Beverage Chronicles

Long Island Iced Tea Returns as a Cocktail Classic We explore the competing origin stories of the Long Island Iced Tea and explain why the cocktail is enjoying a modern revival. Learn how beer was brewed before refrigeration, why lagers were stored in caves, and how seasonal brewing shaped beer history. Flavorful mid-strength beers are growing in popularity as craft breweries respond to consumers...

Warm Weather Wines and the Craft Spirit of the Lake Erie Ale Trail Warm Weather Wines for Easy Summer Drinking The episode opens with wine contributor John Mahoney offering warm-weather wine recommendations designed for dinners, restaurant outings, and casual evenings with friends. He highlights refreshing whites such as Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, and Pinot Gris, noting their acidity, brightness,...

Dive Bar Soul, Bottle Science, and the Pickle Beer Surprise The Humble Doorway Into Dive Bar Culture The episode opens with a sponsor message for Buna Connection Brewing Company before host Gary Montaroso introduces Beverage Chronicles as a relaxed conversation about the stories behind what people drink. The main feature begins by defining dive bars as casual, unpretentious places with simple drin...

From Speakeasies to Canned Cocktails: How America's Drinking Culture Evolved Prohibition failed to stop Americans from drinking, but it sparked the rise of speakeasies, bootlegging, and the cocktail culture we still enjoy today. The aftertaste of a beverage can significantly influence enjoyment, with bitterness affecting people differently based on genetics and taste perception. Modern canned cock...

Beverage Chronicles with Gary Monterosso Root Beer, Vodka, and the Unexpected Science in Your Glass This episode of Beverage Chronicles explores the nostalgic origins of root beer, from its sassafras‑root beginnings to its clever rebranding by Charles Hires in the 1870s. It then shifts to the rise of flavored vodka and how it reshaped modern drinking culture, before closing with a surprising look...

Beer Flights, Coffee Trends and Beverage Brand PR - Learn the best way to enjoy a beer flight by tasting from lighter to heavier styles. - Discover how public relations helps beverage brands build trust, visibility, and sales opportunities. - Get the latest on Starbucks Rewards changes and new research linking coffee consumption to lower dementia risk.

Title: Schlitz, Session IPAs and Starbucks Summer Strategy Schlitz beer rose from Milwaukee brewing roots to become the world’s top-selling lager before collapsing in the 1970s after cost-cutting changes damaged quality and consumer trust. Founders All Day IPA helped redefine the “session IPA” category by offering full hop character with lower alcohol, making craft beer more approachable and widel...

Guinness Cocktails, Gin Trends, and the Rise of Finland’s Long Drink Guinness is finding new life as a cocktail ingredient in drinks like the Espresso Stout Martini, Black Velvet, and Top Hat. We highlight gin cocktails, including the lighter and refreshing Gin Sonic. Beverage Chronicles visits Atlantic City to explore Finland’s famous Long Drink and its growing popularity in the United States.

Title: Beer Names, Wild Fermentation, and the Strangest Lager Yet Breweries are simplifying beer style names to attract casual drinkers while trying to avoid losing the identity and uniqueness that built craft beer culture. Beer historian Rachel Benkowski explores the history and cultural importance of Belgian lambic, a spontaneously fermented beer deeply tied to place, patience, and tradition. A...

Smuggling Nun: Reviving Ireland's Bootleg Poitin Legacy Poitin, Ireland's ancient unaged barley spirit, was illegally bootlegged for 300+ years until 1997, predating whiskey and inspiring global moonshine culture. Maura Clare learned a secretive 20th-century recipe with molasses and beet sugar from a retired bootlegger, blending whiskey warmth, tequila aroma, gin complexity, and rum sweetness at 4...

Title: Why You Might Not Actually Hate IPAs Episode Description: Many IPA critics just haven’t found the right style—flavors vary widely and bad storage can ruin the experience. Modern IPAs are more balanced and approachable than the overly bitter versions of the past. Freshness, proper storage, and open-minded tasting can completely change your perception of the style. Here is the primary reasoni...

From Ales to IPAs: Exploring Beer Styles, History, and Tradition We break down the differences between ales and lagers, explore the evolution of hops from ancient brewing to modern IPAs, and dive into the tradition of British cask ale. It highlights how ingredients, techniques, and culture shape the diverse flavors and experiences found in beer.

Title: From Alcohol Metabolism to Beverage Culture and Health Trends Alcohol affects the body quickly, with impacts on brain and body functions within minutes and peak effects within an hour, depending on factors like metabolism, food intake, and drink strength. Beyond biology, beverages like wine have historically fostered social bonding and civilization. Modern beverage choices are also shaped b...

Gluten-Free Beer: How It’s Made and Why It’s Booming Gluten-free beer avoids barley and wheat, using alternative grains like millet, rice, and buckwheat, while gluten-reduced beers use enzymes to break down gluten but may not be safe for everyone. Brewing gluten-free beer requires extra steps and precision, but modern techniques have greatly improved flavor, offering styles that rival traditional...

Title: THC-Infused Drinks: Boom Meets Regulation Cornbread Hemp's CEO Eric Zipperle discusses the rapid rise of THC beverages as a wellness alternative to alcohol, highlighting their company's growth, key partnerships, and regulatory hurdles.

Title: Straight Bourbon, Status Bottles, and Smart Storage Highlights: Straight bourbon must be made in the U.S., use at least 51% corn, and age a minimum of two years in new charred oak to be called “straight.” Kentucky produces the lion’s share of the world’s bourbon and leverages climate swings to drive intense barrel interaction. Premium pricing and bottle design act as silent PR, signaling oc...

Title: Smart Beer Buying, Can Innovation & Cocktail Classics Unrefrigerated beer and the effects on quality Canned beer has evolved from low-quality perception to the best format for freshness and protection How Public Relations help beverage brands grow History of the Espresso Martini

Whether you enjoy bourbon, scotch or rye, we have a beer for you! The perfect food and wine pairings. When that label catches your eye.

Our Katie Johnson talks with Jessica Merritt, aks "Beer Babe Jess" (photo attached) about her new book, "Rethink Everything You Know About Craft Beer" (available now via Amazon). They also talk about March being "Women's Beer Month."

Does An Exceptional Beverage Have To Empty Your Wallet. Is that relationship between price and quality real or are we all just falling for a very expensive marketing trick?