Beer Sessions Radio (TM)

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy Carbone is talking big and small craft breweries. Dan Kopman and Stephen Hale of Schlafly stop by the show to talk about their start in St. Louis, and how they were able to compete with the local giant- Anheuser-Busch. What did the sale of Anheuser-Busch mean for the city of St. Louis and Schlafly? Ben Granger stops by to talk about the Schlafly tasting at Bierkraft tonight, and how craft beer in New York City has changed since Bierkraft’s birth twelve years ago. Ed Berestecki of Mugs Ale House joins Beer Sessions Radio to share a vintage Schlafly Imperial Stout from 2008! Tune in to learn about aging beers, and why dating bottle-conditioned beers can be so controversial. Find out how the cast feels about vintage beers and the perception of oxidation in beer. Augie Carton of Carton Brewing stops by to talk about beer collecting, and why vintage collectors can learn a thing or two from wine geeks. Cask evangelist Alex Hall drops by to talk about the Cask Marque accreditation program! You don’t want to miss this week’s edition of Beer Sessions Radio! Thanks to GreatBrewers.com for sponsoring today’s program. Music has been provided by Hardbodies. “We set out to be a great small brewer, serve our local market, and make all of the great European styles that Anheuser-Busch didn’t make. They only made light American lagers… We just hoped to find people who wanted something different.” [5:15] — Dan Kopman on Beer Sessions RadioSee 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, host Jimmy Carbon is in the studio with a full house of beer enthusiasts to talk cider! Today’s guests include Sean McCain of Bronx Brewery, Sam Smith of Samuel Smith Brewery, Ben Sandler of QUeens Kickshaw, John and Begonia of Rowan Imports, and David Spies of Angry Orchard. Tune-in to learn more about different ways to produce cider, what to look for when trying cider, and which cider breweries to look out for during the continuing Cider Week New York. How does cider making differ from traditional brewing methods? How has cider’s popularity changed recently in today’s food and drink industry? This program has been sponsored by GreatBrewers.com “It’s all about having the best, natural ingredients – no adjuncts, chemicals, nothing like that.” [46:31] — Begonia on Beer Sessions RadioSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a full house today in the studio on Beer Sessions Radio! We have a diverse group of beer enthusiasts in the studio today, including Ken Fisherman (owner at The Guilty Goose), Mike Lovullo (Beer Distributors/GreatBrewers), Chris O’ Leary (editor at Brew York), and Jessica Agullo and Johnny Brilliant (Iberian Beer United). Later, Brian Strumpke of Stillwater Ales, joins the group via phone to talk about his latest beers, the current trends in the beer industry today, and even tells us a hilarious story about a run-in with the police when hanging out with Johnny Brilliant. Finally, Chris O’ Leary talks about his time at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO, and tells us more about his local favorites that received awards in their categories. This program has been sponsored by GreatBrewers.com “The VSK program allows us to bring in one-offs – unusual and extreme. We’ve been able to bring in one of my favorite beers, the Guinea Pig.” [13:45] —Johnny Brilliant on Beer Sessions Radio “There’s a lot of coffee beer on the floor this year. A lot of breweries are exploring coffee-milds – another direction in more sessionable beer.” [39:20] — Chris O’ Leary on Beer Sessions RadioSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beers Sessions Radio, Jimmy is talking beer bars and shops with Ed Berestecki, Lea Rumbolo, Zach Mack, and the Beerded Ladies: Haley Karl and Meredith Heil. Ed is about to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Mugs Alehouse; find out why Ed keeps legacy beers on tap at all times. Lea Rumbolo is the brewer at The Ship Inn brewpub in Millford, New Jersey. Learn about Lea’s brewing style, and why she focuses on English styles at The Ship Inn. Why is Ringwood yeast so difficult to use for brewing? Zach Mack talks about his move from the wine industry to the beer business, and hear why he finds bottle shops important to beer culture. Later, the Beerded Ladies talk about their foray into event-hosting, and why they banded together in their beer writing adventures. You don’t want to miss this week’s installment of Beer Sessions Radio; tune in! Thanks to our sponsor, GreatBrewers.com. Music has been provided by Dead Stars. “Bottle shops are the answer to the wine store, but they’re even better because you can enjoy a pint there.” [28:00] — Meredith Heil on Beer Sessions Radio “If you go outside the temperature limits for the Ringwood yeast, you start to get off-flavors.” [43:00] — Lea Rumbolo on Beer Sessions Radio 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 Carbone is joined by guest co-host Ed Berestecki of Mugs Alehouse to talk about the evolution of beer bars in New York City. Heather McReynolds, brewer at Sixpoint Craft Ales, joins Jimmy and Ed to talk about her beginnings in beer, and why women are getting involved with the craft beer scene. What’s it like being a woman brewer in a male-dominated field? Later, Brandon Chamberlin and Matthew Ricke of The Exley in Williamsburg talk about opening a bar, and where they stand a year later. Hear Ed talk with Brandon and Matthew about the difficulties with opening a bar, and why so many bar owners have second jobs during their first few years. Heather shares a bunch of Sixpoint brews, and Ed digs into the vault and brings several vintage beers into the HRN studios! Thanks to our sponsor, GreatBrewers.com. Music has been provided by Sleepies. “You can learn how to make beer, but you get really good at it when you learn the science behind. There’s a lot of science and math that most people don’t ever think about.” [5:15] — Heather McReynolds on Beer Sessions Radio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy Carbone is talking local brews on this week’s Beer Sessions Radio! Frequent co-host Dave Brodrick makes the trip from Vermont to talk beer and talk about his new restaurant, Worthy Kitchen. Tommy Keegan of Keegan Ales is in the studio talking about his roots in brewing, and how he came to run a brewery in Kingston, NY. Hear about the explosion of food businesses in the Hudson Valley, and why consistency is of utmost importance in Keegan Ales recipes. Chase Healey of Prairie Artisan Ales calls in to talk about the Oklahoma craft beer scene. Are Oklahoma residents thirsty for creative saison beers? Find out how Chase has been able to distribute his beer widely. John Rubbo, Nick Califano, and Sharif Taleb from Yonkers Brewing stop by to talk about their focus on lagers, contract brewing, and their beginnings in winemaking. Don’t miss this week’s edition of Beer Sessions Radio! Today’s show has been brought to you by GreatBrewers.com. Thanks to Idgy Dean for today’s music. “The whole Hudson Valley food industry is growing. It’s not just about the restaurants, but the whole farm-to-table movement. It’s taking a big hold in the area.” [7:50] — Tommy Keegan on Beer Sessions Radio “Look at how many successful breweries started as contracts. Look at Brooklyn Brewery!” [39:00] — John Rubbo on Beer Sessions Radio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re celebrating America and heritage breweries on this week’s edition of Beer Sessions Radio! Jimmy Carbone is joined in the studio by Sam Barbieri, owner of Waterfront Ale House. Sam brings some vintage beers on the show to taste, and talks about the upcoming beer festival on Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn. James Watt and Martin Dickie of Brew Dog stop by to talk about the Scottish beer scene, their love of American craft brews, and how their beers challenge people in the U.K. to rethink beer. Will Gordon stops by to promote the classic Massachusetts lager, and Don Russell (better known as Joe Sixpack) calls in to talk about classic American breweries who have defined beer in the U.S.A. for centuries. You don’t want to miss this episode of Beer Sessions Radio! Thanks to our sponsor, GreatBrewers.com. Music provided by The Hollows. “We got a lot of inspiration from America, and a lot of inspiration the sour Belgian beers. The only way we could drink the beer that we liked was to make it ourselves.” [7:15] — Martin Dickie on Beer Sessions Radio “We’re talking about history here, and these heritage breweries are what laid the groundwork for the beer we’re drinking today.” [19:10] — Don Russell on Beer Sessions Radio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ve got breweries big and small, and old and new on this week’s episode of Beer Sessions Radio! Jimmy Carbone welcomes the small-batch Long Island City brewers from Big Alice Brewing to join the Czech masters from Pilsner Urquell. Meet Robbie Crafton, Kyle Hurst, and Scott Berger of Big Alice Brewing; find out why they have brewed fifty-three different beers this year, and how they are constantly inspired by drinking myriads of unique beers. Pilsner Urquell’s Václav Berka and Zee Bartos bring Master Bartender Frantisek Stastka to talk about traditional pouring techniques and quality control. Ben Sandler from The Queens Kickshaw drops by to support his fellow Queens brewers, and Thad Fisco from Portland Kettleworks joins to show to talk about supplying brewing equipment to small breweries in the Pacific Northwest! Is there a future for the neighborhood brewery? Find out all of this and more on this week’s episode of Beer Sessions Radio! Today’s show has been brought to you by GreatBrewers.com. Music has been provided by Dead Stars. “It’s not just about pouring- it’s also about washing every glass is washed by hand so that it’s suited for the beer.” [8:35] — Václav Berka on Beer Sessions Radio “Our beer is constantly evolving depending on the produce of the season or the available spices from around the world.” [11:45] — Robbie Crafton on Beer Sessions Radio “We brew like we drink… Even if my favorite beer is on a beer list, I’ll skip it to try something new.” [20:45] — Kyle Hurst on Beer Sessions Radio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy Carbone is wrapping up the summer with author Joshua M. Bernstein, writer and Beer Sessions intern Justin Kennedy, and winemaker Raphael Lyon! Tune into this episode to hear the gang recap some of their favorite brewery visits this season. Hear about Joshua’s new book, The Complete Beer Course, and how the book aims to delve deeper into the craft beer world than his previous. Raphael shares some of his esoteric Enlightenment Wines, and speaks to the idea of innovation within meads and wines. What are some of the drinkable styles that the crew hopes to see in craft beer’s future? Find out all of this and more on this week’s edition of Beer Sessions Radio! Thanks to our sponsor, GreatBrewers.com. Today’s music has been provided by The Hollows. “People are realizing that they can make a really solid business if they can just serve their local community… I tend to think of these local breweries as local sports team, and everyone wants to support their own craft breweries.” [11:00] “A pilsner or a lager is not going to be as good as it warms up on a ninety-degree day in North Carolina.” [13:15] — Joshua M. Bernstein on Beer Sessions Radio “I love the CSA model. My customers trust me; if I’m going to make something, they’re going to drink it” [27:15] — Raphael Lyon on Beer Sessions Radio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy Carbone is back at Belgium Comes to Cooperstown at the Ommegang Brewery. On this week’s episode, Jimmy gets serious about local beer. Jimmy talks with Simon Thorpe, Larry Bennett, and the brewers from Peekskill and Ommegang – Jeff O’Neill and Phil Leinhart, respectively- about water quality, hops, grains, and more. Tune in to hear Jimmy, Jeff, Phil, and others discuss the threat of hydrofracking to New York State craft beer. Learn about the resurgence of hop-growing in New York State, and how so many brewers can implement regional grains. What yeast strains do Ommegang use, and how can homebrewers replicate Ommegang beers? Tune into this episode to learn how soil affects hop aroma, how the same hop varieties differ depending on location, and so much more! Thanks to our sponsor, GreatBrewers.com. Today’s music has been brought to you by Pamela Royal. “Water is the most important ingredient in beer. Beer is water!” [3:50] — Phil Leinhart on Beer Sessions Radio “We’re not like California; we have all the water that we need right here, but a tiny bit of nasty chemicals can contaminate an enormous amount of water. It’s a huge problem.” [6:30] — Larry Bennett on Beer Sessions Radio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.