Beer Sessions Radio (TM)

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy welcomes Geriz Ramirez, the general manager at Other Half Brewing and the man behind All Together, a global beer collaboration generating support for hospitality industry professionals in need. Basil Lee of Finback Brewery and Tim Besecker of Twin Elephant Brewing join the conversation as well to talk about how they got involved in what Jimmy calls the “#1 hope project of 2020” that is now 800 breweries strong and counting. Beer writer, Niko Krommydas chimes in too as the discussion ranges from where relief efforts are going, to how homebrewers are getting involved, and what Geriz’s favorite versions of this open source recipe have been. The second half of the show focuses on the standstill many breweries, bars, and festivals are facing as stay-at-home orders continue. Kate Levenstien of the Bacon and Beer Classic shares her perspective on the future of events and Basil talks about the effects of postponing the opening of Finback’s second location. Beer List:Barrier Brewing, All Together District 96 Beer Factory x Equilibrium Brewing, Stimulus Package Finback Brewery, Six YearFinback Brewery, Archipelago Breeze Other Half Brewing, Forever EverTen Bends Beer, Luminous Series #5 IPA Photo Courtesy of Niko KrommydasBeer Sessions Radio is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy talks to Evan Watson of Plan Bee Farm Brewery, Barry Labendz of Kent Falls Brewing, and Derek Dellinger AKA The Fermented Man, who has worked with both breweries. Evan has always said he constructed an “apocalyptic” brewery and COVID-19 has certainly put that to the test. Evan and Barry share the strength of their local supply chains. Evan is sourcing mixed culture from the spring honey at his farm, has a field of danko rye and is seeing his best hops yet. Barry recently rolled out Kent Falls’ Superscript IPA, which has been in the works for five years and is made with locally grown malt and hops. They talk about how they are working to maintain community ties during the pandemic, Evan shares his plan to simplify his beer styles and build a lager cave, and Derek discusses his passion for smokey beers. Beer ListPlan Bee Farm Brewery, Barn BeerKent Falls Brewing, Superscript IPAPhoto by Miguel Rivas 2017Beer Sessions Radio is powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy is joined by Joe Lipa, who is retiring after a 40 year career in the craft beer industry, working for specialty beer importer, Merchant du Vin. He shares the stories behind the efforts to introduce Americans to four iconic breweries: Samula Smith, Lindemans, Ayinger, and Orval Trappist. Along for the ride are Robert Hodson from Sheehan Family Companies and Ben Keene, a writer for Beer Advocate. When Joe helped launch Samuel Smith in the US, it was twice the price of the most expensive beer on the market. He talks about how he worked to educate consumers, starting with sales to high end restaurants, before these beers made their way into wine shops and then ultimately grocery stores. Learn about why these beers are best in class and why Merchant du Vin has focused on sustaining their relationship with centuries old family breweries rather than expanding. Beer ListOrval Trappist AleSamual Smith, Yorkshire StingoWestmalle Trappist Ale DubelBeer Sessions Radio is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Jimmy talks saisons with Phil Markowski of Two Roads Brewing who literally wrote the book on farmhouse ales. Anthony Accardi of Transmitter Brewing offers his perspective as a brewer who aims to bring saisons to New York’s beer scene. B.R. Rolya of Shelton Brothers discusses the European farmhouse breweries she works with and shares her experience translating portions of Phil’s book. Together they talk about some special collaborations, the strains of yeast they are using to brew saisons today, and Two Road’s new Table Terroir which harkens back to the history of low ABV beers traditionally consumed by farmworkers.Beer List:Transmitter Brewing,  Harvest 7Sante Adairius, Saison BernicePhoto Courtesy of Miguel RivasBeer Sessions Radio is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy welcomes Clay Risen and Theresa McCulla to the studio to discuss what beer Americans were drinking in 1898. Clay is Deputy Editor of The New York Times Opinion Page and the author of “The Crowded Hour: Theodore Roosevelt, The Rough Riders, and the Dawn of the American Century.” Theresa McCulla is a beer historian at The Smithsonian, who is currently working to archive homebrewing and craft beer history for the museum. Together they talk about the first era of consolidation for American brewing, what styles of beer were popular at the time, and the ways in which beer shapes community and culture. Beer List:Rothaus Pils Beer Sessions Radio is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy shares an interview from NYC Beer Week, when he visited KCBC to talk with head brewer Bobby Rolandi along with Ian Kalmes of Transmitter Brewing. The two met when they were starting out in the brewing industry washing kegs and have stayed friends. They share their respective career paths, compare the operations at the two breweries, and talk about the rewards for making good beers that take time.Beer List:KCBC, Cosmic ZombieKCBC, The Hour of DeathTransmitter Brewing, BNY1 Pre-Prohibition LagerBeer Sessions Radio is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy talks with Ben Neidhart of OEC Brewing, Michael Opalenski and George Flickinger of B. United International, and Gavin Murphy from Beer Table. Ben discusses the traditions and mysticism that have inspired OEC from its start as well as the “old school” system he operates, which includes a Beaudelot Chiller. He also explains the importance of balance in brewing sours and lets drinkers know what they can expect next from the orchards at OEC. The group shares memories of time spent at OEC in Oxford, CT  and talks about the virtues of vintage beer while sipping on OEC’s Coolship Black Lager.BeerGrimm Artisanal Ales, Invisible Touch LagerOEC Brewing, Æther Dry Hopped Sour AleOEC Brewing, Coolship Lager AmericanaOEC Brewing, Coolship Lager BlackOEC Brewing, Coolship, Coolship LagerOEC Brewing, Oudilis Cerasus 2016 VintagePhoto Courtesy of Furman FotoBeer Sessions Radio is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy talks to Sofia Barbaresco and Geoff Wenzel from Industrial Arts Brewing. Plus, beer writer at large Ben Keene joins the conversation from Seattle. Sofia and Geoff provide an update on Industrial Arts’ second location in Beacon, NY, explain the flexibility they have to experiment with raw ingredients and various grains with the brewery’s new mash filter, and marvel at how far New York State ingredients have come. They dive into the ingredients behind Industrial Arts’ Landscape series, which are sourced entirely from New York State producers like Hudson Valley Malt and Pedersen Farm, and they discuss the brewery’s well-known Wrench series. The guests also share their experience adapting to the COVID-19 crisis, from canning 100% of their product to implementing pick-up and delivery. Sofia shares her perspective as a New York State Brewers Association board member about what it could look like for the beer industry as a whole if loosened government restrictions continue.  Beer List:Dutchess Ales, Auger PorterIndustrial Arts Brewing, Pocket Wrench NEPAIndustrial Arts Brewing, Spring Landscape Helles BockIndustrial Arts Brewing, Impact Wrench Industrial Arts Brewing, Wrench NEIPASweetWater Brewery, Guide Beer Transmitter Brewing, Pre-Prohibition LagerBeer Sessions Radio is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy puts the spotlight on cask ales. He is joined by Michael Paul Messenie of Dutchess Ales, Paul Pendyck of UK Brewing Supplies, Steve Hamburg of Cask Marque, Greg Engert of The Grand Delancey, and Tony Forder of Ale Street News. They discuss what made each of them fall in love with cask ales, and why they nevertheless remains “a niche of a niche of a niche.” From their lower ABV, soft mouth feel, natural fermentation and enhanced flavor, cask ales are great to enjoy in large portions but require proper attention and care. The group discusses what tools and practices are necessary for good cellarmanship, how to make cask ales more accessible in the US, and the organizations and festivals like CAMRA and NERAX that help highlight what’s special about this type of beer. Beer ListSamuel Smith, Imperial StoutHigh Point Brewing Company, Ramstein MaibockHair of The Dog Brewing, Otto from the Wood 2013Fullers Vintage Ale 2009Off Color Brewing, Golden Milk Stout Beer Sessions Radio is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy nerds out about beer and more with Jeff Cioletti, author of Drink Like a Geek. Jeremy Cowan of Shmaltz Brewing, Doug Campbell of Brewery Ommegang, and beer writer, Ben Keene join in as well to try and put a finger on the genre of geeky beers they all love. Jeremy shares the process he underwent getting the rights to sell Star Trek beer and Doug describes how the flavor was developed for Ommegang’s Game of Thrones series. They also discuss the connection between craft beer and Comic Con, what butter beer would really taste like, and their craziest projects to date including a Pastrami Pilsner. Joel Suarez and Matt Negron of Uptown Beer Society pop in to talk about their latest beer for the Bronx Culture Series: Mister Stoutee. Beer ListAlphabet City Brewing, Sugar Plum FairyBrewer Ommegang, Idyll Days PilsnerBrewer Ommegang, Game of Thrones Valar Dohaeris Tripel AleFirestone Walker Brewing, Flyjack IPARevelry Brewing, Gullah Cream AleShmaltz Brewing, Babka Loves RugelachSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.