600 avsnitt • Längd: 55 min • Veckovis: Tisdag
Celebrated NYC publican Jimmy Carbone hosts a convivial audio ale salon celebrating the world of craft beer. Through discussions with beer industry insiders and knowledgeable beer fans from across the country, Jimmy and his friends explore every aspect of the brewer’s craft from grains to pint glass and tasting to toasting. For 10 years and more than 500 episodes, Beer Sessions Radio has witnessed and recorded the craft beer revolution in real time. With each episode, Jimmy continues to follow emerging trends and exciting collaborations that stretch across New York’s five boroughs and around the world.
Our theme song, ””Tonight is the Night”” was written and performed by We’re All Just Passing Through whose co-founding member, Travis Johnides, co-hosts the Long Island craft beer podcast The Beer Amigos. Contact Jimmy directly at [email protected]
The podcast Beer Sessions Radio (TM) is created by Heritage Radio Network. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
It’s a HRN crossover on today’s episode of Beer Sessions Radio! Jimmy sits down with Peter Reinhart, renowned baker, educator, author, and host of Pizza Quest on HRN. Peter, like many people, loves pizza, but his passion doesn’t stop at eating it. Inspired by his deep knowledge of bread-making, Peter is on a life-long quest to find the perfect pizza. In this pursuit, he travels around the world, writes books, and, as the host of Pizza Quest, interviews experts and fellow pizza-lovers to learn about their journeys. Join us as Jimmy and Peter talk about what makes great pizza, upcoming trends in the pizza world, and how the art of fermentation links this Italian classic to the world of beer.
Sit back and crack open a can of Legendary Dry. On today’s episode, we’re taking a breather from beer to talk cider! Today’s guest is Shannon Edgar, founder of Stormalong Cider, a MA-based cidery that’s been operating for over 10 years. Jimmy and Shannon chat about how to make a good cider, what makes Stormalong special, and why this long-standing American tradition continues to rise in popularity.
Before the dawn of the railroad, New York State was the nation’s top beer producer for over 120 years. To break down the state’s rich history of brewing, Jimmy talks with Carlo DeVito and Don Cazentre, highly acclaimed writers and historians of beer (among other libations). Don and Carlo make up half the team behind EMPIRE BEER, an upcoming book about the history of beer in New York. Listen and learn about the state’s 400 years of brewing, from foraging to “suds buckets" to the craft beers of today!
For the past few years, draft beer sales have declined across the US. To figure out why, Jimmy sat down with Kate Bernot, Missoula-based reporter on beer, alcohol, and food, and former director of the North American Guild of Beer Writers; and Zach Mack, food writer and owner of Alphabet City Beer Co. in NYC. The three talk about how draft lost its popularity, their own memories of draft beer, and how to bring it back in style.
Read Kate’s full article on the decline of draft beer here!
Brian Alberts is a historian, writer, and consultant specializing in beer history and culture. He connects with Jimmy and tells tales of historic moments that centered around the love of beer!
Jimmy sits down for a spirited conversation with Joel shelton of inner circle beer tours, Christa from beer witch Brooklyn, Alan from city swiggers and BR who is a beer expert.
Relax as this crew tastes special beers sharing cheers along the way while discussing the detailed aspects of underrepresented tastes of refined beers, the beer industry and more!
Jimmy sits down with Phil Neumann, an environmental scientist and water resources manager by training with a lifelong passion for landscapes and agriculture, located in Walla Walla Washington. He founded Mainstem Malt in 2015 with his wife Alyssa, as an approach to supporting conservation work on grain farms in the Pacific Northwest through the power of craft beer and spirits. He also invests time in the future of the craft malt movement at large via the Craft Maltsters Guild board of directors.
This Weeks Guests:
Martha Lowry of Woodfolk Cider
Jenna Boucher of Two Blokes cider, a passionate cider maker who has experience from the hospitality and brewing industry.
Damin Sawyer, New York based Hard Cider and Chicken Wing enthusiast & reviewer. PT Sales Manager for Original Sin Cider
On this Episode, Jimmy Carbone has a "Spirited" conversation with a special collection of guests!
Today we’re talking malt. From historical British styles to the future, Jimmy and Co. trace the practice of malting grains through time!
To dive deep into this germinative topic, Jimmy has brought on three experts: Ron Silberstein, Co-Founder and Director of Sales at Admiral Maltings; Tim Decker, Sales and Marketing Manager at Admiral Maltings; and Josh Wurzbacher, North American Technical Sales Manager for Crisp Malt.
This episode has everything you need to know about historical and modern craft malt, so make sure to be taking notes!
Plus, get the scoop on Admiral Maltings and Crisp Malt’s new collab!
Photo Courtesy of Tim Decker.
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Today we’re talking corn! From American heritage to ancient traditions, historical recipes to the modern barbecue, there’s a lot to shuck and boil down here.
Two of Jimmy’s favorite minds weigh in on the subject: Amy Halloran is a flour ambassador, a true grains enthusiast, and a writer and advocate for regional grain systems; Ellie Markovitch is a multimedia storyteller, lecturer at the University of Maine, and a recipe expert. She uses food as a tool for community building.
Corn is a key crop in our food systems - regionally and beyond. Learn about the significance of corn here!
Plus, what’s Jimmy’s corn story? Tune in!
Photo Courtesy of Ellie Markovitch.
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Joe Carrol, Justin Phillips and Justin's daughter join Jimmy on this weeks episode!
Joe Carroll, an nyc restauranteur and early pioneer of boutique indie beer bar, owner of Spuyten duyvil, Fette Sau and St. Anselms
Justin Phillips, Owner of Beer Table, a boutique speciality Beer/bottle store innovated to owning a specialty beer store in grand central station, with Beer Table and Coffee Table, and Soon to open a new Beer Table store at the revived Penn Station councourse in Manhattan
Jimmy goes on the road with RJ from Amuse News to Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway, Having a spirited conversation at the Finger Lakes Cider House to discuss how amazing (and misunderstood) cider wines are, the various wineries, the on-site farm, the local breweries, the gorges- and so much more!
Big thanks to Finger lakes cider house, Hosmer Winery, Bet The Farm, The Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway team, and most importantly the Visit Ithaca team.
Instagrams:
The Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway!
Finger Lakes Cider House- Hannah & Garrett
Hosmer Winery - Brooke, GM
Bet The Farm - Kit Kalfs, co-owner
This week Jimmy is broadcasting live from Roberta’s with some very talented people to talk about Mexico in NYC.
In the studio today are Noah Arenstein from The Cabinet Mezcal Bar in the East Village; Mariana Pelaez, food photographer and former restaurateur in Mexico; and Julia Cuthbertson, owner of Las Chingonas Imports and returning guest.
Listen in as this room full of experts share their knowledge on authentic Mexican spirits, cuisine, and more!
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As the temperature drops with the leaves, so too do we fall further into harvest season. And with the harvest comes apples. And with apples… Well, you know where this is going.
It’s another juicy cidercast on BSR, with ambassadors from several cider states here to dish out what to expect this cider season.
In the studio today is Middletown, CT’s Ronald Sansone of Spoke + Spy Ciderworks and president of the Cider Institute of North America; Jonathan Oakes of Medina, New York, President of the New York Cider Association, and proprietor of Steampunk Cider; Ben Wenk of Three Springs Fruit Farm in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and current board president of the Pennsylvania Cider Guild; and finally Scott Ramsey of Beacon, NY, and executive director of the New York Cider Association.
Different state cider associations, competitions, and festivals have grown and changed quite a bit over the past 15 years. Tune in to catch up on the state of cider!
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How has hop farming evolved over the past decade? Jimmy has brought on a roster of experts to bring us up to speed on the state of hops.
On the show today are John Condzella, fourth generation farmer from eastern Long Island and president of the Hop Growers of New York Association; Adam Kryder, executive director of the Hop Growers of New York Association; and Megan Wilson, COO of Torch & Crown Brewing Co. in Manhattan.
Going on 12 years ago, John was a budding hop farmer in New York in need of a German Hop Harvesting machine. One successful kickstarter and over a decade of farming later, he’s here to tell the tale.
Plus, learn all about the Hop Growers of New York Wet Hop Fest!
#HGNYWETHOPFEST
Want to attend a Wet Hop Fest event? Check out the links below to find one near you, and use one of the 25% Discount Ticket Codes for HRN Followers: BIG25NYC, BIG25WNY, BIG25ILF
NYC EventBrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1001603662517?aff=oddtdtcreator
WNY EventBrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1001606691577?aff=oddtdtcreator
UPSTATE EventBrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1001592248377?aff=oddtdtcreator
GENERAL Eventbrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/hop-growers-of-new-york-association-70766843433
***please sign up as soon as you can***
NYC Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/500683122898726
WNY Facebook Link: coming soon
UPSTATE Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/3733203990280240
Check out all of the great brewers and growers mentioned on this episode:
@indianladderfarmsciderybrewery
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Get ready to experience one of the coolest beer events Jimmy has ever been to in his life! We’re talking Pils & Love 2024. A Celebration of Pilsner, the event was held on June 29th and featured more than 50 of the world’s best pilsners.
While there, Jimmy caught up with two top lager makers: Todd DiMatteo, owner and brewer at Good Word Brewing & Public House in Duluth, GA, and Ashleigh Carter, head brewer and co-owner of Bierstadt Lagerhaus in Denver, CO.
Tune in to get in on the lager love!
Photo Courtesy of Chris Weiss.
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In our last episode, Sean Towers from The Seed mentioned running a full cask ale program at The Cricket Club in Cape May, NJ. Naturally, Jimmy had to check it out.
Back for this episode are Sean of The Seed Living Beer Project in Atlantic City, and Ryan Brower, former beer editor at Gear Patrol and certified cicerone. Also joining the cask tasting is Kyle Kulkowitz from The Cricket Club.
Cask Ale is an integral part of beer culture, and folks are pushing the envelope in various traditions and styles these days. Tune in to keep up with cask!
Photo Courtesy of Pixie Yates.
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Beer and BBQ. Can you name a better combination? Today we’re serving up both, live from Wildwoods BBQ in New Jersey!
Chowing down (and bringing the brews) to this shindig are Sean Towers, co-owner/founder of The Seed Living Beer Project in Atlantic City, and Ryan Brower former beer editor at Gear Patrol, certified cicerone, and Atlantic City local (and former Bushwickite).
Ryan has envisioned Jimmy and Sean’s meeting for some time, and it came together over some great food and drink. Also, tune in to hear how Sean, a marine biologist, turned his attention to his brewery project in NJ!
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As we move through the year into apple season, you know we gotta talk cider! This week, we’re checking in on the cider world, specifically on this year’s competition space.
Joining Jimmy for this episode are friends Eric West, the illustrious Cider Guide; Ron Sansone of Spoke + Spy Ciderworks; and Justin Koury of BevFluence.
Between Eric, Ron, and Justin, the cider expertise is overflowing from this episode! On the docket today are the topics of judging cider, promoting cider, international cider organizations, and more!
Pour up a crisp one and tune in!
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Today we are going to regale you with tales of keggers past… Jimmy recently stumbled upon an article in Good Beer Hunting on the rise and fall of the kegger at UM in Missoula, Montana. And there’s a lot more to it than there just having been a lot of beer!
Brian Alberts, a historian of beer in context, is joined by Cody Ewert, associate editor at the Montana Historical Society, to break it all down for us. These two storytellers have kept all the juicy lore to paint you a picture of the kegger’s inception.
Now tune in and let’s party like it’s ‘79!
Photo Courtesy of The Missoulian.
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Get ready for something cool and crisp during this hot and heavy Summer… We’re off to Ontario to talk cider!
On the show today is Barry Rooke, Executive Director of Cider Canada / Cidre Canada, the budding national association for cider producers. Joining him is returning guest Damin Sawyer of Bone N' Bottle Reviews, lover of all things cider and chicken wings.
Jimmy is thrilled to talk about the cider culture spanning from Canada to upstate New York, how it’s growing, and how the 155 producers of Cider Canada are spreading the cider gospel.
Pour up a fresh glass of cider and tune in!
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Jimmy’s summer travels roll on! This week, a stop in Holyoke, Massachusetts to catch up with some malt and grain powerhouses you may remember from past episodes…
Chatting with Jimmy are Andrea Stanley, co-owner of Valley Malt and Ground Up Grain; Kyle Fiasconaro, owner and chef at Brewer’s Foods; and Matthew Steinberg, co-founder and head brewer at Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing in Framingham, Massachusetts.
This episode has been years in the making! Some of the first grain and craft malt stories on BSR were brought to you by Andrea. Plus, what have Kyle and Matthew been up to since we last caught up with them?
All of this and more this week on BSR! Tune in!
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We’re up in Maine and about to try some of the greatest hard ciders of your life! This week Jimmy is at the first CiderFeast in Portland, hanging out with up-and-coming cidermakers from in and around the state of Maine.
Joining the party are Joy Cartwright, Marketing Director of Fogtown Brewing Co; Jon Stein, Owner and Cidermaker at Fogtown; Jared Carr, Co-Owner and Cidermaker at Cornish Cider Co; Damin Sawyer, Content Creator of Bone & Bottle Reviews; and Zach Kaiser, Cidermaker at Absolem Cider Co.
CiderFeast 2024 took place on May 12 at Oxbow Blending & Bottling, next to Anoche Cider & Spirits, a local cider bar. CiderFeast 2024 featured delicious bites and over 40 hard ciders from more than 15 cider makers.
Sample historical and cutting edge flavors from Maine in this week's Cidercast!
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Today Jimmy is hanging out and recording in the studio with the gents from OEC Brewing, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary!
Joining Jimmy with a full suite of brews to taste are Ben Neidhart, owner of OEC, and Mike Dolan and Tom Pavlich of B. United International Inc., who represents OEC in NYC.
Jimmy goes back with these fine folks for ten years! Learn all about OEC and B. United, owned by Ben’s dad, which imports beer, sake, cider, and mead from all over the world since 1995.
Tune in for a trip down memory lane and to learn what’s next for OEC!
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On the road again! Jimmy is following up on some more brewers he encountered at last year’s Craft Malt Conference, where the fine folks at Blue Ox Malthouse put together an amazing list of regional beers at Novare Res.
In this episode, Jimmy heads to Northwood Brewing Co, way up there in New Hampshire. Experience authentic New England vibes as we delve into craft malt, beer styles, and why you like drinking good beer!
On site, Jimmy catches up with Geoff Gyles, head brewer at Northwood; Ian Goering and Joe Ronaldo of Blue Ox; and Steve Schmidt from Northwood. Pour up your favorite local brew and tune in!
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We’re shaking things up with a cider episode this week! Jimmy is back at Roberta’s with a special guest who he has known since the early days of Cider Week NYC and Jimmys No. 43.
Diane Flynt, author of Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South, joins Jimmy to talk all about her apples and making great cider. The two will recount the trajectory of craft cider over the years, and Diane will introduce us to the story of apples in the south with a special reading from her book.
Also in the studio today is Kerrie Orrell Ellison to share some stories about picking apples with Diane, and how Diane has taught her to love apples rather than just enjoy them…
Pour up your favorite craft cider and tune in!
Photo courtesy of Stacey Sprenz Photography.
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Today’s BSR is a true session. Jimmy has arranged a soirée at Roberta’s to celebrate local beer bars, craft brews, and traditional German styles: Weissbier, Rauchbier, Pilsner… Attending the evening’s affair are a host of beer bar guests and various experts: some familiar, some fresh, and from all around the globe.
Miguel Rivas AKA The Beer Trekker is back with his friend Beinat Gutierrez all the way from the Basque Country; Zach Mack, owner of ABC Beer Co, is also back in the studio for the first time in years; Paul and Anthony Ramirez are here representing The Bronx Beer Hall, who are celebrating their 11th year anniversary; none other than James Tai, THE illustrious BeerAcolyte consultant, is here; Greg Zaccardi, founder and brewer at Ramstein Beer arrives with a crate of brews for everyone; and Agus Blanco of Lúpulo Digital pops in to add her expert perspective!
Tonight’s a party! Grab your favorite local brew and tune in!
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The good times roll like the Rocky Mountains with Jimmy and the Bowl of 'Zole festival! Em Hutto of RadCraft Beer arranged another mighty show while Jimmy was out west, focusing on the good folks at Bruz Beers in Denver, CO.
Joining Jimmy today are the two owners of Bruz: Charlie Gottenkieny and Ryan Evans. Em has Jimmy’s trust implicitly after arranging so many interesting BSR rendezvous, and so Jimmy hopped on this show with no questions asked!
Tune in to find out how Bruz Beers are doing Belgian beers, one of Jimmy’s first loves.
Photos courtesy of Christopher Austin.
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Today Jimmy’s celebrating Transmitter Brewing’s upcoming 10 year anniversary with a bunch of friends at the studio in Roberta’s! Join the party to recount Transmitter’s rockin’ ten years: brewing Belgian-inspired farmhouse-style ales, operating a bustling tasting room and beer garden in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and making it all look cool.
Today’s starting line-up includes Ian Kalmes, head brewer at Transmitter; Bob Weyersberg, sales guy for Transmitter (and former WFMU DJ); Jen Gratereaux, beer buyer for Craft and Carry; and Miguel Rivas, Jimmy’s favorite beer photographer, AKA The Beer Trekker.
Photo Courtesy of Miguel Rivas.
Ian has planned a big night and more, tune in and raise a glass!
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Jimmy’s on the road in Cambridge, Massachusetts! He’s at Lamplighter Brewing Co’s special CX Outpost to bring us the first of two episodes on spent grain! Get the lowdown on everything from the importance of freshness, the fundamentals of upcycling grain, and a focus on craft malt.
Joining Jimmy is returning guest Tyler Fitzpatrick from Lamplighter to give us some updates on their work with spent grain over the past couple of years. Also on the show is Kyle Fiasconaro from Brewer’s Foods, an organization bringing chefs and brewers together over a common enemy: food waste!
Pour up, bite down, plug in, it’s Beer Sessions Radio!
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Jimmy is on the horn with Read Spear, President of Origen Imports inc. in Oaxaca, Mexico. Read is a pioneering mezcal importer, and Origen Imports incorporates several brands including Cuentacuentos Agave Spirits.
The key to marketing mezcal made using 400 year old traditions is getting out of the way of those traditions. The philosophy behind the Cuentacuentos “Real Mezcal” brand is to cut out as much of the filler between the consumer and the authentic origins of these agave spirits.
Tune in to this spirited episode of BSR!
Photo courtesy of Quinn Glabicki.
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Jimmy serves up an in-depth episode on the history of mouth watering whiskey from Mexico. Learn about the ancient corn that makes the whiskey so special, live with a suite of experts at the HRN studio in Roberta’s!
Joining the discussion today are Clay Risen, NYT contributor and author, who reports on whiskey and other spirits; Zack Wangeman, founder and chef at Sobre Masa and Tortilla Factory, proud corn nerd; and Tiffany Collings, a founder of Las Chingonas Imports, who source fine destilados de agave from Guerrero and Durango, Mexico.
Tune in to learn some rich history from Ancient Mexico, and how heritage corn is powering modern spirits in the region!
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NYC Beer Week 2024 is off with a bang! Live from the scene, Jimmy is at Gun Hill Publick House at Industry City following the Opening Bash event held on Saturday, February 24. This episode is going to include a barrel of useful information on everything from how to make a good lager to how to open a good brewery.
Riding along with Jimmy is returning guest Pete Lengyel-Fushimi of Rockaway Brewing Company and Nick Meyer of Eckhart Beer Company, soon to open in Bushwick. Together, they'll try pale ales, pilsners, and more at Gun Hill Publick while diving deep into this episode's topics: how do you open and maintain a great brewery, and what is the significance of the taproom in 2024?
Live from Industry City and NYC Beer Week 2024, it’s BSR!
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Like a phoenix from the ashes, the legendary Beer Bar, Deep Ellum in Waltham, MA, has been reborn! Just outside of Boston, Jimmy is at Deep Ellum beer bar to chat about the new location and the myth behind the legendary neighborhood establishment.
Here to chat with Jimmy are Max Toste, one of the owners of Deep Ellum, and Matt Steinberg, co-founder and head brewer at Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing.
The best lagers from Germany, the best cask from England, the best local craft beers. Name it, and they serve it at Deep Ellum. All of this, yet they remain down to Earth as a reliable neighborhood bar.
Dive deep into this legendary Boston Beer Bar with Jimmy and Co.
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We are live from the mothership for episode 700 of BSR! It’s fitting to be in the place where it all started, Roberta’s Pizza, to bring you this jam packed episode of great food and beer pairings for our 700th Beer Session. Experience tantalizing tastings live with Jimmy and friends as they chow down and pour up, straight from the HRN studio in Bushwick.
Here to join the celebration are two Master Cicerones and a familiar Beer Acolyte who have carved out their own spaces in the beer world aristocracy: BSR veteran James Tai, of Beeracolyte; Shane McNamara, Master Cicerone, global beer traveler, writer, and judge; and BSR newcomer Max Finnance, an esteemed mentor and educator in the beer space and Master Cicerone.
Please raise a glass as we toast to the next 700 episodes of BSR! Cheers!
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We hope you’re hungry! Jimmy is wrapping up his Copenhagen series by chatting with a pastry chef turned innovative hot dog vendor. John Michael Jensen, or Sausage John, makes a hell of a lot of dogs at Johns Hotdog Deli, and hot sauce too!
This is a mouth watering episode jam packed with magical street dogs (including Christmas duck confit sausages), beer collaborations, and Copenhagen’s own hot sauce! Get ready for some spice.
Also joining John and Jimmy is Lasse Görlitz, or The Hotdogjudge, who will make sure that all of this sausage isn’t just a bunch of bologna.
Prepare to chow down and finish off Jimmy’s Copenhagen series strong, with a belly full of street dogs and Danish brews!
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We’re taking a trip back to Jimmy’s romp through København with our second special ‘on the road’ episode of the year! This week, we’re talking “bean to bar”, as Jimmy visits Friis Holm Chokolade, located on the farm and brewery property of Herslev Bryghus just outside of Copenhagen.
There, Jimmy spoke with Mikkel Friis Holm, founder and chocolate maker at Friis Holm, and Nethe Plenge, cookbook author, chocolate lover, and gracious host who introduced Jimmy (chocolate eater!) to many Danish food and drink folks on his recent journey.
Learn about Mikkel’s holistic approach to the process of chocolate making, with beans grown in Nicaragua making their way to being roasted and made into chocolate in Copenhagen.
Plus, chocolate beer? Tune in to this chocolatey journey now!
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In this episode, brewer meets hop farmer to find what they have in common… and it’s a bunch of goats! Jimmy welcomes Averee Dilday and Darren Baze of Goat Patch Brewing Company, along with Audrey Gehlhausen of Billy Goat Hop Farm.
Em Hutto has brought along some great new friends from Colorado for Jimmy to session with. Topics of discussion include beer, farming hops, goat yoga, drinking, and more goats! Learn about what it takes to start up a hop farm from scratch and what it’s like for a brewer to work with local hop farmers.
You GOAT to be crazy not to tune in to this hoppy episode of BSR!
Photo Courtesy of Goat Patch Brewing Company.
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Come along with Jimmy on his trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, as he meets with some interesting folks doing some very Danish things with beer and more! On this stop of the journey, Jimmy sits down with Saimon Skurichin, proprietor of BRØL (Broel) Brewing, where surplus bread from bakeries is converted into amazing craft beers
“BRØL” means beer + bread, and since 2007 Saimon and his crew have been merging sustainability and innovation to make quality beverages. Every beer they make incorporates surplus bread, and BRØL is proud to be the world's sole organic circular brewery.
Travel abroad with Jimmy on this first episode in a special BSR series live from København!
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Jimmy is kicking off 2024, the 15th year of BSR, from Roberta’s with a heavy hitting crew! In the hot seats tonight are Brandon Hoy, co-founder and owner of Roberta’s; James Tai, principal of Beer Acolyte Consulting and Gun Hill Publick House; Mike Amidei director of operations at Roberta’s; and Jaime Ojeda, Restaurateur and Brew Pub operator from Chile.
What’s hot in New York this year? Roberta’s has been a melting pot and genesis point for food and drink culture since the restaurant opened in 2008, and that is still the case in 2024. Get the lowdown on what’s going to be buzzing in your cup or on your plate this year by taking a look at the history and trajectory of this special eatery.
Grab a glass of “Temperance” Dark Mild Ale from New York’s own Wild East Brewing Co. and tune into this preview of what’s good in 2024!
Photo Courtesy of Armen Spendjian.
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We’ve made it to our last episode of 2023, and what a year it’s been for beer! Jimmy has assembled another crew of experts on the ground who helped bring him the favorite beers of 2023, and helped prove once and for all that craft malt is sexy!
Find out why from this esteemed group including Tod Mott of Tributary Brewing Co Kittery, Maine; Joel Alex of Blue Ox Malthouse of Lisbon Falls, Maine; Tyler Fitzpatrick of Lamplighter Brewing Co. in Cambridge, Mass; and Ian Goering, Account Manager at Blue Ox.
Listen in to hear about the best beers representing science, agriculture, and the key role of craft malt in brewing!
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It doesn’t get much better than a Colorado-meets-New York show. For this week’s episode, Jimmy is diving into IPAs from two spectacular beer states with a couple special guests. Joining Jimmy are Geoff Wenzel, R&D brewer at Industrial Arts Brewing Co in Beacon, NY, and Dave Thibodeau, president and co-founder of Ska Brewing in Durango, Colorado.
Great brewers and great guests, Geoff and Dave have sent Jimmy some awesome beers for a remote, coast-to-coast tasting. Each brewer will introduce their beers, starting with IPAs, and then get down to brass tacks regarding hops, brewing methods, and the stories behind the brews.
Sip along with this episode of BSR!
Photo courtesy of @skabrewing
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Back to Beers! Jimmy has commissioned a convocation of NYC beer bars experts for this very special episode! The point of discussion is Courtney Iseman’s Good Beer Hunting article regarding the scene, and this group of key players from this very special time are here to dive into this retrospective on NYC beer bar history.
In the studio tonight are Courtney Iseman, freelance beer writer with Good Beer Hunting; Chris O'leary, editor of Brew York beer blog and newsletter; Jen Maslanka, GM and partner at Spring Lounge in Downtown NYC; and BR Rolya, BSR MVP, beer consultant, formerly of Shelton Brothers Importers, and member of the selection committee for the Good Beer Seal bars.
Take a trip down memory lane with the gang and listen in!
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It’s a very special night at the Roberta’s studio! Jimmy is joined by HRN’s The Speakeasy host Greg Benson to co-pilot this ruckus, rockin’ episode! Also joining them are Danny Mena and Arik Torren, co-founders with Jimmy of Bowl of ‘Zole. The group has assembled in honor of October's Bowl of ‘Zole event, along with the recent announcement of HRN’s new executive director, RJ Bee.
But that’s not all! It’s truly a party tonight, including Cameron Holck, Arik’s partner at Lot 001 Brands Imports; Courtney Greenleaf Torren, agave spirits and general hospitality lover; Tiffany Collings, one half of Las Chingonas Imports; Julia Cuthbertson, other half of Las Chingonas Imports; and Lou Bank (OH MY GOD!) of S.A.C.R.E.D. Agave.
It’s a jam packed episode with tons of tastings and tales. Be sure to listen in, cheers!
Image Courtesy of Armen Spendjian.
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One of Jimmy’s favorite guests, Julia Herz, is back to talk about the recent Learn to Homebrew Day Celebration! Julia Herz is the Executive Director of the American Homebrewers Association, and has been busy since she last spoke with Jimmy. Having started as a hobbyist before her lauded career in beer, she is still homebrewing today.
Held on November 4th, Julia has the lowdown on the Learn to Homebrew Day Celebration. The day is all about fostering community and helping curious homebrewers-to-be get their start. From experimenting with different types of yeasts or fermentables to putting a twist on a classic style, the fun and joy of homebrewing truly never ends. Check out homebrewersassociation.org today to get involved!
Listen in and good beers to you!
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Joel Shelton is back to take Jimmy and his merry gang on another ICB Tour! Joining the party this week is BR Rolya, BSR MVP and Joel’s partner in crime on Inner Circle Beer Tours; Bob Weyersberg of Transmitter Brewing and ICB co-conspirator; James Tai, advanced cicerone of Beer Acolyte and Gun Hill Publick House, and aspiring attendee of ICB; Pete Lengyel-Fushimi, brewer at Rockaway Brewing Company and ICB special guest; Robin Fowler of Wild East Brewing, Certified LUKR Tapster, and recent Franconia tour participant; and the tour guide himself, Joel Shelton.
Some of Jimmy’s favorite beer experts, personalities, importers, brewers, and pourers are here today to talk about, in no particular order: Traditional beer styles, inspirational and historical locations in beer, motorcycle rendezvous, European shenanigans, and more. Who takes the beer crown? Franconia or Czechia?
Hop on Pete’s motorcycle, press play, and find out where the tour will take YOU!
Photos Courtesy of Peter Lengyel-Fushimi.
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What in the world is scrumpy cider? Close out Cider Week New York 2023 with a history lesson from Elizabeth Ryan, fermenter, pomologist, cider maker, and NY State Cider Pioneer at Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider’s Breezy Hill Orchard; and also Fee Doyle, bartender, beertender, cider drinker, beer writer, folk musician, and Beer Witch ambassador.
With Cider Week coming to a close, this episode is a great accounting of all things cider: Growing apples, making, selecting, and selling cider, and general scrumpy education! Learn about Elizabeth’s farms, and get the lowdown on cider’s evolution from Fee, who’s been dishing the stuff out to fermented-apple-beverage lovers for years. Plus, get down with some folk music chit chat!
Tune in and get scrumpy!
Photos Courtesy of Monika Davis IG: @hopslingingslasher.
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Always so good to be back at Roberta’s! Joining Jimmy in the studio today are returning guests Shinobu Kato, sake brewer and founder of Kato Sake Works, and Peter Lengyel-Fushimi, beer brewer at Rockaway Brewing. The crew will dive into all things rice, sake, koji, burgers, fermentation, ABV, pairings, and more!
What makes what’s in your glass so good? These craftsmen have some unique insight. From Shinobu’s expansion of the sake brewing scene in NYC, to Pete’s advice to producers on what your business needs to keep revenue growing, it will all be discussed here. Plus, who’s a bigger burger fan, Shinobu or Pete?!
Tune in to find out!
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Back to Roberta’s! Being in the studio always gives Jimmy a chance to bring in his favorite folks from the NYC beer community. This week he does just that with Brett Taylor, Co Founder and Head Brewer at Wild East Brewing Company, and Ted Kenny, owner of Top Hops Beer Shops. Every brewery is different, and NYC is home to some very special beers.
In this episode, learn about the myth behind Wild East, while tasting some great styles beyond the world of hazy IPAs. Easy drinking, very approachable, great beers! Discover new styles and rediscover the great classics like Czech Pilsners. Plus, track Brett’s journey from homebrewer to award winner as Jimmy finally gets to try his beers.
Tune in and let the session begin!
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Cider Week New York is closer than ever! Want to be ready for the event before October 6? Check out this special episode featuring Paige Flori of Boutique Wine, Spirits and Cider from Fishkill, NY, and returning guest Scott Ramsey, Executive Director of the New York Cider Association.
Get the scoop from these Cider Week veterans on how the changes to the program over the past 12 years have changed the event for the better. Learn about who is at the cutting edge of New York cider. Hear how Scott and Paige pushed each other to make this year’s Cider Week greater than ever.
Raise a glass of cider for Cider Week New York 2023!
Photo Courtesy of Jacqueline Kraisky.
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Tune in for another fun on-site recording with Jimmy at New England Dairy in Boston! Joining him are Allo Gilinsky of Craft Beer Cellar and Trinktisch in Belmont, Mass, and Hilary Walentuk, registered dietitian and senior nutrition specialist, of New England Dairy. On the menu are some familiar themes that BSR has been diving into recently, including cider, dairy, farms, pairings, and more.
Learn about the importance of farms and experience some great cheese and cider pairings in this deep dive into New England Dairy! They are a non-profit education organization staffed by registered dietitians and marketing and PR professionals who serve as the voice of dairy farms in New England and Eastern New York.
It’s sure to be a delicious and nutritious episode!
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Cider Week New York is coming up! Want the scoop on quality hard cider and great pairings? Listen in to this special episode featuring Rachel Freier, Cider Week event producer and cheesemonger at large, and a special appearance from Scott Ramsey, Executive Director of the New York Cider Association.
Track the journey of Cider Week here, as the event is set to feature more producers and events than ever before. While the Covid-19 pandemic turned Cider Week on its head, Rachel and Scott used the opportunity to build out the programming over the subsequent years.
Stay tuned for a follow up episode featuring more from Scott!
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Jimmy’s back at Roberta's in Bushwick for an enthralling episode of BSR that intertwines New York's rich history and beer culture. Carlo DeVito, a renowned wine, beers, and spirits writer and editor, joins us to spill on his exciting new book on these very subjects. Get ready to be amazed as Carlo treats us to jaw-dropping New York beer trivia!
As the conversation unfolds, Carlo's passion for the craft shines through, and his expertise in the world of libations is evident. From the city's historical roots to the thriving beer scene, this episode is a fascinating journey that connects the past and present. And that's not all! Our talented engineer, Matt, dons his beer brewing hat once again to add some curious questions to the mix.
Listen in and then check out Carlo’s previous books Big Whiskey, Drink the Northeast, The New Single Malt Whiskey, and more!
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This week Jimmy is joined by some great friends from Colorado for a fun convo. Jason Bell, Founder and Owner of Living the Dream Brewing in Littleton, Colorado, shares his journey and experiences in the beer industry. He is joined by Em Hutto, the founder of beer communications brand RadCraft, proud spokesperson of Living the Dream Brewing, and long time friend of the show!
The gang takes some time to reflect on the vibrant lifestyle of the Greater Denver area and discuss the significance of fostering positive industry-consumer relations. As Living the Dream Brewing celebrates its 9th year anniversary, the conversation delves into the brewery's remarkable achievements and contributions to the craft beer community in CO and beyond.
Listen in for a delightful brew of stories, insights, and celebration in this not-to-be-missed episode!
Photos Courtesy of Living The Dream Brewing.
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In this captivating episode, Jimmy sits down for a one-on-one interview with Greg Engert, the esteemed beverage director at Neighborhood Restaurant Group in DC, NYC, and NOLA. Known for his exceptional hospitality, Greg's ability to create memorable experiences is why people dine out. Despite starting as a "failed academic" pursuing literature in DC, Greg quickly found his passion in the beer world at the iconic Brickskeller, America's first beer bar. Join us as we uncover Greg's remarkable journey, from his humble beginnings to becoming a partner and beverage director at a prestigious Restaurant Group. Plus learn about Brewery St X, Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s latest offering in NOLA.
Listen in to discover the fascinating story behind his career and the valuable insights he shares along the way!
Photo Courtesy of Randy Schmidt.
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Learn about the intricacies of taste from the mouths of the experts themselves! Stepping up to the mics this week on BSR are two esteemed authors and advanced cicerones: Mandy Naglich is a food and beverage journalist, cocktail judge, is certified in several tasting mediums, and is the author of How to Taste; Em Sauter is the founder of and cartoonist for Pints and Panels, an advanced cicerone, author of two books, international beer judge, and co-host of All About Beer podcast. Check out this conversation on how these industry powerhouses got to where they are and learn more about their books!
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On this episode of Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy road trips to Greenland, NH, to chat with Pete Endres, Cider Maker / Co-Owner of Bird Dog Cider. Tasting right from the tank, they try a handful of Ciders while discussing the storied history of the property. They also touch upon the culture of agriculture in New England, question how the local climate influences cider-making, dissect which apples are best for what uses, and much more.
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Jimmy and his cider buddies unite the East Coast and West Coast in a flavorful exploration of the craft. Joining the discussion are Ron Sansone, president of the Cider Institute of North America; Dave Carr, owner and cider maker at Raging Cider & Mead Co; and a drop-in by Anthony Lopez, cider maker (and “yeast babysitter”) at Casa De Oro Cider.
The gang discuss irresistible cider varieties and styles, bridging the gap between the coasts as cider pioneers. Tune in for a discussion on everything from climate's influence on cider production, to the triumphs and challenges of making cider in different regions.
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Join Jimmy LIVE from Industry City with beer acolyte James Tai, an advanced cicerone and national BJCP beer judge, and Shane McNamara, a master cicerone and Global Director for Beer Passion & Beyond Beer Innovation at AB InBev.
Explore the world of beer as a career, while reflecting on Memorial Day and reminiscing about this year’s Rib King competition. Tune in now to BSR for an engaging discussion packed with insights from industry experts and mouth watering inspiration.
Cheers to the art of beer, memorable traditions, and exciting career possibilities!
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Cask is back! Jimmy is joined by Steve Hamburg of Cask Marque Americas; Neil Callaghan, beer director of Brick Store Pub; and Todd DiMatteo, co-owner and head brewer at Good Word Brewing. Together they delve into the world of cask ale for the second time this month, exploring the joys of being on-premise and the niche cask occupies within the craft beer industry.
The show also highlights the influence of Cask Marque, an organization dedicated to maintaining the quality of cask ale. Tune in to gain expert insights as these beer connoisseurs share their experiences and expertise, offering a deeper understanding of this cherished beer style.
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Join Jimmy in a special episode of BSR as he celebrates the tenth-anniversary edition of "The Complete Beer Course." With him is Joshua Bernstein, author of the monolithic book in question, and Andrew Thomas, a professional distiller at Halftone Spirits and “reformed” home brewer.
Whether you're a seasoned beer connoisseur or just starting your journey, this episode offers a refreshing look at the evolving beer landscape and the book's content, expert advice, and exploration of trends.
Get ready to raise a glass as they toast to a decade of beer appreciation and exploration in this must-listen episode!
Photo Courtesy of Union Square & Co.
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Embark on another exciting on-location adventure with Jimmy in Boston's Time Out Market. Explore a vibrant beer scene with three local guests: Forrest Pettengill from Aeronaut Brewing, Brandon Keating from Trillium Brewing, and Matt Harding, assistant manager of Time Out Market Boston. Discover the market's 15 kitchen concepts, two indoor bars (with an outdoor bar coming soon), and an impressive selection of Boston's finest local beers.
Get ready for an adventurous episode filled with the flavors and stories of Boston’s thriving beer culture. Cheers to an unforgettable pint-filled journey!
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Jimmy is back in the field, this time at New England Real Ale eXhibition (NERAX) in Boston! He's joined by Mark Bowers, President of the Cask-conditioned Ale Support Campaign (CASC) / Brewmaster at Aeronaut Brewing Company; Gary Chopourian, Festival Organizer / beer enthusiast; and Jan Williams, Festival Door Manager and Maine beer acquisition / beer enthusiast. Together, they recap the highlights of the event and share their favorite things about cask ale.
This event has been going strong since 1997, and Jimmy gets all the history on its local and English roots. It’s Jimmy’s first time at NERAX, and he can really feel the history, heritage, and reverence for the craft.
So grab a cold one (not from a can!) and join Jimmy and his guests as they raise a glass to NERAX and all things cask!
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Jimmy is back in the studio to recap the latest Brisket King with a couple of folks from the event! In the studio we have Misty Banchero, sometimes known as Seattle Butcher's Wife, member of the family-run USDA meat processing facility Mondo & Sons, and Brisket King judge. Joining her is Brisket King competitor and culinary director of Sands Jerk Hut, Darlene Lawrence, to dish on jerk brisket!
Plus Jimmy shouts out a special beer he tried at the event: Kent Falls and Hindsight BBQ's collaboration, Besmoke Smoked Spelt Lager, uses Connecticut grown spelt that is custom smoked over oak and applewood in the pit at Hindsight.
Listen in for all of this and more!
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When Emily Hutto of RadCraft beer heard Jimmy was out in Denver to celebrate the Bowl of ‘Zole mezcal and pozole festival, she knew she had to link him up with Sara and Greg Fetzer of Emporium Brewing. The couple paint a picture of the business and beer climate in Denver, and recount the story of their brewery.
Later on in the show Jimmy sits down with some of the folks featured at Bowl of ‘Zole to debrief. Joining the conversation is Eduardo Belaunzarán of Wahaka Mezcal; the Tequila Amatiteña team; Alberto Partida, master distiller; Roman Romaya, importer; and Mike Moreno.
The merry gang get on by talking about all things from Denver, to rice lagers, to mezcal vs tequila. Tune in for a taste of spent-grain and agave aroma for breakfast!
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We have made it to the third and final live show from the 2023 Craft Malt Conference! Jimmy wrapped up his first trip to the special conference in Portland, Maine, by chatting with two proprietors of the most important ingredient in beer and whisky: Malt!
This week the focus is on Maine and how the state’s agriculture stewards great malt. Jimmy catches up with Joshua Buck of Maine Malthouse and Joel Alex of Blue Ox Craft Malt on the heels of their talk at the conference. Join Jimmy as he delves deep into Joshua and Joel’s work to build a local grain-chain in the pine state, as well as their history in agriculture, grains, and malts.
The Craft Malt Conference is always an exciting time for Jimmy and all craft malt appreciators, but this year is special: It’s the 10th anniversary of the organization, and the 6th anniversary of the Conference! This is the only conference of its kind that offers workshops and seminars on all topics craft malt.
Tune in to hear how it all went down!
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This week we have Jimmy’s second road-show from The Craft Malt Conference in Portland, Maine, which was held from March 16 to March 18, 2023. Joining Jimmy this time around are three new friends who are making a splash in the malt world.
Jeff Bloem is the Founder and Maltster at Murphy & Rude Malting Co. in Charlottesville, Virginia; Jordan Ullrich is with Epiphany Craft Malt, in Durham, North Carolina; and Joe Hamill represents Red Shed Malting in Alberta, Canada.
The Craft Malt Conference is always an exciting time for Jimmy and all craft malt appreciators, but this year is special: It’s the 10th anniversary of the organization, and the 6th anniversary of the Conference! This is the only conference of its kind that offers workshops and seminars on all topics craft malt.
Tune in to hear how it all went down!
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Booyah! Jimmy made it to Portland, Maine for the long awaited Craft Malt Conference, which met for the first time in person in over 3 years! Of course, Jimmy got the people that make it all happen to dish on all things Craft Malt. This week’s episode is the first in a series of recordings from the event.
First up we have Branch Rothschild, the brewhouse manager of Allagash Brewing Company, board member of the Craft Maltsters Guild, and the only brewer interviewed in this series; and Ben Clegg, business development specialist at Blue Ox Malthouse with a history in brewing.
There’s a lot going on in the world of malt, with experts from all over the world visiting the conference to stew on how to keep pushing craft malt forward. Branch and Ben are relatively green in the podcast world, so Jimmy is here to put them on the spot for some malty secrets.
Tune in now!
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BSR always strives to shine a light on people moving the Beer World forward. Writers and editors are often the most thoughtful, impactful people in the worlds of beer, spirits, and hospitality, and we have two great ones on the show this week.
Joining Jimmy is Jeff Cioletti, author of Imbibing for Introverts, and editor in chief of Craft Spirits Magazine; and Kate Bernot, Missoula, Montana-based reporter on beer, alcohol, and food, and director of the North American Guild of Beer Writers.
This show came together to highlight Jeff’s new book, and more broadly to talk about the state of “beer storytelling” from the past to the future. Plus, find out Jimmy, Jeff, and Kate’s picks for their current favorite “thoughtful” beers that are pushing the scene forward (or taking it back to basics):
Jeff: Pilsner Urquell
Kate: Taras Boulba - Brasserie de la Senne
Jimmy: Aventinus Weizen-Doppelbock
Tune in now!
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Stop everything you’re doing, it’s a BSR cider episode! Jimmy is in Portsmouth, New Hampshire at The Press Room for the Stone’s Throw Cider Supper - a hyper-local regional cider dinner with Giff Burnap of Butternut Farm; Chef Zac Cardona of The Press Room; Pete Endres of Bird Dog Cider; and Eleanor Leger of Eden Cider Vermont.
This event was inspired by a cider dinner Jimmy attended at CiderDays in Franklin County, Mass last fall with Pete, Giff, and Eleanor. Pete made the connection with the Press Room, and the rest is history!
Learn what it takes to put together the perfect cider dinner with friends, expertly crafted pairings, and more! Listen to BSR right here.
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NYC Beer Week 2023 rocks and rolls on with this week’s beer and music themed episode of BSR, inspired by Brooklyn's favorite Japanese-style beer bar, who have been spinning all week for the festivities!
Jimmy is joined by friends Chris Maestro, founder and principal owner of Bierwax BK and Queens; legendary brewer and founder of Dogfish Head Brewery Sam Calagione (and one half of the hip-hop duo Pain Relievaz); and Jamie Queli, founder, owner, and CEO of Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing in Cherry Hill, NJ... arguably St. Vincent's biggest fan!
Jamie, a veteran of the beer scene, has a hot take: people in the beer industry are the folks who couldn’t hack it in the music industry! Jokes aside, music and beer culture have always been one of the best duos in the game.
Listen in to learn about our guests’ musical histories, as well as their perspectives on the intersection of all things beer and music! Cheers!
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We are back in the studio at Roberta’s Pizza in Bushwick on the eve of NYC Beer Week 2023! Jimmy is joined by Zack Kinney, co-founder of KCBC brewery in Bushwick, and Louie Catizone, co-owner of St Agrestis distillery in Greenpoint.
The gang reminisce on Bushwick’s development into an oasis of food and drink, and what it was like to watch that process blossom from the homey vantage point of Roberta’s. Similarly, NYC Beer Week has grown as local producers and brewers have grown as well.
All the jazz of that neighborhood saga has been fermented and distilled down into “A Dance With Death”, a game-changing collaboration between KCBC, St Agrestis, and Roberta’s! This Amaro Barrel Aged Black Lager has layers of allspice, black roast, sarsaparilla, dried mint, oak tannins, and Alpine herbs. A totally unique beer to represent a totally rad community!
Grab a pair of headphones and listen in to get ready for NYC Beer Week 2023!
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We’re drawing closer to the Craft Malt Conference 2023! The event is being held in Portland, Maine, from March 16 to March 18, 2023, and Jesse Bussard, Executive Director of the Craft Maltsters Guild, is back with a couple of friends for another Pre-Show!
Meet Rob Arnold, President of Advanced Spirits, and author of “The Terroir of Whiskey”; and Mark Sorrells, Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Cornell University, and head of their small grains project.
Listen in for Jesse’s breakdown of the process that led up to this year’s conference, and how the stellar lineup was put together. Plus gain access to an archive of science on small grains, as well as how terroir can affect the flavor of distilled spirits, with Mark and Rob’s studied accounts.
It’s the 10th anniversary of the Guild, and the 6th anniversary of the Conference! This is the only conference of its kind that offers workshops and seminars on all topics craft malt. Register now for both in-person and virtual options!
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This week, we’re taking a virtual journey to the East End of Long Island! There we’ll meet Amy Zavatto, the Content Director for Southforker Publication; Rory McEvoy, co-owner of Kidd Squid Brewing Company; and Rob Raffa, owner and operator of übergeek Brewing Company.
Amy starts the episode by highlighting what’s special about the Sag Harbor community, and how the only thing missing was a great brewery! In comes Kidd Squid, with their charming tasting room where one can enjoy balanced and delicious beers.
The brewing community is strong on this end of Long Island, also bolstered by the likes of übergeek, who were licensed just two months before the pandemic shut the world down. They navigated those tumultuous waters to come out strong with their off-the-wall products and brick-and-mortar.
Get the scoop on this micro-community of brewers and the awesome projects they’ve got fermenting for the future! Listen to this week’s BSR now!
Photo Courtesy of Doug Young.
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Celebrate Black History Month with Montclair Brewery! Meet Denise Ford Sawadogo, co-owner, general manager, MBA, and marketing extraordinaire, and Leo Sawadogo, head-brewer and master distiller, as Jimmy sits down with this power couple to discuss the state of craft beer in the Black community.
Jimmy starts the episode by recounting how he was connected with Leo and Denise by Manny Calderon, who aimed to bring Black-owned beers into the New York City market and beyond. Leo spins the yarn of learning to brew from his mom, (women handle most of the beer-making in his home of West Africa), and Denise tracks her journey from corporate America to Montclair Brewery.
Every year during Black History Month Montclair Brewery releases a special series of beers inspired by African Culture and Icons. This year they are offering the “Beer is Black History” Black Lager, inspired by the origins of the first known beer recipe dating back to 3900 B.C. Mesopotamia! Whether it's a recipe inspired by traditions, or Jimmy's favorite "National Emergency" hazy NE IPA, Montclair Brewery is a must try.
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Season 14 rolls on with a spirited episode on Bowl of ‘Zole fest! Jimmy is one-on-one with Arik Greenleaf Torren, AKA the Cater Waiter-turned-Hospitality Maestro, for a chat about mezcal, bartending, and having a good cocktail.
Listen in to this deep dive on Arik’s journey through the hospitality industry as he recalls the experiences that brought him to Jimmy, and how they helped get Bowl of ‘Zole off the ground. Plus, get a crash course on Mexico’s history with the agave plant, known for its complex flavor compounds, and how they make for a fine spirit.
This festival was crafted by mezcal aficionados and Mexican chefs. This ever-expanding phenomenon is a celebration of pozole and agave spirits, and will be coming to Denver and Boston soon! Grab tickets and get all the details on the chefs, mezcals, and events at bowlofzole.com.
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It looks like 2023 is going to be another big year for Craft Malt! The Craft Malt Conference is back in Portland, Maine, from March 16 to March 18, 2023. Preview the great lineup of speakers and other participants right here.
Joining Jimmy today is Jesse Bussard, Executive Director of the Craft Maltsters Guild; Hillary Barile of Rabbit Hill Farms and Malthouse, and member of the Board of Directors for the Craft Maltsters Guild; Joshua Buck, one of the owners of the Maine Malt House; Sean Towers, one of the founders and brewers of The Seed, a living Beer project in Atlantic City.
The Craft Malt Conference is always an exciting time for Jimmy and all craft malt appreciators, but this year is special: It’s the 10th anniversary of the Guild, and the 6th anniversary of the Conference! This is the only conference of its kind that offers workshops and seminars on all topics craft malt. Register now for both in-person and virtual options!
Photo Courtesy of Locke Valley Photography.
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Welcome back to BSR! Jimmy is hitting the ground running with season 14, on location at the ‘drinks capital of Brooklyn’ - Industry City. Jimmy hangs out with a group of drinks producers, including Josh Morton of Barrow’s Intense Ginger liqueur; James Tai, advanced cicerone; Dave Lopez of Gun Hill Brewing Co and Gun Hill Publick House; and Alex Clark and Amy Grindeland of Fort Hamilton Distillery.
Why is Industry City the drinks capital of Brooklyn? Learn the history of this special spot, including “distillery row”, with its wide range of drink producers, and how it gets better every week!
Want to warm up your Winter? Grab some Intense Ginger Liqueur, a pint of Gun Hill’s Brewing Rise Up Rye, or a glass of Fort Hamilton’s Single Barrel Rye. Can’t go wrong with any of them!
Get cozy, grab some headphones, and join the conversation with BSR!
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Rejoice and be merry! It’s the 2022 BSR Holiday Show!
Join Jimmy to celebrate with some of his favorite beer people: Joel Shelton, former Shelton Brother and current big honcho at Inner Circle Beer Tours; BR Rolya, consulting pro at Beer Bier Biere; Kevin Brooks, owner, producer, and more at Oasthouse Creative; and Chris DeCicco, head of the beer program at DeCicco & Sons.
Catch up with the Shelton Bros alum (plus Chris!) as they recount the special places they helped to put on the American Craft Beer scene map over the years, and how that led to the Inner Circle Beer Tours.
Want to try some winter time beers? Try out St. Bernardus’s Christmas Ale, Brasserie Thiriez’s Bière De Noël, and Fyne Ales’s Mills & Hills to bring some spice to your holiday beverage lists.
Strap in for this boozy sleigh ride as it takes you on tours to Europe with fun holiday drinks, and more!!
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This week Em Hutto, founder of RadCraft Beer, is back, and she brought company! She joins Jimmy with Mark Youngquist, founder and owner of Dolores River Brewery, all the way from the Western Slope of Colorado.
Today our merry gang comes together to talk about something a little bit different: the RadCraft Industry Relief Coloring Book! This rad and crafty book features logos from RadCraft’s partner breweries, distilleries, and malting companies. It was developed by the folks at RadCraft as a fun way to give back to our industry after the 2020 Pandemic brought hard times on us all.
The project supports the James Beard Foundation’s Open For Good effort to help independent restaurants thrive, and for the cost of a craft beer on draft, you can give back, too! Get your copy today at radcraftbeer.com/industryrelief.
Also on this episode, Mark Youngquist, a self-proclaimed “seasoned veteran” (Jimmy prefers the term “legend”), regales us with the lessons he’s learned brewing since the ‘80s. Spoiler alert: the longer Mark does this, the more he realizes he has no idea what he’s doing!
Grab some headphones, some colored pencils, and get lost in the process of creation with BSR!
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This week, Jimmy welcomes Kyle Larkin, head brewer at Resolute Brewing Company in Centennial, Co, and Jerry Siote, co-owner and director of brewing operations at Lone Tree Brewing Company in Lone Tree, CO, to discuss their recent collaboration. The gang get cozy as the weather cools to talk about everything from the tradition and function of rice in lagers to malted sunflower seeds.
First and foremost, the gang dives into Kyle and Jerry’s collaboration: It started loosely, with seasonal, experimental intentions: new malts, new hop, new technique. Called Abundant Forest, this dark lager is made from Leopold Bros. pilsner malt, flaked rice, and chocolate malt, along with Ariana and Callista German hop varietals. The duo are proud of how much of a fluid and collaborative process the project was.
Also, Em Hutto, founder of RadCraft Beer and co-organizer of the episode, pops in to give her perspective on Kyle and Jerry’s collab. Grab a cozy lager and warm up with BSR!
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Happy Thanksgiving from Jimmy, BSR, and HRN! Today we’re joined by culinary writer and historian John Taylor who calls in from the future, based 12 hours ahead in Cambodia. He’s here to talk about his new anthology book, Charleston to Phnom Penh: A Cook’s Journal, as well as to dish out some Thanksgiving food for thought.
To start, John takes Jimmy way back to the ‘80s, when John first moved to Charleston, South Carolina to open Hoppin’ John’s bookstore. There were only a handful of restaurants at the time, and John tracked the city’s culinary renaissance over the years as a culinary historian (he is not a chef, he insists). After initially finding a vacuum, he watched as Charleston’s food scene blossomed by going back to its culinary roots (shrimp and grits, anyone?).
Later on in the episode, John goes over some of the recipes you can find in his book. How does roast chicken with butter beans, rice, piccalilli, okra, and mustard greens with a hot pepper and vinegar relish sound for Thanksgiving dinner? Maybe pair it off with your favorite craft cider.
We’re thankful for you here at BSR!
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Recap this year’s Franklin County CiderDays from western Massachusetts with Steve Garwood, who runs Ragged Hill Cider Company with his daughter in West Brookfield, MA just east of Amherst.
Jimmy and Steve reminisce on drinking farm ciders fermented in whiskey barrels, which is an old New England tradition. Steve gives us a little history lesson, explaining how after whiskey distillers were done with them, American oak whiskey barrels would be snatched up by farmers to facilitate the making of something special out of New England apples.
From there, Jimmy recounts the spirit of being at this year’s CiderDays - his first time there. He was impressed with how hands-on the event is; there is even specially pressed Apple juice made by local orchards available for cider enthusiasts to start tangy and tart fermentation experiments of their own!
Grab your earbuds, pop a cold one, and take a juicy trip through CiderDays!
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On this special episode of BSR, Jimmy is joined by the current USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo Bartender of the Year for the USA, Jessi Pollak!
Jessi and Jimmy chat about everything from her seven-year bartending journey, to the arc of the USBG Presents World Class competition, as well as her award-winning cocktail creations. Jessi also gives Jimmy the lowdown on Diageo Bar Academy during this jam-packed episode.
DBA equips bartenders, servers, managers, and hospitality professionals with the insights, stories, and tools to be better!
Want to try your hand at the biggest bartending competition in the world? All hospitality professionals age 21+ can apply by the November 15th deadline for the 2023 USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo competition! Apply today.
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To celebrate Cider Season, this week we're talking with the Founder & President of Original Sin Cider, Gidon Coll, as well as Damin Sawyer, the creator of Bone N' Bottle Reviews. Together they discuss how the sweetness of early cider imports led Gidon to start Original Sin back in 1996, and reminisce about the early iterations of Cider Week. Gidon also shares some of the secrets for making a great fruited cider using his own "Black Widow", a blackberry cider, as one example, and illuminates some of the guiding principles he uses to run his own apple orchard.
If you're in the Boston area on November 12th, check out Cider Feast.
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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:
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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.”
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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!”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Beer Sessions Radio, food radio, Shelton Brothers, beer, drinks, deep ellum beer bar, delaware supply bar, European beers, imported beers, shelton brothers nyc
This 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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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The week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy is gearing up for the Craft Malt Conference and heads to Farmingham to speak with Matthew Steinberg at Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company.
Matthew talks about how local ingredients and partnerships are central to beer production at Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing, and details a few initiatives including the Square Foot Project and Square Foot Saturdays to Build Better Beer. He also talks about all the wonderful support Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing received from their neighbors, Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, to the local maltsters and grain roasters, to Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing’s own incredible staff.
Finally, Jimmy and Mathew paint a picture of Framingham from its breweries to its great tacos and Brazilian restaurants. Give it a listen on the train from Boston to Framingham and enjoy all that Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing has to offer!
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This week on Beer Session Jimmy is talking about locally sourced grains with June Russell, Director of Regional Food Programs at the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, and Joel Alex, of Blue Ox Malthouse.
Both June and Joe talk about their experience promoting local grains in regional markets from baking to brewing. Joel explains the process of floor malting. June talks about how much of a commitment it can be for farmers to start growing new grains.
Finally, the gang talks about their plans for the upcoming virtual 2022 Craft Malt Conference on February 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26nd. Grab a beer made with local grains and give it a listen!
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This week on Beer Sessions Jimmy is talking about homebrewing and The American Homebrewers Association with Julia Herz, executive director of The American Homebrewers Association; Ethan Cox of Community Beer Works; and Jeff Lyons of Endless Life Brewing.
Julia talks about her role as being a voice and advocate for the hobby she loves. She also covers everything from the history of homebrew since Mesopotamia to the styles of beer and homebrewing popular today. Jeff talks about how homebrewing compares to working in a brewery and the unique styles of beer homebrewing helps to develop. Ethan and Jimmy talk about their all New York State beer in the works. And Ethan details New York State's rich history with hops production.
Grab your homebrew, and give it a listen!
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This week on beer sessions radio Jimmy is talking to some warmer weather breweries with Jordan Gardenhire, founder and brewmaster of Baja Brewing Company, and Katie Lowe brewmeister of Koko’s Bavarian.
Katie talks about the vision of Koko’s Bavarian led by people like the Prince Koko of Bavaria and celebrity chef Tim Love. Jordan tells some crazy stories like lifting brewing equipment out of the roof of a building and weathering some of the most severe hurricanes that have impacted the business.
Both Katie and Jordan describe what makes their homes from the breweries of Austin to the shores of Baja unique and how that comes through in their beers. Grab a beer from your favorite warm-weather brewery and give it a listen!
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This week on Beer Sessions Jimmy is talking cider with Brighid O'Keane, executive director of The Cider Institute of North America (CINA); Christine Walter, head cider maker and owner of Bauman’s Cider; Ryan Burk, head cider maker of Angry Orchards and board member of The Cider Institute of North America; and Kira Bassingthwaighte, head cider maker for Western Cider.
Brighid O'Keane introduces the Cider Institute of North America and its mission. Ryan talks about how the American cider scene has grown and where it might be heading. Christine walks through how her family farm as well as her scientific background has shaped her cider production. Kira talks about Montana's culture of grain as well as the unique diversity of apples.
The episode finishes with recommendations for in-person and virtual courses offered by the Cider Institute of North America for aspiring cider makers. Grab your favorite cider and give it a listen.
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This week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy is talking about distribution in New York City with Ken Landin and Patrick Sylvester of Crossroads Brewing, James Zinkand, owner of Misguided Spirits, and Megan Rickerson, owner of Someday NYC. The gang highlights the challenges Covid has brought to the industry. James talks about his experience from Eataly to Miller Coors to Revolution Brewing and how it led him to open Misguided Spirits. Megan explains how relationships with local producers and distributors have become more meaningful than ever. Kenny talks about the choice to do business upstate versus in the city. And Patrick highlights the way IPA’s have evolved over the years and offers some local liquor and beer pairings. Support a local brewery or distiller and give it a listen!
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This week on Beer Sessions (the last Beer Sessions of 2021!) Jimmy is talking about the greatest hits of 2021 and beer dessert pairings with Julia Herz, executive director of the American Homebrewers Association and author, Jerard Fagerberg, freelance beer writer, and Jessie Sheehan, recipe developer and author of The Vintage Baker.
Jessie details some of her newest recipes, including some that will appear in her upcoming cookbook, Snackable Bakes: 100 Easy-Peasy Recipes for Exceptionally Scrumptious Sweets and Treats. The group talks about some of the best changes 2021 has brought to the beer world. Julia talks about how The Brave Noise Project is helping to eliminate bias and harassment in the beverage industry while offering an accessible homebrew recipe. Jerard talks about the resurgence of unions. Finally, the gang takes on the beer and dessert pairing challenge.
Look no further for holiday dessert inspiration and their respective drink pairings. Grab a beer and a sweet treat and give it a listen!
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This week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy is talking about giving back with Karen Lawson of Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Vermont, Erin Maciel of Honesta Coffee, and Richard Thomas of Argyle Brewing Company. Karen talks about how Lawson’s Finest Liquids has used their Sunshine Fund to help support causes in their community from the Vermont River Conservancy to Pathways Vermont. Erin details Cafe Honesta’s support of local farms in Brazil and the steps they’ve taken to empower female entrepreneurs. And Richard explains how hosting community markets has helped bring their community together while supporting local artisans. Grab a beer from your favorite brewer that gives back, and give it a listen!
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This week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy puts down the beer to light up the conversation about marijuana with Max Bookman, partner at Pesetsky & Bookman, and Andrew Mutty, co-owner of Beantown Greentown.
Max covers what's been holding up the establishment of dispensaries in New York City, and what you need to know if you’re looking to open your own dispensary. Andrew points out some lessons from Massachusetts that can help guide the way for New York. The gang discusses how new laws are striving to empower marginalized groups to lead the way in the legal distribution of weed, and how the requirements of those laws might play out in practice. They touch on why your local dispensary feels so different from your local bar, and how a change in federal law might dramatically change the marijuana industry, from allowing cross-state distribution to empowering veterans with more medicinal alternatives. Swap your beer for a joint this week and give it a listen!
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Happy Thanksgiving from the BSR family to yours! Instead of turkey and beer pairings, Jimmy takes the road less traveled this week, diving into fermentation. On the show is Gabe Toth, distillery manager, former brewer, and author of the Fermentation Kitchen for the Brewer’s Association, and Brandon Buza, a connoisseur of all things yeast, bacteria, and the tasty stuff they can produce.
Gabe talks about his personal journey from fermenting for the first time as a homebrewer to writing a cookbook on fermented foods, and Brandon weighs in on the importance of curiosity, passion, and community in the world of fermentation.
Kick back and get ready for a few surprises on this funky, fermented episode!
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This week Jimmy is talking doomsday drinking with Chris Maestro, owner of Bierwax, Thomas Gaulkin, editor at The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist, and Aaron Goldfarb, journalist, and author of Hacking Whiskey. From nuclear apocalypse to climate change, how might a disaster affect your favorite beer? Thomas talks about some of the little-known science of the food industry, including the radiation that might be used to produce some of your favorite foods. Chris gives an exciting window into the history of Japanese record bars and the opening of Bierwax’s new location in Queens. And Aaron talks about some of the more creative developments in the whiskey world. Grab your desert island beer and give it a listen!
Support Bierwax's IndieGoGo campaign.
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This week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy sits down with Tim Webb and Steven Beaumont, co-authors of the 3rd Edition of The World Atlas of Beer. Tim and Steven detail their paths to becoming some of the most renowned beer authors. They talk about the enormous growth the world of craft beer has seen in the past twenty years with now 45 countries having booming beer scenes. And they touch on what defines local variety. Of course, the gang gives recommendations for their favorite beers and pubs. And finally, they dive into what changes we can expect to see in the beer world looking forward. Grab your favorite beer from anywhere around the world and give it a listen.
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This week Jimmy dives into the history of working-class drinking with PJ Mercier, founder of Navigation Brewing in Lowell, Massachusetts, BR Royla, national judge for BJCP, Peter Brown, British journalist and writer, and Jerard Fagerberg, writer and journalist.
From Jack Kerouac to British coal mines, the gang pieces through where pub myth and legend meet reality. The writers attest to the dangers of writing drunk. The group explores how beer and drinking have been such an integral part of working-class community and culture from Lowell to Minneapolis to England. And they touch on what it means to reconcile those identities today through their taprooms and writing. Grab your favorite porter and give it a listen!
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This week Jimmy heads up to Cambridge to have a tasting with Soham Bhatt at Artifact Cider Project. Jimmy and Soham talk through the brief history of northeast cider as well as the founding of The Artifact Cider Project. They touch on how Artifact Cider Project has created cider deeply connected to both the landscape and the history of the Northeast. And finally, how through offering a knowledgeable staff as well as unique and casual bar food pairings, Artifact Cider Project is helping more consumers than ever enjoy all cider has to offer. Pick up your favorite cider and enjoy learning more about the world of Northeast cider!
Cider List:
Wolf at The Door
Feels Like Home
No New Friends
Magic Hour
Gold Rush
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This week Jimmy explores the local sourcing and supply chains that bring you some of the best beers with Geoff Wenzel, R&D brewer at Industrial Arts Brewing, Mike McManus, director of brewing operations at Industrial Arts Brewing, Phil Neumann with Mainstem Malt, and Kevin Kain, beer blogger @Casketbeer. Kevin and Mike start us off diving into the local sourcing of ingredients from New York State and highlight Industrial Arts Brewing’s landscape series. Everyone emphasizes how local farm partnerships, as well as storage and production techniques, have dramatically improved our access to high-quality local ingredients over the past ten years. Phil notes how despite the challenges of Covid in the craft malt industry, a surprising benefit might be that the average consumer now knows the word supply chain. Crack a locally sourced beer and have a listen!
Beer List:
Industrial Arts Brewing Company - Autumn Landscape Festbier
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