Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

This week on the show I’m glad to have Mary and Brian Rooney of BKS Artisan Ales in Brookside, Missouri. They are here to talk about consumer preferences, tinkering with styles, near endless choice, and the regionality of brewing. A few weeks ago I had the chance to meet and chat with them. They were pouring as part of the Little Beer Festival and we had a lot of fun batting around ideas while I l...

A lot of the focus in beer today focuses on the now. There is a wealth of history that exists and on the show today I’m talking with Clint Lanier, the author of “Ted Mack and America's First Black Owned Brewery: The Rise and Fall of Peoples Beer.” There are some excellent history books about beer that exist in the world. Most will focus on broad categories, but there are some that do a deep dive i...

The Craft Brewers Conference is an annual event that brings brewers from around the world into a selected city for a few days of education, equipment buying, and camaraderie.  Brewers have also been using the occasion to get together in advance to create and then release collaboration beers. One of the most ambitious – at least from what I’ve experienced in recent years – will be released on May 1...

It’s a love of lagers episode from four brewers that have fully embraced the traditions to the style and are working to have modern conversations in the space. You’ll hear from Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Bagby Beer, Heater Allen, and Cohesion Brewing. It was a beautiful weather day in Duluth, Georgia last weekend as Good Word Brewing put on its third Little Beer Festival. Todd DiMatteo, who you’ve heard...

Is craft lager having a moment? It’s certainly gained popularity on taproom menus around the country and is showing us the diversity of styles and flavors that can be enjoyed in this category. But where does craft malt fit into these styles that are so driven by the flavors and functionality of malt?  This a special episode, recorded on location at the Craft Malt Conference that was recently held...

2023 is looking to be an interesting year for legacy brewers in the U.S. We’re seeing closures and contractions, and changes to beloved brands.  Of course, the most noted right now is that New Belgium announced that it completely reformulated Fat Tire, turning it something that bears no resemblance to the amber ale that raised and delighted a generation.   The changes, or “remastered” version of B...

Welcome to This Week in Rauchbier for April 1, 2023.  Our Brewers Roundtable goes deep into the smoke with Spencer Longhurst of Barrique Brewing & Blending , Logan Ackerley of Wallenpaupack Brewing , and Will Gomez of The Brew Bridge.   Then Bart Watson of the Brewers Association joins us to share the latest growth and success of Rauchbier in the marketplace.  Enjoy these audio smoky delights....

It’s off to Montana this week for a chat with the owner and brewer of Meadowlark where we get into the importance of craft malt, a fondness for Scottish-style ales, and brewing with mushrooms. Meadowlark has been on my radar for a while now, but it wasn’t until owner Travis Peterson sent some beer to the home office that I was able to give the full line up a go.   Travis tells me that he’s long ha...

A decade ago Zach Page and Nick Bonadies met as homebrewers who volunteered to help launch Trillium Brewing Company. Zach, who handles a lot of the brewing responsibilities, moved to maine and worked at Lone Pine Brewing Company where he facilitated their expansion.  Nick, who now does a lot of marketing, naming, and other managerial responsibilities, stayed in Massachusetts for a while where coor...

Wisconsin is one of those places that lives in the imaginations of Americans largely in the form of caricature. Full of cheese curd eating, beer loving, Harley riders, the state rarely gets the respect it deserves. In reality, Wisconsin is all of those things and so much more. I grew up 90 minutes south of Milwaukee but it might as well have been a totally different country. Chicago is Midwestern...

Spring is almost here which means that plans will start to come back to live in the colder parts of the country. Foraging has always been a part of beer and on this episode we’ll hear from a Texas brewer who is making the most of what is growing around the brewery. Trevor Nearburg is the founder of Beerburg Brewing in the Texas Hill Country After his brother started homebrewing, Nearburg got roped...

For the last several months the All About Beer podcast has been producing great episodes on a single topic that matter to beer drinkers.  Hosts Don Tse and Em Sauter have great expert guests that bring unparalleled insight into all aspects of beer.  This episode tackles the importance of clean draft lines. Even if you’re a casual drinker this is still important and fascinating.  You can hear regul...

Devon Kreps,  the owner of 7venth Sun Brewery , has a degree in Fermentation Science from Oregon State University and gained experience at Anheuser-Busch's research pilot facility in St. Louis. She was also the Production Manager at Sweetwater Brewing during its expansion from 25,000 to 60,000 barrels. In 2012, she opened the first 7venth Sun Brewery location in Dunedin, which features 10 taps and...

Hop lovers, put your attention to Maryland where this month brewers and growers there released a beer with a hop that is native to the state and unlike anything else found elsewhere. The brewer and researcher behind it are here to share the story.  Last week in Maryland state officials, brewers, growers, and enthusiasts gathered at the Milkhouse Brewery to taste some beers that have recently been...

There is a lot of focus on football this week in America as the Super Bowl is coming up on Sunday. To get excited about the game and the cities involved I’ve asked on three leading experts from Philly, Kansas City, and Phoenix/Glendale.  An eighteen year veteran of the craft brewing industry, Jeremy Danner is the digital marketing manager and a brand ambassador for 4 Hands Brewing Company. Prior t...

Trevor Rose-Hamblin, the co-founder and head brewer of Old Irving Brewing Chicago is here to talk about barrels, food, and the importance of mental health. Last month in New Hampshire, Trevor Rose-Hamblin, the co-founder and head brewer of  Old Irving Brewing in Chicago stood before a packed ballroom in Manchester New Hampshire.  He was there to deliver the keynote at the state’s annual craft brew...

This week it’s a conversation with the brewer behind one of New Hampshire’s newer breweries: Devin Bush of Wild Bloom Beers. From tasting through his portfolio to the ethos that drives the beer this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

During a long and varied brewing career Charlie Cole dreamed of owning his own brewery. When he finally got the chance, the beer was great but little else went according to plan. This episode tells his story.

While he is best professionally known for roles like Sideshow Bob, The X-Men’s Dr. Hank McCoy, and of course Fraiser Crane, actor Kelsey Grammer has also launched a beer brand: Faith American Ales which is available in New York and New Jersey.

It’s a new year so let’s look forward on trends, travel, and ways to better embrace beer. Listen in for predictions and insights by Andy Crouch, Em Sauter, and Don Tse.

Beer bars play an important role in delivering a world class experience while offering a curated list that can surprise, delight, or just be a comfort. This is our annual episode where we check in on the state of beer bars with a trio of publicans.

It's the annual panel show with writers from around the globe that cover the beer industry.

Jonathan Moxey of Rockwell Beer Co. in Missouri talks about homebrewing before going pro, getting out of a monochrome rut, and drinking at parties.

Gretchen Langfeldt of Switchback Brewing shares insight on employee ownership, rauchbier, and engineering in the beer space.

A conversation on the state of homebrewing with Annie Johnson, Denny Conn, and Drew Beechum.