Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

It’s a bit of a departure on the show this week as we’re talking about spirits with long-time beverage writer Aaron Goldfarb. He has a new book out: Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits . Goldfarb has been a journalist for over a decade, frequently writing on the subjects of cocktails and drinking culture for such publications as the New York Times , Esquire , Playboy , PUNCH , and VinePair,...

It’s a trip to the Ocean State and a conversation with Morgan Snyder, the head brewer and co-founder of Buttonwoods Brewery . From world-class small-batch lagers, to an expansion, and the wonder of saison, this episode covers it all and more. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer. Host: John Holl Guest: Morgan Snyder Sponsors: All About Beer Tags: Beer, Lager, Saison, Rhode Isla...

Homebrewing has been a source of passionate online chatter over the last week after the American Homebrewers Association announced it would put its annual Homebrew Con on “hiatus” in favor of smaller events and demonstrations located within the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Julia Herz, the executive director of the AHA is here, to explain the change.  For more Drink Beer, Think Beer chec...

There’s a lot to love about beer. And that can be tough to remember at times. So in honor of Valentine’s Day, we've asked three enthusiastic folks - Aaron MJ Gore, Annette May, and Tom M. - to come on and share what makes their heart flutter when it comes to lager and ale.   For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer. Host: John Holl Guests: Aaron MJ Gore, Annette, May, Tom M. Sponso...

There are some trends worth paying attention to these days around the beer space. One of them is THC seltzers. They are popping up on menus in certain states alongside IPA and lager. THC Seltzers are taking off. On this show last year Scott Selix of Lua and Climbing Kites talked about his brewery's entry into the space. Their beverage is being contracted out of Minnesota’s Fair State Cooperative B...

A conversation with Chris Shields, the Director of Education at Rhinegeist Brewery . For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer. This Episode is Sponsored By: The Best of Craft Beer Awards Attention brewers: registration is now open for the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards. Now in its 10th year, this is a BJCP sanctioned event judged by fellow brewers, professional judges, and industry...

There’s a lot happening inside the walls of Cleveland, Ohio’s Noble Beast Brewing . All of it is good. On this episode it’s a conversation with owners Shaun Yasaki and James Redford about food, hospitality, creativity, and tradition. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer. This Episode is Sponsored By: The Best of Craft Beer Awards Attention brewers: registration is now open for...

There are some iconic beer bars in America, and on the Mt. Rushmore is Hopleaf , the venerable Chicago institution. Michael Roper, its long-time publican, who recently announced his retirement is on this episode.   Late last year  Roper, who founded the Hopleaf in Chicago in 1992 announced that he’d be retiring from the bar. He’ll stay involved in various ways, as you’ll hear shortly, but the day...

This episode features a conversation with the legendary Teri Fahrendorf, the long-time brewmaster and founder of Pink Boots Society. She’s here for a wide ranging conversation about her career, brewery safety, recipe development, creativity, and forging a path in the beer industry. After a storied career in beer, Fahrendorf recently entered a working retirement. She’s helmed breweries, judged comp...

Lets ease into the new year with a panel discussion from some of my other All About Beer podcast hosts and colleagues. We’ll discuss thoughts and trends for 2024, and have some fun reminiscing on 2023 along the way.  Today on the show I’m joined by some of the voices and bylines you’ve come to expect from All About Beer. It’s not quite our holiday office party, but it’s a chance for us to get toge...

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 thoughtful publicans.  So, What is the state of beer bars in America in 2023? Two bar owners, Jeff Bruning and Devin Cox, share their experiences and insights.    For more...

It’s our annual end of the year wrap up with writers from around the globe who cover the beer industry. You’ll hear from Matt Kirkegaard, Christopher Shepard, Brandon Hernandez, and Melissa Cole. Listen in as these venerable journalists discuss the trends of 2023, give analysis on the news, and offer insight that impacts all beer drinkers.  For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer....

This is our second annual show dedicated to homebrewing. Drew Beechum and Denny Conn are here to talk about what’s happening with the hobby, to answer a listener question, and to spread some holiday cheer.   Conn and Beechum are longtime homebrewers and noted personalities in the space. They are the co-authors of Simple Home Brewing and Experimental Homebrewing , which is also the name of the podc...

Last week, Westbound & Down Brewing announced that it had acquired two breweries, Aspen Brewing and Capitol Creek Brewery’s brewpub, both in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley.    The deal, says Jake Gardner the Director of Brewing Operations at Westbound & Down Brewing Company, is part of a plan the brewery has been eyeing for a while. There was a desire to expand in a meaningful way, while s...

From consumer preferences, to growing a company, I’m excited to have David Moore and Andy Joynt of Big Grove Brewing on the show this week. As the brewery expands through Iowa and is eyeing other states, we will talk about flavors and creativity, and finding ways to stay nimble in a challenging industry. Joynt has been the director of beer for Big Grove Brewery for 7 years and became an owner in 2...

Sam Masotto of Bonn Place Brewing in Pennsylvania is here for a conversation about hospitality, food, and fun. It’s a special episode, recorded at the brewery in front of an enthusiastic crowd.    This Episode is Sponsored By: Shopify Shopify’s already taken the cash register online, helping millions sell billions around the world. But did you know that Shopify can do the same thing at your retail...

From creating a thoughtful space that puts beer and food front and center, to one of the newest frontiers in adult beverages: THC and CBD, Scott Selix of Lua Brewing is here to talk about his growing brewery and the evolution of hospitality.  He is Co-Founder of Lua Brewing in Des Moines as well as Lua’s sister company, Climbing Kites, a THC Sparkling Water brand. He also runs HYFR Hospitality, a...

Today it’s a visit to Des Moines, Iowa for a lively conversation with two of the state’s leading brewers, the guild director, and historian Maureen Ogle. Last week I was in Iowa to speak and spend time at the state’s guild annual conference. It had been several years since I was there and I wanted to get a better handle on what is happening in the state – and it’s a lot.    What is happening there...

This week, I’m delighted to be joined by Diane Flynt, the author of the recently published Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South. This is a story of history, diversity, and the future. For those who say social media is a bad thing, I get it. But occasionally it can provide gems. For example, last week I was scrolling through Facebook when I saw Sean Lilly Wilson,...

There is a lot of uncertainty in the American beer industry these days, especially among the smaller breweries. In what is both a cautionary tale and one of optimism, Sean O’Keefe of Pontoon Brewing in Georgia is here today to talk about how his brewery was forced to close and to furlough employees. Earlier this month the brewery put up a social media post announcing that it needed to close. This...

“I’ve known Nate Schweber going on 20 years now, we’ve been colleagues, friends, and even co-authors. I can say without a doubt that he is one of the hardest working reporters I’ve ever met, he has a keen eye for detail, enjoys a good drink, and knows how to rock with the best of them.    He’s a raconteur, with endless curiosity and compassion, and great passion. My life is better because I know h...

If you’ve been paying attention to the beer social medias lately, you might have noticed a photo of a Colorado-brewed amber ale making the rounds. It’s called Re-Tired and it’s a clear homage to the original recipe of New Belgium’s Fat Tire. This beer, however, is made by Crooked Stave. Chad Yakobson, the brewery’s founder and brewmaster is here for a conversation. He founded Crooked Stave Artisan...

This week, I’m excited to be joined by Tim Ogden of Deviant Libations in Florida, for a conversation that revolves around inclusivity in the beer space, and creating a taproom that reflects personality and passion.  This is the last of the shows I recorded during the Florida Brewers Guld Conference this past summer, and I was grateful to meet and spend time with Tim Ogden.      Ogden started home...

This is a malt centric episode at the intersection of brewer curiosity. In a moment I’ll be talking with Chris Cates of Little Animals Brewing , Brent Manning of Riverbend Malt House , and Andrew Zinn of Leveller Brewing . A year ago,  Cates visited Belgium and came back inspired. After visiting through some of the worlds best breweries, drinking classic and carefully crafted saison, he wanted to...

This episode will specifically be talking about self-harm experiences and prevention.  Guests Jon Lane of O.H.S.O brewing in Arizona and Russ Klisch of the Lakefront Brewery in Wisconson discuss the beer initiative around 9-8-8, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This episode will specifically be talking about self-harm experiences and prevention. Lane has lost family and friends to suicide...