Beer Sessions Radio (TM)

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy is joined by Rafael Espinal, a New York City Council member running for Public Advocate in the upcoming special election. Danii Oliver of Island to Island Brewery, Heather Rush of Pine Box Rock Shop, and Chris O’Leary of Brew York, New York also join the conversation about how New York politics are affecting brewers. Danii and Heather talk about the strong role local government plays in the management of their breweries and taprooms. They discuss the difficulty of being labeled as “vice” businesses and argue breweries should be valued for providing manufacturing jobs, creating a local product, and supporting other local businesses in the process. The conversation ultimately comes down to the question: Why should breweries do business in NYC? Beer List Boulevard Brewery Space Camper Cosmic IPA Sixpoint Party Hat New England IPA Big Alice Boisonberry Current Sour Hudson Valley Brewery Pilsner Photo Taken by Miguel Rivas @THEBEERTREKKER Beer Sessions Radio is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Jimmy is dedicating the show to an issue that affects all breweries, but is rarely discussed: wastewater. Water is integral to making beer but a lot is wasted. Typically one pint of beer requires seven pints of water. For this conversation, Jimmy is joined by John Bedard of Kushner Studios, a brewery architect; Paul Mankiewicz, a biologist from the Gaia Institute; and Evan Bowles, a wastewater engineer. These experts discuss various policies surrounding the issue and the diverse challenges brewers face from New York to California. They divulge to talk about the importance of environmentally conscious design from green roofs to solar panels and imagine how they would construct a sustainable brewery from the ground up. Episode Beer List: Evil Twin, Ridgewood Resurrection Evil Twin, By The End of the Day Burial, Bone Digger Pale Ale 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 hosts Justin Phillips and his team from Beer Table for a special tasting. Jimmy and Justin along with Megan Saxelby, Noah Levin, and Gavin Murphy taste a handful of distinct beers, which all share one ingredient: smoked malts. The origin of the beers ranges: from Bamberg, Germany, the world’s largest supplier of malts; to Scandinavian countries like Norway and Finland; all the way to Vermont where one beer was made by the Von Trapp family of the Sound of Music. The conversation covered the delicacy of smoky flavors, which varied from rich and meaty to the woodiness one might recognize in a scotch. As everyone tried to pinpoint the evocative sensation a smoked malt beer can provide, some suggested that looking to writing on cocktails, wine, and even perfumes can help anyone working to train their palette. Tasting List: Threes Short Fuse Von Trapp Trösten Lager Schlenkera Urbock Haandbryggeriet Bestefar Prykmestar Savu Kataja Hair of the Dog Adam Del Ducato Verdi Anniversario 200 Beer Sessions Radio is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Radio Jimmy welcomes Matthias Neidhart, the founder and owner of B. United International Inc. along with George Flickinger and Michael Opalenski, who manage sales for the company here in New York. They talk about the innovation that finally allowed B. United to import traditional lagers from the Czech Republic without interfering with the flavor or freshness of the beer. Their temperature-controlled containers convinced some of the most historic breweries in the world to ship their beer across the Atlantic Ocean. Matthias believes the market for traditional lagers will continue to grow in the US, recalling how dramatically attitudes have shifted over the past few years. Chris McClelland, founder of the Brew Enthusiast joins the conversation as well, contributing his passion for the culture, history, and high quality of Czech Lagers. 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 the bar owners and brewers behind popular beers, El Pres Pilsner and Dead Pres Lager come together to discuss this collaboration and their stories as bar owners of color. To create these beers individuals from Bar 177, Bar 180, BierWax, The Bronx Beer Hall, The Sampler, and Uptown Beer Society worked with Interboro Spirits and Drafts. This group talks about the desire to create a beer that would resonate with the Latinx community. They express that their passion for creating and selling beer goes beyond making money, these men strive to represent the local businesses and culture of their neighborhoods. Many of these bars were the first to sell craft beer in their community and the conversation covers how they continue to thrive as New York City changes around them. Guest List Chris Maestro, BierWax Jesse Ferguson, Interboro Spirits and Ales Joel Suarez and Leo Tineo, The Sampler Juan Perez, Bar 180 and Bar 177 Matt Negron, Uptown Beer Society Paul Ramirez and Anthony Ramirez II, The Bronx Beer Hall Shane Monteiro, Carmine Street Beers 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.

In this very special New Year's episode we went into the archives, way back to 2015 for a conversation recorded at the Cornelia St Cafe. Sadly, due to rent increases, the Cornelia St Cafe - a West Village institution - will be closing soon. Joining Jimmy on this evening were: Robin Hirsch, co-owner and co-founder of Cornelia st cafe; Daric Schlesselman, the Founder of Van Brunt Stillhouse in Brooklyn; Allison Patel of Brenne Whiskey; and Liz stretch, from Slow Food NYC and NYU's Food Studies Program. Together they discuss the history of Cornelia St Cafe, the local distilling movement, huge change in American palates over the past four decades, and much much more. 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.

Jimmy greets Stefan Hansen all the way from Norway this week on Beer Sessions Radio. Stefan manages domestic and international sales for Haanbryggiert Brewery. BR Rolya and Bib W join in too. They are both NY sales representatives for Shelton Brothers Inc., an importer of Haand beers. Haand Brewery specializes in sours, stouts, and farmhouse ales, but what really sets them apart is Kveik, a strain of yeast unique to Norwegian brews. Homebrewing in Norway has regained popularity over the last decade but we learn the practice is rooted in the country’s history. Stefan shares about his tour of the NYC beer scene. By combining his own knowledge with what he's learned, Stefan hopes the partnerships he has formed will bring him back to the city in the near future. 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 is joined by Jason Sahler of Strong Rope Brewing, Chad Zimar of Steuben Brewing, Kara Johnston from Chimney Bluffs Hoppery and Chris Holden of Crooked Creek Hops. Currently New York Farm Breweries are required to source 20% of their ingredients from NY State, but in 2019 this will increase to 60%. These guests are ahead of the curve though and have traveled from across New York to talk about their commitment to local ingredients. The first beer they pour is Steuban’s Mount Pleasant, part of the brewery’s local liquid series and made from 100% NY ingredients, including a hop from Seneca Falls called ‘New York.’ Efforts are underway to learn more about NY hops through genetic research. It’s agreed upon that good beer is dependent on high quality ingredients and these brewers are committed to educating their customers about the hops, malts, and farmers contributing to their brews. Community in the beer industry is strong inside New York and across the globe. Ken Grossman, the owner and founder of Sierra Nevada calls in to talk about his most recent project: Resilience IPA. This beer is being brewed and sold across the country and the world to raise money for those affected by the California Wildfires. Listen to the full episode to learn more about how this movement spread so quickly and check out Sierra Nevada’s website to find a brewery selling Resilience near you. Beer Sessions Radio is powered by SimplecastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The marriage of food and beer is at the heart of Beer Sessions Radio this week. Jimmy welcomes Hutch Kugeman and Waldy Malouf from the Culinary Institute of America. Hutch is the CIA’s brewmaster and Waldy is the senior director of Food and Beverage Operations. They are currently preparing for the CIA’s annual Beefsteak event, which involves several courses of beef, lamb, seafood, and unlimited beer. Jamie Adams from Saint James Brewery, John Condzella from Condzella’s Farm, and Tony Forder from Ale Street News join in on a discussion about where the beer industry is headed. Local ingredients are a focal point of the conversation. John was one of the first farmers in New York State to grow hops and the local ingredients he provides to beer makers doesn’t stop there. Everyone sips on Saint James Brewery’s Myrtille Ale, made with blueberries grown at Condzella’s. Hutch and Waldy have witnessed the integration of local food into the menus and curriculum at the CIA and agree this movement is here to stay. 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.

Wild East Brewing is coming soon to Gowanus, Brooklyn and the whole team joins Jimmy on Beer Sessions Radio this week. Brett Taylor, Lindsay Steen, Tyler March have taken on this project as founding partners. Jeff Lyons is in the studio as well talking about his experience brewing at Keg & Lantern in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. He is also currently assisting with the opening of their new location. Everyone talks about the decision-making required by the process of opening a brewery, from recipes to logistics and self-image. The founders of Wild East discuss their inspiration and share how their conception for the brewery has changed. One lesson they’ve carried with them is the importance of thinking big! It’s clear that these guests’ dedication to the beer industry stems from the genuine joy that arises from collaboration, learning, and creation. 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.