Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

Brewery owners will often say that running their business is like being on a roller coaster. Strap in as Kyle Kohlmorgen of Wellspent Brewing shares his experience.“It’s been short, and expensive, but fun at least. I made a TON of mistakes, and my business sense continues to be poor, so I'm glad Wellspent is in better hands, ownership-wise," he says. "When I was the "Brewer/Owner", I wasn't doing a great job at either. I'm happier as a brewer.” That’s this episode in a nutshell and Kohlmorgen doesn't hold back on the highs and lows, uncertainties and successes, and how help came from within his walls. This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future. We’re in it together. Lawson's Finest LiquidsThe brewery is  guided by five pillars – Excellence, Authenticity, Fun, Community and Innovation. These values are represented in their product quality, work culture, guest experience and charitable giving. The SIP, their Social Impact Program, is the Lawson’s Finest way of building impactful connections and strengthening our communities while creating memorable experiences.New Holland Brewing Co.Dragon's Milk White from New Holland Brewing Company reimagines what a stout can be. Your vessel will be filled with the color of gold, and yet there is more to this white stout than meets the eye. Aged in bourbon barrels, Dragon’s Milk White is smooth and velvety, abounding with notes of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla to present classic stout flavors in a delicious new way, all in a session-able 6% ABV package. Find Dragon's Milk White near you at dragonsmilk.comFor more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Kyle Kohlmorgen of Wellspent BrewingSponsors:  New Holland , Lawson's Finest Liquids, NZ Hops, and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Missouri, Ownership, Lagers, IPA, Brewing

Show notes from John Holl:"By the time you’re hearing this, I’ll be at the Jersey Shore, unplugged and drinking cream ale. It’s a long-planned vacation but as I got ready for some days away I had a sense of senioritis kick in.  I knew I needed to get a show done, but my brain was also mushy from deadlines and life. When an email from Ben Love popped up in my email, I knew I had found a solution. I’ve known Ben for years. I’ve been to the brewery he co-founded with Van Having several times, and even spent some time – as you’ll hear – with him in New Zealand when he poured at the Beervana Festival and I spoke at the country’s black tie brewers gathering.  Ben is a brewer who likes to tease out flavors and look for the unexpected. He also has a traditionalist streak in him and all of it shows in the beer.  He’s also a world class conversationalist and I knew that having him on the show would be an easy layup as I head into a holiday. Is it lazy? Maybe. But, it’s still entertaining and informative for you, because I’d never sacrifice on that."This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future. We’re in it together. Lawson's Finest LiquidsThe brewery is  guided by five pillars – Excellence, Authenticity, Fun, Community and Innovation. These values are represented in their product quality, work culture, guest experience and charitable giving. The SIP, their Social Impact Program, is the Lawson’s Finest way of building impactful connections and strengthening our communities while creating memorable experiences.New Holland Brewing Co.20 years ago, New Holland Brewing Company embarked on a journey into the unknown, brewing the first batch of Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout. What started as a single barrel in the back of the brewery has transformed into the best-selling American-made stout today. Pairing rich notes of chocolate and coffee from roasted malts with deep tones of vanilla and oak from its time in bourbon barrels, each bottle of Dragon's Milk is a delicious adventure waiting to be opened.  Find Dragon's Milk near you at dragonsmilk.com. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Ben Love of Gigantic Brewing Sponsors:  New Holland , Lawson's Finest Liquids, NZ Hops, and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Mt. Hood Hops, Kölsch, Nose Tickles, Barrels, Dry Hopping, Recycling

Over the last few weeks a few IPAs have popped up here at the home broadcast studio that all had the same label reading “Things We Don’t Say." It was soon revealed to be a collaboration beer   between Eagle Park Brewing and the Hope for the Day Foundation that was offered to breweries around the world. It’s designed to talk about mental health in and around the beer space – and that includes the drinkers as well.  You’ve heard of Hope for the Day on this show before, notably when Drew Fox of 18th Street Brewing was on the show a few months ago.  Max Borgardt is the guest this week. He and his brothers had a choice, he says, either become musicians or brewers. They choose wisely, even if they are still heavily involved in music. As the brewery has grown in the last few years they’ve played to their strengths, IPA, a light beer aimed at non-craft drinkers, and hard seltzer smoothies.  It has helped the brewery gain recognition, not only in their state but beyond its borders.  It seems like every conversation is going to be about COVID-19 at some point, because it’s just ever present on the mind. Get vaccinated. When we recorded this in July the CDC had not yet updated guidance, and so host John Holl started off by talking about how things were opening up and how the brewery was getting back into the swing of things with sales and planning for the grand re-opening of their new taproom, which barely had time for a proper first grand opening.  Max spoke to the show over Zoom from the brewery in Muskego.This Episode is sponsored by:BriessBriess is the leading supplier of specialty malt to craft brewers.  They offer the broadest product line in the industry, including a wide range of roasted malts that add flavor, color, and character to beer.  Their experienced operators handcraft every batch of roasted malt to ensure the product you get is consistent.  Check out BrewingwithBriess.com for beer recipes using roasted malt.  NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future. We’re in it together. Lawson's Finest LiquidsThe brewery is  guided by five pillars – Excellence, Authenticity, Fun, Community and Innovation. These values are represented in their product quality, work culture, guest experience and charitable giving. The SIP, their Social Impact Program, is the Lawson’s Finest way of building impactful connections and strengthening our communities while creating memorable experiences.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Max Borgardt of Eagle Park BrewingSponsors:  Briess, Lawson's Finest Liquids, NZ Hops, and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Seltzer Smoothies, Wisconsin, News, Mental Health, COVID-19, Beer Sales, IPA, Light Lager

Show notes from John Holl: "If you’ve been listening for long enough, now and again I’ll ask for guest suggestions. Sometimes I get letters and usually those are good suggestions that lead to lively conversations.  This is one of those shows. My friend Don Tse, the writer and pun aficionado, who has also been a guest on this show reached out recently to introduce Kolin Krokis. I’m glad he did.  Kolin started out as a chemistry student who soon developed a fondness for beer and began a career in brewing that led to brewing school in Germany and a bevy of jobs, including a stint as the first full-time brewer at Brew Dog.  He and his family has traveled the world doing various brewing jobs, picking up techniques from hands on experience along the way. He believes in no compromise and as you will hear that hasn’t always made things easy, but he’s a brewer with few regrets because of it.  These days he is brewing at Rural Routes Brewing in Alberta, where they pride themselves on food pairings, full pours, and hospitality. This classically trained brewer has even learned to love and embrace a recipe that has become a fan favorite:  a Piña Colada Milkshake IPA."This Episode is sponsored by:BriessBriess is the leading supplier of specialty malt to craft brewers.  They offer the broadest product line in the industry, including a wide range of roasted malts that add flavor, color, and character to beer.  Their experienced operators handcraft every batch of roasted malt to ensure the product you get is consistent.  Check out BrewingwithBriess.com for beer recipes using roasted malt.  NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future. We’re in it together. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Kolin Krokis of Rural Routes BrewingSponsors:  Briess, NZ Hops, and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Malt, Canada, Brew Dog, Czech Pilsener, Milkshake IPA. 

Show notes from John Holl: As we’ve talked about on the show in the past, there are serious conversations and allegations happening in the beer industry, specifically, these days, around the treatment of women. Sadly, many of these stories are not new, but a lot of them have not been publicly talked about, until a few weeks ago when women started sharing their stories on social media.  There’s been a lot of talk, hopefully a lot of listening, some changes, and work towards meaningful action.  Laurie Porter is my guest this week. She’s the co-founder of Smog City, a brewery with several locations in Southern California that has helped shaped the Los Angeles Beer Scene over the last decade. She's on brewing industry advisory boards and guilds, and has focused, in her words, on every aspect of her company except the brewing.  But this week Smog City is set to release Total Boss, a red IPA made by the women of the brewery to spark a conversation about misogyny, sexism, assault, and more happening in the beer space.  Porter has spent a lot of time thinking about this and from the brewery’s beginning has tried to focus efforts to make Smog City a safe place and one where people are happy to work and feel like they can do their jobs without fear.  Still, these last few weeks have gotten her thinking about where things are, where they were, and where they can be." This Episode is sponsored by:BriessBriess is the leading supplier of specialty malt to craft brewers.  They offer the broadest product line in the industry, including a wide range of roasted malts that add flavor, color, and character to beer.  Their experienced operators handcraft every batch of roasted malt to ensure the product you get is consistent.  Check out BrewingwithBriess.com for beer recipes using roasted malt.  NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future. We’re in it together. Lawson's Finest LiquidsThe brewery is  guided by five pillars – Excellence, Authenticity, Fun, Community and Innovation. These values are represented in their product quality, work culture, guest experience and charitable giving. The SIP, their Social Impact Program, is the Lawson’s Finest way of building impactful connections and strengthening our communities while creating memorable experiences. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Laurie Porter of Smog CitySponsors:  Briess, Lawson's Finest Liquids, NZ Hops, and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Red IPA, Los Angeles, News, Action, COVID-19, Women, Employment

Zack Adams was invited onto the podcast this week to talk about his Grodziskie, a 3.2% smoked ale that he brewed with help and guidance from Live Oak Brewing, and a beer that utilizes specialty smoked malt from a local farm. Before all that, however, we spend time talking about how his taproom has evolved and adapted since COVID-19 began. Adams, the owner and brewer of Fox Farm Brewery in Salem, Connecticut also fills us in on the brewery's spontaneous beer program and the developing house culture that will have a prominent place in the tasting experience. Recorded via zoom just after the 2021 4th of July holiday weekend, Adams opens up on inspiration and making beers that appeal to his palate and how he brings drinkers along for the journey.  This Episode is sponsored by:BriessBriess is the leading supplier of specialty malt to craft brewers.  They offer the broadest product line in the industry, including a wide range of roasted malts that add flavor, color, and character to beer.  Their experienced operators handcraft every batch of roasted malt to ensure the product you get is consistent.  Check out BrewingwithBriess.com for beer recipes using roasted malt.  NZ HopsNZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future. We’re in it together. Lawson's Finest LiquidsThe brewery is  guided by five pillars – Excellence, Authenticity, Fun, Community and Innovation. These values are represented in their product quality, work culture, guest experience and charitable giving. The SIP, their Social Impact Program, is the Lawson’s Finest way of building impactful connections and strengthening our communities while creating memorable experiences.  For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Zack Adams of Fox Farm Brewery Sponsors:  Briess, Lawson's Finest Liquids, NZ Hops, and The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Spontaneous Ale, Rauchbier, Hospitality, Travel

Ryan Kilpatrick's Fiction Beer Company was part of the third wave of craft breweries that opened in the U.S coming up on a decade ago. He’ll tell the story of the brewery in a minute, but in my visits to his place in the past I’ve been struck with the comfortable feeling, the diverse tap list, and the general engagement of the staff.  That usually comes from ownership, so in this podcast, recorded over zoom, we talk about how to retain employees, how they approach recipe development, and some of the recent collaborations he’s done. It’s wide ranging, and like a good book takes some twists and turns. This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Ryan Kilpatrick of Fiction Beer Company Sponsors:  NZ Hops, The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Denver, Falling Rock, Coffee, IPA, Collaborations, Pride, Books

Show notes from John Holl:"I’m really excited to have Latisha Cook on the show this week. I’ve had the occasion to talk with her in the past and her passion for beer, for sparking conversation, collaborations, and a drive for a more inclusive beer industry and community is infectious.We’ve talked about the need for diversity and diverse perspectives on the show before and Cook has been at the forefront of several initiatives for several years now. The latest way Beer Kulture is advancing opportunity is through the Sparks Foundation. It will be giving four $5,000 grants to four deserving black men per year, she says.  “The intent is for these grants to give a boost to Black men so they can launch their visions,” Cook said when announcing the initiative. “But it also goes beyond that to help these men build a family legacy. Generational wealth isn’t seen as often in the Black community the way it is in other communities. If access to traditional funding is a problem, it’s hard to create something that can extend beyond one person’s lifetime. Hopefully these grants help Black men begin to create legacies that endure for generations.” In this episode we talk about the foundation and opportunities, generational wealth, and all the other things Beer Kulture has going on, but first, because not everyone is familiar with the organization, I started off by asking her to give a little background on how the organization started."For more information on the Sparks Foundation, or to apply for a grant, visit  https://www.beerkulture.com/sparksfoundation. Applications will go live June 1st and remain open until July 16th. Beer Kulture will announce the first grantee on August 1st. This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Latiesha Cook of Beer Kulture Sponsors:  NZ Hops, The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Education, Diversity, Beer Kulture, 

There is a lot happening with Joel Stickrod of Barrique Brewing & Blending these days. He's moved from a modest barrel-storage space into his own taproom in the heart of Nashville and is bringing his beer vision to the people. Originally the brewery was focused on wild ales, usually blended, often fruited, and those remain on offer. The new space has allowed him to branch out in to lagers and pub ales done in his style and he has plans on the horizon. In this conversation, recorded over the phone in June 2021, he talks about his journey and house culture, shares his thoughts on blending, his passion for historical styles and local ingredients. There might also be a celebrity stopping by his brewery one of these days. Tune in and find out.  This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.Jack's Abby Craft LagersFor our next stop on the Lagers of the World tour, we went down under to discuss lagers with Johnny Latta from NOMAD Brewing. We learned a lot about how the climate is a huge influence on what they brew and drink especially when it comes to indigenous crops. So that’s where we honed in to make this beer. We hope you enjoy this one of a kind lager inspired by culture and conversation.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Joel Stickrod of Barrique Brewing & BlendingSponsors:  NZ Hops, Jack's Abby Craft Lagers, The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Nashville, Wild Ale, History, Lager, Pub Ale, Fruit

Narragansett is a brewery that has been around since the late 1800s. It was a revered New England lager brand that, after prohibition went on the wain, and eventually closed down. It was revived about 15 years ago by a group of passionate investors, and has seen such tremendous growth since its rebirth that it is now in the top 30 of craft breweries in the United States. The growth was largely built on the backs of contract production brewing for lager, a coffee stout, shandies, and a few other styles. Over the last few weeks the brewery has opened its first permanent location, that will serve as a Narragansett gathering place and a brewery to showcase innovation.  At the helm of the brewdeck is Lee Lord, she’s been in New England brewing for her entire career, working for storied and well-established brands like Cambridge Brewing Co. (where she brewed at Mystic Brewing Co.), Smuttynose, and the since shuttered Watch City.  There’s an allure to working for well established brands where a culture is already in place, she says, but a challenge that comes with working on a brand new system and being tasked with moving a brewery forward while new history is being written. She spoke to the podcast via phone in Rhode Island about her career and the last few weeks of getting the system dialed in and beer ready for the people.This Episode is sponsored by:NZ HopsHarvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.Host: John HollGuest: Lee Lord of Narragansett Brewing CompanySponsors:  NZ Hops, The Beer EdgeTags: Beer, Rhode Island, Cream Ale, History, Lager, Gruit