Kentucky Commons Podcast

The guys return to cheese - but this time with a guide. Louisville's own cheesemonger, Adam Steckler, joins the show to teach Michael, John, and David the ins and outs of the cheese biz, beer and cheese pairings, and da cheez tax. Live in or close to Kentucky? Mark your calendars for these two Kentucky festivals: Commonfest  (April 29th) Kentucky Craft Bash  (June 24th) Featured Beverages 2019...

Martin Svab, Jack-Of-All-Trades at Pivot Brewing, joins David and John to chat all things cider, beer, and whiskey. We chat about his beginnings in Czechoslovakia and the California Bay Area, and we delve into the world of Pivot Brewing and the craft of cider making. Live in or close to Kentucky? Mark your calendars for these two Kentucky festivals: Commonfest  (April 29th) Kentucky Craft Bash  (J...

In this episode of Kentucky Commons Radio Hour, we're joined by Louisville author and hot sauce connoisseur Kevin Gibson for a Hot Ones-inspired challenge. We dive into his experiences in beverage journalism, uncover intriguing Louisville history, and taste-test Kevin's homemade hot sauce as we indulge in mouthwatering wings provided by Hometown Brewing + Craft House Pizza. Featured Reads:...

Matt Watson (Head Brewer, The Pub on Second) drove all the way from Western Kentucky to join us for this episode. We chat about his experience at Henderson Brewing, Western Kentucky beer culture, and one of Kentucky’s newest breweries: The Pub on Second.  Featured Beers: Red Plum du Blé (Side Project) Coconut Head IPA (Henderson Brewing)  Gypsy Tart (Bruery Terreux) Support the podcast by giving u...

Brittney Donohue (New Belgium Area Manager for KY & Southern Ohio) joins John and Michael in this David-less episode of Kentucky Commons! We chat about Brittney's beginnings in beer, food pairings, the Bell's acquisition, the *new* Fat Tire, and all things New Belgium. Featured Beers: Chimay Grand Reserve Old & New Fat Tire Voodoo Ranger Fruit Force Support the podcast by giving us...

Sam Cruz, Co-Founder + THE Visionary at Against the Grain Brewery, joins the show. We discuss Sam’s first beer, his early days in the industry, ATG’s brewery in Japan, consumer trends and what “craft beer” really means. Plus we play “Cruz Reviews!” Featured Beverages: 2017 Eisbock Barrique - TAPX (Schneider Weisse) Citra Ass Down Double IPA (Against the Grain) Junmai Sake (Against the Grain) Suppo...

Louisville’s own Sara Havens (aka The Bar Belle) joins the podcast. We talk about whiskey, beverage journalism, CaskX Whisky Investment Company, Zima, and more. Featured Beverages: Peerless Bourbon Bernheim Wheat Whiskey (Barrel Proof) Support the podcast by giving us a rating and a review. Prefer YouTube? Subscribe to our new channel. If you like what you hear, you can tip us a few bucks over on...

In Austin, Michael visits with Michael Graham (Austin Beerworks Co-Founder) and Kindsey Bernhard (ABW Taproom Manager, Boys Are From Marzen co-host). We chat about: Austin’s growth as a city and a beer scene The feel of “lived-in” taprooms versus “new and shiny” Changes in TX beer laws Sharing recipes between breweries The relationship between taproom management and production Twitter as a marketi...

Todd Pharris (Beer Manager, Liquor Barn) joins the show this week. We chat about: Classic, flagship February beers Revolution Brewing’s Rioter’s Reserve (Triple-Barrel VSOJ) Holsopple Brewing’s 6th Anniversary Gravely Brewing’s new food truck Braxton Brewing’s “Garage Beer” refresh Craft beer retail trends Featured Beers: Royal Oil (Bull & Bush) Sierra Nevada Pale Ale New Belgium Fat Tire “Amb...

Rob Arnold (Owner, Pregame Coffee) joins the show this week to talk coffee, coffee beers, coffee cocktails, and wrestling. We also talk about: Holy Grale’s 12th Anniversary Uncle Disheveled Day at Mile Wide Beer Co. Inside Job Brewing coming soon to Louisville. Coffee Snob or Beer Snob Featured Beverages: Uncle Disheveled Coffee Stout (Mile Wide Beer Co.) Kentucky Coffee Cocktail Pregame Old Fashi...

Aw shucks. Nick Felton (Head Brewer, Gravely) joins the show this week. We talk about: Gravely’s ties to Louisville beer history Gravely’s new canning line How a collab recipe prevented a potential lawsuit Name That Song game. Jello shots (provided by Slrrrp) Featured Beers: Wet Hop Strata and Peach Sour (Barrique) When We Dance Cold IPA (Gravely + Real Ale collab) Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Supp...

Andy Cobb and Ericka Azzarello (Butchertown Brewing) visit the guys at the homebrew shop for the first episode in 2023. We talk about: Butchertown’s new taproom Pivot Brewing (Lexington, KY) open a Louisville taproom Trellis Brewing building + opening updates Who is smarter: ChatGPT or Andy Cobb Featured Beers: 2015 Apple Brandy Noir (Prairie Artisan Ales) Gianna Italian Pilsner (Butchertown Brewi...

Merry Christmas (again!). No cheese in this episode but we talk about: Sake  Butchertown Brewing’s relocation Atrium opening up a taproom in Norton Commons™ Pivot Brewing (Lexington) opening a taproom in Louisville  Falls City Beer layoffs Featured Beverages: Sake Seltzer (The Void Sake) Homemade Wassail Support the podcast by giving us a rating and a review. If you like what you hear, y...

Ho-ho-ho. The guys are celebrating the holidays in this episode by doing a cheese & beer pairing featuring Cabot cheese. In addition to some other Christmas surprises, we chat about: Ten20's Larry Horwitz moving on Mile Wide's 6th Anniversary Christmas-themed bars Gallant Fox - Mt. Washington opens Episode sponsored by Cabot Creamery! Because we love cheese. Featured Beers: The Machine Russian...

On a visit to Charlotte, NC in September 2022, David, Michael, and Guest Host Mel Fox (Work For Your Beer) visit Plaza Midwood’s Resident Culture to meet up with Razia Gonzalez. Together, we chat about Charlotte beer culture, spontaneous fermentation, sensory panels, and discuss how the industry is moving towards more inclusion of women and non-binary individuals. Featured Beers: Forever Alone IPA...

In October 2022, The Pink Boots Society KY Chapter, Louisville Ale Trail, and an all-woman panel at Logan Street Market got together to host our 3rd Annual Women in Beer discussion. Hear perspectives from some of the industry's most tenured women as we dive directly into everything beer. Featured panelists include: Jessy Harding (Kentucky Guild of Brewers) Kristina Addington (Chimera Brewing) Sue...

From Stave to Glass was our inaugural barrel panel discussion that introduced attendees to panelists from beer and spirits as they discuss wood's impact on flavor, as well as consumer behaviors and trends. Featured Panelists included: Ariel Jahn (Woodinville Whiskey) Haley Perros (Wilderness Trail) Jessica Adkins (H&A Barrel Management) Jerry Gnagny (Against the Grain Brewery) Lee Northcutt (S...

Trick or Treat? Mostly treats. We’re in the basement barrel cellar at Monnik Beer Co. with Brian Holton (Co-Owner) and Buddy McHagen (Head Brewer) in this Halloween Special. We talk about Bo & Luke, Thiols, and sample straight from the barrels. Featured Beers Bo & Luke Batch #1 (Against the Grain) Thought and Memory (Monnik) New Year Old Ale (Monnik) + many other surprises Support the podc...

In honor of Louisville Beer Week, John, David, and Michael step aside and let John King, Scott Lykins, and John Wurth (LouisvilleBeer.com Podcast) reunite for the first time in over five years.  Want to check out their old episodes? Relive the past here: https://www.stitcher.com/show/louisville-beer-podcast Support the podcast by giving us a rating and a review. If you like what you hear, you...

David and Michael visit GABF winner Pilot Brewing in Charlotte, NC and speak with Rachael Hudson, owner and brewer. We discuss Southeastern IPAs, nano brewing, and the changing landscape of beer. Want to hear more from Rachael? Be sure to check out her own podcast - “False Bottomed Girls” Featured Beers: Powerhouse Pomegranate Pale Ale (Pilot x Sam Adams collab) Alley Oop Southeastern IPA Support...

Back in Charlotte, David and Michael are at Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts to speak with Ryan Place (Packaging Lead, Social Media). We talk about Charlotte’s first Hazy IPAs, barrel aging, and beer cheese. Guest Host Mel Fox (Work For Your Beer) joins. Featured Beers: Kölsch Encounters (Heist) Genuine Imitation Imperial Pastry Stout (Heist) Support the podcast by giving us a rating and a review....

The guys are left to their own devices this week. John and David blind taste their way through multiple Oktoberfests and rank their favorites. Oh and we hope you like Lord of The Rings. You’ll want to watch the video on Patreon for this one: https://tinyurl.com/LOTRBeer Featured Beer: Why ‘Cause Appalachian Wild Ale (Fonta Flora) Support the podcast by giving us a rating and a review. If you like...

Michael, David, and guest host Mel Fox (Work For Your Beer) visit Charlotte’s Divine Barrel Brewing and speak with James Amato (Marketing Manager) about diversity in beer, brewery social media, and barrels. Featured Beers: Czech Pilsner Sleep is the Cousin of Death English Barleywine (cognac barrel variant) Support the podcast by giving us a rating and a review. If you like what you hear, you tip...

LOUtoday’s own Katie Molck and Sarah Shadburne join the show to discuss their daily Louisville reporting and adventures. We answer questions from /r/louisville, reminisce about the Louisville River Frogs, and talk about Louisville Oktoberfest events. Featured Beers: 70K Amburana Imperial Milk Stout (Against the Grain) Farmhands Table Beer (Turtleback Ridge) Louisville-area Oktoberfest Events: Hi-W...

Entrepreneur, bar & restaurant consultant, and Neon Bites founder Tommy Johns joins John and David in this week’s episode. We talk branding, multimedia, cocktail programming, and Southern Indiana. Featured Beers Totally Naked Czech Pils (New Glarus Brewing) Eddy Kölsch - (Shippingport Brewing -via Pints&union) Support the podcast by giving us a rating and a review. If you like what you hea...