ranging from ribs with porters to hot wings with IPAs. He then grabs the mic to interview Peter on how to pair cider with smoked pork loin, and reveals hot takes on food-alcohol pairings and pourings that are only available to those who stay till the end!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 mad scientist/artist/poet Sean Towers from Atlantic City’s The Seed: A Living Beer Project, and New Jerseyan beer appreciator/Gear Patrol’s beer guy Ryan Brower. In Sean’s lair, the gang will devise their master scheme to prove there's so much more to Atlantic City than casinos.Step one: Thinking inside the box. With Sean’s background in marine biology and microbiology and his lifelong sidekick Amanda’s in sociology, The Seed utilizes the traditions in beer making to elevate their saisons, lagers, pub porters, and IPAs. These are the trusted four you can always find on draft at their AC taproom. Step two: Keeping it local. As Ryan opens up bottle after bottle of lagers and pub porters like as simple as patterns? and all tucked away, Sean discusses their devotion to local ingredients such as grains from New Jersey’s premier malter Rabbit Hill Malt, and the bustling revitalization of the city in arts, culinary as well as entertainment. Step three: Adding the artistry. Sean will now dive deep into The Seed’s naming conventions with lowercase and question marks which pains Ryan as an editor while exciting him as a mad beer fan. But the artistry does not stop there, as Sean reveals the story behind poetry in motion and his basketball career.Last but not least, the plan will finish off with a commitment to keeping the locality, following the traditions, and adding the culture here at The Seed, along with a dandelion secret waiting to be revealed. Catch the episode right now and be in on this genius plan!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 will drive North to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where package stores are cordially called "packey," to visit RMA Craft Beer and Wine packey store for an exclusive tasting and on-site recording session with Rockport Brewing Company. Jimmy is always on the lookout for top-notch retail beershops, and Rockport is a north-of-Boston top-selling local brand. Despite being a small-scale contract brewer, Rockport is committed to quality, community, and unity among workers alike!The conversation kicks off with the unconventional journey of Rockport’s founder and sales manager, Ray Pickup, and Tyler Johnson, with a glass of Whale Cove white ale for Jimmy. The gang continues sharing their perspective of the brewing community, emphasizing their appreciation for the local support. Ray will go on to reinstate the Rockport identity in his brand design and marketing, along with an anecdotal history of all his beers, before Tyler reveals the secrets of his top-notch salesmanship. Last but definitely not least, Ray’s no-longer-hidden day job as Business Representative for International Union for Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35 and his mission to turn Rockport into the first fully union-affiliated brewery in the country. Jimmy then circles back to the difficulty of small-batch brewing, with an in-depth case study of Ray’s tribute to his great grandfather — the Mcateer’s Dry Irish Stout!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.

As Earth Day approaches, this week’s Beer Sessions Radio welcomes two environmental defenders in the brewing world — Michael Kowalski from Berkshire Mountain Distillers and Sean Lawson from Lawson’s Finest Liquids. They will be coaching us on how to take the waste out of getting wasted!Opening the episode, Sean presents his pioneering Green is Grand project before spilling all about the Sunshine Canopy, Vermont’s largest free-standing solar power structure, and its ribbon-cutting event on April 22. Michael joins the conversation with the “wasting not and wanting none” approach at Berkshire, which involves repurposing their used ingredients, remodeling their cooling system, and reusing their wastewater. The discussion then took a citrusy detour for you to take a sip of Sean’s Double Sunshine and Michael’s Grey Lock Gin.Do stay sober as we close the show with Sean emphasizing the holistic mentality when it comes to sustainable brewing, and Michael diving deeper into water and energy conservation. Finally, the gang comes down to a naming competition for the canopy, with top contenders currently being: Jimmy’s “Curious George” and Sean’s “Store of Sunshine.”  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 will drive all the way to Kittery, Maine for an in-depth lecture on beer styles and beer history. This exciting course is currently taught by Woody Mott, son of Tod Mott the New England brewing legend, and Horst Dornbusch, editor and contributor for The Oxford Companion to Beer, at Tributary Brewing Company. The class will start off with Woody’s journey from the finance world to the brewing world, explaining his deep involvement and understanding of every step in the beer-making process. Horst will then join us and kick off the lecture with a dive into the history of pilsner, the Californian Common, New York Cream Ale, all before introducing us to Tributary’s favorites like the flagship Pale Ale, the Dinkelator, and the soon-to-run-out Imperial Stout that will be available April 23. Lastly, Woody will go deep into his approach to recipe writing and his adoration for Aventinus, whereas Horst will emphasize the importance of ingredients and agriculture in the making of the beers, along with a climate change industry report. Woody will then leave a final appreciation for all the brewers that came before Tributary, and assure every student attending: “You’re just gonna have a damn good beer!”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, whiskey will take over Beer Sessions Radio! Chris Weld and Michael Kowalski from Berkshire Mountain Distillers – Massachusett’s first legal distillery since prohibition – grab the mic to tell us about the Craft Brewers Whiskey Project, and all that brews into the best beer-based whiskey. Also on this episode is Nick Smith of Otter Creek Brewing Company – one of the project’s collaborators. Nick reminisces on the day he got a bottle back from Berkshire before discussing with the gang what the best beer is for making whiskey, and how distillation brings out the best in beer. Jimmy finally gets his job back with a conversation on corn whiskey, revealing Chris’s secret at his distillery. Last but not least, Michael will expand on Berkshire’s collaborator approach with their retailer and restaurant partners, along with his efforts to show off their whiskey through engaging tasting sessions. Chris will also introduce us to their on-premise charity event, which features barrels from local brewers.Are you a business owner? Become an HRN business member! For $500 HRN will shine a light on your work AND you will help sustain our mission to expand the way people think about food. As a thank you for this tax-deductible donation, your business will receive on-air mentions, social media posts, listings on our website and more. Go to heritageradionetwork.org/biz to become a business member todayHeritage 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 will drive by cider town to discover a young and bustling community for Open That Cider Bottle Day. Recently created by the American Cider Association (ACA) to engage the cider enthusiasts and educate the interested winemakers, the occasion gathers to the show Michelle McGrath of ACA, Anne and Steve Garwood of Ragged Hill Cider Company, Paige Flori of Boutique Wines and Spirits, and Anne Shelton of Albemarle Ciderworks.The episode will start with Open That Cider Bottle Day’s origin story by Michelle, before the gang share with us the bottles they have been saving on air. Steve will then take the wheel to a comprehensive discussion of ciders’ potentials for aging and collecting, accompanied by advice for newcomers from Paige and aging experiments at Albemarle. The conversation comes to an end as the group shares their marketing plans for this day next year, with a culinary pairing focus and vertical tasting menus. Last but not least, our guest Michelle will leave you with a poetic cider-appreciation quote:“Friendly reminder: there’s nothing finer than deglazing the pan with your favorite cider” Are you a business owner? Become an HRN business member! For $500 HRN will shine a light on your work AND you will help sustain our mission to expand the way people think about food. As a thank you for this tax-deductible donation, your business will receive on-air mentions, social media posts, listings on our website and more. Go to heritageradionetwork.org/biz to become a business member today. 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 will introduce you to the world of lagers and beer-food pairings. Jimmy and our guests Mirella Amato, Todd DiMatteo, along with Luc “Bim” LaFontaine will have a lively discussion about pairing techniques and considerations, as well as the light beer scene around the world. The episode breaks off with Todd from Good Word Brewing and Public House promoting his upcoming Little Beer Fest on April 9 with 65 breweries gathering in Duluth, Georgia. Godspeed Brewery’s Luc then talks about his time in Japan and Czech exploring the world of craft small beers, before explaining his process when it comes to pairing beers and food at his retail shop house. All these conversations happen as Mirella from Beerology took us through a demo of her new course Mastering Beer & Food Pairing, brought to you by Beerology® by using Todd and Luc’s examples to demonstrate her technique-focused curriculum!Photo Courtesy of Andrew Budziak.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.