Buzzed with Brian

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Happy June everyone, and thank you to everyone that helped nominate me back in February to be back in the running for Best of Madison's Best Podcast of 2025! In the month of June you may cast ONE vote for each category that suites your fancy. There is no time like the present, so click the link below, find the "Arts & Entertainment" tab, scroll dow...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Sometimes, you’ve got to cross the pond to experience beer at its freshest. This past winter, Brian did just that! He took a pre-holiday trip to Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen. While Brian didn’t bring back any Carlsberg (you can get that stateside...), he did eat and drink his way through the city in true beer-lover fashion. Listen in as Brian recaps the trip and sha...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Hop heads, this one's for you. In this episode, Brian dives deep into the bold and bitter world of the Double IPA. From its West Coast roots to its explosive impact on the craft beer scene, Brian shares the story behind how this amped-up style came to be, and why it still packs a punch today. Brian features the iconic Pliny the Elder by Russian River Brewing Com...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  In the spirit of the spring season, Brian is thrilled to present the Weizenbock! Consider this episode the next chapter in the series on Bock-style beers. Tune in as Brian breaks down the unique characteristics of this often-overlooked style—spoiler alert: weizenbocks may not always be a lager… This week also features a new beer from a throwback fan-favorite brewery...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian is back and ready to hit your palate with some serious beer knowledge! Joining him on the mic is returning all-star guest Tim Virnig — a BJCP Certified Beer Judge, Lead Beertender at Garth's Brew Bar in Madison, and an all-around great guy. In this episode, Brian and Tim dive into the world of common off-flavors in beer: what they are, how they happen, and...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  A familiar voice joins Brian on the mic in this episode. Welcome back Matt, the sound engineer and editor of the show! Matt and Brian talk about the recent changes in the Milwaukee craft beer community, while pouring one out for them... Listen in as they provide insight on these changes, reminisce about good times in the taprooms, and share a couple of beers that wil...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  There is certainly a lot of beer in the Midwest, and most of it usually flies under the radar of beer writers and snobs alike. Chicago is one of those places jam packed full of delicious beer that is worth the trip to seek out. Brian has been fortunate enough to get down there quite a bit in the past couple of years. In spirit of that Brian wanted to highlight a coup...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Style history is back! In this episode Brian was thrilled to get back to the roots of this podcast and hit the books. Listen in on as he outlines the history behind the Baltic Porter and features a beer from Off Color Brewing that followed him home from his most recent trip to Chicago. Now, grab a Baltic Porter of your own choosing and enjoy this week's episode!...

Welcome (back) to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian is excited to get the pulse going on the podcast again! After a brief hiatus he hops back on the mic to provide an update and what to expect moving forward. Naturally he cracked open a beer to enjoy on the episode for old times sake. Sit back, relax, and raise a beer to the latest episode of the show!  Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!   After you con...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian remains on the road for this episode, as he is still hanging out in Baton Rouge, the state capital of Louisiana. From one brewery to the next, Brian found another great guest for the show! Joining him on the mic this week was Maria Shirts, head brewer of Tin Roof Brewing Company! Maria tells the story of her craft and her journey with beer. Sit back, relax, and...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian hit the road for this episode. He found himself traveling south down the Mississippi River to Baton Rouge, the state capital of Louisiana. Naturally beer was at the top of the to do list. Joining him on the mic this week was Kevin Whalen, Owner/Founder of Rally Cap Brewing! Kevin tells the story of his craft and where the journey of creating/owning this busines...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!   Brian is breaking records for distance traveled by a beer, just over 2800 miles! That’s right, 2-8-0-0 miles! The beers on this audience submission made the trek all the way down from Barnaby Brewing Co in Juneau, AK. Listen in to hear about the brewery and the beers. Brian may never get beers from this far away on the pod again! Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!   Pronounced Lond-Yay-Gur, IYKYK. Now, if you don’t know, listen up! This snack delicacy is a smoke cured, fermented, spiced meat stick. It packs a punch of flavor and is made for noshing on with a beer in hand! Joining Brian on the mic was Jesse Brookstein. Jesse is the author of “A Perfect Pair: The History of Landjaeger in Green County, Wisconsin”. He is also a reg...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian enjoyed another successful year of Pour Another Round’s Outdoor Winter Beer Fest in Green Bay, WI. The festival was bustling with over 20 breweries this year, one of which was Ahnapee Brewing Company. Naturally, Brian brought the gear up with him again and was able to have Nick Calaway, Founder/Owner, of Ahnapee join him for a recording. Ahnapee started a decad...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Brian is excited to bring a new style history episode to you all! The Munich Dunkel is a tried true old school beer that has stood the test of time. Legend has it that the roots of this Bavarian delight go all the way back to the founding of Munich, Germany. To help showcase the history of the style Brian selected a beer from the notable Lion’s Tail Brewing Company....

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Happy belated St. Patrick’s Day! Whether it’s green beer or an Irish dry stout, this is a holiday Brian always enjoys. Looking back on the last two St Patrick Day episodes, Brian covered the style history behind the Irish Red Ale and the Irish Dry Stout. This episode takes it a step further, covering a short history of Guinness. Irish pubs can be found all around the...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Here is the second installment of the fresh “Industry Trends” format. Today’s episode takes a deep dive on the history behind the places that have always served beer. Providing the knowledge was Brian’s friend, Tim Virnig. Tim is a Madison native, Lead Beertender at Garth’s Brew Bar, BJCP recognized beer judge, and a Level 1 Cicerone. Needless to say he knows beer an...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  This episode is the second round of beers given to him by one of the biggest supporters of the pod, Aric Mikkelson. A couple episodes back Brian went through the first half of beers given to him by Aric. This episode’s duo of beers comes from Half Brothers Brewing out of Grand Forks, ND. These audience submissions continue to let Brian explore new beers and provide a...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  Beer turned up on Brian’s doorstep yet again! That’s right, a third brewery has officially sent Brian a package. Cellar West Brewing out of Boulder, CO sent the beer, and they have some Madison, WI roots. The owner/founder/brewer, Zach Nichols grew up in Madison prior to moving out to Colorado. A big big thank you goes to Zach for his support of the pod. Featured on...

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  The beer fridge had another dent put in it this week! Brian continues on the tradition of reviewing audience submitted beers. This episode’s trio of beers comes from Brian’s biggest superfan, Aric Mikkelson. The beers traveled from Rhombus Guys Brewing Company all the way from Grand Forks, ND. Listen in to hear more about the brewery and what Brian thought of the bee...

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...