Buzzed with Brian

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian kicks off year three of the pod by getting back to his roots with a little style history! The lager train is still going strong in Brian’s beer drinking journey. The Kellerbier is a niche lager style with German roots. The beer Brian selected to go with the history today was a special one, as he had a personal hand in making it! Now, grab a slightly hazed lager...

Another year wiser, and many beers later, Brian made it another trip around the sun. All the loyal fans continued to show up on each Thirsty Thursday release, and Brian is incredibly grateful. On today’s celebratory episode Brian reflects on the past year, shares some highlights, and hints at ideas to come! Naturally he opens a special beer to mark the occasion too. Find your favorite party hat, g...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian! The second anniversary of Buzzed with Brian is nearly here, so Brian “accidently” started his celebration early with a line up of BIG BIG beers. I mean, just check out the list below! Former guest of the pod and Madison homebrewer, Fab De Souza, was plotting a fun night of barrel aged beers. Fab recruited his friend Derek, long time Barrel Society Member of 3 Sheeps B...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian has a first for the show, a little update from one of the local Madison breweries. Peter Schroder, Co – Owner/Founder & Head Brewer, is approaching his second anniversary. Peter catches up with Brian on the show today as he provides the update on everything Starkweather. 2023 was a big year for Peter! It was full of award winning beer (& chicken wings)....

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  The blind taste test is back! Joining Brian is friend and former guest, Duffy Eberhardt, to see if they can conquer this latest challenge together. Brian was able to acquire two cans of the same beer, Orange Sunshine, from Illuminated Brew Works out of Chicago, IL. Catch is, one is the old orange zest adjunct, and the other is the new source says Rick Julien. Rick is...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian keeps the local streak alive and pays a visit to Black Rose Blending Company. Joining Brian on the mic was Founder/Owner/Brewer, Kyle Metz. Those familiar with the Madison, WI beer scene will know that Kyle took over the former Funk Factory Geuzeria. Kyle tells the story of his craft and where he fits in the niche market of mixed culture fermentation and wild/s...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Happy New Year to all the loyal Buzzed with Brian fans out there. New year, new episode format? Why not! Brian would like to introduce you all to “Industry Trends”. In these episodes Brian picks a hot topic related to the craft beverage industry and dissects it for you. With “Dry January” in mind, in this episode he talks about the recent upward trend of Hop Water! N...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  It may be the last episode of 2023, but oh boy, is it a good one! Brian kept it local traveling to Sun Prairie, WI to pay a visit to Full Mile Beer Company & Kitchen. Joining Brian on the mic was Co-Founder/Owner, CJ Hall and Head Brewer, Bill Morgan. CJ tells the story behind Full Mile, while Bill tells the tale of his illustrious career in craft brewing. Bill k...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  The best way to spread Christmas cheer is sharing big beers with all they hold dear. No matter what you may celebrate, December is a fun month for craft beer lovers. The winter solstice brings dark days, cold nights, and bold beers to drink. Brian decided to open another version of a Christmas Ale to share with you all this year. Long time fans may recall Ep. 053 tha...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Hold on, did you say Black… Lager? Lager beer can be dark?? You bet! Brian is back with more style history. Listen to find out about the ancient German roots that the Schwarzbier style has to offer. Accompanying the history, Brian selected a beer for the Lone Star State. 903 Brewers, north of Dallas, “Woe What a Night” fit the bill as a black lager. Now, grab a myste...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian packages up a special delivery this week on the pod. Brian features his friend, Garth Beyer, to hop on the pod with him to highlight the upcoming 4th Anniversary of Garth’s Brew Bar. Long time fans know this is one of Brian’s favorite spots in Madison. Located on Monroe Street Garth’s is a place made for craft beer lovers. In this preview, Garth previews the 4...

Celebrate this BIG milestone with Brian!  One Hundred. It has a nice ring to it! When this podcast first started Brian never thought he would make it to his 100th episode. To help celebrate he called on his great friend and chief editor, Matt Schabel. Together they talk shop about where the pod has been and aspirations for the future. Naturally they drink some big beers to celebrate along the way...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian took a trip back to Milwaukee and found himself in a new place, Torzala Brewing Company! Joining Brian on the mic was nearly the whole crowd of Founders/Owners, Jeff Torzala, Renee Martinez, Jake Palubicki, and Brian Michalak. Together they share the story behind Torzala, the passion that goes into their business, and how they uplift their community. Sit back,...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Beer turned up on Brian’s doorstep yet again! That’s right, you read that correctly. Scofflaw Brewing Company out of Atlanta, Georgia sent Brian beer for the pod. In this episode, Brian reviews their original flagship beer, Basement IPA. Brian also touches on the story behind Scofflaw Brewing. Sit back, relax, and raise a pint to Scofflaw for mailing a hoppy snack! T...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Many may be caught in the crossroads of their Halloween pumpkin rotting on their front step and getting ready to whip up a Thanksgiving pumpkin pie! In the festive spirit, Brian decided to open up a couple of pumpkin beers to share with you all. Long time fans, may recall Ep. 044 last year year when Brian told the history behind this style. If you want history, give...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian was back in action at his favorite home away from home, Garth’s Brew Bar! There, he met up with Tim Goers, Head Brewer of G5 Brewing Company (Beloit, WI). Tim shares a handful of beers with Brian to showcase the outstanding portfolio he has built at G5. In between sips (of delicious beer), Tim discusses his background with brewing, and how he has hit full strid...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian returns this week after a brief hiatus! Brian had the absolute pleasure to highlight the 21st Annual Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer (FoBAB) . Each year this festival takes place in Chicago, IL and is put on by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. Joining him to discuss the festival was Executive Director, Ray Stout. Ray highlights the history, experience, a...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Have you ever enjoyed a smokey beer? Did you even know that was possible?! Well, Brian is bringing you the goods on this episode. He discusses the history behind Germany’s “Smoked Beer”. He also features his last can from Chestnut Brew Works brought to him by his family! Now, grab a smokey beer of your own, and enjoy this week’s episode! Thanks, and as always… Cheers...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  The 2023 Great American Beer Festival is here! Come this Saturday breweries everywhere will be highly anticipating if their submissions will bring home top tier hardware. Brian unfortunately could not make it out to Denver, CO this year. In spirit of GABF he reflects on his trip last year, and enjoys 3 medal winning beers from his hometown! Now, raise a pint to the M...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Oktoberfest SZN! This truly is the most wonderful time of the year. BWB fans may recall Brian covered the history behind the Marzen style last year. On this episode he discusses the differences between the classic Marzen and the modern Festbier. To aid in the process he selected a fine offering from Noon Whistle out of Illinois.. Now, don some lederhosen, grab a stei...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian is fresh off the plane from his European beer tour. He enjoyed libations from the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria. Naturally his liver needs a break… He recaps the highlights of the trip and enjoys a seasonal Non-Alcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing Company. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a craft beer with an ABV of your choosing while you listen!  Thanks, and...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian brings you the fourth round of this (alleged) snack size series. Celebrating the people that give him beer is just as important as celebrating the beer itself! This week Brian features a beer given to him by his family as they were out on a big road trip. The beers pack a nostalgic bunch as they hail from Morgantown, WV. Chestnut Brew Works was one of Brian’s f...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Back to back weeks of style history, say what?!? Brian is happy to tell the tales of this not so common style. Listen to this episode to learn more about a style a falling giant in the beer industry anchored their portfolio with (pun intended). Brian kept it local to Wisconsin, pulling a beer from a relatively new (and very good might he add) brewery, Supermoon. Beer...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian is back with the latest installment of his IPA series. On this episode Brian finally tackles the haze craze and tells you things all New England IPA. To help highlight this style Brian made a pit stop at Garth’s Brew Bar and selected a delightful hazy from G5 Brewing Co. G5 is located down in Beloit, WI and is must visit for any craft beer fan. Grab a Hazy of y...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  This week, Brian rounds out his latest trip to Texas. Brian had a chance to sit down with the new owner/brewer of Astral Brewing Company, Sam Wright. Astral is located on the North side of Houston, and under Sam’s new leadership is churning out some tasty beers! Sam shares his beer journey, and what he is hoping to bring to the table at Astral. Sit back, relax, and r...