Beer Sessions Radio (TM)

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.

Beer Sessions Radio, food radio, Shelton Brothers, beer, drinks, deep ellum beer bar, delaware supply bar, European beers, imported beers, shelton brothers nycThis week, Beer Sessions Radio is dedicated to the Shelton Brothers, America’s most influential importer of Belgian and European beers. With the appearance of Joel Shelton himself, Jimmy and our guests Max Toste, BR Rolya, along with Lauren Slezak and Colin Pratt, talk about their memories with the brothers’ products and show appreciation for their legacy.Everyone will start reminiscing about their interaction with the brothers’ beers. Max Toste from Deep Ellum Beer Bar retells small anecdotes that made him geek out on the brothers as artisans. Lauren and Colin from Delaware Supply Bar explained how they were inspired to collaborate with foreign brewers. In addition, BR from Shelton Brothers NYC expressed admiration for the brothers’ Belgium and Franconia selections. Finally, Joel talks about Inner Circle Beer Tours — the brothers’ latest project. Our guests who have attended these tours will share their experiences and invite listeners onto the exciting adventures!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 in celebration of NYC Beer Week, Jimmy teams up with local brewers from Gun Hill Brewing Co., the Pony Bar NYC, Daleview Biscuits and Beer NYC, 18th Ward Brew, NYC Brewers Guild, and Alewife Brewing Co. to discuss the in-person return of the festival after 2 years.All of our guests will introduce their beers along with how they weathered the pandemic. Ann V. Reilly, Executive Director of NYC Brewers Guild reestablishes the importance of breweries in the city while promoting NYC Beer Week after detailing the hardships brewers have gone through as a result of COVID-19. In addition, Jimmy and the gang talked about the efforts to draw in NY state breweries to compete with festivals in neighboring areas. Finally, Dan McLaughlin from the Pony Bar NYC introduces the OG Beer Night at the Bar on March 1st, which will be part of the NYC Beer Week taking place Feb 27 till March 5 all around the city!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.

Craft Malt Conference Weekend is here! Kick back and chat Craft Malt with Hannah Turner, Director of The MSU Barley and Malt Quality Lab in Bozeman, MT; Hillary Barile of Rabbit Hill Farms in New Jersey; and Jesse Bussard, Executive Director of the Craft Maltsters Guild.Hannah tracks her journey through plant science to studying brewing at MSU. Jesse recollects her own history with agriculture and homebrewing that led her to the Craft Maltsters Guild. After some serious suspense, Hillary dishes on Rabbit Hill Malt House winning Best of Show at the Craft Malt Cup Awards. Cheers to celebrating excellence within the Craft Malt community! 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, Jimmy is continuing with this month's Craft Malt Conference theme, speaking with Dennis and Jeanette Nesel and Mike Renganeschi of Hudson Valley Brewery, and Sam Merrett Captain of Schooner Apollonia. The gang talks about the project Sam has relentlessly or passionately (depending on who you ask) led over the past few years to transport malt, among other products, in an entirely carbon-neutral way. From transporting malt down the original superhighway of the Hudson Valley River on Schooner Apollonia to biking it from the shore to the brewery to making malt the old-fashion way, Captain Sam and the crew at Hudson Valley Brewery are reshaping what it means to brew local beer. Grab your favorite eco-friendly brewed beer and give it a listen!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.